USA Football Magazine Issue 3 Summer 2007

8/8/2019 USA Football Magazine Issue 3 Summer 2007

1/37


2/37


3/37

Contents

coaching center

issue 3

summer 2007

8 c ed By Danny Hotochin

10 c sl By Danny Hotochin

14 L ad PflBy Ed Passino

16 of ed By Danny Hotochin

18 gl L m By Bill Lemonnier

19 ofl Pfl By A.D. McPhilomy

20 s F.a.Q.By Dr. David Joyner

21 Bkd sBy Cynthia Hobgood

4 ChiefSeminoleBbb Bwd

d ldd

d

l

bll

6 One Voice,One Messageusa Fbll

xp w

bll

d

vl

lpd dvlp

vlblbp

pk

By Brian Feener

12 Dodgeball,Texas Styletdd Dd,

lkd

b ,

dd

p

bll pl

p lBy Tim Polzer

24 U-S-A! U-S-A!U-S-A!t usa pl

Wld cpp

a Fbll

By Danny Hotochin &

Cynthia Hobgood

Features

League enhancement center

oFFiciating center

2 Kk

3 adbl

22 F s

26 usa Fbllcld &

r

28 usa FbllPk

P

30 g up

32 c cwd

DePartments

Front Cover

AP Photo/Steve CAnnon

heaLth & saFety center

1


4/37

USAFootball.com

Chairman

Jack kemp

Executive Director

Scott Hallenbeck

Usa football

editorial staff

Managing Editor

cyntHia Hobgood

Contributors:

natHan boUdReaUX, bonniedoWning, bRian FeeneR, ValeRie

golden, danny HotocHin, edpaSSino, damon pHillipS

To contact USA Football:

(703) 918-0007

traction media staff

Publisher

RUdy J. klancnik

Editorial Director

tim polzeR

Designer

William bRidgeFoRtH

Traction Media

Editorial Ofces

7115 Tartan Trl.

Garland, TX 75044

[email protected]

Editorial Department Phone

(972) 896-8006

Custom Publishing

(972) 898-8585

USA Football Magazineis published by Traction

Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Traction Media

does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. Publisher

assumes no responsibility or return o unsolicited

manuscripts or art. No part o this magazine may

be reprinted or otherwise duplicated without the

written permission o the editor.

dr Rrs,

as w h x sur USa F, i wu h u rur rs h sr . i hv r rs r h v r u vs

h sr, s uh hh sh.

W r ru u h w r

uh svr vv u rus s

r ur w rsh rr. Ts s

wr v s r hs, u

srrs, fs rs vur hr

uh .

o us., u w w h

f u urss rus

u w r s rr, rv ,

f rus rrs wh v s hr x w urs.

i , w hv r s r us hs

us us u sh

r W nwr h s hhh r ss

u u, u w ss. yu w

ur rsrs, shus, u hs,

u wh rs hr hs. i ur u v hs uqu

ru.

ps s r hruh hs r r u h rsh

rr, s w s s sh wh hs rus r r hs r

sr u, s ss.

as hs sur, USa F s hr s h rs U.S. n t h Wr chsh ar F kws, J. yu r r u

t USa, u rs r s rss h ur, hs .

F, w hv u ur hr u p F rrsh wh h

nFl nFl prs ass r h sr sur hs vv. Truh

h sur w w r rsurs u rsr s, qu rs, s

wrss u xsv ru hs rr, r s r u

us s u ur ss. yu r r u p F hs ssu h

, s w s uur ssus s ws, us..

ej ur sur w rwr s u h hs !

Sr,

S H

exuv drr, USa F

2 USA Football Magazine


5/37

I am a youth ootball coach,

the oensive coordinator

or ages 9 thru 11. Can you

recommend a way in which

I can call audibles into myoense without the other

sideline picking them up?

Coach Rob

Like most everything in

ootball, i you practice it and

give it enough repetitions you

can come up with an audible

system that will work or you

and your team.

Te easiest way to implement

an audible system rom the

sideline is to come up with ourto ve audible plays that you

incorporate into your practice

schedule or the week and make

them part o your game plan.

You can assign a number to each

audible play 1-5 and then have a

live color to trigger the call.

For example, i the bomb

pass to the uncovered wideout

is audible number 3 and the

live color or the hal is Red,

you can call out rom thesideline RED 783 and your

players will know that

when they hear RED an

audible is being called

and they are listening

or the last number to

know which play

is being called.

Te key to keep

your opponent

on its toes is to

call out colorsand numbers

on other

plays that

dont mean

anything, like

BLUE 561.

You can change

the color at halime or with

each series.

Te key to this working is

to incorporate this into your

practice and make sure theplayers understand what the

live color is at all times.

Larry Canard,

USA Football Youth

Coaching ask Force

As a dad and assistant

coach in a large youth program,

who is also a physician, I

am asked what pre-practice

warm-up and stretching should

be done. Would you adviseme where I can fnd the best

inormation to be printed and

distributed among the teams?

Ralph Tremaglio

Tis is a great question

and one that I am asked by

coaches on a regular basis.

Unortunately, I do not have

a specic resource I can

recommend, so Ill give you

the same advice I give our

coaches. Generally speaking,the warm-up should

include an activity

designed to

elevate the heart

rate ollowed

by a period o

stretching.

Many

coaches will ask

their players to run a lap or two

around the eld to elevate their

heart rate. While this can work

well, you may want to consider

having the members o yourteam play a game like tag. Not

only will this elevate their heart

rate and warm their muscles,

but its also un. You can keep

everyone together by using

cones to designate boundaries.

Start with a relatively large

area, gradually moving the

cones closer together to create

a more conned space. As

the size o the area decreases,

your players will need to relyon their quickness and agility

to avoid being caught. Plan

to spend 5-10 minutes o each

practice on this type o activity.

You can consider several

types o stretching, some

more complex than others.

Generally speaking, your

stretching routine should

be designed to target the

major muscle groups o

the body such as: calves,hamstrings, quadriceps, hip

fexors, low back, chest, and

shoulders. Static stretching

is usually the saest. Its basic

principle is simple: place

the muscle in a stretched

position and hold or 10 to

30 seconds. Make sure the

players understand to stretch

only until they eel slight

resistance; i they eel pain,

theyve stretched too ar. Justremember to

encourage

your

team to

hold the

stretch

rather than

bounce. Te bouncing

motion is called ballistic

stretching and it is not

recommended.

John Reynolds,USA Football Health &

Saety Consultant

Do I need a license to become

a ootball coach rom youth to the

college level? What experience

do I need to become a head

coach in youth ootball?

Christopher Mendez

Tank you or your

question and your interest

in becoming a youth ootballcoach. Te youth game

is always in need o more

quality coaches who can

provide a positive experience

or youth players. o become

a youth ootball coach there

is no standardized license or

certication but more and

more leagues are requiring that

their coaches are educated and

attend a clinic or online course.

USA Football is working toprovide educational products

designed or youth-league

coaches. Our new membership

program includes our online

course level 1 and 2 along

with a number o additional

tools including our Practice

Planner, Drills Library and

Coaching Soware program.

Most college programs

require you to have served as

a graduate assistant or twoyears prior to becoming a ull-

time coach.

Tank you or considering

becoming a youth coach.

Ed Passino,

USA Football Regional

Manager, East Region

audibles

E-mail address:

[email protected]

Mailing

address:

USA Football, attn: USA Football Magazine,

8300 Boone Blvd., Suite 625, Vienna, VA 22182

3photo: cynthia hobgo od


6/37

photo: tom Dipace

Bobby Bowdens rst

experience with ootball was

as a young, curious boy in

Birmingham, Ala. peaking

through his back ence, watching

his neighborhood high schoolteam practice. He eventually

grew old enough to practice on

those same elds as a teenager,

and turned his childhood dreams

into one o the most successul

coaching careers in the history o

college ootball.

Bowden became an

outstanding quarterback at

Woodlawn High School and went

on to Alabama, ullling a lielong

dream to play or the Crimsonide. He lasted one semester in

uscaloosa beore high school

sweetheart Ann Estock lured

him back to Birmingham where

Bowden transerred to Howard

College. Tough Bowdens playing

days were limited, he could not

leave the game and decided to

become a coach. In 1976, he

accepted the job as head coach at

Florida State Universityand hes

never lef.While at FSU, Bowden

became the all-time winningest

coach in major college history in

2003 and will enter next season

with 366 wins. He has coached

two national championship

teams (1993 and 1999) and is the

only coach to lead his team to 14

straight seasons that ended with

a top-5 Associated Press ranking.

He was elected to the College

Football Hall o Fame in 2006.

Bowdens success is even more

impressive considering he took

over an FSU program in 1976 that

had won just our games during

the previous three seasons.

Te 76-year-old plans to

keep coaching as long as I eel

good and FSU still wants meand the Seminoles still do. As

Coach Bowden prepared or his

32nd season at Florida State,

USA Football Magazine took the

opportunity to ask him about

the issues and experiences hes

aced along the way.

