The creator, a Stanford PhD scientist and youth exercise specialist, sits in his car and delivers three key pieces of advice for parents of young athletes aged 11-16. He first establishes his credibility, then outlines three points: 1) avoid specializing in one sport too early, 2) prioritize skill development over competition, and 3) protect against overtraining by providing specific guidelines on playing time and rest. He concludes by reframing the advice as a way to protect a child's future athletic potential and includes a call to action to share the video.
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I’m a Stanford PhD scientist, a NASM certified youth exercise specialist, and a dad of two.
Between ages 11 and 16, long-term athletic development means delaying specialization, keeping skill development ahead of competition, and protecting young athletes from overtraining. Playing more than one sport, managing training load, and allowing enough recovery can help preserve athletic potential as kids grow.
These evidence-informed recommendations draw from Sport for Life’s Long-Term Development framework and guidance from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association.
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Transcript
If you want your kid to reach their athletic potential, don't get these three things wrong between ages 11 and 16. I'm a Stanford PhD scientist, a certified youth exercise specialist, and a dad of two. Number one, keep playing more than one sports. For most sports, hold off on specializing until the end of this 11 to 16 age window. Use a complimentary sport to keep building a broad athletic foundation. Number two, prioritize development over competition. About 60% of their focus should be on developing their physical capacity as well as technical, tactical, and mental skills, and only about 40% should be on competition rank competition like training. Number three, protect against overtraining. Play only one organized sport per season. Spend less than eight months a year playing their main sport. Take at least two days off per week, and keep their weekly hours playing organized sports at or below their age in years. You're not just building the athlete they are today, you're protecting the athlete they can become. Share this with a parent raising a young athlete.
