Where feasible, school administrators need to examine and evaluate the conflicts to permit talented students more than one extracurricular experience. Until the mid-1980s, it was usual for athletes to be in more than one sport. A survey in 1991 revealed that women's collegiate basketball players had been in at least three sports during high school. Since 1995, there has been an increasing number of Texas students who specialize in only one sport. The increasing non-school competition where entire school teams are playing together year round is one reason.
Athletes feel peer pressure and subtle school coach pressure to train year round.
For the average player, missing out on non-school competition could equate to not being skilled or conditioned enough to be selected for the school team. If specialization is a voluntary choice by the student, it is not a negative. However, if it is forced or coerced from school coaches, it does a great disservice to students. High school should be a time for multiple experiences. The broader the experience, the more educational opportunities accomplished.