Why do you coach?

I want to help the players I

coach with their lives, physically,

academically and spiritually.Players need a male gure in

their lie, and I am happy to be

that role model.

What made you want to be a

ootball coach?

Environment played a big

role. Te rst ve years o my

lie, I lived adjacent to high

school ootball eld. Te next 13

years I lived a hal-block rom

college ootball eld. Plus, Iloved playing ootball.

What do you enjoy most

about coaching?

I enjoy molding a winning

team and watching players

develop.

What was your frst

coaching job?

Assistant ootball coach and

head track coach at Howard

College, 1953-54.

Do you recall a game or

instance in your career that

made believe you could be agood ootball coach?

No. I always thought I would

be a good coach.

What is the greatest

challenge any ootball coach

aces?

Not hurting your players

physically or emotionally. You

must see that they succeed in lie.

What values andexperiences does ootball

oer to young men?

One o the greatest virtues

o lie is personal sacrice or

others. o be a winner, you must

be willing to sacrice or the

good o the team.

Ater players leave your

program, how do you want

them to remember you?

I want them to remember meas a coach that was air to them

and loved them.

Do you remember a coach

who impacted your youth?

Kenny Morgan, my coach at

Woodlawn High School, greatly

impacted my lie. We still meet

each June or a banquet in his

honor. Hes been coaching or

60 years.

Chief Seminole

Bobby Bowden head coachFlorida State

Bobby Bowden turned a childhood dream into one o the most successul

coaching careers in ootball history

Bobby Bowden

Career: 366-113-4 (.762) 41 YsFSU: 293-81-4 (.780) 31 Years

Floid Stt W L T Pct

1976 5 6 0 .455

1977 (Tngin) 10 2 0 .833

1978 8 3 0 .727

1979 (Ong) 11 1 0 .917

1980 (Ong) 10 2 0 .833

1981 6 5 0 .545

1982 (Gto) 9 3 0 .750

1983 (Pch) 8 4 0 .667

1984 (Citus) 7 3 2 .667

1985 (Gto) 9 3 0 .727

1986 (all-am.) 7 4 1 .625

1987 (Fist ) 11 1 0 .917

1988 (Sug) 11 1 0 .917

1989 (Fist) 10 2 0 .833

1990 (Blockbust) 10 2 0 .833

1991 (Cotton) 11 2 0 .846

1992 (Ong) 11 1 0 .917

1993 (Ong) 12 1 0 .923

1994 (Sug) 10 1 1 .864

1995 (Ong) 10 2 0 .833

1996 (Sug) 11 1 0 .923

1997 (Sug) 11 1 0 .923

1998 (Fist) 11 2 0 .846

1999 (Sug) 12 0 0 1.000

2000 (Ong) 11 2 0 .846

2001 (Gto) 8 4 0 .667

2002 (Sug) 9 5 0 .643

2003 (Ong) 10 3 0 .769

2004 (Gto) 8 3 0 .727

2005 (Ong) 8 5 0 .615

2006 (emld) 7 6 0 .538

Totl (31st y) 293 81 4 .780



7/37

5


8/37

One Voice, One Me

League administrator

2007 Introductory PrIce:Free!

Web netWorkAnunlimitednumberofcustomwebsitesfor

yourentireorganization.ewebsitesenableyoutomanageyour

roster,practice&gameschedules,postphotos,andmore.

background check dIscountUSAFootballhaspartnered

withtheNationalCenterforSafetyInitiativestooeradiscount.

regIstratIon Month kItsFreesigns,posters,CDwith

sampleregistrationforms,andmore.

usa Football MagazIne-Subscriptiontoyouthfootballs

premieremagazine.

FromCaliforniatoMassachusetts,USAFootballhasvisitedandtalkedtoyouth

footballvolunteerstondoutexactlywhat

theirorganizationsneedtoenhancetheexperiencefor

youngplayers.

Allcoachesandcommissionersarevolunteers

andtheyneedtobeeducatedconstantly,said

MarkMeana,Chairman,FairfaxCounty(Va.)

YouthFootballLeague.USAFootballprovides

thoseresourcesanditseasilyaccessibleontheir

website.

Something For EveryoneeWebNetworkisaseriesoffreeleague,club,

andteamwebsites.eyareinteractivewebsites

whereyoucanpostyourschedule,storeyourrosters,

keepcontactinformation,andcommunicatetoyour

playersandtheirparents.esitesarecustomizable

andleagueadministratorscanallowtheircoachestoedittheirownteamssites.

Coachescanlearnmoreaboutcommunicationand

XsandOswiththeCoachingCourse.Startingfrom

thebasicsandmovingintoadvancedyouthfootball

strategy,theCoachingCoursewillhelpagoodcoach

becomeagreatcoach.

TheRulesInterpretation&VideoLibrarylets

officialsdecideforthemselveshowtheyseeaplay.

Aftereachvideoiscomplete,thereisaudioand

videocommentaryonpropermechanics.With

hundredsofplaystolearnfrom,thereissomething

foreverysituation.

6 usa F Mi


9/37

sage USA Falls pis wi u fall as alus ass u lp lp alualmmsip paas By Brian Feener

MEMBERSHI

coaching

2007 IntrodUctory PrIce:$14.99

coAchIng coUrSe LeveL 1 & 2 Learnhowtoestablishgoodcommunication

andteachsomeofthebasicfundamentals.

Completewith3-Danimation,audio

instruction,andend-of-chapterquizzes.

PrActIce PLAnner UseUSAFootballtemplatesorcreateyourownpracticesfromscratch.

InterActIve PLAybookCreateyourownplaysorusepre-loadedplaysfromUSAFootball.

Aerwards,e-mailtheplaystoyourcoaches.

drILLS LIbrAry Hundredsofdrillstokeepyourpracticesinterestingandfunforyourkids.

USA FootbALL MAgAzIne-Subscriptiontoyouthfootballspremieremagazine.

ASk the exPert AskUSAFootballanythingyouneedtoknowaboutcoaching.

Pro FootbALL hALL oF FAMe PASSOnefreeadmissiontotheProFootballHallof

FameinCanton,Ohio.

MeMberShIP cArd

officiating

2007 IntrodUctory PrIce: $19.99

onLIne oFFIcIAtIng coUrSeIncreaseyourknowledgewithan

innovative

course

created

byNFL

umpire

TonyMichalek

andBig

TenrefereeBillLeMonnier.Covers2-to

5-mancrews.

rULeS InterPretAtIon & vIdeoLIbrAryVideoexamplesofhighschoolandcollegeplayswithaudio

discussingpropercallsandmechanics.

WeekLy oFFIcIAtIngQUIzzeSDesignedtokeepyourskillssharp.

ASk the exPertAskUSAFootball

anythingyouneedto

knowaboutociating.

Pro FootbALL hALL oF FAMe PASSOnefreeadmissiontotheProFootballHallofFameinCanton,Ohio.

$10 honIg'S WhIStLe StoP* $10GiCard

10%Discount

*Honigsdiscountsmustbeusedseparately.

10 USA FootbALL gAMe cArdS

USA FootbALL bULLet PencIL

USA FootbALL LAPeL PIn

USA FootbALL MeMberShIP cArd

7


10/37

COACHING

CENTER

OFFICIATING

CENTER

LEAGUEENHANCEMENTCENTE

R

HEALTH

&

SAFETYCENTE

R

COACHING

CENTER

[ ]

Schools Never Out

For CoachesYouth football coaches and their teams can benefit from continuing education

BY DANNY HOTOCHIN

Like any other profession, coaching breeds a continual need for education.

First-rate coaches, especially those who operate in the youth ranks, are continuallylearning how to improve the quality of play and experience for their players. In order to

develop their players, coaches are constantly acquiring knowledge that will improve their

ability to mentor, teach and, of course, coach.

e first step in becoming a successful football coach starts with developing a solid,

fundamental coaching philosophy that is centered on creating a positive environment

to develop your players, said Nick Inzerello, director of football development for USA

Football. Football coaches are always looking to improve and our goal is to provide the

best tools and resources to help them on the field.

Like shepherds, coaches have the power to gather players in by the herd if they are

successful and smart with their approach. However, some coaches can, and have had,

deterred many players from wanting to play the game ever again because of their lack of

coaching skills and education.

Educated

coaches should be

confident in the

Xs and Os and

the fundamentals,

as well as the

motivation and

leadership. Its

critical, said

Chris Coughlin,

longtime youth

coach in Colorado.

If you talk to anyathlete theyll tell

you the positive

or dramatic effects

that they had on

their lives. You can find other ones whove turned tons of kids away from the game because

they were never able to capture the values of the game.

Even when coaches arent attending clinics or gluing their eyes to game film or online

articles, they learn a great deal by just doing their job as a coach.

