Every month PopWarner.com will feature an article written by 2003 Gold Football Award winner Pat McInally, GoodSports' founder and NFL alumnus. McInally is spreading the word that sports should help kids learn, teach the importance of physical fitness and complement schooling.

DID YOU KNOW: McInally recieved the 2003 Pop Warner Gold Football Award at the 43rd Annual Scholar Banquet

SAFTEY ISSUES:

By Pat McInally, Director of PacifiCare's GoodSports Program

Parents have an image in their minds.

A frightening one.

One in which that's their kid limping off the football field after being run over by a bigger kid. It makes them afraid of football.

The fact is, though, that youth tackle football is where the sport is safest. Unlike the games a parent might see at the high school, college and professional levels, there are huge differences that make youth tackle football far less dangerous than most imagine.

And the sport has significant other benefits that make it worth considering.

First of all, let's look at the safety considerations, using the Pop Warner program as an example.

Strict weight classifications are established and enforced throughout the season, even allowing for designated extra pounds each week. Thus, the great mismatches in size and strength which lead to many injuries on the upper levels of football (or even in other youth sports where a pitcher in baseball or forward in basketball can be a foot taller and/or weigh significantly more than your child) simply do not exist. Although this alone won't completely eliminate the possibility of getting hurt, it can cut down on the number and seriousness of injuries that do occur.

Also, football players wear pads basically from the tops of their heads to their feet, greatly protecting them from many of the contact or impact injuries found in other youth sports. They also wear mouthpieces that reduce the likelihood and severity of mouth injuries and concussions. Each piece of equipment has benefited through the years from technological improvements.

Another reason for so many injuries in sports such as soccer and basketball are the year-round programs. Kids play on traveling teams and are involved in so many games and tournaments that fatigue, over-use and the ruggedness of the competition on these elite levels can lead to injuries. With the advent of indoor tournaments, the increase of ankle and knee injuries has become a concern.

Because the size and weights of players in youth tackle football are so structured, the fundamentals of the sport can be learned with greater safety. Young players are taught how to block, tackle, take a hit and fall down – thus learning how to avoid injuries. These techniques can only be absorbed in full, contact participation. As a parent (and coach), wouldn't you prefer that your players are gaining their experience while playing against others just as inexperienced and close to the same size, rather than against guys who are three years older, 100 pounds heavier and much more seasoned?

A recent study showed the risk of injury in youth football in grades 4-8 is no greater than the risk associated with other recreational or competitive sports. The study appeared in the April issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings and found that most youth football injuries are mild.

"Our analysis showed that youth football injuries are uncommon," said Dr. Michael Stuart, a Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon and principal author of the study. “Most injuries are mild, and the most common type is contusion…A trend was identified for heavier players to be at increased risk, but no significant correlation was evident between body weight and injury.

“Older players in the higher grades are more susceptible to football injuries,” the Mayo report said. “The risk of injury for an eighth-grade player was four times greater than the risk of injury for a fourth-grade player.”

Youth tackle football offers many benefits, particularly teaching young athletes the intricate strategies and multiple athletic skills so vital in any team sport they may play throughout their lives. Football-wise, the head start of playing on the youth level can really help because of the physical and mental aspects of the sport are so critical on higher levels of competition.

Tackle football is unique in many ways. It has elements of teamwork and discipline that simply are not found elsewhere. Also, for many kids the youth levels may be their only realistic opportunity to excel or even participate because later on size, speed, strength and quickness may eliminate many of them. This may truly be their only chance of getting to throw a great block, break off a long run, catch a pass, celebrate a touchdown, or just break out of a huddle and jog to the line of scrimmage.

Dr. Joseph Congeni, Director of Sports Medicine at Akron Children's Hospital, is a leader in the prevention and care of injuries suffered by young athletes. This is what he recommends to parents considering youth tackle football:

*Each player should have experience in other sports such as soccer, basketball, baseball or even the martial arts. The physical gains in coordination and strength, as well as socialization skills, will help when playing football because of its complexity and interaction with teammates.

*Conditioning is critical. Make sure players begin working on their flexibility, strength and endurance at least six to eight weeks before the season.

*Watch coaches for their approach to the game. Emphasizing being tough, instead of teaching the sport's fundamentals properly and making it fun, can be a problem. Drills should be aimed at improving skills, not hard hitting.

Parents need to understand that football and soccer have similar injury rates on the youth levels. Football injuries really begin increasing in numbers and severity in junior high and up, the result of the increased power of the collisions and the great differences in the size, maturity and conditioning of the athletes.

So, if your child wants to play youth tackle football or you have an interest in him playing, give the decision some careful thought. Consider the safety factors and advantages of early participation before simply passing up the great opportunity for athletic and personal growth. If the mom in the family is adamantly against it, (as is so often the case), share with her the facts and advantages of playing early on instead of waiting until eighth grade or never playing at all.

posted October 1, 2003