Son playing high school football

[wayniac]

So I have never been a huge fan of my son playing football. Kept him out of pop warner, and he played a little flag with his school. So this year he starts high school, and he asks if he can play football. Wife says NO, and I tell him i dont like it, and wish he wouldnt. Id love it, if he sticks to baseball, maybe cross country or track... He keeps asking, and I reluctantly ok it. Wife isnt happy, but I really want him to have the full high school experience. We explain to him that we would prefer he try for defense, where he at least is in a little more control of the hitting. So they go through freshman camp, and some hell week, and he ends up being the starting outside linebacker. So at this point, im kind of happy. Then after practice yesterday, his friend tells us that he is also going to be the backup half back, and is about 99% sure he will be returning kicks... Is it overstepping my bounds to tell the coach I do not want him returning kicks... I think this would really bum my kid out since he has been loving this... Its not like he is asking me to jump the canal or anything.

What experience have you guys had with high school football and how involved should i be?

Wayne

 

[Swain]

Mine just started at Huntington Beach High this Summer he did Flag before and hes the smallest kid on the High School Team. He was really pumped on weight training during the summer camp. Ive been making him huge meals in the AM to try to get him to Bulk up lol. Hes very athletic so hopefully something comes good of it.

 

[Bear Down]

That is a tough one, don't want to limit the kid.... In my opinion, if you ok'd him playing, they you are ok him playing every position he is needed on the team. All in or OUT, I wouldn't want my kid to be selective on what he wants to participate in a TEAM sport, let alone in the real world, life isn't about wants. I think you just have to trust him and have faith at this point.

 

[hallett21]

How good of a program are we talking?


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[BajaMike]

Let him play all he wants. My son played at the school I played for and graduated from. He was the fastest guy on the team as a sophomore and started on varsity at wide receiver and safety and returned kickoffs.....had more TDS than anyone on the team. Got hit returning a punt as a junior and injured his ACL and didn’t play again.

Loved watching him....and he says it was the best years of his life (even though he had to wear a knee brace for a year).

 

[oldschool]

IMHO, this is a discussion you need to have with your son and he needs to have the discussion with the coach. I know that HS football is safer than it has ever been, better equipment and many rules have changed, but it's NOT safe. It's still a game based on imposing your will on someone physically. If football is his passion I wouldn't discourage it, I would support it.

 

[Havasu blue label]

My sons played for Loyola high school one is 6 ft the other bit shorter both boys went both ways just tell him keep his head up on tackles enjoy the long days

 

[chvynhra]

This is one of the few advantages to having daughters. I think back to getting crushed playing HS football and dont think I'd let my son play unless he was in love with the game.

 

[ramos45]

To this day I have dreams of when I played H.S. football. Let the kid play.

 

[regor]

All in or nothing. If you or him go to the coach and make it known you have conditions on his participation, you're setting him up for emotional abuse from the team.

 

[ChasingPaper]

I get asked all the time if I want my sons to play since I played. I can tell you that it's very hard to answer, looking long term it's not as safe nor lucrative than baseball or golf. I wouldn't trade those high school moments with my friends on the football field for much these days. I think it teaches discipline, teamwork, and will allow him to better understand his potential. I would stay out of it, unless you see that the coach is not properly protecting them. Let him be a high school kid and enjoy the brotherhood and friendships.

 

[wayniac]

That is a tough one, don't want to limit the kid.... In my opinion, if you ok'd him playing, they you are ok him playing every position he is needed on the team. All in or OUT, I wouldn't want my kid to be selective on what he wants to participate in a TEAM sport, let alone in the real world, life isn't about wants. I think you just have to trust him and have faith at this point.

TRUE... I guess we are all in...

How good of a program are we talking?

Div II in san diego... they have a decent program... playoffs every year, but this is just the freshman team... coach told him if he bulks up maybe some JV... That I do think i would stop...


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Let him play all he wants. My son played at the school I played for and graduated from. He was the fastest guy on the team as a sophomore and started on varsity at wide receiver and safety and returned kickoffs.....had more TDS than anyone on the team. Got hit returning a punt as a junior and injured his ACL and didn’t play again.

Loved watching him....and he says it was the best years of his life (even though he had to wear a knee brace for a year).

I was afraid of this. my son is the fastest too... i think football fits his personality.

IMHO, this is a discussion you need to have with your son and he needs to have the discussion with the coach. I know that HS football is safer than it has ever been, better equipment and many rules have changed, but it's NOT safe. It's still a game based on imposing your will on someone physically. If football is his passion I wouldn't discourage it, I would support it.

He is very aware of our feelings on this... I am just not sure I want to go to the coach. Since we ok'd it, he has worked very hard n his receiving and in the gym. Ive watched him a bit in practice, and hes enjoying it, and working hard on the field too... we have already bought him the best rated helmet and are loking at the differetn pads now.

