The slow death of our beloved game

[ssczar76]

As practice has begun for high school and grammar school level programs, I've noticed the low numbers of kids on the field. My beloved Alma mater has a decent size freshmen team but sophomores barely have 30 kids playing. Even the varsity seems thin on numbers.

A close friend who moderates a local league told me the other day how some teams in the league only have a dozen or so kids suiting up.

With the concussion age upon us and research showing the startling effects of on one's health, I have decided not to allow my son to play football. Eventually as the number of players decrease, programs will fold and what happens at the high school level and beyond?

 

[DeanOfSelection]

30 years from now we will have flag football

 

[stella16]

The game is being taught completely different then it was 20 to 30 years ago. If you asked coaches around the state, the over whelming number of concussions is down considerably. The media is the devil and is scaring people into thinking that this is the worst thing in the world. All sons should be playing football if there being taught the right way. No other sport teaches life's lessons like football does.

 

[SOUTHSIDECFD]

Our family Dr. told me that soccer has more concussions than football for every 1000 kids that play each sport. Two players going up to head the ball frequently smack their noggins together. He said that a high school soccer player who also plays during the summer has taken multiple balls to the head. Many at high speed. If you add grade school years where kids start in the primary school age group it takes it toll.

Concussions have to be down with many teams going to the spread and multiple players running out of bounds to avoid contact.

 

[Anon1754760634]

It's a painful yet terrific observation no doubt.....and one point that gets lost is....football is hard, you train year round have to lift and basically work really hard for a 9 game season. Alot of work for very little payoff

 

[ignazio]

Too much soy.

 

[LHSTigers94]

As practice has begun for high school and grammar school level programs, I've noticed the low numbers of kids on the field. My beloved Alma mater has a decent size freshmen team but sophomores barely have 30 kids playing. Even the varsity seems thin on numbers.

A close friend who moderates a local league told me the other day how some teams in the league only have a dozen or so kids suiting up.

With the concussion age upon us and research showing the startling effects of on one's health, I have decided not to allow my son to play football. Eventually as the number of players decrease, programs will fold and what happens at the high school level and beyond?

I think Concussions are getting too much credit. Kids are a lot more lazy and video games are off the chart. Any team that consist of more that 30 -35 players on the lower level will have a lot of kids just standing around most of practice. With the limited amount of time that you actually have to teach football, the lower numbers are better for the overall development of players.

 

[DigitalCy]

While I believe that the media has made a mountain out of a molehill with the safety concerns, i also believe that kids who wouldn't have a chance to play/aren't truly built physically for the game aren't signing up to be practice players. It's a bad combination and football needs to figure out how to adapt to the times

 

[Hill1729]

Parents need to realize that kids playing in peewees and highscool do not have the same collisions that the pros have. In the pros and college concussions are a real concern the problem is 1. Improper technique and 2. The athlete in the pros and college has out grown the equipments ability to protect them. You will never take injuries out of sports, but you can do more in the way of better funding research to produce a better brand of equipment. I think parents need to step back and look and read about the facts. I don't blame the media for this, I truly blame the NFL if they had been forthright then this issue would of still been an issue but not the issue it is. More research would of come to light, better techniques taught, and people would have been better informed , years ago if the NFL would of been honest.

 

[HRCJR]

The game is being taught completely different then it was 20 to 30 years ago. If you asked coaches around the state, the over whelming number of concussions is down considerably. The media is the devil and is scaring people into thinking that this is the worst thing in the world. All sons should be playing football if there being taught the right way. No other sport teaches life's lessons like football does.

Why does football teach life's lessons differently than other sports? What lessons are unique to football? Not saying you are wrong but just wondering because I think to my soon to be college student son has learned more in baseball than football. 8 years of football (including 2 years starting in the CCL), 14 years of baseball, 8 of basketball, 6 of soccer, 2 swimming, 2 of hockey give a lot of lessons.

 

[mc140]

Its funny how down to 30 players on lower level teams and the sky is falling at some places.We have always hoped to have 30 players at the sophomore level and have ranged from 20 to 41 for a season over last 15 years with most years around 27-28.

 

[Paliakas1]

One thing on numbers, the Millennials are all out of high school. That was the United States’ largest generation ever, bigger than the Baby Boomers. Generation Z, the kids of Gen X, and the current generation in high school and grammar school have a lot smaller head count to begin with than the prior generation. Therefore, there will be a natural demographic fall-off in numbers. The concussion effect and a softer generation not willing to pay the price to be good at football are also factors, but when you start with a smaller population it is going to be a factor as well.

 

[SiuCubFan8]

It is not just the concussions. It's the constant banging of the brain against the skull.

 

[ramblinman_rivals165935]

Agree with all those who are pointing to other possible reasons why football numbers might be down. The national concussion discussion is basically being used as circumstantial evidence to "prove" why numbers are down.

Until someone can point to statistics that identify multiple reasons why football numbers are down, it's all just conjecture.

