Talking about technological strides in equipment is all well and good, but that only does so much. The big thing is technique, all kids do these days is lead with their head or RB drop their heads instead of just their shoulders. That is the main problem I am seeing is a HS or Pop Warner RB coming through the line full speed (head first) into the MLB who's already flying in leading with his head and they smash into each other with their heads. We need parents and especially coaches to realize this. My cousin coaches the varsity team at Whitesboro and they stress the proper techniques on tackling and running the ball, so their kids don't lead with their heads. Every time they drop their head they are running for the rest of practice.
First. I am plenty old. I had 47 kids in my kindergarten class and walked to school unescorted. I was allowed to go out and roam the neighborhood all day as long as I was back for supper. Since I was not abducted, I guess you might think it would be smart to repeat this for my children. Second, who lives in fear? Not me. Putting my child in a car seat is not really much effort for the safety benefits. As far as anyone passing out due to lack of water? I never saw it...but what's your point? It's still easy and better to allow water more than they used to. It's not a big deal. We have more knowledge than before... let's use it to our advantage. I think there are a lot of people who liked their childhood and feel that any changes are an indictment on how they were raised...so they get all worked up. Even you acknowledge that salt pills and no water was dumb... so we learn and don't do it. Many things were done with good intentions but without a lot of knowledge and science.
You might want to check the head injuries out in that sport as well before you get on the Lacrosse soap box. Lacrosse is the number 1 youth sport in Fauquier county that causes head injuries.
My 11 year old has played 3 years of tackle now. I laid down an additional $200 to buy a Xenith helmet, which is supposed to be one of the better head injury preventing helmets out there, and he can use it for a few years. He is a bigger kid, but not aggressive, so we stick him on the line as a pulling guard or maybe a DE to at least give outside contain. It's more bumping or wrestling in those positions, so he is less likely to take a direct violent shot. It is up to him if he wants to continue to play again this year, he is also considering doing fall baseball instead. I won't push him either way, but he needs to decide soon so we can sign up. Each year, the kids get bigger, faster and hit alot harder. I have seen very good young athletes get tattooed in football and never get on the field again, it is a violent sport. It is pretty frightening when you hear about these injuries and the long term effects, so my own passion for football has waned over the years. As coaches, there is added responsibility to teach proper contact for football, to be effective but also to protect yourself and others from serious injury. It is just a game after all, no one should suffer long term ill effects from playing football or any other sport if you can help it. The recent emphasis on safety and treating these head injuries as serious matters not to be dismissed is refreshing and long overdue.
i think it might be better for your case against football if you didn't bring up abductions.
