Football and Your Child

What every concerned parent

should know … but didn’t know

who to ask

Ages 8 to 17

How safe is football?

Football is a contact sport and injuries do occur. However, the risk of injury is no greater than in other contact sports, when:

• played within rules that are appropriate to the age and abilities of the players;

• teams conduct business with a “child first” attitude;

• games are well officiated;

• proper playing techniques are taught;

• coaches are appropriately trained;

• properly maintained and well fitted equipment is worn.

The safety and well being of participants is the number one concern of Football Canada and its members

Why should my child play football?

Children play football because it is fun, challenging, and exciting. Most kids love being part of a team.

Football teaches cooperation and team work, it helps develop positive social skills and teaches respect for others. It helps build self-confidence, a positive self-image, and self-worth. It enables a child to improve upon and develop a broad range of motor skills like throwing, catching, running, kicking, balance, agility and coordination. Because a large variety of skills and physical abilities are required on a football team, there is a position for every child to play.

What psychological effect will football have on my child?

Football Canada and its Association members strive to provide the proper environment so your child will have a positive and rewarding experience.

How is football being made a safer game?

Football Canada’s rules, officials, equipment, coaches and program committees are constantly reviewing their activities to ensure that the safety and well-being of all participants are being met.

• Coaches and Officials Certification Programs are conducted.

• Protective equipment is continually being improved.

• Equipment fitting and maintenance guidelines are constantly being updated.

At what age should my child play football?

Children at an early age are attracted to competitive sport. Competition is not generally a problem unless too much emphasis is placed on winning. As long as the players are of relatively similar skill level, strength, age and stature they can compete safely in football.

Your child should be encouraged to play football only when he/she exhibits an interest in doing so. As soon as your child can comprehend team play and wants to participate on a team then he/she is ready for football.

The choice will be whether your child plays tackle, flag or touch football. Check with your local league or provincial association as to what is available.

What should I be looking for in my child’s football team?

Your child should be participating on a team that:

• is coached by a responsible, knowledgeable Football Canada National Coaching Certification Program ( NCCP) trained and or certified coach;

• conducts its affairs in a code of FAIR PLAY;

• provides a team equipment manager trained to properly fit and maintain equipment;

• provides its players with properly fitted and maintained equipment

• Emphasizes a physical conditioning program appropriate to the participant’s age

• Provides a team trainer or support staff knowledgeable in first aid

• Reflects those values that you want your child to acquire

• Ensures that your child is exposed to an athletic environment that suits his/her interest and abilities, and level of commitment

• Practices and plays for fun

Furthermore, your child should be participating in a league and within an organization that:

• Only uses nationally certified officials

• Has safe and well maintained playing areas

• Considers the needs of the children first

• Has appropriate safety rules and emergency procedures in place

• Actively promotes “FAIR PLAY” through philosophy, policy and action

What type of activities are recommended to enhance football performance?

Experts suggest that children should avoid sport specialization until they become an adolescent. Prepubescent children (ages 8-12) should be encouraged to play as many different sports as they can, to develop a wide range of motor skills. Specializing too early can cause physical and emotional burn-out. But don’t forget that all activity does not need to be structured, it is very important that kids have unstructured play-time!

In general, prepubescent children need at least 30 minutes of vigorous activity every day. About three times per week their activities should emphasize agility, muscular strength and endurance, muscle coordination, balance, flexibility and aerobic fitness. The aerobic fitness component should be at least 20 minutes in duration.

When you feel it is time to select activities to enhance football performance, remember to put this extra training into proper balance – consider your child’s interests, other activities and maturity. Muscular strength and endurance are frequently developed by participation in progressive resistance exercise programs. Supplemental activities like sprinting will enhance speed development and quickness. Participation in other recreational games will develop motor skills like agility, coordination, speed and balance, as well as cardiovascular fitness.

During the football season, the player should spend as much time as possible on football drills. As a parent, you can help your child’s football performance by encouraging participation in off-season activities and ensuring that a sound, safe and balanced activity program is being followed.

At what age should I permit my child to start a progressive resistance training program?

Research has shown that it is possible for pre-adolescents to increase strength with little risk of injury when participating in a properly developed and supervised resistance training program. Resistance training programs can be done with or without weights. However, for pre-adolescents, The Coaching Association of Canada recommends that body weight exercises, like push-ups, sit-ups, and step-ups be used before weight training is introduced. It is important to note that strength development should be seen as only one of the many components of fitness to be developed in a child.

Football Canada has also published a manual “A Beginner’s Strength and Conditioning Program for Youth Football Players (Ages 8-16) – A Parents’ and Coaches’ Guide”.

Before a young person becomes involved in a resistance training program, a number of factors should be considered.

• Is he/she psychologically and physically ready to participate in a resistance training program?

• Does the child understand the proper lifting techniques for each of the exercises in the program?

• Does the child understand the safety spotting techniques for each exercise in the program?

• Does the child understand the safety considerations for each of the pieces of exercise equipment in the program?

• Does the exercise equipment fit the child properly?

• Does the child have a balanced physical activity program?

