JUNIOR FOOTBALL

[Footy Chick]

I see tackling is being introduced to Under 10's, not sure I agree with it.

that's interesting..I'm sure when you were a kid, there was none of this cotton wool stuff...if it was good enough for us, why do we feel the need to mollycoddle our kids?

[HH3]

I see tackling is being introduced to Under 10's, not sure I agree with it.

that's interesting..I'm sure when you were a kid, there was none of this cotton wool stuff...if it was good enough for us, why do we feel the need to mollycoddle our kids?

Probably a good time to introduce tackling, when the kids are usually around the same size before growth spurts. At U/13 level kids are starting to hit pubity and some kids are monsters, while others are late bloomers. Good to teach the right technique while they're a relatively uniform size.

[Armytank]

I have coached U8/10/12/14's and I think this would be a backwards step to introduce tackling at the U10 level. And it is not for the cotton wool aspect either.

Teaching young kids the basic skills of kicking, marking, hand balling and general ball control can be hard enough without other kids literally hanging off of them. Give the kids some time to develop ball control before they start being tackled.

U12's is a good time to start tackling IMHO, they are still reasonably close to similar size, they are developing strength in their bodies and should now have some ball control ability.

[MatteeG]

We started tackling in under 12s back in my day. Why the change now?

[afc9798]

I have coached U8/10/12/14's and I think this would be a backwards step to introduce tackling at the U10 level. And it is not for the cotton wool aspect either.

Teaching young kids the basic skills of kicking, marking, hand balling and general ball control can be hard enough without other kids literally hanging off of them. Give the kids some time to develop ball control before they start being tackled.

U12's is a good time to start tackling IMHO, they are still reasonably close to similar size, they are developing strength in their bodies and should now have some ball control ability.

Agree entirely. The ability to bump gets them used to some pressure while carrying the ball. To add tackling just means that those who aren't quite as skilled will have a lot more pressure when trying to dispose of the ball correctly. Under 10's is also a crucial year that determines how many kids stay and go from the game. Most will try under 8's, then progress to 10's if they enjoy it. The next big step from there is to 14's and the expectations with premiership points, finals etc.

It wasn't broken so why try to fix it.

[HH3]

Yeah those are good points. I didnt think of the skill development suffering.

[Dutchy]

I have coached U8/10/12/14's and I think this would be a backwards step to introduce tackling at the U10 level. And it is not for the cotton wool aspect either.

Teaching young kids the basic skills of kicking, marking, hand balling and general ball control can be hard enough without other kids literally hanging off of them. Give the kids some time to develop ball control before they start being tackled.

U12's is a good time to start tackling IMHO, they are still reasonably close to similar size, they are developing strength in their bodies and should now have some ball control ability.

Exactly my thoughts also, although it is just the grab and release tackle. The main issue I see is Under 10's is pretty scrappy already with kids learning positions and large numbers around the ball, tackling will only make this worse.

Although at school footy the same age tackle so at least they are getting closer to aligning the rules across the different comps, especially as 80% of my club team play school footy so will make it a bit easier.

[Turbo]

Have heard that Hackham have nominated u16's but look like they don't have enough players. Truth or fiction?

[Rush a Point]

Have heard that Hackham have nominated u16's but look like they don't have enough players. Truth or fiction?

Turbo- I would hope that you post is not a sign of enjoyment that Hackham may be struggling to field a side in Under 16.

If you are, you show a complete lack of knowledge of what junior football is about. All clubs within the SFL work hard to try and get junior sides on the field. I find it disturbing that Hackham may not be able to field a side. Junior football is about participation and teaching kids the game and we need all clubs to be able to field sides, so that the league grows stronger.

I personally like to see all clubs fielding juiniors as this is the strength of the league.

If you find the Hackham situation in any way amusing, then we do not want people like you involved in this league at all. I pity the club that you are involved with as you are showing a very narrow minded attitutue and not one of wanting the league to grow stronger.

[lion heart]

Have heard that Hackham have nominated u16's but look like they don't have enough players. Truth or fiction?

