Football Decision

[Ohioteamz]

Well the dreaded football decision is due soon. My 11 year old wants to play football for the first time this fall. He'll be in 6th grade.

We have just gotten started working on the Steve E stuff, and the season is nearly half over. My thought was to get through this season, and get ready for fall-ball, surf, whatever.

This is his first season in SoCal, we have two levels of minors (10 and 6 teams), and majors, is the top 72. He at least made it to majors, but has struggled a bit, and at this point doesn't look like a strong candidate for all-stars unless we continue working on the hitting. His fielding mechanics are solid, but his throwing needs the same kind work as his hitting.

So as a dad when I see him start to come around I hate to end that momentum, but on the other hand, you have to let go. I do think extensive football workouts will better prepare his physical skills but we might be stuck until spring to see what he's got.

[little_1_lady]

Well the dreaded football decision is due soon. My 11 year old wants to play football for the first time this fall. He'll be in 6th grade.

We have just gotten started working on the Steve E stuff, and the season is nearly half over. My thought was to get through this season, and get ready for fall-ball, surf, whatever.

This is his first season in SoCal, we have two levels of minors (10 and 6 teams), and majors, is the top 72. He at least made it to majors, but has struggled a bit, and at this point doesn't look like a strong candidate for all-stars unless we continue working on the hitting. His fielding mechanics are solid, but his throwing needs the same kind work as his hitting.

So as a dad when I see him start to come around I hate to end that momentum, but on the other hand, you have to let go. I do think extensive football workouts will better prepare his physical skills but we might be stuck until spring to see what he's got.

He's 11 Let him play & have fun & learn... if you push him (knowingly or not) he will get to a point to where it's not fun, and he may not want to play no more. Let him play whatever sport he wants to, and remember he's only 11 - it doesn't matter if he makes the all-stars... you should worry more about him staying off the illegals & enjoying himself & his time with you whose there to support him no matter what because you're an awesome dad!

Plus, there's always next year!

[Ohioteamz]

You are correct little lady, it isn't about me. I just know that this is his first go at such a time intensive sport, and I'd hate for him to start hating football at such a young age.

[little_1_lady]

Are you kidding? He'll love it, it's physical - he will get to take his frustrations out on another kid, maybe even one he might be kinda mad at. (hopefully not, but maybe)

My son started playing this last year (8yrs) and loved every minute of it. He stopped wrestling, had long grown out of soccer & was willing to give up basketball to keep playing football.

Even through the injuries (scraped elbow, loss of breath) I told him he'd be okay, I'd support him & he kept playing. But this is also his fifth year of baseball & isn't giving it up for anything... it's going to be complicated for me when he gets into highschool, because it's going to be some tight scheduling.

Your son will probably be the same way - jsut make sure and by him pads for everything. Wear sliding shorts under his pants (with both sets of pads) and he'll be protected better - that's what most of our team did.

[Jake Patterson]

You are correct little lady, it isn't about me. I just know that this is his first go at such a time intensive sport, and I'd hate for him to start hating football at such a young age.

There are several thoughts about this very common issue. Most depend on what your son wants to do.

If your son seems to enjoy baseball greatly and wants to excell in that sport and is only playing football because his friends are then I would try to get him interested in track in the fall and then basketball in the winter. Track will help keep him in shape and basketball is a good hand-eye game.

If he wants to play football - let him. If he's an athlete he'll eventually migrate to what he either does well or enjoys the most. As far as losing momentum - there's always the cages....

[bbjunkie]

My son played one year of PeeWee football, and, even though he was named rookie of the year, decided he didn't want to play again. Last year he wrestled and played on a fall ball team in the autumn. Over the winter he played basketball (as usual) and was on a winter batting league team. Now he's on the track team and getting ready for his last year of LL. Along the way he was on the swim team one year, tried karate for a year and even played a little s****r.

I guess, for me, the important thing is that he stays active and in shape, and experiences a variety sports. Of course, my primary interest is baseball, and he has gone along with that. He's only in the 7th grade, so we'll see where he goes as he hits his growth spurt and gets closer to HS. I've had to learn to kick back and just enjoy the ride.