No chance.

 

I hope you're right......but......it's definitely being discussed. I know that for a fact.

I hope you're right......but......it's definitely being discussed. I know that for a fact.

 

Being discussed where? And what exactly is being discussed?

Being discussed where? And what exactly is being discussed?

 

High Administration Level Meetings.

How many 13-14 year olds do you think are exactly excited about giving up literally 1/2 of their summer to go out and be a dummy holder and run sprints for 8 weeks before their first game?

 

**I know, I know....practice those guys like you do the rest of the team. That's all great in idea. Bigger schools with larger & adequate staffing can do that. I even know "Smaller" schools (3A below) who have been able to two platoon their staffs where all kids are actually PRACTICING...and, THAT is nothing short of a thing of beauty; however, not the case at most places**

 

If people don't think the start of school beginning basically August 1 at most places; coupled with starting practice July 10th (giving up dang near literally half of their summers) doesn't have anything to do with declining numbers then they are flat out living in denial.

 

With that said (and, again...just PART of my theory as to why we see low numbers in that age group), I don't see any reason for incoming freshmen (UNLESS they are going to be seeing a pivotal role(s) and/or unless they just want to come out) to start practice until that last week of July or hell; not even until that Monday closest to /or on August 1st.

 

.....but, that's just me.

 

Not just you. The fact that football begins mid summer is a huge factor like it or not. The kids are honestly tired by the time the season starts. If they want football to continue the season/ practice schedule needs to be adjusted. Week 1 (weekend before Labor day) should be week 1 period. 11 weeks from that date to play 10 games. Playoffs start the 2nd Friday in November. Here's my opinion based on this coming season:

 

7/24 - 1st week of practice. 5 days no helmet/ pads of any kind. primarily conditioning week.

7/31 - 2nd week of practice. 5 days helmet and shoulder pads.

8/7 - 3rd week of practice. Full pads. Many schools begin fall semester.

8/14 - 4th week of practice. Scrimmage/ Pre-season game week. Most all schools have began 2017 school year by the end of this week.

8/21 - 1st week of the season with week 1 games beginning 8/25. Teams not playing week 1 can have an additional scrimmage.

 

Wouldn't this work? Most all schools this year especially would have 2 full months of summer break before the 1st practice.

Not just you. The fact that football begins mid summer is a huge factor like it or not. The kids are honestly tired by the time the season starts. If they want football to continue the season/ practice schedule needs to be adjusted. Week 1 (weekend before Labor day) should be week 1 period. 11 weeks from that date to play 10 games. Playoffs start the 2nd Friday in November. Here's my opinion based on this coming season:

 

7/24 - 1st week of practice. 5 days no helmet/ pads of any kind. primarily conditioning week.

7/31 - 2nd week of practice. 5 days helmet and shoulder pads.

8/7 - 3rd week of practice. Full pads. Many schools begin fall semester.

8/14 - 4th week of practice. Scrimmage/ Pre-season game week. Most all schools have began 2017 school year by the end of this week.

8/21 - 1st week of the season with week 1 games beginning 8/25. Teams not playing week 1 can have an additional scrimmage.

 

Wouldn't this work? Most all schools this year especially would have 2 full months of summer break before the 1st practice.

 

It would work fine. There are plenty of states that do ok and don't start until August 1st.

High Administration Level Meetings.

 

Okay. Where?

My opinion to keep kids from getting burned out and give them a taste of summer. Make the dead period, other than those competing still in season like baseball, the last day of school until the Monday following 4th of July. No ifs ands or buts. DEAD PERIOD. No football lifting, practice, drills, nothing. Same for all HS sports. This would solve a lot of problems I think.

My opinion to keep kids from getting burned out and give them a taste of summer. Make the dead period, other than those competing still in season like baseball, the last day of school until the Monday following 4th of July. No ifs ands or buts. DEAD PERIOD. No football lifting, practice, drills, nothing. Same for all HS sports. This would solve a lot of problems I think.

 

I don't know if it would solve problems. We go all summer not to wear the kids out but to give the kids something to look forward to. If your teenager was at home for 2 months and never left the house, you would be pretty angry with him. He would sleep until noon, play video games, mow the grass when you yelled at him and lose strength and stamina every day he did this. Maybe he works all summer and decides the little money in his pocket is cooler than the one time awesome experience of HS football. Maybe instead of being dedicated to the fact he will have practice the next day where people are waiting for him and counting on him, he will succumb to the temptation of ill choices like drugs or alcohol simply because he has so much extra time on his hands.

 

Not saying this is every kid nor anyone's kid in particular. I coach HS football all summer, and give up that time as well, for the kids that fall into these categories. That way they can spend time outside, with old friends and new ones, without a phone in their hand, and do something physically demanding and fun. You're welcome for the free child care

 

**Addendum: may not be the case with everyone but our numbers would be worse if we didnt practice all summer until august than if we went 2-a-days every day from june to august. out of site, out of mind thx!

Edited May 10, 20179 yr by HedgeHog8

I believe Mayfield hasn't had a freshman team since 2003 or 2004.

All three of my sons could not wait to start practice in the summer.

Here is he issue with freshman. Its the one grade in the middle. 10, 11 and 12th graders play together. 8th graders play with 7 and 6th grade mostly. So that leaves one lone class... 9th. I would like to see more teams adopt this framework.

 

Varsity 10 - 12th (Friday night)

JV 10 & 11th (Monday night) Might get more varsity coaches back... less weekends

Freshman 8 & 9th (Thursday) kids are more physically similar

Middle school 6 & 7th (Weekends)

Some of you guys are making some great points and suggestions.

My opinion to keep kids from getting burned out and give them a taste of summer. Make the dead period, other than those competing still in season like baseball, the last day of school until the Monday following 4th of July. No ifs ands or buts. DEAD PERIOD. No football lifting, practice, drills, nothing. Same for all HS sports. This would solve a lot of problems I think.

 

Great but solve this problem.

 

Summer is when AAU is full go and team basketball camps as well as individual football camps.

These colleges that host these use this as a recruiting tool as well as a money maker for their staffs.

 

How do you keep this from happening.

Great but solve this problem.

 

Summer is when AAU is full go and team basketball camps as well as individual football camps.

These colleges that host these use this as a recruiting tool as well as a money maker for their staffs.

 

How do you keep this from happening.

 

Why would you want to? Guys some of these kids are trying to become part of the 1% that go on to collegiate football...when do you expect these kids to get better? During season? Do some of you not know how much it costs a college for a four year athlete? About 100000$...In my opinion you don't get burnt out doing what you love to do.

Great but solve this problem.

 

Summer is when AAU is full go and team basketball camps as well as individual football camps.

These colleges that host these use this as a recruiting tool as well as a money maker for their staffs.

 

How do you keep this from happening.

 

They can do it in July. Plus I am only talking about high school sanctioned sports. If a kid is playing AAU that is their choice so have at it.

They can do it in July. Plus I am only talking about high school sanctioned sports. If a kid is playing AAU that is their choice so have at it.

 

So you dont keep kids from playing AAU and being pressured to go play AAU by the HS coach. If your not going to stop it in basketball when it isnt even basketball season then you might as well forget it.