Learning curve for Chinese kids
NFL superstar helps flag down some training tips
I think there’s a lot of good talent here. I saw a lot of kids catching and throwing the ball nicely. I will definitely return to see how they’re progressing.”
Russell Wilson,
Seattle Seahawks quarterback
The National Football League sees exuberant children as a perfect counterpoint to the popular perception in China that American gridiron is a violent, dangerous game — and one of the NFL’s biggest superstars was in Shanghai last weekend to prove it.
Hundreds of kids chanted “Wil-son! Wil-son!” when Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson entered the stadium to help launch another season of NFL flag football, a “no-tackle” variation of the game in which players are “downed” when a flag worn around their waist is pulled off by an opponent.
Launched in China in 2008, NFL flag football was originally limited to university campuses, but has since expanded to seven age groups, from preschoolers to adults.
“It’s great be here, and I’m excited to see versions of American football being played all over the world,” said Wilson, who steered the Seahawks to the 2013 Super Bowl championship.
“It’s a healthy sport for kids to get physically fit and learn teamwork,” added the 29-year-old, who supervised a youth training session after the launch ceremony.
“I think there’s a lot of good talent here. I saw a lot of kids catching and throwing the ball nicely. I will definitely return to see how they’re progressing.”
Richard Young, managing director of NFL China, said around 300 teams in 12 cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, will play flag football this season.
Young estimates that upwards of 30,000 Chinese kids under age 12 are currently in the training programs, and projects the number to hit 120,000 by 2020.
Established in 2007, NFL China has partnerships with many local youth training companies and chose Skywalk to be its official partner this season.
“We want more people to play — the more the better,” Young said. “We want a rapid expansion while maintaining the quality of the training.”
Zhang Nan, co-founder of Skywalk, a Chinese youth training company operating in 10 cities, said his company will help raise flag football to a higher level through its networks around the country.
After graduating from Beijing Sport University with a degree in sports education in 2003, Zhang joined the NFL’s Apple Seeds program, which is aimed at training local coaches and referees in American football.
Zhang founded Skywalk in 2015 and has provided football training courses to around 8,000 children.
“We would like our society to see that Chinese children can play American football,” Zhang said. “Youth sports training is a promising market in our country.”
But gridiron is still a a mystery to most Chinese parents, who usually learn about it through word of mouth before sending their children to play.
Jin Dan put her 7-year-old son in a football course after a friend’s recommendation in 2016, and the boy quickly fell in love with the game.
“I was worried about my son getting hurt at first,” said Jin. “From what I saw on television, there is a lot of tackling, hitting and tumbling.”
Jin was assured by the coach that all sports involve certain risks, and that American football isn’t any more dangerous than basketball or soccer if young players are properly trained.
Todd Williams, a strength and conditioning trainer, said many American parents initially have the same concerns about their children’s safety when they take up the sport.
“What they do is let the kids play flag football before they reach puberty,” Williams said. “It’s the same body movements, but you take away the hitting. Once kids’ bodies are developed they can put on the equipment and start playing tackle football.”
Jin’s son, a running back, now attends training sessions twice a week — and he’s a big fan of Wilson.
“Seeing these kids train brings back a lot of memories from when I was a kid and learning to play football,” said the Seahawks superstar.
“Some kids told me that I’m their hero because they see that I am not a big guy, so they think maybe they can be a pro one day, too.”