In reading through some of the posts re; recent incidents of on the field fights, there are some things I just don’t “get” and I feel like some of it is a regional perspective I don’t have because I’m not a Sacramento or CA native? Speaking as an “old school” guy from the Midwest, I feel like my experiences are different than what I’m seeing today. Some of these are related to changes over time, others may be regional. Without speaking to specifics of any school or incident, I’d like to hear others thoughts. So a few observations;
* Pre-game antics; I see a lot of theatrics, from strutting and posturing to actual staged “skits” long before the game even starts. I suppose these are intended to be a mental mind game to hype up a team and intimidate an opponent. Not sure that it was in any way disallowed when I was a kid, but I know coaches wouldn’t tolerate it. Used to be that you were told to “focus on the game” and get ready to compete. If you wanted to intimidate or dominate your opponent, that’s why they gave you pads and a helmet? Get after it from whistle to whistle and demonstrate your dominance when it counts.
* “Talking” during the game; Seems incredible to me that this could upset anyone during a game? I grew up in a simplistic time that pretty much was covered under the “sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me!” Again, IF I have a beef and WANT TO hurt someone, as soon as that ball moves I have license to whoop that a$$ until the whistle blows? And racial slurs? Really? Is there a team anywhere that is monolithic? One of the beauties of the game is that it takes kids of all races, religions and financial backgrounds WORKING TOGETHER to be successful. As one of the few “white kids” on my HS team, unless the racial slur was coming from a teammate I could give 2 $hits what another team says. Beyond that, I talked smack ALL DAY! I’d rag on a kids hair, socks, lack of speed or strength, ask if he had any pics of his mother or girlfriend (and then tell him I’d give him some of mine) and heaven forbid if I beat him on a play...and if I ticked them off? Well the next time the ball moves, I’ll be right here waiting...come get some!
* Fans on the field; This is totally foreign to me. We had our fair share of fights in the parking lot after the game or getting on the bus but there was NEVER anyone inside the track that wasn’t either playing, coaching or officiating. I get the sense that some folks think this is a “warm fuzzy” of small town charm that is part of the Friday night experience. In reality, it’s a recipe for disaster! I see some schools that line the edges of the field and end zones with every joe that ever wore a helmet or bought a ticket? There is ZERO reason for those people to be there. If you bought a ticket, get your a$$ in a seat and cheer on your team. The sense of entitlement is incredible. I’ve seen adults shouting at HS kids and officials at the edge of the field in a way that would get them arrested in any other context. These people somehow feel that they’re “special” and shouldn’t be required to sit with the “common folks” in the stands. Sorry to burst the bubble, but if you aren’t coaching, playing or officiating, you have no place on the field! I don’t care how many championships you won “back in the day”, how many beers you’ve shared with the coach, how many dollars you donated or how many “cousins” you have on the team, you don’t belong on the field.
I’ve seen all of the above as contributing / mitigating factors in things going south in aHS football game. I’d be interested in hearing others observations & experiences as well as any feedback supporting or contradicting my views. At the end of the day, it’s a game played by kids that should be teaching life lessons and creating memories for a lifetime. Whatever can be done to stop it from becoming a senseless mosh pit or gang fight should be considered.
.....stepping down off the soapbox.
* Pre-game antics; I see a lot of theatrics, from strutting and posturing to actual staged “skits” long before the game even starts. I suppose these are intended to be a mental mind game to hype up a team and intimidate an opponent. Not sure that it was in any way disallowed when I was a kid, but I know coaches wouldn’t tolerate it. Used to be that you were told to “focus on the game” and get ready to compete. If you wanted to intimidate or dominate your opponent, that’s why they gave you pads and a helmet? Get after it from whistle to whistle and demonstrate your dominance when it counts.
* “Talking” during the game; Seems incredible to me that this could upset anyone during a game? I grew up in a simplistic time that pretty much was covered under the “sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me!” Again, IF I have a beef and WANT TO hurt someone, as soon as that ball moves I have license to whoop that a$$ until the whistle blows? And racial slurs? Really? Is there a team anywhere that is monolithic? One of the beauties of the game is that it takes kids of all races, religions and financial backgrounds WORKING TOGETHER to be successful. As one of the few “white kids” on my HS team, unless the racial slur was coming from a teammate I could give 2 $hits what another team says. Beyond that, I talked smack ALL DAY! I’d rag on a kids hair, socks, lack of speed or strength, ask if he had any pics of his mother or girlfriend (and then tell him I’d give him some of mine) and heaven forbid if I beat him on a play...and if I ticked them off? Well the next time the ball moves, I’ll be right here waiting...come get some!
* Fans on the field; This is totally foreign to me. We had our fair share of fights in the parking lot after the game or getting on the bus but there was NEVER anyone inside the track that wasn’t either playing, coaching or officiating. I get the sense that some folks think this is a “warm fuzzy” of small town charm that is part of the Friday night experience. In reality, it’s a recipe for disaster! I see some schools that line the edges of the field and end zones with every joe that ever wore a helmet or bought a ticket? There is ZERO reason for those people to be there. If you bought a ticket, get your a$$ in a seat and cheer on your team. The sense of entitlement is incredible. I’ve seen adults shouting at HS kids and officials at the edge of the field in a way that would get them arrested in any other context. These people somehow feel that they’re “special” and shouldn’t be required to sit with the “common folks” in the stands. Sorry to burst the bubble, but if you aren’t coaching, playing or officiating, you have no place on the field! I don’t care how many championships you won “back in the day”, how many beers you’ve shared with the coach, how many dollars you donated or how many “cousins” you have on the team, you don’t belong on the field.
I’ve seen all of the above as contributing / mitigating factors in things going south in aHS football game. I’d be interested in hearing others observations & experiences as well as any feedback supporting or contradicting my views. At the end of the day, it’s a game played by kids that should be teaching life lessons and creating memories for a lifetime. Whatever can be done to stop it from becoming a senseless mosh pit or gang fight should be considered.
.....stepping down off the soapbox.