Why kids quit sports, and how to keep them playing
From Now at Ohio State by The Ohio State University
October 1, 2025 · 28 min · Episode 40
About this episode
This episode discusses the high dropout rates in youth sports and explores ways to keep kids engaged.
More kids are leaving youth sports than ever before — between 60 and 70 percent drop out before adulthood. That’s a problem, because youth sports aren’t just about competition. They build confidence, friendships and lifelong skills. In this episode, two Ohio State experts explain why so many kids are quitting, what the data reveals and how new approaches can help keep their heads and hearts in the game.
Topics covered
- youth sports
- dropout rates
- confidence building
- friendships
- lifelong skills
- data analysis
- new approaches
Keywords
- youth sports
- dropout
- confidence
- friendships
- skills
- Ohio State
- experts
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: The Ohio State University
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