Essay on Sports Specialization - 1822 Words

Sports Specialization Sports are a popular pastime among all ages and types of people. People not only participate in them for fun, but also for money, physical fitness, rush of competition, and for many other personal reasons. Playing sports is especially common among young people in schools. Athletics are great and enjoyable for many reasons, but there can be a point where sports participation can go too far and become negative for children and adults. Sports specialization for young people is an increasing trend that results in sports having a negative impact on individuals and society. Sports specialization among young people is when a child or teenager trains for and competes in only one sport. They work extremely hard†¦show more content†¦The fact that young people now have the opportunity to get into professional sports at a younger age now encourages this trend. If a young person is very successful at a sport, the media will rave on about them and the publicity will only force them to work harder. Freddy Adu, a thirteen-year-old soccer sensation, is getting large amounts of publicity for his remarkable skills (Goodall, 2003). He has been featured in Sports Illustrated where he was referred to as â€Å"the prodigy of American soccer† (Wahl, 2003). Newsweek has also included articles about this remarkable soccer player, calling him â€Å"a preteen phenom† (Starr, 2004). ESPN Soccernet also reported information about his amazing skills (Goodall, 2003). The publicity of Adu is making this young athlete a star and keeping other young at hletes focused on similar opportunities for themselves. All of the publicity that is attained by success, and the possibility of this success, places a great deal of pressure and stress on these young single-sport athletes. This stress and pressure takes the fun out of some sports. Youth sports are becoming serious and based more on winning than on having a great time and learning good sportsmanship. Adu points out the winning mindset of athletes in this day and age when he says, â€Å"Teams will do anything to win the game. My coach told me to expect that going in and that is exactly how it was. . .I felt like everybody was out to get me† (Goodall, 2003). ThisShow MoreRelatedThe Impact Of Youth Sports On Early Specialization Vs. Diversification1234 Words   |  5 PagesThe Impact of Youth Sports: Early Specialization vs. Diversification Eight-year-old Myzel Miller looks like a football phenom as he runs down the field displaying speed and elusiveness that is far superior to his teammates. Unlike the hive mind of most of his peers, Myzel seems to have a greater understanding of the nuances of the sport as he makes cuts and finds holes instead of only running mindlessly with the football down the field. Myzel deftly receives a handoff to the inside from the quarterbackRead MoreAthlete Development Programs: Deliberate Practice and Deliberate Play1170 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction What makes champions in sport? At the end of the day, it is the moment when one stands at the top of the podium, holding up their well-deserved medals and trophies that all elite athletes strive for. Thus, experts have studied this question extensively to see which programs, or by what means, are elite athletes developed to achieve this goal. One of the many aspects to athlete development is the controversial topic of deliberate practice versus deliberate play. Deliberate practice canRead MoreBenefits And Benefits Of Youth Sport Essay1393 Words   |  6 Pagesbenefits to youth sport than just a child’s daily exercise. Along with there being many positives and benefits to youth sport, there are also negatives that can come about. 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What wereRead MoreYouth Sports : A Trend That Has Touched Every Household1551 Words   |  7 PagesYouth sports in America have become a trend that has touched every household. Sports have become so ingrained in American culture that toddlers have even begun to experience it. Almost all children from the ages of six to ten have kicked a soccer ball or hit a ball with a bat. While studies have shown that youth team sports have a tremendous positive impact on a child’s social development, many children have run into serious injuries. Some of these injuries can require extensive surgeries, rehabilitationRead MoreIncreasing Number of Female Athletes567 Words   |  2 PagesSport participation is a significant aspect of life for many female athletes beginning at a young age. With increasing female sport participation, specifically in swimming, understanding the possible implications of their chosen form of training is critical. 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Most specifically football is being researched intensely for head injuries that can hurt the children forRead MoreThe Changing Attitudes Toward Athletics1270 Words   |  6 PagesThe changing attitudes toward athletics began in the mid 1820’s when sport became commercialized, publicized and organizations began to form. Harness Racing became the first modernized sport which seen change thanks to growth and the transformation of America. You first begin to see the formation of organization at the local, regional and national level. Rules became formal and written and legitimized by the organization where before, rules were based on local customs, s o variations were plentifulRead MoreShould Execptionally Talented Young Athletes Be Allowed to Play Professional Sports When They Are Still in Their Early Teens Even If They Have to Move Away from Home and Leave School?896 Words   |  4 PagesALLOWED TO PLAY PROFESSIONAL SPORTS WHEN THEY ARE STILL IN THEIR EARLY TEENS EVEN IF THEY HAVE TO MOVE AWAY FROM HOME AND LEAVE SCHOOL? Many believe that all of the hard work starts early. Like the saying says â€Å"he early bird gets the worm.† But is that all that sport is really about? I use to think that the answer to that question was yes! I feel that there are more disadvantages to sport specialization than there are advantages. Do you realize that  sports affect  us all in one way or anotherRead More The pressures between youth and its sports programs Essay1539 Words   |  7 Pages The Pressures Between Youth and Its Sports Programs nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Over the last two decades the growth of youth sports has reflected the popularity of professional sports in our society. Sporting events and news are available to the public twenty-four hours a day on television and radio: sports is an enormous industry. The outstanding popularity of the sports industry has greatly affected youth sports organizations. In order to supervise, teach and