I think it depends on the athlete and it depends on the situation. If you are a true standout, a one of a kind talent, then I think you are more inclined to focus on one sport so you can be the best that you can be. But at the same time, it's simply up to the individual. If you truly love playing Football, Basketball and Baseball, so be it and go play. It's all about what the individual truly loves doing.

I remember when I was in high school. I was in a class of 55 kids, and 230 total in the entire high school. We were counted on to play sports and our participation was crucial to the success of the team. I played soccer, basketball and baseball and had a role on every single team that I played for throughout high school. It built great character, and prepared for me a lot of different situations in sports, and in life. It certainly has its benefits.

The more sports a kid plays, the better an athlete they become. In speaking with some college coaches, the encourage multi sport athletes. There is also a lesser chance of burnout in a particular sport.

If a kid can excel at multiple sports then why try to stop them? At that age how do they know what they want to focus on. Life is much easier when you have options. Although the kid should recognizes that dedication to a single sport would make them better faster in that sport.

I played lacrosse in college, but I was into many sports whether it be competitively for school or outside school during high school. Of course I had to focus my efforts once I decided I would be playing lacrosse in college, but I still played basketball and soccer for my school. I dropped my very competitive club soccer team my sophomore year so I would have more time for lacrosse, but I think playing other sports benefited me on many levels.

First, I was in better shape year round. There were night lacrosse teams I could play on and I could work out on my own obviously, but there is nothing like playing in a game. I also feel like I kept that game "edge" and quick thinking since I was constantly in game settings. When I got back out on the lacrosse field I was mentally sharp. Also, I believe you learn a lot from playing other sports even if they are completely different. When I was being recruited there were several coaches that wanted to come see me play in a soccer or basketball game, which didn't really make sense to me at the time, but it does now.

I spent a year coaching lacrosse for University of Richmond and when we looked at recruits we didn't want someone who ONLY played lacrosse. We wanted an all around athlete, someone who was competitive and experienced as an athlete. You can't teach being an athlete, but every coach in college will develop you into a baseball player, hockey player, lacrosse player, etc. Baseball is obviously different from lacrosse, but I would think the majority of coaches would agree. They want you to be a focused player in your given sport, but they also want you to be an experienced athlete.

Lastly, enjoy high school sports. If you decide to play one sport in college you'll basically become that sport since the majority of your time is spent doing it. You don't want to get burnt out on that sport before you even get to college. Some of my best memories from high school are from soccer and basketball, not necessarily just lacrosse.

Athletes should never be asked to put blinders on in their sports career. In high school or college. Playing different sports gives most players an edge mentally and physically. Unless kids are being paid to play don't limit their day job. Sports.

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No! I played 5 different sports this year in highschool! I'm a girl and I live in Ontario by the way...

I'd have to agree with others it aint a clear cut answer. I'd also say it depends on the sport. I coach baseball and teach Physical Ed in Great Britain and here if your a soccer player its very hard being a 2 sport or more athlete, because soccer last 11 months of the year. British highschool students spend 39 weeks in school about 31 of those weeks soccer goes on, they play a lot of games and tournaments as a result soccer players usually don't make good 2 sport athletes and conversly baseball teams with lots of soccer players are not successful, because the players are either not available to play half the season and have not practiced. I coach an amateur adult team in the British AAA division one of my players is also a soccer player, I hardly ever see him. The only exception to this rule is one of my students who has practiced with me all year every week and worked very hard despite being a soccer player the downside was he missed the first half of the season, but he's put in the practice. Depends on the length and season of the other sport. I practiced karate and played baseball in college, but karate fitted in perfectly with baseball and was perfect for developing explosive power and speed. Depends on potential natural talent, demands of each. The best youth players in Great Britain with few exceptions are 1 sport athletes, but thats also a necessity of playing baseball in England.