Coaches Dislike Bill to Restrict Tackling in High School Football
By: Eugene Daniel
Updated: March 4, 2013
EAST PEORIA - Some football
coaches think a newly proposed state bill could block them from teaching the
most fundamental part of the game.
Each year, thousands of
kids play football in the state of Illinois, and all of them learn how to
tackle. And one lawmaker's attempt to
tackle concussions isn't sitting well with coaches.
Doug Martin, East
Peoria head football coach, says his number one priority is the safety of the
kids on his team. But lately, something else has him fired up.
"I would be very
nervous on Friday nights," he said.
He's talking about
House Bill 1205. The recently proposed asks
to limit tackling in high school football to one practice per week. It's latest
play to reduce concussions in sports, and was proposed by Rep. Carol Sente,
D-Lincolnshire.
But does it open the
field for other injuries? Martin thinks so when you take away the ability of
coach to teach tackling in a controlled environment.
"Remove yourself from the
concussion discussion altogether, then I think you also have to concern about
neck injuries," said Martin. "That to me, if you say concussions is here as far
as coaches' concern, that's right along with it."
The IHSA is against the
bill. It already has rules in place to address sports concussions, and feels no
need for legislators to further restrict tackling in the game.
"We actually think
that's counterproductive," said Marty Hickman, IHSA executive director. "One of
the things our coaches have to do is teach our kids how to lock and tackle. And
we don't think they can do that if you can only tackle one day per week."
Martin believes more
can always be done when it comes to the safety of athletes. So he understands
where the bill is coming from, but he does not agree.
"The spirit of the
bill is coming from the right place. We're trying to make sure we're providing
a safe environment for kids to participate in football. I understand that is the
spirit, but I think it's just a little misguided," he said.
Martin says some
coaches have suggested other options like requiring a certification for
properly fitting a helmet.
A committee hearing for
this bill is scheduled for Wednesday.
