Club Football: What it has been and What is next?

[Streak One]

Club Football is continuing around the state, most notably at the Winners Circle Athletics in Southern California. It has brought in local teams like Cal Strength, Xclusive Speed and Iron Sharpens Iron. Their season finished this past week.

Now, there is a club league slated to start Friday in Northern California with teams from the Sacramento and Central Valley areas. The Modesto Bee and the Sacramento Bee teamed up to look at the new California Association of Private Schools led by Ripon Christian head coach Phil Grams. Similar to many other club activites, who is playing and even where is not easily found.

The CIF has gone back now to allowing players to play multiple sports and/or club at the same time with the exception of high school football and club football.

Does club football hurt the return of high school football? If the HS season is cancelled, does this push the sport more toward club like basketball and baseball?

 

[Bubba3000]

Many think club football is the future, someday replacing high school football

 

[Paloma]

As long as there is individualism, there is a real chance for club football to become permanent. Funny how the same ideology that created the dominance of private school athletics over public schools may be the very thing that eliminates high school football in California. Or maybe it will just hurt private school sports. I mean why ”pay” $19,000 a year to play football at De La Salle when you can pay a club football team $2000 a year and attend a public school

 

[colhenrylives]

As long as there is individualism, there is a real chance for club football to become permanent. Funny how the same ideology that created the dominance of private school athletics over public schools may be the very thing that eliminates high school football in California. Or maybe it will just hurt private school sports. I mean why ”pay” $19,000 a year to play football at De La Salle when you can pay a club football team $2000 a year and attend a public school

And there are more than a few public school districts that would dearly love to jettison football altogether for any number of reasons, including equipment costs, liability insurance and difficulty finding qualified coaches.

 

[bella123]

Many think club football is the future, someday replacing high school football

And there are more than a few public school districts that would dearly love to jettison football altogether for any number of reasons, including equipment costs, liability insurance and difficulty finding qualified coaches.

Yes, I could see this as the future. I really think
what this shut down has shown is people want to see the kids playing and being on the field and outside. High school or a club team, nobody cares which one, makes zero difference. Whatever it takes, we just want to let this kids get a chance to play

 

[Streak One]

As long as there is individualism, there is a real chance for club football to become permanent. Funny how the same ideology that created the dominance of private school athletics over public schools may be the very thing that eliminates high school football in California. Or maybe it will just hurt private school sports. I mean why ”pay” $19,000 a year to play football at De La Salle when you can pay a club football team $2000 a year and attend a public school

This is an interesting connection I hadn't thought about, especially if club football gets more of a strong hold.

I don't know how long term club footbll is, but they are moving into this void with success

 

[Streak One]

And there are more than a few public school districts that would dearly love to jettison football altogether for any number of reasons, including equipment costs, liability insurance and difficulty finding qualified coaches.

This hits on the point that coming out of this, will all HS sports have to be played at all schools?

 

[Marcskit]

This is an interesting connection I hadn't thought about, especially if club football gets more of a strong hold.

I don't know how long term club footbll is, but they are moving into this void with success

I see a different picture.
Most kids play for there team because it is "HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL".
Sure there will be clubs that would be loaded with the best, but there will be far far fewer of them.
I think we tend to confuse the top 10% who go on to play past High School , with the typical, good school athlete.

Here's wishing you great football.

 

[Bubba3000]

I see a different picture.
Most kids play for there team because it is "HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL".
Sure there will be clubs that would be loaded with the best, but there will be far far fewer of them.
I think we tend to confuse the top 10% who go on to play past High School , with the typical, good school athlete.

Here's wishing you great football.

Not to split hairs but I think I once heard only 2% go on to play division one and another 3% play at the lower levels in college. Excluding DLS and the juggernaughts down south the very best high school teams are those that are loaded with really good players that don't end up playing in college, IMO of course.....

 

[Joke Monkey]

Look at the club soccer model and AAU basketball. There are club soccer coaches making six figure salary's. Lots of $$$ to be made off club football. With the college contacts some of these Highschool coaches have, major money could be made on the club level rather than the teacher salary or the $2500 or so stipend coaches get paid. Plus no school administration to deal with.

