|
|
Post by coveyboyz1 on Sept 18, 2008 9:17:35 GMT -6
My son a 7yr old took his first huge shot Saturday while returning a kick. I went onto the field and he was crying I tried not to make huge deal of it I probably could have consoled him a little more than I did. He sat on the sidelines for about two plays and re-entered the game at HB his play did not suffer as it was late in the 4th qtr. When the game was over he and my wife got to the car before me and she said as soon as the car door closed he balled his eyes out. He and I have had many conversations about mental toughness and he adopted my mantra "You can cry on the sideline". I know thats harsh , but I even as a child that was my mentality never let your opponent see you sweat. Later on after the game we noticed a mouse formed on his jaw so I know he really took one on the chin. We joked about the hit and talked about him running high and not seeing the field. He seemed to be over it. On Tuesday we scrimmaged the other mighty mite team in our association the more mature of the 2 teams and the first shot he took and every time he was tackled there after he cried. I was furious about the crying because he would tell he wasn't hurt. I know it's my pride making me angry with him and it's his fear and pride making him cry. What can I do as a father and coach to help him conquer his fear without ruining our relationship away from football?
|
|
|
|
Post by dlsmith99320 on Sept 18, 2008 9:31:53 GMT -6
ever hear of the splatter blocking/tackle drill? Use 4 big pads laid out next to each other on the ground, for a landing spot. Have a coach brace it with his foot. then have your son hold a hand shield in front of him and line a kid up 2 yds back, teach proper form then tackle, go half speed then progress to full speed no more distance than 5 yds and let him get hit for a while see if that eases him up a bit.
|
|
|
|
Post by coveyboyz1 on Sept 18, 2008 9:58:55 GMT -6
We ran the Splatter and The Gauntlet with hand shields Monday and he tackled and blocked hard and ran the ball hard in the gauntlet. That's why I thought he was over it. Maybe it's just out my control on the timeframe. I thought that somebody would have some Magic words that would speed it up. I'm worried because he has been our bellcow so far and I just want him to be the confident kid he was before Saturday.
|
|
|
|
Post by ampipebulldog on Sept 18, 2008 12:40:36 GMT -6
Just keep the Splatters up - maybe one revolution of kids per practice. Just until they get used to it becoming a normal thing. I swear I had the same situation, not with my own kid, but I was sure I lost a kid this way to fear, and everytime we would do the splatter, I would say, "Did that hurt", and at first he would shake his head, but after about 3 weeks, he would confidently say, "NO SIR", and lined up against our biggest bull moose on the call out one on one drill, and by gosh if he didn't take the moose down with a great form tackle. I think you are taking this more to heart and frustration because he is your kid. (WE ALL WOULD BE JUST LIKE YOU) but tailor down the need for a quick fix. Go back to the 101 drills where contact is eased into. Don't give up, you have plenty of time. 7 yrs is nothing in stone. Even if it takes 3-4 years, his development is all on your shoulders. If you can live without seeing your son as a prodigy at 7, and think about his long term development, NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES, you will look back with pride instead of regret. I wish you lots of luck, coach.
|
|
