Posts in category Parents

Choosing The Right Youth Football League

Apr12
2013 Leave a Comment Written by Vin

Registration has begun for youth football leagues across the country and parents have an important decision to make. With so many choices, such as Pop Warner, AYF (American Youth Football) and many independent leagues- which league should you choose? Follow these tips to help you make the right decision. Parents should look for a variety of key points when deciding on the right youth football league and/or team.

Reputation of the league is important. Hear word of mouth recommendations from friends and family. Does the league have history of conflict between coaches parents and board members? If so, you may want to avoid.
Reputation of coach. Call him and have a conversation. Is he just about winning youth football? Or is there more substance- does he have the makeup to teach kids good character traits? Is he patient? We want to stay clear of the Mike Rice from Rutgers University style of coaching. Remember this coach will be with your kid 2 hours a day for 5 days a week. Does he have a kid on his team ? You may decide to not be involved in the daddy coach dramatics.
How up to date is the league’s website? Is it informative with a clear mission statement. Do they keep track of scores, standings, schedules. Or is everything on the website from 5 years ago?
Check the prior record of the team that you’re considering in the league, they don’t necessarily need an undefeated record, but a history of doing well is a sign of a well coached team. You shouldn’t have a problem learning the team’s prior season record.
The board of directors, contact them and ask what they are doing about football equipment safety. If the Athletic Director has no idea what you’re talking about- your decision has been made!
Are they utilizing social media for regular updates, what are parents saying about the league via the social channels like Facebook and twitter.
Take a tour of their facilities, including practice field. Is it in a safe area?

Gather the information that you have obtained on the youth football leagues and go with your instincts. Good luck with your search. Have any other tips? Post them in the comments below.

choose youth football league

Posted in From the Gut

Ask A Youth Football Parent- Benefits of Playing The Game Young

Feb21
2013 Leave a Comment Written by Youth Football Online

We asked the parents of Youth Football Online All-Star Amir Bankhead two questions about involving their under 10 year old son in youth football. Here are the responses:

What do you believe are the benefits of involving Amir in football at an early age?

We believe that getting Amir involved in youth football at an early age has been of great benefit. His involvement with youth football has played a tremendous role in his development as a young man. We believe that football, through the discipline that it requires has giving Amir a head start on developing the qualities that are needed to be a significant contributor to society as an adult. Football teaches (to name a few things) the importance of academic excellence (which is needed to compete and advance at the youth level all the way through to the collegiate level), accountability, responsibility, teamwork, self discipline, self confidence, resiliency, sportsmanship, integrity, dignity, self respect, respect of others, the lesson that (You Get Out of Life ,What You Put Into It) as well as the importance of proper nutrition and proper exercise. We have witnessed all of these qualities which are already taught in our household being reinforced in our son since his introduction to youth football.

amir bankhead youth football

Do you believe safety in youth football is improving?

We believe that youth football safety is improving and advancing greatly. Just look at the advancement of the equipment that is available now or the emphasis that has been put on safety and proper technique training throughout the country.Remember, these are our children participating in this sport and as parents of youth football players their health, well-being and development are our priorities. Rather than eliminating youth football, it should be made accessible to the whole country at no cost. Then we will see our youth become more successful, proud and active as opposed to being involved with gangs, drugs, dropping out of school and becoming slaves to the newest electronic gadgets or video gaming systems.

Check out the video, you’ll see why we name Amir Bankhead one of the best under 10 year olds we’ve ever seen-

Posted in From the Gut, Guest Blogs, YFO All-Stars, Youth Football Benefits

The Worst Youth Football Game Ever

Oct24
2012 3 Comments Written by Vin

Utter shock and disbelief.

If you haven’t heard about the youth football game where five kids suffered concussions in a game that ended 52-0, check this out. This is probably one of the most despicable stories you’ll ever read about football, an example of destructive coaching and organizational collapse. We learned about the rivalry matchup between Southbridge and the Tantasqua Braves in Massachusetts this weekend, a game that took place a month ago. Comprehend what went on in this game. Then forget it- erase it from your memory. This is not football.

The game was played between 10- 12 year olds, all under 120 pounds. Several players on the losing team were injured early on as the result of jarring hits. This caused the team to fall below the 16 player minimum players rule. The game should have been stopped but it was not. At the end of the first quarter the score was 28-0. Again, the game should have been called but it was not. By game’s conclusion 5 kids suffered concussions.

