USA Football Magazine Issue 10 Summer 2009

contents issue 10 • summer 2009

usA Football Player Academies (pg. 9) are under way, giving players an edge for the 2009 season.Photo by Shawn hubbard

FeAtures

4 usA Football Junior National team ready for Canton

By Steve Alic

7 usA Football on Wheels

8 Football history comes to Canton … again

By Steve Alic

9 usA Football, riddell team up for refer-a-Friend Helmet Program

usA Football Player Academies offer campers a free riddell helmet

By Nicole Lukosius

29 Jack Kemp (1935-2009) usA Football’s First Chairman – Football

Champion & American Patriot By Steve Alic

20 What football has taught my son: tom Conner By Nicole Lukosius

21 using Your Head: Proper Helmet Fitting By Rose DiPaula

21 Hydration 411

22 Youth Football Community Values Coaching education By Chris Shepard

23 usA Football regional managers

24 NFHs & usA Football partner for coaching innovation By Rose DiPaula

25 Quick-Hitter Grid: thoughts from usA Football Commissioner members

26 BrAX spirit Cups help commissioners power programs By Rose DiPaula

27 Professionalism is key for game officials By Chris Shepard

27 usA Football = miracle-Gro for Officiating Knowledge By Micah Simon

COmmissiONers

OFFiCiAtiNG

HeAltH & FitNess

COACHiNG

12 Art of the read: How linebackers Anticipate run or Pass By Chris Shepard

13 meet A usA Football member: Billy richardson

14 takeaway-Giveaway with larry & David By Larry Canard & David Marco

15 “What if?”: Coaching members share solutions

16 usA Football Coaching schools teach the teachers Nationwide

By Chris Shepard

18 Now Playing: usA Football’s Film room By Chris Shepard

18 Dual roles as “Coach” and “Parent” need to take turns By Tom Bass

2 Kickoff with scott Hallenbeck

10 “i Played”

11 Defense DVDs bolster coaches’ Xs & Os By Chris Shepard

11 usA Football First and ten Fund moving the Chains By Nicole Lukosius

19 meet a usA Football staffer: Nicole lukosius

19 usA Football’s tom Bass receives Football Contributor Honor

By Chris Shepard

28 meet a usA Football Board member: tom Cove

30 Football Facts, stats & Figures

32 What Football taught me Tom Bessant, CFO, Cash America

iNsiDe slANts

Front CoverPHOtOs BY usA FOOtBAll, JAPAN PHOtO BY PrestON CONsultiNG

Kickoff

usafootball.com

Executive DirectorScott Hallenbeck

Usa footballeditorial staff

Managing Editor

Steve alic

Contributors:tom baSS, larry canard,

roSe diPaula, rudy klancnik, nicole lukoSiuS, david marco,

cHriS SHePard, micaH Simon

To contact USA Football: (703) 918-0007

traction media staff

Publisherrudy J. klancnik

Editorial Directortim Polzer

Designerwilliam bridgefortH

Traction MediaEditorial Offices7115 Tartan Trl.

Garland, TX [email protected]

Editorial Department Phone (972) 896-8006

Custom Publishing (972) 898-8585

USA Football Magazine is published by Traction Media, LLC©. All rights reserved. Traction Media does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts or art. No part of this magazine may be reprinted or otherwise duplicated without the written permission of the editor.

dear readers,

you have put in the preparation time. you’ve attended uSa football State leadership forums and coaching Schools. you’ve

taken part in our officiating Schools and Seminars. Thousands of you have completed uSa football’s certified coaching education course and youngsters across the country have participated in uSa football’s three-day Player academies.

it’s nearly time to hit the field and uSa football continues to strengthen your huddle. your state-of-the-art membership resources give you a step ahead in running your league, coaching your team or officiating your games.

in the 30 pages to follow, this issue of USA Football Magazine shares insight on numerous topics for commissioners, coaches and officials. more information related to these stories can be found at usafootball.com.

This summer also opens a historic chapter of football history – the sport’s first junior world championship takes place in canton, ohio, from June 27 through July 5.

The international federation of american football (ifaf) Junior world championship unites the world’s top eight national football teams spanning four continents to compete for the game’s first global title

on the high school-aged level. The sport’s best teenaged players will compete and also share in a celebration of the world’s greatest game. Players from all eight national teams – canada, france, germany, Japan, mexico, new zealand, Sweden and the united States – will live and practice on walsh university’s sprawling campus in north canton, ohio. walsh university will serve as the tournament’s international village, home to great football and lasting friendships surpassing national borders long after July 5.

uSa football’s Junior national team is america’s first high school-aged national team in the sport. its 45 athletes are incoming college freshmen who will soon wear uniforms for one of 33 college programs. See pages 4-6 to learn more about this abundantly talented team composed of tremendous representatives of the united States.

among those who would have most enjoyed the ifaf Junior world championship in canton is uSa football’s late chairman Jack kemp. chairman kemp, a life-long embodiment of football’s inherent values and character-building qualities, passed away on may 2. we offer a tribute to a football champion, an american patriot, and our friend on pg. 29.

uSa football continues to serve you, led by our experienced regional managers and office staff. refer to your uSa football regional map on pg. 23 and ask your regional manager how he can help you gain an edge or strengthen your league. in addition, you’re only a toll-free call (1-877-5-football) or a couple of mouse clicks away (usafootball.com) from our non-profit office in virginia.

uSa football continues to work for you as you organize your league registration or walk onto your practice field. we salute and serve the men and women who power america’s favorite sport and instill our youngsters with its fundamentals and values.

Have a terrific summer and best wishes for another successful season!Sincerely,

Scott HallenbeckuSa football executive director

We want to hear your thoughts about USA Football Magazine. Write to us at [email protected] today.

2 USA Football Magazine

They are 45 in number, entering one of 33 college programs this fall.

They represent many hometowns and one homeland – the United States of America.

These young men compose America’s team playing America’s game. And they’re driven to prove that they are the best in the world. Seven countries want the same title.

Only one will earn a gold medal in Canton, Ohio, on July 5.

USA Football’s Junior National Team, America’s first junior national team in football, will compete in the eight-nation, four-continent 2009 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Junior World

Championship in Canton from June 27-July 5. National football teams from Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and

Sweden have qualified to join the United States to pursue the sport’s first world championship on the junior level (age 19 and under).

