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The Burnout Epidemic: Why 70% of Kids Quit Sports by Age 13

Don Jackson February 17, 2026 Sports Leave a comment 18 Views

As a father, youth sports advocate, and founder of NM Football Academy, I’ve witnessed firsthand what should be one of the most troubling statistics in youth athletics: approximately 70% of children abandon organized sports by age 13. Let that sink in for a moment. Seven out of ten kids who once loved playing football, basketball, baseball, or any other sport will walk away before they even reach high school.

This isn’t just about losing future athletes—it’s about losing the joy of movement, the lessons of teamwork, the resilience built through competition, and the lifelong health benefits that come from staying active. As someone who has dedicated my career to supporting fathers through Daddy Newbie and Dad Spotlight, and who works directly with young athletes, I’ve seen the devastating impact of youth sports burnout on families.

The question isn’t whether this is happening—the data is clear. The real question is: why are we allowing our children’s love of sports to be extinguished so early, and what can we do to change it?

The Alarming Statistics Behind Youth Sports Dropout

The numbers paint a sobering picture of youth sports in America:

Participation and Dropout Rates:

70% of kids quit organized sports by age 13 (National Alliance for Youth Sports)
Only 37% of high school students participate in school sports (NFHS, 2024)
Youth sports participation peaked in 2008 and has declined 4% overall since then
The average child quits organized sports at age 11

Reasons for Quitting (Aspen Institute’s Project Play, 2024):

“It’s not fun anymore” – 39%
Too much pressure from coaches or parents – 28%
Too expensive – 23%
Too time-consuming – 21%
Overuse injuries – 18%
Want to focus on one sport but feel burned out – 15%

The Specialization Problem:

45% of youth athletes now specialize in a single sport before age 12
Single-sport athletes are 70-93% more likely to suffer overuse injuries
Early specializers are more likely to quit sports entirely by age 15

These aren’t just statistics—they represent millions of children who started with enthusiasm and ended with exhaustion, frustration, or injury.

The Root Causes of Youth Sports Burnout

1. The Professionalization of Youth Sports

When I started NM Football Academy, my vision was simple: create an environment where kids could learn football fundamentals while having fun and building character. But I quickly realized I was swimming against a powerful tide—the professionalization of youth sports.

What’s Changed:

Then (1990s-early 2000s):

Recreational leagues dominated
Multi-sport participation was the norm
Seasons lasted 8-10 weeks
Practice twice weekly, games on weekends
Volunteer parent coaches
Minimal travel
Cost: $50-150 per season

Now (2024-2026):

Elite travel teams starting at age 7-8
Year-round training in single sports
Seasons lasting 10-12 months
Practice 4-5 times weekly, plus games and tournaments
Professional coaches with fees
Regional and national travel
Cost: $2,000-10,000+ per year per sport

A 2024 study by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association found that families now spend an average of $883 annually per child on youth sports, with elite travel team families spending $3,700-$7,000. For context, through my work with A Money Geek, I’ve counseled families who spend more on youth sports than they contribute to college savings.

The Pressure Cooker Effect:

Dr. Travis Dorsch, founding director of the Families in Sport Lab at Utah State University, explains: “We’ve created a system where 8-year-olds are being evaluated like professional prospects. The pressure to perform, to specialize, to commit year-round—it’s developmentally inappropriate and psychologically damaging.”

2. Parental Pressure and the Scholarship Myth

Let me be blunt: if you’re pushing your 10-year-old to specialize in one sport because you’re banking on an athletic scholarship, you need to hear this.

The Scholarship Reality:

Only 2% of high school athletes receive athletic scholarships
The average Division I scholarship is $18,000 (often partial, not full rides)
The odds of a high school athlete playing Division I sports: 3.5%
The odds of going pro: 0.03-0.5% depending on the sport

The Real Cost:

Average spent on elite youth sports from ages 8-18: $30,000-$70,000
Average athletic scholarship value: $18,000-$25,000 per year
Four-year scholarship value: $72,000-$100,000
ROI: Often negative, not counting the emotional cost

As a father myself, I understand the desire to invest in our children’s futures. But through my work across multiple platforms—from Daddy Newbie to The Raven Media Group—I’ve interviewed hundreds of parents who regret the pressure they placed on their kids in pursuit of an athletic scholarship that never materialized.

