Mom, Can I Play Football? [Paperback]

Jerry Norton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1999

Mom, Can I Play Football? This book describes the experiences of a volunteer youth coach who has managed to make competitive sports fun, exciting and enjoyable for children for 35 years. The author relates, in word and amusing illustration, humorous anecdotes from his past, then translates these experiences into specific instructions for coaches and parents. While focusing on football, the author provides advice, appropriate for any sport, for coaches, parents and administrators. Team poems and dozens of amusing illustrations complement the anecdotes to reinforce the message that sports for children can and should be fun, and it is the coach's responsibility to make them so.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A mark of a great youth coach is to provide the same wonderful experience for all participants, both the talented and the less talented. Jerry Norton does just that. Mom, Can I Play Football? is a giant step forward for youth sports. It is the blueprint for making sports enjoyable for all children." -- Corey Miller, Former player, UVA Alumnus, New York, NY

"As a coach, Jerry Norton had a great influence on my children. He has written an intelligent, witty and reflective book demonstrating that it is, indeed, possible for children to develop their natural abilities, learn good sportsmanship and also have fun playing youth sports. A "Should Read" for coaches. A "Must Read" for parents." -- Dr. J. Gerald Meagher, MD. F.A.C.S. Obstetrics and Gynecology, Huntington, NY

"As a sports marketing professional and sports mom, I think this book should be required reading for all coaches and sports parents. Don't enter youth sports without it!" -- Colleen Clarson, Owner, Sport Concepts, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

"Children's sports the way they should be!" -- Thomas W. "Trigg" Wilkes, CEO/President, YMCA of Florida's First Coast, Jacksonville, FL

"Children's sports the way they should be." Thomas W. "Trigg" Wilkes, CEO/President, YMCA of Florida's First Coast, Jacksonville. Fl. -- 5009

"I thoroughly enjoyed reading Mom Can I Play Football? What a valuable resource it will become for young football players and their families, especially the mothers." -- Lisa A. March, Esquire, Mother of two young football players, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

"Jerry Norton has a clear grasp of what is needed in youth sports today" D. Michael Pfahl, Vice President, Education, National Alliance for Youth Sports, West Palm Beach, Fl -- 5010

"Mom, Can I Play Football? is a humorous yet very informative book for those with young children thinking about playing football. Also, with its valuable insights into coaching young athletes, it would prove most helpful to first time or even veteran coaches of any sport." -- Randy Falck, Former high school swimmer, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

"The simplicity of the book's message and the illustrations make it a delight to read. Anyone who has ever played sports or coached kids will enjoy it. Anyone intending to coach children should be required to read it." -- Joseph Bowers, Former major college and high school football coach, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Jerry Norton has a clear grasp of what is needed in youth sports today." -- D. Michael Pfahl, Vice President, Education, National Alliance For Youth Sports, West Palm Beach, FL

From the Back Cover

3 GOOD REASONS YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK. Because it will make you stop and think. Are your children having fun playing organized sports? Is winning overemphasized? Learn how to change all that.

Because it will make you laugh. It's a fun and entertaining collection of humorous anecdotes, delightful illustrations and amusing poems featuring kids at play and their coaches.

Because your children will benefit. Sports will be more enjoyable for your children and proceeds from this book will be donated to nonprofit youth sports programs.

Read MOM, CAN I PLAY FOOTBALL? and you will discover: Why children drop out of organized sports before age 13. How children feel about winning, losing and having fun. How the coach can put fun back in children's sports. How to avoid the pitfalls of coaching children.

Children everywhere will want mom and dad to read this book, then rush out and buy a copy for "coach." It is must reading for youth coaches and for parents who have or will have young children involved in organized athletics.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Sideline Pr (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096734560X
• ISBN-13: 978-0967345604
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,960,688 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jerry Norton scores in this youth football book !., October 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Mom, Can I Play Football? (Paperback)

Seldom does a book provide readability and yet remain on your shelf as a reference. Jerry Norton has captured the world of youth football in his book. His stories of kids caught in the act of playing the greatest team sport ever, will warm your heart. As a football coach I was impressed with his grasp of the fundementals of football. As a parent and Youth League Executive I was impressed with his compassion for kids and the way they see the world. Jerry gets down on one knee and looks youth football in the eye,and the sport will be better for it. Anyone, in any youth sport should read and remember "Mom, can I play Football."

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great!, September 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Mom, Can I Play Football? (Paperback)

The simplicity of the book's message and the illustrations make it a delight to read. Anyone who has ever played sports or coached kids will enjoy it. Anyone intending to coach children should be required to read it.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Very poor book!!!, June 11, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Mom, Can I Play Football? (Paperback)

The author makes a few valid points about coaches who want to win at all costs, but, his logic is flawed. Boys are naturally competitive and want to win. This book personifies exactly what is wrong with politically correct youth sports today. When the score is kept the object is to win. Certainly, not at all costs, but to win nevertheless. He left out the most important element of football and that is teaching life lessons, which if taught properly will stay with them forever. Life lessons such as never quiting, mental toughness, desire, teamwork, guts and pride. Its my experience that when these things are tought properly in a positive, fun environment kids will have fun and win. Norton thinks all kids should play equally. What does that teach the better kids, if you stink and give no effort you play the same as me, so why should I try harder. And to put the kids in who don't deserve the playing time it cheapens the reward. This book is way to MAMBY PAMBY. Dont waste the money.