 

[FalconPadre]

I think you are all missing the boat. I believe the real cause of the decline in numbers is due to the "club" sports phenomenon. Twenty years ago club sports were almost non existent. Today there is one on every corner for soccer, baseball, hockey, lacrosse, basketball and even 7 v 7 football. Every kid that can stand up without falling down (barely) is playing on some kind of club travel team before high school. They are coached by some Daddyball coach that keeps the same kids together every year and the kids that don't make the team just start another Daddyball team down the street. So you have legions of kids that all think they are too good for Park District or Y leagues and that they are somehow special athletes because they play club or travel ball....Then they go to highschool and get a severe dose of reality. Real tryouts. Daddy's not coaching. Bigger pond with tougher fish then you have become accustomed to in your "club" or "travel" teams. These kids can't accept not starting or getting cut so they don't even try out to avoid the embarrassment. They will blame concussions or their parents but the root cause is the fair of failure. Of not starting or getting much playing time. I blame the fake prestige of the club team phenomenon.

 

[LakeCtyNewt]

I think it's tough to point to one stat and say that's why football is down.

The concussion issue is very real. No denying it. However it's a portion of the story. Football has done more to educate its players coaches and parents than any other sport.

When was the last report we saw about concussions in hockey or soccer or lacrosse?

Fact is with the older generation playing the game in substandard equipment it creates a narrative that no matter what equipment companies do, it will never outweigh the screaming voices.

I agree that concussions hurt this game. Lazy kids, uninformed parents don't help either

 

[ignazio]

I think you are all missing the boat. I believe the real cause of the decline in numbers is due to the "club" sports phenomenon. Twenty years ago club sports were almost non existent. Today there is one on every corner for soccer, baseball, hockey, lacrosse, basketball and even 7 v 7 football. Every kid that can stand up without falling down (barely) is playing on some kind of club travel team before high school. They are coached by some Daddyball coach that keeps the same kids together every year and the kids that don't make the team just start another Daddyball team down the street. So you have legions of kids that all think they are too good for Park District or Y leagues and that they are somehow special athletes because they play club or travel ball....Then they go to highschool and get a severe dose of reality. Real tryouts. Daddy's not coaching. Bigger pond with tougher fish then you have become accustomed to in your "club" or "travel" teams. These kids can't accept not starting or getting cut so they don't even try out to avoid the embarrassment. They will blame concussions or their parents but the root cause is the fair of failure. Of not starting or getting much playing time. I blame the fake prestige of the club team phenomenon.

Right out of the gate, we get a Hall of Fame post.
I nominate Falcon for the DSR.

 

[Thedoctor50]

I think you are all missing the boat. I believe the real cause of the decline in numbers is due to the "club" sports phenomenon. Twenty years ago club sports were almost non existent. Today there is one on every corner for soccer, baseball, hockey, lacrosse, basketball and even 7 v 7 football. Every kid that can stand up without falling down (barely) is playing on some kind of club travel team before high school. They are coached by some Daddyball coach that keeps the same kids together every year and the kids that don't make the team just start another Daddyball team down the street. So you have legions of kids that all think they are too good for Park District or Y leagues and that they are somehow special athletes because they play club or travel ball....Then they go to highschool and get a severe dose of reality. Real tryouts. Daddy's not coaching. Bigger pond with tougher fish then you have become accustomed to in your "club" or "travel" teams. These kids can't accept not starting or getting cut so they don't even try out to avoid the embarrassment. They will blame concussions or their parents but the root cause is the fair of failure. Of not starting or getting much playing time. I blame the fake prestige of the club team phenomenon.

Maybe it depends on the area one is from, but club sports are where the cuts are made. The clubs I am familiar with in soccer, volleyball, baseball and basketball are far superior to the HS teams. Yes HS teams in certain sports make cuts, but so do the travel teams.

 

[LTHSALUM76]

Travel sports have changed so much that it has become wise to divide them into competitive and recreational travel teams.

I assure you, the competitive travel teams will beat any high school team in any sport. If you had travel football the same would be true.

I agree with what Falcon said, but it only applies to the recreational travel teams. The competitive kids from these club teams are the ones leading their high schools to winning seasons and championships. In my opinion, competitive club ball is a good thing.

However, you still have parents who refuse to be objective when it comes to their kids' talent. The majority aren't.

 

[Wild_Mustang]

Surprised nobody blamed Trump yet

 

[FalconPadre]

Maybe it depends on the area one is from, but club sports are where the cuts are made. The clubs I am familiar with in soccer, volleyball, baseball and basketball are far superior to the HS teams. Yes HS teams in certain sports make cuts, but so do the travel teams.

I am talking about the club teams prior to high school where there is one for every kid. Get cut from one club and then join another. There is a club for every kid that wants to pay for it. In high school you have to earn your spot. No one hands it to you.

 

[GMAN81]

In high school you have to earn your spot. No one hands it to you.

