How were the numbers at SK practice? hearing that numbers were down at all levels.

 

Numbers looked pretty good but the peewees only around 20.

How were the numbers at SK practice? hearing that numbers were down at all levels.

 

I counted today and you are correct numbers are down. I think numbers are down with other teams also.

South Kenton has a scrimmage this Sunday.

Does the NKYFL still have a website? Anybody have a link. I heard over the weekend that SK numbers were significantly down. Hearing the same for Raiders and Spartans. Are parents electing to hold kids out because of the dangers, football loosing its appeal or kids just too lazy? As an FYI, baseball seems to be 'up' while basketball is slightly 'down'.

South Kenton plays the Red Devils Sunday.

Does the NKYFL still have a website? Anybody have a link. I heard over the weekend that SK numbers were significantly down. Hearing the same for Raiders and Spartans. Are parents electing to hold kids out because of the dangers, football loosing its appeal or kids just too lazy? As an FYI, baseball seems to be 'up' while basketball is slightly 'down'.

 

Could be a bunch of everything you said plus having to practice 4 days a week.

Does the NKYFL still have a website? Anybody have a link. I heard over the weekend that SK numbers were significantly down. Hearing the same for Raiders and Spartans. Are parents electing to hold kids out because of the dangers, football loosing its appeal or kids just too lazy? As an FYI, baseball seems to be 'up' while basketball is slightly 'down'.

 

XBox + Playstation = Lazy Kids........................ that's my answer

Does the NKYFL still have a website? Anybody have a link. I heard over the weekend that SK numbers were significantly down. Hearing the same for Raiders and Spartans. Are parents electing to hold kids out because of the dangers, football loosing its appeal or kids just too lazy? As an FYI, baseball seems to be 'up' while basketball is slightly 'down'.

 

I think the middle school football leagues are what has harmed the Spartans and Raiders.

Our middle school team begins practice tonight! I'm pumped!

XBox + Playstation = Lazy Kids........................ that's my answer

 

My son plays them but is not lazy. He loves playing out side.

What were the normal numbers for SK? What do you consider down numbers?

The youngest group usually has 50-60 kids had 35.

Does the NKYFL still have a website? Anybody have a link. I heard over the weekend that SK numbers were significantly down. Hearing the same for Raiders and Spartans. Are parents electing to hold kids out because of the dangers, football loosing its appeal or kids just too lazy? As an FYI, baseball seems to be 'up' while basketball is slightly 'down'.

 

The NKYFL website changed a a couple of years ago. The new site is Northern Kentucky Youth Football League (NKYFL).

 

Yes numbers are down. Some of it does have to do with fear of injury. But I think specialization is taking a toll as well. Fall baseball leagues continue to show increased participation, and basketball can be played year round as well. Throw soccer in the mix and there are a lot of other things competing for kids time in the late summer/fall. I keep hearing that kids are "lazier", but I don't think so. Do they play a lot of video games? Yes. But if you look at the time kids put into sports nowadays with trainers, travel, and tons of games, I don't think they are lazy. I never played close to 50 baseball games in a season and rarely worked on a sport in it's offseason (aside from weight lifting) except for playing a pickup basketball game. Football is still probably the least expensive sport play (no AAU, Select or travel leagues, and equipment except for cleats is typically provided) and should still have appeal. But many kids and parents operate under the notion that playing in a select league (baseball, basektball, soccer) will get them on the fast track for a college scholly, and are thus choosing to specialize early.

 

As far as NKYFL numbers being down, the senior programs have been decimated by Middle School Football. It's cheaper, a shorter season (the NKYFL season is way too long), with typically better trained coaches (they are district employees/approved volunteers who have to have fairly extensive training and certifications which is important in this era of heightened concern about injuries). I think numbers otherwise are pretty good, with most teams being able to field teams at all levels with at least 20-30 kids, which is a perfect number for youth football. As far as specific teams, The Raiders have been down since Taylor Mill branched off, but that was an area the Raiders rarely recruited from anyway. The Raiders and Spartans have also been hit hard by Cov Cath's youth program, as has the Red Devils by the newer Campbell County programs. More teams competing for the same number of kids, will result in lower numbers. I also think there has been a lot of turnover in leadership in many of the organizations with some long time guys moving on, and no one really stepping up to fill the void. There is also a perception that many teams still play "Daddy Ball" with coaches kids getting all the attention, and unfair playing and practice time. I don't think it's as bad as it was, but I think the perception is still there.

Anybody think kids would be helped by eliminating booster football after the 5th grade where middle school is an option and then having 6th grade team 7th grade team and an 8th grade team middle school teams?

Anybody think kids would be helped by eliminating booster football after the 5th grade where middle school is an option and then having 6th grade team 7th grade team and an 8th grade team middle school teams?

 

I think the 6th graders are ok staying in the youth leagues, especially in the bigger schools. Having 3 middle school teams is going to be tough for all but the biggest schools. Many large schools do have a JV team of 6th and 7th graders already. The youth leagues provide a good option for those 6th graders/young 7th graders to play who aren't quite ready to play middle school football. Again, more options means more kids playing. The teams are smaller, but really a youth team of 20-25 kids is just about a perfect size.