Tell me about Freshman Football

[Anonymous]

My son thinks he wants to play freshman football. It is no cut at our high school. He's not a big kid and has never played tackle football before - and he's also not a super tough kid. Am I crazy for allowing him to play as the risk of being hurt is too great? or Am I crazy not letting him play and be able to meet some boys before he starts school? Appreciate any advice.

[Anonymous]

My son is playing and has been going to the preseason workouts. It has been great for him. Football aside, he is getting to know other kids that will be freshman at the school.

Mine did play youth tackle. He was never the biggest, fastest or strongest but he enjoyed it. My kids played lots of sports and I have seen more injuries in the other ones. At least with our program, safety is taught from early on. I wouldn’t worry about injuries anymore than you would worry in soccer.

[Anonymous]

My nephew played JV Football and absolutely loved it. He is a smaller kid but loved the comradery and teamwork. He didn’t play Varsity - size had to do with it - but my sister was really glad he got to play JV.

[Anonymous]

You aren’t crazy. I played high school football in the 90’s and even some of the best guys I played with aren’t letting their kids play. Science has educated us on risks we didn’t know about back then. There are also more protective rules and better equipment now. But you aren’t the only one forbidding football. It’s common these days.

I personally don’t want my kids to play tackle football either. My oldest is in 8th grade this year, but if he insists when he’s in high school, I may allow it.

[Anonymous]

It’s fine.

1. He should start running a couple times a day now. Plot out a 2 mile circle course that brings him home. Make sure he has decent running shoes for street running.

2. Make sure you have paperwork done. Parent permission forms and he has his sports physical done.

3. Make sure you know start dates and you do the player/parent information meetings. Make sure he is there early for everything - particularly in the handing out of uniforms. You/he don’t want leftovers if he misses the day.

4. Make sure he has jockstrap/underwear and cup. At least three of everything. This is the time for him learning how to do his own laundry. Everyday for somethings. Make sure he has lots of good t-shirts and lots of them. Cotton.

5. If you know someone who is older and played it would be good if they could give him a lesson on shoulder pads use and sizing. Schools are better these days on fitting helmets, but it would be good if someone who knew what they were doing checked it out and confirmed it fit well.

6. If you can - make an appt with a dermatologist and get him there. Talk about what he needs to be doing. Sweat, helmet, chin straps, shoulder pads. Keeping acne under control will be an issue. Get on it.

7. If you can - get him into some introductory sessions on weight training. Learning how to do the basics without a bunch of kids around will be a good thing.

8. If you know someone not too much older, or can get a referral at the gym - having your kid meet for snack so that they can discuss performance enhancing drugs would be a good thing. They are at every high school, and they certainly are not limited to football. How to stay away from them when he knows and likes kids who are using is a skill to be learned.

9. Find out what 9th grade parents do as volunteers and volunteer. I always liked announcing but chain gang was good too. It’s a great chance to meet parents.









6.



5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s fine.

1. He should start running a couple times a day now. Plot out a 2 mile circle course that brings him home. Make sure he has decent running shoes for street running.

2. Make sure you have paperwork done. Parent permission forms and he has his sports physical done.

3. Make sure you know start dates and you do the player/parent information meetings. Make sure he is there early for everything - particularly in the handing out of uniforms. You/he don’t want leftovers if he misses the day.

4. Make sure he has jockstrap/underwear and cup. At least three of everything. This is the time for him learning how to do his own laundry. Everyday for somethings. Make sure he has lots of good t-shirts and lots of them. Cotton.

5. If you know someone who is older and played it would be good if they could give him a lesson on shoulder pads use and sizing. Schools are better these days on fitting helmets, but it would be good if someone who knew what they were doing checked it out and confirmed it fit well.

6. If you can - make an appt with a dermatologist and get him there. Talk about what he needs to be doing. Sweat, helmet, chin straps, shoulder pads. Keeping acne under control will be an issue. Get on it.

7. If you can - get him into some introductory sessions on weight training. Learning how to do the basics without a bunch of kids around will be a good thing.

8. If you know someone not too much older, or can get a referral at the gym - having your kid meet for snack so that they can discuss performance enhancing drugs would be a good thing. They are at every high school, and they certainly are not limited to football. How to stay away from them when he knows and likes kids who are using is a skill to be learned.

