Roger Federer

The Kids Are Alright

Everyone's convinced that the youth sports arms race is ruining our kids (and our country). Turns out the athletes themselves couldn't be happier. But do they really know what's best for them? Eddie Matz »

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  • Young athletesKids And Sports

  • Summit InfoKids And Sports

  • Project PlaySports & Society

  • Mendota H.S. Football Power

  • H.S. PitcherJameson Lamb

YOUTH FOOTBALL

POP WARNER DECLINE

From 2010-2012, Pop Warner saw participation rates drop 9.5 percent. Story » Starting Young Video Youth Football Sees Drop Video

PERMITS FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL SAFETY?

A New York City councilman wants a doctor at every game; trainer at practices Farrey » OTL Video

ESPN THE MAGAZINE

AGE AGAINST THE MACHINE

Dylan Moses, who committed to LSU at age 15, represents the new face of college football recruiting. Van Valkenburg » Recruiting home »

MUST WATCH VIDEO

  • Kids & Concussions
    Dr. Robert Cantu, Peter Keating join "Outside The Lines" to discuss banning collisions from youth sports.
  • Unprotected
    Why is there a high incidence of concussions in girls lacrosse?
  • Urban Dove Team
    An alternative Brooklyn high school uses a sports and fitness-based curriculum to engage at-risk youth.
  • An Inspiring TD
    Jack Hoffman, 7, who is battling brain cancer, scores a touchdown in Nebraska's spring game.
  • Indi Cowie
    Indi Cowie, 16, is making a name for herself in the freestyle soccer community.
  • Safe youth football?
    Was Pop Warner star Donnovan Hill paralyzed by tackling technique taught by coaches?

MY PATH TO THE PROS

Rising stars retrace their journeys to the big leagues.



  • Maya Gabeira | Paul Goldschmidt | Brandon Jennings
  • Cam Newton | Jozy Altidore | Ashton Eaton
  • Maya Moore | Michael Crabtree | Ian Kinsler
  • C.J. Wilson | Nnamdi Asomugha | Bernard Pollard
  • Richard Seymour | Michelle Wie | Brittany Lincicome
  • DeMarcus Cousins | Gordon Hayward | Matt Flynn
  • Jairus Byrd | Rey Maualuga | Domata Peko
  • Le'Ron McClain | Glen Perkins | Jeff Halpern
  • Jay Feely

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KIDS AND SPORTS TOWN HALL

THE ATHLETE'S VOICE

Some of today's biggest stars including Kobe Bryant, Russell Wilson, Andrew McCutchen, Clayton Kershaw, Stephen Curry, Matt Kemp, and Allyson Felix, discuss some of the most critical issues facing youth in sports.

KIDS AND SPORTS TOWN HALL SPEAKERS

  • Bryant: "Teaching Our Kids To Compete" Video
  • Kemp: "Setting The Right Example For Kids" Video
  • Felix: "Learning Sportsmanship As Kids" Video
  • Hershcel Walker: "Have A Neighborhood Exercise Party" Video
  • Scott Blackmun: "Get Out And Play" Video
  • Julie Foudy: "The State Of Youth Sports" Video
  • Young Athletes On Sports And Staying Fit Video
  • HOW SPORTS IMPACTED MY CHILDHOOD

  • NL All-Stars Andrew McCutchen and Clayton Kershaw Video
  • Stephen Curry and Russell Wilson Video
  • Villanova Coach Jay Wright Video
  • Hall Of Famer Bruce Smith Video

YOU WON'T FIND THIS ON EBAY

These parents wouldn't sell their famous kids' gear, no matter how high the bid. Gallery »

FROM THE ARCHIVES

See commentary from ESPN's best-known writers.



  • Steve Wulf: Teaching respect for umpires and officials
  • Jeff MacGregor: High school basketball playoffs and young athletes' divergent paths
  • Jeff MacGregor: On the court, on the mat, on Staten Island after the hurricane
  • Steve Wulf: A dash of clods and roots for Little League World Series
  • LZ Granderson: Small steps toward making kids safer
  • Tim Keown: Where the elite kids shouldn't meet
  • LZ Granderson: Parents don't expect to bury children
  • Elizabeth Merrill: Changing the game for Hispanic girls
  • Seth Wickersham: Has Deion Sanders found his calling as a mentor?
  • Tom Farrey: Thirteen-year-old J'Mychal Reese is the next NBA star
  • Tom Farrey: Genes could determine what sport your kids play
  • Peter Keating: Concussions aren't just the NFL's problem
  • Tim Keown: Snoop Dogg changes the recruiting game
  • Chris Jones: Andrew Luck's father knew when to stop coaching

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Say the words youth sports, and Americans assume the worst. They worry about parents and coaches who are out of control, kids who compete too young and communities that are being left behind. Yet the millions of families who flood the fields every day can't all be crazy. This summer, ESPN took stock of the most dominant force in American childhood outside of family and school. Go ahead, kick the dirt and argue with us. Whatever it takes to start the conversation.

Follow the conversation LIVE using #KidsAndSports and #ProjectPlay.

KIDS AND SPORTS

KIDS AND SPORTS: PHOTO GALLERY

Candid photos from ESPN's Town Hall on Kids and Sports, featuring President Bill Clinton and Kobe Bryant. Gallery Photo Gallery

CONFIDENTIALS

PARENTS

ESPN The Magazine staffers surveyed 340 parents of youth athletes to discover that they are not as crazy as the cliche … but there are still plenty of crazy parents out there. Story »



TRAVEL TEAMS

ESPN collaborated with the University of Florida's Michael Sagas to see how the lives of elite youth athletes are impacted by their sports. Story »

INVESTIGATIONS

YOUTH SPORTS GAMBLING

Eighteen months after "Outside the Lines" exposed adult betting on youth football in South Florida, police broke up a gambling operation. Lavigne » Watch Video Tips » Arrests »



POOR GRADES?

Some high schools drop minimum GPA requirements for student-athletes. Lavigne » Former player not in favor of changes Video



CRITICAL MASS

The growing problem of childhood obesity. Mark Fainaru-Wada » Watch Video

ESPN Conversations

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