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href="http://assets.usafootball.com/documents/legal/USAFB_Term_of_Service_2023.pdf">Terms of Use</a></li> <li><a href="https://transparency-in-coverage.uhc.com/" target="_blank">Transparency in Coverage</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </footer> <link href="/combined.css/572045e1f44b3c956b96" rel="stylesheet" /> <link href="/app.css/572045e1f44b3c956b96" rel="stylesheet" /> <script>window.__CLIENT_DATA__ = {"blogSummary":{"blogs":[{"title":"New Britain Youth Football & Cheer Inc. Earns 2024 Gold Level Status in USA Football Program ","body":"<p>New Britain Youth Football & Cheer Inc. located in New Britain, Conn., has earned Gold Level status through USA Football’s <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/programs/league-excellence-program/\">League Excellence Program</a> for the 2024 season.  </p>\n\n<p>USA Football’s League Excellence Program is a way for youth football organizations to earn recognition for their commitment to raising operational standards and providing great environments for athletes and their families.       </p>\n\n<p>New Britain Youth Football & Cheer provides extensive pathways for young athletes to experience America’s favorite sport. The organization offers a flag football program for children ages four and five, a 7-on-7 limited contact program for ages six and seven and a tackle program at the 8-13U level.  </p>\n\n<p>There are also cheerleading opportunities aimed to develop young athletes ages 4-7 before reaching competitive cheer at the 8-13U level.  </p>\n\n<p>“I have been a part of the New Britain Youth Football and Cheer since its start in 2011. We have always strived for excellence in sports as well as academic performance,” said the program's Heriberto Rodriguez. “We pride ourselves in promoting a student-athlete approach with our children in the program and their families. New Britain Youth Football and Cheer is not just about the sports we offer. It’s about the foundation of family. We stress to our children that they are students first. The athlete part is secondary.” </p>\n\n<p>Rodriguez has spent nearly a decade and a half with New Britain Youth Football and Cheer, serving in multiple roles, including Football Director, Treasurer and as a coach. He spoke to USA Football about his inspiration for continuing to contribute to the organization.  </p>\n\n<p>“What inspires me and our volunteers to continue to support this organization every year is our love for the game of football and our love for the children we serve in our program,” said Rodriguez. “For most of the people that volunteer, they have family members involved with the program. I love that I get to do what I love and have my family right beside me. New Britain Youth Football and Cheer has afforded me and my family the opportunity to give back to the city of New Britain.” </p>\n\n<p>The program’s impact extends beyond the gridiron to build a strong community and set an example for young athletes.  </p>\n\n<p>“New Britain Youth Football and Cheer is very involved in the community and surrounding areas,” Rodriguez explained. “From our walks to support the Susan G. Komen Walk to the race in the park for cancer. We also take part in the walk for autism and collect canned goods during the holidays to donate to the Friendship Center of New Britain. We partner with other organizations to give winter coats, hats and toys during the Christmas season. Our families enjoy giving back to the community and encourage our athletes to do the same.” </p>\n\n<p>New Britain Youth Football and Cheer has taken advantage of opportunities provided by USA Football outside of the League Excellence Program, including USA Football’s extensive grants program.  </p>\n\n<p>“New Britain Youth Football and Cheer has received numerous grants from USA football for equipment and our flag program,” Rodriguez said. “The grants make it possible to add more equipment to our program. As we all know, equipment is expensive, so grants make it possible to help youth organizations with this expense. New Britain Youth Football and Cheer values our relationship with USA Football and looks forward to continuing to build our program with USA Football for years to come.” </p>\n\n<p>Congratulations to New Britain Youth Football & Cheer Inc. on another successful year and for earning Gold Level status. </p>","postDate":"2/13/2025","tags":"Youth Football","heroImage":"https://assets.usafootball.com/cms/2025-02/New_Britain_Youth_Football.png","heroImageFocal":"Middle Center","heroVideo":"","featured":"False","featuredImage":"","featuredLede":"","nid":"8702","author":"Samuel Teets","category":"Program growth","oldId":"","metaKeywords":"","metaDescription":"","slug":"new-britain-youth-football-and-cheer-inc-earns-2024-gold-level-status-in-usa-football-program"},{"title":"Oakville Watertown Youth Athletic Association Earns 2024 Gold Level Status in USA Football Program","body":"<p>The Oakville Watertown Youth Athletic Association located in Watertown, Conn., has earned Gold Level status through USA Football’s <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/programs/league-excellence-program/\">League Excellence Program</a> for the 2024 season.  </p>\n\n<p>USA Football’s League Excellence Program is a way for youth football organizations to earn recognition for their commitment to raising operational standards and providing great environments for athletes and their families.       </p>\n\n<p>The Oakville Watertown Youth Athletic Association offers an opportunity for kids ages 5-13 to participate in both flag and tackle football. With five divisions, every young athlete can find their place. The primary goal of the association is to provide a safe environment for each athlete while continuing to find unique ways to have fun.  </p>\n\n<p>Association President Matt Geer explained one of the ways the organization provides unique opportunities and ensures a fun experience for athletes is by incorporating a tunnel entrance at every home game. This thoughtful approach, sponsored by local businesses, helps athletes get excited for game day.  </p>\n\n<p>Geer also highlighted the dedication of the association’s board members and volunteers, who are committed to fostering a positive and supportive atmosphere for each athlete. The association relies on these passionate volunteers to run the program and build a strong sense of family and community.  </p>\n\n<p>“Providing an opportunity for our athletes to participate in the game of football and witnessing the smiles on their faces are the driving forces for each one of our volunteers,” Geer said. “Our athletes work hard in practice, but the bond they are forming with the other athletes on their respective teams is a brotherhood that they will remember forever.” </p>\n\n<p>The association’s volunteers aren’t just focused on creating a great experience for the kids; they’re also committed to supporting one another.  </p>\n\n<p>“The community we have built here is bigger than football,” Geer said. “Football is more than just a game and our athletes realize that quickly when participating in our organization.”  </p>\n\n<p>When a family is struggling, the entire Watertown youth football community rallies together to offer support, proving their camaraderie extends far beyond the field.  </p>\n\n<p> The association has been a member of the League Excellence Program since 2021, but 2024 is its first year reaching Gold Level.    </p>\n\n<p>“USA Football’s League Excellence Program allows our program to be recognized for our hard work and commitment to maintaining high operational standards and providing a great environment for our athletes and their families,” said Geer. “The recognition of being named a Gold Level program is instrumental in being able to highlight to our current families, as well as prospective families, that our organization prioritizes the safety of our athletes, always. That means a lot to us as player safety is paramount!” </p>\n\n<p>Congratulations to the Oakville Watertown Youth Athletic Association on another successful year and for earning Gold Level status.    </p>","postDate":"12/17/2024","tags":"Youth Football","heroImage":"https://assets.usafootball.com/cms/2024-12/Oakville.png","heroImageFocal":"Middle Center","heroVideo":"","featured":"False","featuredImage":"","featuredLede":"","nid":"8687","author":"Ainsley McKay","category":"Program growth","oldId":"","metaKeywords":"","metaDescription":"","slug":"oakville-watertown-youth-athletic-association-earns-2024-gold-level-status-in-usa-football-program"},{"title":"Goldbacks Youth Football Earns 2024 Gold Level Status in USA Football Program","body":"<p>The Goldbacks Youth Football & Cheer League located in Newburgh, N.Y., has earned Gold Level status through USA Football’s <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/programs/league-excellence-program/\">League Excellence Program</a> for the 2024 season.       </p>\n\n<p>USA Football’s League Excellence Program is a way for youth football organizations to earn recognition for their commitment to raising operational standards and providing great environments for athletes and their families.      </p>\n\n<p>The Goldbacks Youth Football & Cheer League offers an opportunity for kids ages 5-13 to participate in both flag and tackle football, as well as cheerleading. With four divisions based on age, every young athlete can find their place. The primary goal of the league is for athletes to enjoy the sport, embrace teamwork and have fun while competing. </p>\n\n<p>“Our mission is for everyone who comes and joins us is treated like family,” said Rick Ceglio, who has served as the program’s president for a decade. “Every decision we make checks two boxes. We ask, is it good for the kids, and is it good for our program?”  </p>\n\n<p>The league relies on volunteers to run the program, helping to create a strong sense of family and community. These individuals dedicate their time to enhance the kids’ experience both on and off the field. It’s important to Ceglio that the kids “be brothers and sisters and remember their youth football days fondly.” </p>\n\n<p>This year, the league was proud to host its first-ever prep rally, which had a carnival theme.  </p>\n\n<p>“The community came together to make this possible for the kids” Ceglio explained. “We had multiple fire departments and local ambulances come to our event to support the kids. We even did a candy drop from the ladder truck. This event was enjoyed by all the families in our league. We had various carnival snacks and bounce houses for everyone to enjoy.”  </p>\n\n<p>The effort put into this prep rally highlights the program’s commitment to creating a strong community and family atmosphere off the field.  </p>\n\n<p>As the Goldbacks Youth Football & Cheer League expands, Ceglio continues to receive support from USA Football to ensure he and his team of volunteers can continue their great work in their community. USA Football’s grants program helped the program scale to meet the needs of its athletes.  </p>\n\n<p>“We have received a Riddell grant from USA Football,” said Ceglio. “This has allowed us to get new equipment for our expanding program and to ensure we have the best equipment for our athletes at a cost that is more affordable.” </p>\n\n<p>The Goldbacks Youth Football & Cheer League is a standout organization that entered USA Football’s League Excellence Program at the Bronze Level in 2021 before achieving Gold Level status in 2023 and 2024. Ceglio is grateful for the support he’s received as the league continues to raise its high standards.  </p>\n\n<p>“USA Football helps provide support to leagues like us by creating a road map to ensure your league is offering the best experience for your players, coaches and parents,” he said. “These resources are invaluable to us. The support is instrumental in our continued success.”</p>\n\n<p>Access to USA Football's Online Community, where coaches and league leaders can network and learn from each other, is available through <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/membership\">USA Football Membership</a>.  </p>\n\n<p>Congratulations to the Goldbacks Youth Football and Cheer League on another successful year and for earning Gold Level status.   </p>","postDate":"12/9/2024","tags":"Youth Football","heroImage":"https://assets.usafootball.com/cms/2024-12/Goldbacks_Youth_Football_League.png","heroImageFocal":"Middle Center","heroVideo":"","featured":"False","featuredImage":"","featuredLede":"","nid":"8685","author":"Ainsley McKay","category":"Program growth","oldId":"","metaKeywords":"","metaDescription":"","slug":"goldbacks-youth-football-earns-2024-gold-level-status-in-usa-football-program"},{"title":"The Pursuit of Excellence: Anderson Lee U.S. National Team Athlete Spotlight ","body":"<p>Last summer, Anderson Lee watched as USA Football’s U.S. National Teams sweep the gold medal standings at the 2023 Junior International Cup and IFAF Americas Continental Flag Football Championship. The men’s and women’s teams both outlasted Mexico in close competitions while the 15U and 17U girls’ and boys’ teams all defeated Japan.  </p>\n\n<p>As he watched the live streams and recordings, Lee realized he wanted to celebrate the joy of winning a gold medal alongside the nation’s other top flag football players. It became a central goal of his, something he visualized with fliers, pictures and a hand-drawn <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/national-team/flag-national-teams\">U.S. National Team</a> logo pinned at the center of a bulletin board in his room.  </p>\n\n<p>“I created a vision board with visual representations of those goals. USA Football is in the dead center,” Lee explained. “Beside it are [visuals of the] <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/national-team/junior-international-cup\">Junior International Cup</a>, the Junior National Team Pathway, LA28 and past U.S. National Team players. The vision board has helped me stay focused on my goals, especially for the Junior International Cup and the National Team. Visualizing and seeing that every day when I woke up was my superpower for this entire process.” </p>\n\n<p>Lee’s flag football journey began in 2020 as a way to learn the skills he needed for the tackle version of the sport. He was always interested in football despite not playing it from an early age. A shoulder injury in 2021 put his tackle football aspirations on hold but opened the door for him to spend more time building his agility, balance and speed with the non-contact version of the sport.  </p>\n\n<p>“I firmly believe flag is the best athletic foundation for any other sport,” Lee said. “I see it as a great opportunity to represent my country while doing something I love.” </p>\n\n<p>Lee’s unique background set him up well to learn the sport quickly. He credits two uncommon practices with developing his athleticism and coordination.  </p>\n\n<p>“My family is originally from Massachusetts, and we had a lake in our backyard. We were very big ice skaters,” Lee said. “I took a lot of lessons growing up. That helped me develop my balance, strengthened my body and prepared me to play football. I’ve noticed the impact it had on my game. Drumming has also helped. You have to be very coordinated, and it translates to physical activity. Everything works together to build my skills in football.” </p>\n\n<p>The more time Lee spent with flag football, the more his desire to play at an elite level pushed him to find new opportunities, including the U.S. National Team. He was pointed in the direction of the GMTM Digital Combine, one of several National Team Pathways, by <a href=\"https://blogs.usafootball.com/blog/8609/building-the-pathway-u-s-women-s-flag-national-team-amber-clark\">one of the sport’s biggest stars</a>.  </p>\n\n<p>“One of the athletes on the women’s team, Amber Clark, came to a local Kansas City flag football skills camp,” Lee said. “I was helping out with training at the event. Amber introduced me to the Digital Combine and told me I should try it.”  </p>\n\n<p>Lee and approximately 140 other junior athletes at the 15U and 17U levels were invited to U.S. National Team Trials in Charlotte, N.C. in March to compete for roster spots. He was one of 18 boys at the 15U level to be invited back to U.S. National Team Training Camp in June. Only 12 athletes make the final roster.  </p>\n\n<p>Lee <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/media-center/usa-football-announces-final-rosters-for-2024-15u-and-amp-17u-boys-and-girls-flag-football-national-teams\">made the team</a> and joined the other Junior National Teams in Los Angeles in July for USA Football’s Junior International Cup. Over the course of several days, Lee and the 15U U.S. Boys’ Flag National Team faced national teams from Canada, Japan, Mexico and Panama in pool play before progressing to the knockout stages.  </p>\n\n<p>“I always dream about being one of the best. It’s a focus of mine to be excellent in anything I do,” Lee explained. “Living up to that personal standard and competing against the best athletes in the world made the Junior International Cup an enjoyable experience. It really opened my eyes to see what kind of talent and people are out there.” </p>\n\n<p>The 15U boys went undefeated in pool play, but their perfection wasn’t uncontested. Japan pushed the U.S. in a 20-18 game, but overcoming the adversity reinforced the confidence Lee and his teammates had in each other and their coaches. It was the toughest competition Lee had faced in flag football.  </p>\n\n<p>“The highest level of competition I faced previously was at nationals, but the jump between that and facing national teams from other countries is pretty substantial,” Lee said. “Seeing all those countries show their love for this game was encouraging. That shows how much the sport has grown and makes you wonder how far it can go.” </p>\n\n<p>Between games and practice time, Lee and his teammates found opportunities to build chemistry and share their knowledge of the sport. He found his experiences in Charlotte and Los Angeles invaluable and believes they helped him develop his skills.  </p>\n\n<p>“Being around the best athletes in the country and competing with them at Training Camp and during the Junior International Cup was a great experience,” Lee said. “What you gain from that physically, mentally and in every aspect of the game is unmatched. We brought out the competitiveness in each other. Just being around and working with my teammates has sharpened my skills.” </p>\n\n<p>Lee and the 15U team faced Japan again in their championship game, winning 43-20 to secure an undefeated 6-0 record in the tournament. As the sun began to dip on a hot Los Angeles afternoon, Lee and his teammates soaked up cheers from the crowd as they received gold medals for winning their division.  </p>\n\n<p>“It was so surreal. I remember watching videos of last year’s medal ceremony, wishing to be a part of those teams,” Lee said. “To be up on that stage, holding a gold medal a year later was the most rewarding and surreal moment I’ve experienced. All of that work I put in behind the scenes finally came to fruition.” </p>\n\n<p>He knew exactly where he wanted to put the medal when he returned home.  </p>\n\n<p>“When I got back from Los Angeles, I put my medal on the vision board,” Lee said. “That was one of the best moments of the year. I’m really thankful I put that board together. Having the vision and the goals I do will always make me better because I’m constantly working toward something.” </p>","postDate":"9/5/2024","tags":"Flag Football","heroImage":"https://assets.usafootball.com/cms/2024-09/Anderson_Lee_Image.jpg","heroImageFocal":"Middle Center","heroVideo":"","featured":"False","featuredImage":"","featuredLede":"","nid":"8670","author":"Samuel Teets","category":"America's game","oldId":"","metaKeywords":"","metaDescription":"","slug":"the-pursuit-of-excellence-anderson-lee-u-s-national-team-athlete-spotlight"},{"title":"Anderson Lee finds flag football glory with U.S. National Team through GMTM Digital Combine ","body":"<p>Opportunities to represent the red, white and blue as part of USA Football’s adult and junior U.S. National Teams are gaining prominence as flag football prepares for its debut in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. There are several pathways to the U.S. National Team, including the Digital Combine.   </p>\n\n<p>USA Football is partnered with <a href=\"https://gmtm.com/\">GMTM</a> (pronounced Gametime) to provide athletes like Missouri resident Anderson Lee with a pathway to represent their country as part of the <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/national-team/flag-national-teams\">U.S. National Teams</a>. </p>\n\n<p>Lee joined USA Football’s National Team Pathway through GMTM’s free Digital Combine and eventually won a gold medal as part of the 15U U.S. Boys’ Flag National Team.  </p>\n\n<p>“I always want to do things with excellence. That’s just my personality,” Lee said. “I prepared a lot for the Digital Combine, and everything paid off in the end. The combine was straightforward and gave me a great opportunity to be in the U.S. National Team’s system.” </p>\n\n<p>In early July, Lee and his teammates soaked up cheers from the crowd as they received gold medals for winning their division at USA Football’s <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/national-team/junior-international-cup\">Junior International Cup</a>. The team defeated Japan 43-20 in their championship game to secure an undefeated 6-0 record in the international tournament. </p>\n\n<p>American adult and junior athletes who complete the U.S. National Team Digital Combine through GMTM are included in the pool of athletes considered for invitations to 2025 U.S. National Team Trials. This year, Digital Combines will run from Aug. 2 – Sept. 16 and Oct. 18 – Nov. 18.  </p>\n\n<p>“The U.S. National Team Digital Combine with GMTM is a free opportunity for athletes to prove they have what it takes to compete on the international stage,” said USA Football Manager of National Teams and Head of Player Personnel, Charles Torwudzo. “USA Football is breaking down barriers to participation and engagement by providing multiple opportunities to join the U.S. National Team Pathway. We’re excited to continue partnering with GMTM to connect with talent transfers from other sports and existing elite flag football players.” </p>\n\n<p>Several athletes identified through Digital Combines have earned invitations to U.S. National Team Trials in each of the past two years, including Lee and 2024 U.S. Women’s National Team member Isabella Geraci. Lee’s performance in the Combine and Trials stood out to coaches, securing him a spot on the 15U final roster.  </p>\n\n<p>“Being around the best athletes in the country and competing with them at Training Camp and during the Junior International Cup was a great experience,” Lee said. “What you gain from that physically, mentally and in every aspect of the game is unmatched. Being surrounded by that environment of excellence is very surreal. It really took my competitive mindset to the next level. There are so many ways that I’ve grown in knowledge of the game this summer. Just being around and working with my teammates has sharpened my skills.” </p>\n\n<p>GMTM is an easy-to-use social network that connects athletes with coaches and talent evaluators across a wide variety of sports and events. Athletes interested in the free Digital Combine should download the GMTM app and create profiles. </p>\n\n<p>The Digital Combine features an athlete background section where participants may upload highlights and share their past experiences. The process also includes completing several drills that measure agility, speed, etc. Athletes 17 or younger as of Dec. 31, 2025 will complete the junior combine, while athletes 18 or older as of Dec. 31, 2025 will complete the adult combine.  </p>\n\n<p>The top athletes identified through this year’s Digital Combines will be eligible for invitations to 2025 U.S. National Team Trials this coming spring. Following Trials, 18 athletes per team will be invited to U.S. National Team Training Camp, after which alternates and the final 12-athlete roster will be announced.  </p>\n\n<p>Athletes who don’t make the U.S. National Team are still eligible to join USA Football’s <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/national-team/development-program\">National Team Development Program</a> as a member of a regional Select Team.   </p>\n\n<p>Learn more about <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/athletes-parents/how-to-be-on-the-national-team\">pathways to the U.S. National Team at usafootball.com</a>. </p>","postDate":"8/8/2024","tags":"Flag Football, National Team","heroImage":"https://assets.usafootball.com/cms/2024-08/Anderson_Lee.jpg","heroImageFocal":"Middle Center","heroVideo":"","featured":"False","featuredImage":"","featuredLede":"","nid":"8666","author":"Samuel Teets","category":"America's game","oldId":"","metaKeywords":"","metaDescription":"","slug":"anderson-lee-finds-flag-football-glory-with-u-s-national-team-through-gmtm-digital-combine"},{"title":"Palos Verdes Youth Football and Cheer Grows Girls’ Flag Program with Help of USA Football Grant","body":"<p>Palos Verdes Youth Football and Cheer (PVYFC) in Calif. has existed for more than 50 years, but the organization is still finding new ways expand and offer more opportunities for athletes to play America’s favorite sport. Palos Verdes launched a girls-only flag football program in 2023 and is preparing for significant growth in 2024 thanks, in part, to a <a href=\"https://www.usafootball.com/grants/girls-flag-grant\">Girls Flag Grant</a> from USA Football.     </p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://clubs.bluesombrero.com/Default.aspx?tabid=734775\">Palos Verdes Youth Football and Cheer</a> offers a multitude of ways for young athletes to engage in athletics. The organization has tackle football and cheerleading programs and also offers co-ed flag football for athletes in first through eighth grade. The girls’ flag football program runs from third through eighth grade before feeding into Palos Verdes Peninsula High School and Palos Verdes High School.  </p>\n\n<p>“It’s a great program. It’s been one of the joys of my life to start the flag league and see it through to this point,” said Holly Woesner, who led the development of the PVYFC flag football program as the Athletic Director of Flag Football from 2018 until she became the organization’s President in the fall of 2023.  </p>\n\n<p>Woesner played a large role in restructuring the <a href=\"https://www.pvflagfootball.com/home\">co-ed PVYFC flag program</a> to help increase participation from 200 to roughly 300 athletes and foster local competition to decrease travel time for parents. She was also a driving force behind the launch of the girls’ flag program and remains closely involved in its operation.  </p>\n\n<p>“I love the idea of a pathway for everyone to keep playing football, getting exercise and being on a team,” Woesner said. “Those are all good things for kids in terms of learning life skills and positioning them to be better adults.”  </p>\n\n<p>PVYFC is hoping to have around 100 girls sign up for their fall season, and the grant from USA Football is helping to make that goal a reality.  </p>\n\n<p>“The grant has given us the freedom to grow and not have to focus on fundraising or charging people more because we’ve had this support from USA Football that has allowed us to focus on what is important,” said Woesner. “I was blown over by what USA Football has done for us. I’m just so grateful to have that wealth of knowledge and support.”  </p>\n\n<p>USA Football’s grant helped PVYFC get creative with its marketing to reach a larger audience and attract more potential participants. The grant also ensures PVYFC can keep costs low and make the program accessible to everyone in the community. Additionally, PVYFC received a wide array of brand new practice and game equipment.  </p>\n\n<p>“We were able to keep our registration costs low so we can give more girls access to play and make sure everyone can afford it. We’re also still offering scholarships to assist families,” Woesner explained. “USA Football also provided a boat load of equipment for the girls. We got everything from sports bras to athletic ladders to little customized pinnies that say ‘Mavericks’ and look amazing. I can’t even believe this equipment that we have to work with next year. It’s incredible.” </p>\n\n<p>Woesner is also excited about the relationship PVYFC has with local Palos Verdes Peninsula High School and Palos Verdes High School, which both field varsity girls’ flag football teams. PVYFC, which recently hosted a clinic for its girls with Peninsula High School’s varsity team, hopes to establish a pipeline where the program trains girls to play flag football in elementary and middle school before they transition to high school.  </p>\n\n<p>“Our goal is to prepare all of our kids for high school athletics, whether it be cheer or football, and to partner with the schools to support each other,” Woesner said. “We will advertise any kind of clinics our high schools do for football or cheer activities, and we encourage our kids to go watch their games. I’m really excited that we’re continuing to build on our relationships for the benefit of the girls.”  </p>\n\n<p>Flag football, which is a sanctioned high school varsity sport for girls in California and ten other states, is <a href=\"https://blogs.usafootball.com/blog/8650/police-athletic-leagues-of-south-florida-launches-girls-flag-football-program-with-support-from-usa-football-grant\">exploding in popularity</a>. Per USA Football research, the number of girls ages 6-12 playing flag football has increased 222% in the past decade. During the same time, there was a 44% increase in girls ages 6-17 playing the sport. </p>\n\n<p>“This is the time to jump on board and expose your kids to flag football,” Woesner reinforced. “It’s growing for both girls and boys, especially with its inclusion as an Olympic sport in 2028. I know USA Football fields the U.S. National Teams. That’s a neat opportunity for kids to dream about.”  </p>\n\n<p>Flag football will make its debut as a men’s and women’s sport at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/national-team/flag-national-teams\">USA Football’s U.S. National Teams</a> will represent the country on the world’s stage. USA Football’s 15U and 17U Boys’ and Girls’ National Teams were in Los Angeles from July 9-12 this summer to face teams from Canada, Japan, Mexico and Panama in the <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/media-center/usa-football-brings-international-and-amp-national-flag-football-events-to-dignity-health-sports-park-in-los-angeles\">third annual Junior International Cup</a>.  </p>\n\n<p>Flag football is also opening opportunities at the college level. Top high school girls flag football players can earn scholarships at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) level and compete for a national championship.  </p>\n\n<p>Programs and league leaders like PVYFC and Woesner are paving the way for young girls to enjoy football more than ever before and to take advantage of the exciting new opportunities flag football presents.  </p>","postDate":"7/26/2024","tags":"Flag Football","heroImage":"https://assets.usafootball.com/cms/2024-07/Palos_Verdes.jpg","heroImageFocal":"Middle Center","heroVideo":"","featured":"False","featuredImage":"","featuredLede":"","nid":"8664","author":"Samuel Teets","category":"Program growth","oldId":"","metaKeywords":"","metaDescription":"","slug":"palos-verdes-youth-football-and-cheer-grows-girls-flag-program-with-help-of-usa-football-grant"},{"title":"USA Football building on Football Development Model with latest stages","body":"<p>In 2019, USA Football began piloting the Football Development Model (FDM) before fully adopting the model post-pandemic as a method to help coaches teach athletes based on their age, the skill they are learning and game type. This year, USA Football will release the remaining three stages of the FDM, providing a clear path for athletes to stay in the sport and continue learning beyond the existing stages.  </p>\n\n<p>USA Football is the sport’s governing body, a member of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and a leading national voice in the football space. Its FDM is the first national application of a long-term athlete development model for American Football.  </p>\n\n<h3><strong>What is the Football Development Model?  </strong></h3>\n\n<p>The FDM was developed in partnership with the <a href=\"https://fdm.usafootball.com/the-council\">Football Development Model Council</a>, which consisted of medical, child development, long-term athlete development and football subject matter experts.  </p>\n\n<p>Several notable members included recently retired NCAA Chief Medical Officer, <strong>Dr. Brian Hainline</strong>, NFL Chief Medical Officer, <strong>Dr. Allen Sills</strong>, Director of the Safe Concussion Outcome, Recovery & Education (SCORE) Program at Children's National Hospital, <strong>Dr. Gerard Gioia</strong>, former U.S. National Team athlete and current Cleveland Browns assistant wide receiver coach <strong>Callie Brownson</strong> and more.  </p>\n\n<p>The FDM is based on the USOPC’s American Development Model’s principles. Its progressive skill instruction focuses on developing the whole athlete, on and off the field, while meeting them at their current stage of development. This approach reduces contact early in an athlete’s progression while teaching age-appropriate skills. </p>\n\n<p>USA Football’s accredited <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/coach-certification\">Coach Certification program</a> encompasses the FDM. Since 2012, USA Football has delivered more than 1.1 million coach certifications, ensuring the sport is coached and played smarter now than ever before. USA Football’s program is the only youth football coach certification to be accredited by the United States Center for Coaching Excellence’s (USCCE).  </p>\n\n<h3><strong>Reintroducing the FDM Stages  </strong></h3>\n\n<p>The FDM begins with the <strong>Discover and Play</strong> stage for athletes who are five years old or older. This beginning stage allows athletes who are new to the sport to explore and play multiple positions in a fun, positive environment. The focus is on providing an enjoyable experience, not keeping score. A fun introduction to the sport makes it more likely that athletes will want to continue playing. USA Football’s First Down Program is a great way to introduce the game. </p>\n\n<p>Similar to the first stage, <strong>Play and Develop</strong> primarily focuses on athletes who are new to football. At this point, younger athletes are still learning and developing basic movement skills, such as running, throwing and catching while older athletes are learning to connect the movement skills they already know with basic football skills. Most children are still deciding if they enjoy the sport at this stage, so teams should create a fun, active setting with mini-competitions and games rather than drills. This stage prioritizes the experience over wins and losses.  </p>\n\n<p>Next, athletes who reach the <strong>Develop and Achieve</strong> stage are beginning to control their movements. The emphasis shifts toward teaching and learning more advanced concepts, including agility, balance, coordination and speed. Leaders should regularly encourage and congratulate athletes for learning football and life skills like teamwork. The athlete’s achievements and development are prioritized over team records and final scores as they continue learning the game. </p>\n\n<p>By the <strong>Achieve and Advance</strong> stage, football will likely be one of an athlete’s primary sports. Since players are more mentally and physically developed at this point, coaches may begin to introduce position-specific skills and football tactics. Some athletes will learn these more advanced concepts quicker than others, but it’s important to support all athletes as they adapt to this new level of play.  </p>\n\n<p>Athletes in the <strong>Advance and Compete</strong> stage who started playing as youth are wrapping up middle school or entering high school. Football settings are more competitive at this stage. Athletes transitioning through puberty become stronger, quicker and more agile, allowing them to build position-specific skills. A wider range of athletic movements and competitions and now open to athletes.  </p>\n\n<p>For many athletes, Advance and Compete is the first stage that plays a part in USA Football’s <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/national-team\">U.S. National Team Pathway</a>. Athletes in this age range are eligible for positions on 15U U.S. National Teams. The next two FDM stages are also connected to pathway.  </p>\n\n<p><strong>Compete and Excel</strong> welcomes athletes who are nearing the highest levels of competitive football. At the scholastic level, this includes players who are entering the final years of their high school aged careers. The focus in this stage is on mastering position-specific techniques as well as tactics. The mental aspect of the game plays a larger role at this level as competitive opportunities.  </p>\n\n<p>Finally, <strong>Excel for High Performance</strong> is the last stage of the FDM. Athletes in this stage are adults or near adulthood and play at the most competitive levels of the sport. They spend significant parts of their daily lives straining and competing to win. Players have largely mastered the game but continue to learn and develop position-specific skills, tactics and football intelligence. Proper rest and recovery play a large role as athletes mold their routines to meet the demands of the competitive environment.  </p>\n\n<h3><strong>How USA Football Helps </strong></h3>\n\n<p>USA Football supports the development of pathways to bring athletes up and through Stages 5-7 of the FDM, which connect to the U.S. National Team pipeline. Our <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/grants\">extensive grants program</a>, which has awarded more than $20 million since 2006, solidifies grassroots organizations that prepare young athletes for the upper stages of competition.  </p>\n\n<p>USA Football’s U.S. National Team program introduces athletes at the 15U, 17U and adult levels to elite international competition in flag football through IFAF World Championships, IFAF Continental Championships, the Junior International Cup, The World Games and upcoming events like the <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/media-center/flag-football-is-coming-to-the-olympics\">2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles</a>.  </p>\n\n<p>Earlier this year, USA Football unveiled the <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/media-center/usa-football-announces-launch-of-new-national-team-development-program\">National Team Development Program</a>. The program and its Select Teams provide athletes at the 12U level and up to with opportunities to stay engaged with USA Football and pursue invitations to U.S. National Team Trials. In July, USA Football will host the first annual Select Bowl, a premier multi-day competition between regional Select Teams at various age divisions. </p>\n\n<p>Additionally, USA Football fields junior and adult U.S. Tackle National Teams to compete in IFAF events. USA Football’s Women’s Tackle National Team, led by head coach <strong>Callie Brownson</strong>, won gold at the 2022 IFAF Women's World Championship.  </p>\n\n<p>USA Football’s U.S. National Team has produced several notable alumni with significant achievements at the collegiate and professional levels, including current or former NFL All-Pros <strong>Trevon Diggs</strong>, <strong>Tyrann Mathieu</strong>, <strong>Jordan Poyer</strong>, <strong>Jonathan Taylor</strong> and <strong>Wyatt Teller</strong>. Fifteen former members of the U.S. National Team program have gone on to be first round picks in the NFL Draft. </p>\n\n<p>Former U.S. National Team athletes, like Brownson, may receive opportunities to stay involved in the sport through public speaking, coaching, scouting or other leadership opportunities. Five current or former U.S. National Team athletes sit on USA Football’s Board of Directors.  </p>","postDate":"7/18/2024","tags":"Youth football","heroImage":"https://assets.usafootball.com/cms/2024-07/FDM_Stages_Blog.png","heroImageFocal":"Middle Center","heroVideo":"","featured":"False","featuredImage":"","featuredLede":"","nid":"8663","author":"Samuel Teets","category":"America's game","oldId":"","metaKeywords":"","metaDescription":"","slug":"usa-football-building-on-football-development-model-with-latest-stages"},{"title":"Arkansas approves USA Football Youth Coach Certification","body":"<p>The Arkansas Department of Health has approved USA Football’s Youth Coach Certification as a pathway for football coaches to satisfy the <a href=\"https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/coach-safely-act\">Coach Safely Act</a>.  </p>\n\n<p>Signed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders in 2023, the Coach Safely Act requires Arkansas youth football coaches to pass a coach training program approved by the state. With the decision from Arkansas’ Department of Health, football coaches and programs in the state now may continue to use USA Football’s <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/coach-certification\">Youth Coach Certification</a> to prepare for their seasons.  </p>\n\n<p>As football’s governing body in the U.S., USA Football welcomes opportunities to coordinate with national, state and local leaders to share the latest educational materials, recommendations and research. USA Football supports youth programs in all 50 states, helping organizations provide athletes with memorable experiences. More than 5,500 youth programs serving over 1.3 million athletes enrolled with USA Football in 2023.  </p>\n\n<p>More than 1.1 million coach certifications have been completed since 2012 nationally, reinforcing the football community’s goal to ensure the sport is coached and played smarter than ever before.  </p>\n\n<p>“USA Football's Youth Coach Certification is a comprehensive, athlete-centered program that helps coaches support the health, well-being and performance of athletes,” said Lauren Davenport, USA Football Senior Manager, Education & Training. “Our certification offers pathways for both tackle and flag football coaches and covers a range of topics, including head, heart and heat materials, on-field drills and skills, practical coaching, team management and abuse prevention. We support coaches in creating environments for athletes to participate, develop and compete in football.” </p>\n\n<p>USA Football’s certification encompasses interactive, instructive modules built with experts in medicine, long-term athlete development and sports. These modules cover all specified areas of the Arkansas Coach Safely Act, including emergency preparedness, concussions and head trauma, heat and extreme weather-related risks, physical conditioning and training equipment usage and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).  </p>\n\n<p>“USA Football’s certification represents the best of youth sports,” said Director of the Safe Concussion Outcome, Recovery & Education (SCORE) Program at Children's National Hospital, Dr. Gerard Gioia. “From player safety to exciting player skill development, this is what 21st century youth sports coach preparation looks like, and it’s what moms and dads should expect from a sport’s governing body. USA Football does vitally important work, advancing youth athletes’ health and wellness through a terrific team sport for our kids.” </p>\n\n<p>Nationally accredited by the United States Center for Coaching Excellence (USCCE), USA Football’s certification has undergone a rigorous review process to meet the evolving needs of coaches and provide best-in-class education.  </p>\n\n<p>“Accreditation [through the USCCE] ensures that a coach education program can deliver evidence-based knowledge, resources, and skills to its coach members,” said USCCE Accreditation Chair Andrew Driska, Ph.D. in 2022. “USA Football has developed a comprehensive program that prepares coaches to meet youth athletes at their stage of development while prioritizing quality experiences and healthy environments.” </p>\n\n<p>USA Football’s Youth Coach Certification is trusted by coaches in all 50 states and has been completed in 15 foreign countries across six continents.  </p>","postDate":"5/23/2024","tags":"Coaching Certification","heroImage":"https://assets.usafootball.com/cms/2024-05/youth_football.jpg","heroImageFocal":"Middle Center","heroVideo":"","featured":"False","featuredImage":"","featuredLede":"","nid":"8652","author":"Samuel Teets","category":"Health and safety","oldId":"","metaKeywords":"","metaDescription":"","slug":"arkansas-approves-usa-football-youth-coach-certification"},{"title":"Police Athletic Leagues of South Florida Launches Girls’ Flag Football Program with Support from USA Football Grant","body":"<p>Police Athletic Leagues (P.A.L.s) of South Florida recently concluded its first girls’ flag football season. The spring league featured eight P.A.L. chapters from across the state and approximately 76 participants in fifth through eighth grade. For <a href=\"https://www.palsofsouthflorida.com/\">Police Athletic Leagues of South Florida</a> Executive Director, Tim Albury, the successful season marked the culmination of a year of planning.  </p>\n\n<p>Albury met USA Football’s Director of Consulting Sales, Mike Cuzzone, at a national conference in 2023. The two discussed the <a href=\"https://blogs.usafootball.com/blog/8621/national-youth-sports-nevada-shares-advice-and-benefits-of-operating-a-flag-football-program\">benefits of launching a girls’ flag football program</a> focused on filling the gap between the early youth and high school levels. It didn’t take long for Albury and his team to begin the process of making girls’ flag football the Police Athletic Leagues of South Florida’s first sports program.  </p>\n\n<p>“We started looking at adding girls’ flag football last year, and the pieces all fell into place,” Albury said. “It was an opportunity to kick things off together [with USA Football] and then try to make this something really good down the road.” </p>\n\n<p>The league’s success has Albury and Police Athletic Leagues of South Florida looking into offering opportunities to play in the fall as the program continues connecting with the communities its P.A.L. chapters serve.  </p>\n\n<p>“Our mission is similar to the mission of each individual Police Athletic League, which is to give kids a place to be involved in activities, including sports, educational spaces, mentoring opportunities and many other programs,” Albury explained. “Our job is to support each individual Police Athletic League together as a unit. We’re stronger together than we are individually, so our goal is to help Police Athletic Leagues succeed by working together.” </p>\n\n<p>Albury, who ran his own individual P.A.L. chapter for 11.5 years while working for the Davie Police Department, is a long-running supporter of Florida’s local communities. He and Police Athletic Leagues of South Florida hold annual conferences for youth and adults and offer a “Stop the Violence” curriculum that several chapters visit schools to teach.  </p>\n\n<p>“We wanted to do sports from the start, but we wanted to establish our organization and get ourselves up and running first,” Albury said. “Once we did that, it was just a matter of making contacts.” </p>\n\n<p>Police Athletic Leagues of South Florida applied for and received a <a href=\"https://www.usafootball.com/grants/girls-flag-grant\">girls’ flag grant</a> as part of USA Football’s grants program, which has already awarded 10,000 flag belts and 1,500 footballs in 2024 to support the development of flag football. Albury’s organization took full advantage of the opportunity to launch its inaugural season.  </p>\n\n<p>“The grant was instrumental. By providing the necessary equipment and informational material with rules, coaching practices and the opportunity to get our coaches certified, USA Football made it so we didn’t have to re-invent the wheel,” Albury said. “The grant also meant that we didn’t have to go out there and try to find ways to raise the money to put on this program. Police Athletic Leagues are non-profits and rely heavily on donations and fundraising. This opportunity was a great fit for us. Without the girls’ flag grant, it probably would’ve taken us another year to get the program started.” </p>\n\n<p>Flag football, which is a sanctioned high school varsity sport for girls in 11 states, is <a href=\"https://blogs.usafootball.com/blog/8614/westfield-p-a-l-flag-football-launches-girls-flag-football-league-unites-community-with-life-lessons\">exploding in popularity</a>. Per USA Football research, the number of girls ages 6-12 playing flag football has increased 222% in the past decade. During the same time, there was a 44% increase in girls ages 6-17 playing the sport. Police Athletic Leagues of South Florida is doing its part by inspiring young athletes to fall in love with the game.  </p>\n\n<p>“There was a mother that I spoke to who said her daughter found a new passion through flag football,” Albury said. “She just loved playing. She was just so in love with the game that she enjoyed every minute of it regardless of whether her team was winning or losing. That was really cool to hear.” </p>\n\n<p>The league <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo1rW2Yg4sw\">hosted its championship in March</a>, concluding a successful first season in front of supportive family members and representatives from the local community.  </p>\n\n<p>“It was great to see all of the people out there. There was a young girl with a sign supporting her sister, which was cool to see,” Albury recalled. “The Chief from Miami Gardens Police Department and some of her staff came out to support the event. We had a lot of support from the community, police departments and the coaches, which made it an awesome experience. That’s why we’re looking to do something in the fall.” </p>\n<figure role=\"group\" class=\"caption caption-img align-center\"><img alt=\"Teams line up in one of the first games of Police Athletic League of South Florida's championship day.\" data-entity-type=\"file\" data-entity-uuid=\"b5bf70b4-2a43-49d5-93bc-3ee94a849f4e\" height=\"249\" src=\"https://assets.usafootball.com/cms/inline-images/Police%20Athletic%20Leagues%20of%20South%20Florida%20Championship.jpg\" width=\"443\"><figcaption>Teams line up in one of the first games of Police Athletic League of South Florida's championship day.</figcaption></figure><p>Several P.A.L. chapters that Police Athletic Leagues of South Florida serve are taking significant steps to capitalize on the league’s momentum by keeping their athletes engaged deeper into the spring. Girls’ teams from Boynton Beach P.A.L. and Miami Gardens P.A.L. recently participated in USA Football’s <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/tournaments-events/qualifier-tournaments\">Southeast Qualifier tournament</a> in Tampa, marking the first time some athletes attended a regional flag football event.  </p>\n\n<p>“This is the first time that I’ve ever been involved with flag football for girls,” said Bill Tome, President of Boynton Beach P.A.L. “I’ve been affiliated with tackle football for boys for the past 40 years. USA Football sponsored our girls’ team, [helping] with the equipment, uniforms and everything else. It [the Southeast Qualifier] was a great experience. Our girls had never played in a travel tournament until we came here.” </p>\n\n<p>Police Athletic Leagues of South Florida’s season ran smoothly with plenty of positive feedback and excitement for organizers and P.A.L. chapters to carry over into the fall or next spring. Now, Albury is focused on expanding the program to bring in more P.A.L. chapters and athletes.  </p>\n\n<p>“We’re really excited about the opportunity USA Football gave us to start this program,” Albury said. “We look forward to making this grow into something bigger.” </p>","postDate":"5/16/2024","tags":"Grants, Flag Football","heroImage":"https://assets.usafootball.com/cms/2024-05/Police_Athletic_Leagues_of_South_Florida.jpg","heroImageFocal":"Middle Center","heroVideo":"","featured":"False","featuredImage":"","featuredLede":"","nid":"8650","author":"Samuel Teets","category":"Program growth","oldId":"","metaKeywords":"","metaDescription":"","slug":"police-athletic-leagues-of-south-florida-launches-girls-flag-football-program-with-support-from-usa-football-grant"},{"title":"East End Athletics Earns Gold Level Status in USA Football Program","body":"<p>East End Athletics Inc. located in East Moriches, N.Y., has earned Gold Level status through USA Football’s <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/programs/league-excellence-program/\">League Excellence Program</a> for the 2023 season.      </p>\n\n<p>USA Football’s League Excellence Program is a way for youth football organizations to earn recognition for their commitment to raising operational standards and providing great environments for athletes and their families.     </p>\n\n<p>East End Athletics Inc. offers a diverse range of inclusive sports programs tailored to meet the needs of every child, including all-girls and co-ed flag football, along with the Super Star League, which is dedicated to children with special needs. Additionally, the league is launching a new Youth Wheelchair Flag Football League to ensure all athletes have access to sports. Athletes aged six to seventeen can participate in the divisions offered. </p>\n\n<p>“Being one of the first official youth flag football leagues on the east end of Long Island, we are giving the opportunity to have all children play regardless of their skills, ability and athleticism,” said East End Athletics Inc. President Ali Adlah. “Inexperienced players who typically did not excel in school sports are coming out looking like champions on the flag field.” </p>\n\n<p>Additionally, the program partners with the physical and occupational therapy programs at a local university to get physical and occupational therapists engaged in supporting adaptive sports. Adlah, who is an occupational therapist, is excited for the opportunities created by this collaboration. </p>\n\n<p>East End Athletics Inc. is “proud and honored to be part of the [USA Football] community,” as the league earned multiple recognitions in 2023 for its outstanding effort. East End Athletics Inc. has also benefited from USA Football’s Grants Program, which helped secure new equipment for the league. </p>\n\n<p>“There are many great things I take advantage of through USA Football,” Adlah said. “However, I must say that the Community has been the most positive aspect of getting the league going. It's filled with positive feedback and motivation. There have been many times where I was ready to throw my hands up, but then I read what others are going through and what they have overcome and endured, which then motivates me to keep pushing.” </p>\n\n<p>Access to USA Football's Online Community, where coaches and league leaders can network and learn from each other, is available through <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/membership\">USA Football Membership</a>. </p>\n\n<p>Congratulations to East End Athletics Inc. on another successful year and for earning Gold Level status.  </p>","postDate":"4/11/2024","tags":"","heroImage":"https://assets.usafootball.com/cms/2024-04/East_End_Athletics.png","heroImageFocal":"Middle Center","heroVideo":"","featured":"False","featuredImage":"","featuredLede":"","nid":"8643","author":"Phoebe Baraker","category":"Program growth","oldId":"","metaKeywords":"","metaDescription":"","slug":"east-end-athletics-earns-gold-level-status-in-usa-football-program"}],"featured":[{"title":"Marketing Tips and Tricks For Youth Football Leagues","body":"<p>One of the most important traits of a successful league is the ability to effectively market and promote itself and the experience they offer to families in its community.</p>\n\n<p>We know as well as you that connecting with the parents in your community isn’t the easiest thing to do. However, among the premier resources and tools you receive by <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/programs/enrollment/\">enrolling with USA Football</a> is a marketing kit full of tried and tested tricks of the trade.</p>\n\n<p>Whether you’re a brand-new league in your first year of existence or one that the community has known for decades, the marketing kit has something that’ll help any league bolster its promotional efforts.</p>\n\n<p>Here’s a list of some things you’ll find in the marketing kit, some of which you can even dive into starting today.</p>\n\n<ul><li>10 tips on using social media for your organization (<a href=\"https://usafootball.com/resources-tools/commissioner/\">Access today</a>)</li>\n\t<li>Video with insights on how to speak and market to parents featuring a USA Football Brand Manager (<a href=\"https://usafootball.com/resources-tools/commissioner/\">Access today</a>)</li>\n\t<li>Marketing plan with suggested timelines for your season’s most important events</li>\n\t<li>Email templates, flyers and graphics to help you share information on what your league is doing.</li>\n</ul><img alt=\"\" data-entity-type=\"file\" data-entity-uuid=\"a0866a29-740e-4b41-8793-262bf78a10bb\" src=\"https://assets.usafootball.com/cms/inline-images/markit-%5B637687471%5D.png\" class=\"align-center\"><p>To learn more on how to enroll your organization today and see the support you can receive like the marketing kit, visit <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/programs/enrollment/\">usafootball.com/enroll</a>.</p>\n\n<p>The promotion and marketing support doesn’t just stop there. Through our new <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/programs/league-excellence-program/\">League Excellence Program</a>, leagues unlock even more support for raising their operational standards. To learn more about the program and the additional benefits you can receive, visit <a href=\"https://fdm.usafootball.com/leagues/league-excellence-program\">usafootball.com/excellence</a>.</p>\n\n<p><em>If you have questions or need help enrolling your organization, </em><a href=\"https://usafootball.com/regional-managers\"><em>contact your USA Football Regional Manager</em></a><em>.</em></p>\n\n<div style=\"background-color:#09254a !important; padding:.5em 4em;color:#fff;text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;padding-bottom:20px;\">\n<h3>ENROLLMENT YOUR ORGANIZATION</h3>\n\n<p>Whether your organization is full-contact, non-contact or offers a progression of game types, enrolling with USA Football gives you access to operational resources, from in-depth guides to communication tools to enhanced coach education and certifications.</p>\n\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:10px;\"><strong><a href=\"https://account.usafootball.com/login\" style=\"background-color:#9e0a0f; color:#ffffff; border-radius:0px; display:inline-block; padding:.5em 1em; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\">ENROLL NOW</a></strong></p>\n</div>\n","postDate":"5/7/2021","tags":"Commissioner, Coach , Youth Football, Parents and Community, Football Parents, Program Development","heroImage":"https://assets.usafootball.com/cms/2021-05/Enrollment-Resource-Blog-Image-Marketing.jpg","heroImageFocal":"Middle Center","heroVideo":"","featured":"True","featuredImage":"https://assets.usafootball.com/cms/2021-10/Enrollment-Resource-Blog-Image-Marketing.jpg","featuredLede":"","author":"Gehrig Parker","category":"Program growth","oldId":"","nid":"8280","metaKeywords":"League, Marketing, Kit, Enrollment, USA Football, Program, Youth Football","metaDescription":"We know as well as you that connecting with the parents in your community isn’t the easiest thing to do. However, among the premier resources and tools you receive by enr","slug":"marketing-tips-and-tricks-for-youth-football-leagues"},{"title":"How the Advanced Tackling System Builds Upon the Shoulder Tackling System","body":"<p>USA Football is focused on a better, safer game. To that end, in 2017, we released the still well-received Shoulder Tackling System. It was built in conjunction with the Seattle Seahawks and gave coaches drills and fundamentals to execute an efficient and safer type of tackle.</p>\n\n<p>This week, we announced the launch of our Advanced Tackling System, which builds upon the Shoulder Tackling System and the tackling principles taught within Heads Up Football and USA Football’s coach certification.</p>\n\n<p>The Advanced Tackling System uses the 5 Fights progression developed by multi-sport tackling expert Richie Gray during his time in rugby and with the Miami Dolphins. This progression allows the Advanced Tackling System to layer on top of <em>any</em> tackling system a coaching staff may be using, including the existing Shoulder Tackling System.</p>\n\n<h3><strong>WHY TWO TACKLING SYSTEMS?</strong></h3>\n\n<p>The free <a href=\"https://footballdevelopment.com/shoulder-tackling\">Shoulder Tackling System</a> and our shoulder tackling certification components provide an excellent foundation for three tackle types:</p>\n\n<ul><li>Form Tackle</li>\n\t<li>Thigh & Drive Tackle</li>\n\t<li>Thigh & Roll Tackle</li>\n</ul><p>Coaches can use this system and that progression to give their athletes a thorough understanding on how to tackle and make contact with the shoulder.</p>\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https://footballdevelopment.com/advanced-tackling\">Advanced Tackling System</a> breaks down and builds the tackle in a new way that applies to any type of tackle, including but not limited to the three types covered in the Shoulder Tackling System.</p>\n\n<p>The goal is to help coaches work with their players and the rest of their staff to understand what separates a poor tackle from an adequate tackle, and ultimately, what separates both of those from a world class tackle.</p>\n\n<p>As previously mentioned, the Advanced Tackling System leverages the 5 Fights progression, which includes:</p>\n\n<ul><li>Fight to Track</li>\n\t<li>Fight to Prepare</li>\n\t<li>Fight to Connect</li>\n\t<li>Fight to Accelerate</li>\n\t<li>Fight to Finish</li>\n</ul><p>These are not physical fights. They represent the struggle and the mental toughness to execute every part of the tackle at a world class level.</p>\n\n<p>Every tackle is composed of those five elements and their corresponding Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). KPIs help coaches work with their players at every step of the progression to develop the skills necessary to improve making any kind of tackle.</p>\n\n<p>That’s the key here. The Advanced Tackling System doesn’t just work in the <em>perfect world scenario. </em></p>\n\n<p>For example, if a player doesn’t have the perfect body position because of a blocker’s presence, a staff can now leverage the system to develop the techniques necessary to make a one arm tackle while fighting pressure from the blocker.</p>\n\n<p>The beauty here is that this system works no matter what your foundational system is for tackling. While the Shoulder Tackling System is the gold standard as a foundation, staffs often have to go beyond those three tackle types. The Advanced Tackling System gives them a framework to do that successfully.</p>\n\n<h3><strong>MORE THAN JUST DRILLS</strong></h3>\n\n<p>The Advanced Tackling System is also more than just a series of drills. It was truly designed as progression to understand, build up and break down the tackle. Once a coaching staff and their players understand the 5 Fights, they can use them to evaluate their performance in game, in film review and in practice.</p>\n\n<h4><strong>In Game Understanding</strong></h4>\n\n<p>When we tested the Advanced Tackling System with collegiate and high school staffs during the 2018 season, we discovered that players were able to report their own usage of the 5 Fights progression as well as their teammates along with the corresponding KPIs.