We KNOW that athletes from the lesser sports should be cross-training Gymnastics.
But should we encourage our gymnasts to play other sports?
I think so. As long as they don’t get injured.
… If it takes an infographic of [football head coach] Urban Meyer’s football recruits at Ohio State [the Buckeyes won the first ever College Football Playoff National Championship in January] to shift the paradigm in youth sports, then so be it. The image above clearly demonstrates that the overwhelming majority of his recruits are multi-sport kids. …
This is not new information, but it has caused quite a stir. Here is what it says in a nutshell: To be an elite level player at a college or professional sport, you need a degree of exceptional athleticism. And the best medically, scientifically, and psychologically recommended way to develop such all around athleticism is ample free play and multiple sport participation as a child.
Why? Well let’s see what the experts say …
… Steve Nash, who got his first basketball at age 13 and credits his soccer background for making him a great basketball player …
Are all sports the same?
No, they are not. They each require specific athletic, technical, and tactical skill sets. Some sports, in order to be elite, require early specialization, such as gymnastics and figure skating. Other sports are so dependent upon physical prowess (American football, basketball, volleyball, rugby, and others) that the technical skills and tactical know-how can be developed later. …
Can you guess the one thing that most elite athletes have in common?
related – Is It Wise to Specialize?: What Every Parent Needs to Know About Early Sports Specialization and its Effect Upon Your Child’s Athletic Performance
Thank coach John Carroll for the link.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 