Non-Contact Youth Football Camps Become Mainstream

Recently non-contact youth football camps have gained popularity among youth coaches and parents as a safer, more effective alternative to full-equipment, live-tackle summer camps. They certainly carry less risk of injury, and are an amazing way for kids, even non-football players, to condition, develop skill and stay active outside of traditional school sports seasons.

Even more, football’s move to a non-contact platform has opened the door to a more diverse crowd of young athletes--one that loves football, but chooses to play soccer or hockey during the fall season.

“We see a wide variety of kids of all athletic backgrounds,” says Tom Finks--program director for Chicago Bears Youth Football Camps. “Obviously dedicated football players make up the greatest number, as they seek to get an edge for upcoming tryouts, but there’s definitely a large number of soccer and hockey players-- who, surprisingly, give even our experienced football players a run for their money.”

While designed for football, hockey, soccer and lacrosse players benefit greatly from football oriented practice curricula. Football players must run, throw, catch and defend while demonstrating a variety of athletic tasks. They twist, turn and sprint for the ball--deploying finely tuned motor skills. And these skills translate seamlessly between sports. An athlete only stands to benefit from improved speed, motor control, and agility.

Additionally, within a non-contact football platform, players learn Heads Up blocking and tackling techniques so they become better, safer players. Many of these “safe-approach-to-contact” principles taught at Chicago Bears Youth Football Camps apply favorably to contact situations in hockey, lacrosse and other sports.

Finks of the Chicago Bears Youth Football Camps agrees. “Football camps are first and foremost about athletic development--running, throwing and catching and that helps every athlete regardless of the sport. I am so happy to see parents finally recognize this fact. Multi-sport athletes are better athletes, and I believe they are happier kids as well.”

Camps like the Chicago Bears Youth Football camps have benefited from many parents realizing that cross-trained athletes have the best chance for long-term athletic success. The Chicago Bears, partners with USA Football and Pro Sports Experience, provide kids ages 6-14 with the opportunity to master the fundamentals of football and stay active during the summer. Their week long camps are led by USA Football Head’s Up Certified Coaches and actual NFL Alumni, and feature cutting edge drills designed to turn their campers into better, safer football players.

If you don’t believe cross training matters, consider the outcome of the recent NFL Draft. An incredible 91% of draftees picked in rounds one through three were multi-sport athletes in high school.

Looking to cross train through football? Try Chicago Bears Youth Football Camps at Barbara Rose Elementary School.