Should I put my son in football?

At any level. Mark Hyman, who co-authored Concussions and our Kids along with neurosurgeon and athletic brain trauma expert Mark Cantu, makes the strong case that parents should say no to tackle football for kids until at least age 14. That’s because young brains have a harder time recovering from the hits.

Why you should let your son play football?

I’ve also had many parents tell me how important it is for their kids to play. Youth football is a great way to build discipline in a child, and it’s a terrific tool for learning how important teamwork is. It’s a sport where you really have to concentrate on your job and be able to trust what your teammates are doing.

Why is it bad for kids to play football?

SURGEON GENERAL’S WARNING: Tackle football is dangerous for children. Children who play tackle football absorb repeated hits to the head. As adults, they’re at higher risk of suffering cognitive deficits as well as behavioral and mood problems. Protecting them from head injury is a big task.

What is a good age to start playing football?

The National Alliance for Youth Sports says that children who are age 5 to 7 have the necessary motor skills to compete in the game and start learning the skills of football.

What are the disadvantages of playing football?

The major disadvantage to playing football is the high risk of injury. Even with every possible safety precaution followed to the letter, scrapes, bruises, sprains, joint dislocations, broken bones and concussions are all possible on any play.

Is it safe to play football?

Football is a great way to be part of a team and stay physically active. But football is a contact sport, so injuries do happen. Doctors and scientists are studying how repeatedly hitting the head during tackling affects the brain. These injuries can cause serious brain problems later in life.

What age can I put my son in football?

Many leagues introduce tackle football for players as young as five (5) years old, but some organizations recommend measures to avoid head impacts until later ages. The brain is undergoing critical developmental processes during childhood and adolescence that may be compromised by repeated hits to the head.

Is football a good sport for kids?

Participating in football—like any sport—provides many health benefits for children. It’s a physically demanding game that provides an opportunity for players to improve their speed, agility, strength, hand-eye coordination and overall cardiovascular endurance.