Players must learn proper techniques

Who was to blame? Everyone. I’m going to list it out:

League - One simple question. Why did the league officials allow this to continue? Especially when the team went under the minimum amount allowed to play rule.

Coaches – Both coaches were suspended for the season and onward. Why would a coach want to run the score up 52-0? Especially playing a team under the minimum 16 players, is this sportsmanship? How well have both coaches instructed proper form tackling? This is why YFO stresses that national organizations should make coaching requirements a whole lot stricter. If you want to be a ‘Daddy’ coach, it’s fine, but you should know what you’re doing. Also, how heated was this rivalry? Were these kids out to hurt each other?

Parents - The parents should have banned together under these unusual circumstances. Heck, I would have pulled my kid off the field.

Referees - Why did they continue to officiate? When it was obvious proper tackling technique was not being performed, kids were getting hurt and the game was out of hand- end the game! They should have simply left the field.

Due to the severity of this, Pop Warner has become involved has launched their own investigation. Hear an interview with executive director of Pop Warner, John Butler (credit WBUR Boston’s NPR)-

When tackling is properly taught, concussions are generally a minuscule part of youth football. The media continues to make it a much larger topic than it actually is. We’re going to focus on the proper technique, please view these USA Football videos starting from the breakdown position:

There are so many people that were involved in this disaster- from the referees to the coaches. They allowed this to continue and they put children in harms way. This folks, is not how football should be taught to children- there were no life lessons presented to these children. There are clearly many benefits to playing youth football, see the YFO Movement page to learn about these. As a side note, I’m curious to learn how many ‘older but lighters’ were on the dominant team.

Posted in From the Gut, Safety

10 Things To Remember This Youth Football Season

Sep07
2012 4 Comments Written by Vin

It has been a very busy football off-season, no doubt about it. We’ve witnessed the New Orleans Saints bounty gate scandal, the Penn State football disaster, NFL referees on strike and let’s not forget how much youth football safety was in the news. I’ve compiled a countdown of 10 points to remember as we enter into this new football season.

10- Just as youth football requires kids to display respect and discipline, the same is expected from their parents. Unruly parents should remember that it’s just a game!

9- Youth football is not as dangerous as the media makes the sport out to be. New helmet technology, focus on correct coaching and league rule changes strive to make the game safer. It’s not a perfect game but it is getting there.

8- Scouting for football talent starts at the youth football level. Colleges are already recruiting kids as young as 12 years old.

7- Social media is generally bad news for youth athletes. Words almost always come back to haunt. Instead, the parent can be active via social channels on the child’s behalf.

6- Hydration is important, formulate a plan to keep your athletes drinking water before, during and after playing the sport.

5- The referees are human and make mistakes. A little respect goes a long way.

4- As a youth football coach, organization is key. Have a space just for yourself to review playbooks, scout other teams and prepare for the next game.

3- Nutrition and rest is also an integral part of the challenging routine of a youth football player. Want to really see optimal play? Replace soda and junk food with water, fresh juices and a sensible diet.

2- Coaching youth football is extremely rewarding though does take up lots of time (practice, scouting, preparation, game day).. coaches should remember to make time for family.

1- Kids football teaches life lessons. The sport is the vehicle and your son is in the driving seat. As a parent or coach, it’s your job to help him understand this.

Posted in From the Gut - Tagged benefits of youth football, youth football

Youth Athletes: Eat This, Skip That!

Aug18
2012 1 Comment Written by Vin

As the youth football preseason kicks into gear we are focusing in on how athletes can perform at their very best. To perform optimally- football athletes must train with great intensity, eat nutritious meals and take proper rest. As you’re fully aware, football is a demanding sport that requires dietary discipline while training!

Just as a high performance automobile requires high octane fuel, your child requires nutritious super foods to dominate on the football field.Here’s a list of foods you’ll select for your athlete and the poorer alternatives:

Eat this:

Wild caught salmon is a powerful food for your football child and you should incorporate this into his diet. This food is packed full of vitamins and minerals including- vitamins A & D with selenium. The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon alone will help with memory function so your child will stay sharp on the field.