This is one of the few advantages to having daughters. I think back to getting crushed playing HS football and dont think I'd let my son play unless he was in love with the game.

He has completely embraced the contact...

 

[oldschool]

Just tell him to keep his head on a swivel and it's better to be the windshield than the bug.

 

[KevinR]

Both our boys were fortunate to play for a high school program that won CIF and State Championships.

Me, I did not talk to the coach regarding positions they ended up playing (cornerback and strong safety/outside linebacker) because they just wanted to play and what position was up to the coaches, not me. Most coaches, if not all, don't want parents telling them where their sons should or should not play. Not good for the kid or the team.

 

[charred1]

All in or nothing. If you or him go to the coach and make it known you have conditions on his participation, you're setting him up for emotional abuse from the team.

Agreed! My oldest son played high school football and the first thing his coach said to all the parents was “parents parent and coaches coach...I won’t tell you how to parent and you won’t tell me how to coach. If you don’t like my decisions as a coach then you as a parent can either pull you kid from the program or continue to let me do my job, but there is no middle ground.” Seemed harsh, but made sense.

 

[K-DOG]

My best memories as a kid were from playing high school football. I played at a top school in San Diego and got to play at Qualcomm twice. I have many years until my son gets the chance to play football but if that is what he really wants, I think I will support him.

 

[ElAzul]

I played and enjoyed it but am on the fence with my son right now. Big difference I see now is the mindset to hurt or take out other players. Lots are clean player's but lots are not and have the backing of their over zealous parent's and a coach wanting a win. They may not be saying go paralyze that kid but taking someone out for a game or season seems like an ok thing to some.

 

[ElAzul]

 

[ramos45]

View attachment 783938

Hell yeah! 20 years removed from it but whenever I'm back in the Midwest and see the crew we still joke about those times. Priceless memories.

 

[Englewood]

As a coach, please let the coach do his job. With the amount of time we spend listening to, and entertaining parents requests, we could be teaching your child even more about the sport. By allowing him to play football, you are trusting the coach to protect him and put him in the best position to help the team as well as grow as an athlete.

Think of it like a job. Are you gonna call his boss and ask that he doesn't work in that department?

The best thing you can do is work with him outside of practice so that he is prepared for the possibility of playing that position.

 

[BHC Vic]

Let him play... I played highschool football and loved it. Got concussed on a kick return. That was the worst hit(s) I took. Taught me a shit load about work ethic. I got more concussions from skating and racing dirtbikes. Way more injuries from snowboarding.

 

[ArizonaKevin]

let him play as the coach says, the coach is the expert and knows what your son can and can't take (which may be higher than what you think your son can take) I played for 8 years, won 2 state championships, got to compete for the national title in pop warner and it has taught my most of my life lessons.

Is it dangerous? Absolutely! But at the end of the day, life is dangerous. Now, that doesn't mean you should take the kid base jumping or let him jump the glamis canal in a RZR, but football is a well established calculated risk.

 

[Bobby V]

Hell yeah! 20 years removed from it but whenever I'm back in the Midwest and see the crew we still joke about those times. Priceless memories.

Been 40 years for me. A couple of the coaches came back for our HS reunion last year and brought scrap books from when we played.

 

[HBCraig]

Mine just started at Huntington Beach High this Summer he did Flag before and hes the smallest kid on the High School Team. He was really pumped on weight training during the summer camp. Ive been making him huge meals in the AM to try to get him to Bulk up lol. Hes very athletic so hopefully something comes good of it.

Interesting Swain. My son is a freshman at HBHS but made freshman baseball a few weeks back.

He played FNL for 6 years. I am sure we have crossed paths.

 

[Riverbound]

Keep in mind the game they are playing now is much safer than when we were young. No helmet to helmet, tacking is completely different, etc. my son just got bumped up to varsity at centennial he will he going up against some big kids (I use the term kids loosely). He is being tight proper technique and more importantly hes learning a lot of life lessons. No way In hell I would go tell the coach how to run his team. I would pull my kid from the team if I felt the coach wasn’t taking care ok the kids safety.

I did pull my son from one pop warner team due to coach pushing him to play injured.

 

[coolchange]

Yeah I'd have him tell the coach which positions he was willing to play, then you won't have to worry about it.

 

[wayniac]

As a coach, please let the coach do his job. With the amount of time we spend listening to, and entertaining parents requests, we could be teaching your child even more about the sport. By allowing him to play football, you are trusting the coach to protect him and put him in the best position to help the team as well as grow as an athlete.

Think of it like a job. Are you gonna call his boss and ask that he doesn't work in that department?

The best thing you can do is work with him outside of practice so that he is prepared for the possibility of playing that position.

Im ALL IN with him playing football, offense and defense... but is there any time during the game that is more dangerous than the return game??? 2 stories already that part of the game leading to injuries...

