How To Manage Being A Multi-Sport Athlete

In youth sports, there are so many benefits of a multi sport athlete. Even as athletes grow into high school, playing multiple sports is still very beneficial. Playing multiple sports as a young or high school athlete helps athletes maintain an interest in their sports, teach them how to become a dynamic team player, help develop different skills and look great on a college recruiting resume. However, playing multiple sports also takes up a lot of time.  At Warren Academy, we offer offseason training programs for athletes of all ages and sports. We understand how big of a commitment it is being a multi-sport athlete, but also know the benefits as well. Below, we provide some tips on how to manage being a multi-sport athlete! Choose sports that go together When choosing what sports to play, number one you should choose sports that you ultimately love. However, it’s also a good idea to choose sports that will complement each other. For example, if you are a wide receiver in football, running track in the spring is a great way to stay competitive while also improving your speed and acceleration.  Train during the season In-season training is essential for the success of every athlete, but is even more important for those who play multiple sports. When an athlete plays more than one sport, their offseason training time essentially gets cut in half. This is even a shorter amount of time for those who play three sports. Although in-season training should not be as intense as offseason training programs, athletes should still try to push themselves to maintain strength and speed and help their bodies recover.  For in-season training tips, check out this blog post!  Take time to rest When an athlete plays multiple sports, it can seem like they are going non-stop. Fall sports run right into winter sports, which run right into spring sports. This can be exhausting for any athlete. So, if you do play multiple sports, it’s very important to take time to rest. Once a season ends, it’s a good idea to take at least one week off to rest your mind and body, and prepare for the next season.  Take time for school Being a multi-sport athlete takes up a lot of time throughout the year. However, what these athletes need to remember is that they are a STUDENT first. Without focusing on academics, it’s hard for an athlete to succeed at a high level. A good idea is to map out a calendar every week of practices, games, training sessions; basically, all of your sports responsibilities. Then, look at your school schedule for that week, and take note of any upcoming tests, projects, assignments that you will need to complete or study for. This will help you plan out your weeks so you can excel both in the classroom and on the field.  There are many benefits of a multi sport athlete. It teaches athletes how to manage their responsibilities, helps them take their athleticism and skills to a higher level and ultimately allows them to do what they enjoy. However, being a multi-sport athlete takes a lot of time. Use these tips to help manage your time while playing multiple sports throughout the year.  At Warren Academy, we offer a variety of sports performance programs throughout the entire year. If you are interested in taking your athleticism and skill to the next level, visit our website to learn more about our training programs!