I just read Bad2Pay's post for the second time and want to comment again as it is the antithesis of ALL that is wrong with youth sports. The simple idea that some kid is so scary talented that they dont need practice time is INSANE!!!! So here's what your advocating, some scary talented super athelete(probably your own kid(right?)), shouldnt have to practice as much as the rest of the team and SHOULD be shown special treatment right out of the box, allowed to shun his committment to the team for his own reasons and still held head and shoulders above the rest of the 100% AAA level players. Sounds like a wonderful way to teach teamwork, leadership , commitment and build charachter. Then again , doesnt sound like those attributes are important to you in the least. Ever wonder why so many talented athelets never get anywhere?

To All:

I have refrained from giving my two cents ( and not a penny more than that) of wisdom on this topic until my son's flag football season was near complete and I would be in a better position to speak from my son's experiance.

My fist comment is that I am from the camp that thinks that a youth child (say 15 or so and under who participates in team sports - not certain individual sports like gymnastics, figure skating etc. ) should play multiple sports in their respective seasons. My son plays hockey, lacrosse, flag football and when he can golf, tennis, skis and swims alot.

My son plays on a very successful AAA travel hockey team. The season begins in eaely August and runs into late March. In my mind ( and apparantly the NHL and college hockey seasons schedule support this view) the hockey season really doesn't start until late Septmember early October.

The football - high school - season ( I played high school football) begins with August practices and runs through Thanksgiving or the week after that. College and NFL seasons run into Jan. His falg football team plays without travel in a local league. It is the equivalent in talent and commitment to his AAA football team and like his hockey team, which is coached by two former pro hockey players, it is coached a former professional football player.

Therefore, any young child who wants to play both sports at a competitive (travel equivalent) level will have a conflict.

I think that if you particpate in all or almost all of the teams practices, and you are up front with both coaches of the teams, then it is possible to have the best of both worlds with out compromising either team or your child.

I think that attending the practices are more important and show greater commitment to the team than attending non significant games. My son did not miss a practice for either team since they were scheduled on differnt days of the week. If they conflicted, he would not have played on both teams.

However, there were half a dozen or so games over the weekends that were in conflict. The the conflicts were resloved with the premise that my son would play in the more significant game, with ties going to football since they only play 7 gmaes plus one local tournament and playoffs. His hockey team plays about 75 games (inc. 7 tournaments and anticipated playoffs in the AYHL and NYS hockey).

He has missed two non cometitive hockey games so far. The first one was for my son to play with his flag team at half time at a NY Jets game in fromt of 80,000 people. It was a once in a life time opportunity which he couldn't miss.

The second conflict is this weekend when is hockey team plays a weak opponent ( the 3rd game this weekend) and it is his last regualr season football game. The last conflcit would be in several weeks should his flag team again reach the championship game - they have the last 4 years - which would be played indoors where the NY Jets practice. His hockey game that weekend is in PA agaisnt the weekest team in his hockey league. He will not be missed and there will be more ice time for other players who don't play as much as my son.

He will miss the semi final football game to play the Silver Sticks qualifier tournament. He also missed a football game this past weekend to play in the Chicago Mission/Chill hockey tournament.

I think playing footbal improved his hockey and understanding of "commitment to excel." He is working harder than ever at hockey and learning the importance of conditioning. He also was exposed to some excellent football players, some who are better and fster that him. He was probably the best player in his school, so this was a revelation. It just made him work harder and realize that there many kids from other areas (and countries since he played a hockey team from Russia in Chicago) who practice hard etc.

The football coach has been great and understanding. He was told up front which games my son would miss due to conflicts. The hockey coach also has been good about the conflict and knows how hard my son practices and plays when he is there, and that my son would not miss any tournaments, playoffs, or significant hockey games.

I hope my two cents was helpful. Sorry about the spelling but I still don't see the spell check option.

Guntherjet

Our son played 8th grade football and was selected for a Bantam AA team. Frankly, he is a better F-ball player than a hockey player - relative to his teammates on each.

He faced the prospect of missing a Friday F-ball practice before a Monday game or missing the first game of a pre-season hockey tournament.

He talked to both coaches and both said something along the lines of "Hey, your only fourteen years old, if you miss there are going to be consiquences, but go where your heart leads you."

He skipped football practice and played in a basically meaningless hockey game. Monday game and he missed his first football start in 7 years.

You could see his anger, disappointment, etc as he walked the sidelines. He got back into his spot one series into the 2nd quarter. Team was down 14-0 and lost 20-22.

Very bummed out on the way home. Question asked - "Well, you looked pretty down. The team missed you. What will you do next time?" Answer "Play hockey. I know I'm not better than most of the kids, but I can be if I keep working harder."

Not sure if his was the right choice/answer or the wrong one. But, it was his decision and he paid the price for choosing one sport over the other.

What I appreciate the most is both coaches recognizing that this kid could play both sports competitively and make a contribution, but in any case it wouldn't be the end of the world to miss time.

We never got involved in his schedule conflict and he worked it out for himself with painful consequences. Since, we won't be playing big college or pros, I figured it was a good return on our investement.

How did we get to 7 month long hockey seasons anyway? I think this is where the proplem is. Why should any kid have to choose what to play at such an early age just because we have let a hockey season go to 3/4 of a year. They should be able to enjoy all sports if they like.We have already HAD to give up football,whats next. They are still just kids.