It happens on the field, as youre being out-coached, as youre struggling with parents

and it happens in the offseason depending on your motivation, said Coughlin, who started

MEGA Clinics in 1996, aimed mainly at

high school coaches.In order to ensure youth-league parents

that credible coaches will be coaching their

children, leagues are making participation

in coaching education mandatory.

We are seeing a trend where more youth

football leagues are looking to integrate a

mandatory youth football coaching education

program, Inzerello said. Both independent

leagues and Pop Warner are looking to

standardize and improve the level of coaching

within their programs as they are requiring

attendance at a USA Football coaching school

or taking the online course.

Technologys RoleIn the Age of Technology we live

in, computers and online media have

become integral to the way we learn

no matter what the subject is.

Inzerello, others at USA Football

and clinicians around the country are

combining different media platforms

to take advantage of what online

media has to offer in order to further

the coaching education process. Bydoing so, it enables coaches to learn

more efficiently and conveniently.

Our Coaching Schools are

designed for youth coaches,

providing them the opportunity to learn

in the both the classroom and on the

field, said Inzerello, who has been with

USA Football since 2003. We realize not

everybody is going to be able to attend a

clinic and thats why we created our online

8USA Football Magazine


11/37

courses that deliver a high-quality education

that can be accessible at anytime.

Beginning this month, USA Football will

launch extensive online courses designed to

promote the continuing education of coaches.

Clinics Offer ValuableLearning Opportunities

While the Internet is becoming a useful

and easily-accessible tool for many, a

multitude of coaches still attend coaching

clinics, which provide in-depth lectures

that delve into a variety of topics in the

classroom and on the field.

I think it starts with fundamentals,

said Inzerello, who helps run and organize

youth coaching clinics for USA Football. Wewant to make sure that all of our education

programs start with fundamentals, being able

to teach the proper fundamentals for each

position, teaching the proper drills in terms

of how you execute a drill.

But it doesnt end there. Organization is

a challenge for many youth coaches, who are

also juggling full-time jobs, family and other

responsibilities. Coaches who are organized

are going to be successful on the field, so we

spend a lot of time with how you set up your

practice plan so that you run an efficient

practice, Inzerello said.

Another area coaches look for help in their

development is effective communication with

players, fellow coaches and parents.

Today, parents are playing a bigger

role than they ever have in youth sports so

its important that coaches have a positive

relationship with parents, said Inzerello.

Its important that coaches interact with

the parents as much as they can. Parents can

really make or break a season.

Finally, youth coaches of all experience

levels are constantly looking for offense,defense and special teams schemes on offense.

We want to provide a base set of schemes

to understand what is a good offensive or

defensive scheme, Inzerello said.

Real Rewards of CoachingIn addition to his position at USA Football,

Inzerello moonlights as a youth football coach

of the Vienna Cardinals, coaching seven- and

eight-year olds in Vienna, Va.

Despite having success with the teams

that hes coached, Inzerello believes the real

rewards of coaching come in other forms

besides wins and championship victories.e most important thing for me is that all

of the kids that Ive coached have come back the

next season to play, so that means they enjoyed

their experience, said Inzerello, who has five

years of experience coaching youth football.

Coughlin said he has been an assistant

coach for head coaches who are tyrants

and has seen the negative effect that has on

young players. But he also points out that he

has worked with coaches who may have a

losing season and still be great with the kids.

ats a lot better than technically-smart

coaches who are terrible with the kids, said

Coughlin, who has experience as a basketballand soccer youth coach.

I think if coaches focus their philosophies

on that their kids have a great time playing the

game and theyre able to teach the fundamentals

and the skills needed to play the game, then

theyll be farther ahead than coaches who just

focus on wins and losses, Inzerello said.

With all that is available out there for coaches

to improve their game, who is to say that they

cant have as much fun as the players?

9


12/37

CoaChing

Center

offiCiating

Center

leagueenhanCementCenter

health

&

safetyCente

r

CoaChing

Center

[ ]

By Danny HotocHin

How would you go double with the Wing? asked one curious youth ootball coach.

Questions like that were asked and answered with intuitive advice during the USA Football

Coaching School at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Va. Tis spring, youth ootball

coaches rom surrounding areas in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. gathered to soak

in eective tactics on how to teach proper stances, how to develop a practice, how to execute

position drills and other imperative knowledge rom the experienced coaches at the clinic.

Besides receiving a complementary gi bag at the end o the ull-day clinic, the 150

coaches and commissioners who attended also departed with a better education in

ootball, as the attendees were shown how to teach proper on-eld techniques, eectively

communicate with players, parents and ellow coaches, and devise procient oensive and

deensive schemes in both classroom and on-the-eld sessions.

Its always helpul to get together and see some techniques, said Randy Barwley, who

coaches 75-pounders in Vienna, Va. Teres some things that I learned during the one-

hour sessions that i I knew a year ago I could have tweaked my team.

morning KickoffAttendees rst took part in a large group session aimed at building eective practice

plans. Mark Gowin, who serves as Episcopals athletic director and head coach o their

ootball program gave an inormative and animated presentation on implementing

meaningul blocking and tackling drills.

Keynote speaker, J.B. Brown, ormer Miami Dolphins deensive back, praised attendees

or their service to youth. Brown, who is about to become a high school ootball coach or

the rst time, is a graduate o DeMatha high school and the University o Maryland. Aer a

8-year NFL career, he will join the coaching ranks, hoping to make a positive impact on his

young players, as his coaches did or him.

Youth ootbal l is very important. You

have a lot more infuence on your players

than what you think you may have, said

Brown. While on the eld, give them

some lessons in lie. Never miss a moment

to develop these kids into more than

ootball players.

Wrapping up the morning session,

a communication seminar was held to

enlighten the attendees on some o theproblems that might arise between coaches

and their players and parents, and how to

constructively resolve them.

Veteran Vienna Youth Football Coach

Larry Canard, who also taught techniques

such as gap penetration, shedding blocks,

and keeping leverage during the deensive

linemen drills, preached the importance

o not only maintaining a positive coach-

player and coach-parent relationships, but

also how to preserve positive relationships

with ellow coaches as well.Communicate in a positive manner.

Believe me, it works, Canard said. Be

upbeat. Never embarrass any player. each a

player what to do instead o what not to do.

Canard also explained to coaches that

they need to have an understanding o

what their players know. In many cases,

coaches should assume young players

know nothing.

I thought this session was good. I

want to email him to get inormation or

our organizations because there are a lot othings that he touched on that we should

be doing, Walter Florence, an 85-pound-

weight-class coach and athletic director or

the Southern Maryland Youth Association,

said o the communication session.

Back to schoolIn order to establish strong oundations

or youth ootball players that they can build

on and eventually carry to their next level o

competition, the clinics classroom sessions

photo: cynthia hobg ood

Coaching Schools



13/37

allowed the attendees to establish a better

comprehension and learn multiple ways to

implement a three-step passing game, Wing-oense, and deensive alignments such as the

4-4 and 5-3 in their own scheme. In a smaller

group setting, attendees were able to interact

with speakers, oen asking questions and

sharing their experiences during the sessions.

It was great because we were able to pick

up some schemes that we could use during

the regular season; the inormation that we

were able to get was good, said Mark Brown,

who serves as an assistant coach on a 65-

pound team thats run by the South Bowie

Boys and Girls Club in Maryland.By covering all o these schemes during the

classroom sessions, the participating coaches

were able to accumulate unique knowledge

that would allow them to eectively teach their

players how to play and comprehend any o the

our aorementioned systems.

Hitting the Fieldsutelage took place on the feld as well,

as attendees gathered outside to collectively

watch the same high school-level coaches

who taught during the classroom sessionsdemonstrate how to instruct players during

practice, and how to run live-action drills or

quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers,

oensive linemen, deensive linemen,

deensive backs, and linebackers.

I think its a great idea that USA Football

has put this clinic on or youth level coaches,

said Kenny Lucas, who is currently transitioning

himsel rom Gonzaga High School to coach at

Annapolis Area Christian School.

I think the more we learn, the better

o were going to be, and ultimately, thebetter the kids are going to be. Its a good

opportunity to share ootball stories and

learn a little bit more about the game and

just share anything because were all just sti ll

learning whether youre a high school level

coach or a youth coach were all learning,

said Lucas, who participated as an orator

or the clinics 5-3 classroom session and the

oensive linemen and deensive back drills.

Te attendees soaked in the on-feld

inormation, notebooks and clipboards in hand,

oen participating in drill demonstrations by

throwing and catching passes.

You hope, as a presenter, that a couple

people get something out o it. When I go mysel

as an observer, I like to get one thing rom each

coach that I can go back and actually use and

make my team better, said Gowin. Gowin,

who has 32 years o coaching experience at

both Episcopal and Gonzaga, also served asa presenter or the three-step drop classroom

session and the on-feld quarterback drills.

[Clinics] are a wonderul way to get back

to the young coaches and allow their athletes

to know some o the latest techniques and

ideas, Gowin said.

