After his son suffered a potentially dangerous concussion, high school and youth tackle football coach, Alan Jackson, became aware of the damaging long-term injuries children can sustain. Realizing they can be as traumatic as to the big brutes playing college and NFL football, he presents both sides of the argument of to play or not to play tackle football before age 14, equipment safety, and parental responsibilities.
The more he researched long-term effects, the more worried he became about allowing kids play anything other than flag football before their bodies are strong enough to take full-force impacts.
In his book Alan comprehensively discusses tackle football at the youth level; the coaches who manage the sport; the upsides and pitfalls of today’s equipment; and what parents can do to help prevent injuries to their children.
He reached out to professionals in the industry (Coaches Mike Miller and Matt Wells; receiver and tight end John Madsen; and Connie Jones, Certified Athletic Trainer) to get their take on whether kids should be allowed to play before age 14, and the safety of equipment today.
Going beyond just discussing parent and coach involvement in making sure equipment is up-to-date and is fitted well, he discusses the history of helmets; proper tackling techniques; conditioning to prevent injuries; the signs of a concussion; and studies about correct protocols to allow a player back on the field.
Alan challenges the overall safety of youth football, including playing hurt versus injured just to win a game. Putting the responsibility on the coach’s shoulders, he discusses good coaching versus bad coaching, and whether to allow a kid to play based on their fear factor.
Realizing the increased awareness among the NFL and sports experts about the long-term ramifications of repetitive concussions, he discusses an interview with Tom Farrey titled Study: Impact of Youth Head Hits Severe, where Lisa McHale – the wife of former NFL player, Tom McHale -- shared how their life was negatively impacted by the game of football.
He also discusses how the responsibility of making sure their kids can enjoy the sport while being protected falls on parents’ shoulders:
* Every parent should ask if tackle football is safe for their children.
* Do they allow their children to play tackle football without knowing the potential risk of injuries?
* Do they understand the potential long-term effects of suffering a concussion? Or do they accept the responsibility of sending them in to play without doing their due diligence?
* Should their kids only play tag football until age 14?
* Do they understand the potential harm to their kids because of their body size? Are they too small or too weak to play? Do they even want to play?
Alan presents both sides of the argument of to play or not to play tackle football (especially before age 14). Since their children’s safety is paramount, parents need to trust their instincts to guide them to a correct decision and leave their ego at the door.
