Athlete burnout is a very preventable syndrome that occurs far too often in modern day youth sports. by being aware of what causes burnout, what signs to look for, and ways to deal with it, you can help your child on his/her way to a positive youth sports experience.. 3 ways to avoid athlete burnout coachup.com more than ever, athletes are being pressured to push themselves to the limit by joining multiple teams at once or by playing multiple sports per season.. Burnout is a negative psychological and physical state in which young athletes feel tired, less able to perform well, and less interested in playing their sports. three symptoms characterize burnout. three symptoms characterize burnout..