If Spring TACKLE was avail in a league for Jr. High boys would your son play?

In our area, we could not field teams due to the conflict with AAU/Senior League baseball.

As a youth coach, I agree 100% with Coach Mountjoy. I encourage my kids to play anything and everything as long as they can, as long as they enjoy playing that particular sport. Makes for a better athlete and a happier kid in the long run in my opinion!

Dave Hartman
CYFL Coach

Ben,

First, don't feel bad at all. Every family has to do what is best for them. Not every family is going to be able to do it all.

Second, I agree with Bill and Dave philosophically. A child should play what they want in order to decide what they want and not to get burned out. I played 5 sports thru my Jr. year in HS.

That said, the reality is that more and more young athletes are specializing earlier. Or many times the player simply is not interested in a sport that happens to be played in the spring. My son is a perfect example. He stopped playing baseball at 9, even though he had great experiences, made the all-star team, enjoyed the coaches he had (I coach him in football and left baseball and basketball to others so he could not always have dad). One day he just decided baseball was a little "slow" for him and he really wanted to play football and basketball. So, he is not interested in golf or tennis, even though we have introduced him to it, got him lessons etc.

Therefore he does not have a spring sport. We keep him busy and not in front of the playstation all day, but for many jr. high boys that don't play baseball, there are not many activities that are constructive for them to be involved in.

So, I guess the question could be phrased, "if your son did not play baseball, soccer, or some other spring sport, would he want to play tackle football?"

caz

That is so true. If a player is "forced" to play a sport, he will rebel and not want to play, whether it shows then or later on. No matter what, it damages the relationship.

We always try to take the approach. "We don't care what you want to do, we will support your decision." Sometimes that takes biting the tongue, but that is what the child wants to hear and NEEDS from the parents.

caz