Let him play... I played highschool football and loved it. Got concussed on a kick return. That was the worst hit(s) I took. Taught me a shit load about work ethic. I got more concussions from skating and racing dirtbikes. Way more injuries from snowboarding.

I used to dream about riding dirt bikes with my kid... i watched wayyy to many friends get hurt doing that.. the faster you go, the more violent the crashes, and it doesnt matter how good you are... itll happen.

 

[TCHB]

I know at Mater Dei a parent does not talk to the coach about positions Let him play!

 

[Ziggy]

I say let him play. Destiny will create his future regardless.
My parents did not let me do football for fear of injury but then got my knee taken out playing soccer instead. Football coaches wanted me as placekicker cuz they saw me kicking a soccer ball 70+ yards off the ground...lol

 

[Undersoul02]

Let him play. Like said before, I still have dreams about high school football. I would also say, out of all the sports I played in high school, football had the best comradery and built the best friendships. Some of my best friends today are the same that I bled, cried, laughed, won and lost with on the football field.

 

[Swain]

Interesting Swain. My son is a freshman at HBHS but made freshman baseball a few weeks back.

He played FNL for 6 years. I am sure we have crossed paths.

He is actually my step son his name is Maverick Mehaffey. So you guys play with Slater then

 

[ramos45]

It's the nature of the game. I used to love kickoff team because you are running down range full tilt intending to stop the ball or take out as many blockers as possible so your buddy can stop the ball.

I also remember getting decleated on said kickoff team

 

[DWC]

I’d absolutely let him play. It’s a great way to build self confidence, make friends and learn some real life lessons. There will be really high, highs and low lows.
Most good coaches will start the season with a solid, “don’t talk to me, this isn’t Pop Warner” speech. I’d avoid it. Enjoy the ride. Start figuring out how your going to sneak away from work on Thursday afternoons

 

[QC22]

I'm going suggest you don't talk with the coach. That is almost completely out of bounds, but... I will share what my now 22 year old told me just this last weekend. He played Freshman HS Football. Had the most TDs on the team. Wide receiver and kickoff returns. Smaller kid, but wicked fast. He went to the hospital twice for concussions, and thinks now that he had four during the season. He said, "with what I know now, I wish I stayed with Baseball only." Use as you will.

 

[ChumpChange]

I want to go back and play HS Football now. I'd probably be really good!

 

[craiger88]

I would reiterate some of the previous comments. High school football is safer than it was when most of us played. The rules, regulations, state guidelines for conditioning, contact, and coaching certifications are much more stringent. The techniques for tackling have changed dramatically as well as protocol for all types of injuries and being able to get back on the field.

I am in my 6th year of coaching high school football and my oldest just graduated and will continue to play in college. My other son will be a sophomore and he is playing as well. Obviously, I am biased.

Are there risks? Yes. I would also contend that football inherently provides the opportunity to teach so many powerful life lessons that young kids will never forget.

I would highly recommend not dictating to the coach what positions your son is allowed to play.

Just my two cents.


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[GETBOATS]

All upside, I played at Vista during the Dick Haines era, best thing that could have happened to a 16 year old kid. Haines had the ability to extract the very best from his players, he was very hard on us and we all loved him for it. Two sons, some football, youngest strayed away from football fearing injury, their sport of choice was Motocross, lol. All sports have risk, but the lessons learned are invaluable. IMO the best sports incorporate intense competition, physically challenging, mentally challenging, winners and losers, risk and reward. These types of sports helped create these two sons of mine and their ability to deal with the stresses of todays world and thrive both academically and now in their careers as engineers. Play on!!!!! you won't believe the changes in him.........

 

[farmo83]

Agree with whats been said. Unless the coach has done something more specific to put your son at risk let him do his job. As far as injury yes it can happen but it can happen doing anything. I think the other lessons learned on the field are invaluable in life.

 

[wayniac]

I want to go back and play HS Football now. I'd probably be really good!

seriously right...

All upside, I played at Vista during the Dick Haines era, best thing that could have happened to a 16 year old kid. Haines had the ability to extract the very best from his players, he was very hard on us and we all loved him for it. Two sons, some football, youngest strayed away from football fearing injury, their sport of choice was Motocross, lol. All sports have risk, but the lessons learned are invaluable. IMO the best sports incorporate intense competition, physically challenging, mentally challenging, winners and losers, risk and reward. These types of sports helped create these two sons of mine and their ability to deal with the stresses of todays world and thrive both academically and now in their careers as engineers. Play on!!!!! you won't believe the changes in him.........

you guys killed it for quite some time.. when RBV opened that was tough blow for you... I was at Orange Glen later.. When VC opened it killed football there too.



Just got done dropping him off at practice.. first day of special teams, we will see what he thinks... then defense today...

