For my son, yes. It's incredible.

A kid who wants it and puts in the work will be successful at some sport.

Lacrosse goalies make me laugh. I'v eoften wondered if it's against the rules for them to hold their stick similar to a hockey goalie. Could prove helpful if above board.

Often! Basic athleticism + work ethic can make it easier for a kid to pick up a new sport and do well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not asking "elite" status but passable. Able to play on the team. I get that the "kid has to want it." Assume that is true. And assume some level of athletic ability that is average or better but not "elite."

I'll be more specific: Goalie in one sport (ice or field hockey) and lacrosse.

Yes. Lots of similarities and the skills will transfer.

And not step in on day 1 and be amazing but should be able to become proficient very quickly.

Anonymous wrote:I'm not asking "elite" status but passable. Able to play on the team. I get that the "kid has to want it." Assume that is true. And assume some level of athletic ability that is average or better but not "elite."

I'll be more specific: Goalie in one sport (ice or field hockey) and lacrosse.

Yes. Lots of similarities and the skills will transfer.

I'm not asking "elite" status but passable. Able to play on the team. I get that the "kid has to want it." Assume that is true. And assume some level of athletic ability that is average or better but not "elite."

I'll be more specific: Goalie in one sport (ice or field hockey) and lacrosse.

In terms of true elite status, probably no. But if you’ve had kids play a lot of sports, you’ll notice the same kids are the best at most sports. Speed, athleticism, size, aggressiveness, etc. matter

I am really good at tennis, so ping pong and golf came easy....hand to eye coord.

Not necessarily.
A kid has to want it to be better than average

There's probably a perfect body type for each sport that makes someone excel. But I think like the poster above, certain qualities are translatable between different sports: being coachable, having focus/determination, and body awareness.

My son played club soccer starting at age 6 (we moved to CA). His coach from 6-9 was a former college soccer player and is now a high school teacher. He and his buddy who he played with in college both had sons the same age and we of lucky to get connected with them. The team played at 6-7 in a competitive Hispanic league and tournaments before playing against other club teams at 8. They drilled footwork intensively. They also played possession soccer practicing give and goes, spacing -told them about trying to make triangles, etc.
At 10 my on wanted to try other sports. He started playing baseball and his coach was amazed at his footwork playing on the field. He went from playing right field to third base. By the end of the season he made all stars.
That year he started playing basketball and was confused by the rules (he had no idea why the coach kept yelling at him not to double dribble). But within a few practices all the footwork he had and knowing to pass and move to get open paid off. The coach said he had never had a kid progress so quickly. He went to basketball summer camps and by the following winter in rec basketball he was playing point guard. He is far from being the best basketball and baseball player in the leagues he plays in but he is much better than many kids who started playing basketball and baseball at age 5.
The other thing that helps is he is really coachable. His old soccer coach didn't put up with much. Every coach he has had since soccer tells me how coachable he is- he focuses, listens to the coach, isn't a ball hog, tries 100% in practices, and is respectful. At the end of practice he always goes up to the coaches and quickly says thank you. These are things all coaches love.

Some sports that requires certain skills can be transferable, e.g., ping pong and tennis; ice and field hockey; rugy and american football. Generally, atheltic ability, such as endurance, explosiveness, quickness, speed, would carries over better across sports. One overlooked ability is the ability to perform movement athletically and smoothly, which would make certain sport mechanics, such as basketball shooting, golf swinging, ice skating, or even running easier for some.

Competent, yes. Very good, no, since being really good depends on mastering the details.

I'm not talking "gifted" athletes who can just pick up a bat, stick, ball or whatever.

But, let's say sports that are similar'ish. Baseball and tennis both require hand/eye coordination and use of equipment to hit a ball. Or ice hockey, field hockey, lacrosse are kind of similar. What about positions? Have you found it easy for a position like goalie (again use the hockey, field hockey and lacrosse example)? Could an ice hockey player or field hockey goalie easily transition to a lacrosse goalie?

This question/discussion stems from a conversation/debate among friends. Curious what everyone thinks? Has anyone had this experience?