USA Football’s Junior National Team head coach Chuck Kyle of Cleveland St. Ignatius High School has led his Wildcats to 10 of Ohio’s

past 21 large-school state titles, including two USA TODAY “national championships.” He seeks to lead Team USA to a world championship

in July.“Much like the

country we love and represent, this football team is composed of immense talent and strong character from small towns, big cities, and places in between,” said Kyle, whose team is assembled of

players entering one of 13 college conferences, with the Big 10 having the most players on Team USA with nine. “We realize – coaches and players alike – that we’re playing for something greater than ourselves. It is a privilege to represent the United States in this historic tournament,

USA Football Junior National Team

ready for Cantonby STeve AliC

USA Football’s 2009Junior National Team

“Following each Olympiad, the participants often speak of what a powerful feeling it is to represent the United States. Oday (Aboushi) and Corey (Lillard) now have the wonderful opportunity to represent our country and our Virginia team. We are proud that they have been selected to USA Football’s Junior National Team.”

– Al Groh, Head Coach, University of Virginia


Oday abOushi

OLpOs:ht: 6-6

Wt: 300

hs: brooklyn (N.y.) Xaverian home: brooklyn, N.y.

COllege/COaCh: Virginia; al groh

RObeRt bell

LBpOs:ht: 6-0

Wt: 222

hs: east grand Rapids home: grand Rapids, Mich.

COllege/COaCh: toledo; tim beckman

PRestiN bROWN

DEpOs:ht: 6-3

Wt: 242

hs: grand Prairie (texas) home: grand Prairie, texas

COllege/COaCh: texas state; brad Wright

PhilliP butteRfield

QBpOs:ht: 6-2

Wt: 210

hs: lake hamilton (ark.) home: hot springs, ark.

COllege/COaCh: arkansas state; steve Roberts

KeViN CuMMiNgs

WRpOs:ht: 6-2

Wt: 180

hs: encino (Calif.) Crespi home: Culver City, Calif.

COllege/COaCh: Oregon state; Mike Riley

ZaCh CutKOMP

RBpOs:ht: 5-11

Wt: 185

hs: West des Moines Valley home: West des Moines, iowa

COllege/COaCh: Northern iowa; Mark farley

JaMal daVis

WRpOs:ht: 6-3

Wt: 185

hs: Coral springs (fla.) Charter home: Coral springs, fla.

COllege/COaCh: florida atlantic; howard schnellenberger

tyleR diPPel

FBpOs:ht: 6-4

Wt: 250

hs: hartford-union (Wis.) home: slinger, Wis.

COllege/COaCh: Wisconsin; bret bielema

aaRON dObsON

WRpOs:ht: 6-3

Wt: 185

hs: south Charleston (W.Va.) home: dunbar, W.Va.

COllege/COaCh: Marshall; Mark snyder

taRiq edWaRds

LBpOs:ht: 6-3

Wt: 215

hs: Marlboro (s.C.) County home: Cheraw, s.C.

COllege/COaCh: Virginia tech; frank beamer

a.J. feRgusON

DEpOs:ht: 6-3

Wt: 250

hs: south brunswick (N.C.) home: southport, N.C.

COllege/COaCh: N.C. state; tom O’brien

bRiaN fields

RBpOs:ht: 5-9

Wt: 190

hs: New Castle (del.) William Penn home: New Castle, del.

COllege/COaCh: Western Michigan; bill Cubit

NOel gRigsby

WRpOs:ht: 5-11

Wt: 175

hs: los angeles Crenshaw home: los angeles, Calif.

COllege/COaCh: san Jose state; dick tomey

JaMes hall

RBpOs:ht: 5-8

Wt: 170

hs: las Cruces (N.M.) home: las Cruces, N.M.

COllege/COaCh: New Mexico st.; deWayne Walker

ChRis heNdeRsON

DTpOs:ht: 6-1

Wt: 280

hs: dallas Carter home: dallas, texas

COllege/COaCh: texas a&M; Mike sherman

daVid heRMaN

LBpOs:ht: 6-3

Wt: 230

hs: Cincinnati st. Xavier home: Cincinnati, Ohio

COllege/COaCh: holy Cross; tom gilmore

Pat hiNKel

spOs:ht: 6-1

Wt: 190

hs: Cleveland st. ignatius home: Cleveland, Ohio

COllege/COaCh: Miami (Ohio); Michael haywood

stORM KleiN

LBpOs:ht: 6-2

Wt: 225

hs: licking Valley (Ohio) home: Newark, Ohio

COllege/COaCh: Ohio state; Jim tressel

CORey lillaRd

spOs:ht: 5-11

Wt: 205

hs: bealeton (Va.) liberty home: Remington, Va.

COllege/COaCh: Virginia; al groh

MiKe lOftus

p/KpOs:ht: 6-2

Wt: 190

hs: anaheim (Calif.) servite home: Villa Park, Calif.

COllege/COaCh: sMu; June Jones

eRiK lORa

WRpOs:ht: 5-11

Wt: 175

hs: Miami Christopher Columbus home: Miami, fla.

COllege/COaCh: eastern illinois; bob spoo

JORdaN lyNCh

spOs:ht: 6-2

Wt: 205

hs: Chicago Mount Carmel home: Chicago, ill.

COllege/COaCh: Northern illinois; Jerry Kill

J.R. McCONiCO

CBpOs:ht: 5-9

Wt: 175

hs: los angeles (Calif.) Venice home: los angeles, Calif.

COllege/COaCh: sMu; June Jones

JaCK MeWhORt

CpOs:ht: 6-6

Wt: 285

hs: toledo (Ohio) st. John’s home: toledo, Ohio

COllege/COaCh: Ohio state; Jim tressel

Khaled MheiseN

DLpOs:ht: 6-5

Wt: 290

hs: detroit Catholic Central home: Canton, Mich.

COllege/COaCh: undecided

ChRis NORMaN

LBpOs:ht: 6-2

Wt: 225

hs: detroit Renaissance home: detroit, Mich.

COllege/COaCh: Michigan state; Mark dantonio

MattheW Page

OLpOs:ht: 6-6

Wt: 300

hs: east Chicago (ind.) Central home: east Chicago, ind.

COllege/COaCh: ball state; stan Parrish

ChRis PayNe

spOs:ht: 5-10

Wt: 173

hs: Columbia (s.C) home: Columbia, s.C.

