Pop Warner does football (and cheer) leagues for ages 5 to 16. There are other similar orgs, but it’s the biggest. Some areas even have football for 3-4 year olds. Some of the rules are intended to reduce injuries (no kickoffs for example), but the biggest risk increase (for my model) is simple the increase in exposures. If you play football 7th-12th grade it’s maybe 500 exposures (game or practice). If you start in 1st grade you’re at least doubling the exposures, plus you might be doing other football leagues as well.
Higher exposures, more non-concussion head knocks. Of course the smaller kids don’t hit as hard, but some games (afaik) have pretty big weight discrepancies even though the rules try to prevent it.
Pop Warner does football (and cheer) leagues for ages 5 to 16. There are other similar orgs, but it’s the biggest. Some areas even have football for 3-4 year olds. Some of the rules are intended to reduce injuries (no kickoffs for example), but the biggest risk increase (for my model) is simple the increase in exposures. If you play football 7th-12th grade it’s maybe 500 exposures (game or practice). If you start in 1st grade you’re at least doubling the exposures, plus you might be doing other football leagues as well.
Higher exposures, more non-concussion head knocks. Of course the smaller kids don’t hit as hard, but some games (afaik) have pretty big weight discrepancies even though the rules try to prevent it.