The Parental Pressure Paradox:

A 2023 study in the Journal of Sport Psychology found that:

74% of parents believe their involvement positively impacts their child’s sports experience
62% of young athletes report feeling pressure from parents
Children whose parents exhibit high-pressure behaviors are 3x more likely to quit sports

Real Story from the Field:

At NM Football Academy, I worked with a talented 11-year-old quarterback named Marcus. His father, convinced Marcus would earn a Division I scholarship, had him training year-round, attending elite camps, and playing on multiple teams simultaneously. By age 12, Marcus developed chronic shoulder pain. By 13, he told me he hated football and quit entirely.

His father’s investment? Over $40,000 in five years. The return? A son who won’t throw a football anymore and a damaged relationship that required family counseling to repair.

3. Early Specialization and the Injury Epidemic

The push toward single-sport specialization has created an unprecedented injury crisis among young athletes.

Overuse Injury Statistics:

Overuse injuries account for 50% of all youth sports injuries (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Young athletes who specialize in one sport are 70-93% more likely to suffer overuse injuries
Tommy John surgeries (elbow reconstruction) among youth baseball players increased 500% from 2000-2023
Stress fractures in young athletes increased 56% from 2010-2024
ACL tears in youth athletes (ages 6-18) increased 400% over the past two decades

The Developmental Problem:

Dr. Neeru Jayanthi, medical director of primary care sports medicine at Emory Healthcare, has extensively researched youth sports specialization. His findings are clear: “Children who specialize in a single sport before puberty are at significantly higher risk for both physical and psychological burnout. The body isn’t designed for repetitive, sport-specific movements during critical growth periods.”

What the Research Shows:

A landmark 2024 study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine tracked 1,200 youth athletes over five years:

Multi-sport athletes had 30% fewer injuries
Multi-sport athletes were more likely to play sports in college (88% vs. 12%)
Early specializers (before age 12) were twice as likely to quit sports by age 15
Multi-sport athletes reported higher enjoyment levels and lower stress

4. The “Win-at-All-Costs” Coaching Culture

Not all coaches are created equal, and the coaching culture in youth sports has become increasingly problematic.

The Coaching Crisis:

According to the National Alliance for Youth Sports:

Only 25% of youth sports coaches have received formal training
15% of youth athletes report verbal abuse from coaches
8% report physical intimidation or inappropriate punishment
45% of parents have witnessed coaches yelling at children during games

The Professional Coach Paradox:

While professional coaching can be beneficial, it’s also created unrealistic expectations. Many travel team coaches are paid based on team success, creating perverse incentives:

Winning tournaments to attract more players (and fees)
Playing the best players exclusively, benching others
Pushing injured players to compete
Creating year-round “mandatory” training schedules

A Coach’s Perspective:

I spoke with Sarah Martinez, a former Division I soccer player who now coaches youth soccer. She shared: “I left a high-paying position with an elite club because I couldn’t stomach what we were doing to these kids. Nine-year-olds crying before games because they were terrified of making mistakes. Parents screaming at referees. Coaches cutting 8-year-olds from teams. We’ve lost our minds.”

5. The Loss of Play and Autonomy

Perhaps the most insidious factor in youth sports burnout is the elimination of unstructured play and child autonomy.

The Decline of Free Play:

Research from the University of Michigan shows:

Children’s free play time has decreased 25% since 1981
Organized sports time has increased 168% in the same period
Only 6% of children engage in outdoor free play daily
The average child spends 7 hours weekly in organized activities vs. 3 hours in free play

Why This Matters:

Dr. Peter Gray, research professor at Boston College and author of “Free to Learn,” explains: “Children develop intrinsic motivation, creativity, and genuine love for activities through self-directed play. When every aspect of sports is controlled by adults—when to practice, how to play, who plays where—children lose ownership. Without ownership, there’s no lasting passion.”

The Autonomy Factor:

A 2023 study in the Journal of Youth Development found that young athletes who had input into their sports decisions (which sports to play, how many seasons, practice frequency) were:

64% more likely to continue sports through high school
78% more likely to report high enjoyment
52% less likely to experience burnout symptoms

6. The Social Media and Comparison Culture

As someone who works in media through The Raven Media Group, I’ve seen how social media has transformed youth sports—and not always for the better.

The Highlight Reel Effect:

68% of youth athletes ages 13-17 follow sports influencers or elite youth athletes on social media
54% report feeling inadequate when comparing themselves to athletes they see online
Parents increasingly post their children’s sports achievements, creating pressure to perform for content

The Recruiting Showcase:

Social media has become a recruiting tool, with 12-year-olds creating highlight reels and “athlete profiles.” This creates:

Constant performance pressure
Comparison anxiety
Fear of failure being documented
Loss of privacy and childhood

A Parent’s Confession:

Through Daddy Newbie, I received this message from a father: “I posted my son’s baseball highlights on Instagram and Twitter religiously. I thought I was helping his recruiting. What I was actually doing was making him terrified to fail because he knew every strikeout might end up online. He quit at 14, and I don’t blame him.”