COllege/COaCh: south Carolina; steve spurrier

bRyCe Petty

QBpOs:ht: 6-3

Wt: 220

hs: Midlothian (texas) home: Midlothian, texas

COllege/COaCh: baylor; art briles

JOhN PlaseNCia

TEpOs:ht: 6-5

Wt: 245

hs: tampa Jesuit home: tampa, fla.

COllege/COaCh: Northwestern; Pat fitzgerald

JORdaN POyeR

CBpOs:ht: 6-1

Wt: 180

hs: astoria (Ore.) home: astoria, Ore.

COllege/COaCh: Oregon state; Mike Riley

aaRON PRiCe

OLpOs:ht: 6-4

Wt: 285

hs: bloomington (ind.) south home: bloomington, ind.

COllege/COaCh: indiana; bill lynch

teViN Reese

WRpOs:ht: 5-11

Wt: 160

hs: temple (texas) home: temple, texas

COllege/COaCh: baylor; art briles

MiCaJah ReyNOlds

GpOs:ht: 6-5

Wt: 310

hs: lansing (Mich.) sexton home: lansing, Mich.

COllege/COaCh: Michigan state; Mark dantonio

JORdON ROussOs

DEpOs:ht: 6-4

Wt: 240

hs: Carlynton (Pa.) home: Carnegie, Pa.

COllege/COaCh: bowling green; dave Clawson

bRyCe sChWiNdt

OLpOs:ht: 6-3

Wt: 280

hs: Columbine (Colo.) home: littleton, Colo.

COllege/COaCh: Northern Colorado; scott downing

bRaNdON shaRPe

DEpOs:ht: 6-2

Wt: 220

hs: Ocean lakes (Va.) home: Virginia beach, Va.

COllege/COaCh: syracuse; doug Marrone

bRiaN sMith

OLpOs:ht: 6-7

Wt: 277

hs: Cuyahoga falls (Ohio) Walsh Jesuit home: Medina, Ohio

COllege/COaCh: Northwestern; Pat fitzgerald

KuRt stOttleMyeR

spOs:ht: 5-10

Wt: 165

hs: bothell (Wash.) home: bothell, Wash.

COllege/COaCh: yale; tom Williams

eVaN sWiNdall

CpOs:ht: 6-3

Wt: 290

hs: lafayette (ga.) home: lafayette, ga.

COllege/COaCh: Mississippi; houston Nutt

PhilliP thOMas

CBpOs:ht: 6-0

Wt: 185

hs: Miami (fla.) edison senior home: Miami, fla.


shaMaRKO thOMas

CBpOs:ht: 5-10

Wt: 198

hs: Ocean lakes (Va.) home: Virginia beach, Va.


daVid WilsON

RBpOs:ht: 5-11

Wt: 192

hs: danville (Va.) george Washington home: danville, Va.

COllege/COaCh: Virginia tech; frank beamer

bRiaN WiNteRs

OLpOs:ht: 6-5

Wt: 310

hs: hudson (Ohio) home: hudson, Ohio

COllege/COaCh: Kent state; doug Martin

NiCK ZaCheRy

CBpOs:ht: 6-1

Wt: 200

hs: sheridan (ind.) home: sheridan, ind.

COllege/COaCh: indiana; bill lynch

further propelling football’s international strength.”

All eight national teams will live and practice at Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio, throughout the tournament.

If Virginia Tech-bound running back David Wilson of Danville (Va.) George Washington High School had not received an athletic scholarship, he would have enlisted in either the Air Force or the Navy. So it’s easy to understand the excitement that the 5-11, 192-pounder felt when contacted in early March to represent his country with USA Football.

“I ran downstairs to tell my dad,” said Wilson, whose 24-year-old brother, Ronald, serves in the Navy. “I wanted to tell everyone the news.”

Rivals.com ranks Wilson as the country’s 40th best player graduating from high school this year, regardless of position.

“This is overwhelming,” says Jack Mewhort of Toledo (Ohio) St. John H.S. about being named to Team USA. Mewhort, a 6-6, 285-pound center entering Ohio State, is the country’s No. 2-ranked center entering college this fall.

Another Big Ten school with strong Team USA representation is

Northwestern University. Tight end John Plasencia (6-5, 245; Tampa Jesuit) and offensive lineman Brian Smith (6-7, 277; Cuyahoga Falls (Ohio) Walsh Jesuit) both rank in the

top 100 nationally at their respective positions.

“We take great pride in recruiting young men who are not only outstanding football players, but also tremendous individuals in the classroom and the community,” said Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald. “John and Brian are terrific examples of the kind of student-athletes we want at Northwestern.

“We’re extremely proud that they’ve been named to the USA Football Junior National Team and

believe that both will be tremendous representatives for the United States. Both young men are very achievement-focused and team-oriented players who will do all they

can to make our team as strong as possible.”

Players selected for USA Football’s Junior National Team were nominated by college coaches from around

the country. Roster selections were ultimately determined by USA Football’s coaching staff, which collectively possesses 33 state titles and 155 high school head coaching seasons of experience.

With national football federations in existence worldwide for decades, IFAF, the sport’s international federation, was created in 1998 to organize and further develop the game through global cooperation and competition. All IFAF Junior World Championship games will be played in Canton’s historic Fawcett Stadium, home of the NFL’s annual Pro

Football Hall of Fame Game, adjacent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Follow IFAF Junior World Championship action in real-time at jwcfootball.com. Tournament games kick off on June 27.

USA Football’s 2009Junior National Team

coaching staff

chuck kyle

ed croson

steve specht

Jeremy Gold

Gary swenson

Frank lenti

tom Bainter

chris merritt

marcus Boyles

allen wilson

head coachcleveland st. ignatius

offensive linewest hills (calif.) chaminade

defensive coordinatorcincinnati st. Xavier

defensive lineann arbor (mich.) pioneer

offensive coordinatorwest des moines (iowa) valley

offensive linechicago mount carmel

running BacksBothell (wash.)

defensive Backsmiami christopher columbus

wide receiverswayne county (miss.)

linebackersdallas carter

“We’re very proud and excited that Robert Bell will represent the United States at the IFAF Junior World Championship. He’s going to have a chance to play with the best and against the best. And it’s a great opportunity for him to play for an outstanding coach like Chuck Kyle.”

