Highlands success has a ton to do with the FTJFL. The Birds typically have a lot more depth than other teams and that is why they win imo. The more that kids get to play at the younger age groups the more depth they are building at the hs level. For example 5 or 6 5th and 6th grade teams equates to 5 to 6 qbs, 10 to 12 rbs etc. This model has worked for many years and will continue to work.

You raise a good point in this post . If a kid is not ready to be put on a football field of competition, are coaches still obligated to play him in the NKYFL or FTFL?

 

Here's the catch. How do you determine he is "in danger"?? If he's in danger in a game, then what do you do with him in practice? Just have him stand around?? Kids are human beings, and are adaptable. If we can figure out how to live in the arctic circle or how to get to the moon and back, kids can learn how to survive on the football field. If you never put a kid in a position where he has to learn to survive, he'll never ever learn how to survive. As a coach you have to find ways to get kids the experience to learn and adapt, and not create excuses for him not to play. Some kids are better than others, some develop sooner, some develop later. We have to find ways to keep all of them involved.

Here's the catch. How do you determine he is "in danger"?? If he's in danger in a game, then what do you do with him in practice? Just have him stand around?? Kids are human beings, and are adaptable. If we can figure out how to live in the arctic circle or how to get to the moon and back, kids can learn how to survive on the football field. If you never put a kid in a position where he has to learn to survive, he'll never ever learn how to survive. As a coach you have to find ways to get kids the experience to learn and adapt, and not create excuses for him not to play. Some kids are better than others, some develop sooner, some develop later. We have to find ways to keep all of them involved.

 

If the kid is not ready then you talk to the parent and try to figure out if the kid should play or not.

Here's the catch. How do you determine he is "in danger"?? If he's in danger in a game, then what do you do with him in practice? Just have him stand around?? Kids are human beings, and are adaptable. If we can figure out how to live in the arctic circle or how to get to the moon and back, kids can learn how to survive on the football field. If you never put a kid in a position where he has to learn to survive, he'll never ever learn how to survive. As a coach you have to find ways to get kids the experience to learn and adapt, and not create excuses for him not to play. Some kids are better than others, some develop sooner, some develop later. We have to find ways to keep all of them involved.

It might not be the kid that is in danger but other players. Let's say you have a kid that plays OL that is not aggressive and doesn't do what he is coached to do. So you have to play him due to rules or numbers. He doesn't block his guy and that unblocked defender knocks the crap out of another kid.

 

As a coach most of the injuries I see happen are due to either poor technique or because the player is not going full speed or a combination of the two. You also will get that kid that tries to avoid contact and gets earholed.

It might not be the kid that is in danger but other players. Let's say you have a kid that plays OL that is not aggressive and doesn't do what he is coached to do. So you have to play him due to rules or numbers. He doesn't block his guy and that unblocked defender knocks the crap out of another kid.

 

As a coach most of the injuries I see happen are due to either poor technique or because the player is not going full speed or a combination of the two. You also will get that kid that tries to avoid contact and gets earholed.

 

Both of which are coachable aspects of game. You drill technique every day and emphasize the importance of effort through fast paced, solid practice plans. You also have to look to place payers in situations where they have the best chance of succeeding. If a kid isn't real aggressive, maybe the o-line isn't the best spot for him. There are 22 spots on offense and defense, and throwing special teams in the mix, you should be able to find some spot where a kid can get something done. Kids will eventually adapt, or figure out that football isn't for them.

Highlands success has a ton to do with the FTJFL. The Birds typically have a lot more depth than other teams and that is why they win imo. The more that kids get to play at the younger age groups the more depth they are building at the hs level. For example 5 or 6 5th and 6th grade teams equates to 5 to 6 qbs, 10 to 12 rbs etc. This model has worked for many years and will continue to work.

You basically proved my point about why there is such depth.

 

Has little to do with the per wee league as much as it has to do with the number of schools the kids who play pee wee go to.

If the kid is not ready then you talk to the parent and try to figure out if the kid should play or not.

 

If you don't give him reps in practice, he'll never be ready to play. Having him stand around or "protecting" him is not doing him any favors.