 

[Paloma]

Yes, I could see this as the future. I really think
what this shut down has shown is people want to see the kids playing and being on the field and outside. High school or a club team, nobody cares which one, makes zero difference. Whatever it takes, we just want to let this kids get a chance to play

I beg to differ. The same coaches advocating for and leading the Let Them Play movement speak against club football.

 

[Streak One]

I see a different picture.
Most kids play for there team because it is "HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL".
Sure there will be clubs that would be loaded with the best, but there will be far far fewer of them.
I think we tend to confuse the top 10% who go on to play past High School , with the typical, good school athlete.

Here's wishing you great football.

I think we are pretty much in agreement. I thought the point @Paloma made was interesting that if a player/family wanted to best football experience and chose the private school route over their public school now may stick with local public school if they can get their football goals taken care of with a club.

I definitely think high school football isn't in jeopordy of going away and there are endless rationales people can use for what they choose for their high school and prep sports experience. The one from Paloma was an interesting one I hadn't thought about

 

[CoachLop]

I believe club football will not be a thing in the future because of the traditions and pageantry that comes with High School Football. Your student sections and your band, and looking up to those who came before you. Club football will have none of that. Its AAU 7 on 7, now only with lineman. I believe it was a means to an end in California because of Covid. But no kid who plays high school football would trade Friday Night Lights for a glorified weekend club scrimmage.

 

[bella123]

I beg to differ. The same coaches advocating for and leading the Let Them Play movement speak against club football.

I do agree to a point. But $$ talks. If these clubs start paying top dollar as Joke Monkey pointed out you might start to see some top high profile coaches make the jump. No school board losers, no CIF bureaucracies, more control of the parents in a club aspect.

Look at a state like Georgia now. Paying top dollar to HS coaches who are leaving their $5500 year high school jobs in Florida to make 120,000 a year there. It’s not a fluke, it’s a pattern. If some clubs were offering top dollar, I believe you would see coaches even those who are against it now make that leap.

 

[Spartanwhoknows]

Club Football is continuing around the state, most notably at the Winners Circle Athletics in Southern California. It has brought in local teams like Cal Strength, Xclusive Speed and Iron Sharpens Iron. Their season finished this past week.

Now, there is a club league slated to start Friday in Northern California with teams from the Sacramento and Central Valley areas. The Modesto Bee and the Sacramento Bee teamed up to look at the new California Association of Private Schools led by Ripon Christian head coach Phil Grams. Similar to many other club activites, who is playing and even where is not easily found.

The CIF has gone back now to allowing players to play multiple sports and/or club at the same time with the exception of high school football and club football.

Does club football hurt the return of high school football? If the HS season is cancelled, does this push the sport more toward club like basketball and baseball?

Club Football is basically dead if HS Football is approved to play by Gov. Newsome. Under CIF guidelines a player cannot play both Club and HS Football. Other sports are allowed to play both. A player can play HS football and another HS or Club sport but not Football. Club Football is now breaking all of the Covid 19 Guidelines by playing without approval and seriously putting kids in jeopardy.

 

[carmelkyd]

Let's say club football takes hold. Who plays on a club team and where are the club teams located?

Guessing that those who play on a club team (and not on their high school team) are the better players who think (and whose parents think) that club exposure will be more likely to get them a scholarship. If true, the public and even more so the private schools where club teams are located will find their high school teams lacking their best players. And as another poster said above, that probably hurts the private schools more than the publics.

As for the geography of club football teams, I doubt that an area like Monterey County would even be able to field a club team. A lot of geography among a limited number of stud players. More likely club teams would be located in football hotbeds...and geographies with higher and more concentrated populations. Which puts San Jose, the Bay Area, up around DLS and out towards Folsom/Sacramento where you will find most club teams. I think.

Finally, it seems to me that the sooner we can get a clear indication that high schools will be playing football this Fall, the less likely that club football will take hold.

