Track and Football

[tabortiger]

well I started this thread just to keep the forum going but yeah this is a good topic.
What do yall think about playing football and doing track for the same athlete? My coaches really really wanted me to play defensive end this year but I just thought injury was too big a factor. (my bro tore his ACL his junior year but still mananged to throw 182 his senior year) so what do yall think about this?

[future sub-4:20 miler]

I hate football. I hate it how spring football practices prevent some potentially good sprinters/throwers from doing well in track when coaches force them to participate in spring football.

[murphknights]

Football and track for the same athlete works for nearly everybody, except some distance runners (see future sub 4:20). If you're a sprinter, it can only help your conditioning; if you're a thrower, working with the sled and in the weight room will only strengthen you further for the up-coming track season. I personally started out with track in hopes of staying in shape for football season, however now it has become a passion of mine. In my case, my football coach is currently helping me train for upcoming indoor meets and my spring track season. At the very least, if you have the dedication, its worth a shot.

[future sub-4:20 miler]

To be a good distance runner you really can't play other sports, you need to spend most of your time focusing on your running. I can see how football could help sprinters/throwers though b/c they both work the fast-twich muscle fibers.

[tabortiger]

yeah all that explosive stuff really helps throwers but there's still the injury factor.....oh well I'll just see.

[murphknights]

Injuries can happen. I myself have had my share, but rarely, like in your brother's case (i believe thats who u said) have affected me long term. Stiff necks, twisted ankles, pulled muscles will happen, but even breaks will be fully healed in plenty of time for spring, and likely most or all of winter depending on when it happens. The team experience and atmosphere is tremendously different from track. I still think the benefits greatly outweigh your risks...also consider what position you'd be playing...

[Iron Man]

Injuries can happen anywhere. You can get injured in a car accident. Does that mean you should stop driving or riding in cars? Don't think so.

[TrAcKoPuNeK]

Injuries can happen anywhere. You can get injured in a car accident. Does that mean you should stop driving or riding in cars? Don't think so.
True, but the percentage of people driving cars that get into accidents that cause injury (enough to keep you from training) compared to the overall number of people that use cars every day is much lower than the percentage of people who get injuries in football or people who play football. In the 3 hours or so a day you practice or play football one is more likely (with the tackling and so on) to get injured than if you were to drive around for an hour. Basically, what your saying is, because we may get in a car accident and get hurt, there is no need to take precautions in any other aspect of life. The key word is accident. When you get tackled in football, it isnt an accident.

All I know is that my HS team had a thrower who played football in the fall and he was good so his senior year he didnt do football. He trained for the shot all summer and fall. That year he won NSIC, Penn, was all-american 3 times, got invited to Golden West and got a full ride to any school of his choice. It all comes down to how commited to football/track and where your talents lay.

[crusader800]

I guess I'm an odd breed because I played football and I'm a distance runner. I'm actually the best distance runne ron my team despiste the fact I dont do XC. Again although undersized for football I started defense all season and made 1st team all conferece. After my junior year fo spring track running 4:47 and 2:05 i contiplated quitting football to focus on running. But I think football actually helps me more in track hen Xc would. It taught me how to be agressive and to compete (something my whole XC team lacked). And to look at it the other way my football coach makes all the players who dont do other sports to do winter/spring track because he feels its important to compete all year round in something, not just to be in the wieght room for 8 months. I think both sports complement eachother. Despite the risk of injury football and track will benifit each other for almost any athlete.

[NormanTigerTabor]

Me I gotta play footballcuz one I love it. two it helps w/ hip power and keeps you in shape and makes you stronger. Three I make frineds and have fun w/ it . and Four I love to hear that ooooH! sound out of the croud when I knock some one out lol

[WestRep]

I do both football and throwing for the experience, if i get hurt doing either at least i know i tried