Turbo- I would hope that you post is not a sign of enjoyment that Hackham may be struggling to field a side in Under 16.

If you are, you show a complete lack of knowledge of what junior football is about. All clubs within the SFL work hard to try and get junior sides on the field. I find it disturbing that Hackham may not be able to field a side. Junior football is about participation and teaching kids the game and we need all clubs to be able to field sides, so that the league grows stronger.

I personally like to see all clubs fielding juiniors as this is the strength of the league.

If you find the Hackham situation in any way amusing, then we do not want people like you involved in this league at all. I pity the club that you are involved with as you are showing a very narrow minded attitutue and not one of wanting the league to grow stronger.

Great post Rush i totally agree. We have an u14 team on the park but our numbers are still a little low. I'd love to see more of the top clubs sending an over flow of players in the direction of clubs that may be struggling. If kids are missing out on games surely its better for everyone involved to have these kids playing on a weekly basis and improving their skills & confidence rather than being rotated out constantly or not getting a game. Unfortunately not everyone shares those views and some even take great pleasure in sinking the boots in.

[Down the Hill]

This is a tough one. I know Lion Hearts message could be directed at a club like Brighton however we are in no different position to many clubs as far as our Saturday junior numbers. The extra players we have are accommodated by the Sunday competition simply because they can not play regular Saturday footy. This seaon our regular Saturday numbers for Under 14 is only just enough to get 20 to 22 each week. Our Under 16 is a little better but every kid will still get a game either Saturday or Sunday and our Under 18 is a bit of a struggle at the moment like many other clubs. SANFL selection will determine whether we can get a full team each week or have to rely on some Under 16's helping out.

We do have 60 Under 14 players this season but close to 40 can not play Saturday club footy for two-thirds of the season. All barring 4 or 5 of those lads have come through our Minis and if asked to leave due to excess numbers most of not all will not play at another SFL club. They will either settle for just school footy or head off to the Metro South like many have done in the past which is just as much about geography than anything else.

But why should we turn these lads away as most have been with our Mini's since they were 7. However we do try and make sure that we don't have too many players that would mean players being rostered off. We may have had to turn away many Sunday players this year but have been allowed to field a 2nd Sunday team which means every available player each week will get a game.

Having said that Morphy Park have benefited a little from some Brighton overflow in recent years mainly due to them having Sunday juniors not Saturday.

And to Turbo, I know it takes two to tango but you can't forget that Vics spent a huge amount of volunteer hours at your club and regardless of the politics of his departure, his hard work should still be appreciated.

[vics01]

TURBO sometimes it is better if you can't say something nice and or sensible don't say anything at all.

[vics01]

DTH
This is a tough one. I know Lion Hearts message could be directed at a club like Brighton however we are in no different position to many clubs as far as our Saturday junior numbers. The extra players we have are accommodated by the Sunday competition simply because they can not play regular Saturday footy. This seaon our regular Saturday numbers for Under 14 is only just enough to get 20 to 22 each week. Our Under 16 is a little better but every kid will still get a game either Saturday or Sunday and our Under 18 is a bit of a struggle at the moment like many other clubs. SANFL selection will determine whether we can get a full team each week or have to rely on some Under 16's helping out.

We do have 60 Under 14 players this season but close to 40 can not play Saturday club footy for two-thirds of the season. All barring 4 or 5 of those lads have come through our Minis and if asked to leave due to excess numbers most of not all will not play at another SFL club. They will either settle for just school footy or head off to the Metro South like many have done in the past which is just as much about geography than anything else.

But why should we turn these lads away as most have been with our Mini's since they were 7. However we do try and make sure that we don't have too many players that would mean players being rostered off. We may have had to turn away many Sunday players this year but have been allowed to field a 2nd Sunday team which means every available player each week will get a game.

Having said that Morphy Park have benefited a little from some Brighton overflow in recent years mainly due to them having Sunday juniors not Saturday.

