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US promotes American football among Chinese kids

2013-12-19 13:23 CRIENGLISH.com Web Editor: Gu Liping
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The National Football League in the US is working on new methods to try to get kids interested in the North American game.

CRI's Jordan Lee takes us to a gymnasium where young kids are working to master the art of football.

On the weekends, the gym at Beijing University fills up with tiny kids bear-crawling, fumbling footballs, and trying their best to do up-downs.

This is an American football skills clinic run by GSG Sport.

American and Chinese coaches run the kids through coordination and speed drills: shuffles, backpeddles, ladders, and crawls.

"We're tired. So tired. And we sweat a lot today. I love the running part."

In the beginners group, which starts kids as young as 3, huddles are a chance to bear hug the coach, and tackle pads are more like giant pillows.

But by the time the kids reach the intermediate and advanced levels, they've learned the fundamentals.

"I think American football is super fun because I love passing the ball. I love any sport where you can pass the ball."

Program director Flint says football training will give Chinese kids an athletic advantage.

"I don't know whether these kids will become professional athletes when they grow up, but studying football from a young age has benefits. Even if they end up playing basketball, football will definitely help their overall athleticism.

American coach Richard Kemp said he wants the kids to acquire all the skills and life lessons that football gave him.

"The way it works is that we bring the kids in we show them teamwork, discipline, a little bit of exercise, they get to know what it's like to be part of a team, what it takes, how to follow orders. It's really just understanding their bodies they can be agile. They say I can't walk on that, and then they do it. oh I guess I can."

Contrary to popular opinion, it's not just boys who can play football. Pint-sized little girls can too.

"I like football, it's fun."

The moms and dads who enrolled their kids in an American football clinic challenge the stereotype that Chinese parents are overly protective.

"I think it's OK for men to be tackled once in a while, whether in matches or in their lives. Once they have the guts to put on the uniform and face the tackles, they've gained the ability to protect themselves."

The parents wait on the sidelines with water bottles, snacks, and one even had a handkerchief to wipe the sheen of sweat from her son's forehead.

But hey, they signed their kids up for an American football clinic, and that takes guts.

I'm not afraid that my daughter will get hurt, it's not a problem. They're just running and exercising together. Rain or shine we will be here."

That sounds like something an American mom in the football heartland would say.

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