• Will a knowledgeable instructor teach and supervise their program?

If you decide that your child is ready for a Resistance Training Program, the following Basic Guidelines for Resistance Exercise Progression are provided:

• Ages 8-10 – Introduce the child to basic exercises with little or no weight; develop the concept of a training session; teach exercise techniques; begin with body weight exercises and move to lightly resisted exercises. Gradually increase the number of exercises; practice exercise techniques in all lifts; start gradual progressive loading of exercise; keep exercises simple; gradually increase exercise volume; carefully monitor toleration to the exercises.

• Ages 11-13 – Teach all basic exercise techniques; continue progressive loading of each exercise; emphasize exercise techniques; introduce more advanced exercises with little or no resistance.

• Ages 14-15 – Progress to more advanced youth programs in resistance exercises; add sport specific components; emphasize exercise techniques; increase volume.

• Ages 16+ - Move to entry level adult programs after all background knowledge has been mastered and a basic level of training experience has been acquired.

If a child of any age begins a program with no previous experience, start them at the beginning levels and move him/her through the progressions as exercise toleration, skill, amount of training time and understanding of the exercises is acquired.

Should I be concerned about overtraining?

Overtraining is not common in youth sport, but it may surface in sports where younger children are engaged in formal regular training when an over enthusiastic coach or over-exuberant parent can impose it on the athlete. Being tired after exercise is normal. But training that is too frequent, too intense, too long, and does not include adequate built in rest can result in physical and mental fatigue.

Signs of over-training are:

• Lack of energy

• Disturbed sleep patterns

• Constantly tired

• Drop in performance

• Depression

*Keep in mind the accumulative affect of all your child’s activities.

What should I know about selection of an intra-oral mouth guard?

The mouth guard is mandatory and vitally important. It helps protect the teeth from damage, and the jaw from fracture.

There are two basic types of mouth guards (mouth formed and custom made). Both are made of plastic and are fitted internally. The mouth guard should cover all of the upper teeth in the mouth and contact all of the lower teeth.

The “mouth formed” protector provides a good fit and does not require a dentist’s fitting. It is much less expensive than a custom made mouth guard.

The “custom made” protector requires a dentist to fit it so it is more expensive, but it is the best in terms of protection. It provides good retention and is less bulky than the “mouth formed” protector.

All mouth guards should be examined regularly for damage. Mouth guards should be cleaned daily in lukewarm water. The mouth guard should never be cut down. If adjustments are required have your dentist make the alterations. Replace your child’s mouth guard when it splits, is chewed through or loses resiliency.

Do I need to buy equipment for my child?

Except for personal items such as jock straps, girdles, socks, undergarments and footwear, most teams supply equipment to their players.

Remember that even the best equipment cannot provide the protection it is designed for unless it is maintained conscientiously and checked regularly for proper fit and defects.

Produced and distributed by:Football Canada100-2255 St. Laurent Boulevard, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 4K3Tel: (613) 564-0003Fax: (613) 564-6309

How important is nutrition and fluids to a football player’s performance?

There is no magic food that is going to increase performance. The parent’s concern for nutrition should be directed towards providing a well balanced diet that consists of a wide variety of foods from the four food groups. The Canada Food Guide recommends: Young football players do not need additional sources of protein, if they eat a balanced diet from within the food groups. The nutritional requirements for athletes are similar to non-athletes except that more calories may be needed to meet the increase energy demands.

Why should my child’s coach become certified?

The objectives of the National Coaching Certification Program, through which Football Canada certifies coaches, is to provide formal training in the art and science of coaching; to improve leadership skills, to upgrade knowledge of skills, tactics, techniques and strategies, to inculcate ethical standards of behaviour, and to emphasize safety in all aspects of football.

Fair Play Code for Parents

• I will not force my child to participate in Football.

• I will remember that my child plays sports for his or her enjoyment, not for mine.

• I will encourage my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.

• I will teach my child that doing one’s best is as important as winning, so that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game.

• I will make my child feel like a winner by offering praise and encouragement for competing fairly and trying hard.

• I will never ridicule or yell at my child for making a mistake or losing a competition.

• I will remember that children learn best by example. I will applaud good plays by both my child’s team and their opponent’s.

• I will never question the officials’ judgment in public.

• I will support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from football.

• I will respect and show appreciation for volunteer coaches who give their time to provide football for my child.

Should I be concerned about my child using performance enhancing substances?

YES! The use of performance enhancing substances and methods is unethical and contradicts the principles of fair play. The performance enhancing substance most commonly used by young athletes is anabolic steroids. This is because young athletes know about them and they are readily available on the street. According to a 2012 study, by Yesterday’s Pediatrics the mean age that report steroid use is 14.4.

Steroids can increase muscle size and help increase strength. That is why they are so appealing. While proper exercise and nutrition will also increase muscle size and strength, steroids normally do it much faster. However, steroids will not automatically provide the desired results, because factors such as age and genetics play an important role in determining muscle size, shape and strength. Also, there are real risks to taking steroids.