If you don't give him reps in practice, he'll never be ready to play. Having him stand around or "protecting" him is not doing him any favors.

 

I have seen kids get signed up and don't even want to play.

8 plays could take an entire quarter. If numbers are down playing time shouldn't be a problem.

My kids were involved with BCPWFBL for many years and I have no problems with the league, and my kids have learned a great deal. Over the years, there have been many improvements with the BCPWFBL. The league has listened to parents suggestions. I personally made suggestions and the league did make some of those changes. I think it comes down to the approach. Parents and coaches cannot show up and make demands and expect any league to make those changes immediately whether its football, soccer or basketball.

 

I sited the Ft. Thomas League for a reason. They state they will have 4-5 teams per age group (3/4, 5/6 and 7/8). They will only put so many kids on a team. I do think it is a a good benchmark to follow because there is no denying the success that they have had in Ft. Thomas and for a very long time. While the area has not had the growth that Boone and Kenton County has had, their formula clearly works with having a certain number of kids on a team so that kids are getting reps. It is good for kids to have success and win at a young age, but is a superbowl or middle school championships that important when it does not translate when the kids get to high school? Highlands does it year in and year out and they will championships. What will mean more to a child winning the superbowl in 4th grade or getting to the state championship in high school.

Both of which are coachable aspects of game. You drill technique every day and emphasize the importance of effort through fast paced, solid practice plans. You also have to look to place payers in situations where they have the best chance of succeeding. If a kid isn't real aggressive, maybe the o-line isn't the best spot for him. There are 22 spots on offense and defense, and throwing special teams in the mix, you should be able to find some spot where a kid can get something done. Kids will eventually adapt, or figure out that football isn't for them.

Yes they are coachable but it doesn't mean the kid is. Also when bullets start flying some of those kids forget what they were coached to do. Special teams? That will get a kid broke or cost you. There are ways to hide a kid or get him reps but there are a thousand times more ways to get him or someone else hurt because of it.

 

By the way when I said poor technique I've watched guys who are great players who use the correct technique 99% of the time get hurt on that 1%. Kids just trying to make a play.

Yes they are coachable but it doesn't mean the kid is. Also when bullets start flying some of those kids forget what they were coached to do. Special teams? That will get a kid broke or cost you. There are ways to hide a kid or get him reps but there are a thousand times more ways to get him or someone else hurt because of it.

 

By the way when I said poor technique I've watched guys who are great players who use the correct technique 99% of the time get hurt on that 1%. Kids just trying to make a play.

 

Again, kids are much more resilient than you might think. In 10 years of coaching at the youth and middle school level, I've never had a kid suffer a serious injury because he was "overmatched". That's not to say you don't pick and choose your spots, or to not be careful. But too many coaches leave too many kids out of the mix because they think they are protecting them. Coach em up, and let them play

Again, kids are much more resilient than you might think. In 10 years of coaching at the youth and middle school level, I've never had a kid suffer a serious injury because he was "overmatched". That's not to say you don't pick and choose your spots, or to not be careful. But too many coaches leave too many kids out of the mix because they think they are protecting them. Coach em up, and let them play

 

What roll does the liability on coaches play into that do you think. Meaning if the kid does get hurt, the first place they are going to go is after the coach.

What roll does the liability on coaches play into that do you think. Meaning if the kid does get hurt, the first place they are going to go is after the coach.

 

I guess it could be a part of it. But I think it's more a question of coaches just wanting to win, as opposed to actually developing talent.

Again, kids are much more resilient than you might think. In 10 years of coaching at the youth and middle school level, I've never had a kid suffer a serious injury because he was "overmatched". That's not to say you don't pick and choose your spots, or to not be careful. But too many coaches leave too many kids out of the mix because they think they are protecting them. Coach em up, and let them play

I've never had a kid get hurt because he is overmatched. I've had kids take some shots they shouldn't of because of a player either. I'm all for developing kids. Heck you have to be since football numbers are shrinking. I've got kids that are just there because of food and being a part of something. I don't knock them for it. But football is unique in that if you screw up you can get someone hurt pretty bad.