– Tim Beckman, Head Coach, University of Toledo

“It will be an historic moment for American football as great athletes from around the world come to Canton to see who will be crowned Junior World Champion. It’s great that a couple of Ohio guys and Buckeyes will be able to represent their country in such a competition. I know it will be an unforgettable experience for them.”

– Jim Tressel, Head Coach, Ohio State


Watch exciting tour video at

usafootballtour.com

USA Football on WheelsSummer is here, bringing cookouts, beach towels and road trips. On April 20, USA Football began a gridiron road trip of its

own spanning 1,700 miles with the Team USA Road Tour.The tour, which lives online at usafootballtour.com, concluded on June 26 celebrating USA Football’s Junior National Team

and IFAF Junior World Championship in Canton, Ohio. The Team USA Road Tour reached five midwestern states, including several Team USA players’ high schools and hometowns.

Tune to exciting tour video and learn about Team USA players and coaches at usafootballtour.com.

7

Football history comes to Canton … again

by steve aliC

Eighty-nine years ago, the National Football League was formed in Canton, Ohio, a short

distance from the front steps of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

That first NFL season featured teams from four states.

This summer in Canton, football’s first junior world championship features teams from four continents.

“Bringing a team to Canton is a tremendous step for us,’’ said Peter Springwald, Team Germany’s Director of Youth Operations.

The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Junior World Championship is a tremendous step for football the world over. A global competition for the game’s best teenaged athletes has already served as a springboard for national team programs, including the United States. Led by head coach Chuck Kyle of Cleveland St. Ignatius High School, USA Football has assembled America’s first junior national team in our country’s favorite sport.

‘’I love this game and to be here where football was born … so many legends are here,” said Team Mexico head coach Ernesto Alfaro Del Villar. “This is so exciting for me.”

Representatives from national teams of all eight countries – Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Sweden and the United States – attended public events and tournament meetings in Canton from May 7-9. Amidst discussions regarding logistics and tours of the tournament’s superb practice facilities at Walsh University in North Canton, the team reps were able to be football fans when experiencing the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“That’s the guy that taught me what it is I’m doing,’’ said Team Sweden head coach

Jan Jenmert when standing beside the bronze bust of Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh. Jenmert, who led Sweden

to a second-place finish in the European Junior Championship last summer to qualify for

Canton, owns an autographed copy of Walsh’s book, Finding the

Winning Edge. “That has been a bible for me,” added

Jenmert. “It helped me understand the complex situation of building an American football team. Being here (in Canton) to actually play football in Fawcett in the game’s first junior world championship is so surreal. I have to pinch myself.”

Football fans in all corners of the globe can follow IFAF Junior World Championship action at jwcfootball.com.

2009 IFAF JunIor World ChAmpIonshIp GAme sCheduleAll Games will be played at Canton’s Fawcett Stadium, adjacent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame

sAturdAy, June 2710am Game 1 Canada vs. New Zealand 1pm Game 2 Japan vs. Germany 4pm Game 3 Mexico vs. Sweden 7pm Opening Ceremony 8pm Game 4 United States vs. France

WednesdAy, July 110am Game 5 Losing team Game 2 (JAP/GER) vs. Losing team Game 1 (CAN/NZ) 1pm Game 6 Losing team Game 3 (MEX/SWE) vs. Losing team Game 4 (USA/FRA) 4pm Game 7 Winning team Game 1 (CAN/NZ) vs. Winning team Game 2 (JAP/GER) 7pm Game 8 Winning team Game 4 (USA/FRA) vs. Winning team Game 3 (MEX/SWE)

sAturdAy, July 41pm 7th place playoff Losing team Game 6 vs. Losing team Game 5 4pm 5th place playoff Winning team Game 5 vs. Winning team Game 6 7pm Bronze Medal Game Losing team Game 8 vs. Losing team Game 7 sundAy, July 5 1pm Gold Medal game Winning team Game 7 vs. Winning team Game 8

* Home teams to be determined; all times local (ET)

tune to Fox College sports on July 4-5 to catch IFAF Junior World Championship action live from Fawcett stadium in Canton, ohio!

Sat., July 4 Bronze Medal Game 7pm ETSun., July 5 Championship Game 1pm ET

Fox College Sports resides at Channel 617 for DirecTV customers. Check with your cable provider for local listings. Live stats, game stories and more can be found at jwcfootball.com.

8 usA Football magazine

With the regular season around the corner, now is the perfect time for players

to improve their fundamentals, which is why USA Football has 12 Player Academies scheduled through July.

Besides receiving expert instruction from talented coaches, individual attention and first-class facilities, players also have the opportunity to earn a free helmet from Riddell, the official equipment provider for USA Football.

The helmet offer is through USA Football’s Refer-a-Friend program, and it’s pretty simple. Just ask Frank Kolencik.

The USA Football coaching member signed up his son, Alex, for the Player Academy on July 6 at Episcopal High School in

Alexandria, Va., and saw that if someone else registered for the Academy and used his son’s name as a reference, Alex would be eligible for the helmet.

So Kolencik decided to get some other parents on board and soon after, Alex’s McLean (Va.) Mustangs teammate, Kevin Green, signed up for the same Player Academy using his friend as the referral.

“The Riddell brand is a household name and makes you feel comfortable and safe knowing that your son will

be wearing top of the line protective gear from the industry leader,” said Frank Kolencik, who has been coaching his son’s McLean Youth Football team for four years, which is a part of the Fairfax County Youth Football League.

Registrants choose from three Riddell helmet styles: Revolution Youth, Revolution Little Pro and Attack. The helmets come in 12 colors and are valued from $89.99 to $155.95.

“The Refer-a-Friend program is a great way to encourage these young athletes to get involved in football,” said Riddell President Dan Arment. “The free helmet is an added bonus for the player. We want these kids to have the best protective equipment from an early age and continue to use Riddell products throughout their football careers.”

Registration is closing fast – sign-up today for a USA Football Player Academy near you at usafootball.com – roll over the yellow “Players” tab and click “Player Academy.”

Remaining USA Football Player Academies for 2009:Date Location Venue

June 29-July 2 Hempstead, n.Y. Hofstra university

July 6-9 La Mesa, calif. Helix High School

July 6-9 alexandria, Va. episcopal High School

July 13-16 Southern Pines, n.c. Pinecrest South Pines H.S.

