But I have heard sooooooo many stories about it being MORE dangerous before Jr High. My biggest concern is the lack of PROPER instruction by Pop Warner coaches on REAL tackling skills. I know there are MANY outstanding coaches out there but I have also see, FIRST HAND, "coaches" teaching kids to lay out an opponent. Even heard a coach screaming at 8-10 year olds.."You Sissies will never make "Jacked Up"!!
I'll say this though....Kids through history (Not so much the past 20 years) have always knocked their heads. Most of us grew up before padded playgrounds and bicycle helmets or played some smash mouth sand lot ball WITHOUT helmets and pads.And we all turned out just fine.
I think the problem with too many youth sports these days, is the obsessive nature of Parents and coaches. Football USED to be a few months in early Fall. NOW?? Parents are sending kids to football camps between Fall and NOW, Spring football seasons. THAT is a lot of contact on developing bodies and brains. I sure it happens with youth Hockey players too.
Maybe my best example??? There's a couple of post on this board that show a few pictures and video of people wigging out and fighting at football games. I'm sure many of those FINE people have kids. Get my point?
