Youth Football - Is your son playing or will you allow him to play?

[College#19]

Curious as to where Football Fans fall on this topic. I know it can be a very difficult decision for some parents to make. I live in the Cincinnati area and there are a lot of youth football leagues and programs to choose from in the area. Each league seems to have their own unique set of rules in regards to weight limits, requirements for coaches, how they deal with targeting, and the amount of full contact allowed in practice.

We made a decision to allow our son to play in a league with weight limits and restrictions on the amount of full contact practice in practice. He is probably not playing in the most competitive league in the area but we feel like he is being taught how to play the game correctly if he wants to continue playing in high school.

We have some friends who son plays for a select football team that plays in weekend type tournaments where teams play 3 or 4 games in a weekend. I honestly never knew such a thing existed for youth football and can't believe parents allow it. These parents actually travel out of town for these football tournaments. I think the parents and the people hosting these tournaments need to have their heads examined.

I believe the concussion issue is real, but also blown out of proportion a bit because of the popularity of the game. But make no mistake, the game of football especially at the youth level has to be played differently. You can't allow kids to go out there and just have a free for all.

 

[UK Cats Rock]

Mine played and I wouldn't change it. Played flag, then into tackle. There were weight restrictions on who could carry the ball, but other than that, it was full contact in practice and games.... and that includes when he was in the 4th and 5th grades.

 

[WildCard]

I coached youth football a few years and tried to establish Pop Warner football in the Louisville area. It only lasted a few years because there simply was not enough overall football interest to bring out enough players. By that I mean Pop Warner football has both age and weight restriction. Each age group has a weight limit for each age. For example, based on his weight, a 10 year old kid can be assigned to the 8/9/10 division, the 9/10/11 division or the 10/11/12 division. The heavier you are for your age, the higher up you are required to play. The weight scale allegedly accommodated over 90% of the kids of each age but, yes, it was possible for a kid to be "too big" to play. But as you can see this combination of age and weigh limits really means each sponsoring organization in a "league" needs to sponsor at least 6 teams (instead of maybe 3) to accommodate all eligible weights and ages. IOW, you needed a lot of kids interested in playing football and that never materialized.

As far as safety goes this age and weight scale is inherently much safer than the usual practice of establishing a weight limit for ball carrying positions and all overweight kids getting their helmets "X-taped" to signify they must line offensively at C, G or T. The flawed mentality here is that a injury or concussion is more likely if a big ball carrier collides with a smaller defender than if a big defender collides with a smaller ball carrier. According to the laws of physics, that is just not true.

Regardless, when properly coached and supervised, pre-HS ball is fairly safe simply because kids of these ages do not have the mass and cannot generate the speed necessary to routinely introduce serious injury condition. FWIW, the worst injury suffered on my teams was a broken arm. But my scariest experience was a practice situation where a kid (who really should not have been playing football) was dumped on his head by a kid whom he should not have been matched against creating a very scary moment. That is what I mean by "properly supervised". That extends to tight enforcement of ANY rules that have to do with safety (e.g., late hits, spearing, clipping, etc.).

I have seen ads for a national awareness of "head up play" in youth football. One of the absolute best tricks I learned from one of Howard Schnellenberger's assistant coaches was, in tackling, to teach the buzz phrase "Bite the Ball". If you tackle with your head in a position to "bite the ball" you are in a "safe" tackling position, i.e., head up, face mask on the ball.

Peace

 

[College#19]

I like the "bite the ball". It makes good sense,

 

[KumarCat]

Most of the pop Warner injuries can be attributed to poor coaching or leadership. At that age kids should be taught fundamentals, fair play and safety. Winning should be stressed but not the end all. I think at that age, winning means more to some of the adults than it does the kids. That's dangerous in any sport.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Curious as to where Football Fans fall on this topic. I know it can be a very difficult decision for some parents to make. I live in the Cincinnati area and there are a lot of youth football leagues and programs to choose from in the area. Each league seems to have their own unique set of rules in regards to weight limits, requirements for coaches, how they deal with targeting, and the amount of full contact allowed in practice.

We made a decision to allow our son to play in a league with weight limits and restrictions on the amount of full contact practice in practice. He is probably not playing in the most competitive league in the area but we feel like he is being taught how to play the game correctly if he wants to continue playing in high school.

We have some friends who son plays for a select football team that plays in weekend type tournaments where teams play 3 or 4 games in a weekend. I honestly never knew such a thing existed for youth football and can't believe parents allow it. These parents actually travel out of town for these football tournaments. I think the parents and the people hosting these tournaments need to have their heads examined.

I believe the concussion issue is real, but also blown out of proportion a bit because of the popularity of the game. But make no mistake, the game of football especially at the youth level has to be played differently. You can't allow kids to go out there and just have a free for all.