July 20-23 aurora, colo. Regis Jesuit High School

July 20-23 Severn, Md. annapolis area christian School

July 20-23 Marietta, Ga. Lassiter High School

July 27-30 Downingtown, Pa. united Sports training center

July 27-30 Zephyrhills, Fla. Zephyr Palms event center

USA Football, Riddell team up for Refer-a-Friend Helmet ProgramuSa Football Player academies offer campers a free Riddell helmetBy Nicole lukosius

alex Kolencik, left, and his McLean (Va.) Mustangs teammate Kevin Green will attend the uSa Football Player academy in alexandria, Va., from July 6-9.

9

USA FootbAll’S “I PlAyed” cAmPAIgn hAS reAched more thAn 100 mIllIon AmerIcAnS through television coverage on cbS, eSPn, FoX, nbc and nFl network as well as Westwood one radio’s national airwaves. Since “I Played” kicked off in August 2008, several hundred thousand usafootball.com visitors have read or submitted an “I Played” story. to share your football story or to read those of others, visit usafootball.com. below are excerpts of recent “I Played” story submissions.

Chris MedinaMajor, U.S. ArmyLeavenworth, Kan.

I’m a major in the United States Army attending the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

I wasn’t a big, fast or outstanding football player while in junior or high school in a small Texas town, however the lessons that football taught me have guided me through my life and while in the Army.

Football taught me about teamwork. It’s a sport where everyone is dependent on each other in order to win. We had to synchronize our efforts in order to be successful. None of us could do it without the other. We had each other’s back and would do anything for each other.

I realize now how much football prepared me for a career in the Army. It showed me the importance of teamwork, fitness, integrity, loyalty and selfless service. Sometimes we came up short, but we would learn from our mistakes and drive on with our mission.

Throughout the years as I led a platoon in Bosnia, a company in Kosovo and Germany and while deployed to Afghanistan, I have counted on, and built upon these lessons football taught me some 20 years ago.

Ike JordanMedical SalesRochester, N.Y.

As a father, husband and business professional, I can’t imagine not having the breadth of experiences I gained from football to help shape many of my daily interactions and activities.

My father worked for a major corporation during my childhood and relocations were always a possibility. We moved around as a result of these opportunities but the chance to play football – to be a part of the school team – provided an easier transition into new schools and circle of friends, respectively, to what would have been a more difficult adjustment. Football made a difference.

As I continued to excel in the sport, I became more confident in everything I did. Football helped my self-esteem and confidence. That confidence propelled me to Cornell University where I spent four wonderful years, worked hard and played Cornell University Sprint Football for two years. I still enjoy getting back to campus whenever possible for Alumni Weekend (photo above).

My playing days are over but now I’m involved in my son’s football journey. I help him identify many of the sport’s attributes – hard work, discipline, competitiveness, emotional and physical fortitude.

Jim GoodmillerSales Representaitve Saint Charles, Ill.

I grew up playing football from third grade all the way through high school. My dad coached my teams up until high school. I always felt that created a special bond between us.

My senior year we went on to win the Class 6A Illinois State Championship. I spent that year on the sideline with a torn ACL. I wanted to so bad to contribute.

It was then I recognized that I could contribute. Even though I wasn’t on the field, I could push myself to get stronger after surgery. I found that I could encourage my teammates and be a positive influence on those around me. This stayed with me throughout my life.

When I face challenges, I am reminded that you can find some way to stay in the “game.” Whether it is family, work or other issues, football has taught me so much about adapting to change and adversity. Life has turnovers, and these football lessons help me to overcome them.

Today I have three sons of my own. I know that more than wins and losses, they will remember the memories that I was with them on the sideline. And like my dad, my hope is they never forget that I am with them no matter what obstacle they may face.

10 USA Football magazine

It’s an old football adage that defense wins championships. The response from coaches and commissioners at USA Football Shop (shop.usafootball.com) indicates strong agreement with this philosophy.

Defense-focused DVDs at usafootball.com instructs coaches on 5-3 and 4-4 alignments to build the foundation they need for a successful 2009 season.

“I wanted to understand some of the layouts of the two different defenses and seeing what would actually work for our kids,” said Sterling Coleman, head coach of the Atlanta-based Ben Hill Tigers. “Coaching 7- and 8-year-olds, we usually ran a 6-2, but now at the 9- and 10-year-old level, we’ll be seeing a lot more passing.

“I went on usafootball.com and looked at all of the information provided and I think it can really help me this coming season.”

Since opening for business in October of 2008, USA Football Shop has delivered goods to the doorsteps of customers in nearly all 50 states. The online shop is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In

addition to the instructional DVDs featuring Larry Canard, the store is stocked with USA Football-branded Under Armour apparel, the USA Football Coaches Handbook, coaching memberships and more.

The DVDs, which feature USA Football in-house coaching contributors Larry Canard and David Marco (pg.

14), tackle key points of schemes that may be foreign to some youth players as they progress to a more pass-oriented level. The DVDs ($20) may also be purchased as part of a Head Coach’s or Assistant Coach’s Pack.

“When I first watched them I thought they were tedious because I had coached at the college level,” said Bill Jansen, a member of the Board of Directors for Wisconsin’s Foxboro Pop Warner and

10-year coaching veteran. “But after I watched them again, they are very to the point, they teach the progression well, and they leave little to the imagination. They show you the pluses and minuses, the do’s and don’ts – when it’s all said and done you’ve learned that position or that technique.”

Click inside shop.usafootball.com today and see what’s in store for you.

Defense DVDs bolster coaches’ Xs & OsBy Chris shepard

USA Football First and Ten Fund moving the chainsBy NiCole lukosius

USA Football Coaching Schools have hosted

coaches across the country teaching fundamentals,

drills and coaching philosophy. However, some

coaches wanting to attend are unable to do so on

their own.

This is where USA Football’s First and Ten Fund

comes in. The fund allows less fortunate coaches and

players to complimentarily attend USA Football events,

with up to 10 participants per event. USA Football

regional managers work with league commissioners in

low-income areas to choose beneficiaries.

William Beverley, founder and president of the Tri-Citi

(Va.) Hurricanes, saw the value of this program firsthand

in late April when four coaches from his club attended

the USA Football Coaching School in Hampton, Va.

