Children in the 9th grade and lower are still developing. What you see now is probably not what you are going to get by the time they enter their sophomore year. Their bodies and athletic skills will change drastically. More importantly, their mental maturity will vary and dictate how competitive they will be during this growth stage. Pushing a child in one direction in this stage may prohibit development in another area that may be more suited to the child. I have seen players entering the 8th grade who are head and shoulders ahead of their peers athletically and mentally. Two years later, those players are exactly the same size and have the same ability but the other players have developed and passed them by.

I have witnessed many players being pushed by coaches and parents into concentrating on one sport, only to have those players get cut from that sport and find that they are better suited for another sport. Let the kids have fun! That is what sports are supposed to be all about.

If you want to help your child become a good athlete, you should concentrate on general skills. These could include proper running form, basic aerobic conditioning, proper use and form of light weight lifting equipment, agility and quickness drills. These skills are offered by a number of qualified professionals, if you are not able to teach your child yourself. At this age, the workouts should be no more than three to four times a week and should be designed to build coordination and proper methods, rather than bulk or strength. Most children this age are not going to see results of weight lifting or strength drills because their bodies are not producing the hormones necessary for muscle growth.

If you really want to help your kids, get out in the backyard and play catch, kick the ball, swing the bat or shoot hoops on a regular basis so your children will develop a broad range of skills in all activities. They will then be confident in playing with their peers and will start to understand what they enjoy and where their skills lie. Most importantly, they will be interacting with you and having fun. If they are good enough, they will excel without specializing in the early years.

AMBER LETARTE: I would love to say that junior high age children can play everything and in high school be chosen to play on one of the highly competitive teams, but it seems as though that is not the case anymore. There is more pressure to excel in one sport and by doing that you need to join year-round club programs, unless you are born with God-given athletic ability in a particular sport. I know that for the school at which I coach, it is very difficult to make a team and continue in that program unless you are practicing and continuing to get better in the off-season. Many athletes that I work with not only play in club programs but they also have personal trainers and private lessons that they are going to on a regular basis.

I feel that kids need to be well rounded. Let them try a ton of activities as they are growing and learning what they are good at and what they enjoy being a part of. As they get older and more mature, they will most likely start narrowing down those activities. My children have been in basketball, softball, volleyball, soccer, dance, and now we might be giving gymnastics a try! My oldest has already narrowed her choices down to two sports. I need to make sure that it is her choice, not mine. I support, but don’t push.

It is true that you have a better chance of making a high school sport if you are already familiar with it and have had some competitive experience. I would tell all parents to get your junior high child in any activities that the high school is offering for that particular sport. They may have open gyms, weight training, leagues and games that would be beneficial for them to watch and join.

I feel that there is a lot of pressure. It would be great if all parents could encourage their children, and not add to the stress. Your child may or may not be one of the greatest. Help children be the best they possibly can and love them through it no matter what the result!

JULE DIONNE: Your child has to be playing—as in enjoying—whatever it is he is doing. It has to be play first before it becomes a more serious high school level endeavor. As far as parental support, do whatever it takes. Usually this means providing transportation and monetary support. Be prepared to become an expert about his sport (or sports) of choice. At the pre-high school stage, just provide positive reinforcement. No need for constructive criticism yet. Never negative reinforcement.