Recruiting Tips for MultiSport Athletes: Why Colleges Take Notice

Multisport athletes train or compete in more than one sport, often demonstrating a wide range of athletic skills. For example, a dual sport athlete in football and baseball might excel in tackling, running, fielding, and throwing, which helps balance muscle groups and improve overall fitness. Playing multiple sports year-round gives them more exposure to varied activities compared to single-sport athletes, who typically focus on a narrower set of skills.

Due to these advantages, multisport athletes are often highly valued by college coaches. This article will explore how multisport athletes can contribute to their teams and offer insights for those considering training in multiple sports to enhance their athletic development.

Do college coaches like athletes who play two sports?

College coaches like athletes who play two sports. It shows that you have several athletic skills and can switch between them quickly. It proves that you stay active and have a passion for sports. You’ll have to rapidly change positions and make play adjustments in college sports and coaches want to know you have the drive to stick it through the long practices year after year. 

Coaches who prefer multisport athletes

There are many benefits of multisport athletes when you look at personal athletic development, so you might choose this route to stand out during recruitment. A few reasons college coaches may prefer multi-sport athletes include: 

• Mental toughness: Participating in more than one sport is a challenge that naturally builds mental toughness and resilience, which is beneficial in college-level sports. 
• Versatility: Multisport athletes have unique skills and abilities, making them assets to any team. 
• Competition experience: Multiple sports mean a broad range of competitive experiences. This builds a more well-rounded player and performer. 
• Perspective: With exposure to many tactics, strategies, training methods, and coaching styles, multisport athletes often have a unique outlook on sports and teamwork. 

Coaches who avoid multisport athletes

On the flip side, some coaches may be hesitant to recruit multisport athletes due to several factors, including:

• Time commitment: Participating in more than one sport requires a lot of time, and you may need help to balance the demand for each sport. 
• Recruitment competition: Multiple colleges may actively recruit multisport athletes for different sports, making recruitment competition more complex for potential coaches. 
• Injury risk: When you participate in more than one sport, you may overdo it and accidentally injure yourself without enough rest between practices or games. 
• No specialization: Coaches may prefer athletes with a focused set of skills related to just one sport rather than an athlete with multiple athletic talents across the board. 

Pros and Cons of Playing Two Sports in College

Being a two-sport athlete offers several advantages, but there are also some drawbacks to competing in multiple sports. Below is a detailed list of the pros and cons to consider if you’re thinking about playing two sports in college:

Pros

Cross-Training

One pro is cross-training. Our bodies like variety. It’s why we focus on different exercises each day at the gym. Playing on two teams means you’ll train for both and improve your overall physical fitness by strengthening muscles you might not use while playing just one sport and increasing endurance.  

When done properly, you can lower your risk of overuse injuries through the variation. But if you don’t train smartly, you could experience issues related to stress.  

More coachable 

Exposure to two different coaching styles makes you a better listener and better able to adapt your play and practice to the coach. As a player, you want to be in the habit of asking for constructive criticism and be able to learn from the experience of those who are more knowledgeable than you are. Two sports with two different coaches means you’ve doubled your chances to learn and grow. 

Increased chances of being recruited

Playing two sports can increase your odds of getting recruited. Let’s say you play football and basketball. If you don’t get many offers for college basketball teams, you may get some for a college football team.  

Keep in mind, you’ll have to play both sports well in order to truly increase your chances. If playing for two teams comes at the expense of excelling in at least one, you might want to reconsider. 

Not having to choose between two passions

Suppose you love two sports equally. You’ve tried to decide on one, but just couldn’t. Playing both sports in college allows you engage in both passions without having to choose.

Cons

Physical risks

Suppose you’re a football player and sprain your ankle during practice. Your coach won’t be happy, but they’ll deal with it. They know minor injuries are bound to happen in any sport. After some rest, you’ll be in playing shape again.  
 
Now suppose you play football and run cross country. Your football coach won’t be happy to know you injured your leg during a cross-country meet. Now they’re down a player from an injury that could have been avoided if you only played one sport.    

Also, if you’re playing two D1 sports, you could exhaust your body quickly. By the end of all the practice and training, you’ll have little or no energy for studying. 

Read more: How to overcome a sports injury during the recruiting process

Commitment and time

College sports are on a whole other level when compared to high school sports. If you read about what playing at the D1 level is like, you’ll see that practice and training take up much of your day. Your practice and training are so grueling that you only take 2-3 classes per semester. Some even recommend taking more challenging courses during summer so you’ll have more time to devote to them.  

