How to Raise a Champion

People love watching sports. The French Open, the FIFA World Cup, a title fight--these modern day gladiatorial matches captivate us. But how do athletes earn their spots in the arena? Is it necessary to start very young? Or are there late bloomer success stories? Yes.

Research done in the 90s by K. Anders Ericsson drew on the experience of child prodigies in music and chess. These young greats started early and practiced often. He, by extension, theorized athletes should do the same. Parents everywhere took note. But he was only partly right.

Further study has shown a different view. Music and chess do depend on early introduction and dedicated and dogged practice to learn the notes and moves. It's cerebral hurdles players must overcome. Athletics work somewhat differently due to the physical toll on the body.

A study of over 6,000 accomplished athletes--including Olympians--found that children with athletic promise should be allowed to sample multiple sports and practice infrequently. The child shouldn't direct their undivided attention onto one sport until their mid to late teens.

Many athletes, competing at the highest level, started young and practiced hard from early childhood. This is the method the public has been fed for over 30 years, so that's expected. The scientists however caution that this leads to injury and burnout. We see examples of both.

Messi is arguably one of the best soccer players ever. He started dedicated play at just 4 years old. Didier Drogba conversely didn't buckle down to daily training until he was an adult. He went on to be one of the best scorers for Chelsea. He retired at 40.

Devin Haney, lightweight boxing champion, began at just 7. He had to wait to turn pro due to regulations, doing so at 17. Bernard Hopkins started boxing at 18! He went on to win multiple title fights. He's noted for boxing into an advanced age when most would've had to retire.

Rafael Nadal first picked up a tennis racket at 2 and turned pro at 15. Now 36, he's dominated tennis for two decades. Stan Wawrinka didn't start to play until 7 and only began daily practice at 11. He spent years playing a middling game. But in 2014 his career finally took off.

It is important to acknowledge that all of the people on this list posses a certain natural athleticism and determination. And 'starting early' is relative. Each of these athletes were young in the grander scheme of things when they started playing and started dedicated play.

So what this new study says is that there's no one 'right' way to become a champion. There are only tradeoffs. If your child wants to be a star athlete, would you like them to have a 'meteoric rise' or be an example of 'slow and steady wins the race'? Both will work.