Little gridders learn well without interference

Sometimes, I think we should do away with little league football and go back to the days before helmets when I played as a kid. No parents or coaches were there to "supervise," and the only boundaries were the sidewalks or the railroad tracks.

Disputed calls were resolved by arguing and then going back in the huddle determined to "take it to them on the next play." It seemed to work. There were no time limits and we only stopped when we were dog-tired or when someone got hurt "real bad" (bloody noses didn't count). When we finally stopped, we ended up being friends with the other guys and went home with torn shirts and grass stains. Somehow we learned how to deal with others, get our butts kicked, and know what teamwork was all about. We also found out we had some skills and talent.

Parents weren't there to protect us, as some are now, to make sure we got playing time because everyone had to be treated fairly; and no one worried about our self-esteem — we got it the old-fashioned way by being able to take care of ourselves and accomplish something. There were no coaches or parents trying to live their lives through the children. And everyone got to play, even the least talented. They were just expected to succeed. We didn't have parents telling us how we should feel; for us, it was a new experience. Life was pretty simple; and, by some means, we learned how to persevere, work hard, relish the joy of winning, learn from the experience of losing and get ready for the next contest.

Little league football can be a tremendous learning and bonding experience for families and children. It provides a living laboratory to help parents interpret life to their player as it unfolds throughout the season. You don't have to ask your children, "How was your day?" because you observed what happened to them before, during and after the game. They look to you because the most significant models they have to emulate are their parents. For children, the game is a new experience, and how they handle what happens to them is important. That's where parents can help them learn the lessons they need to cope with life — rejection, unfairness, defeat, conflict, pressure, knowing they can't have their way all the time, and how important it is to work together to survive. (If you are a quarterback, you soon learn how to be nice to your linemen.)