WOODSIDEWILDCATS
FOOTBALL
Football is universally recognized as the “ultimate TEAM sport.” The success of every play depends on 11 players executing very specific tasks in unison. Each position is so unique, yet so dependent on each other, it makes for a challenging and FUN sport that is unlike any other.
Football & Life
In addition to the more obvious advantages of aerobic and anaerobic fitness, playing high school football provides a number of other benefits that extend beyond the football field:
Confidence, How to compete, discipline, how to lead, how to follow, accountability, handling adversity, making sacrifices, perseverance, and of course, TEAMWORK.
High School Football
There are few experiences in high school that can compare to the thrill of playing under the “Friday Night Lights.” As members of the football team, we are ambassadors of not only our school, but our communities. There is no mistaking the huge role that football plays in the culture and identity of a high school, and we love having players who take ownership of that role.
Concussion Fears
The research and discussion around CTE is necessary and encouraged. However, it’s important to distinguish the hysteria from the real, practical concerns regarding head trauma.
Schools have gotten so much better at identifying concussion symptoms that it’s important to note that an increase in the number of concussion diagnosis doesn’t necessarily signify an increase in actual concussions.
Nationwide, studies have shown that the majority of football concussions at the high school level occur at practice, rather than during games. At Woodside High School, because of the way that we practice, and the way that we teach the game, we have greatly minimized the number of in-practice concussions our athletes endure. Our coaches work closely with the on-site athletic trainer to educate and evaluate our players on concussions.
With the combination of increased awareness, new-age practicing methods, and a continued devotion to the safety of our players, football is safer now than it has ever been in any other point of its existence.
Football is universally recognized as the “ultimate TEAM sport.” The success of every play depends on 11 players executing very specific tasks in unison. Each position is so unique, yet so dependent on each other, it makes for a challenging and FUN sport that is unlike any other.
Football & Life
In addition to the more obvious advantages of aerobic and anaerobic fitness, playing high school football provides a number of other benefits that extend beyond the football field:
Confidence, How to compete, discipline, how to lead, how to follow, accountability, handling adversity, making sacrifices, perseverance, and of course, TEAMWORK.
High School Football
There are few experiences in high school that can compare to the thrill of playing under the “Friday Night Lights.” As members of the football team, we are ambassadors of not only our school, but our communities. There is no mistaking the huge role that football plays in the culture and identity of a high school, and we love having players who take ownership of that role.
Concussion Fears
The research and discussion around CTE is necessary and encouraged. However, it’s important to distinguish the hysteria from the real, practical concerns regarding head trauma.
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Schools have gotten so much better at identifying concussion symptoms that it’s important to note that an increase in the number of concussion diagnosis doesn’t necessarily signify an increase in actual concussions.
Nationwide, studies have shown that the majority of football concussions at the high school level occur at practice, rather than during games. At Woodside High School, because of the way that we practice, and the way that we teach the game, we have greatly minimized the number of in-practice concussions our athletes endure. Our coaches work closely with the on-site athletic trainer to educate and evaluate our players on concussions.
With the combination of increased awareness, new-age practicing methods, and a continued devotion to the safety of our players, football is safer now than it has ever been in any other point of its existence.
So, Should I Play?
Ultimately, the decision to play football will need to be made by the prospective player and his/her family. Football is demanding, requires a huge time commitment, and it will push and challenge players in ways they’ve never before been challenged. However, the role that it plays in developing selfless, confident young men of character cannot be overlooked. As coaches, one of our greatest joys is in seeing the transformations that players make over the course of their football careers. Players who take on football later on (as 11th and 12th graders) typically regret not playing sooner because of how positive the experience was for them (in addition to lamenting not reaching their true potential due to their late start).
For many, the numerous benefits of playing high school football far outweigh the risks. The memories and friendships that are forged on the field and in the locker rooms stay with them long after they’re done playing. When players look back on it several years later, they can't help but to appreciate the positive impact that football has had on their lives.
