As a former high school and college football coach, I feel kids should NOT play organized sports before the age of 10...Even then, the coaches of the youth teams should be mandated to attend clinics given by area high school and college coaches before being allowed to coach...Proper techniques need to be taught to some of the coaches as illustrated by this trailer...Head-on tackling drills should be performed at not more than 1-2 yds apart and beginning with 1/2 to 3/4 speed to show the proper techniques. These coaches need to be reminded that this is a game FOR the kids...not for the glory of a youth coach Lombardi....
One of the best ran youth programs I have ever seen is in Maryville, TN...The youth teams and coaches work in conjunction with the Maryville High School coaching staff...The result is maryville High School has 8 state championships over the last 10 years and a 10 year record of 145-5......
I’m in total and absolute agreement, Boonie. But as a former high school and college football coach, YOU had to have seen the “sport parent”. You remember the ones... push harder, succeed no matter what, stop crying, play my kid because he is that gooood!” Heck, I know one high school Dad that pushed his son into taking steroids. Even after his own kid blew up like a Spring Toad and developed man-breasts.. that didn’t stop him. D-1 is the focus.. not health or general well being.