Youth Football Debate

[southpaw]

So Bedford kids are playing youth league tackle football just down in Everett. lol! Some did at Ridge too in the past.

[Lion-line05]

The Little lions program was one of the best things that the parents of the Ridge Seniors Now did!! It gave us a perspective on how the game was supposed to be played and how to play football together!! I definetly think that it has Helped Our football Program Alot!! I Mean look at the facts Ridge in 1999-2000 was (0-9) No Little lions then 2000-2001- (0-9) Still No Little Lions. 2001-2002 (4-5) Some of the benefits of little lions start showing up as Sophomores.2002-2003 (4-5) More of the little lions program guys show up as sophomores. 2003-2004 (7-3) First winning season since 1996 and Home playoff Game thanks to a now full lineup of Guys who went through Little Lions!! 2004-2005 (7-1) And still one more Regular season game to played with the!! This Group of Seniors was the first to have tackle division put in the Little lions Program!! So You can`t sit there and tell me that these programs don`t work!! Because they DO!!

[BedfordFBall]

so does a conference change :lol:

[Lefteyelouie]

Yep. I have to think that helped their record alot over the past 2 years. However I think they would have had a better chance 2 weeks from now if they had stayed in the LHAC.

[Lion-line05]

I Agree Lefty!!

[BENgali]

here comes the know it all Ridge player again with life's words of wisdom.
Having a good solid group of athletes(which it sounds like something that had been missing the past few years) had nothing to do with it. It was all the elementary program I guess.

I remember seeing Ridge play with a Weyandt kid at QB(I don't know how long ago). They were a relatively weak group of athletes. The athletes there now sound like a solid group.

[PRL]

sure, the Little Lions Program has benefited. But it does not have to be a tackle program at that level to be successfull. Football players benefit from organized play whether it is flag or tackle.

Lionline, no one is questioning whether elementary programs work or not. Yes, Ridge does have a nice season going right now. But in no way can that only be credited to the little lions program. tHey are many other factors involved.

[CRLionDawg]

Yes there are many factors involved in this seasons success. The involvement of the parents, the quality of athletes, the development and experience of the coaches, the enthusiasm of the fans, and the benefits received from youth football.

One of the things that the Little Lions program has done is generate enthusiasm amongst the younger players in the District. Back when it first came out there was a high number of the available boys that participated. It was accessable by anyone who wanted to try football. A lot did and they are still involved to this day.

Sure you guys can have fun with the term "governing body" or administration. Go ahead and laugh.

The bottom line is this. Irregardless of the athletic organization, AYSO, Little League, Boy Scouts, etc. The better organized the leadership is the better things will run, the more fun will be had by those involved, and the more support you will have. That is a fact.

Organizations have a tendency to become little "dynastys" owned and operated by those who volunteer their time and effort. That is unfortunate because the end result is seperation and alienation leading to fewer and fewer people becoming involved.

And yes I wore a hat with "Coach" on the back of it. If you want to talk more about that and what it meant I would be happy to discuss that with you.

[PRL]

I am not questioning what it meant for you to be a coach, CRLionDawg. THat is something that is very commendable in helping to develop young players but the Hat with COACH on the back just draws the line for me.

[redfishbluefish]

Are you serious PRL? It's the hat? So that is your only issue with Little League tackle programs? Wow....I wish everything was that simple?