Another reason why Highlands has been so successful over such a long period of time. The youth league is more about having fun and teaching the game rather than winning. One of the key aspects taught outside of fundamentals is SPORTSMANSHIP.

 

I've lived in Fort Thomas going on 4 years now and I can honestly say the FTJRFL is one of the best, if not the best in the greater cincinnati area. I played football in both Kentucky and Ohio growing up and neither leagues compare to the one ran here in Fort Thomas.

 

One of the biggest things is we have great people running this league which translates to great STUDENT-ATHLETES later on down the road.

Football camp is next week, if you want to see Dale selling the program stop on up and watch, he does a great job working with the kids.

 

 

Next week is actually Dale's football camp. Dale and the coaches do a great job with this camp.

 

 

The Fort Thomas Jr. Football League camp is held in July. It is really a neat experience to lookout across the Highlands field and see a sea of future players and former players , running plays, throwing passes and of course there is always a group of about ten or so coaches standing in the middle of the field discussing strategies.:lol:

I'd be willing to bet the other sucessful programs around the state would have similar stories as well about their youth leauges. IMO, well run youth leauges are the foundation for high school sucess.

I have 3 sons who have/are playing FTJFL and all have loved it. My oldest son was not born with alot of athletic ability and decided to play for the 1st time for FTJFL as a 8th grader. Not only did he learn about football but it also helped with his self confidence. He may not be the super star player for HHS (although he will try very hard)but he is at practice now because he loves the game and everything that comes with it. Thanks coaches and the FTJFL.

I'd be willing to bet the other sucessful programs around the state would have similar stories as well about their youth leauges. IMO, well run youth leauges are the foundation for high school sucess.

 

I'm sure that is the case. The FTJFL league is not unique. But its playing time emphasis is different than some of the other leagues in N. Ky, which is probably why this article was written.

Awesome!

 

Not only do you never know who might be good once they get to high school, but you also never know what kid will either not play, get injured, turn to other sports, etc.

 

I loved Hoge's quote:

 

"Everybody that is practicing should play," Hoge said. Nobody is winning the Super Bowl here, nobody is getting fired, nobody is making money doing what we are doing and we need to keep that in perspective."

 

I just assumed this kind of approach is what EVERY youth league organization stresses -- the ones I've been a part of (in Oldham County and in Pikeville) have the same kinds of rules in place (everyone plays regardless of ability AS LONG AS AT ALL PRACTICES).

 

Often-times, there might be a "renegade coach" that puts winning before what's really best for kids at those levels, but parents are ALWAYS good about letting the league know when this kind of thing happens.

 

I'm just curious, are there youth leagues out there that DON'T have policies in place like this?

I just assumed this kind of approach is what EVERY youth league organization stresses -- the ones I've been a part of (in Oldham County and in Pikeville) have the same kinds of rules in place (everyone plays regardless of ability AS LONG AS AT ALL PRACTICES).

 

Often-times, there might be a "renegade coach" that puts winning before what's really best for kids at those levels, but parents are ALWAYS good about letting the league know when this kind of thing happens.

 

I'm just curious, are there youth leagues out there that DON'T have policies in place like this?

 

Im almost positive the NKYJRFL has a policy of best players play and its coaches discretion to play who he wants. This is great for the good players and stinks for the kids that may not be as talented or athletically gifted but want to be part of the team and experience game action. I know a boy who played for Bellevue(in NKYJRFL) his 1st couple years and he practiced 4 days a week for 2 hours and never saw the field once during the entire season I think he said. He signed up for FTJRFL and played 2 seasons and played in half the games and may not have been the best athlete but had a great experience. He no longer plays for other reasons but if you ask him which program was more fun and a better experience he would clearly say the FTJRFL. Not trying to stir up a debate on this because it is another thread just giving you the different perspective from a kid who actually played in both.

Edited June 11, 200818 yr by Birdsfan

My son enjoyed his time in the league even though he never started. I always thought they played an entire half of the game because that's usually what he got in. I really liked how the second teams would go against each other as the talent level remained pretty even usually. Anyway, it kept him interested and he has remained with the sport as he goes into his sophmore year at HHS. I doubt that would have happened without the playing time.

 

75center:

Who was the coach when your son played? (No names please.) I may have been the pres of the league at that time and certainly I would have addressed your son not starting...

 

Neil is doing a great job with the league by continuing the principle of providing instructional football for our youth. Neil is taking what was given to him and taking it to a plateu yet achieved.

The FTJFL is absolutely the best IMO. My son loved playing in the league and it really prepared him for when he got to high school. I also really enjoyed helping to coach in the league. I met a lot of great kids and great parents, some of the best times of my life. :thumb:

My youngest son has a disability. He has played the last 4 years in the league. The most outstanding thing about the league is...the KIDS! When my son would enter the game, on a limited basis due to his handicap, his face would light up as would the faces of his teammates. As his opponent would break huddle and approach the line, their faces were priceless when they spotted my son going against them. They would gently grab on my son and "move him" out of harm's way. No amount of encouragement to "hit my son" could get ANYONE in the league to do so. And ALL the kids would heartily congratulate him after the game. Their comraderie and affection toward my son means more than these young men will ever know. It's a reflection of the great parents, coaches, and administrators of the FTJFL!! For this, I thank each and every one of them!

75center:

Who was the coach when your son played? (No names please.) I may have been the pres of the league at that time and certainly I would have addressed your son not starting...

 

Neil is doing a great job with the league by continuing the principle of providing instructional football for our youth. Neil is taking what was given to him and taking it to a plateu yet achieved.

 

:thumb:

 

BTW, my son never deserved to start and he would be the first to tell you. He was just happy to see the field. I think 2nd team played 2nd and 3rd or 2nd and 4th quarters. Pretty neat set up.

My youngest son has a disability. He has played the last 4 years in the league. The most outstanding thing about the league is...the KIDS! When my son would enter the game, on a limited basis due to his handicap, his face would light up as would the faces of his teammates. As his opponent would break huddle and approach the line, their faces were priceless when they spotted my son going against them. They would gently grab on my son and "move him" out of harm's way. No amount of encouragement to "hit my son" could get ANYONE in the league to do so. And ALL the kids would heartily congratulate him after the game. Their comraderie and affection toward my son means more than these young men will ever know. It's a reflection of the great parents, coaches, and administrators of the FTJFL!! For this, I thank each and every one of them!

 

This is a great story and one the FTJRFL should be very proud of. Your son will grow up with great stories to tell and the other young men will grow up with their priorities correct.

This is absolutely the right approach with youth football. The NKYFL was and maybe still is, so competitive and cut throat, that way too many kids were forgotten and quit the game.

 

No need to bash the NKYFL, the NKY league has done a fine job in many respects and it isn't any different than the majority of youth sports.

 

The Fort Thomas league is pure genius by the powers that be. However, I think the FT league needs to look at playing competitive ball the last year or two (meaning with 7th and 8th graders).

Ru,

The 7th and 8th grade do play competitive ball the only difference is that all 7th and 8th graders get to play ball not only a select few. I think the past four years of freshmen ball indicate the process is working just fine!!!

My son played last year and loved it. He too was getting the snot kicked out of him by one of the older kids. He never complained, he'd just line back up and get hammered on the next play. What's great about this league, like his baseball team, it's not all about winning, it's about learning the fundamentals and having fun.

 

Learning the fundamentals + Having fun = Winning. If you learn how to do something right & you enjoy it, you will generally have more success. That was a great article and the right approach.