If you listen to the commentary on most games today you will invariably hear the expression “he is very athletic” or, “that was an example of his athleticism.” It is almost as though this is a newly discovered physical quality that athletes never had before.
These expressions are voiced when the athlete executes an act that is considered to be above and beyond what is expected of the player in that particular sport. For example, in football when the athlete leaps up to block a pass the announcers will invariably say that this is an example of his athleticism.
We hear the expression most often when the athlete exhibits some move in that most athletes do not exhibit or are not capable of executing. Thus when the athlete executes a good cutting action or he executes it a good steal or interception, he invariably displays athleticism.
These are probably valid evaluations because many athletes today do not have what can be considered all-around athletic abilities. Most athletes are becoming too specialized beginning in one sport at an early age and continuing in only one sport throughout their career. It is rare to find an athlete who can play well in more than one sport.
In the past most athletes participated in two or more sports. As a result they learned many different skills and abilities that are not possible when playing only one sport. The concept of universal or all-around training that involves multiple sports skills appears to be long forgotten. As a result we see few athletes capable of executing multiple all-around skills.
To remedy this situation we must get away from the concept of early specialization and allow youngsters to participate in multiple activities. In this regard it should be noted that as a result of participating in many different activities, the athlete can be a much better athlete in one sport when he begins to specialize after or during puberty. This doesn’t mean that he cannot participate in the one sport before this time. It only means that he is also doing many other activities during the year.
For more information see Secrets of Russian Sports Fitness and Training and Build a Better Athlete.