Playing multiple sports versus playing only one sport has been a hot topic of debate for quite a few years. My opinion has never wavered. I think young athletes should avoid early specialization and enjoy some variety. Playing more than one sport has a lot of benefits, two of the biggest being that it reduces both the risk of overuse injuries and early burnout.

But the reality is, we’re seeing fewer and fewer multi-sport athletes, and here are some reasons why:

• Clubs are plentiful, and the coaches and owners profit when kids play one sport all year long.