Hello folks! Happy Friday!
It's almost football time here in Easley or maybe it has already started with summer workouts and team organizing in your area. If you haven't already, you'll soon be having a parent meeting with your coach and/or coaches. There are several questions I expected to be asked, but never were in the past few seasons. Here are some of them:
1. Are you or a member of your staff CPR and AED certified?
Football is a very physical sport and injuries occur and are a part of the game. One of the coaches on the team should be certified in case of an emergency. This would not only be for the kids, but for the adults too who are sitting in the heat waiting on practice to end. All emergencies are unexpected, so we should all be prepared for anything.
2. Are you educated on the latest information concerning concussions, how to diagnose them, and how to avoid worsening them in players that have had a concussion?
It is very important that your coach be able to diagnose the signs and symptoms of concussions. If a concussion goes unnoticed and a second concussion happens on a player that hasn't shaken the effects of the first, that can cause permanent damage for the player. Proper steps including clearance from a doctor needs to be the priority here.
3. Are you a certified coach by any national standard such as USA Football or American Youth Football?
Usafootball.com is the governing body of youth football and is sponsored by the NFL. They have worked together to create a powerhouse when it comes to teaching player safety, coaching techniques, coaching styles, etc... They have a certification that coaches can earn by studying and testing on information pertaining to player safety, proper tackling techniques, heat related illnesses, concussion awareness, rules of the game, etc... Some recreation departments require this certification, but not all, so don't assume that your coach is certified.
4. Have you been to any coaching clinics that teach the latest information on safe tackling and hitting techniques?
This is another area that some recreation departments cover well. Some host clinics themselves and some make sure their coaches attend clinics whether it be at the rec's expense or the coach's expense. Coaching clinics are very important because new techniques can be learned for hitting and tackling such as the "Heads Up Football" campaign that has just been launched by USA Football in conjunction with the NFL. Just because your coach may have played high school, college, or even professional football does not mean they know it all and can't learn anything new from coaching clinics.
5. If my child needs extra work in safety related drills, can you make yourself available on off days and weekends to give that extra attention?
We must remember that coaches volunteer their time, so not every coach has extra time outside their families, jobs, etc... to be able to give extra help. However, you would be surprised at the solutions that can be presented to you. The coach can teach you the drills too and you can have some fun with your son in the privacy of your own yard on working on some items. Some of the best football parents I've ever had were those who worked with their kids at home after asking me what they needed work on. A ton of parents complain about playing time not realizing that the coach is limiting playing time for some players because they can't properly defend themselves using the techniques being taught in practice. Not every player learns at the same pace. So if you can help the coach in this area, ask him to teach you what to work on with your child.
Unfortunately, most parents will ask about playing time, trophies, and other non essential things before asking any of the above questions. If a coach is worth his salt, he won't mind you asking. The only coaches that would wince at these questions are those that would answer no to any or all of them.
Usafootball.com has free membership levels for players and parents for you to stay educated on everything football related.
I hope your child performs well at his/her tryouts or evaluations and has a great season! Till next time, may God bless you and your families.
Coach Michael :)
related links:
www.usafootball.com
www.americanyouthfootball.com
http://yfbca.org