[larryett]

If you mean at the highest levels of sport though, great genetics will completely overwhelm whatever work the less genetically gifted are doing.

This to me is the real problem with over specialization. You have less than gifted parents living out their athletic dreams through their kids but if the parent wasn't that good at the sport there will be correlation with the kid not being that good.

Kids shouldn't specialize in sports too young because there is such a great chance they are not in the right sport at 11.

[kenjackson]

At the highest highest levels you need genetics and great training. And it also depends on the sport. Super popular sports like basketball and football require both. Niche sports like fencing, you could probably play at a pretty high level with either.

But to play HS sports for example at most schools, either will do the job. And for most people playing the sport they love in high school will be worth it. Even among pro players, their HS experience is often their best experience.