Presenters Beneft, TooAlthough the clinic was catered to beneft

the coaches who attended the program, the

clinics presenters enjoyed and benefted

rom it as much as the attendees.

Its a great opportunity to get the high

school coaches to speak to the youth coaches

and gives us a chance to teach what we do at the

next level and have them understand that, and

can relay that to the boys club level and the Pop

Warner level. Its something that needs to be

done throughout the country. I wish we could do

more o it, said Bishop McNamara High Schoolcoach Bryce Bevill, who assisted with the clinic

as a presenter or the 4-4 classroom session and

the running back and deensive drills.

Tese guys are giving their time; they

dont get paid like I do or doing this. Teyre

oentimes volunteers and you have to

love them or the time they put in, said

Gowin o the coaches who attended the

clinic. Anything we can do to help them and

to make their jobs a little easier, I couldnt

spend enough time doing it; I love it.

completed clinics:

USA Football Coaching Schoolpresented by the new orleans saints

Date: July 14, 2007

Location: Metairie, LA

USA Football Coaching School(boise area)

Date: July 21, 2007

Location: Eagle, ID

USA Football Coaching Schoolpresented by the new york Giants

Date: July 28, 2007

Location: East Rutherford, NJ

USA Football Coaching Schools have been completed in the following areas:

Alexandria, Va.; Buffalo, N.Y. (Bills); Indianapolis (Colts); Minnesota (Vikings);

Omaha, Neb. (University of Nebraska-Omaha); Foxboro, Mass. (New England Patriots) ;

St. Louis, Mo. (Rams); Pit tsburgh (Steelers); San Francisco (49ers); Nashville, Tenn.

(Tennesee Titans); Charlotte, N.C. (Carolina Panthers); Chicago (Bears), San Diego,Calif. (Chargers); Denver, Colo. (Broncos); and Seattle, Wash. (Seahawks).

11


14/37

Todd Dodge, one of the

nations most talked about

coaches, understands the

importance youth football

plays in a young persons life

BY TIM POLZER



15/37

AP PHOTO/TONY GUTIERREZ

In Southlake, Texas, every youth football player wants

to be a Dragon some day. ats the mascot for Southlake

Carroll High Schools football team, one of the most

successful programs in the nation. Every kid in Southlake

also knows Coach Dodge. ats Todd Dodge, who, for five

years, spent many hours working with football players of all

ages with the Dragons.

Aer a record of 79-1 as coach of the Dragons, Coach

Dodge was picked to be the head coach for the University of

North Texas. He is one of the nations most respected coaches,

but he still remembers what its like to play youth football.

WHO:Coach Todd Dodge2006 TEAM:Southlake Carroll Dragons High School

Football Team

WHERE: Southlake, Texas (near Dallas-Fort Worth)

2006 USA TODAY NATIONAL RANKING: #1

2006 RECORD: 16-0

WINNING STREAK: 48 games in a row

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Four Texas State

Championships; Under Armour Undeniable High

School football program; #1 national ranking inUSA Today (2004, 2006); #1 national ranking in

PrepNation.com (2005)

ABOUT PLAYING YOUTH FOOTBALL: It was third gradein Houston. I remember the first day of school. ere was

a flier about youth football and I played for the Edgewood

Panthers. I cant remember the name of my third grade

teacher, but I can remember my first football coach Clyde

Knight and Ill never forget him.

ON COACHING HIS SON, RILEY, WHO QUARTERBACKEDTHE DRAGONS TO THE STATE TITLE AS A JUNIOR LAST

YEAR:Riley started playing youth football, probably aboutthird grade, and landed in the Dragon youth football

program in fih and sixth grade. It was fun to sit back

during his youth days and just be a dad, and then a thrill to

be able to coach him in high school.

ADVICE FOR PARENTS OF YOUTH FOOTBALL PLAYERS:My advice to parents is to research the youth football

program. Make sure they are teaching tackling the right

way. I think everything else falls into place. As a parent, I

would want to know if the program is in it for the kids or in

it for the ego of the parents.

ADVICE FOR YOUTH COACHES:One thing our coachesat Carroll tried to do was encourage the youth coaches to

keep it fun for the kids. Our youth program at Southlake did

a great job of preparing our kids for when they would start

playing high school ball and join our program.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT COACH DODGE:e thing about Southlake is that they are not known for

producing a great number of Division I college athletes.

eres something special about Coach Dodge and the

program. We really like what theyre about.

Shannon Ferbrache, Under Armour Director of Sports

Marketing.

13


16/37

CoaChing

Center

offiCiating

Center


health

&

safetyCente

r

[ ]


ootball dreams run deep through Idahos reasure Valley, a stretch o land that glides

through the Sawtooth Mountain Range and enguls the city o Boise.

For many youths living in a region dominated by rivers, mountains and wildlie,

antasies o ootball stardom and achievement begin in Boise Noon Optimist Youth Football.Since its inception in 1949, Boise Noon Optimist Youth Football has been the dream-

maker or more than 65,000 youth ootball players. Over the years, the program has had

its share o ormer players advancing to college and NFL stardom, such as ormer NFL

quarterback Jake Plummer and Houston exans tight end Jeb Putzier.

However, the most inuential alumnus just might be its current executive director, Jerron

Moore.

Moore, a veteran youth coach o 27 years in the program, rst became involved as a player

more than our decades ago as a ourth-grader.

As a youth player you never think to yoursel, one day Im going to coach or be the

commissioner o the league, stated Moore, who played in the Optimist program rom 1965-

1968 and later excelled at Meridian High School beore playing junior college ootball at

Walla Walla Community College.

But, afer three knee surgeries

ended his college playing career, Moore

ound himsel back in Te Valley, asthe area is commonly reerred to by

locals. It was at that time Moore, who

was attending Boise State University,

decided to give back to the youth

ootball program that had given him

a lietime o positive memories and

experiences as a youngster.

You get hooked, and quickly, said

Moore about his rst year o coaching.

wenty-seven years later Moore

is still engaged in the sport and can

By Ed Passino

The 25-acre Optimist Youth Sports Complex in Boise, Idaho is home to

nine felds, a stocked pond, a concession stand and equipment acility

built in large part because o undraising led by Jerron Moore.

Jerron Moore



17/37

be ound each autumn on the sidelines. In

1994, Moore became the Optimist programs

executive director.

As the executive director, Moore works

with a 72-member sta that overseesnearly 200 teams, 4,000 youth players and

countless cheerleaders.

Under Moores leadership and the help

o a strong, supportive executive board

o volunteers,

the Optimist

program orged a

partnership in the

mid-1990s with

the City o Boise

to build a 25-acre

community parkwith sports elds

to support the

growing ootball

program. Te

agreement was

simple i the

Optimist program

raised the unds,

developed the

land and built

the elds, the

program would receive exclusive use o itin the all and spring. Te remainder o the

time the Optimist Youth Sports Complex

would be a city park to be used by anyone.

Ground broke in 1997 and two years later

the nine-eld, 400-parking space sports

complex, which also includes a stocked

pond, a concession stand and equipment

acility, became the ocial home o Boise

Noon Optimist Youth Football.

Te acility was built at no cost to

taxpayers. Instead, Moore and the Optimist

team o volunteers hit the streets o Boisewith a undraising campaign that included

going door-to-door to corporations,

businesses and community members.

Te community stepped up, says Moore.

You walk anywhere in this Valley and talk

to people about Optimist ootball youll nd

most everybody has been touched by it.

Te community has been amazing. We

went out and knocked on doors and began

raising money, a number o people have

stepped up. Weve had close to $400,000 in

donated time, labor, and services in-kind.

Moore is quick to point out that Plummer

continues to give the program tremendous

support and has donated $100,000 and

sponsored the development o a eld. Plummeralso routinely returns to conduct the Jake

Plummer Youth Football Camp or local youth

players during the summer months.

Te sport complex has had a positive eect

on the Optimist program as participationnumbers have steadily increased each year by

10 percent. Shortly aer the completion o the

25-acre complex, the Optimist program worked

with the City o Boise to secure 27 additional

acres o land adjacent to the current acility.

Te additional land will produce seven

more ootball elds and an additional 600

parking spaces. When completed later this

summer, the entire 52-acre sports complex

will house 16 elds, 1,000 parking spaces,

two stocked ponds, two tennis courts, a

concession stand and equipment shed.When were done with this project we will

have raised $3 million that has been donated

or kids o this community to play ootball. Im

not sure there are many places in the country

that can say that, says Moore, who in 2003

was honored with the Don Simplot Idaho

Award, which is given annually to an Idaho

resident who demonstrates leadership and

selfess service to sport.

Moore believes this sports complex project

can be mirrored anywhere throughout the

country where there is accessible land, and a

passion or youth ootball.

Dont underestimate the power o your

community. For me it was easy to walk

into corporate oces, homes and sell ourprogram, Moore says.

