eye of the tiger

Question
Hello,

     My son is in his second year of pee wee football, he is 8 years old. I have an older son who played four years of high school football. I never pushed him about playing and he was a good at practice player, but never had that "killer instinct" during games. I don't want to push my younger son, but want him to strive to be a good player.I guess my question is, can a kid be taught to play with that "eye of the tiger" ? Or is is just something you are born with.  Thanks

Answer
Damon
This is outside my area of expertise.  Based on my experience the desire or killer instinct you ask about is something that come from within. Some are born with it and it a natural part of their make up. Then there are others who what something so bad that it ignite a fire in them.  Again this is outside my are of expertise, but I don't think a child can be taught to have the eye of the tiger.  You may be able to develop a "degree" of desire and intensity but I believe it is something a child is born with...

Your son is playing pee wee football let him learn to enjoy playing and have fun,  if you have read my prior post you know I am not an advocate for youth tackle football due to safety concerns.  I believe youth flag football is a good teaching ground until a child is ready for Jr. High or High School tackle football.

Pee Wee football should be fun, if they aren't having fun they won't enjoy the game and won't want to play it later in life - and that is OK. There are some who just don't like the game  or those who it is just not there thing. It should be a time when your son learns about team work and being a part of a team.  Youth football (tackle or flag) should be a time where your son leans the fundamentals of football and his position.  Through this process he will develop in to a good player.