The Hidden Cost of Playing Too Much: Why Being a Multisport Athlete May Be Hurting More Than Helping

Did the rage bait of a title lure you in to see how full of crap I am? Good! now that I have you here I can explain what I mean. Playing multiple sports, is a very good thing especially for growing kids. Letting them discover different sports, learn different schools, adapt to different environments and rulesets is a very good thing for them to experience. As a matter of fact, the evidence would show that if the goal you have for your child is to become a professional athlete, than having them participate in multiple sports during their developmental years would be the most beneficial for them. The problem we find ourselves in now is that kids are doing way to much all at once. I can't tell you how when I was coaching 7th grade football, I would have kids go through a full football practice, than immediately afterwards go play in a club soccer game. Most recently I was conducting football workouts, and one of the players left afterwards to go to baseball workouts, and most likely went to do additional training at a sports performance facility. Its astounding how much young athletes are cramming into a short time frame.

In an era where athletic achievement often starts young, the pressure to do more; to train harder, compete more often, and play multiple sports can feel overwhelming. While playing multiple sports throughout the year has long been encouraged for healthy youth development, playing multiple sports in the same season is a very different story, and one that can come with serious consequences.

Let’s dive into why juggling multiple sports at once may be doing young athletes more harm than good.

1. Increased Risk of Injury

When an athlete participates in more than one sport simultaneously, they typically face double the practices, double the games, and double the stress on their body. This often leads to overuse injuries: strains, sprains, tendonitis, and even stress fractures, especially when there’s little time for proper recovery.

🧠 Fun Fact: According to the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, athletes who specialize in one sport at a time have a significantly lower injury risk compared to those who play multiple sports year-round or simultaneously.

2. Lack of Recovery = Burnout

Physical exhaustion is only part of the picture. When young athletes have no true downtime, mental fatigue sets in quickly. The pressure to perform in practices and games multiple days a week can leave athletes feeling emotionally drained and mentally checked out.

Burnout doesn't just lead to quitting sports, it can also affect sleep, mood, academic performance, and self-esteem.

3. Conflicting Skills and Coaching Philosophies

Different sports come with different movement patterns, demands, and expectations. A baseball coach might want you working on rotational power, while a track coach might prioritize linear speed and stride mechanics. Doing both at the same time can lead to neither improving with any real significance.

Even worse, conflicting coaching philosophies may put the athlete in an uncomfortable position, trying to please two different coaches with different priorities and time commitments.

4. Compromised Skill Development

Playing multiple sports at the same time usually means less focused practice in each. Athletes spread themselves too thin and never get the high-quality, dedicated practice time necessary to truly improve their skills. This can result in stagnation, frustration, and feeling "behind" compared to peers who are more focused.

Quality reps matter more than quantity. Multisport participation should be strategic, not simultaneous.

5. Academic and Social Sacrifices

School, homework, and social time often take a back seat when athletes are trying to juggle multiple practices, games, and travel schedules. This can lead to stress, sleep deprivation, and missed developmental opportunities outside of sports. In the long term, this imbalance can affect not just grades but also social-emotional growth and well-being.

6. Team Commitment and Conflicts

Being on multiple teams at once means missing practices and games, showing up late, or having to choose one sport over another in crunch moments. This can create friction with coaches and teammates and sends mixed signals about commitment.

Being "all-in" on a team builds trust, accountability, and character. Playing on multiple teams at once can fracture that foundation.

The Solution: Sequential, Not Simultaneous

Multisport athletes thrive when their sports are played in separate seasons, allowing them to:

• Recover properly between seasons

• Cross-train in a healthy and balanced way

• Learn different movement skills without overlap

• Stay mentally fresh and engaged

• Avoid injury and burnout

Encourage young athletes to enjoy a variety of sports over the course of a year, not all at once. Balance is key to long-term development and long-term health.

Final Thought

Let’s shift the focus from doing everything at once to doing the right things at the right time. The goal isn’t just short-term success; it’s sustainable growth, health, and enjoyment of sport for years to come.