For us we had a tremendous program to

sell our program is not about championships

or excluding kids its about kids living in the

community, playing

together on the same

team with the same

coaches or our years.

Our program is not

about the best kids;

its about all kids

that resonates withkids, parents and

corporate America.

We are about

competition its not

a bad word but we

do it in a context that

is very healthy and

very positive. When

you have a product

like that, its easy to

sell. You just have to

believe in it.Moore is quick to defect the recognition

or the healthy state o the Optimist

program and the sports complex.

I get way to much credit or what has

happened here with this program and eld

project, the reality is the work, the eort was

way more than just one person, he says.

Tere are so many people in the Valley

and in our ootball program that made this

happen, Im just ortunate because Im a

better person or having been with them and

worked with them.Editors note: I you would like more

inormation about the Optimist Youth

Sports Complex and details about Boise

Noon Optimist Youth Football agreement

with the City o Boise check out: http://

www.cityofoise.org/parks/parks_acilities/

parks/index.aspx?id=OYSC_park_acts

and http://www.boiseoptimist.com/ . You

can also send an email to Ed Passino at

[email protected] or

more inormation about the project.

15


18/37

CoaChing

Center

offiCiating

Center


health

&

safetyCente

r

[ ]

offiCiating

Center

Back to Stripes SchoolThe pressure-flled game situations ofcials oten ace call or constant

education By Danny HotocHin

Tough ew people will admit it, everybody, in some way, shape or orm has room

to improve themselves either personally or vocationally. Te same can be said

about ootball ocials at all levels, who improve their ability to ociate by educating

themselves and others on a continual basis.

No matter what level you work, you can always learn something new, said director

o USA Football ociating ony Michalek.

Its one o those avocations that theres always a way to get better. Whether you

do it through lm study, go to clinics or association meetings, you can learn rom theexperience o others and apply it so that you dont make the same mistakes in your game

that others have made, said

Michalek, who currently

works as an NFL umpire and

has 25 years o experience as

an ocial.

Another tactic that

ocials are using to educate

themselves is the Internet, as

more and more online content

about ociating has become

available.More and more people

are taking a lot o time out o

their day to sur around, and you can always pick up on a tip to become a better ocial,

Michalek said.

Preprtio Bet PreureTe rigorous and pressure-lled situations ocials oen ace during games calls or

constant education among ocials.

Michalek, who worked a multitude o high-prole games during his ve-year stint as

an ocial in the Big en Conerence, was recently a member o the crew that ociated

the 2006 AFC Championship game that saw the Indianapolis Colts earn a stunning

come-rom-behind victory over the New England Patriots.As the pressure mounted or Colts quarterback Peyton Manning to make a comeback

in the second hal, Michaleks background in another career helped him perorm with a

cool demeanor in a tense environment in ront o a nationally-televised audience.

For me, I never eel any pressure as ar as working a ball game because o my

background in trade. Tat kind o takes away any kind o the pressure i youve done

that, said Michalek, who has also had experience as a high school ocial.

Whether calling a game that decides who goes to the Super Bowl or the state

championship, ocials at all levels agree that countless hours o education helps them

prepare or these pressure-packed situations and enables them to perorm successully

when duty calls.

Te thing you want to do is give them an honest game so that the better that youre

prepared and the better youre trained you

can give them a better quality product,

said Fairax County Football Ocials

Association commissioner Don Stitt.

With more than 20 years o experience

under his belt, Northern Virginia Football

Ocials Association member Jonathan

Kosarin agreed.Understanding the rules and knowing

what they say is one thing, applying them

in a game situation is a diferent story.

you aw lersomethig new

Ociating clinics are a valuable

resource or educating ocials as those

who attend look orward to hearing

lectures and receiving classroom

instructions on how to improve their

interactions between themselves andgame-day scenarios, the rules, coaches,

players and other ocials.

Basically, its a great thing to sharpen

up on mechanics and also or a lot o

quality control that I can pass down to my

people when I come back to Virginia, said

Stitt, who is entering his eighth year as the

commissioner o the FCFOA.

Stitt, who has participated in a number

o clinics eels his participation has been

nothing but benecial, even though he has

been a youth ootball ocial or 15 years.I learn a lot, especially the one USA

Football had in Minnesota, Stitt said. All

o the times we werent ociating games

on the eld, we were in the classroom

going over the lm and looking at things

like position and game-type situations.

From his experience as an ocial

and a clinician, Michalek eels that the

knowledge ocials can pick up at a clinic

is endless.

What you want to do is you always



19/37

want to be the best you can be when you go

into these clinics, said Michalek, who serves

as an instructor at clinics associated with the

NFL and USA Football. You always learn

something, even as a presenter. I listen to

other people and you pick up other things,

Michalek said.

Reviewing RulesA major process in educating ocials

is to amiliarize rookies and veterans alike

with new rules and calls.

Continuing education or us is absolutely

vital because the rules are constantly changing

or being tweaked. Its necessary or us to keep

an eye on what the changes are, how they aect

dierent aspects o the game and to see what

the aect will be over the years, said Kosarin,

who has worked as an ocial in the youth and

high school ranks since 1975.

In addition to that, ocials involved

with the education process also believe

its extremely imperative to review old

rules and game-day situations in order to

reresh their memories because o the long

oseason that lies in between the regular

season and the playos.Te key to us learning this stu every

year is to not only learn the new stu, but

also going over the rule book cover-to-

cover every year and going over each rule

individually to see how it works--especially

afer youve been laid o or about 7-8

months and havent worked in ootball,

Kosarin said.

Te rules are always changing,

equipment changes and points o emphasis

change every year so I think its good no

matter how long youve been out there that

everybody takes a reresher course, Stitt said.

Also, ocials review and teach the more

discrete rules rules that deal with game

time and equipment that coaches, players

and the audience ofen take or granted.

A lot o people think what we do relates to

a lot o the play stu like passing plays, runningplays and kicking plays which are vital, but

also rules that very ew people understand like

timing rules, Kosarin said. Late in the game, it

makes a big dierence to a coach when the clock

starts and when it doesnt.

With all that is available or ocials to

learn rom and the rate that they are being

educated, there is no reason or anyone to

think the perormance o ocials should go

anywhere but up in the near and distant

uture.

USA Football ofciating director Tony Michalek advises youth ootball ofcials on the feld ater a preseason game.

Photos: Cynthia hobg ood 17


20/37

COACHING

CENTER

OFFICIATING

CENTER


R

HEALTH

&

SAFETYCENTE

R

[ ]

OFFICIATING

CENTER

Referee PositionHow to accurately rule a runners forward progress BY BILL LEMONNIER

When discussing goal line mechanics, a

lot of pre-game time is spent talking about

the goal line going in. Equally important is

the goal line going out. Accurately ruling on

a runners forward progress in the field of

play or the end zone is the difference between

maintaining possession of the ball by the

offense or awarding two points for a safety

to the defense and the subsequent change of

possession following the free kick aer safety.

From the goal line to the 5-yard line,

wing officials have primary responsibility for

forward progress and the goal line. Wherethings get tricky is when the ball is snapped

from the 6-yard line to the 10-yard line. Tis

five-yard area leaves the goal line in limbo for

the wing officials who have responsibility for

offensive and defensive pass receivers. Heres

where the referee has to adjust his initial

position prior to the snap.

Normally the referee begins 12 to 14

yards deep and a little wider than the tight

end. When the ball is snapped between the

5 and 10-yard line, the referee should do two

things: widen out and begin only 10 yards

deep. Adjusting wider and closer to the snap

will allow the referee to get a better look at

the quarterback, who drops back to pass

around the goal line and is in danger of being

sacked. Referees who stay back deeper and

tighter have no chance to rule on forward

progress. Te two wing officials may read the

sack and start back to help, but they have no

true angle being up to 10 yards ahead of the

action. By adjusting closer to the goal line and

staying wider than normal, the referee canavoid being in the way if the quarterback gets

out of the pocket and scrambles toward him.

Remember one of the key philosophies

of sound officiatingDont award cheap

points! If you cant be sure the ball in

possession is in the end zone, dont award

a safety. Spot the ball in the field of play

when you have doubt or are not on the

goal line. Its one thing to rule a safety

when you have good position and there is

no doubt. Its another thing to guess and

award points with a change of possession.

Another goal line mechanic for

referees and wing officials to discuss is

reverse goal line mechanics when an

interception, fumble return, or punt return

are threatening the goal line. Normally

the wing officials have the goal line going

in. Now the play goes the other way and

who really is primary on the goal line? Te

referee is primary. When the play is tight as

far as ruling touchdown or down short of

the goal line, wing officials must rememberto look for the referee in boxing in the

potential score. Nothing looks worse than

one official ruling the runner down short of

the goal line by inches and another official

signaling touchdown. Avoid dueling signals

by getting that eye contact on tight goal line

plays involving reverse mechanics.

