I think... and I'm talking as a complete bystander here... that part of the problem with organized sports is the lack of "professional" guidance. Too many times, and I'm talking here about the more "spirited" contact sports like football and hockey, there's more emphasis on playing the game and winning, than on learning the basics.

I sit and watch football games with my dad (around 70 years old), who played the game when the only equipment they used was a leather "helmet" which was more like a hat. In those days, they learned the correct way to tackle - take down a person, fall correctly, minimize injury. Nowadays (and I'm looking to the young man down the street - 17 - who is playing for his HS football team), the players are ENCOURAGED to "take out" the other players. It's win at any cost, damn the consequences.

I still think that there are good coaches and good players out there, and I will encourage my son to play in organized sports, but I will steer him toward the less popular ones, like swimming, soccer, Tae Kwan Do, where they *are* taught correct techniques, and ways to protect themselves (in the case of tkd) rather than win-win-win.

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Sports played with the right attitude and the right coaching can not only build character and confidence but turn some young people around who might be heading in the right direction. Is there enough emphasis on building character over winning at all costs? I'm going to stick my neck out and say no. I have mentioned on this forum the concern that I have for the danger of injury for the cheerleaders much less the players on the field. At least the players have pads and helmets, the cheerleaders have no barriers between them and the ground.

Jan from http://www.unique-baby-gear-ideas.com/

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I kind of feel that sports aren't only about winning. I really do feel there is a teamwork and camaraderie among teammates and athletes in general. You need to know how to win in life as well as lose. A lot of it might be the child and the parents attitude on it. There are an awful lot of kids playing sports and surely they can't all only be in it for the big win.

I also feel that with anything in life, you have to be as careful as you can. Remember your "tickle monster" Roger? While I feel horrible about anyone being hurt playing sports, I also feel an accident can just as easily happen while your child cuts an apple right in front of you. You can't just live your life because "something" might happen. We do hear about these accidents because they are news but we have to consider how many young people play these games that don't get hurt and we never hear about.

Between my two boys we had baseball, soccer, swimming, diving, wrestling, basketball, volleyball, karate, hockey and football during the course of their growing up. Other than minor sprains, aches, pains and a few bruises, all the stitches and emergency room visits had to do with simple little accidents that just happened when we were at home and together.

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I have a "girl" football player age 12. (running back) She has played football since second grade where she was only one of 2 female players in our Pop Warner" district. She played for her 6th grade team this year. She loves the sport and do I worrry about her getting hurt? No more than when she takes her dog for a walk, goes to mall with friends etc. She has been blessed with great coaches, knows the warm ups, follows the rules and wears proper safety gear. She has actually suffered more severe injuries while on horseback (she is junior champion jumper) than in any sport including football.
I am always asked if I am worried she will get hurt and I tell people that she knows the game. She knows the risks and she plays the game according to the rules. She is respected by her team mates and hates being the "celebrity" at games. Yes I know there is risk but there is risk in anything and everything we do.
We can pinpoint any sport and there is a risk of injury or God forbid, death. we cannot put our kids in a cacoon because of the possibility of something happening. We need to encourage them to get out there and take risks but do so wisely.
I have come to realize that the parents who complain about the risks involved are the ones who have overweight lazy couch potatoes. They have kids who sit in front of tv all day, play video or computer games and do not have the diet that is healthiest for them. Some also have kids who are too immature to handle sports or to in a shell to be in with groups or just do not handle someone telling them what to do.
My daughter walks a mile a day, jogs 2 miles two days a week, has basic weight training three times a week, loves her healthy diet and is in great shape. Do I push any f this? NO! its all up to her. She enjoys the lifestyle. She is healthy phsically and mentally and her grades stay great.
Sports are phenominal for a child. So I ask you weigh the risk of injury with the positive things and you will see while there are risks there are far more good thinga that can come from sports.

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