 

[Runs2rch]

As a coach, please let the coach do his job. With the amount of time we spend listening to, and entertaining parents requests, we could be teaching your child even more about the sport. By allowing him to play football, you are trusting the coach to protect him and put him in the best position to help the team as well as grow as an athlete.

Think of it like a job. Are you gonna call his boss and ask that he doesn't work in that department?

The best thing you can do is work with him outside of practice so that he is prepared for the possibility of playing that position.

Your not an asshole coach are you?

Its about having fun. Coach can't protect shit so I don't know where you are coming up with that crap. Its also nothing like a job. Don't even compare it like that.

When I played every coach I had was a mother fucking asshole. They don't care about you. They only care about winning and imposing their will on you.

 

[BHC Vic]

Im ALL IN with him playing football, offense and defense... but is there any time during the game that is more dangerous than the return game??? 2 stories already that part of the game leading to injuries...




I used to dream about riding dirt bikes with my kid... i watched wayyy to many friends get hurt doing that.. the faster you go, the more violent the crashes, and it doesnt matter how good you are... itll happen.

Someone posted about it in another thread. I went to hit the step up at race town one day. I had already done it maybe 10 times that day. I didn’t realize my rear tire was flat and when I left the ass end kicked out sideways. I knew the second I left I was going to crash and crash hard. I believe I was third gear pinned possibly 4th. Nothing I could do but brace for impact. I don’t really think I did anything wrong just a bike failure and it cost me.

 

[ChumpChange]

seriously right.....

Crazy part is I still wouldn't be the biggest guy on the team.

When I was playing I weighed in around 215 and we had some other linemen at 285. I know these days there are 300+ guys and I'm around 254lbs but substantially stronger of course.

 

[Runs2rch]

Crazy part is I still wouldn't be the biggest guy on the team.

When I was playing I weighed in around 215 and we had some other linemen at 285. I know these days there are 300+ guys and I'm around 254lbs but substantially stronger of course.

Put together an RDP bbq with a little football.

 

[Hallett Dave]

So I have never been a huge fan of my son playing football. Kept him out of pop warner, and he played a little flag with his school. So this year he starts high school, and he asks if he can play football. Wife says NO, and I tell him i dont like it, and wish he wouldnt. Id love it, if he sticks to baseball, maybe cross country or track... He keeps asking, and I reluctantly ok it. Wife isnt happy, but I really want him to have the full high school experience. We explain to him that we would prefer he try for defense, where he at least is in a little more control of the hitting. So they go through freshman camp, and some hell week, and he ends up being the starting outside linebacker. So at this point, im kind of happy. Then after practice yesterday, his friend tells us that he is also going to be the backup half back, and is about 99% sure he will be returning kicks... Is it overstepping my bounds to tell the coach I do not want him returning kicks... I think this would really bum my kid out since he has been loving this... Its not like he is asking me to jump the canal or anything.

What experience have you guys had with high school football and how involved should i be?

Wayne

Let the coaches and your son make those decisions.
That was what my parents did.
They really supported me all through High School and College football.
They never missed a game for eight years.
I hope your son has a good experience and is successful.

 

[wayniac]

Your not an asshole coach are you?

Its about having fun. Coach can't protect shit so I don't know where you are coming up with that crap. Its also nothing like a job. Don't even compare it like that.

When I played every coach I had was a mother fucking asshole. They don't care about you. They only care about winning and imposing their will on you.

its kind of funny looking at this from an adults perspective, and realizing what is going on... my son came home the other day, and said we get in trouble like every practice.. i just smiled and told him to keep working... i hope he has fun, but there are definitely life lessons to take out of the game.

 

[oldschool]

Im ALL IN with him playing football, offense and defense... but is there any time during the game that is more dangerous than the return game??? 2 stories already that part of the game leading to injuries...




I used to dream about riding dirt bikes with my kid... i watched wayyy to many friends get hurt doing that.. the faster you go, the more violent the crashes, and it doesnt matter how good you are... itll happen.

From your lips to Gods ears! about dirt bikes.

 

[oldschool]

Your not an asshole coach are you?

Its about having fun. Coach can't protect shit so I don't know where you are coming up with that crap. Its also nothing like a job. Don't even compare it like that.

When I played every coach I had was a mother fucking asshole. They don't care about you. They only care about winning and imposing their will on you.

Nothing more fun than winning.

 

[oldschool]

 

[boatnam2]

Tell him he can play both ways but get the kickoffs to one of the scrubs! There is a reason the NFL kicks the ball out of the end zone.

 

[HOOTER SLED-]

Crazy part is I still wouldn't be the biggest guy on the team.

When I was playing I weighed in around 215 and we had some other linemen at 285. I know these days there are 300+ guys and I'm around 254lbs but substantially stronger of course.

You didnt have the Bowflex back then noodle arms.