[Crossbones]

Just the other day, my wife and I were talking about this. We over head a high school kid talking to his mom. Well, he was talking at her. Very rude and jumping onto her about something. I told my daughter who was sitting in the back seat that if I would have done that at that age or any age really. That my dad would have broke my jaw. Litterally. Kids these days are rude and inconsiderate for the most part, because we have made them this way. "awe, little Johnny, its ok and I'm sorry. You are right" When my dad told my brothers and I to do something. That meant to do it right then, not later and there better not have been any back talk. He was good to us and provided for us and done all he could with us. But it was not always playtime and work had to be done before play.

[NKYfootballfan91]

Man, I agree with so many ppl on here. Kids are absolutely mentally softer today. It starts absolutely with the parents. The preparation for a season has become so much easier and it is still too difficult for some of these kids. No more 2 weeks straight of two a days or even three a days. My "head hurts" has become common place. They (kids) know it's an easy way out of practice. God forbid you yell at a kid, they will tear up. Parents are so quick to blame the coaches when a kid quits, in the end they can't handle the truth that their son is not tough enough or willing to put in the hard work needed to get better to play football and quits the game.

These are the reasons why NCC had 80+ kids in their soccer program in 2012 and 60+ in the football program......9-12 grade

[autopart101]

kids are not bigger stronger or fast maybe at your school but not on average.

I remember some pretty spectacular athletes in the 80 and 90.

They are defenitly not tougher that sure kids are soft because of Tech fourwheelers, I had to ride a bike and forget about online gaming

Here is the number one problem since 1965 people have 1 more hour of free time yet parents spend 40 % less time with their kids per Google Facts

They are bigger in NKY. Dixies bball team this season there are 6 kids that can dunk a basketball. I mean good with two hands. When I was in High school 20 years ago maybe 1 or 2 could. Dixies bball team has 3 kids 6'5 and a 6'8 kid. Football team has Muti 220 lb guys and up. this was not hte case 20 years ago.

[Johnny_Ringo]

To many OTHER options these days.

[jw4914]

I agree with everyone. Coach Shearer, you are a class act! I do think that first and
foremost it falls on the parents. I have been accused of taking things to extremes, but
as a parent I decided no reality TV so no TV and cable since 1997. We have movie
nights . Next was XBOX and Playstation, these were privileges only for the weekends.
We didn't play the "Well Johnny down the road gets too" game. School nights are for
studying and family time. Cell phones were a privilege. Screw-up and loose it. If you
need to get me, figure it out, talk to a teacher or coach. Don't expect anything for
nothing! Freedom and the right to do things are earned by efforts made in the
classroom, practice and the community. My kids didn't and don't suffer any mental stress and have actually learned some descent social skills along the way. Secondly,
let the Coaches coach! I played HS football, basketball and baseball, and I can't
remember a practice where there were 20 parents wondering around watching....

[sandybastrd27]

:Cheerleadyes kids are soft today they need to run way more than do i think state laws make football a week sport where it use to be the toughist of the tough!

[toussaints]

I wouldn't go as far as saying kids are soft cause kids don't know better. It's their parents and the adults that tell the kids that listen to not do anything you think is too hard.

I always heard the stories of the "we practiced 3-a-days in a 100 degree heat with no water, all pads, and no facemask. We hit the 1st day of practice, we knew what it meant to be tough you sissy" I understand that mentality, but as a coach, I don't want to lose my job for not following rules, whether I agree or disagree with them. Unfortunately, the kids know those rules and some are using them to their advantage. It may be soft, but it's also smart on their part.

The solution to this is simple, just let the kids play football. The more they enjoy it, the harder they'll hit and be hit. Because they enjoy it so much, they'll forget about the bumps, bruises, and soreness until after the game. Most coaches have common sense, if we see a kid wobbling to the other sideline, we'll go get them. If a kid looks like he's in a sauna about to pass out, we'll go get them and water them down. If a kid has a bone sticking out of his leg, we'll call someone to come get them

[RoShamBo]

^Exactly. Kids are soft now a days because the system makes them that way. The days of full pads in July, threes a days in 100 degree heat and "bull in the ring" are behind us. Nothing the kids can do about that.

