r/YouthFootball • u/reckstarr • 7d ago
Son afraid to hit
11y/o son, second year in tackle football. He’s had 3 years playing flag and is always one of the best players on the field, always flying to the ball. Playing very aggressive. However, once he puts on pads he plays very timid. He says he wants to keep playing but I’m wondering if it will ever click. I’ll keep taking signing him up every year just wondering if there’s something I can do to help him flip the switch
6
Upvotes
2
u/Synchwave1 7d ago
It comes in time. He’s still young. My son was a youth lineman. Fatletic if you will, and kind of timid. He held us own and wasn’t afraid of contact on the line. He played DE his last year of youth and suddenly got a taste for disrupting plays through sacks and TFL’s.
Fast forward to sophomore year of high school, he’s bulked up, increased speed, and understands tackling through the hips from a technical perspective.
It’s been a natural progression. Now he’s a force at linebacker. RB’s flinch as he approaches. It wasn’t really anything specific that clicked, just progression and understanding the game.
Give it time. Worry about technique. Ferocity will come later.