Football, WWYD?

My nephews both play football and my son has been begging to play since he was 4 and saw a game. My husband and I could not make a decision as to when to let him play and tried to talk him into flag. but eventually, now at age 6 we agreed to let him try it. Well it started for the fall ALREADY! Its 3 nights per week. I am at a loss. I just can't believe that they expect us to do this 3-4 days per week until thanksgiving. I have a younger child, so this is awful.

Anyone have any experience with this? I just can't believe that they expect these kids to be little men, all about winning, not much about fun. The coach yells at them. I thought my ds would back out, but he still wants to go. I can't understand why.

I am thinking of pulling him, but I can already see that he will be heartbroken.

Message edited 7/23/2010 12:06:02 AM.

Re: Football, WWYD?

I think your best bet is to tell the coach that you can't make it 3 times a week, but that you will be there as often as possible. Often the coach or team moms will offer to help by picking up your son and dropping him off after practice/games. You may find another parent who doesn't want to/can't do 3 times a week so you can pair up and rotate driving. And if you don't find anyone, just make sure you take him when you can.

My bigger concern is the yelling. At that age the program should be about learning the principles and having fun. Is the coach screaming at them to be nasty? Like out of anger, frustration or disappointment? Or is he just yelling because it's loud and he needs to get their attention? If it's the former.. I don't know what I'd do. I do my own best not to yell at my kids - so I don't know how comfortable I'd be putting them in the care of someone else who screams at them.

I'd say try it - let him decide if it's for him and do the best you can!

Re: Football, WWYD?

3-4 days a week is a lot for that age. My two older girls (10 & 7) play soccer (one of them travel) and they practice 3-4 times. My ds who is turning 5 will be starting soccer which is once a week on Saturdays. Maybe try him in a different sport that doesn't require so many days for now until you see how he and you can manage.

Re: Football, WWYD?

that seems like a lot at that age. How long is each practice?

Also, the yelling. I know I could not deal with that. My DD took soccer when she was 4/5 and her coaches never yelled at them and the kids had a good time. Same for 5/6 she did tennis and there was no yelling. There really is no need for the yelling

Re: Football, WWYD?

I agree the car pooling may alleviate some of your burden (and also help your son to make friends with teammates).

If it were me, I'd probably suck it up at least through the season. I'd want to send a message that when you're on a team, you don't let the team down Also when they get older (3rd grade+), they want to get involved in more activities & you can expect that it will be 2-3x a week so it's not that unusual.

As for the yelling, some kids don't respond well to that & some kids do. As long as he wasn't destroying your son's confidence & inspiriing him, I'd be ok with it. I also suspect you'll see a lot of that in football. I know from my friend's son - they are somewhat nuts. She calls it the mini NFL. They play in the pouring rain & the snow, if necessary.

Message edited 7/23/2010 1:29:33 PM.

Re: Football, WWYD?

My son played 7YO football last year - and he's playing again this year the yelling is part of it - you will find in about a month the kids start to get it and they don't yell as much. They practice 3 nights a week until school starts, 2 hrs, and then 2-3 depending on the week - it is a commitment, but we wanted him to see what it is really like to be part of the team.

Re: Football, WWYD?

Football is serious business. They really expect alot from the kids. My 8 yo nephew plays, he was practicing yesterday in that heat! I would talk to the coach and see what he says about missing practices. I hear some coaches wont let kids play if they miss alot of practice.

Re: Football, WWYD?

Thanks for all your responses.

I sort of knew football would be a commitment, but I just did not realize it would start now. Additionally I thought the coaches would be more kid friendly. My husband told one of the older assistant coaches that he just wants my son to have fun and the guy said, "we'll see, we try to have a little fun." They definitely do not sound like they think this should be fun at all.

I know I will stick it out this season. My son has played soccer and baseball during the same season, and some weeks had 4 events that he needed to attend. The thing is that the season was not 4.5 months. Additionally there was always a playground where my dd could play. Maybe I am just really upset for her. My ds really likes it, despite the coaching.

I am disappointed also that now he is limited to football, because he does not have much other time to pursue other interests. He loves soccer, but he has to make a choice.

My brother's son is 9 and practices football 3 days per week, then practices soccer two nights per week, then games for both activities. I just feel like there is a good chance that football and soccer will overlap and these coaches are not understanding. My nephews coaches seem to work with the parents.

Thanks for listening.

Message edited 7/26/2010 8:00:37 PM.

Re: Football, WWYD?

This is exactly why my sons will not play tackle football until they are MUCH older (like high school). Its NUTS what they expect from kids and families, and if your district is anything like mine, if the kids miss ONE practice, then they are benched for the game.

Between the INSANE schedule and the coaches screaming in the kids faces, nope. Not in this family.

Message edited 7/26/2010 6:34:41 PM.

Re: Football, WWYD?

My son has been playing since he is 5 and will now be going on to play on the collegiate level, between practices and games, the months of August until November are pretty much spoken for.