While specialization in a particular sport and arm injuries of youth baseball players have become hot topics in the discussion on youth sport, the most recent health-related headlines belong to the sport of football. Adding on to the recent years’ research on concussions, head injuries and other long-term effects on collisions are the immediate retirements of young professional players citing their fears of lasting health concerns.
Changes in youth sport organizations are not out of the ordinary. Pitch counts have been implemented in Little League Baseball. Many coaches and parents do not allow pitchers to throw curveballs until a certain age. It is now football’s turn to take a look at what is happening. Should young athletes compete in flag or touch football until a certain age? Or should participants be able to master the correct tackling techniques before competing in full contact? For that matter, what is the correct tackling technique? And what is all the talk about rugby-style tackling? What about taking helmets away? Again, each of these questions has been brought to the forefront of keeping participants safe.
Whatever the answer is it is time for football to take a closer look at what the best solution is for the thousands of youngsters who participate and dream of playing football in the NFL. One element that is certain is the growing parental concern about health and the sport of football. These concerns may lead to fewer and fewer participating, which, obviously, is not good for the sport or overall physical activity for our youth. One thing that is certain is the positive impact that sports have on the overall health of the youth.
- Dr. Tim Foley is Dean of Student Services at the United States Sports Academy. He can be reached at tfoley@ussa.edu.