Youth Football Debate
Posted: October 22nd, 2004, 7:24 am
It came up in another topic about CR and Bellwood. Curious to hear what most think.
My thoughts:
I disagree completely with the whole youth football league. I cannot speak of other schools, but could not name one Bison football player that is better or would have been better because they played in the youth tackle league.
You cannot properly teach an 8 year old to block and tackle. If you do, how many 8 years olds are going to stick their nose in someone's chest who is running full speed to either block or tackle. Bad habits and fear (which makes them say at 8 they don't like football---kids don't know what they like). Let them run around and grab a flag or just play in the back yard. Better yet, let the commi's help them in AYSO and develop their footwork. When they get tired of singing Kum By Yah and everyone playing they'll come to their senses and play an American sport when it counts. (That's high school for you CR fans----just kidding relax.)
8th Grade is when the real teaching begins and even then many kids are too timid to do it properly. I believe the negatives greatly outweigh any positives that could come from the youth league.
My thoughts:
I disagree completely with the whole youth football league. I cannot speak of other schools, but could not name one Bison football player that is better or would have been better because they played in the youth tackle league.
You cannot properly teach an 8 year old to block and tackle. If you do, how many 8 years olds are going to stick their nose in someone's chest who is running full speed to either block or tackle. Bad habits and fear (which makes them say at 8 they don't like football---kids don't know what they like). Let them run around and grab a flag or just play in the back yard. Better yet, let the commi's help them in AYSO and develop their footwork. When they get tired of singing Kum By Yah and everyone playing they'll come to their senses and play an American sport when it counts. (That's high school for you CR fans----just kidding relax.)
8th Grade is when the real teaching begins and even then many kids are too timid to do it properly. I believe the negatives greatly outweigh any positives that could come from the youth league.