Im glad it worked out for you but I have a hard time thinking it is good for the majority.

 

Yeah me too. I can barely teach my 7 year old how to tie her own shoes much less teach a 5 year old boy how to tackle properly. No way it is effective for the majority. A 5 year old boy wants to pick clover the whole time. I coach 7th and 8th grade boys in Ft Thomas and it is very hard to keep them focused to say the least. I can't even imagine trying to teach the basics to a youngster at age 5. But who knows, there are some crazy Dads out there that think their boys are "Born Ready":D JMO!!!!

It depends on the league and coach. I know sometimes, it's practically impossible to play everyone in every game as I believe the South Kenton starter team from 3 years ago had about 80 kids on the team.

 

That's out of control. I bet practices are a ton of fun for the coaches!!!! Seriously, 80 kids..... That's 3 FTJFL teams right there. Sounds to me like South Kenton could start their own league.

In Frankfort both my sons started at 8 years old. I think it is 6 now though.

I hope it is a league that gives all kids playing time.

 

My son was in a little league program when he was young (4th grade I think). There were about fifty kids on the team. We paid our money, attended the fund raiser, did our concession stand duty. He never missed a practice.

 

They played the same 15 kids every game. Rarely did anyone else get in, even when we were winning by a big margin. I understand that mentality in junior high and high school, but it is painful for the young ones and their parents. I would rather he had been cut than experience that kind of treatment. I guess if he had been cut, then we wouldnt have been there to pay the entry fee, attend the fund raiser and work concession.

 

I sure hope that has changed.

 

This is why we have numerous out of City kids playing in the FTJFL. Everyone must play...No exceptions!!! Also we don't practice 4-5 days a week and we play 2 days a week. Sats and Tues nights at DCM.

If a young child wants to play and is having fun, I don't have a problem with it. But playing at a really young age has almost zero impact on what kind of player he will be in high school...or even if he will play in high school.

If a young child wants to play and is having fun, I don't have a problem with it. But playing at a really young age has almost zero impact on what kind of player he will be in high school...or even if he will play in high school.

 

I don't know it goes both ways. In Canada kids learn how to skate as they walk. Kids will pick up on little things. Sure they might not grow up to be a tough guy but they should know the fundamentals to excel.

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That's out of control. I bet practices are a ton of fun for the coaches!!!! Seriously, 80 kids..... That's 3 FTJFL teams right there. Sounds to me like South Kenton could start their own league.

 

They didn't have nearly that many this past year, but with the growth in Indepedence, they're going to have to do something in the near future.

They didn't have nearly that many this past year, but with the growth in Indepedence, they're going to have to do something in the near future.

 

Wasn't there talk of another high school?

They didn't have nearly that many this past year, but with the growth in Indepedence, they're going to have to do something in the near future.

 

Was that before or after they added the Peewee division?

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Yeah me too. I can barely teach my 7 year old how to tie her own shoes much less teach a 5 year old boy how to tackle properly. No way it is effective for the majority. A 5 year old boy wants to pick clover the whole time. I coach 7th and 8th grade boys in Ft Thomas and it is very hard to keep them focused to say the least. I can't even imagine trying to teach the basics to a youngster at age 5. But who knows, there are some crazy Dads out there that think their boys are "Born Ready":D JMO!!!!

 

Agree:thumb: I had a boy out of the city of Fort Thomas play in 3rd grade, he played his typical 1 and 1/2 quarters great kid who was unable to play in the NKYFL as he was not in the 15 rotation (starter program). 3 years have past and he has become a very good player. He would have been lost in the numbers in another organization. I share this because it really helps boys mature and have fun and learn the game. I understand that there is a place for NKYFL; but I am glad to see the number of boys that we turn out from the program (Fort Thomas Jr Football League). I am not a big fan of the weight limits; but it is a fantastic organization with great success.

Wasn't there talk of another high school?

 

 

I had heard about one a couple years ago, but I don't know if that was anything more than just a rumor.

 

 

Was that before or after they added the Peewee division?

 

Didn't the Peewee division help thin out the Midget division, not the Starter division? I thought Starters were always 5, 6, and 7, and Midget used to be 8 and 9 until the Peewee division was added.

