The only competing fall sport would be soccer, correct? And I'm not sure how much soccer is pulling kids from football, overall. The kids I went to high school with who played soccer were VASTLY different than the kids on the football team.

 

There is Cross Country and golf too, but that’s probably not the same player pool. I’m not sure I agree that soccer and football aren’t competing for some of the same athletes. I’ve seen more than a few kids over the years on the soccer pitch that would fit in quite well on the football field. Granted, I don’t see possible offensive tackles playing soccer, but you can’t tell me that aren’t some possible skill type football players who are currently playing soccer. And soccer is much more physical than people give it credit for. I would agree though, that soccer isn’t, and probably won’t ever “steal” kids from football.

 

I think the the rise of kids specializing has hurt football. Lots of Kids do sport specific training year round. But even with this, kids aren’t leaving or not deciding to play football in droves. The numbers I see at the middle school level have stayed pretty steady over the last 5-7 years. Some years up a handful, some years down.

I guess I just don’t understand what you mean by “too sorry to do anything”. Besides the fact that more kids are playing sports than ever, and more are achieving in school at higher levels it’s really hard to argue that kids are “lazy”. These numbers just don’t support that.

 

There are TONS of kids nowdays. More than ever. Kids are too sorry to do stuff, they would rather go home and do nothing because its hard to do something and easy to do nothing.

 

They also learn that from their parents.

 

A lot of kids want to be artist like their parents and DRAW A CHECK. They definetly are taught that by their parents.

There are TONS of kids nowdays. More than ever. Kids are too sorry to do stuff, they would rather go home and do nothing because its hard to do something and easy to do nothing.

 

They also learn that from their parents.

 

A lot of kids want to be artist like their parents and DRAW A CHECK. They definetly are taught that by their parents.

 

Is this purely anecdotal or is there something to back it up? Because the increase in participation might be a good counter to your argument.

 

I mean, it makes for a good chain email that my uncle will undoubtedly send me about the "kids these days," but I'm not so sure the data backs it up.

There are TONS of kids nowdays. More than ever. Kids are too sorry to do stuff, they would rather go home and do nothing because its hard to do something and easy to do nothing.

 

They also learn that from their parents.

 

A lot of kids want to be artist like their parents and DRAW A CHECK. They definetly are taught that by their parents.

 

Again, participation and achievement numbers don't support your argument. Do some of those types you talk about exist? Yes. But to broadly categorize the entire generation as "sorry" is just a lazy, "you kids stay off my grass" argument. I work with today's youth on a daily basis. And as a whole, they are much harder working than I ever was as a teenager in the 80's. The number one thing I see pulling kids out of football or keeping them from playing sports in general, isn't other sports. It's that they have decided to work nearly full time hours. Again, I work with kids EVERY DAY. I simply do not see what you describe.

 

These higher participation numbers are refreshing, and exciting to hear.

There are TONS of kids nowdays. More than ever. Kids are too sorry to do stuff, they would rather go home and do nothing because its hard to do something and easy to do nothing.

 

They also learn that from their parents.

 

A lot of kids want to be artist like their parents and DRAW A CHECK. They definetly are taught that by their parents.

 

Sorry, I know this is the idea some older folks want to paint on young people, but it’s just not true.

Unfortunately, this is just the beginning. The tip of the proverbial iceberg. Over the next three years, I'll predict right now, that football numbers will continue to see a marked drop in participation. Youth participation numbers are on a sharp decline. Middle school numbers are down virtually every where. In Central and North Central KY alone, there are no less than 5-8 programs that can't field a 7th grade team. Folks, reality is here. Football IS ON THE DECLINE. Gonna be a bumpy ride.

Unfortunately, this is just the beginning. The tip of the proverbial iceberg. Over the next three years, I'll predict right now, that football numbers will continue to see a marked drop in participation. Youth participation numbers are on a sharp decline. Middle school numbers are down virtually every where. In Central and North Central KY alone, there are no less than 5-8 programs that can't field a 7th grade team. Folks, reality is here. Football IS ON THE DECLINE. Gonna be a bumpy ride.

 

It can be on the decline and still CLEARLY be the most popular sport.

Again, participation and achievement numbers don't support your argument. Do some of those types you talk about exist? Yes. But to broadly categorize the entire generation as "sorry" is just a lazy, "you kids stay off my grass" argument. I work with today's youth on a daily basis. And as a whole, they are much harder working than I ever was as a teenager in the 80's. The number one thing I see pulling kids out of football or keeping them from playing sports in general, isn't other sports. It's that they have decided to work nearly full time hours. Again, I work with kids EVERY DAY. I simply do not see what you describe.

 

These higher participation numbers are refreshing, and exciting to hear.

 

I work with kids everyday too and 100% stand by what I say. I hear the kids talking about it all the time. Their parents teach them to scam the system.

I work with kids everyday too and 100% stand by what I say. I hear the kids talking about it all the time. Their parents teach them to scam the system.

 

No doubt there are some like that. They are not the majority.

No doubt there are some like that. They are not the majority.

 

I agree but you get to the real rural areas in SE Ky and its easy to draw a check instead of work.

Unfortunately, this is just the beginning. The tip of the proverbial iceberg. Over the next three years, I'll predict right now, that football numbers will continue to see a marked drop in participation. Youth participation numbers are on a sharp decline. Middle school numbers are down virtually every where. In Central and North Central KY alone, there are no less than 5-8 programs that can't field a 7th grade team. Folks, reality is here. Football IS ON THE DECLINE. Gonna be a bumpy ride.

 

And I’ve seen MS school teams that couldn’t field a 7th grade team that now field 7th grade teams. While I do believe that growth for football will be difficult if not impossible, it’s a long way from facing a serious decline, as long as the coaches and other powers that be continue to evolve and continue to address safety concerns.

No doubt there are some like that. They are not the majority.

 

More than you think. A lot more.

More than you think. A lot more.

 

No it's not. And regardless of how many it is, it's nowhere near the majority.

And I’ve seen MS school teams that couldn’t field a 7th grade team that now field 7th grade teams. While I do believe that growth for football will be difficult if not impossible, it’s a long way from facing a serious decline, as long as the coaches and other powers that be continue to evolve and continue to address safety concerns.

 

Some of that is just a small class size for a grade level. I think you will see this cycle back around. Soccer teams are full, kids are not getting to play, parents will make them do something else, football will get more kids again.

No it's not. And regardless of how many it is, it's nowhere near the majority.

 

It doesn't take a majority to create issues, you know that.