</p>\n\n<p>A free safety might notice that the inside linebacker who made the play launched his body rather than kept his feet in the ground, which he can report to his teammates.</p>\n\n<p>As players feel their own success, they can even note that they may have had a bad clamp and grip when they were Fighting to Connect, or that they left their feet and lost ground when they were trying to accelerate and finish.</p>\n\n<p>This also highlights the one unified and common language that both the staff and players can use to make sure they’re performing at the level necessary to achieve success.</p>\n\n<h4><strong>Postgame Analysis</strong></h4>\n\n<p>Evaluation and grading are critical for every team. Most of the time, coaches are looking at effort and schematic execution. Tackling isn’t often examined with the critical detail necessary to determine success. <a href=\"https://blogs.usafootball.com/blog/6797/enhanced-tackle-analytics-and-grading-processes\" target=\"_blank\">Tackle analytics</a> aren’t often considered. Coaches grade the player and simply say the tackle was either made or missed.</p>\n\n<p>With the Advanced Tackling System, we teach you how to do proper grading and analysis within your scouting tool of choice.</p>\n\n<p>This helps coaches look for areas of strength and weakness, so they don’t have to say, “We missed a lot of tackles so we’re going to practice tackling this week.” Well, if you practice form tackle and thigh and drive, but you’re struggling when it comes to tackling below the knee and taking bad angles in the open field, you’re not fixing the actual problem.</p>\n\n<p>These evaluation lessons help coaches identify the exact problem areas within the tackle and for each individual defender and position group. This then leads us to the next item, in-practice performance.</p>\n\n<h4><strong>In-Practice Performance</strong></h4>\n\n<p>From what coaches and players learn in game and in film review, they can apply directly to their practice periods. Coaches can plan and program individual drills from the Advanced Tackling System into their practices to address the flaws that separate their players from executing world class tackles.</p>\n\n<p>For instance, maybe players are being overwhelmed in the box by lots of traffic. The <a href=\"https://footballdevelopment.com/advanced-tackling/track/pong\" target=\"_blank\">Pong drill</a> is designed to be low contact and help players properly train their eyes to track the hip of the ball carrier and make the right play.</p>\n<img alt=\"advanced tackling system - pong drill\" data-entity-type=\"file\" data-entity-uuid=\"a2c866c3-0db7-457a-b767-6abc8a6b5683\" src=\"https://assets.usafootball.com/cms/inline-images/pongliteblog.gif\" class=\"align-center\"><p>While that might not look like a tackling drill at first glance, what it does is it trains an often-overlooked element of the tackle that can transform success come game day.</p>\n\n<h2><strong>LEVERAGING BOTH SYSTEMS TOGETHER</strong></h2>\n\n<p>We encourage coaches to start with certification’s Shoulder Tackling drills and then to take the additional drills in the free Shoulder Tackling System. This lays a good foundation for how to execute three very common and essential tackle types. It also provides key fundamentals to help ensure success.</p>\n\n<p>For coaches who have already taken those or are familiar with the techniques, we encourage you to jump into the Advanced Tackling System by trying three lessons free. When you subscribe to the complete premium system, you’ll gain a better understanding on how to build a better tackle through the full progression.</p>\n\n<p>USA Football believes all our tackling components work well together and encourage every coach to investigate these resources for themselves.</p>\n\n<div style=\"background-color:#09254a !important; padding:.5em 4em;color:#fff;text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;padding-bottom:20px;\">\n<h3>ADVANCED TACKLING SYSTEM - AVAILABLE NOW</h3>\n\n<p>Your defense is only as good as each tackler. Equip your staff with a common language, a systematic teaching progression and evaluation tools to coach better tacklers.</p>\n\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:10px;\"><strong><a href=\"https://usafootball.com/development-training/tackling-systems/advanced-tackling-system-form/?utm_source=marketing&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=at&utm_term=footer-ad&utm_content=blog-ad\" style=\"background-color:#9e0a0f; color:#ffffff; border-radius:0px; display:inline-block; padding:.5em 1em; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\">REGISTER TODAY</a></strong></p>\n</div>\n","postDate":"1/15/2019","tags":"Tackling, Shoulder Tackle, Roll Tackle, Hawk Tackle","heroImage":"https://assets.usafootball.com/cms/2019-01/advancedtacklingshouldertackling.jpg","heroImageFocal":"Middle Center","heroVideo":"","featured":"True","featuredImage":"https://assets.usafootball.com/cms/2019-01/advancedtacklingshouldertackling_0.jpg","featuredLede":"","author":"USA Football","category":"Technical and tactical","oldId":"","nid":"6949","metaKeywords":"What is the difference between USA Football's Advanced Tackling System and Shoulder Tackling System?","metaDescription":"What is the difference between USA Football's Advanced Tackling System and Shoulder Tackling System? Find out inside.","slug":"how-the-advanced-tackling-system-builds-upon-the-shoulder-tackling-system"},{"title":"15 life lessons from football that shouldn't be overlooked ","body":"<p>While I had my share of injuries in a decade of playing football, nearly all came during my college years, when the speed and intensity ticked up quite a few notches.</p>\n\n<p>And I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything in the world.</p>\n\n<p>I played football from the time I was 12 years old until I was 22. I earned a full scholarship to play safety at Charleston Southern University, and was fortunate enough to have my education – a bachelor's degree and the better part of an MBA – paid for because of my physical abilities.</p>\n\n<p><strong>RELATED CONTENT</strong>: <a href=\"https://blogs.usafootball.com/blog/694/7-mistakes-many-athletes-don-t-recognize-until-they-get-older\">7 mistakes many athletes don’t recognize until they get older</a></p>\n\n<p><em>Are you the parent of a youth, middle school or high school football player who’s looking for more tips or resources? Check out our <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/parent/\">Parent Guide, Parents 101 course, nutritious recipes and more</a>.</em></p>\n\n<p>The lessons I learned from football are priceless. They've helped me in my post-football career (yes, there's life after football). I learned how to tackle people and catch a leather ball, but more importantly, how to lead others and the value of practice. I learned life skills that many of my peers are still trying to figure out at 30 years old.</p>\n\n<p>I was given an unfair advantage because of the time I spent playing football. Not only did I have a support group of peers who looked out for me, I was blessed with a number of mentors who cared about me and wanted me to succeed.</p>\n\n<p>The media endlessly talks about the risks of football and the danger of collisions. What's often overlooked are the benefits that come from the game. The life lessons that young men learn while they play it are priceless.</p>\n\n<p>Here are 15 things football taught me that I use every day:</p>\n\n<p><strong>1. How to compete</strong>: There are two types of competition: competition with others, and yourself. Football teaches both. When you face an opponent, you have to study film (research) and think critically about how to beat them (game theory), come up with a game plan (planning), and make that plan come to life (execution).</p>\n\n<p>Individually, you must improve your body to become a better player. If you don't learn to compete with yourself and improve every day, you'll be the weakest link in the chain. That in itself is pressure enough to improve.</p>\n\n<p><strong>RELATED CONTENT</strong>: <a href=\"https://blogs.usafootball.com/blog/698/4-ways-a-u-s-national-team-scout-knows-if-an-athlete-is-a-future-ncaa-division-i-football-player\">4 ways a U.S. National Team scout knows if an athlete is a future NCAA Division I football player</a></p>\n\n<p><strong>2. How to be disciplined</strong>:<strong> </strong>From the schemes our coaches drew up, to early-morning workouts, to the focus required to keep my grades above a certain level, I needed discipline for every aspect of the sport. By the time I finished football, I had no choice but to understand discipline and enforce it throughout the rest of my life.</p>\n\n<p><strong>3. How to work (really) hard</strong>:<strong> </strong>99.9 percent of resumes say “hard-working” somewhere on them. Think about your workplace. Are 99.9 percent of your coworkers hard-working? Probably not. This isn't to say sports are the only way to learn hard work, but it's a great start. In football, you can earn a name for yourself by outworking your teammates. It's an unfair advantage that's accessible to everyone by changing attitude.</p>\n\n<p><strong>4. How to lead</strong>:<strong> </strong>Leadership is a billion-dollar industry. Managers pay for leadership training, and they pay to learn how to lead themselves. Coaches lead teams, but only to a certain extent. Go to any high school football stadium on a Friday night, and you’ll see more than a few leaders who encourage their teammates when the score isn’t in their favor. Leadership is learned in many ways, and in football, it's learned early.</p>\n\n<p><strong>5. How to follow</strong>: With the apparent lack of respect for others we see in the news, this is extremely important. Before you can lead, you have to know how to follow. Study how other leaders do it, how they inspire others and motivate the people around them, and when to stand up for something and when to let the coach do their job. Leadership is rare, but everyone needs to know how and when to follow.</p>\n\n<p><strong>RELATED CONTENT</strong>: <a href=\"https://blogs.usafootball.com/blog/5791/the-5-building-blocks-of-team-captains-who-are-true-leaders\">The 5 building blocks of team captains who are true leaders</a></p>\n\n<p><strong>6. How to be accountable</strong>:<strong> </strong>Individuals don't win football games. Teams do. To be on a team, you must learn to be accountable to the people around you. We had a "one fail, all fail" policy on one of my teams. If one person was late, the whole defense was punished. In life, if you don't carry your weight, your whole organization can potentially be punished.