text: The reason kids have such a challenge with grades while playing a sport is because to commit to a sport while balancing it with school is a tremendous undertaking. This is because while playing a sport you may have a two to three hour practice three to four times a week not including a game or two, that you have to play in each week. Another effect of sports on grades is that they leave you tired and exhausted, which makes it much harder to keep focused in a classroom environment.