OT: Signed my kid up for football

[Terry in Crapchester]

And he seems to be looking forward to it. Just wanted some advice on how to prepare him.

Some background information: he's 7 years old, will be 8 in August. Very intelligent, he's been moved into an enrichment program for math and reading in school. I signed him up for flag football last year, but we decided to pull him out, as there were some behavioral problems and he didn't seem to want to do it. I think the difference between this year and last is motivated, at least in part, by the fact that a lot of his friends play. He has ADHD, and in addition, was recently diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Intermittent Explosive Disorder (we originally thought he had Bipolar Disorder, but that's now been ruled out).

He started to watch some football toward the end of last season. As most of us know, you pick up the rules, or at least the working knowledge of the rules you need to know to play the game, more or less by osmosis in watching football. He hasn't watched enough football yet to do that. He doesn't yet understand relatively simple concepts like the line and the backfield, and the fact that you need to have seven players on the offensive line of scrimmage.

I also foresee the possibility of disappointment in terms of positioning. His favorite player is Lee Evans, which means (I think) that he'll want to play WR, and he'll be in for a rude awakening when he realizes how seldom teams at that level pass the football. Personally, I think his ideal position would be fullback -- when I come home, he runs at me full speed and hits me hard enough to actually knock me backward a half step -- if that translates into organized football, he'd be a load and a half as a lead blocker at that level. There's also a bit of a concern about weight. He weighs about 85 pounds right now. The upper weight limit for his level is 125 pounds, so there's no concern about eligibility, but there is a rule that kids who weigh between 101 and 125 at his level have to play line. He's gained about 15 pounds since last summer, and he would have to stay at this level, by age, for two years, so I think the coaches may have concerns that he'll be too heavy to play anything but a line position next year, and might not want to have to teach him a new position.

With that in mind, what's the best way to prep him as to rules, and also for the possibility that he might be disappointed about his position?

[M2]

With that in mind, what's the best way to prep him as to rules, and also for the possibility that he might be disappointed about his position?

I think it would be best if he were to learn them on his own. Hanging out with his friends that play, and by watching more football on tv.

Good luck, with your other concerns!



m2

[Cicero]

If its tackle football, I would hold him out till he is at least 12.

[SunCoastSooner]

And he seems to be looking forward to it. Just wanted some advice on how to prepare him.

Some background information: he's 7 years old, will be 8 in August. Very intelligent, he's been moved into an enrichment program for math and reading in school. I signed him up for flag football last year, but we decided to pull him out, as there were some behavioral problems and he didn't seem to want to do it. I think the difference between this year and last is motivated, at least in part, by the fact that a lot of his friends play. He has ADHD, and in addition, was recently diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Intermittent Explosive Disorder (we originally thought he had Bipolar Disorder, but that's now been ruled out).

Football is ideal for those problems at his age. It's structured but at the same time aggressive and a lot of action.

He started to watch some football toward the end of last season. As most of us know, you pick up the rules, or at least the working knowledge of the rules you need to know to play the game, more or less by osmosis in watching football. He hasn't watched enough football yet to do that. He doesn't yet understand relatively simple concepts like the line and the backfield, and the fact that you need to have seven players on the offensive line of scrimmage.

Continued osmosis is the only way. I'd be willing to bet that over half the kids he will be playing with don't have any more knowledge than he does.

I also foresee the possibility of disappointment in terms of positioning. His favorite player is Lee Evans, which means (I think) that he'll want to play WR, and he'll be in for a rude awakening when he realizes how seldom teams at that level pass the football. Personally, I think his ideal position would be fullback -- when I come home, he runs at me full speed and hits me hard enough to actually knock me backward a half step -- if that translates into organized football, he'd be a load and a half as a lead blocker at that level. There's also a bit of a concern about weight. He weighs about 85 pounds right now. The upper weight limit for his level is 125 pounds, so there's no concern about eligibility, but there is a rule that kids who weigh between 101 and 125 at his level have to play line. He's gained about 15 pounds since last summer, and he would have to stay at this level, by age, for two years, so I think the coaches may have concerns that he'll be too heavy to play anything but a line position next year, and might not want to have to teach him a new position.

There really isn't much you can really do about this other than encourage him which a kid his age needs anyways. You don't want him diet, certainly ot at his age; I can tell you that froom personal experience. Started eating bars of ex lax at about 12 (behind my father's back) to make weight in wrestling. Unlike most football players I got smaller as the season progressed typically, except for the few years during the growth spurt we all experience as I was always concerned with my weight class classification. Looking back I regret it as I know I could have probablt started at just about any weight class on the team, especially the way we moved kids around to get the best on the matt.

