I did a Google search for "youth spring football," and almost 1 million results came up. Spring football for college programs have been commonplace for a while, but it hasn't always been this common for youth football.

The results on the first page listed youth spring football leagues from Denver to Texas to Virginia. With all those results, I'm sure if I kept clicking "next" I'd find most states have youth spring leagues.

The new model for youth sports

Most youth sports are following this model of year-round sports. My son recently had the opportunity to play travel baseball, which would have led to him playing through the summer, possibly into the fall, taking off November and December, then jumping right back at it in January.

He has the same opportunity to play travel basketball, and my daughter had the same opportunity with soccer and basketball. I think it's safe to say year-round sports are here to stay.

Both good and bad?

While these opportunities provide young athletes the chance to get better at their sports through more games, more training and more practice, there are some aspects that may not be so good.

A good friend of ours is a pediatrician, and she told us she sees more injuries to kids that come from wear and tear, basically overuse. 

So, does that mean it's all bad, or does it mean it's all good? I say neither. The opportunity for your kids to play spring football or year-round football can be a good thing. It's completely up to you. But if you don't manage it or monitor their health it can be a bad thing.

I hope it is a good thing for you. Here are some tips that can make youth spring football and year-round sports all good for you.

1. Have a plan for your kids and family. Just because your co-worker's son is playing everything doesn't mean your son has to. Decide what, when and where your kid will play based on what's best for your kid and family.
2. Do not be afraid to change course. I recently had to make the tough decision to step down as travel baseball coach after saying "yes." My son said he wanted to play basketball more than baseball. As a family, we could not do both, so I had to say, "I'm sorry, but this isn't what my son or family can do at this time." Don't be afraid to make tough choices when you realize it is not the best fit or it is too much.
3. Mix it up. Year-round sports can be very similar to a job. Yes, they are playing a game, but the training, workouts, practices, games and events can wear down not just physically but mentally. Make sure your kids do regular kid stuff like hanging out with friends off the field and other activities, both sports and non-sports related.
4. Take a break midseason if needed. I looked at our schedule for sports and activities for the spring and summer, and we are packed full. I admit we are close to having too much going on. At some point during the season we will take a break. Just to get a break. It may be scheduled or it may be unprompted, but a break is needed even if games or practices are missed.
5. Pay attention to their bodies. I've seen kids with nagging injuries that seem to linger at an age when they are not supposed to have nagging injuries. Pay attention to these things because this could be signs their bodies are wearing down, and serious injury could follow.

Just like every good thing, too much of it, or a lack of discipline with it can make it a bad thing. I hope to make our kids' year-round sports experiences good things, and I hope your kids and family have similar experiences.

What is one tip you'd add to make sure youth spring football and year-round sports is a good thing for your kids and family?

Jackie Bledsoe Jr. is a writer, blogger, speaker, husband and sports parent of three. He's played sports for more than 30 years, including the collegiate level, while coaching youth sports for the past nine years. He's the author of the books, March DADness: Preparing Dads to Make a Championship Run in Fatherhood and The Family Leader Manifesto. You can read more from Jackie on his blog, JackieBledsoe.com, and connect with him on Twitter (@jbledsoejr).