Bill LeMonnier is a USA Football

Officiating Consultant, Big Ten and Arena

Football Referee.

PHOTO: CYNTHIA HOBGOOD18USA Football Magazine


21/37

Hey look, the Ref is a girl.Annalee McPhilomy hears it all the time in the North

Florida Ofcials Association By A.D. McPhiloMy

As the crew takes the eld, the pointing

and whispers begin.

Hey look, the Re is a girl.Actual ly, shes a woman.

Tirteen years ago, Annalee D.

McPhilomy was the only

woman at the spring ootball

ocials meeting or the North

Florida Ocials Association in

Jacksonville, Florida. oday, she

is a crew chie, the elected vice-

president in charge o training,

and the rules interpreter.

Despite being a woman, the

association has been extremelyair. Te assigning commissioner,

Jim ucker said, Annalee wasnt

the rst emale in NFOA. Tree

others came and went, and I

thought she might, too. I treated her like

everyone else. She was given a chance just

like any other new guy.

McPhilomy looked at these chances a little

dierently. Even now, Im more likely to be

scrutinized or my perormance than the men

I work with simply because I am a woman

ociating ootball, said McPhilomy. Everyassignment is a chance to prove that a woman

can do this, and do it well. I strive to be the

best ocial on the eld every game I work.

One aspect o ociating Annalee

chose to master early was a thorough

understanding o the rules. She asked the

rules interpreter hundreds o questions

her rookie year.

Van Royal would see me coming and

just start smiling, like So what dont you

understand today..., McPhilomy said.

Over the years it has paid o. Now, she

is the rules interpreter and has written abook simpliying high school rules called

Football Rules: Simply Stated. Annalee

is also the assigning commissioner or the

local Pop Warner association.

I love ootball, especially ootball rules

and ociating, McPhilomy said. My best

riend, Ken, and I constantly talk about

rules, philosophy, plays and positioning. I

enjoy teaching the new guys and watching

them emerge into good ocials .Playing ootball has helped her

ociating as well. Annalee has played

middle linebacker and deensive tackle or

the Jacksonville Dixie Blues, a womens

tackle ootball team or two seasons.

Playing has given me a new perspective

in my ootball ociating, said McPhilomy.

As a line judge, I knew I was supposed

to key on the tackle, but now knowing

that their initial movement and blocking

technique clearly denes where the play is

supposed to go is helpul when I work. I nd

the point o attack much aster now. Also, Ididnt understand what a waggle or a stunt

meant until I started to play ootball.

Te experience playing

ootball wasnt without

consequence. McPhilomy tore her

ACL last May and aggressively

ollowed the physical therapy

regimen, returning to the eld in

mid-September.

Moments aer my injury, I

thought how my ociating would

be aected, refected McPhilomy. Iwas in a real unk until the surgery,

but once it was nished, I knew I

had to recover so I could ociate

again. I hobbled my rst ew games

back, but was more grateul that ever

beore to be ociating ootball again.

Her relationship with her crewmates

is equally important. My best riends are

ootball ocials. My crew and I orward

to working together every Friday night

during the season, McPhilomy said. We

usually meet early, ride together, pick oneach other and laugh, but then we get into

game mode. Aer the game we hit a local

restaurant or dinner and to watch the

ootball highlights, especially to see who

made it on V. Each year we make a crew

shirt with a logo: 4 Dudes and a Chick.

A Dixie chick that is, who loves to work

ootball.

I you have an ocial profle suggestion,

email [email protected].

Officials prOfile:

ann Mphomy

Usa fOOtball

19


22/37

COACHING

CENTER

OFFICIATING

CENTER


R

HEALTH

&

SAFETYCENTE

R

[ ]

Youth Football

Safety

PHOTO: CYNTHIA HOBGOOD

HEALTH

&

SAFETYCENTE

R

Is youth football a safe sport?

It is my belief that youth football is a safe endeavor which

compares very favorably to other youth sports that our kids

may be playing. Any sport carries with it risk; there is no way

of getting to a completely risk-free environment. However, the

younger the age group, research shows, really are injured even

less than the older, more experienced,

elite level players.

What can parents and coaches do

to keep youth football as safe as

possible?

I think it is very important that

coaches and parents prepare their

young athletes by focusing on proper

equipment fitting. Its one thing to

have shoulder pads and a helmet, but

if they dont fit properly if the helmet

or shoulder pads are too loose or too

tight then the athlete increases the

chance for injury. Its very importantto have someone who knows how to fit

these athletes.

What do I need to know about youth

football in the heat?

When football starts in the late

summer, youth may be playing in a

very hot, humid environment. Coaches and parents should know

that athletes need access to water. Water is the most important

hydrating element you can provide. Tey need to be able to drink

whenever they want. And remember to be forward-thinking. An

athlete must continue to hydrate so that they dont get thirsty. If

youre thirsty, youre already behind in water consumption and

getting into a potentially problematic situation.

What else can keep my son or daughter safe on the field?

Foremost in our minds needs

to be teaching these kids proper

techniques so they are learning to

do things the correct way. One of

the great ways to prevent injury is

to have proper techniques that are

learned from a very early age so

they become natural. Tis is youth

football. I would remind coaches to

please remember that youth football

is a learning experience and I would

have parents survey the coaches and

make sure that your child is around

someone who has the proper thought

process in mind of safety andlearning and not treat the program

like it is a professional program.

Where can I learn more about

football health & safety?

Articles at usafootball.com would

benefit parents and coaches as they

prepare to do a better job this football season and the seasons

to come including hydration, proper nutrition, and proper

coaching techniques.

DR. DAVID JOYNER is the chairman of USA Footballs Health

& Safety Committee, a group of experienced medical professionals

that has been tasked with the mission of helping the young football

players have a better and safer experience. Dr. Joyner, who has a long

background in football as a player at Penn State University and as

sports medicine physician, took some time to answer some frequentlyasked safety questions from parents and coaches.



23/37

[ ]

USA Football launched a new initiative this June

in an eort to keep children who play youth ootball

sae. Te organization will partner with the National

Center or Saety Initiatives (NCSI), a leader in

proessional development and advocacy or the

youth sports industry, to have background checks

perormed on youth ootball coaches and volunteers.

One in our girls and one in six boys will be

sexually abused beore age 18. Sadly, child sexualabuse and molestation is occurring everyday in

organizations and communities across the globe. It

is a truly sobering statistic but one all volunteers and

parents involved in youth sports must be aware o.

he goal o the USA Football background

screening program is to check the backgrounds

o 100,000 youth coaches and volunteers overa two year period. In order to help achieve that

goal, USA Football is investing $500,000 to

ensure kids participating in youth sports a re sae

rom child predators.

Recognizing that the issue o sexual predators

is a societal one, the act is youth sports are not

immune, said USA Footbal Executive Director

Scott Hallenbeck. Its that reality that has led

USA Football to take a proactive stance and

provide access to the gold standard screening at

a subsidized price. We care whos coaching these

kids and we encourage all sports organizations tojoin us in this eort and help protect our children.

Representing the Proessional Football Players

Mothers Association, Betsy Hasselbeck, mother o

NFL quarterbacks Matt and im Hasselbeck, is the

spokesperson or the campaign.

With USA Footballs eorts, and hopeully,

the eorts o other young sports organizations,

we can help our children enjoy all that sports

have to oer, said Betsy Hasselback. Trough

this innovative program we can help parents eel

secure about who is coaching their children and

that value cannnot be overstated.

NCSIs Fully Managed Background Screening

Program or USA Football Members is the Gold

Standard or background checks in the youth-

serving industry. Tis program is a combination

o comprehensive searches or criminal and

sex oender inormation along with ull

administration o the process by NCSI to provide

maximum protection or the kids at a reasonablecost to the organization.

Te program is included as part o USA

Footballs League Administrator membership

program. o learn more about how to gain access to

this new program, please visit www.usaootball.com.

Hghlghts of th progrmBackground Screening Search

componentS

NCSIs Check-it-wice searches are the

oundation or the program and are run throughtwo independent, screened and selected national

database providers. Tese searches are:

NationalCriminalDatabaseSearch

AllAvailableStateSexOenderRegistriesSearch

SocialSecurityNumber&AddressVerication

OFACFederalTerroristDatabaseSearchin

addition to the Check-it-wice searches

CountyCourthouseSearchofcountyofmost

recentandlongestresidencyinthepastveyears

Fully-Mngd Progrm Fturs

RedLight/GreenLightresults Identityverication

Fullfollow-upandinvestigationofrecords

Secureonlineself-registrationformfor

collectionofcondentialinformationand

consent directly rom applicants

Safeandcondentialstorageofrecords

Assistanceonpolicydevelopmentandlegalissues

AutomaticrecheckofoneNationalCriminal

Database and all avai lable State Sex Oender

Registries 12 months afer initial search is

conducted.

uSa Fbll Ls B

S p By Cynthia hoBgood

THe STaTiSTicS:

1in4girlsand1in6

boys wll b sxully

asedefreage18.