[toussaints]

^So the best way to say it is the system has gotten soft. Then the system wonders what else they can do to prevent heat related illnesses. From my experience, full pads in the heat is the best way to acclimate your body to hot temps on game day.

[RunItUpTheGut]

Yes.

[sstack]

I do not think kids are softer. Just because of the way kids train now days does not make them soft, I feel training is more advanced and safer for the kids and they are stronger,faster and much better athletes over all. The kids are also are involved in sports a lot more; my kids, like many, are involved in sports almost 12 months out of the year with usually 2 sports at a time. Most sports can be done year around now if kids choose to. Now I would say in kids down time at home, that there is a lot of sitting around w/electronics instead of being outside like we did.

[Jumper Dad]

2013:
Kids are bigger today but that doesn't mean that they aren't softer...they are
Parenting is softer than it used to be, kids expectations of what they "Deserve" are higher and over all kids have it much to easy today versus the last generation.
1983:
Kids are bigger today but that doesn't mean that they aren't softer...they are
Parenting is softer than it used to be, kids expectations of what they "Deserve" are higher and over all kids have it much to easy today versus the last generation.
1953:
Kids are bigger today but that doesn't mean that they aren't softer...they are
Parenting is softer than it used to be, kids expectations of what they "Deserve" are higher and over all kids have it much to easy today versus the last generation.
1923:
Kids are bigger today but that doesn't mean that they aren't softer...they are
Parenting is softer than it used to be, kids expectations of what they "Deserve" are higher and over all kids have it much to easy today versus the last generation.


Same can be said about adults as well...we have it easier than our parents, who had it easier that their parents and on and on and on

[Spirit100]

2013:
Kids are bigger today but that doesn't mean that they aren't softer...they are
Parenting is softer than it used to be, kids expectations of what they "Deserve" are higher and over all kids have it much to easy today versus the last generation.
1983:
Kids are bigger today but that doesn't mean that they aren't softer...they are
Parenting is softer than it used to be, kids expectations of what they "Deserve" are higher and over all kids have it much to easy today versus the last generation.
1953:
Kids are bigger today but that doesn't mean that they aren't softer...they are
Parenting is softer than it used to be, kids expectations of what they "Deserve" are higher and over all kids have it much to easy today versus the last generation.
1923:
Kids are bigger today but that doesn't mean that they aren't softer...they are
Parenting is softer than it used to be, kids expectations of what they "Deserve" are higher and over all kids have it much to easy today versus the last generation.


Same can be said about adults as well...we have it easier than our parents, who had it easier that their parents and on and on and on

So 90 years of bigger and softer nicker:. I'd venture to say during WWII that wasn't the case. However, since then yes.

Want a great read. Check this out. My son will be reading this over Christmas Break. I'd recommend everyone read this!

http://www.amazon.com/The-Greatest-Gener...0812975294

[autopart101]

2013:
Kids are bigger today but that doesn't mean that they aren't softer...they are
Parenting is softer than it used to be, kids expectations of what they "Deserve" are higher and over all kids have it much to easy today versus the last generation.
1983:
Kids are bigger today but that doesn't mean that they aren't softer...they are
Parenting is softer than it used to be, kids expectations of what they "Deserve" are higher and over all kids have it much to easy today versus the last generation.
1953:
Kids are bigger today but that doesn't mean that they aren't softer...they are
Parenting is softer than it used to be, kids expectations of what they "Deserve" are higher and over all kids have it much to easy today versus the last generation.
1923:
Kids are bigger today but that doesn't mean that they aren't softer...they are
Parenting is softer than it used to be, kids expectations of what they "Deserve" are higher and over all kids have it much to easy today versus the last generation.


Same can be said about adults as well...we have it easier than our parents, who had it easier that their parents and on and on and on

From Dixie Football's website. Press from 1944 local paper kids are much bigger now
1944

COACH KIT CARSON

12 returning letterman – Coach said they had a large line averaging 160 pounds.The best winning record of the season so far in the history of the football team.