The Psychological Impact of Youth Sports Burnout

The consequences of youth sports burnout extend far beyond simply not playing sports.

Mental Health Implications

Research Findings:

A 2024 study by the American Psychological Association examining youth athletes found:

34% showed symptoms of anxiety related to sports performance
28% experienced depression symptoms linked to sports pressure
41% reported sleep disturbances during competitive seasons
19% engaged in disordered eating behaviors to meet weight or appearance standards

The Burnout Syndrome:

Sports psychologist Dr. Alan Goldberg identifies three components of athletic burnout:

Physical and emotional exhaustion – Chronic fatigue, lack of energy, frequent illness
Reduced sense of accomplishment – Feeling inadequate despite effort
Devaluation of sport – Loss of interest and enjoyment

Long-Term Consequences:

Children who experience sports burnout often:

Develop negative associations with physical activity
Struggle with perfectionism and fear of failure
Experience damaged parent-child relationships
Carry anxiety and self-esteem issues into adulthood
Become sedentary adults, losing health benefits of lifelong activity

The Identity Crisis

For young athletes who heavily identify with their sport, quitting can trigger an identity crisis.

The Single-Identity Trap:

Dr. Jennifer Baumgartner, sports psychologist, explains: “When a child’s entire identity revolves around being ‘a soccer player’ or ‘a gymnast,’ and they quit or get injured, they lose their sense of self. This is particularly acute in early specializers who haven’t developed other interests or identities.”

Warning Signs:

Child describes themselves only through their sport (“I’m a basketball player” vs. “I play basketball”)
Social circle consists exclusively of teammates
No hobbies or interests outside the sport
Extreme emotional reactions to poor performance
Withdrawal from family activities due to sports commitments

What Parents Can Do: A Father’s Guide to Preventing Burnout

As fathers, we have tremendous power to shape our children’s sports experiences. Here’s what I’ve learned through my own parenting journey and work with thousands of families:

1. Check Your Motivation

Ask Yourself Honestly:

Am I living vicariously through my child’s athletic achievements?
Am I more invested in their sports success than they are?
Do I tie my parenting success to their athletic performance?
Am I pursuing a scholarship dream that’s statistically unlikely?
Would I be disappointed if they quit, even if they were unhappy?

The Right Mindset:

Your child’s sports participation should serve them, not you. The goals should be:

Physical health and fitness
Social development and friendships
Character building (resilience, teamwork, discipline)
Fun and enjoyment
Lifelong love of movement

If scholarships or professional careers happen, that’s a bonus—not the objective.

2. Embrace Multi-Sport Participation

The Research is Clear:

The American Academy of Pediatrics, NCAA, and virtually every major sports medicine organization recommend:

No single-sport specialization before age 12-14
At least 3 months off from any specific sport per year
Participation in multiple sports for physical and psychological development

Benefits of Multi-Sport Participation:

Reduced injury risk
Better overall athleticism
Decreased burnout
Higher likelihood of college sports participation
More enjoyment and social connections

Practical Application:

At NM Football Academy, we actively encourage our athletes to play other sports. We schedule our seasons to allow for baseball, basketball, soccer, and track. The result? Better football players who love the game more.

3. Prioritize the 70% Rule

What It Means:

If your child isn’t enjoying their sport at least 70% of the time, something needs to change. Sports should be predominantly fun, with challenges and frustrations being the minority experience.

How to Assess:

Regularly ask (in a non-pressured way):

“Are you having fun playing [sport]?”
“What’s your favorite part of practice/games?”
“Is there anything about [sport] that you don’t enjoy?”
“Do you want to keep playing next season?”

Listen to the Answers:

If your child consistently expresses unhappiness, take it seriously. Don’t dismiss it as “just being tired” or “needing to push through.” Childhood sports should not require “pushing through” misery.

