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Subscribe to our NewsletterHow to Grow Youth Participation in Tackle
Youth participation in sports overall has declined 13% over the last decade – and tackle football is no exception. Reigniting momentum across the sport means doing two things:
- Encourage more parents to enroll their kids in tackle football
- Identify kids who currently play flag that would be interested or well-suited to make the exciting leap to tackle football
Despite the decline in participation, you’ve seen first-hand the benefits and positives that tackle football can provide – here are some helpful talking points, interesting facts and figures and considerations to help parents see for themselves.
Building Kids Up
Instilling Confidence
Confidence and opportunity are two of the most important things that parents and coaches can give players. For some players, things come easy, and their personalities may exude confidence. Others struggle to believe in themselves or to give their best effort.
Confidence is something you can instill and improve by exhibiting great energy, providing positive feedback and showing your child you know how hard they are working.
As your child leaves for a game, choose what you say wisely – they will carry your words with them onto the field. Here are phrases that can help instill confidence:
DO SAY…
DON’T SAY…
Inspiring Mental Toughness
Athletes can practice and prepare to get their bodies in the best shape for a game, but getting prepared mentally is different. Fear of failure is real and affects how athletes of all ages perform.
Here are seven ways to help build mental toughness in your child:
Look to the future.
Focus on the positive.
Don’t punish every mistake.
Don’t show disappointment.
Let them own it.
Be the rock.
Repeat after me.
What To Look For in a Coach
Your role as a parent is to support, encourage, volunteer, and guide your child through the ups and downs of being an athlete. While it’s the coach’s job to instruct, you must become comfortable with the process and be aware of what your child is doing.
Here are some questions to ask your child’s coach:
What are your thoughts on playing time?
Do you have first-aid training?
What is your emergency action plan?
How can I help?
Do you have a child on the team?
Equipment Checklist
Getting the right equipment can help set your kid up for success during practice and on gameday. Here are quick equipment checklists for all levels of youth football.
Equipment All Players Should Have
Tackle Football Equipment
NFL FLAG Football Equipment
Hydration
Staying hydrated before, during and after play is key for a healthy child. Help make it a habit. Explore this section to learn the symptoms of dehydration and discover best practices for when and how to properly hydrate.
How to Beat the Heat
Kids take longer to cool down during activity than adults. That's why hydration is important.
It's not just about how your child hydrates during a game — hydrating before and after play is just as key. To properly hydrate, have your child drink 16–24 ounces of water before activity, then have them consume an electrolyte-packed sports drink or water every 15–20 minutes throughout play. A post-activity snack of chocolate milk can help replenish lost nutrients.
Symptoms of dehydration include feeling faint, intense thirst, headaches, nausea, and breathing faster and deeper than normal.
Symptoms of Dehydration and How to Treat Them
Heat Syncope
Heat Exhaustion
Heat Cramps
How to Stay Hydrated
LEARN IT: Dehydration Symptoms
TEACH IT: Make Hydration a Habit
DO IT: When and How to Hydrate
Nutrition
Eating right is just as important to being successful on the field as practicing plays and running routes. Check out these quick, simple nutrition tips to help keep your kids healthy, energized and to set them up for success.
Fuel Up for Gameday
Help get your child ready for gameday with these simple nutrition tips:
STEP 1: Carb Up
STEP 2: Bring Snacks
Foods to Avoid
Eating right is key to a healthy child. These are a few types of food to leave on the sideline.
FATTY AND FRIED FOODS
Greasy foods, like hamburgers and french fries, are difficult to digest and will sit in your child's stomach during play.
PROTEIN SHAKES AND BARS
While protein plays an important role in your child's overall diet, they should not consume a large quantity right before a game.
ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS
These will stress your child's digestion and could lead to an upset stomach during a game.
Snacks on the Sideline
Keep a few snacks on the sideline for halftime and breaks in the play. Here are a few easy options to help kids refuel:
- Bananas
- Dried fruit
- Fig bars
- Fruit rope
- Granola bars
Source
Information on this page is courtesy of the USA Football Parent Guide.