But on the other hand, would club football become a Spring sport? Would the clubs understand that the kids want to play for their high schools in the Fall and then see if they can draw players in the Spring? As a parent I probably would be concerned about the physical demands of two football seasons per year but if me and my kid were really trying to get a scholarship, would I let him play on a club team?

 

[concrete17]

My kid did both club sports and HS participation in swimming and waterpolo (yeh yeh I know it is an apple & oranges comparison with football) but take whatever fruit salad comparison that suites your POV.... the coaching and workouts were much more intense at the club level and for the most part as was the competition levels though there was the occasional athlete who only participated at the HS program/level only because of time commitment (jobs or family restraints) or lack of finances to participate at the club level (annual fees, travel expenses, etc). But the cooperation between HS coaches and club coaches was VERY GOOD even when critical team competitions overlapped. His HS swim coach allow his "club swimmers " to forgo most practices as long as the club swimmers maintained certain national level time standards except for Friday practices which were a team building exercise complete with a carb-loading pasta dinner following practice. The club swim coach always reached out to the HS coach for the season schedule to be sure club training helped prepare the HS swimmers for HS league, district and state championships cycles. Water polo was less an issue because the high seasons for HS and club did not really overlap as much though training was just as intense for both venues.
Crete jr. Liked the competitive level of his club teams more because it was ratcheted up several notches higher than HS by the kids themselves but he was always happy & proud to wear his HS colors as well during the appropriate season. One upside of the HS season was the competing against his fellow club compadres under a different flag......bragging rights was a high motivator.

Coaches in both endeavors helped in his college recruitment but it was his own achievements and his own active outreach which
earned the biggest attention/awareness returns from college coaches.

I think that should club football take hold there will be period of confusion and nostalgic anguish for some but when the dust settles there will an amenable acceptance by many.
The day of 'State' meaning our own special college team and Friday night headlight booster caravans to away HS games are fond memories of years gone by but we'll survive. Look how our predecessors and fathers/mothers got by without the sports blogs, internet and NorCal Preps when we were coming up (Shee-yi-iit, I typed this out on my telephone in the palm of my hand !) better than Dick Tracy's wrist phone! Imagine 'splaining that to your dad and grandad when you were back in HS......

High slumpCrete.......................Out

 

[Bubba3000]

Crete, with the physical nature of water polo, I think it mirrors football in many ways. I see nothing wrong with playing club and HS football as long as they aren't both happening at the same time. It would be better if they were played six months apart, so the body can heal.

 

[Streak One]

Club Football is basically dead if HS Football is approved to play by Gov. Newsome. Under CIF guidelines a player cannot play both Club and HS Football. Other sports are allowed to play both. A player can play HS football and another HS or Club sport but not Football. Club Football is now breaking all of the Covid 19 Guidelines by playing without approval and seriously putting kids in jeopardy.

I agree that club football takes the back seat with HS football back, but this is somewhat new terrain for prep football. And I don't think it just goes back to zero when HS football gets going whether it is next month or next August.

 

[Bubba3000]

I agree that club football takes the back seat with HS football back, but this is somewhat new terrain for prep football. And I don't think it just goes back to zero when HS football gets going whether it is next month or next August.

I think club football will always hold appeal to the segment of the population that is putting a high priority on getting recruited for a college scholarship. Playing club football isn't necessary to earn a scholarship, but it provides additional exposure in addition to high school football. Film from club football is probably against stiffer competition, generally speaking. When I look at a guy's film the wild card is always how good was his competition? Guys that move on to play in college are almost always dominant at the high school level. Obviously, college recruiters have a sharper eye for this than me and their livelyhood depends on it.

