October/November 2020 - 28

Total Athlete Development
Utilizing
" Crossover Sports " in
Athletic Training
By Chris Wellman, North Idaho College Basketball Camps
Contributing Writer
S
..ports specialization for young athletes has become
..a controversial topic.
Should young athletes devote all of their practice
and game time to just one sport? There are some aspects
of sports specialization that young athletes, their parents,
and coaches need to consider.
Sports specialization is not always harmful to young
athletes. Dedication to one sport will depend on an
athlete's personal goals, socialization needs, time available
for practice, and psychological makeup. Do friends and
family members play the sport? Excelling in a certain sport
can become a family tradition.
Young athletes may thrive just playing one sport if they
feel they control their own destiny, and have some degree
of choice with regard to time spent in participation. Being
able to develop friendships with athletes that play the
same sport can also be influential with regard to their
time spent practicing. There will be some young athletes
who just have higher levels of concentration than others,
especially as they grow older.
Signs of stress in young athletes will indicate they
need to take some time away from their primary sport.
The parents and coaches of one-sport athletes should be
concerned if they notice any of the following behaviors:
1. The athlete complains of minor injuries and fatigue.
2. Lack of enthusiasm for attending practices or games.
3. Inability to focus during practices.
Players may become tired of being one-sport athletes.
This does not mean they should never play their favorite
sport again, just take some time away from it. The
parents or coach of a young athlete can help them find a
complimentary or crossover sport to participate in.
Crossover sports can actually improve the way athletes
play their primary sport because they require similar
fundamental skills and movements - particularly building
speed, power, and agility in athletes by replicating those
crossover skills.
EXAMPLES OF " CROSSOVER SPORTS " :
1. Wrestling and Football Both sports require upper
body strength, maintaining balance, and quick lateral
26 | Training & Conditioning | October/November 2020
" Developing an understanding of crossover
sports in athletic training can prove to be
valuable for one-sport athletes. "
movement. Additionally, both wrestling and football -
especially in terms of line play - use leverage, hand
strength, and downright brute strength to excel in-game.
2. Basketball and Soccer Fundamental passing
strategies are nearly identical. Players pass the ball and run
to an open space, " give and go " . Knowing the location of
the ball is needed for defensive positioning in both sports.
Defensive slide movements are similar and vital.
3. Tennis and Racquetball The similarities in using a
racquet and keeping your eye on the ball are obvious.
Similar footwork with short bursts of speed, both forward
and backward are needed. And, not to mention, the
singular nature of the sports requires a mental toughness
and self-reliance to succeed.
4. Hockey and Lacrosse Whether it's shooting a slapshot
from just within the blue line or snapping off a crank shot
on the man-advantage, it takes a similar mastery of handeye
coordination to excel at hockey and lacrosse. Add in the
similarities of the playing surface layout, the importance of
face-offs, and the player-friendly second assist and it's easy
to build up skills in either sport by playing the other.
5. Volleyball and Basketball Not only are both sports
heavy on jumping and quick cuts - requiring strong ankles
and knees - but both need constant communication
on the court to be successful. Lateral movements and
quickness are two necessary traits while blocking and the
textbook defensive stance are also common similarities.
SUMMARY
Developing an understanding of crossover sports in
athletic training can prove to be valuable for one-sport
athletes. Athletes involved in sports specialization can
use crossover sports as a means of preventing mental
fatigue and for overuse injuries. People will find that many
sports are similar, with regard to fundamental skills and
movements. n
October/November 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October/November 2020
