53%
JUSTIFIED THE PRESSURE 
TO SPECIALIZE BECAUSE 
THEY SAY THEIR CHILD 
WANTS TO PLAY HIGH 
SCHOOL SPORTS. 
MORE THAN HALF 
OF  SPORTS PARENTS
FEEL SOME OR LOTS OF PRESSURE 
TO HAVE THEIR CHILD SPECIALIZE IN ONE SPORT.
2025 TAKE BACK SPORTS IMPACT REPORT
12
We want kids to play a lot of different sports, especially at the youngest ages, to help prevent injuries  
and burnout. 
Specializing in one sport too early puts kids at risk for injury, as studies show that kids who specialize 
early see higher rates of injury and an increase chance of burnout — even causing them to prematurely 
“retire” from sports at a young age. Playing multiple sports mitigates those risks and helps kids stay  
active longer. 
Research shows that kids who play multiple sports increase their physical capacity and motor skills,  
and they also are more likely to translate those skills to other sports. Additionally, kids who play  
multiple sports are more likely to stay in sports longer and they are more likely to build social-emotional 
skills through sports.
ESPN is investing in organizations that emphasize multisport play and highlighting professional  
athletes that got their start playing lots of different sports at an early age.
MULTISPORT PLAY 
3
The average number of sports children 
AGES 6-17
 REGULARLY PLAYED IN 2023 
WAS 1.63, 
 DOWN 13% 
SINCE 2019
according to SFIA data. 
Over a decade ago, children on average 
participated in more than two sports.
CHILDREN ARE SPECIALIZING IN ONE SPORT 
EVEN MORE AFTER THE PANDEMIC.
It’s the #1 reason kids play sports; we need 
to bring the fun back and help coaches 
with mental wellness training. According to 
a forthcoming study from Project Play and 
partners, "having fun" is the #1 thing kids like 
most about playing on an organized team. 
Nearly 93% of current youth athletes say 
they participate because it is enjoyable and 
satisfying, while only 24% selected winning 
as one of their favorite things. More than 85% 
of youth athletes say their coach’s role is to 
develop their life skills. Just half agreed that 
their coach’s role is to win.
HAVING FUN
4
COACHES NEED AND WANT MORE HELP ADDRESSING 
THE MENTAL HEALTH OF PLAYERS. 
18%
ONLY
OF COACHES REPORTED FEELING 
HIGHLY CONFIDENT IN THEIR 
ABILITY TO LINK 
ATHLETES TO MENTAL 
HEALTH RESOURCES. 
THIS WAS COACHES’ SECOND LEAST-CONFIDENT BEHAVIOR BEHIND 
HELPING ATHLETES NAVIGATE SOCIAL MEDIA PRESSURES. 
*Aspen Institute State of Play 2022 report
ONLY 19% of coaches felt confident in identifying off-field stressors for athletes
of coaches felt confident referring athletes to support
ONLY 18%
*Aspen Institute State of Play 2022 report
13
TakeBackSports.org

View this content as a flipbook by clicking here.