The Pro’s & Con’s of Multi-Sport Athletes
Let me tell you - this topic stirs up some debate. Some coaches and/or parents say “Play everything.” Others scream “Specialize now!”
The reality? Both can be wrong.
And if you’re a wrestler (or the parent of one) you need to understand this: How you manage your time and focus during the year will determine whether you fall behind or level up.
Being a multi-sport athlete can make you better. I see there are kids that are naturally gifted and can do it all. But it can just as easily cost you everything you’re working for in wrestling. This isn’t about pleasing every coach, or being Athlete-of-the-Year. This is about being honest with yourself, and owning your goals. Let’s break it down.
PRO: You Build Athleticism That Carries Over
Football teaches power.
Track teaches speed
Soccer teaches footwork.
Gymnastics builds body control and awareness.
Different sports challenge different systems, and for younger athletes, that variety helps build a well-rounded athlete.
More movement = more coordination = higher ceiling for performance.
Bottom Line: Playing multiple sports early on helps you move better, compete better and react quicker.
PRO: It Keeps You Mentally Fresh
Wrestling is brutal, and it’s one of the hardest sports on earth. Even though the season is not super long, but a lot of matches in a short amount of time. So having a mental reset between seasons can actually help athletes come back with more intensity and focus.
New sport. New coach. New team dynamic. That break prevents burnout.
As long as you’re not hiding in other sports to avoid the lifts and open mats, this break can help you come back mentally sharp.
PRO: You Learn to Compete in Different Roles
In one sport, you might be the MVP. In another, the role player. That contrast teaches humility, leadership and adaptability.
You learn how to:
Compete in different systems (which leads to being a team player and gives new perspective)
Take feedback from different coaches
Fit into a new team dynamic
That makes you a more mature athlete - and person.
Now let’s flip the coin. Here’s where being a multi-sport athlete can work against you.
CON: Your Wrestling Falls Behind
This is a big one.
If you’re serious about wrestling, you can’t treat it like just another sport. Every season you miss:
Drilling your go-to moves
Strength training for wrestling
Off-season tournaments and matches
Technical progress
Meanwhile, your competition is training year-round. They’re gaining muscle, fixing their weaknesses and refining their skills.
And you’re not.
Then the season starts and you wonder why you’re either a step behind or still the same as last year. This is how potential gets wasted.
CON: Staying Busy, But No Improvement
Multi-sport athletes are constantly on the move. But activity doesn’t equal progress, and it can be a reason for kids going through rough injuries.
Practices + games + school =
Poor Recovery (lack of sleep, high stress)
No structure for nutrition or mindset (even film study)
No time for strength development
You’re doing a lot, but you’re not doing what moves the needle. “I’m always doing something” isn’t the same as “I’m getting better.”
CON: Half In, Half Out
You can’t fully commit to wrestling when you’re juggling three sports. Even though multi-sport athletes go from one season to another, it’s hard to dedicate time to one. There are kids double dipping in workouts and practices every weekday or almost every day.
Missed mat time. Limited off-season. Always jumping from one priority to another.
The result? You’re not elite in anything. You become average in all of it.
It’s a hard pill to swallow. But if you want to separate yourself, you can’t afford to be halfway in and double dip.
So What’s the Answer?
Here’s what I think is best for athletes and what athletes should do:
Age 6-13
Play multiple sports. Compete. Have fun. Build your athletic base.
Age 13-16
Choose 1-2 sports MAX. If wrestling is your #1, structure your year around it.
Age 16+
Go all in! Go get your lifting in, get some mat time, extra drilling, etc. If you want to be a state placer, go nationally or recruited, you need to train year-round. Period.
This doesn’t mean you can’t play other sports. It means you can’t let those other sports derail your wrestling development.
Final Thoughts: Choosing Priorities, Not Just Sports
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But there is a reality to this:
Wrestling is different. It’s technical, brutal and demands more out of you than any other sport. If you want to be average, keep bouncing from one sport to the next with no direction. If you want to be great - commit.
You don’t need to quit everything else. But you better be honest with yourself:
Are those sports helping your wrestling?
Or are they stealing your time, energy and progress?
At Power Legion Strength, we train wrestlers who want to lead - not follow. We train multi-sport athletes as well, but we do it with structure, strategy and results in mind.
If you’re ready to own your schedule, own your training, and own your time - we’ll help you lead from the front.
Need a Strength Plan That Works Around Your Sport Schedule - Without Losing Progress? Ask us about our athlete calendar system that keeps you on track, in shape and wrestling-ready all year round.