9. Find out what 9th grade parents do as volunteers and volunteer. I always liked announcing but chain gang was good too. It’s a great chance to meet parents.









6.



5.

New poster here

Why cotton? As an athlete myself (runner) and mother of a high school football player, we specifically avoid cotton in favor of moisture wicking synthetics. Why do you recommend cotton?

[Anonymous]

They don’t wear jockstraps or cups. This is old info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You aren’t crazy. I played high school football in the 90’s and even some of the best guys I played with aren’t letting their kids play. Science has educated us on risks we didn’t know about back then. There are also more protective rules and better equipment now. But you aren’t the only one forbidding football. It’s common these days.

I personally don’t want my kids to play tackle football either. My oldest is in 8th grade this year, but if he insists when he’s in high school, I may allow it.

What sports does your kid play?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They don’t wear jockstraps or cups. This is old info.

Really? When I did mixed martial arts, we always wore a cup. I can’t imagine playing a heavy contact sport without one. Ouch!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They don’t wear jockstraps or cups. This is old info.

Really? When I did mixed martial arts, we always wore a cup. I can’t imagine playing a heavy contact sport without one. Ouch!

My husband was also surprised when our son started because he wore one when he played. He asked and was told it was found with the nature of tackling, they can actually cause more injuries than prevent. Certain positions wear them in football but not most. I don’t know which ones since my son has never needed one. Ask before you buy one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They don’t wear jockstraps or cups. This is old info.

What are you talking about? They literally do cup checks before games at the youth level

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They don’t wear jockstraps or cups. This is old info.

What are you talking about? They literally do cup checks before games at the youth level

Different youth leagues must have different policies. Ours did not and they were not recommended during any year, nor are they at my sons high school.

[Anonymous]

Let him play and find out on his own. There's no way to know if he'll love it or hate it until he plays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s fine.

1. He should start running a couple times a day now. Plot out a 2 mile circle course that brings him home. Make sure he has decent running shoes for street running.

2. Make sure you have paperwork done. Parent permission forms and he has his sports physical done.

3. Make sure you know start dates and you do the player/parent information meetings. Make sure he is there early for everything - particularly in the handing out of uniforms. You/he don’t want leftovers if he misses the day.

4. Make sure he has jockstrap/underwear and cup. At least three of everything. This is the time for him learning how to do his own laundry. Everyday for somethings. Make sure he has lots of good t-shirts and lots of them. Cotton.

5. If you know someone who is older and played it would be good if they could give him a lesson on shoulder pads use and sizing. Schools are better these days on fitting helmets, but it would be good if someone who knew what they were doing checked it out and confirmed it fit well.

6. If you can - make an appt with a dermatologist and get him there. Talk about what he needs to be doing. Sweat, helmet, chin straps, shoulder pads. Keeping acne under control will be an issue. Get on it.

7. If you can - get him into some introductory sessions on weight training. Learning how to do the basics without a bunch of kids around will be a good thing.

8. If you know someone not too much older, or can get a referral at the gym - having your kid meet for snack so that they can discuss performance enhancing drugs would be a good thing. They are at every high school, and they certainly are not limited to football. How to stay away from them when he knows and likes kids who are using is a skill to be learned.

9. Find out what 9th grade parents do as volunteers and volunteer. I always liked announcing but chain gang was good too. It’s a great chance to meet parents.









6.



5.

"9. 6. 5." Did you play football? This is what happens down the line. Sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They don’t wear jockstraps or cups. This is old info.

What are you talking about? They literally do cup checks before games at the youth level

Different youth leagues must have different policies. Ours did not and they were not recommended during any year, nor are they at my sons high school.

I would be concerned about a league that doesn't require cups.

My 12yo DS has played in 2 different leagues, each had all the boys line up before the game for a cup check.

Refs would also send kids off the field if there was no mouth guard. Some kids would miss the rest of the game bc they couldnt remember where they put their mouthguard.

Heck, this past week has been shoulder pads and helmets only (no football pants), and most of the kids still wore their cups (I know this because they run around punching each other in the crotch)