Skip that:

Pulled pork sandwichs are high in fat as they generally come from the shoulder of the pig. Combine this with the sugar content in the BBQ sauce and we’re not looking at something beneficial to our kid football athletes. I know our friends in the Carolinas aren’t going to like this, but I say you should skip the pulled pork sandwich during the season.

Eat this:

Oatmeal is no joke. Oatmeal is a food with high fiber, low fat and high protein, consider it a nutritional stud. Mix some fresh berries or a banana into a bowl of oatmeal and we’re looking at a great filling meal that will reduce your athlete’s desire to snack!

Skip that:

Fruity sugary cereals aren’t where it’s at. I equate this to having junk food in the morning for breakfast. High caloric cereals help contribute to obesity and shouldn’t be consumed. Instead we’ll stick to cereals with great fiber content as it will help kids feel full.

Eat this:

Spinach helps protect our bones by way of vitamin K which is essential for maintaining the strength of our bones. Cook spinach with a little olive oil and garlic and pack it into a sandwich, it’s going to provide a nutritional kick for your athlete.

Skip that:

Salads are generally boring. The dressing that is used in salads almost always has either a high fat content or high sugar content (depending on the dressing). Salads leave you feeling unsatisfied which leads to unnecessary snacking.

Eat this:

All-natural peanut butter is awesome and highly beneficial. 2 teaspoon can equal up to 10 grams of protein! The body uses the amino acids in this protein to build and repair muscle tissue. Peanut butter also contains potassium and fiber – make a sandwich now!

Skip that:

Chili cheese dogs have no nutritional significance and shouldn’t be consumed. It’s a nutritional disaster, high in fat and calories. Skip this and go for foods that are going to help your child perform on the football field.

Posted in Nutrition - Tagged youth football nutrition

Coach, Get Organized and Get Ready!

Jul26
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Youth Football Online

As we embark upon a new youth football season- here are some tips you should follow to get prepared for the challenge of coaching. Here’s 6 tips to get yourself ready to go!

Organization is important. Create a work area in your home that’s just for coaching- have your whiteboard, laptop, scouting notes, dated game football and all coaching material neatly situated here. Label and date everything.
Find the right playbook. If you’ve been running the I-formation for years with little success, maybe it’s time to explore a new offense. Exploring various offensive or defensive schemes just may be the answer.
Create a letter for parents, a set of rules they must adhere to. All topics should be covered in this letter such as getting their child to practice on time, hydration and nutrition tips and game day respect rules. Let them know what you expect from them and conversely what they can expect from you.
Prioritize football/family/friend time now. Coaching youth football is a challenging duty, make sure you never lose site of what’s important in your life and that’s your friends and family.
Follow Youth Football Online throughout the season for coaching tips, drills and much more. Have a question about coaching? Contact us.
Keep a positive attitude, it’ll rub off on everyone.

Coaching youth sports is one of the most rewarding things you can do- good luck!

Posted in From the Gut, General Coaching Tips

A Close Call, A Parent Almost Calls It Quits..

Jul05
2012 3 Comments Written by Vin

I had a discussion earlier this week with a parent named Danielle, on the fence, uncertain if playing youth football was something she wanted her son to continue with. With how the media has covered the head injuries in youth football topic this off-season along with the rising fees to play youth football, I understood her concerns.

We talked. This parent had injury risk as a primary concern. Her desire was to have her child play flag football over tackle football but this was quickly vetoed by her husband- ‘it is tackle or nothing’. Danielle talked in detail about the Va Tech study done by Stephan Duma, it was fresh in her mind. Luckily Pop Warner has made big strides by limiting the amount of hits in practice. This means the chances of a head occurring are dynamically lowered. YFO applauds the announcement by Pop Warner.

We then discussed the rising costs of playing the sport. She started counting the different expenses that she was being asked to pay:

1. Registration fee.

2. Late registration fee.

3. Volunteer fee (should she not volunteer, the organization would keep $100).

4. Youth football equipment (including cost of replacement mouthpieces).

A grand total of $500! I calmly thought this through. The facts are- the costs for registering a child to play youth football are high and are likely to go up. Parents and organizations must come up with creative ways to fundraise to bring these costs to a minimum. You can get your child to play youth football for close to free, just have to put in the work.

