KidsHealth.org reports on its 2011 website that football causes more injuries than any other school sport. That said, football is also one of America's most popular sports, with children and adults alike. Ensure that football is as safe as possible for your children by providing all the right equipment. As you look for a football program for your child, learn about how to keep your son safe from serious injuries like concussions and look for a program that stresses proper rules and that has coaches who put safety above winning.
Local And Summer Programs
Check with your local parks and recreation department, police department and schools to get recommendations and opinions about the different football programs in your area, during the school year and during the summer. Other sponsoring groups include the Boys and Girls Club and Upward Sports for church leagues. The KidsCamps.com website provides a list of more than 100 football summer camps for children of all ages.
Pop Warner
The nonprofit Pop Warner league began in 1929 and as of 2004 served more than 240,000 children in 42 states and several countries. Pop Warner also offers cheer and dance programs and is the only league to require a 2.0 or 70 percent grade point average for all participants, with an awards program for students with a 4.0 or 96 percent or higher grade point average. Pop Warner teams follow the same age and weight matrix, and compete locally, regionally and nationally. The Pop Warner website provides contacts for all their teams.
NFL Youth Football
The National Football League sponsors two football programs. Punt, Pass and Kick is a national program where boys and girls from ages six to 15 learn basic physical and teamwork skills, such as passing, punting, kicking along with lessons on attitude, goal-setting and the importance of training. The children then compete separately in local, regional and national venues.
NFL Flag Football for children from 5 to 17 conducts local, regional and national tournaments playing non-contact, flag football. NFL Flag Football has boys and girls leagues.
American Youth Football
Sponsored by the Under Armour Company, AYF football includes football and cheer in all 50 states, with 17,800 teams and 625,000 participants. AYF offers leagues the opportunity to compete locally, and set their own age and weight divisions, and their own rules or to compete regionally and nationally and follow the AYF guidelines. To find an AYF league, search for AYF youth football and your local town or county.
Member Comments