PeeWee Football - Is this a bit much???

[meandtheguys2]

Children can be in good condition without making them puke. These are young children who should be taught that reg. healthy excorcise is the way to maintain a healthy body. Not work till you puke for a few months so you can be a big hero at school.

There is no reason that kids should be dressed in full gear out in the sun for hours. Every year or two someone dies from it. And I am not including those poor youngsters with undiagnosed heart problems.

As for abuse, if I were to dress my boys in heavy clothing and take them out in the heat of the day and run them for a couple of hours with or without maintaining hydration, I would be abusing them in the eyes of the CSB in our county.

I am glad things have worked out for you and your family. I still have a problem with the way athletics is dealt with when concerning children.

 

[KristiKelly]

I guess it's a good thing no kids have puked on DS team or they would have had a barfarama on their hands. DS is a big time gagger/puker & the smell, sound or sight of someone else puking will get him gagging & puking everytime. Of course, then the coach might just think they have too much on their stomach soooo no water for you

 

[missyc]

I pretty much agree. The difference is FORCING them to do it , and not giving water. They HAVE to have water before, during, and after. No exceptions. I don't agree with a kid crying on the field or while running laps. Although there was a boy last year like that who didn't want to quit though. He kept at it and is good this year. But it was his choice. He was taught that it isn't always easy and he followed through with a commitment as well as improvig his own abilities.

AS LONG AS THEY ARE GETTING WATER AND AREN'T BEING (TRULY) ABUSED THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT!

It is a big commitment from the family as well as the player.


There are some who just aren't cut out for it, and they are the ones who should find another interest/sport/hobby, whatever! There is nothing wrong with that!

 

[Kallison]

I wandered over from soccer practice once to watch football. Saw a coach grab a player by the mouthguard on his helmet and whip him around by it. That was it for me. Middle DS has wanted to play for several years. They practice every night the month of August. I told him it wouldn't be fair to the other kids in the family if I had to drive and monitor his practice. Plus I know in my heart he would get sick and tired of it. He is in 6th grade -- I told him if he really wants he can go out for it in middle school. The football Dads are crazed in our town. It is too much for me.

 

[missyc]

Originally posted by Kallison
I wandered over from soccer practice once to watch football. Saw a coach grab a player by the mouthguard on his helmet and whip him around by it. That was it for me. Middle DS has wanted to play for several years. They practice every night the month of August. I told him it wouldn't be fair to the other kids in the family if I had to drive and monitor his practice. Plus I know in my heart he would get sick and tired of it. He is in 6th grade -- I told him if he really wants he can go out for it in middle school. The football Dads are crazed in our town. It is too much for me.

Some of the coaches can go way too far. This is why the parents need to be involved. Not too much, but at least be around and aware.

It CAN be too much on a family's schedule! By the end of the season I'm truly tired of it all!

 

[Celluloidgal]

My friends 8 year old did football last year. He is signed up to do it this year as well. "Apparently" if they don't start out now, they'll NEVER make their high school team, and if they don't make their high school team, they'll NEVER get into college ball

They definately had a lot of practices!!! It was really stressing their family (but they are doing it again!? ) The kid missed out on trick-or-treating last year because of practice. He cried & cried. I don't know about the water situation, since I have not attended his practices. I'm sure his parents would have said something.

This is Texas. Football is a BIG deal. (Besides all the practices) Their son seems to have fun. Just lots of work & sacrifices - for the whole family. We'll see how it goes this year.

Good luck to ya

 

[padams]

KK- The football schedule for 7-8 year olds is the same here in Atlanta as your son's schedule of practices. Very similar rules as to absences, etc. If you are late to practice, you don't play in the next game.

DS (8) hasn't wanted to play football yet, he is playing soccer and baseball instead. Many of DS' friends are playing football so I hear their moms complain a lot about the multiple practices per week. DS' soccer team practices for 2 hours twice a week, with 1 game on weekends. Fall baseball is only 2 practices and 8 games.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I think it's way too much for a 7 yr old, but I can't even BEGIN to tell you how against Pee Wee sports at this age I am. It's incredibly UNAPPROPRIATE for children of this age to be put through the type of schedule that peewee sports often have to live. It's obvious to me that the one who started this peewee stuff doesn't have a clue about child development and age appropriate activities.

I think it's sad that peewee coaches and parents have brainwashed people into thinking their child MUST play at age 7 or they won't have a chance later on. Give me a break... I know many many kids who played as teenagers that were not subjected to pee wee. DH was one of them.

If I were you, I'd be concerned for my child. YOU are his advocate. YOU are his parent. The peewee coaches have more important things (at least to them) on their priority list, and appropriate activities for young children and their health is not it. If you don't feel comfortable with what he told you, then go with your gut and intervene. I don't think you're being an overprotective mom at all - HE'S SEVEN! It'd be something else if he was 17 and you were stepping in. 7 year olds do NOT realize how much they need to drink. They cannot stand up to adults and beg for those things. Only you, or another parent, can do that for them...

Sorry for my uninvited brief commentary on peewee sports. After being born and raised in Texas, I've had plenty of time to form my opinion LOL. Good luck to you - and your son!!

 

[LisaSt]

No that is not much when I played hockey when I was younger on a very competative tem we practiced MON WED FRI from 6:00 A, to 7:00AM plus we would practice Tues Thurs and Sunday nights and have games on Monday Wed and Frida and Saturday. It was a travel team and we would travel up to 2 hours away for games on those nights. So no I do hot think it is to much.

 

[DukeStreetKing]

I didn't think PeeWee would be allowed to coach football.

 

[Beauty]

Humm,

My DS is on the Jr. High Football team and played Pee-Wee last year.