 

[WCAL75]

My kid did both club sports and HS participation in swimming and waterpolo (yeh yeh I know it is an apple & oranges comparison with football) but take whatever fruit salad comparison that suites your POV.... the coaching and workouts were much more intense at the club level and for the most part as was the competition levels though there was the occasional athlete who only participated at the HS program/level only because of time commitment (jobs or family restraints) or lack of finances to participate at the club level (annual fees, travel expenses, etc). But the cooperation between HS coaches and club coaches was VERY GOOD even when critical team competitions overlapped. His HS swim coach allow his "club swimmers " to forgo most practices as long as the club swimmers maintained certain national level time standards except for Friday practices which were a team building exercise complete with a carb-loading pasta dinner following practice. The club swim coach always reached out to the HS coach for the season schedule to be sure club training helped prepare the HS swimmers for HS league, district and state championships cycles. Water polo was less an issue because the high seasons for HS and club did not really overlap as much though training was just as intense for both venues.
Crete jr. Liked the competitive level of his club teams more because it was ratcheted up several notches higher than HS by the kids themselves but he was always happy & proud to wear his HS colors as well during the appropriate season. One upside of the HS season was the competing against his fellow club compadres under a different flag......bragging rights was a high motivator.

Coaches in both endeavors helped in his college recruitment but it was his own achievements and his own active outreach which
earned the biggest attention/awareness returns from college coaches.

I think that should club football take hold there will be period of confusion and nostalgic anguish for some but when the dust settles there will an amenable acceptance by many.
The day of 'State' meaning our own special college team and Friday night headlight booster caravans to away HS games are fond memories of years gone by but we'll survive. Look how our predecessors and fathers/mothers got by without the sports blogs, internet and NorCal Preps when we were coming up (Shee-yi-iit, I typed this out on my telephone in the palm of my hand !) better than Dick Tracy's wrist phone! Imagine 'splaining that to your dad and grandad when you were back in HS......

High slumpCrete.......................Out

Good post. You informed me.

I’m not sure what phone you have but if you have an option to use your voice, that’s the way to go.

 

[Streak One]

I think club football will always hold appeal to the segment of the population that is putting a high priority on getting recruited for a college scholarship. Playing club football isn't necessary to earn a scholarship, but it provides additional exposure in addition to high school football. Film from club football is probably against stiffer competition, generally speaking. When I look at a guy's film the wild card is always how good was his competition? Guys that move on to play in college are almost always dominant at the high school level. Obviously, college recruiters have a sharper eye for this than me and their livelyhood depends on it.

I agree @Bubba3000. And depending on the situation, High School could be better than club competition and vice versa. It could also be a route for someone who doesn't like their high school situation could go club if they are played concurrently.

Best analogy I have for what club football could do to HS football once we return to normal is when the NBA let high schoolers enter the draft. It had a real impact on college basketball without those guys, but overall the sport carried on as is with the interet/pagentry of it all

 

[Joke Monkey]

Playing in a league like the WCAL and EBAL is one thing but the " Friday Night Lights" aspect does not exist at a lot of schools. All Star Club teams sponsored by Adidas, Nike ect with high caliber coaches, college contacts , off season workouts and tutoring is not a stretch. College coaches could see 30-40 in one day at club football tournaments. The former Menlo Atherton coach just started up an all inclusive "college prep" program with Top Flight Sports that could easily make the jump to Club football. Again there is big $$$ sitting out there untapped for football that coaches from soccer, baseball, basketball , volleyball ect. have been earning for years. 11 v 11 Football is that last sport club hasn't taken over yet. In every other sport club teams are a higher level . In soccer top players don't even play for their high school.

Personally I want high school football to remain the top dog but sadly I think Covid and the state dragging their feet on letting kids play has let the Genie out of the bottle.

 

[bella123]

