Playing multiple collegiate sports can have many benefits. Along with helping athletes become more physically fit and well-rounded, the mental toughness gained from playing and competing in multiple sports is a great advantage, which can enhance an athlete's overall skill level. Furthermore, the different strategies coaches use and the way that they present their knowledge provide a preview of how coaches do their job at the collegiate level. Here are a few reasons to consider playing multiple sports as a college student:

Related: Angels Baseball Player Talks About Playing Multiple Sports

You'll Become More Well-Rounded

Each sport possesses its own skillset, making playing multiple sports all the more challenging. Furthermore, because playing multiple sports requires extra training and muscle-work, along with possessing a sharper mind, an athlete's risk of injury is reduced. The exhaustion of constantly using the same set of muscles that comes with being a single sport athlete is eliminated when playing multiple sports. For example, college athletes who play soccer and lacrosse have the chance to use their legs more in soccer and their arms more in lacrosse.

You Get Multiple Perspectives

Being a multi-sport athlete also subjects an athlete to various coaching styles, providing training for the multiple personalities of the large coaching staff at a college or university. Even in college, some athletes are recruited to play multiple sports due to their high acumen. Knowledge of different strategies can also be gained from playing multiple sports at a young age and onward. Also, an athlete has a lower chance of gaining burnout from solely playing one sport. By playing field hockey and soccer, the athlete can use similar skills and learn new ones for each sport while enhancing their abilities to play each sport well.  

Reconsider Playing More Than One Sport if…

Alternatively, some schools prioritize athletes specializing in one sport. If an athlete has committed to a university who practices this tactic, it is important to pick the sport they committed for and focus on it the most. Some athletes also prefer to specialize and refine their skills in one sport, which may not allow time or interest in other sports. Generally, though, playing multiple sports is advantageous to an athlete. 

Related: Inside the Mind of a Multi-Sport Collegiate Athlete

Overall, there is a host of benefits to playing multiple sports. While it can be tiring at times to always be on some kind of field or court, the physical and mental strength to be gained in the long-run can help prepare multi-sport athletes well for a future of rigorous college athletics. 

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* Originally published on July 18, 2022, by Caleb Myers