Why Kids Quit Sports & How to Fix It w/ Dr David Yeager

EP. 074

Youth sports are hemorrhaging athletes at age 12—and the system that's supposed to develop them is actually driving them away.

In this episode, Dr. David Yeager, psychology professor at UT Austin and author of 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People, breaks down exactly what's broken and how coaches can fix it.

Dr. Yeager isn't just a researcher—he's in the trenches coaching his kids' baseball and basketball teams, and he's spent his career studying how adults can actually reach and motivate young athletes. In this conversation, we're tackling the hard truths about travel ball, the "joysticking" problem that's robbing kids of development, and why the enforcer and protector coaching mindsets are failing our athletes.

What You'll Learn:
  • Why hockey is seeing a 20% decline in 12-14 year olds despite increased youth participation
  • The three coaching mindsets and why only one actually works
  • How U.S. Soccer turned around their development system (and why other sports haven't followed)
  • The "Neurobiological Incompetence Model" and why we're wrong about teenage brains

Dr. Yeager's work with the FUSE program is changing how teachers communicate with students across Texas, and his insights on coaching will change how you show up for your athletes. If you've ever wondered why kids fall out of love with sports or how to create an environment where they actually want to work hard, this episode is for you.

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