Apprximately50%

r busd by somon

outsd of th fmly whom

theyknwandtrst.

Nearly70%fchildsex

offndrs hv btwn

1and9victims;atleast

20%have10t40victims.

Anaverageserialchild

molstr my hv s

manyas400victimsin

his/herlifetime.

Thereareapprximately39

mllon survvors of sxul

aseinAmericatday.

AbouTNCSINCSIMissin:Tserveasa

leadingresrceinanverall

effrtteradicateharmt

youth n orgnztons nd

cmmnitiesacrssthegle

thrghincreasedawareness,

thecreatinfnatinal

standards,andtheintegratin

fflly-managedackgrnd

screeningprgrams. NCSIwasfrmedin

prtnrshp wth th

NatinalCncilfYth

Sprts(NCYS),withthe

galfsignicantly

increasingthelevelf

safetyfrryth.

NCSI'sackgrnd

screeningprgrams

arerecgnizedasthe

"Stndrd of cr" n th

yth-servingindstry.

21


24/37

Name: Greyson Torain

Position:WideReceiver

Ht:5-0Wt:90

Age: 11

Team:GORCWildcats

League/Association:AnneArundelYouth

FootballAssociation(AAYFA)

City/State: Odenton,Maryland

Othersportsplayed:Lacrosse,Track

FavoriteNFLPlayers:ChadJohnson,

TerrellOwens,MichaelVick

H H

When did you start playing ootball?

i w i w 5 , i c.

What do you like about playing ootball?

i c ( ) c c c.

Why is Chad Johnson one o your avorite players?i C J c .

What did it eel like to sCore your irst touChdoWn?

W i f i c cw f .

b, i c f cw c . t

c. W c cw

.

tell us about your teammates.

W w c . i c w . W

cc . l h ( qc) c cc

w w . W .

What his CoaCh said:

g j cc. h , . h

c. rc pcc, h Cc gorC Wc

you might have seen greyson on television

g c usa pc sc ac c . h

cc . g cc ,

w C J cw-c .

22 usa mz


25/37


26/37

In 2007, USA Football or the rst time assembled a National eam to represent the United

States in worldwide competition. Te roster consists o 45 players who exhausted their college

eligibility aer the 2006 season and represents all levels o college ootball.

Tis team is a complete cross section o U.S. ootball, eam USA head coach John

Mackovic said. Were excited that we were able to blend every level o college ootball and put

together a team o players rom schools o every size. We hope to represent our country in the

highest ashion and be great ambassadors or ootball around the world.

For more information and World Championships of American Football tournamentresults, log on to www.usafootball.com.

Team USa Player SPoTlighT

A National Team of 45 Players

Takes on the World By NathaN Boudreaux

Jff BaardHt: 6-1

Wt: 214

Position: Quarrback

College: tCU

HigH sCHool: Frdwd Hs

HometoWn: Frdwd, tX

Second-team All-MountainWest Conerence selection in 2006

... Was CUs career leader in

winning percentage by a starting

quarterback (90.5, 19-2) and

completion percentage (61.1) ...

Named Poinsettia Bowl Ofensive

Most Valuable Player aer running

or three touchdowns and passing

or one in a 37-7 victory over

Northern Illinois.

Jry Va AyHt: 6-4

Wt: 260

Position: Dfv ed

College: Uvry f mcha

HigH sCHool: Cr grv Hs

HometoWn: grwd, in

Was a our-year letterman at theUniversity o Michigan ... Appeared

in 37 career games, making two

starts at deensive end ... Contributed

24 tackles, three tackles or loss,

one sack, one umble recovery and

one pass breakup during career ...

Four-time Academic Al l-Big en

Conerence (2003-06) ... Five-time

U-M Athletic Academic Achievement

(2002-06) ... Earned the Paul

Schmidt Award in 2006 as the

U-M player that displaysan unshakable courage

and love or the game.

ss

24 UsA Fba maaz


27/37

Tam USA RostrWide ReceiveR: Grg Akr, Mnnsota-dulut; Bobby

Awry, Sagnaw vally Stat; Jon drnkan, Wllams;

Marus Lws, Nort Alabama; St Oom, Tolo

TiGhT eNd: dMonn Bakr, calorna (Pa.); Bran

Tompson, Mgan

OeNSive LiNe: Alx Atkns, Tnnss-Martn; Marl

Burroug, San Jos Stat; Rk drusal, Woostr; darrn

Jonson, SMU; Krs Kng, Garnr-Wbb; da Lngoo,inana (Pa.); crs Lunn, Aams Stat ; Matt Paron;

Txas Stat; Bra Poston, coastal carolna

RUNNiNGBAcK: doug Blakowsk, hobart; coy

cls, Wsonsn-Stns Pont; Taylor crag, Yal;

Kyl Kasprbaur, Nbraska-Omaa; Wnll Jonson,

armont Stat

QUARTeRBAcK: Aam Austn, Arzona; J Ballar, TcU;

Roky Pntllo, captal

deeNSive LiNe: Mal cobbns, Mssour Wstrn;dustn dlouy, Montana; Ryan Klpp, Wsonsn-

Wtwatr; Matt Luman, Wstrn Mgan; Sawn

Moora, iowa Stat; crs Tornr, Syraus;

Jrmy van Alstyn, Mgan

LiNeBAcKeR: dan Aams, holy cross; dmtrus eaton,

Nortwstrn; Aam Paulson, Soux alls; Ryan Tully,

harar; Brg Walkr, Prnton

SecONdARY: Manaurs Aras, Man; dzas calbrt,

Nortwst Mssour Stat; Knny con, cal Poly;

Jason hosnr, Nort dakota; Jos Kubak, Maryharn-Baylor; Rob Rorguz, crstopr Nwport; St

Tpls, Wsonsn-La cross; cary Wa, vrgna T

KicKeR: crag cofn, Soutrn illnos

25


28/37

USA Football MembershipUSA Footballs Membership Program enables administrators, coaches, and ocials

to enhance their skills. Innovative tools and resources help make their jobs easier, morerewarding, and enhance the participants experience. Please visit www.usaootball.com to

learn more about the USA Football Membership program and sign up.

Coaching SchoolsUSA Footballs Coaching School, in partnership with NFL teams, is designed specically or youth

ootball coaches who teach the game to players ages 7-14. Te clinics help teach the game o ootball

in order to create a positive experience or their players. Te one-day clinic ofers coaches the best

techniques or communicating with players, coaches, and parents; teaching undamentals; organizing

the season with practice planning; establishing the best dril ls or individual, group and team periods;

and developing a scheme or deense, ofense and special teams. Te clinicians include successul high

school and youth coaches with special guests rom the collegiate and proessional ranks.

USAFootball.comUSAFootball.com is a portal or youth, high school and international ootball

that ofers online programs and resources or coaches, administrators, ocials

and parents. It eatures content, web sites and a membership hub. Elements o

USAFootball.com can be included in existing web sites. Tese eatures will allow

users to keep up with the latest topics and developments in coaching, league

administration, ociating, and health and saety.

State Leadership ForumTe USA Football State Leadership Forum is an annual gathering o youth ootball

leaders in each state to discuss topics impacting the sport.

High School ProgramsUSA Football is involved with developing the sport at the high school level through a number o unique programs and events,

including the creation o a high school task orce, online resources, equipment grants, and lie skills symposia or high school

students. In addition, the annual Governors Cup Award is given to the nations Best High School Football State.

International ProgramsServing as the national governing body or the sport o ootball internationally, USA Footballs international programs include

managing the Senior National eam; managing the U-19 National eam; and operating an International Student Program that

enables high school-aged international students to study and play American ootball at college prep schools. USA Football is the

designated United States representative to the International Federation o American Football, which consists o 45 member countries.

USA Football also presides over the Pan American Federation o American Football, consisting o the U.S., Canada, Mexico,

Guatemala, Panama, Argentina, and Uruguay.



29/37

2007 Play FootballTe Play Football campaign is USA Footballs marquee promotional event which runs

rom June through September each year and is highlighted by a youth ootball registration

drive, saety awareness education and ootball season kicko

celebrations in conjunction with NFL teams. Here are some o

key components o Play Football:

Registration DriveEach spring and summer, USA Football runs a ootball registration drive to help youth ootball

programs increase participation. As part o the program, USA Football oers league administrators

a ree registration help kit which includes yard signs, posters, a USA Football league operating guide,

a CD with sample registration and other administrative orms, and Youth Football 101 brochures or

prospective parents and players.

Safety AwarenessUSA Football launched a background checks program in partnership with the National Center or Saety Initiatives with a goal o

getting 100,000 youth ootball volunteers checked through a thorough screening service. Additionally, a saety awareness campaign

will encourage players, parents and coaches to take the necessary saety precautions when playing ootball including a ocus on

hydration, equipment ftting, and injury prevention/treatment.