When my son started playing there weren't any weight limit rules, it was all age limit. Coaches were hard to find and qualifications were low. My son lived with his mom in a different county from me, and the HS coaches in that county tried to give some clinics to the rec coaches, but much like these boards, all knew more than the coaches putting on the clinic.

I don't see how you can teach proper technique without some contact. SInce I retired, concussions have become a huge topic and should be. One thing that is becoming pretty popular in my area is a shell that fits over a helmet with padding much like the inside padding on helmets. Lots of teams are using them for practice and some individuals are playing games in them. They stretch over the helmet and are held in place by snaps very much like chinstrap snaps. It would have to cut down on concussions, I would push hard for it if I were stil coaching, all rec leagues should make them mandatory and if my kid was playing he would have one.

 

[KY1WING]

Before you put a kid in a league you need to ask a lot of questions -

I coached in a league which automatically put the head coaches on the league board.

I lasted one season until I found out there were no records on equipment reconditioning or no rules or records on equipment modifications.

We had players parents modifying helmets, changing out face masks, etc without any repercussions.

I like football, I like teaching it but there was just too much liability for me in that situation.

So ask about the equipment-personal and practice.

Ask what kind of guidelines they use for heat. Do they know the acceptable guidelines and how do they monitor? What are guidelines for concussions and head injuries. How many fingers am I hold up-close enough-get back in the game doesn't cut it.

What kind of first aid equipment is available at practice? Who is trained to use it?

League provide coaches with any instruction or clinics?

Do the teams have pre-season scrimmages and do they use officials for them. Closest I've been to a riot was an asst. coaches ref'ed scrimmage.

Are practice facilities adequate and safe? Looking back our league was a injury waiting to happen.

Youth football is great until something bad happens ... Got to minimize that ask much as possible.

 

[Anon1712931820]

Wife says no, but I say if he wants to then I'll let him. He has an interest in basketball and baseball, so if he sticks with those ill be good.

 

[TuckyFB]

Yes, my son will play football.

Best sport, most competitive sport and most fun sport.

He'll play a man's sport, not basketball.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Yes, my son will play football.

Best sport, most competitive sport and most fun sport.

He'll play a man's sport, not basketball.

I would have thought a statement like that would get a fellow run out of the state, just messing around don't get mad.

I am a retired coach/ad, never coached basketball. But to me it really doesn't matter what a kid is involved in, male or female, as long as they are involved in something its much better than them hanging out at the mall or whereever the hot spot happens to be in their town.

 

[BigBoyBlueMMA]

I did not have any oys - But I for damn sure would allow and push for because I played until College and chose not to play at the small college levels...But if I have any say so in any grand children - I'll be happy to give all the positive that come from playing in youth group sports ESPECIALLY FOOTBALL and I'll start coaching again too!

 

[WildCard]

I'll add one more thing...make sure the kid wants to play and it is not dad "pushing" for it. FWIW, I coached a lot of youth baseball and youth football. I had more than a few kids that I knew from baseball were good athletes for their age. However, it was obvious from day 1 that some simply did not care for the rough and tumble aspect of football. just be sure the kid wants to play.

Peace

 

[JW PRPcoach]

Coached my son for 5 years, two as head coach.
He quit to focus on other sports entering 7th grade.
As much as I love the game of football, I was sort of glad he gave it up.

 

[College#19]

The equipment reconditioning is a good topic. My son's program gets Riddell to recondition the helmets after each season. They are also switching to compression jerseys because too many kids are getting grabbed by their jerseys and swung around like a pillow to the ground. It stems from kids wearing jerseys that are too big for them. The compression jerseys are supposed to help reduce this. We opted to just buy my son a new jersey and his own helmet. Also glad to see his league adopt the rule horse collar tackle now involves grabbing the back of the jersey above the number and not just the neckline of the jersey.

From what I can tell tackle football turns into a very physical game starting around the 6th grade. I think the weight limit is important because so many kids are being held back in school these days. You don't need a 150lb sixth grader playing against a 100 pound sixth grader.

 

[JDHoss]

My stepson played football and baseball in high school. He suffered a broken hand, and a fractured foot. The broken hand came from sliding headfirst into 3rd base. The fractured foot came when he fouled a ball off his foot at home plate. No football injuries. That said, if I had another son, I'd let him play, but it would worry the hell out of me.

 

[trumpetcat]

When I was 8,9,10 years old my Dad wanted me to play in these leagues, but I was way to small to actually compete. Try having a 45 lb kid who is barely 3 ft tall and not very athletic that was me. So when I got to middle school my dad asked me if I wanted to play sports I said no and asked if I could be in band. Best decision ever! Anyways yall know the rest of it.

