[Colonel Kangaroo]

Some of the greatest NFL players never put on the pads before high school. And one wonders how many potential greats were turned off the sport because of hollering coaches and being late growers.

[PowderMonkey]

"And one wonders how many potential greats were turned off the sport because of hollering coaches and being late growers."

My teammate's coach/father, a Woody Hayes wannabee in an idiotic example of aggressive boot camp style coaching, angrily slapped the boy's face during a game. Screamed at him to "ACT LIKE A MAN!" Though a gifted athlete and keene competitor, the boy never played organized sports again.

[WayneS]

Good point.

[luckystarmom]

I read an article that interviewed some pros who said they wouldn’t let their kids play tackle football until high school because the coaches on the teams before high school don’t know what the are doing and take risks that could hurt the kids.

I thought it was an interesting perspective.