Early vs. Late "Bloomer"

This is probably another one of those "it depends" answers. I don't know if there's a definitive answer to your question. Also, are we talking about making a high school team, or making a college team?

There are arguments either way. Based purely on the way you phrased your comments I'd probably take the late bloomer. However I'm biased because my son is a late bloomer.

It can work both ways IMO. For talented "early bloomers" they may be able to benefit from early playing time, placement on elite teams, invitations to high level showcases, etc. Sometimes the late bloomers get overlooked in high school.

At the end it all comes down to ability though. Early bloomers have the advantage of getting their foot in the door first. However it can depend on whether the early bloomer is a real talent, or just better than the other kids his age (because he's bigger, stronger, and faster).

I can give you many examples where the early bloomers get all kinds of attention going into high school and college recruiting. They dominate the 13-14-15 age groups. But, by the time these guys are into their 2nd or 3rd year of college, many of the early bloomers have been surpassed by the late bloomers.

I would say this, though. If you are the parent of a player that still has some "maturing" to do, then don't give up. A lot can (and will) change by the time these guys reach college. I'll give you a personal example. When my son was playing 13-14 under, he was out-weighed by 40 to 50 pounds. He was about 5-8 in the 8th grade, 6-1 in the 10th grade, 6-4 by the time he started college. He weighed about 160 when he graduated high school. He's now up to about 200 as he starts his junior year in college. He's still maturing physically.

On the other hand we played against players in high school that had matured substantially by their 9th of 10th grade years. Some of those guys are very good players and are considered D-1 prospects. I can remember pitchers who were "monsters" in the 13-14 that threw upper 70s or maybe touched low 80s. They were still throwing upper 70s their senior year in high school.

Does it really matter if the boy is a player !!

Sometimes we try to get too deep into thought and analysis--what will be will be--let nature take its course

I have heard colleges coaches talk about guys who matured 'too' early as 100% guys. In hs, they already had their man-bodies and were pretty much as big/strong/talented as they were going to be. Refinements, of course, would continue, but they were already the man they would be. If that 'man' wasn't good enough right now to compete in their program, they'd look to the guy with room to grow, mature, and get stronger.

Orlando, that's a good point. Some guys will be recruited and/or drafted based on "projectibility". The 100%ers, as you term it, need to already "be there".

In terms of the "bloomers" keep in mind that college coaches and pro scouts ARE LOOKING AT DIFFERENT THINGS=== projectibility is key for the pros but not necessarily so for the colleges

The term I kept hearing from college coaches was "immediate Impact" However an early bloomer sometimes feel they are already great and late bloomers have to fight to get where they want to go. LB tend to handle rejection and adversity better than early bloomers. The key is to stay in the hunt which ever bloomer you are.

Hoov,

I bloomed really late.

I was about 5'9 - 170 in high school.

Now - at 48 - I am 6'7 - 285.

I believe I am still projectible. Out of a really large cannon.

Its

quote:

I believe I am still projectible. Out of a really large cannon.

That's funny.