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| November 21, 2013
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Youth Football Participation On The Decline

As Kaden enters into his second season of flag football there is no doubt that he loves the game (of football) and one day he and I will have to make a decision regarding moving up to tackle football.

Like most reasonable parents I want my son to be able to do what he loves, but at the end of the day I also want him to be safe.

The impact on football and physical well being continues to be a hot topic among parents and coaches. Head injuries continuing to be the leading concern of those citing that football is no longer safe for our youth.

ESPN’s Outside The Lines has reported that Pop Warner football, “the largest youth football organization in the world; has seen participation drop 9.5 percent between 2010 – 2012. “The largest decline since the organization began keeping statistics more than two decades ago.”

The decline in participation suggests that due to safety issues football is no longer King and more parents are steering their youth in a different direction. NFL officials, all the way down to the head of Pop Warner are scrambling to make changes to the game to minimize the head impact and create a safe environment but will it be enough?

For some parents the risk of head injury will outweigh any protective measures and football will not be an option.

For this parent flag football will continue to be the option for Kaden and I will continue to keep a close watch on the statistics, the research and the evolution of tackle football. We will not be in any hurry to put Kaden in pads (Pop Warner) as he can learn the basics of the game playing flag football.

Mother and Son Sports will continue to follow this ever changing story (the story of football) and provide the latest information on youth football safety statistics.

For now Kaden, along with millions of other kids will continue to learn and play a game that he loves. He can worry about getting a first down, and I will worry about keeping him safe.

Source: ESPN- Outside The Lines

by Stacey Atkinson

 

Category: Talking Points |
| November 19, 2013
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Keep Your Head Up

Anyone that has ever played sports understands that achieving excellence not only takes physical toughness, but mental toughness as well. We often hear phrases just has “get inside his/her head”, “sport IQ”, and ” a thinking man’s game”.

Mental toughness is easy to talk about but difficult to do. A few weeks ago Kaden had his first almost fumble in his youth flag football league. He actually didn’t even fumble and regained position of the ball, but his Coach mildly yelled at him. From that point you could tell that the almost fumble really bothered him and his whole approach changes. Shoulders slumped, sitting down on the sidelines, and looking like a player that lost his confidence. One little play, yet it changed his whole outlook and shifted any positive momentum he had going.

After the game I spoke with him about  the importance of keeping his head up and not getting down on himself after one bad play. Mental Toughness. Here are a few tips I gave him.

1. You are eight, it’s just a game, having fun and doing your best should be your number one goal.

2. Always keep your head up and keep positive. A Coach notices body language and can tell if you are down on yourself. If you have confidence in you, your coach will have confidence in you.

3. No pouting, and no sitting down on the sideline. Always be ready to go in, your team needs you.

4. If you screw up on offense, go play great defense. There will always be another play, another opportunity and another game to do something great!

Simple tips, but it’s amazing how much bad behavior we continue to see on the sidelines starting with the NFL.

Teach your kids to be mentally tough and have a positive attitude and you will be well ahead of the game.

by Stacey Atkinson

Category: Talking Points | Tags: ,
| November 16, 2013
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Old School Product Review

Looking for a great basketball workout for your son or daughter. Mother and Son Sports recommends Steve Alford’s workout, both versions!

The first version, Steve Alford: The 50 Minute All-American Basketball Workout was created by Steve and his Dad during Steve’s years as a Indiana Hoosier. This is the workout that I grew up with and would highly recommend. You can complete the majority of the drills on your own or with just one other person. It’s always helpful to have a rebounder so Mom’s and Dad’s get involved.

The second version, Steve Alford: All American Workout, Vol 2 is a revised version created by Steve in 2010. Basically an updated version of the original that will bring your son or daughter up to speed with the latest and greatest drills.

I would recommend the second version, but if you do have extra time go ahead and checkout some of the first version on you tube. It’s pretty interesting and will take you back in time.

Regardless of the version you pick, your son or daughter will be learning many valuable skills and practicing the drills that make a difference.

Practice, Practice, and more Practice makes an average player good, a good player great and a great player champion!

by Stacey Atkinson

 

Category: Misc. |
| November 14, 2013
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Product Review – Clif Bars, A Sports Moms Best Friend

Full disclosure, I am not a good cook. I don’t enjoy cooking and typically have no desire to do so. (For those of you worried about Kaden’s well being after that statement please know that he is doing just fine, he gets his three meals a day, veggies, protein and fruits included :)).

Back to my review.  Shoot a basket, yes. Create a blog, yes. Throw a perfect spiral 20 yards, yes. Those are all things I can do, and do well. Cook myself a wonderful breakfast or make up a healthy snack, no.

Enter the Clif Bar! I found these delicious little bars about a year ago and have been obsessed ever since. My favorite are the energy bars, which are high in protein but don’t taste like your typical protein bar. They don’t taste chalky or like the package itself which is what I have experienced with most protein bars. The chocolate chips rock, and they have a distinct oatmeal taste with just a hit of cinnamon (yes I’ll take a role on food network -oh wait -I can’t cook). The Energy Bar really fills me up and I usually take it to work for breakfast or a snack at one of Kaden’s sporting events.

Fair warning, the calorie count is a little high. The Clif Bar would not be a good snack for pajama day/sitting on the couch day. It is a good snack for your typical running around with your head cut off day! They are also a little pricey but so is a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks!

A few more golden nuggets about the Clif Bar and company. The majority of the ingredients are organic, they believe and support the environment, they care about the customer.

Don’t believe me, see for yourself and check out www.clifbar.com! Then go ahead and get your Clif Bar on, #yum!

by Stacey Atkinson

Note: I do not work for Clif Bar (although it would be cool) and was not compensated to write this review, I just like Clif Bars :).

 

Category: Misc. |
| November 9, 2013
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Toughness

* Right now we have a situation with two team members of the Miami Dolphins that is absolutely ridiculous to believe. There are many sides of the story and it may never get completely figured out or resolved, but we are hearing many words like toughness, bullying, racial slurs etc. etc. etc. Toughness is a word that gets thrown around a lot in youth sports and follows players as far as the professional leagues. Here is my take on what toughness is and what toughness is not.

Toughness IS NOT

1. Playing when you are severally injured and risking future health problems down the road.

2. Refusing to take a drink of water or let your players take a drink of water because they are not doing well or you are angry.

3. Bullying members of other teams or your own teammates to prove you are bigger and badder then they are. These includes both verbal and physical abuse, racial slurs, homophobic slurs, sexist slurs, and hazing.

Toughness IS

1. Playing your hardest and fighting through the pain if you skin your knee or elbow. Listening to your Coach or parents or Dr. if they think you can go back into the game.

2. Hydrating yourself and eating healthy before, during and after the game so you can have your best performance.

3. Being accountable for your actions, listening to your Coach, being respectful to your Coach, and being on time.

4. Being a great teammate! Accepting those who are different and that they are part of your team. Lifting them up instead of putting them down. Rising above picking on lesser teammates.

5. No Bullying, No Homophobic Slurs, No Racial Slurs, No Sexist Slurs.

As I am always saying toughness needs to be redefined, and we need to continue to evolve.

by Stacey Atkinson

Category: Inspiration, Talking Points | Tags:
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