The ultimate gift for your child: the lifelong benefits of football

High school tackle football is a sport that can have a significant impact on the confidence of young athletes. Participation in tackle football can help students develop a strong sense of self-esteem, teamwork skills, and determination, all of which can contribute to increased confidence. And here is the proof.

When I first joined the Warriors (our high school tackle team), I struggled majorly from a lack of confidence. I did not believe in myself growing up. I always second-guessed myself and usually chose "inaction" over "being wrong" because I didn't have the tools to deal with even the smallest failure. I felt a need to groom an image of "perfection". But perfection is only possible without an attempt. You never lose when you don't try.

This held me back for years. In school, I would rather skip a test than get a 70. In social settings, I'd rather be alone than say something that might embarrass me. I never would have dreamt that one day I could possibly be considered a leader (although I wished I could). I felt i couldn't get things right, that I didn't really have much value or significance and that I was pretty much alone.

When I started playing, I started out as the quiet one. I never considered myself a leader on the team. But in my second year, that changed.

We were playing a rivalry game against another Jerusalem team (sadly, they no longer exist). We were down a lot of players to injury, and I had to play offense, defense, and special teams. I didn't come off the field for the entire game. And I was having one of the best games I have ever had.

I remember that game something in me changed. I was calling out to my teammates, Directing them. Calling out plays. Leading. It just happened. And I loved it. We need the win to make the playoffs, and we won.

Since then, I have been obsessed with this journey. I have seen it happen to countless players that I have coached. I've seen the switch happen in real time too many times to count.

My experience can be broken down into three important parts which are scientificaly proven:

• One way that tackle football can increase confidence is through the development of physical skills and fitness. According to a study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, participation in tackle football can lead to improved physical fitness, including increased muscle strength and endurance (Micali et al., 2018). By improving their physical capabilities, young athletes may feel more confident in their ability to perform on the field and in other areas of their lives.

I never could have played every snap like I did that game without that development in my own fitness by playing for two years, and I never would have had the experience in the first place.

• In addition to physical benefits, tackle football can also provide mental and emotional benefits that can contribute to increased confidence. For example, participation in tackle football can help young people to develop teamwork skills, communication skills, and leadership skills (Gentile et al., 2009).

For me, this happened when I started to communicate on the field and lead my teammates.

• Football can also provide young people with a sense of belonging and community. By joining a team and working towards a common goal, students may feel more connected to their school and community, which can contribute to increased confidence (Lench et al., 2016).

This was the ultimate one for me. I suddenly felt a sense of purpose, and belonging. And that changed everything!

Overall, it is clear that high school tackle football can have a significant impact on the confidence of young athletes. By providing physical, mental, and emotional benefits, as well as a sense of belonging, tackle football can help students to develop a strong sense of self-esteem and determination, which can translate into increased confidence in all areas of their lives.

References:

Eisenberg, M. E., Wall, M., Neumark-Sztainer, D., Story, M., & Fulkerson, J. A. (2004). Participation in sports and high school students' health behaviors. Journal of Adolescent Health, 35(1), 42-50.

Gentile, D. A., Reimer, R. A., Nathanson, A. I., Walsh, D. A., & Russel, D. W. (2009). The effects of sport participation on youth development. Pediatrics, 124(6), 1586-1591.

Lench, H. C., Green, L., & Crossman, J. (2016). The role of social identity in team sport participation and psychological well-being among high school students. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 22, 42-50.

Micali, N., Bernardi, S., Tambalis, K. D., Tsigos, C., & Sotiropoulos, A. (2018). Physical fitness and anthropometric characteristics of Greek high school male football players. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 58(1), 68-75.

Wiggins, M. S., Martin, J. E., & Kulinna, P. H.