You are currently browsing the Youth Football Information by MAYAA Blog weblog archives for the day 29. March 2008.
29. March 2008 by admin.
Here is some content taken straight from this page of the Bulldogs website:
“Please understand that MVFL is a highly competitive level of football and players aren’t given playing time, they earn it. If your player has the determination to play and shows it to their coach everyday in practice, then there is no reason why they shouldn’t make it on the field.” (MVFL also has strict age and weight restrictions that can be found later in the packet.)
By the way the last part about age and weight restriction is incorrect. They changed all that and haven’t updated the website yet! There is no weight limit at Varsity and they added 20lbs. to every other level. But that’s another story…
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN ARE THE NFL PRINCIPLES found at http://www.nflyouthfootball.com/7principlese7fe.htm
Here’s Principle #3
Football at the youth level should be an inclusive experience. It is never fun at any level of play to sit and watch others participate, anticipating the opportunity to play if the situation arises. The youth level of football should be an equal learning experience for everyone, whether it’s a game or a practice. How often have you either experienced or witnessed a practice where several players are being instructed and drilled while a group of teammates stand around and watch, never receiving the same attention? Most often the group standing around has been deemed by their coach to be not as skilled or talented, therefore, the attention is paid to the so-called “stars” of the team. A coach is a teacher. A teacher/coach’s job is to raise the level of learning and skills of not only the most talented, but for everyone on the team, starting with the least talented. The NFL philosophy eliminates first, second, and third strings in both games and at practice.
O.K. Coaches and Parents… Here is one for discussion that is sure to raise some different opinions. Work together and sort it out if possible:
Don’t pigeonhole kids in one particular position because of their physical size and/or ability. In order to provide each participant a full experience and appreciation for the game that will last a lifetime, we encourage all programs to teach everyone every position.
As we all know, kids grow at various rates. A smaller child may develop late and become much larger than his/her present size indicates and vice versa. How many athletes has football lost throughout the years because of coaches taking the largest kids and making them play the line? These kids often experienced an entire football season without touching the football.
Kids should have the opportunity to experience every position. As Peter Brock, former center for the New England Patriots, explains to youth coaches in the Boston area, “What a tragedy it would’ve been for New England Patriots football history if Drew Bledsoe had been told as a big kid beginning youth football that he could not play quarterback, and was forced to play the line due to his size. Who knows? He may have dropped out of football like so many other kids in his situation and gone on to play baseball, another sport, or dropped out of athletics completely.”>
A youth coach’s job is to introduce and teach every position to every kid. Never make judgments based on someone’s size alone; teach every participant every position and they will naturally find the position they belong in, and you will be in a better position to guide them. “This content is from the NFL at www.nflyouthfootball.com” Please visit the website for more great information. I’m sure the NFL has plenty of good information to offer.
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