Being involved with the South Kenton organization, I will say that a few years ago, the numbers for South Kenton’s Starter program were pretty up there...80 might be pushing it...I think it was closer to 65-70...still a lot of kids. The coaching staff, however, is wonderful with the kids and they try their hardest to be sure every kid plays at the Starter level...including playing split field when other organizations are able and scheduling scrimmage games. One thing to keep in mind that the parents don’t see on the field is when a coach asks a player if they want to go in and play during the game how many say, “No.” and that’s not just at the Starter level...a lot of Pew Wee and Midget players say the same thing.

 

That said, once a player gets to the Pee-Wee and Midget level, not every child will play in the game. Again, coaches try to schedule “B” games so that kids who normally don’t get to play in the game of the week have an opportunity to play. NKYFL is instructional, but at the same time, it IS a competitive league. Our parents know that playing time is not guaranteed (although I once had a parent tell me she didn’t have time to read all the information that was given to her) nor are playing positions. Players are put in positions that best benefit the team; not necessarily the position “dad” thinks he should play...sometimes makes for fun conversations at practice.

 

My son started playing at age five and this will be his last year with South Kenton...so he’ll have nine years going into his high school program. I’m the first to admit not every five year old is ready to play at that age...but age four, he cried all the way home because they told him he was too young. And believe me, if it was up to me, I’d be at home eating bon bons and not at the practice field 3-4 times a week. Some kids are just wired that way...

I don't know it goes both ways. In Canada kids learn how to skate as they walk. Kids will pick up on little things. Sure they might not grow up to be a tough guy but they should know the fundamentals to excel.

 

In some sports starting at a young age is a help. Ice skating is definitely a skill that starting at a young age would help with. The "skill" sports are the ones where I can see value at a young age. But not football. In football, you need size and/or speed and that is God given. If you have them, you can walk on to a high school football team never having played and they will find a way to get you on the field. If you don't have size and/or speed, you could be a 10 year pee wee football star and work your rear off every day and you still won't see much playing time. The one caveat is that small, slower player may be able to pound the weights to get strong and get speed training to get on the field, but it will take a lot of work and the right situation. And that has nothing to do with playing football at age 5.

Being involved with the South Kenton organization, I will say that a few years ago, the numbers for South Kenton’s Starter program were pretty up there...80 might be pushing it...I think it was closer to 65-70...still a lot of kids. The coaching staff, however, is wonderful with the kids and they try their hardest to be sure every kid plays at the Starter level...including playing split field when other organizations are able and scheduling scrimmage games. One thing to keep in mind that the parents don’t see on the field is when a coach asks a player if they want to go in and play during the game how many say, “No.” and that’s not just at the Starter level...a lot of Pew Wee and Midget players say the same thing.

 

 

That said, once a player gets to the Pee-Wee and Midget level, not every child will play in the game. Again, coaches try to schedule “B” games so that kids who normally don’t get to play in the game of the week have an opportunity to play. NKYFL is instructional, but at the same time, it IS a competitive league.

 

Our parents know that playing time is not guaranteed (although I once had a parent tell me she didn’t have time to read all the information that was given to her) nor are playing positions. Players are put in positions that best benefit the team; not necessarily the position “dad” thinks he should play...sometimes makes for fun conversations at practice.

 

My son started playing at age five and this will be his last year with South Kenton...so he’ll have nine years going into his high school program. I’m the first to admit not every five year old is ready to play at that age...but age four, he cried all the way home because they told him he was too young. And believe me, if it was up to me, I’d be at home eating bon bons and not at the practice field 3-4 times a week. Some kids are just wired that way...

 

Sorry I disagree with the bolded points.

 

IMO, you might have one or two boys that will not go in; but if you have more than that I would venture a guess that you are not preparing these boys to play and have fun. It might be fear and not having individual attention which would be the case with these large numbers.

 

The other bolded point, I don't see how boys do not get to see the field at a young age JMO. I understand that the NKYFL is a competitive league, but to be honest we have had our success in the Fort Thomas Jr Football League and I coach boys that would start in the NKYFL league. I think it is what makes HHS so successfull :sssh:. I also have had the pleasure of coaching young men that will be going to other high school programs as well.

 

Bear Bryant once said "I'll never give up on a player regardless of his ability as long as he never gives up on himself. In time he will develop".

 

IMO many organizations are making decisions way to young on kids. I am very competitive but parents want their boys to be the next superstar; coaches want them to specialize prior to puberty.

 

Football is a great team sport and is so much more than a football field.

Bear once said "The idea of molding men means a lot to me". Teach the kids at this age to have fun, passion and enjoy the sport the rest will take care of itself.