Our Kids Are Not Professionals. Let’s Coach Them Accordingly.
99.99% of youth athletes will never make a dime playing sports. So why are we treating them like professionals?
Most kids participate in sports for the enjoyment, the camaraderie, and the physical activity. They certainly don’t step onto the field with dreams of lucrative contracts or full-ride scholarships (okay, maybe some do, but you get my point, right?). Yet, the pressure placed on young athletes today often mirrors the intense demands faced by professional players. This unhealthy focus is robbing kids of the very joy that sports are meant to provide.
The excessive emphasis on performance and success in youth sports has created a culture where the stakes feel unnecessarily high. Parents and coaches sometimes push kids as though every game is a career-defining moment. This intense pressure can lead to burnout, anxiety, and even a desire to quit the sport altogether. Youth sports should be about fun, personal growth, and learning—not about preparing for a future that only a fraction of a percent will ever reach.
It's important to remember that the vast majority of kids will never play sports beyond high school. We can’t justify building entire youth programs around the tiny fraction of athletes who may eventually play professionally. The reality is that most young athletes will find their value from the life lessons sports teach: teamwork, discipline, handling success and failure, and setting personal goals.
Indeed, there’s plenty in sports that will translate to the real world, but mastering a perfect spiral or achieving a flawless jump shot won’t determine future success. What matters most are the qualities developed along the way—resilience, perseverance, and the ability to work collaboratively. These attributes will serve young athletes far better in their adult lives than any physical skill they acquire on the field.
As adults, we’ve got to shift our focus and celebrate the right things. Effort, improvement, sportsmanship, and a positive attitude deserve more recognition than scores or trophies. Applaud the kid who supports their struggling teammate, who keeps trying after a tough loss, or who steps out of their comfort zone to try a new position. These moments of character development have a lasting impact far beyond the game.
By reducing the pressure on young athletes, we can help preserve the true spirit of sports. Let kids play for the joy of the game, for the friendships they build, and for the memories they create. Encourage them to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from every experience rather than fearing failure. Sports should inspire, not intimidate.
Ultimately, the purpose of youth sports should be to foster growth, not to produce the next superstar. While a few may go on to play professionally, the overwhelming majority of young athletes will move on with a love for the game and the life skills it has taught them. Let’s allow kids to be kids and keep the focus where it belongs—on fun, growth, and personal development. By doing so, we can create a healthier, happier environment where every kid feels valued, regardless of their skill level or future aspirations.
