Schools that don't have a football team

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your making an "informed decision" for your child that he doesn't get to make for himself. With data that is probably compromised.

I love football. I miss it terribly. But I totally get opting out of it.

Are you sure you don't have some football-induced brain damage? You seem to have a tenuous grasp on English..

[Anonymous]

Yeah - but rugby truly rules. Ditch the pads, dude. Play a real sport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah - but rugby truly rules. Ditch the pads, dude. Play a real sport.

Real men play rugby & hackey!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I actually do know what I am talking about and I do not have to be rude about it, which I gather is the best way to utilize the "anonymous" cover provided by DCUM. I coached little league football for over 5 years and saw that the most common injury was a rolled ankle, which at the younger ages was usually fine with a few day's rest. The combination of mass and speed (or lack thereof) at the younger ages means that there are far fewer collisions that generate the force that you see on Sundays in the NFL. Your PBS site is sensational and a classic attempt to scare folks into action. It apparently is working. As for concussions at the younger ages, there is now a lower threshold on what is called a concussion -- which is fine for being protective -- but does not necessarily mean there are more concussions -- there are just more events that are being treated as concussions -- again better safe than sorry. Coaches are teaching better hitting techniques that de-emphasize use of the helmet, which will pay off in the long run. There are always going to be injuries in collision sports, but it is not a reason to ban the sport or pull your kids out of a sport that they enjoy. Parents are wise to make sure that proper "heads up" coaching techniques are used in blocking and tackling instruction.

The game of football has been a positive activity for young people for generations. The contact and action draw young people to the sport. Prevention of concussions is a fine goal that should be pursued at all levels of the game. But, let's be clear --there are plenty of people who play the sport through the high school years without serious injury. While injuries can occur, concussions, ACLs, etc., that does not mean that the sport is inherently bad. Informed decisions, confirming good coaching techniques are used and monitoring for possible head injuries are ways to help ensure that the football experience for your youngster is a healthy one. But, please spare me the "you are lucky" speech. I am lucky that I got to play this wonderful game and that I got to see my sons enjoy the sport that their grandfathers played. With any "luck," I will get to see my grandchildren line up and play, too.

Thank you for your thoughtful post. My DS basically sucked at sports. He was too heavy, not really motivated, etc. The summer before 9th grade he asked to play football so we said "sure" thinking it would be another half ass attempt that would become a chore by mid-season. That kid strapped on pads, walked on the field, and dominated. He's a big, strong, yet fast and flexible guy. He played every down on both OL and DL. Fast forward and he just signed his commitment letter to at for Stanford this fall.

Football showed him his talent, ignited his passion and is providing him the chance to attend a dream school. It spurred his motivation and drive. His coaching has been exceptional in that he learned to be competitive yet compassionate. He's a fine young man and he's a football player. His coach did not allow year round football so he wrestled in winter and was on the golf team in the spring. Did I worry about him getting hurt? Yes, but I worried a lot more about him driving and doing other normal things than I did about football.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I actually do know what I am talking about and I do not have to be rude about it, which I gather is the best way to utilize the "anonymous" cover provided by DCUM. I coached little league football for over 5 years and saw that the most common injury was a rolled ankle, which at the younger ages was usually fine with a few day's rest. The combination of mass and speed (or lack thereof) at the younger ages means that there are far fewer collisions that generate the force that you see on Sundays in the NFL. Your PBS site is sensational and a classic attempt to scare folks into action. It apparently is working. As for concussions at the younger ages, there is now a lower threshold on what is called a concussion -- which is fine for being protective -- but does not necessarily mean there are more concussions -- there are just more events that are being treated as concussions -- again better safe than sorry. Coaches are teaching better hitting techniques that de-emphasize use of the helmet, which will pay off in the long run. There are always going to be injuries in collision sports, but it is not a reason to ban the sport or pull your kids out of a sport that they enjoy. Parents are wise to make sure that proper "heads up" coaching techniques are used in blocking and tackling instruction.

The game of football has been a positive activity for young people for generations. The contact and action draw young people to the sport. Prevention of concussions is a fine goal that should be pursued at all levels of the game. But, let's be clear --there are plenty of people who play the sport through the high school years without serious injury. While injuries can occur, concussions, ACLs, etc., that does not mean that the sport is inherently bad. Informed decisions, confirming good coaching techniques are used and monitoring for possible head injuries are ways to help ensure that the football experience for your youngster is a healthy one. But, please spare me the "you are lucky" speech. I am lucky that I got to play this wonderful game and that I got to see my sons enjoy the sport that their grandfathers played. With any "luck," I will get to see my grandchildren line up and play, too.

You're an idiot. You coached peewee football for a few years and that makes you an expert on medical effects of repeated blows to head in developing brains?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I actually do know what I am talking about and I do not have to be rude about it, which I gather is the best way to utilize the "anonymous" cover provided by DCUM. I coached little league football for over 5 years and saw that the most common injury was a rolled ankle, which at the younger ages was usually fine with a few day's rest. The combination of mass and speed (or lack thereof) at the younger ages means that there are far fewer collisions that generate the force that you see on Sundays in the NFL. Your PBS site is sensational and a classic attempt to scare folks into action. It apparently is working. As for concussions at the younger ages, there is now a lower threshold on what is called a concussion -- which is fine for being protective -- but does not necessarily mean there are more concussions -- there are just more events that are being treated as concussions -- again better safe than sorry. Coaches are teaching better hitting techniques that de-emphasize use of the helmet, which will pay off in the long run. There are always going to be injuries in collision sports, but it is not a reason to ban the sport or pull your kids out of a sport that they enjoy. Parents are wise to make sure that proper "heads up" coaching techniques are used in blocking and tackling instruction.

The game of football has been a positive activity for young people for generations. The contact and action draw young people to the sport. Prevention of concussions is a fine goal that should be pursued at all levels of the game. But, let's be clear --there are plenty of people who play the sport through the high school years without serious injury. While injuries can occur, concussions, ACLs, etc., that does not mean that the sport is inherently bad. Informed decisions, confirming good coaching techniques are used and monitoring for possible head injuries are ways to help ensure that the football experience for your youngster is a healthy one. But, please spare me the "you are lucky" speech. I am lucky that I got to play this wonderful game and that I got to see my sons enjoy the sport that their grandfathers played. With any "luck," I will get to see my grandchildren line up and play, too.

Thank you for your thoughtful post. My DS basically sucked at sports. He was too heavy, not really motivated, etc. The summer before 9th grade he asked to play football so we said "sure" thinking it would be another half ass attempt that would become a chore by mid-season. That kid strapped on pads, walked on the field, and dominated. He's a big, strong, yet fast and flexible guy. He played every down on both OL and DL. Fast forward and he just signed his commitment letter to at for Stanford this fall.

Football showed him his talent, ignited his passion and is providing him the chance to attend a dream school. It spurred his motivation and drive. His coaching has been exceptional in that he learned to be competitive yet compassionate. He's a fine young man and he's a football player. His coach did not allow year round football so he wrestled in winter and was on the golf team in the spring. Did I worry about him getting hurt? Yes, but I worried a lot more about him driving and doing other normal things than I did about football.

Very cool. There only seem to be one or 2 local kids who signed at Stanford so if yours is the one from Stone Bridge it looks like he had tons of fabulous offers.

[Anonymous]

Starting later in school - eg, 9th grade, also sounds smarter to limit early head and growth plate injuries.