Lilacs4Me
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2015
Our public high schools really need to look at the risks and determine if tackle football should continue to be offered. I don't think there's a definitive answer yet as to what stage/age CTE can occur.
Not directed just at you, just the comment as it is oft-repeated.
If they were to do so, they would also have to get rid of soccer, wrestling, basketball, hockey, lacrosse, and competitive cheer, as those sporta also carry a high risk of concussion.
Those who are familiar with the football world, know and understand the new rules, techniques, and actions put in place by organizations like USA Football to make the game safer in order to reduce the risk of injury and concussion.
For those of you who genuinely care about the changes, USA FOOTBALL is a terrific resource to start with. For those of you who only want to listen to the sensational headlines, I won't even bother trying to change your mind, so feel free to stop reading my post.
My 17 year old started football in the midst of the changes, 10 years ago. Even though it's only been a decade, the game and the rules have changed dramatically. He was taught the old way of blocking and tackling, and had to change his technique at about 12 years old. My youngest started to play around thst time, and was taught Heads Up techniques. Pop Warner and other youth organizations have begun to institute no kickoffs/returns in their games and are in process of eliminating them level by level. It is being highly encouraged that high school and college do so as well.
Helmet/equipment technology has improved dramatically. Coaches are better educated at every level. Most youth leagues have a dedicated safety coordinator that makes sure all coaches and players are learning the correct, safe, methods. Refs are instructed to have a "quick whistle" so kids aren't wrestling and driving opponents to the ground. Targeting and unnecessary roughness calls are handed out immediately, and kids are ejected the first time. No second chances. Weight and age limits are strictly enforced at the youth level. Practices consist of more walk-through, two-hand touch, and non contact drills to teach technique to lessen the number of "hits" the players take.
Those are just some of the changes off the top of my head. My son is a senior, so next years' NCAA freshman class will be one of the first that have spent at least half of their youth/high school career living and learning to play under the "new, safer" game of football.
Signed,
A founding executive board member member of a youth football league, mom of a longtime football player, and wife of the VP of Player Safety of our towns youth league, who is also on an advisory committee with other high school and BIG10 coaches for USA Heads Up Football.
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