Folks.... we are living in a very interesting period of our lives...
In the world of concussions, permanent injuries and safety for participants.... we have now let the world of Sue-For-Some-Money completely override common sense and availability. Mark my words... the death of football - as we know it today - is upon us.
It began with the massive changes to how we treat students who might have POSSIBLY had a concussion. The progression is well debated and fairly mandated across the board. Next came the demand for safer helmets, and this too was mandated across our state as schools and districts required football teams to purchase certain helmets (most 50% more expensive) that test better at limiting concussions.
No problem so far....
Then came the news that 8 quarter players were at extrodinary risk for significant injuries, and thus, we eliminated the 8th quarter rule. This Fall we will see the catastrophic effects this will have to A and AA programs across South Carolina, and quite a bit of AAA schools, as well.
Still... not TOO much of a problem, teams will have to adjust... we didn't have 8 quarter 12 years ago and somehow football survived, so we march on... so far...
Now word goes out in the form of an email that list a plethura of "recommendations" from the National High School Federation. Word is, the SCHSL will adopt these "recommendations" but not "require" schools to abide by them - thereby covering their own butts if anything were to happen. This will put ENORMOUS stress on ADs and head coaches across SC.
Their recommendations:
- no player should be allowed to play both defense and offense in the same game
- no defensive player should be allowed to play special teams in the same game
- no offensive player should be allowed to play special teams in the same game
- no more than 60-90 minutes of contact at practice per week
- no consecutive days of contact through practice or games should be allowed
Yep, meditate on that.... no A, AA or AAA team should use the same players on offense, defense and special teams. 33 kids playing a specific position, not multiple. That's 33 - not counting subs. Good thing all of our A and AA programs across the state have 50-60 varsity players on their sidelines ready to go.
Wait, what?
Let me continue.....
Since JV games are played on Thursday nights, AND you can't have contact on consecutive days... they would only be able to hit on Tuesdays. Friday night varsity games would mean they could hit Mondays and Wednesdays... are you following along? This means your varsity and JV could not hit on the same day, therefore they couldn't effective practice together - at any time! Two completely stand-alone teams on different schedules never hitting each other or being used to field a competitive practice.
Again... I do not expect the SCHSL make these requirements of our schools, but I feel VERY confident the executive committee will "highly recommend" them which they hope will protect them from any and all lawsuits that will occur if a player gets hurt! How totally simple would it be for a kid to get hurt in the 3rd quarter and his family sue the coach, AD and school because he played both WR and DB that night, and the SCHSL had "highly recommended" schools not do that. Why? Because the NFHS clearly said it puts kids at risk! You DARE put my son AT RISK?!?!? Pay me!
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
So... here we are at last.... queue "Taps"..... football is dead, long live soccer.
In the world of concussions, permanent injuries and safety for participants.... we have now let the world of Sue-For-Some-Money completely override common sense and availability. Mark my words... the death of football - as we know it today - is upon us.
It began with the massive changes to how we treat students who might have POSSIBLY had a concussion. The progression is well debated and fairly mandated across the board. Next came the demand for safer helmets, and this too was mandated across our state as schools and districts required football teams to purchase certain helmets (most 50% more expensive) that test better at limiting concussions.
No problem so far....
Then came the news that 8 quarter players were at extrodinary risk for significant injuries, and thus, we eliminated the 8th quarter rule. This Fall we will see the catastrophic effects this will have to A and AA programs across South Carolina, and quite a bit of AAA schools, as well.
Still... not TOO much of a problem, teams will have to adjust... we didn't have 8 quarter 12 years ago and somehow football survived, so we march on... so far...
Now word goes out in the form of an email that list a plethura of "recommendations" from the National High School Federation. Word is, the SCHSL will adopt these "recommendations" but not "require" schools to abide by them - thereby covering their own butts if anything were to happen. This will put ENORMOUS stress on ADs and head coaches across SC.
Their recommendations:
- no player should be allowed to play both defense and offense in the same game
- no defensive player should be allowed to play special teams in the same game
- no offensive player should be allowed to play special teams in the same game
- no more than 60-90 minutes of contact at practice per week
- no consecutive days of contact through practice or games should be allowed
Yep, meditate on that.... no A, AA or AAA team should use the same players on offense, defense and special teams. 33 kids playing a specific position, not multiple. That's 33 - not counting subs. Good thing all of our A and AA programs across the state have 50-60 varsity players on their sidelines ready to go.
Wait, what?
Let me continue.....
Since JV games are played on Thursday nights, AND you can't have contact on consecutive days... they would only be able to hit on Tuesdays. Friday night varsity games would mean they could hit Mondays and Wednesdays... are you following along? This means your varsity and JV could not hit on the same day, therefore they couldn't effective practice together - at any time! Two completely stand-alone teams on different schedules never hitting each other or being used to field a competitive practice.
Again... I do not expect the SCHSL make these requirements of our schools, but I feel VERY confident the executive committee will "highly recommend" them which they hope will protect them from any and all lawsuits that will occur if a player gets hurt! How totally simple would it be for a kid to get hurt in the 3rd quarter and his family sue the coach, AD and school because he played both WR and DB that night, and the SCHSL had "highly recommended" schools not do that. Why? Because the NFHS clearly said it puts kids at risk! You DARE put my son AT RISK?!?!? Pay me!
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
So... here we are at last.... queue "Taps"..... football is dead, long live soccer.
