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Introduction Spondylolysis is reported to be a common source of low back pain (LBP) among adolescent athletes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of LBP and spondylolysis and the potential influence of weekly training- and match volume and maturity status on the occurrence of spondylolysis among male youth football players.Materials and Methods Male players (n=98) from 6 different teams were followed over 3 consecutive seasons (U15-U17). Training- and match volume (min), and pain/injuries were self-reported weekly. Clinical examinations were conducted if a player reported LBP and abstained from football training and matches for 1 week, or if a player reported LBP for 4 consecutive weeks despite participating in football training and matches. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were requested based on the clinical examination findings to determine if the LBP was due to spondylolysis. Body height, weight and maturity status were measured bi-annually.Results 46 out of 98 players reported back pain at least once, 18 fulfilled the criteria for a clinical examination, 13 players underwent MRI scan identifying 12 cases of spondylolysis. Risk factor analyses showed a significant association between total weekly training- and match volume and the risk of spondylolysis. No association was shown between maturity level and the occurrence of spondylolysis.Conclusion Increased training- and match volume in the weeks prior to injury were significantly related to a diagnosis of spondylolysis. Maturity measures were not related to increased risk.