My kid did both club sports and HS participation in swimming and waterpolo (yeh yeh I know it is an apple & oranges comparison with football) but take whatever fruit salad comparison that suites your POV.... the coaching and workouts were much more intense at the club level and for the most part as was the competition levels though there was the occasional athlete who only participated at the HS program/level only because of time commitment (jobs or family restraints) or lack of finances to participate at the club level (annual fees, travel expenses, etc). But the cooperation between HS coaches and club coaches was VERY GOOD even when critical team competitions overlapped. His HS swim coach allow his "club swimmers " to forgo most practices as long as the club swimmers maintained certain national level time standards except for Friday practices which were a team building exercise complete with a carb-loading pasta dinner following practice. The club swim coach always reached out to the HS coach for the season schedule to be sure club training helped prepare the HS swimmers for HS league, district and state championships cycles. Water polo was less an issue because the high seasons for HS and club did not really overlap as much though training was just as intense for both venues.
Crete jr. Liked the competitive level of his club teams more because it was ratcheted up several notches higher than HS by the kids themselves but he was always happy & proud to wear his HS colors as well during the appropriate season. One upside of the HS season was the competing against his fellow club compadres under a different flag......bragging rights was a high motivator.

Coaches in both endeavors helped in his college recruitment but it was his own achievements and active outreach which
earned the biggest attention/awareness returns from college coaches.

I think that should club football take hold there will be period of confusion and nostalgic anguish for some but when the dust settles there will an amenable acceptance by many.
The day of 'State' meaning our own special college team and Friday night headlight booster caravans to away HS games are fond memories of years gone by but we'll survive. Look how our predecessors and fathers/mothers got by without the sports blogs, internet and NorCal Preps when we were coming up (Shee-yi-iit, I typed this out on my telephone in the palm of my hand !) better than Dick Tracy's wrist phone! Imagine 'plaining that to your dad and grandad when you were back in HS......

High slumpCrete.......................Out

Great post. My kid had experience with both club and high school. She liked the level of commitment in club a lot more, but she did like playing high school.

The playing Friday night lights stuff, and nostalgia of high school football 😂. Kids these days could care less. Totally different generation that doesn’t even think twice about the band and that stuff. They would rather play in front of 100 people, but get 10k likes on intstatram or til tok video they post of them making a sick catch or hit.

 

[Bubba3000]

Great post. My kid had experience with both club and high school. She liked the level of commitment in club a lot more, but she did like playing high school.

The playing Friday night lights stuff, and nostalgia of high school football 😂. Kids these days could care less. Totally different generation that doesn’t even think twice about the band and that stuff. They would rather play in front of 100 people, but get 10k likes on intstatram or til tok video they post of them making a sick catch or hit.

The kids you're describing are the one's someone had to talk into coming out for high school football. The hard core kids still love the Friday night lights. Even though my son enjoyed the challenge of playing in college, he freely admits high school was the most fun. What's not to like about playing ball with guys you went to elementary and/or middle school with and kicking most guys butts on the field. In college and especially on scholarship there's a feeling that they own you to some extent.

 

[northbayfb]

Sad but I think most of you are right. Two things HS has over Club. 1.) Crowds at your game. Friday Night Lights still occur at most schools. Currently 7x7 is just a gathering of families. There's no connection for anyone else to attend. 2) Influence over a student's progress over academic issues, not illegal influence (talking about access to grades, study hall, tutor, etc.). There will always be haves and have nots, there isn't equity between Alabama and Western Kentucky and there won't be equity at the Club Level. A lot of Club teams will start and close. And the Club scene will be dominated by one or two local Club teams. It's going to be hard for the mid-level teams to get long term support.

IMG is basically a national Club HS team with multiple varsity teams that has academic control. I envision a select few across the country to follow this model and ultimately conduct their own national playoff.

The model that Private High schools successfully used was administrative support for sports. Public High Schools will always be fighting an uphill battle depending upon whether they can garner administrative support for football.

 

[bella123]

The kids you're describing are the one's someone had to talk into coming out for high school football. The hard core kids still love the Friday night lights. Even though my son enjoyed the challenge of playing in college, he freely admits high school was the most fun. What's not to like about playing ball with guys you went to elementary and/or middle school with and kicking most guys butts on the field. In college and especially on scholarship there's a feeling that they own you to some extent.

