21 Minutes of Sports....getting our kids through the tough times

This past week I enjoyed watching parents play with their kids on the beach. Some of those kids could play all day. Others would have been content to sit down and be left alone.  Helping our kids be active is sometimes necessary.

When John Combs was little, he was not much into sports or being active, although he did love being around my football teams and the players/coaches. To get him to be more active, we came up with "21 minutes of sports."  Each day, he and I would play basketball for 7 minutes, baseball for 7 minutes, and football for 7 minutes. We had variety and it went by fast. It was also a deliberate way we would spend time together.

John Combs as the waterboy & later as linebacker

Later, he would play football in little league, middle school, and high school. Although I certainly encouraged him, he chose to run indoor track in HS to improve his speed for football. He would tell you now that he is very glad he chose to play football. Individually and as a team, he enjoyed alot of success on the field.   I am really glad we encouraged him to be active at a time he did not really want to go outside and do much.

Trosper, on the other hand, has lived outside playing sports. The number of sprints, passes, punts, kicks, catches, shots, etc. are through the roof. The only thing that ended some of his days outside was that the sun would finally go down.  There will be several Friday nights for him that he will be reliving scenarios that he imagined and already played in the front yard.  "21 minutes of sports" would have been his warm up.

Trosper's birthday present one year was a football field painted in the front yard

As we get ready for preseason football, get ready to hear.... "it is not fun anymore", "my heart isn't in it", etc. The toughest part of football season is right around the corner. There will be times that many kids will feel like quitting. Don't let them. No one wants to "make" their child do something. But, the reality is that many kids do WANT to be football players and they want to experience Friday nights. But, because of the grind & heat, there are those moments that are tough and not much fun.  When our kids get to those points, don't let them give into their feelings. HELP them get through the tough time so they can have that experience. They will be glad you helped them.  And, what a great life lesson and concept for them going forward as adults.

I am 52 years old and the son of a HS football coach. The first football season I remember well I was 4 years old. In 48 years, I have heard many guys say the regretted quitting football. I have never heard one guy say they played football and it was a mistake.

Help your son over the next few weeks when things get tough. Don't let him give into those moments he is tired, hot and overwhelmed. Those Friday nights will be here, and gone, before you know it.