Kickoff CelebrationUSA Football, in conjunction with the NFL and NFL Players Association, will team up to celebrate the kicko o the ootball

season. Along with various NFL team events, youth ootball teams rom across the country can sign up online to receive a ree

celebration kit which includes water bottles and a protective script holder or coaches. Play Football Month showcases how dierent

communities rom across the country celebrate the start o the ootball season.

Equipment Grants (July - September):Applications or youth and high school equipment grants will be accepted rom July to September. Eligible (ederal or state

nonproft) youth, high school, and school-sponsored ootball organizations may apply or an equipment grant online at www.

usaootball.com. Youth organizations are eligible or a $1,000 grant and high school organizations are eligible or a $1,500 grant.

Applications are considered on need and merit, and consist o a league profle and a short essay section.

World Championship of

American FootballU.S. National eam played in its frst World Championship o American Football in Kawasaki,

Japan rom July 7-15. For tournament results log on to ww w.usaootball.com.

Team USA Schedule:July 10 USA vs. South Korea

July 12 USA vs. Germany

July 15 - possible medal round game

27


30/37

pigskin portraits

Broomfeld Youth Football Association(Broomfeld, Colo.)

Black Hills Youth Football League(Olympia, Wash.)

AYF Billings Broncos(Billings, Montana)

South Germantown Panthers(Germantown, Md.)

Pop Warner Boston Bengals(Boston, Mass.)

South Beauregard Football League(Longville, La.)

YMCA PlanoFootball League

(Plano, Texas)



31/37

Wildcats Jr Pee Wee

(Florence, Ala.)

USA Football

attn: Jenny Hofer,

8300 Boone Blvd., Suite 625

Vienna, VA 22182

E-mail: [email protected]

Send uS your photoS!

North Carroll Panthers Youth Football Program(Westminster, Md.)

Pop Warner Petaluma Panthers(Novato, Cali.)

Red Raiders

(Hingham, Mass.)

Reeds Spring Rams Boys & Girls Club(Branson, Mo.)

Oak Grove Athletic Association

(Durham, N.C.)

European Youth ServicesFootball League

(Hohenels, Germany)

Popamno All-Stars

(Popamno Beach, Fla.)

29


32/37

SCHUTT YOUTH EQUIPMENT BAGDesigned for the youth football player the Youth

Equipment Bag will carry all football gear, helmet,

shoulder pads, hip, thigh and knee pads, shoes,

uniform, etc.

Additional pockets for wet /dirty clothes,

personal items, etc.

Heavy-duty construction with reinforced handle

Hidden backpack straps

GILMAN SIDELINE MARKERS

The Gilman Sideline Marker stands out on the field.

The markers wont fold up or blow over because they

are made from a solid foam triangle with a weighted

bottom. The bold black numbers stand out against a

background of fluorescent orange. The markers, which

come in a set of 11 or 22, have a convenient carrying

handle at bottom and are stackable for compact

storage. For more information, visit www.gilmangear.com.

SCHUTT FORMATION

TEACHER: A COACHS

BEST FRIEND

Teaching multiple schemes

and formations can be difficult at

any level of football. The Schutt

Offensive and Defensive Formation

Teacher simplifies the process by

making it more visual. It helps

teach proper alignment, line splits,

spacing, and depth for every player

position, and accounts for all

types of offensive and defensive

formations. The offensive set

includes 1-C, 2-G, 2-T, 2-TE, 5-WR,

3-RB, and 1-QB multiple sets. The

defensive set includes 2-NT, 2-DT,

2-OLB, 2-ILB, 2-MLB, 2-CB, and 2-S

multiple sets. Learn more at www.

schuttsports.com.

UNDER ARMOUR DEMOLITION MID CLEATThe speed shoe for the Power player! Lightweight upper materials combine with

HeatGear lining for optimum moisture management and breathability. Integrated

strapping system maximizes stability and support, durable mesh repels dirt and

water. Under Armours signature Progressive Traction provides outstanding ground

penetration and push-off, while innovative Pebax outsole technology ensures

a lightweight, flexible performance. This is the most updated football cleat yet.

Available colors: white/black, black/silver, white/ red, white/midnight navy. Visit

www.underarmour.com for more details.

UNDER ARMOUR YOUTH

PLAY MAKERExecute your game plan with

cool, dry performance. UA wristband

construction drives moisture transport.

Clear window sleeve. Embroidered logo.

GEAR UPThe latest, coolest, must-have, must-see youth football equipment, tools and clinics



33/37


34/37

www.gilmangear.com

CALL 800-243-0398 TO REQUEST A GILMAN GEAR 2006-2007 CATALOG.

GET GILMAN FOR YOUTH GEAR!Youth Sled: 1-man, 2-man, 3-man, 5-man & 7-man sleds Youth Gauntlet Youth Pop-upYouth Chute: 1-stall, 2-stall, 3-stall & 5-stall chutes Youth Shield Youth Dummy Youth Step-over


35/37

Bill RedellSchool: Oaks Christian High School

location: Westlake Village, Cali.

RecoRd: 172-56-3

MeMbers of the UsA footbAll high school tAsk force

expeRience: 19 years as high school

head coach, two years as assistant in

college, two years as an assistant in USFL.During his 19-year career as a high

school ootball head coach, Oaks

Christian High School coach Redell

has amassed an overall record o

172-56-3, along with ve Caliornia

Interscholastic Federation titles and two

state championships.

Redell has served as Oaks Christians

coach since the school opened in 1999.

During his tenure with the Lions, Redell

has developed Oaks Christian into one o

the most prominent and successul highschool ootball programs in the nation.

on being a football coach:

Te only thing I ever wanted to do

was become a ootball coach. When

I was about six-or-seven-years old

walking home rom school, [I] saw

a ootball game and went home and

asked my dad what that was. Ever

since that, Ive known what Ive wanted

to do to do with my lie.

on football:

My whole experience in ootball to me

is that Ive never had to grow up. Anytime

I was involved in ootball it never elt like it

was work. It elt like it was un.

on hiS induction into the

college football of fame:

Tat was the most rewarding and

exciting that ever happened to me as ar

as my ootball career.

expeRience: 25 years (all with DeMatha),

heading into 26th year

Since 1982, Bill McGregor has brought stabilityand credibility to DeMatha Catholic High Schools

ootball program by winning 11 Washington

Catholic Athletic Conerence Championships.

Although the Pittsburgh native has led

DeMatha to plenty o on-eld success while

leading the Stags to an overall record o 239-

32-3, McGregor is also a strong advocate o

succeeding o the eld as well, as he and

his sta at DeMatha work hard to teach and

implement ways or their players to learn the

importance o excelling in the classroom.

on being a football coach:

Weve established such a tremendous

report with the guys. Some o the kids come

back time-aer-time and talk about ootball

and what it meant to them, and how we had

such a great impact on their lives.

on the leSSonS of football:

I you take a look at the work world today,

no matter what proession, theyre either looking

or a person who is dedicated, hard-working,

loyal and who is willing to make sacrices orthe company. Teyre also looking or someone

who exhibits good character, leadership and

class. I think they are all the intangibles that a

young person can get rom playing ootball or

or any type o great athletic program.

on JunioR playeR development:

What I like about it is that its a ree

program or the kids, they have ull equipment

to work with, and its a teaching program where

they can be taught all positions.

expeRience: Head coach (2003-present),

secondary coach (1993, 1996-1997), special

teams coordinator (1997), deensivecoordinator (1998-2002)

Coach Steve Specht has led the St. Xavier

Bombers to a record o 36-3 and Division

I state championship since becoming their

head coach in 2003.

Specht, who was promoted to head

coach aer Ohio high school ootball legend

Steve Rasso retired, has carried St. Xaviers

winning traditions into a new era o Bomber

ootball.

Specht has been on the Bombers sta

since 1993, where he started out as St.Xaviers secondary coach.

on becoming a football coach:

I know I wanted to coach when I was in high

school. I had the good ortune o playing under

some great coaches. My coaches had a direct

impact on my passion or the game.

on the influence of hiS foRmeR

coach, ex-St. xavieR head coach

Steve RaSSo:

He had a huge infuence on my lie, Spechtsaid o his ormer mentor. I learned an awul lot

rom him about ootball and an awul lot about

lie. When I talk about my ootball philosophy

as ar as teaching these kids about ootball [and

lie]; thats what [Rasso] did or me,

on the SpoRt of football:

Tis game is a ocus on lie. We try to

teach lie lessons rst and oremost. Tis

sport is the ultimate sport to [use to] teach

teamwork.

Steve SpechtSchool: St. Xavier High School

location: Cincinnati, Ohio

RecoRd: 36-3

Bill McGReGoRSchool: DeMatha Catholic High S

USA Football Magazine Issue 3 Summer 2007

Documents

Transcript of USA Football Magazine Issue 3 Summer 2007