The aims of this retrospective study were to evaluate the results of inferior capsular shift operation which were approached anteriorly or posteriorly according to a main instability direction in contact sports population who had multidirectional shoulder instability. Fifty-three shoulders in 47 athletes who engaged in contact sports underwent an anterior or posterior inferior capsular shift procedure for the correction of multidirectional instability of the shoulder joint. The surgical approach was selected according to the predominant direction of the instability. Follow up was average of 42 months(24∼73 months). After anterior inferior capsular shift, anterior dislocation was recurred in three shoulders, posterior dislocation in one, and inferior dislocation in two shoulders. After posterior inferior capsular shift, one dislocation occurred anteriorly, one inferiorly and one posteriorly. The excessive tightening of capsule or improper diagnosis could be causative factors for the development of dislocation in the opposite direction to the preoperative major instability. Of six patients who could not return to their sports, five had bilateral repairs. Successful repair based on the criteria of the American shoulder and elbow association was achieved in 92% of anterior repairs, and 81 % of posterior repairs.