The transition from children-to-youth sport (CYT) is under-researched worldwide. Around the time of this transition (about 12 years of age), some sports participants will decide to leave sports (Bakken, 2019), some will choose the recreational pathway, and others commit to their sport and enter sports specialization years (DiSanti & Erickson, 2019). Coaches play a key role in supporting athletes during transitions (Adams et al., 2015; Tamminen & Holt, 2012), rendering their understanding of what athletes are facing and are challenged by while transiting important knowledge that so far is uncharted. Informed by the holistic developmental perspective (Wylleman et al., 2020) and career transition one (Stambulova, 2003, 2023), the presentation will share what some of Norway’s youth sport coaches perceived as impactful during their athletes’ CYT and committing to their sport. We conducted semi-structured interviews with three handball and three cross-country ski coaches and analyzed the data using reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2022). Through the coaches’ eyes, the athletes were challenged by the increased load and onset of evaluation in both school and sport, changes in sports equipment, and peer relations. To cope with PERFORMING ARTS, MEDICINE, BUSINESS AND DAILY LIFE the demands, the athletes took the time to structure their days with/without help from coaches/parents, searched for and found their place among peers, accepted their changing bodies, and committed to sport when their perceived competence was challenged. Key factors for commitment to sport were athletes’ high perceived ability, growth mindset/mastery orientation, knowledge of how their body develops and impacts mastery, and support from their coach, family, and friends. Practical implications for youth sports coaches will be offered with regard to the role they can play in making the CYT an efficient one and increasing the chances for athletes to commit to their sport.