“I think it’s terrific because it takes some of the

burden off the volunteer coaches by supplementing their

fees for these professional development-type things,” he

said. “So you feel a little appreciation that someone is

trying to help you get better at what you’re doing.”

Beverley said the feedback from the coaches

following the clinic was positive and that they came

away with a better understanding of the game.

“It also gave them an opportunity to meet with local

head coaches that they probably wouldn’t have otherwise met,

so it was good all around.”

USA FootbAll Shop shop.usafootball.com

open 24/7

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Art of the ReadHow Linebackers Anticipate Run or PassBy Chris shepard

The foundation of any successful football team is a stingy defense. Nothing frustrates your opposition

more than their inability to get their plays off before linebackers are breathing down their necks.

Learning how to develop a defense that’s a step ahead of the opponent is one of the most important aspects to building a championship team.

“The back side guard is going to tell you what the offense is doing,” exclaimed Cameron Love, the linebackers coach for Dallas Carter High School, one of Texas’ most accomplished prep football programs. Love coaches under USA Football Junior National Team linebackers coach Allen Wilson.

“It depends on who you’re playing, game to game, but generally if the guard pulls up, you’re going to want to stand your ground. If he doesn’t take a step away from me, that’s going to tell me to keep on coming.”

Love continued that while a lot of what a linebacker should do depends on an individual team’s scheme and approach, the linebackers should always keep one eye on the guard and the other on the running back.

Former Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle and 11-time Pro Bowl selection Jonathan Ogden knows a thing or two about what a lineman may do that the defense should look for.

“Good linebackers can read what’s happening fast,” said Ogden. “They can diagnose the run and they can tell if it’s a run or pass quickly, they have that ability. Good linebackers know how to disengage

from the offensive linemen.“It’s really about enjoying the game and

teaching them that the game itself is about flying around the field,” continued the

Ravens franchise’s first draft selection (No. 4 overall, 1996). “No matter how much technique you try to teach young people, they’re not always going to get it right away. Those

mistakes can be covered up by hustle. Ray Lewis hustles – that’s his game. The best ones do it, so don’t get too caught up in technique and teach them to fly around the field.”

Rob Cunningham, the head coach of the Basehor-Linwood Bobcats of the National Youth Sports Sanctioning Organization in Kansas, is one of many coaching a team just beginning to reach the age where they will contend with passing offenses more consistently.

“Our kids are in the third grade now, going into fourth grade next year, so there has been very little passing during our games to this point,” said Cunningham, a resident of Basehor, Kan. (20 miles from Kansas City), who has been coaching the Bobcats for four years. “I am lucky to have an assistant coach that is my defensive coordinator who played linebacker in college and another assistant coach that played college and pro ball at the defensive tackle position.

“We simply teach them the

basics at this point. Middle linebacker reads the quarterback; outside linebacker reads linemen first, and then through to the backs. If a lineman drives it’s a run, if they drop-step it’s a pass. That is the quickest read for outside linebackers. If the offense spreads out receivers, we move the outside linebacker to split the second receiver and tackle.”

Coach Love stresses things to his players such as, “If you don’t know, don’t go,” and “Trust what you see, your feet will follow.”

“If you have one that has the instincts,” Love continued, “you’ll just need to put

him in the right direction and he’ll take care of the rest.”

For more coaching insight, visit usafootball.com today and click the blue “Coaches” tab.

rob cunningham jonathan ogden


Coaching center

“Having the chance to learn something new each day. It may be a new play, different drills or coaching philosophy. Overall, the players benefit from what you are able to teach them on and off the field.”– Eric Merrill, Unity Township Cowboys, Latrobe, Pa.

“The best part of being a USA Football member is …”

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Meet a USA Football Member

Being part of the USA Football family unites all of us who are connected to America’s favorite sport. USA Football Coaching and Commissioner Member Billy Richardson has coached youth football for more than 30 years and currently leads the Aurora (Colo.) Crush youth football program.

Richardson, a full-time truck driver, recently spoke with USA Football Magazine to share the passion he carries for the sport and the value of being a USA Football member.

What inspired you to become a football coach?My son was 6 years old starting

out in football and some of the first words I heard were, ‘You’re sorry,’ ‘You stink.’ I didn’t like that at all. I knew I could teach football without using any of those words, make it positive. My son wasn’t used to that, he was only six. Words are the first clues to parents as to what type of coach you have.

What do you enjoy the most about coaching?I enjoy being able to teach the kids. The fact that I can take what

I know and break it down to where a child can understand it and perform well under those instructions is a great feeling. A large majority of coaches are natural coaches, they just don’t know it.

What are some of your favorite football related memories?I took a team from Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) Pop Warner to

Mexico to play in the International Bowl and we won. Everything there was in Spanish – we had to have an interpreter. However, all the kids, once we snapped the ball, understood the game universally. All of the parents were very supportive. We even had a caravan to Mexico, traveling together to get to the game on time. It was just a very, very wonderful experience for kids and parents, and for the team overall.

I am also proud of my membership and work with the Denver Broncos Metro Task Force and collaboration with the City of Aurora and Aurora Public Schools. We applied for and were

awarded a $250,000 grant to refurbish Rangeview High School with dedicated use for the Aurora Youth League.

How did you learn about USA Football?USA Football was advertised at a camp

I attended through a Denver youth football program. I saw it in the paper and thought, ‘I’m going to go see what these guys are about.’ It turned out to be a very positive experience.

What encouraged you to join USA Football?Their philosophy of kids having fun fits the

philosophy that I teach in youth sports. I like the fact that they have great member support, they can help you develop plays through usafootball.com, develop new and creative drills, and assist with other information involving football. They give you information on dehydration, running a successful snack bar and how to motivate athletes, among other topics. USA Football gives you

a broad range of ideas on fundraisers, too. These are the things that make youth sports work – it is not free. The more creative you can get with your ideas, the better chance you have to stay viable in our economy.

Would you recommend others to join USA Football? If so, why?Every year I recommend it to people. All Crush coaches

go to the USA Football Coaching School at Invesco Field; they are required to go. I require it because that way we’re all talking the same language. The football language has changed. Unless you’re updated with the new information, you’re an old dinosaur. You don’t have to be a computer genius to get information from the website. [USA Football West Regional Manager] Bucky Brooks does a great job at the schools and camps for us. He is a great young man, and always brings enthusiasm and information to Denver.

