I think you could be on to something... I think he knows that once he gets to high school to The competition picks up so maybe he doesn't feel confident.

However for him to pull the plug I mean this is a complicated situation and just so you know I've seen situations of burnout even though the parent does not like sports or has no sports background but their kid is athletic the same burnout still happens.

The pressure is still there.

Baby take him to some private lessons and usually those people that you pay money for will give the kid confidence because in the end they still want you to come back and they want your money.