Image of an upset kid baseball player sitting on a bench

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Are Youth Sports Too Intense?

February 5, 2024

As You Read, Think About: What are some benefits of playing sports?

Courtesy of family

LeShawn Lyle with one of his many basketball trophies

LeShawn Lyle spends nearly all his free time playing basketball. Just about every day after school, the fifth-grader from Chattanooga, Tennessee, can be found on the court, copying the moves of his favorite professional players. On weekends, he sometimes travels for hours to compete in tournaments. He’s played in at least nine other states, including Texas and Florida. One website ranks LeShawn as the eighth-best basketball player in the entire country among kids his age.

“I want to go to the NBA,” says LeShawn. “That takes a lot of practice, dedication, and hard work.”

LeShawn is one of countless young athletes across the U.S. who dream of one day going pro. Many kids train and compete year-round in sports such as soccer, baseball, swimming, and tennis.

However, not everyone thinks all that intense competition is a good idea. Some people say it puts too much pressure on kids and takes the fun out of playing sports. They argue that when competing starts to feel like an obligation, kids lose interest.

Are youth sports too intense?

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For many kids, sports can seem like a full-time job that leaves little time for friends and family. Plus, specializing in one sport can prevent athletes from exploring other interests.

“If you focus too much on one sport at a young age, you may miss out on something else you may enjoy,” says Charles Popkin. He’s a surgeon who treats young athletes and has studied the effects of specializing in one sport.

Popkin has treated many kids who’ve gotten injuries from using the same muscles over and over. Others have burned out from all the pressure of competing and ended up quitting.

Also, for families of young athletes, the cost of league fees, equipment, travel, and lessons can really add up. Many people worry that kids and their parents are setting unrealistic goals. The chances of playing a sport professionally are slim. For example, by one estimate, only about 1 in 2,600 high school basketball players make it to the pros.

Kids on some travel teams have practice or games seven days a week.

^{Source: Aspen Institute Project Play Fall 2022 Parents Survey}

Coco Gauff

Aaron Gilbert/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

7 years old

Age when she started playing tennis

14 years old

Age at which she turned pro

$22.7 million*

Her earnings in 2023

^{*Source: Sportico}

Many people argue that playing sports is similar to playing piano, chess, or anything else: To be your best, you have to practice. They point out that top athletes like tennis champion Coco Gauff began training seriously at a young age. Many kids know that facing the best competition often requires traveling to tournaments. LeShawn says it’s also helped him bond with teammates and meet kids from other states.

In addition, a lot of parents say they’d rather see their kids playing sports than spending more time on their phones or playing video games. They say as long as kids are having fun and not being pushed too hard, what’s the harm?

“It’s a lot healthier when the drive to play the sport is coming from the kid and not from the parent,” Popkin says.

Plus, kids who are serious about sports learn the importance of hard work and determination. That can help them succeed as adults—in sports and beyond.