To learn more about USA Football’s coaching resources for your league, visit www.usafootball.com/register/benefits/coaching today.

Billy Richardson

NAME: Billy RichardsonRESIdES: Aurora, Colo.USA FOOTBALL MEMBERSHIP: Coach and CommissionerPOSITION: Head Coach & Club President, Aurora Crush Youth Sports COACH SINCE: 1976USA FOOTBALL MEMBER SINCE: 2006

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Is scripting plays a good idea in youth football?

Coaching center

Scripting plays makes sense – here’s whyBy Larry Canard

Preparing your team for a football game requires hours of evaluating your team’s strengths, evaluating the things your opponent does well, how they may defense your offense, and

developing a game plan you expect to be successful.

It is much more effective to run fewer plays with near perfect execution as opposed to many plays with just average execution. Scripting the first five-to-10 plays of a game enables a coach to evaluate the quality of his game plan. Using

assistant coaches to help evaluate how the defense handles the scripted plays is most important.

If a coach is expected to be able to run certain plays with effectiveness, scripting those plays will help determine if the defense is approaching the game with the strategies he expected or if the opponent has a new approach.

If your offense uses motion or various formations, your script should include a variety of looks to better understand how your opponent will approach these defensively. The script should have adjustments for down and distance and poor field position situations.

Scripting plays helps coaches make adjustments throughout the game based on the knowledge learned from those initial scripted plays.

Takeaway-Giveaway wiTh larry & david

leave the scripts to hollywoodBy david MarCo

There are two philosophies of play scripting. The first, is to see how the defense reacts to your offense (e.g. pulling offensive linemen, motion, play-action, who are the linebackers are keying, etc.).

The second is to create a scoring opportunity. For example, a coach may script the following four plays: 1) toss sweep right; 2) inside dive; 3) toss sweep left; and finally, 4) toss sweep right slot reverse. The purpose of the first three plays is to set-up the reverse.

I’m not a proponent of either approach at the youth level. If you scout your opponent, you get an idea of what they run as their base defense. However, many times you won’t see that defense

because they will modify it for your offense. When scouting an opponent, I list plays that I think will be the most effective but I am always ready to change course based on what I see happening in a game.

Suppose we start the game by scripting a wedge followed by an off-tackle play. Although I only expect a three- to five-yard gain on the wedge, we may break it for 20 yards.

Guess what, I’m not going to call that off-tackle play. I’m going to run another wedge to see if we can duplicate those results. If I were bound to a 10-play script I would lose this type of flexibility.

Larry Canard and David Marco combine for more than 40 seasons of coaching on the youth levels and illustrate that there’s more than one way to teach America’s favorite sport. Both contribute to the innovative benefits included in USA Football’s Coaching Membership. Go to usafootball.com today and click the “Membership” button in the upper right of your screen to join the USA Football family.

14 USa Football Magazine

What If?USA Football Coaching Members share youth football solutions By Chris shepard

the most, then everyone can have a starting position and no one gets left out.

Hopkins: Planning and coordination will keep you out of this position. Assign an assistant coach to document a play count for each player. This sounds labor intensive, but with a little practice, one coach can accomplish this task and still be available for other responsibilities.

Players should be freely substituted right from the start of the game. It is immensely better to address the playing time challenges early in the game with substitutions as opposed to near the end of the game.

Ladd: Our league does not mandate minimum playing time (unfortunately, some coaches take advantage of that for the sake of winning), but our coaching staff believes that kids who practice and work hard during the week should get reasonable playing time regardless of ability. We typically blend some of the less talented players into defensive and special teams units. We do put our best 11 defensive players on the field in 4th-and-short and red zone situations, but all players will have played a reasonable number of downs by the 4th quarter. Our goal is to develop players and prepare them for high school football (and for life) by instilling self-confidence and a respect for the game.

Football coaches – particularly those on the youth level – must be good-hearted teachers and nimble-minded

strategists. Three USA football coaching members recently shared how they would resolve sensitive situations.

What if you have a young athlete with the talent to be a great player, but for whatever reason isn’t reaching the potential that you know is there? How do you teach such a player?

Fields: I love a challenge. I think that you have to be careful with kids – they all react differently. Some kids you have to be careful with, while others will take advantage of you if you do that. I’ve had some players that I sat for a quarter so they realize that I’m being serious. It’s so hard to answer that question directly because each kid is different.

Hopkins: Schedule a portion of each practice on individualized instruction for your players. This “one-on-one” interaction allows a coaching staff to address each player’s needs with a goal of enhancing overall team development. This process does not have to be a significant time commitment to be effective, but a small block of time should be dedicated

to this each and every practice session.

Ladd: This involves two things: technique and aggression. All youth players need guidance in technique. Through instruction and repetition, the player’s technique (and confidence) will improve. The second area is trickier. Some kids are naturally aggressive, while others need time to develop. Those in the latter category should start with “form fit” drills before progressing to half-speed and full-speed contact. It takes time for some players to “trust their shoulder pads” and initiate contact, but once they do, they become more comfortable and exhibit a natural improvement in their aggression.

You’re down by 6 points in the fourth quarter, but you have several kids that have not played the required amount of plays. How do you get them their allotted time and stay in the hunt to win the game?

Fields: I try to spread it out the whole game so I never get in the situation where it’s an issue in the last minutes. I rely on my assistants to tell me who has and hasn’t played.

We have found that it’s better to add another team than to add a few extra players per team. If you have 22 players per team at

rusty fields City, StAte: Greenfield, ind. yoUtH LeAGUe: Greenfield youth Football LeagueCoACHinG experienCe: 4 yearsBASe oFFenSe: Split backfield or power-iBASe DeFenSe: 4-4USA FootBALL MeMBerSHip: Coach

brad hopkinsCity, StAte: norwalk, iowayoUtH LeAGUe: West Des Moines “Little pro” youth Football LeagueCoACHinG experienCe: 15 years BASe oFFenSe: t, power iBASe DeFenSe: 4-4 StackUSA FootBALL MeMBerSHip: Coach, Commissioner

thomas laddCity, StAte: Danvers, Mass.yoUtH LeAGUe: Danvers youth Football (Cape Ann youth Football League)CoACHinG experienCe: 10 yearsBASe oFFenSe: Wing-tBASe DeFenSe: 4-4 StackUSA FootBALL MeMBerSHip: Coach

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Coaching center

USA Football Coaching Schools Teach the Teachers NationwideBy Chris shepard

Expanding to nearly 50 coaching schools in 2009, USA Football continues to provide insight and

direction to youth coaches to give young players great football experiences.

