What IS XPLORE?
Xplore is a new range of multisport programs from Steel Sports encouraging athletes to engage in both mainstream and world sports through learning basic skills, FUNdamentals, competitive games, and free play. These programs feature a well-balanced plan of activities focused on a long-term development of participants as athletes and people, on and off the field.
MULTISPORT PROGRAM OFFERINGS
Xplore Multisport: A 6–12-week program introducing athletes to multiple sports through learning FUNdamentals and engaging in free play.
Xplore Specific Sport: A 5-week program focusing on sport specific FUNdamentals to help athletes build their knowledge and understanding of the specific sport.
Xplore World Games Camp: A week-long program introducing athletes to sports that are played around the world. Athletes will learn basic rules while engaging in free play and competitive games.
Xplore Multisport Camp: A week-long program introducing athletes to multiple sports through FUNdamental breakdowns, competitions and free play.
SPORT SAMPLING VS SPECIALIZATION
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
Sampling: Generalized training to develop basic motor skills, enjoyment and overall athletic ability.
Specialization: Year-round training for one sport; exclusion of other sports.
SPORT SAMPLING BENEFITS
Avoid burnouts
Better skills as an overall athlete
Better mental and life skills
Build confidence
Prevent injuries by working different muscles
"Research has shown that kids who sample sports have increased physical capacity and motor skills, an increased ability to translate those skills to other sports, stay in sports longer, and are more likely to build social emotional skills through sports." —Aspen Institute Project Play
SPORT SAMPLING STATISTICS
Nearly 90% of first round NFL draft picks over the past 5 years were multisport athletes in high school.
96% of Super Bowl players were multisport athletes.
Sport sampling at a young age is associated with improved neuromuscular control, which may reduce injury risk in youth athletes.
According to a 2013 study of 1,200 young athletes, those who concentrated on a single sport were 70% to 93% more likely to be injured than multi-sport athletes.
In a Forbes magazine study on the importance of participating in multiple sports, the majority (62%) of those playing multiple sports exercised vigorously each day, compared to 39% of those who just played one sport. In addition, sleep patterns, grades and eating habits improved.
WHAT PRO ATHLETES HAVE TO SAY
“So many people are into these intense sports at such young ages, and I think the burnout factor for a lot of people and a lot of kids starting at a young age, that definitely happens.” —Tom Brady, 7x Super Bowl champion, 3x NFL MVP
“My experience with playing different sports is it taught me a little bit more about myself. I knew I was better at basketball (than the other sports). I loved to play baseball; my dad played it a little bit growing up, too. And football was just something my friends did so I wanted to try it with them. Knowing that I wasn’t as good at baseball or football (as basketball), it challenged me to gain that confidence and gain that work ethic to get better. (I went) through some mistakes, failed a couple times, got knocked down. It was really cool exposure just to be challenged. Because sometimes at a young age, you might be better (than your peers) at a certain sport, you might feel comfortable in that space, in that zone. But you don’t really get to push yourself, you don’t really get to test yourself and how you deal with failure and success.” —Stephen Curry, 3x NBA Champion, 2x NBA MVP
“I’m not standing here right now if I didn’t play basketball, if I didn’t learn how to jump, if I didn’t learn the trajectory of a ball, if I didn’t learn how to time my jump. I’m not standing here having scored however many goals with my head if I didn’t play basketball, and I didn’t have the opportunity of separating myself for at least a little while playing soccer or playing basketball.” —Abby Wambach, 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Champion, 2x Olympic Gold Medalist
Steel Sports is a social impact organization servicing over 100,000 families a year through travel clubs, facilities, tournaments, camps and clinics across nine states. Our current sports are soccer, baseball and softball and we're launching multisport sampling programs in 2022. We run National Programs, showcases and tournaments for our players and we attract top clubs around the country to compete against. Our coaches and staff are focused on our athletes' success, both on and off the field.