</p>\n\n<p><strong>7. How to push others</strong>: During fall conditioning, when I was exhausted and wanted to collapse, I figured out how to get through the discomfort. I turned my focus to others and encouraged them. Americans spend billions each year on self-help books, seminars and courses. People search for something or someone to help motivate them. Through sport, we can mold future generations to know how to help each other.</p>\n\n<p><strong>8. The value of practice</strong>: Football requires practice. We lift weights, watch film, run sprints and practice until our legs wobble. And because of that practice, we improve. Many people have goals in life but don't know how to reach them. They search for quick answers on the internet and try to avoid the part where they pay their dues. Football taught me how to put in the time and learn to improve skills incrementally.</p>\n\n<p><strong>RELATED CONTENT</strong>: <a href=\"https://blogs.usafootball.com/blog/1531/4-ways-bad-grades-can-ruin-your-football-career\">4 ways bad grades can ruin your football career</a></p>\n\n<p><strong>9. How to sacrifice</strong>:<strong> </strong>I didn't have a typical college experience. Many of my mornings started at 4:55 a.m., and I was pouring sweat before regular students rolled out of bed. In high school, I sacrificed extra time with friends and family because I wanted to get to the next level, and that goal required extra workouts. I learned to sacrifice that “normal” experience for something great, a chance to play college football. Just 6.5 percent of high school football players go on to play in college<u>, </u>and I was one of them. That honor was bestowed on me because I was willing to sacrifice.</p>\n\n<p><strong>10. How to accomplish something bigger</strong>: When players showed up for preseason camp in August, we had to leave our egos at home. In order to accomplish something larger than ourselves, we had to submit to the goals of the team. If every player had a different agenda, we would've gone all different directions. But when we had one mindset, we accomplished tremendous feats.</p>\n\n<p><strong>11. To control what I can control</strong>: Injuries are a part of sports. Football is no exception. Through my injuries, I realized I could handle adversity one of three ways: I could be bitter, I could quit or I could make the best of my situation. I saw some players quit after injuries, most of whom regretted their decision. I saw others carry a negative attitude wherever they went, like a ball and chain slowing them down. And then I saw an upperclassman play his senior year with a broken hand and enjoy every minute of it. He told me, “There’s no use in complaining. It won’t change my situation. All I can do is strap up and play the next play.” That stuck.</p>\n\n<p><strong>12. How to stand for something</strong>: By working out, running sprints and watching film, we become committed to our team. We take pride in what the decal on our helmet stands for. We care about the people we sweat with, and we listen to the coaches who lead us. By playing football, we learn what it means to make an unwavering commitment to something.</p>\n\n<p><strong>RELATED CONTENT</strong>: <a href=\"https://blogs.usafootball.com/blog/827/4-benefits-of-redshirting-in-college\">4 benefits of redshirting in college</a></p>\n\n<p><strong>13. There are no shortcuts</strong>: As part of a growing program, we had a new strength coach each year. Each brought his own style and workout preferences. As budgets improved, the school paid more qualified coaches. Each brought better technique and more effective training. One thing remained: If we didn’t hit the weight room and work hard during the offseason, we wouldn’t win games. There are better ways of doing things, but there are no shortcuts.</p>\n\n<p><strong>14. How to finish something you start</strong>: I was benched for the first time in my career during my junior year. I was distraught and angry, but didn’t allow myself to be beat by those feelings. I knew being benched was merely an obstacle I had to overcome – no different than an opponent taking the lead in the fourth quarter. I recommitted myself to my passion and started every game as a senior while being elected captain by my peers.</p>\n\n<p><strong>15. How to be selfless</strong>: Every player has their own unique talents. Some are blessed with speed, some agility, others with strength. The list goes on. I was a smart player who knew how to play multiple positions. Because of this, I was able to move around when other players were injured. I played three different positions during the course of my career because that’s where my team needed me. Had I chosen to be selfish, I could've hurt the team.</p>\n\n<p><em>Mike McCann </em><em>played football at Charleston Southern University from 2004-08. He published a book about his time at CSU, the lessons he learned and the incredible true story of the 2005 team. Learn more about it at </em><em>“</em><a href=\"http://believeeg21.com/\"><em>Believe EG21: Play Like There Is No Tomorrow</em></a><em>.” Mike is an author, entrepreneur, football coach and philanthropist who resides in Charleston, South Carolina. </em></p>\n\n<p><i>This is an updated version of a blog that originally published Dec. 12, 2015.</i></p>\n","postDate":"4/2/2018","tags":"Blog, High school football, Football Parents, Youth Football, Coach","heroImage":"https://assets.usafootball.com/cms/2018-04/sniderbus.jpeg","heroImageFocal":"Middle Center","heroVideo":"","featured":"True","featuredImage":"https://assets.usafootball.com/cms/2018-05/sniderbus.jpeg","featuredLede":"","author":"Mike McCann","category":"America's game","oldId":"11226","nid":"631","metaKeywords":"Being a valuable football team member goes far beyond game day. You make a name for yourself in workouts and practices, both as a leader and follower.","metaDescription":"Being a valuable football team member goes far beyond game day. You make a name for yourself in workouts and practices, both as a leader and follower.","slug":"15-life-lessons-from-football-that-shouldn-t-be-overlooked"},{"title":"An open letter from a football mom","body":"<p>Dear Mama on the Fence,<br><br>\nI understand your concern. I understand your fear.<br><br>\nIt seems like everywhere we turn these days, football is getting a bad rep.<br><br>\nMy son "will never play football. No, no." - Justin Timberlake, days before he was set to take the field at halftime of this year’s Super Bowl.</p>\n\n<p><strong>RELATED CONTENT:</strong> <a href=\"https://blogs.usafootball.com/blog/5547/kids-and-sports-8-things-i-wish-i-would-have-known\">Kids and sports: 8 things I wish I would have known</a><br><br>\nPittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier suffering a spinal injury on national TV.<br><br>\nMaryland state delegate Terri Hill drafting a bill to ban tackle football for children under the age of 14, and similar legislation cropping up in California, Illinois and New York.<br><br>\nI get you.<br><br>\nIn fact, I was<strong> </strong>you.<br><br>\nBut that was because I was allowing the thoughts and opinions of others to influence what was ultimately my sports parenting decision. </p>\n\n<p><strong>RELATED CONTENT:</strong> <a href=\"https://blogs.usafootball.com/blog/5544/from-teething-to-touchdowns-how-my-kids-fell-in-love-with-football\">From teething to touchdowns ... how my kids fell in love with football</a><br><br>\nWhat the media doesn't tell you is that almost no sport is free of concussion hazard. Lacrosse, ice hockey, wrestling, and soccer are risky as well.<br><br>\nThey don't tell you that most youth football organizations, as well as high school programs, practice <a href=\"https://usafootball.com/programs/heads-up-football/\">Heads Up Football</a>. Fairfax County (Virginia) Public Schools, the 10th largest school district in the country, <a href=\"https://www.restonnow.com/2016/05/26/fcps-football-concussions-on-the-decline-due-to-prevention-education/\">has reported a 43.3 percent decline in concussions </a>since employing the technique in 2013.<br><br>\nThey don't tell you about the health benefits youth football provides, both mental and physical.<br><br>\nThey don't tell you about the life lessons it teaches; discipline, work ethic, respect and teamwork, just to name a few.</p>\n\n<p><strong>RELATED CONTENT: </strong><a href=\"https://blogs.usafootball.com/blog/5522/when-is-it-ok-for-kids-to-quit-their-youth-sports-team\">When is it OK for kids to quit their youth sports team?</a><br><br>\nThey don't tell you about the lifelong memories and friends your child will make.<br><br>\nThey don't tell you about the lifelong memories and friends you<strong> </strong>will make.<br><br>\nThey only tell you a fraction of the story. I wanted to share another fraction. It’s the fraction that seems to get lost these days.<br><br>\nI also want to remind you that as with all parenting decisions, the final decision is yours. Only you know what is best for your child. <br><br>\nAnd football may or may not be it.<br><br>\nAnd that is ok.</p>\n\n<p><em>Vanessa Mejia is the mother of three football-playing boys, ages 14, 12 and 9, and lives in northern Virginia. Her boys also play basketball, soccer and track and field. Her husband coaches football in the Fairfax County Youth Football League. She shares Team Mom ideas, tips and tricks along with other facets of her family’s life away from the football field. Read more of her work at <a href=\"https://confessionsofasportsmama.blogspot.com/\">https://confessionsofasportsmama.blogspot.com</a></em></p>\n","postDate":"2/15/2018","tags":"Blog, Youth football, Flag Football, Football Parents","heroImage":"https://assets.usafootball.com/cms/2018-02/sportsmom21518edited.jpeg","heroImageFocal":"Middle Center","heroVideo":"","featured":"True","featuredImage":"https://assets.usafootball.com/cms/2018-04/sportsmom21518edited.jpeg","featuredLede":"","author":"Vanessa Mejia","category":"America's game","oldId":"","nid":"5575","metaKeywords":"sports parenting, youth football, team mom, football mom, Justin Timberlake, Ryan Shazier, Terri Hill","metaDescription":"Vanessa Mejia, a mother of three football-playing sons, shares her experiences as a football mom and why she believes it's beneficial to let your children play footb","slug":"an-open-letter-from-a-football-mom"}]},"categories":["Play of the Day","RPO","Parents","America's game","Motivational","Health and safety","Physical development","Technical and tactical","Coaching skills","Program growth"]};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/bundle.js/572045e1f44b3c956b96"></script> </body> </html>