With that in mind, what's the best way to prep him as to rules, and also for the possibility that he might be disappointed about his position?

Encouragement and a genuine interest in the game.

[SoCalTrjn]

my 11 year old son just signed up for his 4th year of Pop Warner Football and is still mad I wouldnt allow him to start playing tackle when he was 7. It is one of the safer sports you can have the kid in and by far the most regulated youth sport there is. Have fun.
As for what to expect, hell week will be an eye opener, dont ask him to try to be first in every drill because he may not be ready for 2 hours of straight running, the second week is when he will realize if football is for him cause thats when the pads go on. Most first timers dont trust the gear right away, they dont understand that they need to get low and they will get drilled by kids who have played a while. Youll see coaches come out with all of these contraptions that are designed to keep junior low to the ground.
Make sure all of his equipment fits correctly and he knows how to put it on properly. If they give him a belt style girdle, toss the thing and get the one that he can actually step in to. I have seen a lot of little guys have a hard time with the belt girdles and pads end up all over places they dont belong.
But most importantly, have fun with it and explain to him that it is just for fun and what position they start him out at will likely not be the position he winds up playing or what he will be best suited for when he gets to hs and the weight restrictions are removed

[buckeye_in_sc]

To indoctrinate him the right way...tell him to re-watch the Fiesta Bowl and pay attention to how Mr. Rogers prepares his teams in the face of the Weis phenomena....then tell him to pay attention to the speed at which tOSU decimated the Irish...that should just about do it (just kidding by the way)


actually OJT would be best...we are legal guardians for our nephew and got him into soccer...didn't know a lick about it (me as well) but he can run fast and kick very well...he did a clinic last year and was bored but picked up the team game/concept rather well at his 5 year old level as I think the fact that they are constantly moving and running helps...he loves it and now has asked to play some other sports (basketball moreso)...I would say just let him get out there and run around and see what he likes...I mean if he wants to play WR let him...don't force him into a position (I Know you are not) and just let it naturally evolve...

just my two cents...

[indyfrisco]

To indoctrinate him the right way...tell him to re-watch the Fiesta Bowl and pay attention to how Mr. Rogers prepares his teams in the face of the Weis phenomena

Fuck him.

- noj

[Terry in Crapchester]

To indoctrinate him the right way...tell him to re-watch the Fiesta Bowl and pay attention to how Mr. Rogers prepares his teams in the face of the Weis phenomena....

Of course, I'm only looking to get him the level of understanding he needs to play the game as an 8-year-old. Btw, thus far he claims Florida as his team, although recently he's been starting to warm up to Notre Dame.

He also plays soccer and he wrestled during the winter. We tried baseball but the game moves a bit slowly for him in light of everything he has to deal with. He has some lacrosse sticks and seems to have a rudimentary interest in the game. Unfortunately, however, there's no youth lacrosse program in the town where we live, nor does the high school have a lacrosse team. I'm looking into the possibility of starting a youth lacrosse program, but I'm not sure when I'd do it from a time standpoint.

[SunCoastSooner]

I don't know about your experience in wrestling but if you ever need any pointers about that feel free to PM me.

[SoCalTrjn]

I don't know about your experience in wrestling but if you ever need any pointers about that feel free to PM me.

my kid said "dad Im not going to dress in that gay looking leotard and have some other dude grab me in the junk, Ill stick to football"

[SunCoastSooner]

I don't know about your experience in wrestling but if you ever need any pointers about that feel free to PM me.

my kid said "dad Im not going to dress in that gay looking leotard and have some other dude grab me in the junk, Ill stick to football"

It's a difficult sport and you have to have a lot of discipline to be good at it. Not to say that your son doesn't but it isn't for everyone. My family expected me to wrestle. 3 members of my family wear national title rings from two different schools; one is OU and the other will remain unmentioned. :?

[SoCalTrjn]

I wrestled in HS myself, and my old HS coach has seen my son play football and baseball and asked him to come out for a youth team he helps out with. I took my son to watch and he wanted nothing to do with it, the closest thing I was going to be able to get him to do is Judo. i even pointed out that his wetsuit wasnt less tight than the wrestling uni but he just wasnt interested.

[SunCoastSooner]

Wrestling was by far and away the most taxxing sport both mentally and physically that I ever competed in. Very under appreciated sport.

[Terry in Crapchester]

SCS,

I wrestled in high school until I blew my knee out. I picked up enough to help him out at this level.

They don't wear siglets (sp?) yet, just sweats and a t-shirt, so what he wears hasn't been an issue.

[SoCalTrjn]

thats why I was able to convince my son in to considering Judo, the baggy pj's seemed more appealing to him than the leotard