No more Borg's or Evert's?

Interesting article:

http://www.sfgate.com/sports/jenkins...ss-3691830.php

[BMC9670]

The numbers don't lie. I think it's a good push for successful juniors to go to college to mature the mind and body a few years before making a pro run.

It also drives home the fact that it's a long road if you start young and to be aware of burnout and injuries from overtraining as a child.

[maggmaster]

I wonder if this also means that later start children will start to have more of a chance. If the time to maximize potential is 10,000 hours(Erikson) then that could be achieved by a 14 year old by the time they are 24.

[Alchemy-Z]

Kinda like seeing this...kids should have childhoods not slugging it out against a ball machine a la Agassi.

at age 13/14 is a good time to start thinking you could dedicate yourself to a sport since by then you will have had a chance to play multiple team sports as a 10-13 year old.


I had a buddy growing up who his Dad had him out Golfing from like age 4. All the time (had a putting green in the back yard) He would take us to the driving range I'd be having fun hitting balls while he would constantly adjust his sons form and be critical of each shot.

He played on our high school team and one easily on of the best players in the area. But he also played Baseball and loved it was on our championship team and went to college with it graduated and now works in some research field.

You couldn't pay him to golf now. But I have got him into Tennis =)

Originally Posted by maggmaster

I wonder if this also means that later start children will start to have more of a chance. If the time to maximize potential is 10,000 hours(Erikson) then that could be achieved by a 14 year old by the time they are 24.

Yes, this is what many coaches are saying. I don't think a 7 year old should be doing year round tennis. Children can handle about 6 years of competition before burn-out.