All across the country youth sports is at a crossroads.

What I mean by that is some fall youth sports continue as winter sports practices begin.

In our family, the 11-year-old still has soccer practice two nights a week and typically two games each weekend until the final tournament the second weekend in December. He also now has basketball practice two different nights of the week with games beginning that same second weekend.

He also plays intramural football after school on one of those four practice nights, and like all middle school kids, has nightly homework and weekly tests.

RELATED CONTENT: Neighbors make great fans

I’ve asked him several times if he’s OK with all that’s going on and he replies, “Yes.” But sometimes we parents have to read between the lines.

He voluntarily went to bed an hour earlier than usual the other night and questioned whether or not he “had” to go to one of his practices. Both things that never happen. That was a sign to me that he is more tired than he’s letting on.

As parents, we sometimes have to step in and make decisions for our kids in their everyday lives, and youth sports aren’t any different.

RELATED CONTENT: Preparing your child for rainy gamedays

This week when he has a double-header basketball scrimmage Friday evening and a soccer tournament game early Saturday morning, we decided he is only playing in the early basketball game, so he can get home and to bed two hours earlier than he would if he stayed for both. Sleep aside, his body will have 90 minutes less wear and tear on it when he wakes up 12 hours later to travel 90 minutes and play in two soccer tournament games, both before noon.

He’s not happy with our decision as he really wants to play in both basketball scrimmages. Frankly, we don’t care, because we feel it’s what’s best for his health and well-being during this stretch when two sports seasons collide.

RELATED CONTENT: Learn from your parenting mistakes

Parents should be on the lookout for “over-tired” signs in their kids all year long, especially when sports seasons or other activities overlap. The signs vary for every child — eating or sleeping habits, mood swings, homework or study problems, etc. — and some are more obvious than others. It’s seeing them that’s the key, and then not being afraid to intervene and make changes, even if it’s not a popular move.

Jon Buzby has been involved in and writing about youth sports for the past 30 years, originally as a coach and board member with his now-adult son and most recently "just as a dad" with his 9- and 11-year-old sons. Jon is an award-winning writer and his latest book, “Coaching Kids Made Easier,” is available on Amazon. Send comments or future blog topics you'd like to see to JonBuzby@hotmail.com and follow him @YouthSportsBuzz on Twitter.