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US Lacrosse is extremely fortunate to have members on their Sports Science and Safety Committee like Dr. Richard Ginsburg who is the co-author of the book Whose Game is it Anyway?: A Guide to Helping Your Child Get the Most from Sports, Organized by Age and Stage. Dr. Ginsburg has also written numerous articles on sports psychology as he also serves as a sports psychology consultant to Harvard’s men’s lacrosse and women’s soccer team, and provides clinical services and consultations to schools nationally.

We are all parents, and we are all approaching the beginning of another school year. And most of us, likely all of us, are off to another season of recreational sports...soccer anyone? But there are some that have kids that have been playing soccer since last fall, and others that have kids that still have not stopped playing lacrosse. Bring on Lax fall ball!! So we ask ourselves, as parents who want to do the best for our kids, make sure that they have FUN, get exercise and a great team experience, if a child wants to specialize in one sport, or is encouraged by a coach to focus on one sport, what is right?

“The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) claims that specialization in one sport can jeopardize the physical and emotional health of young athletes, by exposing them to over-use injury, burnout, and stress, while undermining the benefits of varied physical activity.”

Let’s start by looking at the liabilities of specialization in elementary school. The following is an excerpt from an article written by Dr. Richard Ginsburg. "Elementary-school children risk compromising their developmental..." >>

In middle school, the pressure continues explains Dr. Ginsburg. "Some athletic directors and school heads argue that...">>

And finally, Dr. Ginsburg's opinion about specializing in upper school. "Specialization at the upper school level presents a different range of risks..." >>

One of the greatest risks, as kids start to specialize at a young age, is health liabilities according to Dr. Ginsburg. "Here is another scenario in America..." >>

While this article focuses on the athletic experiences of independent school students and parents, there is significant overlap with the public and parochial schools as well as unique differences. Further investigation and formal research into athletics at public and parochial schools is needed to understand the complexity of issues and demands students, parents and coaches manage.

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Straight Shooters: New Ways to Conquer Cradling?
by Lindsey Biles
Even though it has been around for a while, I think that the “open the door, close the door” method is still the best for teaching the cradling concept for the first time. Whatever the terminology, it’s all about teaching the same motion. Some players will naturally pick it up more easily, and that’s OK. You just have to emphasize the importance of it and find as many ways as possible to incorporate cradling into your practice drills.

Read more >>

Role of Parents
by Dr. Ginsburg
Send your question to US Lacrosse

QUESTION: Should my child specialize in lacrosse and, if so, when?

ANSWER: The question of specialization (playing one sport exclusively over the course of a year) is one of the most popular and challenging of questions for parents in all youth sports. The pressure for athletes to specialize in one sport at increasingly younger ages is profoundly affecting the athletic experiences of many American youth. Parents are being told, if you don’t specialize now, your child will be at a disadvantage and won’t be able to compete or make the necessary travel teams to improve and be recruited by college coaches. However, there are sobering statistics that many of us parents need to consider that run against the push for specialization.

Click here to read the entire article by Dr. Ginsburg >>

Dr. Ginsburg co-directs the Massachusetts General Hospital Performance and Character Excellence in Sports (PACES) Institute of Sports Psychology

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