4. Choose the Right Program and Coach

Red Flags in Youth Sports Programs:

Coaches who yell, demean, or use fear-based motivation
Year-round “mandatory” participation
Excessive practice hours (more than child’s age in hours per week)
Win-at-all-costs mentality
Cutting players from teams before age 12
Discouraging multi-sport participation
Lack of playing time for all players (before high school)

Green Flags:

Coaches with formal training in youth development
Age-appropriate skill instruction
Emphasis on effort and improvement over winning
Clear communication with parents
Reasonable practice schedules
Positive, encouraging environment
Focus on character development

Questions to Ask Prospective Coaches:

What’s your coaching philosophy?
How do you handle mistakes and losses?
What’s your policy on playing time?
How do you communicate with players and parents?
What are your expectations for practice attendance?
Do you encourage multi-sport participation?

5. Model Healthy Sports Behavior

Your Sideline Behavior Matters:

Children are watching how you react to their performance. Research shows that parental sideline behavior significantly impacts children’s sports experience and stress levels.

Do:

Cheer for effort and good plays by all players (both teams)
Remain calm and positive regardless of outcome
Focus on one or two things they did well after games
Ask if they had fun before discussing performance
Respect officials and coaches (even when you disagree)

Don’t:

Coach from the sidelines
Criticize your child’s performance during or immediately after games
Argue with referees or officials
Compare your child to teammates
Make the car ride home a performance review session

The 24-Hour Rule:

Wait at least 24 hours before discussing performance issues. Emotions run high immediately after competition, and criticism in that window is rarely productive.

6. Protect Rest and Recovery

The Importance of Downtime:

Young athletes need:

At least one full day off from organized sports per week
2-3 months off from any specific sport annually
8-10 hours of sleep nightly
Time for unstructured play and non-sports activities
Family time without sports commitments

Overtraining Warning Signs:

Persistent fatigue or lack of energy
Declining performance despite training
Increased injuries or illness
Mood changes (irritability, depression)
Loss of enthusiasm for the sport
Sleep disturbances
Changes in appetite

7. Maintain Perspective on Winning

The Development vs. Winning Paradox:

Before age 14, the focus should be on skill development, not winning. Ironically, programs that prioritize development over winning typically produce better athletes long-term.

Age-Appropriate Competition:

Ages 6-8: Focus on fundamental movement skills, fun, and participation
Ages 9-11: Introduce competition, but emphasize learning and effort
Ages 12-14: Increase competitive elements while maintaining development focus
Ages 15+: Competition becomes more important, but still balanced with development

Redefining Success:

Success in youth sports should be measured by:

Skill improvement over time
Increased confidence and self-efficacy
Positive relationships with teammates and coaches
Continued enthusiasm and engagement
Character development (resilience, sportsmanship, work ethic)

Not by:

Win-loss records
Individual statistics
Rankings or standings
Trophies or awards

8. Foster Identity Beyond Sports

Encourage Diverse Interests:

Help your child develop a multifaceted identity:

Support non-sports hobbies (music, art, reading, coding, etc.)
Encourage academic pursuits and intellectual curiosity
Facilitate friendships outside of sports teams
Engage in family activities unrelated to athletics
Discuss their interests, dreams, and values beyond sports

The Whole Child Approach:

Through my work at Dad Spotlight, I’ve emphasized the importance of seeing our children as complete individuals, not just athletes. Their worth isn’t determined by their batting average or sprint time.

9. Teach Financial Literacy Around Sports

The Money Conversation:

As someone who contributes to A Money Geek, I believe in teaching children about the financial aspects of their sports participation:

Discuss the costs of their sports involvement (age-appropriately)
Explain opportunity costs (what else could that money fund?)
Involve them in decisions about expensive tournaments or equipment
Teach them to value the investment being made
Help them understand the scholarship reality

Budget-Conscious Alternatives:

Recreational leagues instead of elite travel teams
Community programs and YMCA offerings
School-based sports (often free or low-cost)
Multi-sport participation at lower levels vs. single-sport elite
Used equipment and gear swaps

10. Know When to Walk Away

The Hardest Decision:

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, a sports situation becomes toxic. As a father, you must be willing to remove your child from harmful environments.

When to Pull the Plug:

Your child is consistently unhappy or anxious about sports
A coach is verbally or emotionally abusive
Injury risk is being ignored or minimized
The financial burden is damaging family stability
Sports commitments are harming academic performance or family relationships
Your child explicitly asks to quit

How to Exit Gracefully:

Have an honest conversation with your child about their feelings
Meet with coaches to explain the decision (if appropriate)
Frame it as a positive choice, not a failure
Allow your child to try other sports or activities
Keep the door open for return if circumstances change

What Coaches and Organizations Can Do

While parents bear significant responsibility, systemic change requires action from coaches and sports organizations.