Newport T Won – 4 Lost – 4 Tied – 1 *
Bellevue L
Highlands L
Holmes L
Ludlow W
Lloyd W
Dayton L
Roger Bacon W
Campbell Co. W

[The Cross Movement]

^^^^ That is a great find autopart!!! No denying kids are bigger, but I bet those 160 pound linemen were mentally tough, they would probably whip some tail today - no facemask, leather helmet, worthless shoulder pads, no water break, three a days in the dead of summer in wool practice jersey's, getting yelled at all the time by coach and parents for being soft, late hits, cheap shots, hazing, bullying....Richie Incognito would have loved that era of football, at least the bullying part...

[SKINNYPIG]

Personally, I think it boils down to parenting. My son started four years and there were times that quitting entered his mind. Reality came crashing down on him when he realized he would have to come home and tell me he had quit...not a pretty picture.

One thing to think about. All us oldtimers that keep bragging about how football was in the 70's & 80's are the parents of the generation of soft, undedicated quitters of today.

This very subject has come up within circles of my coworkers, family and friends over this season. I am SHOCKED at the attitude of our generation's parents. Most of them have no problem with their kids quitting and in many instances encourage it. It's always the coaches fault too.

In my opinion, patting your kid on the back after dumping his/her teammates because of some kind of adversity on a HS sports team is enabling failure.

Free advice...If your kid starts a season, insist he/she finishes that season.

Kids aren't quitting, parents are.

[Jarons]

I agree with everyone. Coach Shearer, you are a class act! I do think that first and
foremost it falls on the parents. I have been accused of taking things to extremes, but
as a parent I decided no reality TV so no TV and cable since 1997. We have movie
nights . Next was XBOX and Playstation, these were privileges only for the weekends.
We didn't play the "Well Johnny down the road gets too" game. School nights are for
studying and family time. Cell phones were a privilege. Screw-up and loose it. If you
need to get me, figure it out, talk to a teacher or coach. Don't expect anything for
nothing! Freedom and the right to do things are earned by efforts made in the
classroom, practice and the community. My kids didn't and don't suffer any mental stress and have actually learned some descent social skills along the way. Secondly,
let the Coaches coach! I played HS football, basketball and baseball, and I can't
remember a practice where there were 20 parents wondering around watching....

My wife and I raise our kids the same way. Even when they have the chance to watch tv, they seldom watch tv. They are too busy playing ball or doing other things outside. For the most part they are well rounded kids so far.

[Jarons]

I don't know if you were joking or not about the lunches...but I believe there is some validity in that statement. Athletes are not getting nearly enough calories during the day.

But back on topic. I think players are softer because of the parents. Parents don't want their children to face any adversity. If they are not getting to play, they are not told they need to work harder... They are told the coach doesn't like them. It's not just in sports. This mentality in general is killing our country.

I want my children to fail from time to time. Failure can be a great teacher.

[Creeker]

Today if you hustle you are (and I quote this from a kid at practice) "Trying to make the rest of us look bad." Its not cool to give 100% anymore its frowned upon by those who are trying to give 60% and just get by.

This is great and dead on!

[mightydog]

I well remember our two a days starting at the crack of dawn, plenty of running and hitting. We never got s water break, it made you week. Plenty of hitting drills that have been outlawed now like bull in the ring with two and three comming at you at once. We even had practice sometimes after a Friday game if we didn't play hard. And it wasn't to walk through plays, it was full pads b---s to the wall hitting. God I loved it

[RunItUpTheGut]

They dont hit as hard.
Mommy said i could get a concussion.

[Gitback Coach]

Kids are the products of their circumstances, and for the most part, I don't think they've changed all that much in my lifetime (I'm 51 years old).

Many of today's parents, however, have lost their everlovin' minds.

[Fly Like a Duck]

This is great and dead on!

As Nick Saban says, "Overachievers don't like Mediocre people and mediocre people don't like overachievers."

[HardToBeat]

Very, Very, Very, Soft...

[Mayfieldsportsfan]

When my son was a freshman he actually had a starter ask him not to go so hard at practice. I told my son to knock him on his ass every time he got a chance.