Thata good to hear. Just being around friends who have kids that play or have played in high school, I just never hear them say anything about that part of playing (or the band etc.). They may talk about a play or the some of the game but never hear them say, “man you should have heard that student section and did they have their Pom Pom waving in synch, it was awesome “. Never hear about bonfires and rallies and pranks against other school. I just don’t get that vibe that the whole town shuts down anymore. Hell, @colhenrylives could probably give us a recount of getting off of liberty ship
in the port of SF in 1945. Stripping out of his class A’s Putting on his three-piece suit hat and walking down to Kezar are with 65,000 other fans and watching Poly versus Lowell in the big game .

Now your son, and other people I know whose kids have played on to play college. The probably look back fondly at it because they were still playing a game. Once beyond that level it’s more like a job and less of a game.

 

[mistark]

If the best/qualified HS football coaches decide to shift to Club then it will be viable. If HS-CIF football reopens, most of the head coaches are also teachers, and will probably remain at the HS. We shall see.

 

[Paloma]

I believe club football will not be a thing in the future because of the traditions and pageantry that comes with High School Football. Your student sections and your band, and looking up to those who came before you. Club football will have none of that. Its AAU 7 on 7, now only with lineman. I believe it was a means to an end in California because of Covid. But no kid who plays high school football would trade Friday Night Lights for a glorified weekend club scrimmage.

They will if College coaches start actively and publicly recruiting club ball like they do at the other club sports. That’s why parents put their kids in it to begin with. Similar to the reason parents send their kids to the top high school football programs. Because they think it will improve the chances of their kids playing at the college level. Ask the schools struggling to fill a Varsity roster, let alone JV and Frosh rosters, about the value and influence of school spirit.

 

[Streak One]

The California Association of Private Schools had their games postponed this past weekend. Sounds like section got involved with possible sanctions.

 

[Streak One]

The California Association of Private Schools had their games postponed this past weekend. Sounds like section got involved with possible sanctions.

The Sacramento Bee is reporting that there was a game at Capital Christian on Friday night.

 

[MJ2014]

The California Association of Private Schools had their games postponed this past weekend. Sounds like section got involved with possible sanctions.

Good for them and the kids playing. The big risk is if the Section should decide to do an audit to see if the clubs are all in compliance. If

 

[EN_FB_Alum]

The Sacramento Bee is reporting that there was a game at Capital Christian on Friday night.

There was a game at CC on Sat afternoon.

 

[Spartanwhoknows]

There was a game at CC on Sat afternoon.

The first major injury will be the end of a Club Football League. The Insurance needed, certified trainers at games, Licensed doctors at games, Ambulances close by and so on. I personally would not want to be involved with this almost guaranteed financially crushing endeavor. Maybe that is why it has not been done before. High School Coaches in most cases teach at the school they coach, Wat too risky for them to get involved, Soccer, Basketball, Lacrosse Etc. are not even close to the potential injury risk in 11 on 11 Tackle football. This is a personal injury attorney's dream case.

 

[Streak One]

The first major injury will be the end of a Club Football League. The Insurance needed, certified trainers at games, Licensed doctors at games, Ambulances close by and so on. I personally would not want to be involved with this almost guaranteed financially crushing endeavor. Maybe that is why it has not been done before. High School Coaches in most cases teach at the school they coach, Wat too risky for them to get involved, Soccer, Basketball, Lacrosse Etc. are not even close to the potential injury risk in 11 on 11 Tackle football. This is a personal injury attorney's dream case.

This is my issue with club football too. I wonder how much of it is insured or if they are just hoping nothing goes wrong

 

[Spartanwhoknows]

This is my issue with club football too. I wonder how much of it is insured or if they are just hoping nothing goes wrong

The Football Clubs cannot buy enough insurance to cover the liability. All High School programs have sufficient liability coverage, safety protocols developed over many years and trained medical and coaching staffs. Just having a parent sign a waiver will not stop a personal injury attorney from going after the Club Staff, coaches, Directors and owners. This is a Time Bomb that is waiting to happen. 7 on 7 is doable, still risky but doable. 11 on 11 a totally different story.

 

[RedZone90]

The CEO of Winner’s Circle Champions League in So Cal says “The league is using experienced officials, athletic trainers and has paramedics on site each weekend, and it meets all liability insurance requirements.”