by Remeob » Mon Nov 28, 2011 5:19 pm
New guy, breathing life into this well traveled thread.
I will relate this to martial art sparring and more full contact events.
I will never spar with a person who can not initiate an insurance policy under their own name...not under a parents name, under their own name.
Reasons beyond common sense of not fighting out of weight class, experience level, and other related issues...if you are not of an age or responsibility position to be recognized by the legal system then I should not be expected to do any less.
As an adult, if you spar or match against a person who is not recognized by the courts as an adult then you are guilty of child endangerment at the least and most likely assault if not aggravated assault...which in Texas comes with 9-99yrs in prison as a potential punishment.
Now that is the most extreme, but lawyers and the courts could take this and run with it.
Count me out...I will not participate in a program that allows those not responsible for their own actions as recognized by the legal system...no waiver or parental permission would protect an adult that injured a child in this sort of situation.
Now that said, I have played in men's soccer leagues and 16+yr olds were allowed to play...limited to a certain number per team, mandatory parental supervision on the field at the time of play, a notarized waiver, a full physical, and most importantly a special purpose insurance policy in the child's name.
We all had to provide a wavier, a physical, and a special purpose insurance policy...beyond any other personal insurance...everyone without exception.
But there were no kids on the field who were little kids...most were in the national soccer programs and most were taller then the average adult.
Size did not determine maturity...but having played in various sports programs for the majority of their entire lives up to that point did offer a measure of security.
So the point being beaten into the ground...if you are saying "it's not fair" than most likely this means that it is fair...to the rest of us who are responsible and are held to the results of our actions.
Until you are 18yrs old the court does not recognize a child as being responsible for their actions, no matter what a waiver or local policy says.
Hit a kid and go to jail.
It is a truth and it is supported by the law.
Now once it is noted that the hit came from a foam sword, during an practice with guys dressed up in fantasy armor, with names like Lord Fancypants or Lord Orc Blargg...well it would be interesting.
Judge...sir did you hit that kid?
Lord Fancypants...yes but you...
Judge...stop
Judge...guity
Plain and simple.
Soccer is not fighter practice or national fighter games.
Football is not fighter practice or national fighter games.
It is because of the intent...purposely outfitted to shield bash, sword strike, and other wise beat the guy across from you...not incidental full contact...no passing the ball, running for the goal, no the simple truth is that the intent is to simulate full contact weapon and armor combat.
The long and short of it all, no kids.
It is not for them per say, but for us.
Sorry for long post...I tend to ramble a bit when the subject is important, and safely is a paramount issue.
Have a great week all!
Raymond