Before high school, I had always played multiple sports, basketball and lacrosse being my main ones. But going into high school, I felt that playing multiple sports would be extremely time consuming or distract me from my academics. I loved both of my sports so much, so I decided to play both in high school, and the contrary happened. Being a multi-sport student athlete in high school has so many advantages, both physically and mentally. My experience as a multi-sport athlete has not only made me a better athlete but also a more rounded student. Additionally, it has helped me meet many of my closest friends, taught me how to be a better teammate and leader, and it definitely has helped me avoid what is common among many student-athletes: burnout.

Making you a better athlete: physical benefits of being a multi-sport athlete

Playing multiple sports has made a better overall athlete because of the wider range of skills I’ve gained from playing both lacrosse and basketball. For example, playing lacrosse gives me better endurance in basketball while the defensive skills I learn in basketball make me a better defender in lacrosse. However, this is just one example of how transferable skills from one sport can be to a completely different sport. Every sport has skills that are crucial in another sport, even if they seem like they are completely unrelated. Engaging in multiple sports not only widens your capabilities and makes you a more well-rounded athlete, but it also gives you an edge over other athletes who simply stick to one sport.

Another huge advantage of playing multiple sports is the reduced risk of injury from overuse of the same joints and muscles. Participating in multiple sports reduces the repetitive motion that can often lead to injuries because of the stress it puts on that certain part of your body. If you play multiple sports, you are engaging in various ranges of movements that may complement each other. In high school, you are rotating from one sport to another, only playing one in one season, which helps athletes avoid overuse of the same muscles and joints that leads to injuries.

Provides Important Mental Advantages and Leadership Values

Focusing just on one sport can often cause young athletes to put a huge stress just on that one sport, which can eventually lead to burnout. Burnout is when an athlete becomes extremely tired from overworking or mental exhaustion in their sport, which can lead to decreased motivation and declining athletic performance. However, the variety of playing multiple sports helps prevent this, keeping athletes engaged instead of overloaded and overworked. In my personal experience, switching from basketball in the winter to lacrosse in the spring keeps me excited about my athletics and helps me stay passionate about the sport I’m playing.

Not only does playing multiple sports improve one’s mental state as an athlete, it also allows one to gain greater communication and leadership qualities. Being a part of multiple teams has allowed me to interact with many different types of people, teaching me how to collaborate with different individuals and adapt various types of team dynamics.

College Preparation 

Being a multi-sport athlete enhances time-management skills, adaptability, and the ability to work with different types of people, all important skills that are much-needed in the real-world after high school. Additionally it makes you stand out in the college admissions process, displaying your well-roundedness as a student-athlete and your ability to time-manage.

Continue or begin your multi-sport journey in high school!

Playing multiple sports in high school has many benefits. Physically, it can make you a more versatile and healthier athlete. And mentally, it can teach valuable skills necessary for any student’s future, such as time-management, communication, and leadership skills. And it can improve one’s mental health too, helping reduce the possibility for burnout as a high school student. So if you are a multi-sport athlete, I know it can be challenging at times, but keep it up. Even if you don’t play multiple sports, maybe try something new, you never know how much you might love it.

Karly Okamoto

My name is Karly Okamoto, and I’m a senior here at St. Francis, where I play both basketball and lacrosse. This is my second year being a part of SAAC; last year I served as a DEI Representative, and this year I serve as the President of SAAC. I am also a four year varsity athlete for the lacrosse program, and I have also won First Team All League for three years in a row and have helped lead my team to 2 League Championships. I have also been a part of the basketball program for four years, captaining my JV Team for two years, and winning Defensive Player of the year for both freshman and sophomore year. My love for lacrosse continues outside of school as well, as I have played club lacrosse for 6 years, playing for Lakeside Lacrosse Club.