• Physical Side Effects – persistent headaches, nosebleeds, and stomach aches: severe acne, hair loss, breast enlargement, shrunken testicles, and lower sperm count (which can lead to sterility and impotency), damage to the liver and kidneys, premature fusion of the long bones (which can lead to stunted growth).

• Psychological Side Effects – increased aggressiveness, bursts of sudden anger, frequent and severe mood swings, paranoia (sometimes leading to violence)

As a parent there are warning signs which you should be looking for:

• rapid weight gain and an increase in muscle size and strength;

• changes in behaviour – increased moodiness or sudden shifts in mood characterized by irritability, hostility or aggressiveness, elevated mood swings – self-esteem and self-confidence;

• appearance of acne on the upper back, shoulders, arms and face;

• development of a puffy face – a user’s face often becomes swollen and tight particularly around the eyes and cheeks;

• increased appetite;

• abnormal breast development – in females breast tissue diminishes, while in males breast tissue increases;

• lowering of the voice and growth of body hair – very conspicuous in females but unremarkable in males;

• jaundice – yellowing of the skin and/or whites of the eyes (serious sign of a liver dysfunction).

Any combination of these signs and symptoms should provide a high level of suspicion. As your child becomes older, you should also be aware of the possible use of stimulants, some of which can be found in nutritional supplements and energy drinks.

If you suspect your child is using performance enhancing substances:

• Take Action – most users will not stop with one cycle of use. The potential for dependence because of the physical and psychological stimulus is clearly an issue.

• Confront the Issue – it is important to deal with this matter in a non-judgmental, honest and compassionate fashion.

• Seek Professional Assistance – contact your provincial football office or sports medicine council.

• Provide a Supportive Atmosphere – understand the pressures that the young athletes feel to succeed, become knowledgeable about steroids, and their use and effects, again be non-judgmental, honest and compassionate but firm in your dealing with them.

Food Group Number of Daily Servings

Ages

4-8 9-13 14-18

Vegetables and Fruits 5 6 7-8

Grain Products 4 6 6-7

Milk and Alternatives 4 6 6-7

Meat and Alternatives 1 1-2 2-3

Most people underestimate how much fluid they need. Fluids are important for all athletes in order to replace water, carbohydrates and electrolytes lost during exercise. When fluids are not replaced, body temperature starts to rise. Temperatures rise faster in children than adults, so young athletes must drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration. Children need to drink every 15 to 20 minutes when they are exercising or playing a game. Cool fluids are absorbed more quickly and lower the core temperature of the body. If it is hot and humid they need to go to the sidelines more frequently for a few sips of cool water. They should drink until they are not thirsty. And if they are under 10 years of age have them drink another ½ cup. If over 10, encourage them to drink another cup. Parents can tell if their child is dehydrated by the colour of their urine. If it is dark yellow and only a small amount of it, then they need fluids. If fruit juice is consumed during an activity, a mixture of three parts water to one part juice has been found to be effective.

* The amount of food required from each food group depends on age, body size, activity level and gender.

What are my responsibilities as a parent?

Be a positive supporter of your child and the team.

Acquire an understanding and appreciation for football.

Provide the coach with helpful information pertaining to your child’s personality, health and previous athletic experience, so he will understand your child better.

Assist the coach and the team. Usually every team requires help. Assess your interest, time and talents, and offer to assist. Driving children to and from practices and games, working flag sticks or the time clock, keeping statistics, filming the game, fundraising, being the teams equipment manager, and acting as the team trainer are a few of the activities which will take some of the burden off the coach and allow him to spend more time coaching.

The principles of Fair Play are: respect for the rules; respect the coaches and officials and their decisions; respect for your opponents; giving everyone an equal chance to play; maintaining your self-control at all times. By promoting these principles, by word and action, you will make football better for your child and for everyone.

About Football Canada

Established in 1884, Football Canada is the national governing body of amateur football in Canada and a proud member of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). Working closely with the provincial football associations, we develop programs and resources for players, coaches, officials in the three disciplines of Tackle, Flag and Touch Football. Football Canada’s vision statement is “from playground to stadium” where players can participate in the game of football throughout a lifetime recreationally, competitively and internationally.

For more information on Football Canada’s Long Term Athlete development Program (LTAD) visit: http://www.footballcanada.com/Players/LongTermAthleteDevelopment/tabid/120/language/en-CA/Default.aspx

Football BCwww.playfootball.bc.ca

Football Albertawww.footballalberta.ab.ca

Football Saskatchewanwww.footbalsaskatchewan.ca

Football Manitobawww.footballmanitoba.com

Ontario Football Alliancewww.ontariofootballalliance.ca

Football Québechttp://footballquebec.net/web

Football New Brunswickhttp://footballnb.pointstreaksites.com

Canadian Football Organizations

Football Nova Scotiawww.footballnovascotia.ca

Football Prince Edward Island

www.peifootball.ca

Canadian Football Officials’ Association

www.cfoa-acof.ca

Canadian Junior Football League

www.cjfl.net

Quebec Junior Football League

www.qjfl.ca

Canadian Football Leaguewww.cfl.ca

CIS Footballwww.cis-sic.ca