I am sorry, but that statement isn't 100% correct. When I was in HS and trying out for a varsity sport we had a kid who was cut. But he wasn't cut because he wasn't good enough to play. He was cut because the coach didn't like him.

The kid was having a good tryout and all of us players knew he could not only play, but start at his position and his back up at that position was horrible. We knew that too. He wasn't disruptive and worked as hard as anyone there and was always on time. It was no secret that he and the coach didn't like each other personally. I honestly think the coach didn't like the people the kid hung out with although he never got in any trouble. He and his sophomore coach got along well and he had a better year than anyone on that team.

When cuts came he was on the chopping block and all us players were stunned. His back up certainly didn't "earn" that position but had it "handed" to him. By the way, the kid who had the spot handed to him performed terribly but never sat. His dad was a big time ***-kisser. That coach purposely weakened our team because his ego made him subjectively cut a player who could have helped us win more that we did. I am talking about a HS varsity coach too.

I didn't respect that coach for what he did because we all knew it was wrong. I got along fine with the coach but when I think of best coaches I ever had he never comes to mind.

I have had coaches over the years tell me directly they cut kids they didn't like. I knew some of the kids and there was no doubt the majority of them shouldn't have been. Maybe they weren't all stars but they were certainly good enough to at least make the team.

When we were players we were kind of immune to ***-kissing parents and didn't notice it unless it was blatant. When I put my kids into sports I realized those scum bags were everywhere! I don't know if it's worse now than it was then or not. But it was pretty bad when my kids were playing.

I am not indicting all HS coaches because the majority of those I have met do try to be as objective as they can and are good coaches. But far too many have egos that precede their better judgement in picking and playing the right guys. Coaches are human beings and make mistakes but some guys shouldn't be coaching HS kids or anyone else. I don't like to see a coach playing kids who shouldn't be playing but whose parents kiss ***. Then those coaches turn around and say they play the best players and are playing to win. BS!

Just so we understand where I am coming from, all of my kids were starting players at all levels in HS and two of them went on to become starters with their college teams so I have no ax to grind as a parent with anyone. I never bothered their coaches. I just told my kids what my dad told me. "If you aren't playing then you need to do what it takes to get on that field. I am NOT kissing anyone's ***." Too bad not all parents make that speech to their kids.

I apologize for the long post.

 

[FalconPadre]

I am sorry, but that statement isn't 100% correct. When I was in HS and trying out for a varsity sport we had a kid who was cut. But he wasn't cut because he wasn't good enough to play. He was cut because the coach didn't like him.

The kid was having a good tryout and all of us players knew he could not only play, but start at his position and his back up at that position was horrible. We knew that too. He wasn't disruptive and worked as hard as anyone there and was always on time. It was no secret that he and the coach didn't like each other personally. I honestly think the coach didn't like the people the kid hung out with although he never got in any trouble. He and his sophomore coach got along well and he had a better year than anyone on that team.

When cuts came he was on the chopping block and all us players were stunned. His back up certainly didn't "earn" that position but had it "handed" to him. By the way, the kid who had the spot handed to him performed terribly but never sat. His dad was a big time ***-kisser. That coach purposely weakened our team because his ego made him subjectively cut a player who could have helped us win more that we did. I am talking about a HS varsity coach too.

I didn't respect that coach for what he did because we all knew it was wrong. I got along fine with the coach but when I think of best coaches I ever had he never comes to mind.

I have had coaches over the years tell me directly they cut kids they didn't like. I knew some of the kids and there was no doubt the majority of them shouldn't have been. Maybe they weren't all stars but they were certainly good enough to at least make the team.

When we were players we were kind of immune to ***-kissing parents and didn't notice it unless it was blatant. When I put my kids into sports I realized those scum bags were everywhere! I don't know if it's worse now than it was then or not. But it was pretty bad when my kids were playing.

I am not indicting all HS coaches because the majority of those I have met do try to be as objective as they can and are good coaches. But far too many have egos that precede their better judgement in picking and playing the right guys. Coaches are human beings and make mistakes but some guys shouldn't be coaching HS kids or anyone else. I don't like to see a coach playing kids who shouldn't be playing but whose parents kiss ***. Then those coaches turn around and say they play the best players and are playing to win. BS!

Just so we understand where I am coming from, all of my kids were starting players at all levels in HS and two of them went on to become starters with their college teams so I have no ax to grind as a parent with anyone. I never bothered their coaches. I just told my kids what my dad told me. "If you aren't playing then you need to do what it takes to get on that field. I am NOT kissing anyone's ***." Too bad not all parents make that speech to their kids.

I apologize for the long post.

I am speaking in general terms. There are always situations like you mention above as unfortunate as that one sounds.

I still believe too many kids are overly pumped up by their club or travel experiences at the youth level to risk the embarrassment of not starting on their high school teams. I blame the ridiculous over-proliferation of club and travel sports on the decline in high school football numbers.

 

[Gforce5_rivals223435]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/spor...20da1aeb507_story.html?utm_term=.90c229e39794