Don't Limit Your Player to Only Hockey

If you’re like most parents, then you love seeing your child involved in hockey. It’s a wonderful sport, and of course, there’s always that dream that your child could turn pro.

Due to your big dreams, you may be tempted to have your child concentrate solely on hockey and to play it exclusively. In truth, though, that’s not the best idea. Your child will be much better off if you allow and encourage him to play multiple sports and pursue other athletic interests.

That may be tough to take for parents with big hockey dreams, but there really are benefits to playing multiple sports.

Keep Burnout at Bay

To start with, when you allow your child to try out different sports, he’s sure to have a blast. After all, trying something new is always fun, even if you’re not the best at it.   

You also take away some of the pressure. When kids know they can try other things, they don’t feel so “locked in” to hockey or like they have to excel at it. They start to see sports as opportunities for fun and growth, rather than as something they have to constantly stress out over.

This will keep your child from feeling burnt out on hockey or on sports in general, increasing the chance that he’ll have long-term, fun experiences with sports, instead of giving up on them entirely.

Reduce the Risk of Overuse Injuries

One major reason to encourage participating in other sports is because it can reduce the risk of overuse injuries, common among those who specialize in a sport from a young age.

Playing different sports means using the body differently, which reduces the risk of repetition related injuries. It can also increase and build muscle in areas that hockey might have missed and create improved motor skills all around, both of which make overuse injuries less likely.

Playing a different sport is fun, and it can also keep your child in good health. So, even if it’s hard for you to let go, allow your child to explore the sports world and try out different things.