Evidence-Based Coaching Standards

Mandatory Training:

All youth sports coaches should complete training in:

Age-appropriate skill development
Sports psychology and motivation
Injury prevention and recognition
Positive coaching techniques
Child development and safeguarding

Certification Programs:

Organizations like the Positive Coaching Alliance, NAYS, and ASEP offer excellent coaching education. These should be mandatory, not optional.

Restructuring Youth Sports

Recommended Changes:

Implement playing time requirements – All players get meaningful participation through age 14
Limit practice hours – No more than child’s age in hours per week
Mandate multi-sport participation – No single-sport specialization before age 14
Reduce costs – Subsidize programs, eliminate excessive travel, share equipment
Delay competitive rankings – No all-star teams, rankings, or showcases before age 13
Parent education – Mandatory parent meetings on appropriate behavior and expectations

The European Model

What We Can Learn:

European sports clubs typically:

Emphasize technical development over winning until age 16
Provide free or low-cost participation
Discourage early specialization
Focus on long-term athlete development
Integrate sports into community life rather than making it a separate, expensive activity

Results:

Countries following this model (Germany, Netherlands, Spain) produce:

Higher rates of lifelong sports participation
More elite athletes (per capita)
Lower injury rates
Better overall population health

The Path Forward: Reclaiming Youth Sports

The 70% dropout rate isn’t inevitable. It’s the result of choices we’ve made as a society about how we structure youth sports. We can make different choices.

A Vision for Healthy Youth Sports

What Success Looks Like:

Children playing multiple sports through high school
Emphasis on skill development and enjoyment over winning
Affordable, accessible programs in every community
Trained, positive coaches who prioritize child development
Parents who support without pressuring
Reduced injury rates and burnout
Lifelong love of physical activity

Starting Today

Individual Actions:

Evaluate your child’s current sports experience honestly
Have open conversations about their enjoyment and stress levels
Choose programs and coaches aligned with healthy development
Model positive sideline behavior
Prioritize fun, friendship, and fitness over scholarships and stardom

Collective Actions:

Advocate for policy changes in local sports organizations
Support coaches who prioritize development over winning
Share information about healthy youth sports practices
Create or support affordable, recreational programs
Push back against the professionalization of youth sports

What Really Matters

As I watch young athletes at NM Football Academy, I’m reminded of why I started this work. It wasn’t to create professional football players or Division I recruits. It was to give kids a place to learn, grow, challenge themselves, and have fun.

The 70% dropout rate represents millions of children who lost something precious—the joy of play, the thrill of competition, the satisfaction of improvement, the bonds of teamwork. We took something that should be a gift and turned it into a burden.

But here’s the good news: we can change this. Every parent who prioritizes their child’s happiness over athletic achievement, every coach who emphasizes development over winning, every organization that restructures around child well-being—these are acts of revolution against a broken system.

Through my work at Daddy Newbie, Dad Spotlight, and across all my platforms, I’ve met thousands of fathers navigating youth sports. The ones who get it right share a common trait: they remember that childhood is short, that sports are supposed to be fun, and that the real victory is raising healthy, happy, well-adjusted kids who love being active.

Your child’s sports career will likely end in high school, if not before. But the lessons they learn, the character they build, the love of movement they develop—these can last a lifetime. That’s the real prize.

So the next time you’re on the sidelines, ask yourself: Is my child smiling? Are they learning? Are they growing? Do they want to come back next week?

If the answer is yes, you’re winning—regardless of the scoreboard.

Don Jackson is a father, youth sports advocate, and founder of NM Football Academy. He writes about fatherhood and parenting at Daddy Newbie and Dad Spotlight, covers media and content strategy at The Raven Media Group, and contributes financial literacy content to A Money Geek. His mission is to help parents navigate the challenges of raising healthy, happy children in an increasingly complex world. Connect with him at linkedin.com/in/djackson33.

Resources for Parents

Organizations Promoting Healthy Youth Sports:

Positive Coaching Alliance (positivecoach.org)
Project Play by the Aspen Institute (aspenprojectplay.org)
National Alliance for Youth Sports (nays.org)
Changing the Game Project (changingthegameproject.com)

Recommended Reading:

Changing the Game by John O’Sullivan
The Price of Privilege by Madeline Levine
Until It Hurts: America’s Obsession with Youth Sports by Mark Hyman
Free to Learn by Peter Gray

Finding the Right Program:

Ask about coach training and certification
Observe practices before enrolling
Talk to current parents about their experiences
Review playing time and participation policies
Understand total costs (fees, travel, equipment, tournaments)
Verify the organization’s philosophy aligns with your values