Lacrosse only vs. playing multiple sports

I read a blog post the other day from Barry Marenberg, a youth coach in my state. He mentioned there is acutally a debate among parents and coaches about whether a youth athlete should focus on one sport year round or mutiple sports.

To me, there is no debate, and I posted that at the end of Barry’s article. When developing the young athlete, multiple sports are clearly the best way to go. This is exactly what the International Youth Conditioning Association preaches. The IYCA is the authority on the issue of training and developing the young athlete.

But if you still think a kid can’t make it to the highest level of lacrosse, let’s look at the background of some professionals. Matt Striebel has been known to play both soccer and lacrosse at Princeton. Jesse Hubbard played football in HS. Adam Doneger played football. Brett Hughes was recruited as a linebacker. Conor Ford was an all-state soccer player. Greg Peyser even tried out for the NY Dragons of the Arena Fooball League. And these are guys I know of off the top of my head. I’m sure there are many others.

So if you’re child would like to play another sport, or two, let them. In the long run, it will help their athletic development.