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“If they don’t start early, they’ll fall behind.” It’s one of the most common worries among parents and coaches.

What the research generally shows:

• In most sports, playing several sports in childhood looks better for long-term success and staying in sport
• Early, intense single-sport focus is linked with overuse injuries and burnout
• In most sports, intense specialisation can wait until the mid-to-late teens
• Early-peaking sports such as gymnastics are an exception

More: early specialisation vs sampling in junior tennis.

How many sports does your child play?

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A rule of thumb you’ll often see: weekly hours in organised sport shouldn’t exceed the child’s age in years. Under 10 hours for a ten-year-old, for example. It’s not a hard limit, but it’s a useful warning sign for overload.

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