 

[weezul]

Mine started playing last year(6th grade). It was his first year of contact and he was definitely behind the curve vs those kids who previously played. That said, he learned alot and is looking forward to this season...practice starts Monday.

 

[BlueRaider22]

We're gonna push active activities early on....soccer, gymnastics, basketball, etc. Later on....perhaps middle school...if my boy wants to play football we will talk. More than likely he'll play if he wants to. It would be hypocritical for his grandfather to play HS/College, his father to play HS and turn down college.....raise him watching NCAA and NFL every weekend sitting on father/grandfather's knees......and not allow him to play is he wants to.

 

[Anon1713320623]

My son is only 2 years old, so we still have a ways to go, my favorite sports to play were always Football and Baseball, and judging by what he is interested in those two are probably going to be his favorites. While I am a bit nervous because I remember all the broken bones I suffered in sports, along with a total of 7 surgeries now on my left knee to correct a sports injury (still isn't corrected) I am without a doubt worried. Will be hard to deny him Football because he is such a big kid, I know he is only 2 but he has been in the 95th or higher percentile in height and the 99th or higher in weight since he was born. At 2 years old he is a whopping 39 inches tall and 42 pounds.

I will still want him to play sports, that was such a huge part of my life growing up and I would still be playing softball or a mens baseball league to this day if I were capable, my knee just won't allow it. I can't take my bad luck of such a horrible injury and think my son will go through the same thing. I support anything he wants to do with his life, no matter what that is.

 

[Blueaz]

In flag now...2nd grade. No tackle for at least two more years and that is if he "passes" the DNA test. It checks for a protein that doesn't allow someone to heal well after a concussion. If he has that... It will suck, but no football

 

[Blueaz]

Most of the pop Warner injuries can be attributed to poor coaching or leadership. At that age kids should be taught fundamentals, fair play and safety. Winning should be stressed but not the end all. I think at that age, winning means more to some of the adults than it does the kids. That's dangerous in any sport.

Damn, I am taking you of ignore after that. I coached my sons flag team this past season. We were the only team that made sure all the kids played and got to have fun.
Hell, one of the runts may have growth spurt but never want to play, because his first coach (in 2nd grade) made football no fun.
That was me with with baseball. My first coach in peanut league made me dislike it soo much.

 

[College#19]

The number in youth tackle football signups definitely hit a solid decline 2011/2012, heard it was around a 25% downward spike. Our program for the first time in 4 years experienced a 15% increase in registrations for this season. No doubt the concussion issue scared the heck out of a lot parents but I think the rule changes and the proactive things football programs are doing might be drawing people back. Football is the most popular sport in the country and I still think if your kid is somewhat tough it is the easiest sport for them to play. It will be interesting to see how the registration trends over the next 10 year.

 

[WildCard]

We're gonna push active activities early on....soccer, gymnastics, basketball, etc. Later on....perhaps middle school...if my boy wants to play football we will talk. More than likely he'll play if he wants to. It would be hypocritical for his grandfather to play HS/College, his father to play HS and turn down college.....raise him watching NCAA and NFL every weekend sitting on father/grandfather's knees......and not allow him to play is he wants to.

FWIW, I am going through the "kid sport cycle" with my grandkids (all girls right now). Without question, the best thing I have witnessed is gymnastics at an early age. It is "expensive" as it requires a specialized environment and facilities but I have never seen anything better for say, 5 to 9 year olds. It is not about future olympians but rather about balance, agility and flexibility that will serve well in other activities. JMO.

Peace

 

[cawood12]

As a grandfather of two boys age 13 and 14 I have experienced two completely different attitudes to contact football. The older boy was always bigger and the other a little smaller. But the attitude and drive to compete was the difference. The younger one played tackle from 3rd thru 7th and then quit as people learn to hit with velocity. He no longer was interested. The older one did touch for 2nd grade and tackle from 3rd then on thru 6th as an X man ( lineman ) He loved it and the banging of bodies is his thing. My thought is linemen actually has less helmet contact of consequence because of the short distance they travel to initiate. The helmets get scuffed up but the running tackle or block is more violent. Then he went to 7th and 8th grade, started 8th at 5' 10" and 190lbs. with good speed. But just a lineman. They were in 2 systems and both were pretty well run. Lot of contact in practice and helmets were purchased from 3rd to 6th and then we bought a high school helmet for $350.00 from Riddell . Same one he is using as a freshman in Hs. Re-conditioning is recommend every other year in youth ball and every year in HS.

Over all They have loved it and I have too.

