Specialization vs Diversification

A recent trend has appeared in training. People are torn between encouraging their athletes to specialize (play one sport year-round) or diversify (play multiple sports year round). There are examples of great athletes who have done both. Tiger Woods for example specialized at a very young age but Jordan Spieth was a multiple-sport athlete all the way through high school.

Studies suggest that playing multiple sports at an early age may actually be safer than playing a single sport year-round. In a recent study it was found that athletes who specialize are nearly twice as likely (1.9 times) to become injured than those who play multiple sports.

The most frequently used expression I hear from both parents and athletes is that they can't play another sport because they might get hurt and not be full strength for "their" sport.

This was one of the reasons I decided to start this website, to help parents realize that this excuse is moot.

Please let me know what you think of this website and share your stories of why you or your athlete specializes, or why they do not specialize. Thank you!