Tackle Football, or Flag? Some kids may be asking themselves this question, to see if they want to play it safe, or to go right into the big boy league. This is an opinion
There are pros and cons, ups and downs, and parents worrying about their kids, so here are a few.
Tackle Football
Tackle football is one of the more popular sports among younger children along with soccer and basketball. Tackle football is a contact sport that includes tackling (Durr), running, passing, and a lot of shoving. If you want to play in a league, or not get injured, you play in heavy pads. These include a helmet, shoulder pads, and knee pads (And a cup if you want).
Pros to Tackle include:
Much more exercise is included when getting ready for games, players might even be worked so hard they will throw up. but as they say, no pain, no gain
Players can just run over other players, and boy is it exhilarating. If you can take a handoff, and run down the field after trucking someone to the ground, it is just pure hype. Or on the other side of the ball, if someone else takes the handoff and you break through the line, and boom trucked, fumble, and scoop and score.
It’s much more of a team game, let me explain. Let’s say in basketball, you miss 10 shots in a row, not good for your team. But as long as you are not playing quarterback, there is much more margin of error.
There is usually a position for everyone. If you are on the bigger side, Defensive Tackle, or a Linemen on Defence, OR offense. Or if you are fast and skinny, wide receiver, or safety, or even a cornerback. There are so many areas for everyone to be able to get playtime.
Cons to Tackle Football
The game is much more dangerous compared to most any other sport. Many bruises can occur and even Broken bones. There are season-ending injuries, and concussions or players are out for only the next game or two.
You have to work your butt OFF to get a starting position. Players can’t expect to walk into the 9th-grade team and immediately get starting time, or even playing time at all. If you don’t prove to your coach that you can work to your limits, no luck with that buddy.
Coaches aren’t all baby-on players, players can’t make mistakes or they can get yelled at by the said coach.
Flag Football
Flag Football is the equivalent of a little sister that can’t be touched or else she will cry. Tackle football is that tough, older brother that will beat anyone up for you. Flag football has many different rules, but at the same time many similarities, still sticking with the ¨Football¨ area of the game.
Pros to Flag Football
Fewer injuries will occur to players due to minimal contact.
Players pull flags from off of the waist of the ball carrier and can cause contact to the other player.
Everyone gets playing time, with 0 ¨Starters¨ actually on the team.
There isn’t a ¨Draft¨ and players can just choose what team they are on.
It’s league play, not competitive club play unless you want to.
Cons To Flag Football
Flag Football has no contact rules, which means players can tackle others or hit them.
Players can’t run up the middle in some leagues, which causes a lot of penalties.
Players can’t ¨Stiff-Arm¨ other defenders or guard the player’s flags. This will result in a flag penalty.
Games are played on an 80-yard field, instead of a full 100-yard field.
Games are much shorter with the games lasting almost an hour including stops and halftime.
Most good players have moved to tackle football, so there’s a chance of playing with a below-average team.
There is minimal exercise compared to Tackle football, not as much running, or easier practices.
If we are being completely honest, it all comes down to how much you want to work, or how hard you want to play, etc. most of these decisions come down to opinion, but if players want to have a chance at playing high school or even Collegiate football, go for tackle football at a younger age.
Source: https://www.theimperialpoint.com/tackle-vs-flag-football-which-is-better-for-your-child/
