Madre Hill rule shows why football is a team game

Demias Jimerson is a sixth-grade football player with amazing ability. He plays the running back position for his team and scores almost at-will. In a game earlier this season, Jimerson scored seven touchdowns. That's not a typo. The young man possesses remarkable athleticism. However, his scoring prowess prompted his league to implement the Madre Hill Rule - named after the former University of Arkansas standout running back. Hill played for the same school as Jimerson in Arkansas. The rule was originally developed because Hill himself scored touchdowns at a prolific rate. Under the Madre Hill Rule, a designated player cannot score more than three touchdowns per game when his team is ahead by 14 points.

This story has stirred significant controversy in the last week. Some think that the rule is punishing Jimerson's excellence. Others think this is yet another case of the "softening of America." Still others believe that Jimerson's opponents should just learn to play better and stop whining. None of these perspectives hold water. Let me be clear. Youth sports is about fun. I know we want it to be about competition and learning life lessons and overcoming adversity and yada, yada, yada. But if your kids are not having fun playing sports, then you're missing the mark. According to a Michigan State University study, fun is the number one reason kids participate in sports. Sorry, Mom. Sorry, Dad.  It's not about winning the church league championship or scoring the most points in community center history. Kids just want to have fun.

How does this relate to the Demias Jimerson situation? Well, many people think opposing teams complained to the league and enforcement of the Madre Hill Rule was the result. That's a little short-sighted. We must realize football is a team game and Jimerson has 10 other kids out there with him. What do you think Jimerson's teammates were doing while he was scoring seven touchdowns? Where's their fun? Please don't think I'm anti-Jimerson. The rule is a good one and the kid will be fine. He's limited to scoring three touchdowns a game. That's no punishment at all. Imagine your favorite running back on your favorite NFL team. If he was 'limited' to three touchdowns a game, he would almost double the NFL single-season record. Besides, have a look at the Arkansas Fox affiliate Fox 16 story below (email subscribers click here). Listen to what Demias Jimerson and Madre Hill have to say and hopefully you'll come understand why the word 'fun' is in fundamentals. Until next time...

Be a Good Sport!

-Sol