The coaches are key. Some really know their football and teach correct tackling technique. How they control the practice and game for contact or excessive contact is important. The game at the youth level can be great fun if done with the attitude of proper technique. I once saw a 4th grader hit with his helmet to tackle and the referees sent him out of the game for a series. The coaches them reinstructed how to tackle., it takes everybody to make that 3rd to 6th grade system work. 7th and 8th grade here becomes middle school and has a lot more game contact, You can not say fundamentals enough times to that group of kids.

The earlier the better is the time to learn the game. repetitions is the key to fundamentals. I would not wait till the kids are bigger to play better to start when they are slow and light.

If you want your kids to get the most from this activity find a good sports development program that teaches conditioning and techniques for football. At the HS level and beyond good lineman play is learning angles and hand play. and you need great feet.

 

[Anon1660081258]

Wife is dead set against it. I am getting my book learning on lacrosse right now. It looks like my best shot at seeing my sons play contact sports.

 

[cawood12]

Wife is dead set against it. I am getting my book learning on lacrosse right now. It looks like my best shot at seeing my sons play contact sports.

WE live in the same area, Greenwood here. If you want info on a good league let me know and the development also. Not franklin township. The development program helps all sports, they have girls doing volleyball, baseball, football, and basketball.

 

[BlueRaider22]

FWIW, I am going through the "kid sport cycle" with my grandkids (all girls right now). Without question, the best thing I have witnessed is gymnastics at an early age. It is "expensive" as it requires a specialized environment and facilities but I have never seen anything better for say, 5 to 9 year olds. It is not about future olympians but rather about balance, agility and flexibility that will serve well in other activities. JMO.

Peace

I agree. Not to go all "Joker Phillips" on us, but it teaches kids how to fall....and how to move.

Soccer is amazing as well. The footwork and agility that comes with the sport is crucial to any sport (Not to mention it tires out those darn rugrats)

 

[trumpetcat]

When I did a research paper on concussions that happen in football I actually found out that Purdue is coming up with a new type of helmet that will help to prevent concussions. They will have silicone insides that flex allowing less force to be dealt to the head. As we all know concussions happen after a large number of hits and the concussion happens when the hit is the straw that broke the camels back.

 

[BlueRaider22]

^Helmet technology will only get you so far though. Being able to stop the brain from pinballing off your skull is a big obstacle.

 

[cawood12]

^Helmet technology will only get you so far though. Being able to stop the brain from pinballing off your skull is a big obstacle.

Indy station did a piece on helmets about 2 years ago. You can go to Virginia Tech and see their study, very comprehensive and rates helmets by vendor and style number.

 

[ekywildcat_rivals26726]

My grandson will be in first grade this fall and he wants to change schools because his old school had no pee wee sports until third grade. New school has basketball and flag football he can play, so we're going for it. He has already played soccer for two years, which he loved, he can run all day, but he doesn't take losing well. Will have to work on that.

 

[littlecreek]

My son will be in the 3rd grade and he has played the last 2 yrs. He goes to a small school and our little league has 1 team per 2 grades. We play other schools which are mostly the same ones the high school plays against. It is full contact but we stress safety and fundamentals and we have had no injuries the last 2 years. The format is each team gets 10 offensive plays starting at the 40 yard line. If you score you go back to the 40, stay where you are if a turn over, and keep it until the 10 plays are over. Then you play defense for 10 plays. Games are an hour long so if there is time left after each team gets their 10 plays then we split the remaining time. It works well for us. As one of he coaches, our biggest trouble is parents thinking that their boy is the next Peyton Manning. They get upset if their boy has to play on the line.

 

[College#19]

My son will be in the 3rd grade and he has played the last 2 yrs. He goes to a small school and our little league has 1 team per 2 grades. We play other schools which are mostly the same ones the high school plays against. It is full contact but we stress safety and fundamentals and we have had no injuries the last 2 years. The format is each team gets 10 offensive plays starting at the 40 yard line. If you score you go back to the 40, stay where you are if a turn over, and keep it until the 10 plays are over. Then you play defense for 10 plays. Games are an hour long so if there is time left after each team gets their 10 plays then we split the remaining time. It works well for us. As one of he coaches, our biggest trouble is parents thinking that their boy is the next Peyton Manning. They get upset if their boy has to play on the line.

Any chance your son is playing in the GCYL League in Cincinnati Area. They have the exact rules for Bandits 1st and 2nd grade football.

 

[treyforuk]

My son started playing at age 10. First time he was hit he wanted to quit. Once he figured out he could hit back, he played for.the next 8 years. Had offers from small instate schools. But he decided to give it up. Knocked himself out during practice, and had several concussions during high school. My wife was more upset than me when he didn't choose college ball, but it was best for his health.