Adding another D1-level sport could mean less time for studying and classes. What if you’re too tired to focus on classes or studying? That could lead to another con.  

Expenses

You already know college is expensive. Playing two D1-level sports could mean taking longer to complete college and graduate. You could be paying more for college than you need to without a scholarship. These expenses also include the cost of room and board or an apartment if you live off campus.  

Prioritizing your sports

College athletes can play multiple sports, especially if the seasons don’t overlap, but most students prioritize one sport when preparing for college. This helps them attract recruiters and secure scholarships. To increase your chances, focus on the sport you’re most passionate about and where you see a future as a college athlete.

While you can still participate in other sports for fitness, it’s important to prioritize your top sport and dedicate your time and energy to improving your skills in it. This will help you balance your schedule and showcase your talents effectively.

If you’re unsure which sport to prioritize, seek advice from experts to make an informed decision.

How to balance being a multi-sport athlete

Balancing more than one sport at a time can feel tricky, but with the right approach, you can get it right. Here are some quick tips on balancing multiple sports at a time: 

• Concentrate on time management. 
• Communicate with your coaches and parents. 
• Get enough rest and recovery to avoid burnout or injury. 
• Figure out your most important sport(s) and prioritize your time and energy accordingly. 
• Manage physical demands with proper hydrating and nutrition. 
• Seek support from coaches, peers, and parents when you need it. 

Prepare to adjust your schedule if you need a break or feel overwhelmed. Remember, your mental and physical well-being always come first. 

How to showcase being a multisport athlete

You already know you have to showcase your athletic abilities if you want attention from college coaches. After all, plenty of other students in the same sports as you want the exact same thing. You can increase your visibility and chances of recruiters noticing you as a multisport athlete with the right approach.  

Showcase playing multiple sports on NCSA.

On NCSA, you can create multiple profiles. Each profile should focus on a single sport, noting your best achievements.

This is because each sport is so different, and we want to help you show off why you’re an ideal recruit to each set of college coaches for their particular roster openings. You can use this space to provide the most comprehensive view of your talents as a multisport athlete. 

You want recruiters to see why you’re the best of the best in each sport you play. Since every sport is so different, creating distinct profiles will help you show off your strengths and triumphs for each individual sport to better show off your skills. This comes in handy when college coaches search for athletes who fit their particular needs.

Answer why you love each sport.

While there are some opportunities to play more than one sport in college (especially if you’re on track or cross country), the majority of coaches are looking at your profile as a potential player on their roster.

So put yourself in their shoes: They know the vast majority of high school athletes play more than one sport. But they’re probably expecting your dedication to their team when it comes to college athletics. That you’ll participate in captain-led practices. That you won’t get injured in a different sport season (the off-season). That you aren’t missing double the amount of classes — since you’re after that college diploma, after all.

What this means for your recruiting profile is that you should treat each sport as if it’s the only one you’ll get to play in college. What draws you to each sport? Why are you interested in playing either at the next level? Think carefully about what you like about your choices – and be sure to write that in your personal statement.

Work twice as hard.

We try to make it easier for you to get through the recruiting process by having everything in one place in your recruiting profile: you can talk to coaches, search for roster openings, get help from NCSA experts and more.

But if you’re interested in pursuing more than one type of roster opening, remember that you’re going to be doubling the amount of work ahead of you: Two profiles to maintain. Two sets of highlight/skills videos to upload. Two sets of coaches to contact and connect with.

Can you make it work? Absolutely. But be careful about the ways you manage your time. Don’t forget how important your academics are to the recruiting process.

Use social media.

On social media, you can add video highlights, photos, or statistics to your profile. This will show any recruiters looking at your social media, even at a glance, that you’re serious about sports. 

Always make it clear which sport is your top priority on social media. This way, you’ll easily let college coaches and recruiters see which college-level sport is your number one choice. 

Conclusion: Single sport vs multisport athletes

Being a multisport athlete offers a lot of advantages, and with the right attitude and planning, any student athlete can maximize their experience with many sports at once. 

One of the most crucial things to remember is the importance of balance. Time management, self-discipline, and a strong support system will help. Plus, the payoff can be substantial with an outstanding athletic skill set and more exposure to recruiters and college coaches.  

Always give your best effort in each sport but prioritize the sport you like most. With hard work and determination, you can thrive and meet your full potential at the college level. 

Want some help with prioritizing sports and opening up recruitment opportunities? Join the NCSA network to learn more!

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