Free Play Academy Newsletter #3
What will be covered:
1. Emotional maturity influencing early specialization in sport for athletes.
2. Who is Owen Hiltz and why watch him?
3. The Principle of Gravitas from The Free Game.
Emotional maturity influencing early specialization in sport for athletes.
The idea of early specialization in sport has been a hot topic for a while. Some believe that specialization early on in an athlete’s career may be beneficial to their development and push them to great heights, while others see it as a sure way to burn-out, contract injuries and other unwanted consequences.
So what is the answer?
Is early specialization in sport worthwhile?
The truth is, yes.
BUT.. with a serious caveat that does not get enough attention.
The caveat is the emotional maturity of the athlete.
I draw this insight from Ben Askren, one of the greatest wrestlers of all-time. Awarded the Dan Hodge Trophy, which goes to the best college wrestler in the country, 2 years in a row while at the University of Missouri, and went on to represent the United States in the Olympics.
In a recent interview, Ben goes on to talk about his own experience as a young athlete. He depicts the time when he wanted to drop everything and SPECIALIZE in his sport. He was age 11. He wanted to get better at wrestling and to ONLY focus on his wrestling, so he went to his parents and convinced them to let him wrestle year-round. Mind you he is only 11-years-old! They agreed and so he began to gain extensive experience in his sport at such an early age which undoubtedly enhanced his abilities and led to his ultra success in the sport.
Early specialization in sport is okay, with the caveat of how emotionally developed the athlete is. The athlete will, undoubtedly, face the consequences of specializing in one sport, i.e. sport specific injuries and burn-out, but will be able to handle by way of his emotional capacity.
The key to detect level of emotional maturity in an athlete is how intrinsically driven the individual is.
Incredibly interesting topic.
Who is Owen Hiltz and why watch him?
Comparable to Jeff Teat’s generational level talent, Owen Hiltz is from north of the border and is currently a redshirt sophomore for Syracuse University. He too plays the game with such fluency that it looks effortless from a viewer’s point of view. The similarities between Owen and Jeff range from their poise and patience to allow the game to come them to having an even-keel manner throughout the course of games that naturally gravitates teammates to them.
Not to mention what they can do with their wrists..
*Pardon the language in the audio*
The Principle of Gravitas from The Free Game.
The Free Game is..
The part of lacrosse that is played with the mind.
The Principle of Gravitas is one of the 8 Principles of Performance.
Stop pulling at the game.
Stop being so concerned about your own accolades practice to practice, and game to game.
Allow the game to come to you.
Enjoy this excerpt from The Free Game. You can purchase the 2nd Edition of The Free Game here.
Dive in, do the work, stay focused and become uncommon.
Have a great week.