Non-Contact Football: THE Solution for concerned parents and Athletic Directors

RALEIGH, N.C. - Nov. 15, 2016 - PRLog -- "With all that is in me, I am convinced there is no greater sport than football to teach youth the game of life,"  says Bob Winstead, a staunch youth advocate and founder of the National Youth Football Organization. "But with so much negative attention given to concussions and dwindling athletic budgets in schools and towns, football is taking a hit and I can't sit back and watch the greatest sport on the planet die."

Parental considerations for youth participation in tackle football are parallel to that of the organizations that hosts opportunities to play. Parents are most influenced by safety, opportunity to play, and costs. Schools and towns are focused on safety and providing all kids the opportunity to participate but their major concern is overhead. The bottom line seems to be for amateur football, especially middle school football, the expenditures of equipment, coaches stipends, field maintenance, referees and the increasing costs of liability and supplemental medical insurance outweigh the income of gate, concessions, and sponsorship.

Earlier this year two doctors from a University in Minnesota suggested to the American Journal of Bioethics that public schools should end tackle football programs (http://www.bioethics.net/2015/10/medical-ethics-and-schoo...) because of the sport's concussion risks. And last year the American Academy of Pediatrics made a statement in a report that said, "participants in football must decide whether the potential health risks of sustaining these injuries are outweighed by the recreational benefits associated with proper tackling."  The statement doesn't denounce the sport of football, but does encourage the teaching of proper tackling techniques and the enforcement of the rules that prohibit improper tackling. Then there are geographic areas like  Stoneham, Massachusetts  that have to make drastic decisions because county budget woes.

Evidence of changing trends are nationwide. Youth football programs in multiple geographic areas are making various adjustments to their programs to "tackle" the concerns of contact football. Such programs as Maplewood Richmond Heights High School in Maplewood, Missouri and Stoneham High School in Massachusetts have cancelled their program while programs in Central Florida are switching to 7on7 football. These trends, have brought together, as the NYFO, current and former NFL players and coaches like: Mitchell Van Dyk, Lawrence Taylor, David Garrard, Fred Baxter, Drayton Florence, Aaron Beasley, Marques Ogden, and Steve Wilson.

For football advocates, the concern is real and at least for now non-contact football offers the most palatable option to save the sport. Enter flag and 7on7 Football, but what is the difference, and what is the best option for those who aren't ready for tackle football whether it be safety or economic concerns?

Both 7on7 and flag football use a traditional football teach it's participants teamwork, discipline, sportsmanship, and life skills. Both are considerably less expensive to operate than traditional tackle football, 7on7 being the less expensive of the three. Both can represent the namesake of the communities, schools, and organizations in their respective areas. Both are available to girls and boys of all skill levels ages 5-18 years old. And both are fun to watch and fun to play.

7on7 is a pass intensive game that reinforces solid football fundamentals and skill development. The rules of play, offensive and defensive formations, and play calling are the exact same as 11 man football, which better prepares athletes for tackle football and ultimately enhances the calibre of player and the sport. Most 7on7 organizations practice 3 to 5 times a week and play on the weekends, yielding more quality instruction and repetitions for each participant.

Flag is generally played with 5 players on each side of the ball.  Although 5 on 5 doesn't allow athletes to learn the rules, formations, or position specific schemes of football, It can certainly get competitive and keeps kids off the couch. Most Flag organizations convene once a week for instruction and game, which can be nice for the busy parent and the less committed athlete.

Football coaches at all levels prefer 7on7 because it provides an opportunity to develop position specific skills, learn the game, improve conditioning and foster team chemistry in a competitive environment.  The proof being, 7on7 is incorporated in most practices from middle school to professional football.

One of the missions with 7on7 leagues and programs like the NYFO is to be an asset, and feeder program to local football programs. Many of the participating teams run the plays and schemes of their Fall football programs. A mission of both Flag and 7on7 is to keep our youth active.

Because the rules of play, and structure of flag doesn't transition into 11 man football as well as 7on7, it is a nice recreational activity but questionable as a tool for potential football players. When measured as to how it can impact the game of football, flag football can encourage poor habits such as: Spinning to avoid the flag pull, decelerating when pulling the flag, and putting your head down to find the flag.

Each of these areas, are major concerns for the NYFO as they feel the above promotes unsafe practices that can lead to injury and contradicts what football advocates are trying to accomplish as they work to increase the safety and enjoyment of the game.

In both these non-contact environments participants can stay active, focus on fundamentals, and have fun.  With so much negative attention given to concussions and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), 7on7 offers parents a more fundamentally sound and safer alternative for kids wanting to play football, whether it is enhancing their skills for the next level or just introducing them to the sport of football. And more and more high school football programs in the United States are partnering with third party 7on7 organizations, and investing their time in establishing feeder programs that teach fundamentals, position specific rules, and proper tackling.