inthestands wrote:StanleyCup55 wrote:What if we took the face masks off and even wore less padding? Athletes wear a ton of protection nowadays and there are more injuries than ever. Taking checking out of Pee Wees doesn't help the situation either, unless you're going to get rid of checking at all levels. Kids learning to deliver and take hits at age 14 and 15 instead of 12 or 13... I just think that was a step in the wrong direction to prevent injuries and a step in the right direction towards putting more kids at risk of being severly injured. Or maybe it's the start of abolishing hits for good. In 100 years, the only sport that will exist is golf, but that will probably be considered too dangerous too because you could get hit by a golf ball and die. People just need to man up. If it's too physical for you or your kids, do something else... play basketball. There are plenty of alternatives. The thing I can't understand is why people always feel we should accomidate their needs? If you don't like something the way it is and you don't call the shots, then do something else.
You ask some very good questions.
All sports today are at a much higher speed than 20 years ago. The protection has improved drastically and gives the participants much more confidence.
When hockey players didn't have total face protection, most players had respect for their counterparts as well as themselves. Overall pucks and hits were lower. As the protection increased, so did the aggression.
I'm not sure what's right or wrong, but the concussion issues today weren't nearly as prevalent in the past. That's just one area of major change. Boxing, Football, Hockey and on and on.. Take a look at professional soccer.. The concussion outlook for that sport is much different than the more "protected" sports we are used to seeing.
I would bet the kids are also stronger and bigger themselves.
I'm not sure I'd say the concussion issues today weren't nearly as prevalent in the past.
More of a "weren't nearly as much attention paid to them" vs. a higher number of them today, I believe.
I remember getting a couple concussions, during football practice, when I was in high school.
Saw stars, black, the whole nine yards.
Never even mentioned them to the coach at the time, just kept on practicing.