Last year they practiced for a hour each day after school with games on Thursday nights. They did not practice Fri-Sun.

This year in 7th they practice 7th period which is 2-3 and then from 3-4 so 2 hours per day and they do practice on Fridays.

The coach can be tough with them and every day when I pick him up hes covered in sweat from running BUT he is eating better, drinking ONLY water and Gatoraide and he is HAPPY! I think thats the most important thing. He LOVES football, he loves that he sits at the FOOTBALL PLAYERS table at lunch. He complains about the running but you can see that hes so proud of himself for accomplishing it.

I agree they need to have something to drink but it has to be up to the child.........you have to truly love football to play.

We are on our 3rd week and have had 5 players quit, which is OKAY because they just don't like it.....you really have to like it.

 

[KristiKelly]

DS does like it. He complains about practice (especially yesterday, he had a b'day party to go to from 4:30-6:15, but had to leave early). He hates "running lines" but does seem proud of himself. DH said he made a tackle the other night - 2 bigger kids & he was very proud & the coaches were all yelling "way to go scarface" - he fell on his bike last week & got a bad scrape on his face (& he was wearing a helmet!!!). He loves that the coaches have given - only him - a nickname!!! I just hope that is doesn't scar. Sorry OT I know

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by LisaSt
No that is not much when I played hockey when I was younger on a very competative tem we practiced MON WED FRI from 6:00 A, to 7:00AM plus we would practice Tues Thurs and Sunday nights and have games on Monday Wed and Frida and Saturday. It was a travel team and we would travel up to 2 hours away for games on those nights. So no I do hot think it is to much.

there's a big difference between a few hours practice on the ice,,and a few hours in the blazing sun with no drink


the length of practice wouldn't concern me nearly as much if the kids had regular drink breaks, at that age they need guidance, they aren't aware of the dangers of dehydration

 

[4greatboys]

I guess I missed addressing the the water issue in my first post.The pratice times are normal but they should be taking several water breaks throughout the practice. The pee wee league should have rules that address that issue.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

DS is in his 7th year of football. He started full contact in kindergarten, believe it or not. It is a huge time committment for 3-4 months out of every year. The kid and the family definatley have to decide that it is something they are willing to do.

DS is now with his second organization and has never had a practice scheduled to last more than 2 hours. He has always had practices or games 4-6 days per week. I can count on one hand the number of practices my husband or I have not attended. OUr belief is that given the injury potential and the chances for heat exhaustion, etc. we would prefer to be present to make sure that adequate water breaks are given, and to be on hand if DS is injured.

If I were you, KristiKelli, I would approach the coach on the issue of water breaks. I would also, definately plan to attend all practices to observe what is going on.

As a side note, if the team provided the equipment, make sure that it is in good working order and fits your child properly. I have always purchased my son's equipment, even though the team supplies equipment. My son is bigger than all of his teammates and I have found that the teams just did not have properly sized equipment for him. I would especially recommend a Revolution helmet. I think some of the high schools around here are using them, but not at the peewee level. Look them up on Riddell.com. They were designed to address the issue of concussions from side impact that were not really being addressed by other helmets.

 

[missyc]

I just wanted to say uh oh for my son. He had his first game Sat afternoon and it wasn't so great. They only lost by 5 points, but the coaches weren't too happy with any of the boys.
He knows what he's in for at practice tomorrow and he's not looking forward to it.
I think this might be one of those practices that I'd rather not watch too, but I will.

How did everyone else's boys do this weekend?

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

DS made 2 big tackles early on before they decided to double team him . It was hard for him to do much after that. Tough loss; anticipate even tougher practice on Tuesday.

 

[We4mickey]

What you need to do is find out what your league rules are. Our youth football league has set peramiters for everything. You cannot practice more than 10 hours a week. If you want your team to get together to watch tapes of the game or anything pertaining to football, that time is concidered practice time. Your teams can be fined by the league or if it is not following the rules they can be kicked out of the leaugue. During school practice is only 3 days a week with Saturday games. We had issues with one of the coaches on our team. (It wasn't just our opinion, but many other parents as well) We became board members for our league. Go to your league president and get the info. It doesn't sound right. Every league has there own rules and you need to find out what yours are.

 

[LisaSt]

Mickey88 do realise how hot it actually gets skating wind sprint style drills on the ice with all your equipment on? You wear lots more equipment in hockey than you do in football and even though it is on ICE it still gets hot especially when you are working. This was not just winter it was summer to. As a goalie you wear 20 to 30 pounds worth of gear not light at all so an hour in the AM and an hour at night and games along the way 7 days a week is alot of ice time. Would I have changed any of it heck no and I appreciate my coaches for the time they put in and the things they put s through it paid off in the end we were always one of the best teams around and won numerous tournaments and league championships the more you practive the better you get.

 

[jmatias]

This is DS (8) first year playing Jr. Pee Wee. He played baseball and soccer the past couple of years.

Before signing him up we talked to several parents about it and attended the informational meeting. We were very impressed with how organized everything is.

There is a mandatory 10 hours ( 5 days a week of 2 hour practices) of conditioning that must be completed before you get your equipment. Then 10 hours mandatory practice with pads before you can play a game.

Weight limits are strictly enforced and monitored.

We weren't sure if DS would stick with it after the first 3 days of conditioning...I would have been dying out there if I had to do the running/drills that they did. But DS surprised us with his determination. In the past if things were too hard he would have given up.

We are lucky to have great coaches that are tough but positive. We watch every practice and the coaches do a great job with time management and making sure the kids stay hydrated.

DH & I are very happy with the growth DS has made playing football. DS has really matured, isn't so self-centered, more easy-going ( probably just too tired from practice )

Season opener is Sept. 4th and then practices will be 4x a week.

Its been a great experience so far!