whether you’re on a B team or A team in youth football. I’ve coached 4 of my boys for over 20 years at this point (Typing that makes me feel so old).

I’ve had two of my boys on A teams from a young age and 2 of them spent the majority of youth football on B teams. Heck, I didn’t make varsity until my senior year and was able to play college ball. Half the boys I’ve coached on B teams in youth football have gone on to play varsity football. The percentage is about the same in my experience with those young kids who are on A teams.

It all comes down to when these boys hit puberty. I have a friend who calls it “winning the puberty Olympics”. I’ve seen a ton of kids dominate from 9-15 years old because they were early bloomers. Then do absolutely nothing in high school because everyone else caught up to them and they were not mentally prepared to “compete” for a position in high school.

The most important thing at your son’s age is development. Get him good skill coaching on the side. Don’t think he’ll get that at practice, and this applies to both A and B teams. The skill training is almost non existent. Then when he hits puberty, he’ll have the size, skill and playing experience to shine when it matters.

Good luck!