I asked her to keep the benefits of playing the game of youth football in mind. Her son will learn discipline, respect for elders, teamwork, physical fitness and much more comes from playing the game. I ended our discussion by reminding her that youth football promotes family time, something she appeared to be very big on. Read more about the benefits of playing the game at the Youth Football Online movement page.

Tell us your thoughts, did I handle this situation well?

Coach Bill Belichick with his family.

Photo credit: SportsIllustrated.com

Posted in From the Gut, Youth Football Benefits - Tagged costs to play football, parents, stephan duma, youth football

What to do in a Heat Wave..

Jul20
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Vin

Youth football clinics and practices have kicked off across the country as many states are experiencing a heat wave. Be well aware of heat safety for your football athletes. It’s important to make certain our kids safe from the excessive heat. Keep these tips in mind for when it’s really hot:

Hydrate- Keep your kids drinking water, before, during and after football activities.
Skin protection- Use a high SPF to protect from the sun’s harmful ultra violet rays.
Loose fitting clothing- Light colored, breathable cotton wear is favorable in extreme heat temperatures. That is if your child isn’t wearing his uniform.
Take breaks- Frequent breaks make sense as overexertion in severe heat can be dangerous.
Fruit consumption- Loading up on fruits with high water percentage such as citrus fruits, apples, watermelon is a smart move.

There are dangers that are associated with physical activity in excessive heat. These include heat exhaustion, sunburn and cramps derived from the heat. The CDC provides warning signs for dangers involved with heat exhaustion- read up on it here. Be safe!

Posted in General Coaching Tips, News - Tagged youth football

Domineering Parents- Verbal Violence in Youth Sports

Apr25
2011 1 Comment Written by Coach Jeff

A friendly disclaimer: These views are based on my experiences while coaching youth football. My opinions are unbiased- I do not coach any of my relatives, and I live in a different town from where I coach. I coach because I love football, competition, and helping children grow into excellent young men and teenagers. I donate time strictly for the benefit of the children.

Are you kidding me ref, you stink!

What game are you watching ref, how did you miss that call?

What are you doing coach?

Why did you take my child out?

These coaches stink!

My child is the best player and should be running back! I could coach better!

Sound familiar? These comments seem to be becoming the norm. The more youth sporting events I coach/attend the worse the crowd nonsense gets.

In every game there will be bad calls, or no calls (missed penalties) by the referees. Yelling at referee does not help the situation. I have been on the receiving end of both fair and unfair penalties called on my team by the refs. Referees make bad calls; it seems to be part of the game. Many penalties called can be considered questionable. Yelling and screaming on top of your lungs does not help the team, it not only gets the refs distressed. Stress makes the refs call a tighter game which leads to potentially more penalties towards your team. In addition, after a loss or a tough game you will hear children say: “we lost the game because of the refs”. Absolutely Not, we lost the game because we allowed the other team to outscore us, that is why we lost. A lot of parents want coaches to lead by positive example (all coaches should or not be allowed on the field), but yelling and arguing with other parents and referees is not a good example for children. Parents should allow the head coach to handle the referees.

In my many years of coaching youth football I have witnessed occurrences of verbal assault by parents. Parents will do anything for their kids. With that being said, if a parent feels his/her child is being neglected or overlooked they’ll get vocal, rightfully so. BUT there is a distinctive bias towards their child. Parents will tend to think their children are being overlooked or receiving unfair treatment. Favoritism in youth sports with “daddy coaches” does in some cases lead to the uneven distribution of coaching. It’s those cases that parents should speak up and be proactive. Talk to the head coach before or after practice and have a professional tone.

Parents- yelling at the referees will make things difficult for everyone. Its results are always unfavorable. Also, we’ll hear excuses coming from the children, which is in many ways a cop out. There should be no excuses. Arguing and fighting with other parents, coaches, or referees does not set a good example to the youth football community. Not only do coaches have to lead by positive example at games and practices, but the parents need to as well. When you’re about to rip into a coach, keep in mind, it is volunteer based. Coaches are not getting paid for the time and energy they are putting in, regardless of a good or bad situation. Youth sport are all about the children – let’s set great examples.

Posted in From the Gut - Tagged daddy coaches, favoritism in youth sports, youth football