DTH I am not sure LH is directed anywhere in particular.. It is a hard one kids want to play with their mates and would necessarily move onto a new club, probably more likely not play at all as has happened this season in some places. I for one do not believe that kids should be turned away due to numbers natural attrition will have enough of an effect over the years.

The problem could be that we have too many clubs feeding from the one little pond. Other sports and interests are taking kids away from football which is a shame. Some hard decisions need to be made by some clubs with regard to mergers for sake of themselves and junior footy. It is better to merge than fold. Maybe even think about merging junior teams for a season or so rather than not have any kids at all.

[lion heart]

Not really directed at any club in particular DTH. Would not expect you to turn kids away if they are getting a game either. But if a club was to say have 30 under 14s why not direct a few to a struggling club. Some kids will only play with their mate's i do understand that but others just want to get a regular game.

[Waterboy]

Not really directed at any club in particular DTH. Would not expect you to turn kids away if they are getting a game either. But if a club was to say have 30 under 14s why not direct a few to a struggling club. Some kids will only play with their mate's i do understand that but others just want to get a regular game.

Tomorrow marks the A grade debut of a kid who came to Lonsdale as an under 12 to get a game, after being told 3 weeks in a row by his previous club that he'd get a game next week. That's a kid who could have easily given up on footy.

[Turbo]

Nothing against the Hawks as a club at all and wouldn't have a clue as to their circumstances. All the best for 2013.

[Rush a Point]

Nothing against the Hawks as a club at all and wouldn't have a clue as to their circumstances. All the best for 2013.

Turbo - is that the best response that you could come up with. After a smart ar.. response you can't even offer an apology.

The SFL does not need people like you involved. As clubs are struggling with juniors we need passionate SFL people to be constructive to look at solutions that are best for the league.

By your post and response, you are not one of those people.

Crawl back under the rock you came from or come up with something positive.

[Turbo]

Nothing against the Hawks as a club at all and wouldn't have a clue as to their circumstances. All the best for 2013.

Turbo - is that the best response that you could come up with. After a smart ar.. response you can't even offer an apology.

The SFL does not need people like you involved. As clubs are struggling with juniors we need passionate SFL people to be constructive to look at solutions that are best for the league.

By your post and response, you are not one of those people.

Crawl back under the rock you came from or come up with something positive.

Rush a point - if you had a clue I might consider talking to you.
Do not make self righteous statements about someone you don't know. So bugger orf and complain about something else. I ain't interested

[Front & Centre]

Not really directed at any club in particular DTH. Would not expect you to turn kids away if they are getting a game either. But if a club was to say have 30 under 14s why not direct a few to a struggling club. Some kids will only play with their mate's i do understand that but others just want to get a regular game.

Tomorrow marks the A grade debut of a kid who came to Lonsdale as an under 12 to get a game, after being told 3 weeks in a row by his previous club that he'd get a game next week. That's a kid who could have easily given up on footy.

Good on you Lions

Tomorrow marks the A grade debut of a kid that played 14s at Happy Valley before he was pulled into the South Adelaide system and his parents moved to Port Noarlunga - Vikings loss and Porties gain when he wasnt playing at South. Last year no 18s team at Porties and kid now has his licence so comes back to the Big V - moral of the story make juniors an enjoyable experience and you never know when they may come back

[Rush a Point]

Nothing against the Hawks as a club at all and wouldn't have a clue as to their circumstances. All the best for 2013.

Turbo - is that the best response that you could come up with. After a smart ar.. response you can't even offer an apology.

The SFL does not need people like you involved. As clubs are struggling with juniors we need passionate SFL people to be constructive to look at solutions that are best for the league.

By your post and response, you are not one of those people.

Crawl back under the rock you came from or come up with something positive.

Rush a point - if you had a clue I might consider talking to you.
Do not make self righteous statements about someone you don't know. So bugger orf and complain about something else. I ain't interested

Turbo - you were the one who satrted this post by a smart ar.. post. I am glad that I don't know you, because looking at your posts, you are the one without a clue.

Start thinking positively about the SFL otherwise don't post.