Youth Football Debate

[Former Wildcat]

I am not sure that youth programs are needed to develop skills in football the way they are in other sports. Baseball and soccer require skills that take years to develop. That is not the case with football. My father was a high school quarterback in Ohio for a pretty good team (10-0 his junior year). He did not allow me to play football as a kid because he did not think it was necessary and knew of some problems that resulted from youth football. He is not alone. Kellen Winslow Sr. did not allow his son to play organized football until he was in 9th grade.

Now, my father's plan may have backfired because I started playing soccer, joined a club team, played all through high school and am a high school coach today. I am glad that he never pressured me to play football and I hope I can be that open-minded when I have kids. I do not understand the mentality that causes a parent to push a kid into a sport.

In fact, I know of a number of cases where kids who played youth soccer (and even high school soccer) went on to be great college football players. Because football does not require the skills of some other sports, it is not necessary to start kids at age 8. If a kid is strong and fast enough, he can be a good football player. The goalie on my high school team also kicked for football. After the soccer season, he asked if he could play WR. In two games (the first two games of organized football he had ever played), he had over 300 yards receiving and 3 TDs. This was against good AAA opponents in the Harrisburg area (I think one was Lower Dauphin). He had no experience, but was just bigger and faster than anyone else.

[Former Wildcat]

By the way, don't assume that I am some football-hater just because I coach soccer. I will be at the NB-Ridge game tonight rooting for the Panthers. Just wanted to head off that response before it came.

[redfishbluefish]

Why would anybody assume that you would be a football hater. That's just bizarre. As I've said before, I have kids playing both.

[WarriorFan]

I have a six year old son that plays flag football. When he started playing a few months ago he didn't know much about football. Last Saturday I was really shocked at how well he played. He actually knew what he was doing. He has came a long way in just a couple months. My son wasn't real excited about going to his first couple practices this year and this past Tuesday when his practice was cancelled because of rain he cried. He has learned to love the game. He is even watching it on tv now. My son practices twice a week and plays his games on Saturdays. If he wasn't at practice I am thinking he would probably be in front of the t.v. playing his play station. Of course we play ball with him here at home but it just isn't the same. When he has a group of kids all learning the same thing it makes him want to learn too. Plus he will listen to his coach much better than he will me or his Daddy. He has played T-ball for 2 years and this winter will be his second year of wrestling so I can't imagine him not playing football too. I personally think it is going to make him a better football player when he gets to high school but if it doesn't then oh well because he sure is having fun now when he is 6. He is already excited about playing tackle football when he is 9.

[CRLionDawg]

The "exact science" of running the table from youth football, to Jr High, to JV, Varsity, College, to the NFL just does not exist.

I think a few points to be made are these:
* playing organized sports at any level should be a well thought out decision between the parents and the kids.
* in order for kids to play youth football there has to be a program that is local and accessible.
* if there is a program it will be determined successful by the level of support it receives from both players and coaches.
* a successful youth program should keep the following goals first and foremost: make it Fun for all who participate, make it a learning experience.
* always look for ways to keep a high number of kids and parents participating. The more people involved and enjoying themselves the better the end result will be.

Just a few thoughts.

[redfishbluefish]

Spoken like a true coach. Well said.....

[CRLionDawg]

Well the truth is I have never coached football in my life. Baseball and Basketball sure but never football.

Although I do have a little experience with youth football.

[raeroman]

I just think AYSO is just for fun and gives kids a team concept. A lot of kids do not get the idea that soccer can be a very competitive and exciting sport which can lead to scholarships for a great education. All of my kids played Ayso, we did the whole nine yards, My thing was that there are other sports for kids that can lead to great things other than football. So don't jump on me now, I am not dissing football.

[CRLionDawg]

Good point raeroman. Why would someone jump on you about that?

[Lefteyelouie]

I agree with Freddy C on this one. There is no benifit to starting tackle football any earlier. If anything kids pick up bad habits because of the lack of quality coaching. It is much easier to teach a Jr. High boy with no experience the proper techniques rather than to break the bad habits of an "experienced" (youth league) player.