Each school features top local high school and youth coaches serving as clinicians to educate participants on the techniques necessary to teach every position’s fundamentals as well as practice planning and offensive, defensive, and special teams schemes.

“The school was great,” said Grant

Brawith, team president and varsity-level coach for the Tokay Jr. Tigers of Lodi, Calif., who attended USA Football’s coaching school near Sacramento this past April. “I enjoyed all aspects of it, but I particularly enjoyed the on-field instruction. It’s good to see how some of the top high school coaches in the area run their programs and what techniques they implement. All of the instructors were knowledgeable and insightful.”

USA Football’s full-day schools kickoff with a coaching theory session, going

over topics such as practice planning and positive coaching techniques. Clinicians hold rotating “chalk talk” sessions, discussing topics such as offensive and defensive line play, formations, and various defensive schemes.

Attending coaches are provided lunch and take part in an equipment fitting session with Riddell – the official protective equipment provider of USA Football. In addition, each coaching school features an exciting keynote speaker. This year’s stable of USA Football keynotes include:

photos by shawn hubbard

Baltimore Ravens Quaterbacks Coach Hue Jackson was USA Football’s coaching school keynote speaker before a full-house in Baltimore in April.


Fred Biletnikoff, Pro Football Hall of •Fame wide receiver

Darryl Drake, Chicago Bears wide •receivers coach

Hue Jackson, Baltimore Ravens •quarterbacks coach

Craig Johnson, Tennessee Titans •quarterbacks coach

Chuck Kyle, USA Football Junior •National Team head coach & 10-time Ohio high school state champion (Cleveland St. Ignatius H.S.)

Dave Logan, former NFL wide receiver •and radio voice of the Denver Broncos

Ray Rychleski, Indianapolis Colts special •teams coordinator

Chris Scelfo, Atlanta Falcons tight ends •coach

Chris Spielman, four-time NFL All-Star •linebacker

“One word: preparation,” said Biletnikoff, the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XI and the Oakland Raiders’ all-time receiving yards and touchdowns leader, when asked what is the most important advice offered to today’s coaches. “Showing the kids that you’re prepared, and that you have a program set up for them from when you first meet will allow them to feel more comfortable with what they’re doing.”

Preparation is just one topic covered at the schools. On-field position fundamentals and practice drills cap off the coaching school experience as participants rotate to a new position every 20 minutes. Attendees also receive a complimentary lunch and a USA Football/Under Armour T-shirt.

Don Lipari, president of the Orlando-based Central Florida Youth Football League, is one of many league commissioners requiring coaches to attend a USA Football Coaching School to strengthen their leagues.

“A bar exam doesn’t necessarily make you a great attorney,” said Lipari, who attended USA Football’s Coaching School in St. Cloud, Fla., hosted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on May 2. “But by sending our coaches to USA Football schools, we can ensure our players’ parents that our coaches have the best possible coaching education and all the tools necessary to coach their kids.”

Riddell representatives like Carl Hemple (above) offer equipment fitting direction at every USA Football Coaching School.

Classroom and on-field training give Coaching School attendees the game plan they need for a successful season.

Nearly 20,000 youth football coaches have received training and a fun, exciting day of football at USA Football Coaching Schools since the start of 2008.

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Coaching center

Now Playing: USA Football’s Film RoomCoaching members get drill & fundamental video clips at their fingertipsBy Chris shepard

Busy schedules leave little time for coaches to learn how to best teach and set up drills.

USA Football has developed an exciting way to tackle that challenge.

“During the course of the season, we study film every day, all day,” said Allen Wilson, head coach at Dallas Carter High School and linebackers coach for USA Football’s Junior National Team (see page XX).

USA Football simplifies the process with an online Film Room for USA Football coaching members at usafootball.com.

The Film Room consists of hours of training video streamed online, all filmed at the Baltimore Ravens Practice Facility. Simple to navigate, the clips cover offense and defense as well as speed and strength training.

“Instructional film is always good, it’s always better to actually see something happen than just be told how it happens,” said Gary Swenson, head coach at West Des Moines (Iowa) Valley High School and Team USA’s offensive coordinator.

Coaching members can see detailed drill demonstrations and plug them into their practices. Built into the Film Room is the ability to rewind and pause the video.

“If I’m watching film of my team, I’m looking at what we did wrong and how we can improve for our next game,” Wilson said of his film room strategies. “The online Film Room gives coaches the benefit of seeing live action demonstrations of the fundamentals of the game and you can’t beat that.”

Film Room video incorporates three camera angles to provide clear

views of each drill.“Providing this film online to USA

Football members is a great idea,” Swenson said. “To be able to just log on and look up drills instead of just having it on paper is just wonderful.”

For more about USA Football’s innovative coaching resources included in a value-packed $20 membership, visit usafootball.com/register/benefits/coaching.

At a recent USA Football Coaching School attended by more than 300 coaches, I moderated a discussion about the pros and cons of a parent coaching on a team where his or her child is a player.

Forty percent of the coaches in attendance had been or were presently in this situation on their child’s team. Many coaches also moved up with their children as they progressed and played at the next level.

They felt that this experience allowed them to share quality time with their child that they would have otherwise missed if they had not volunteered to coach.

Many also believed that being a coach gave them the opportunity to influence and have some control over the safety of their child and to insure that sound drills and techniques were being taught.

Many teams and leagues had rules that a parent could not serve as the position coach of a

position that their child might play. The coaches that operated under this rule voiced support for it. They felt that it created the best situation for the team as a whole. The focus of their responsibility was serving as the coach for other players on the team and not falling into the trap of over-coaching their child to the detriment of other players.

Many coaches said that it is very important to differentiate when they were serving as a coach and when they were serving in the role of a parent. This situation was brought home when one coach shared the following story.

He coached on a team where his child played for all four years in youth football. During his child’s first year in high school, when the dad was no longer part of the coaching staff, his son wanted his dad to know that for the past three years, the reason he would spend the night at another player’s house after every game was because he had grown to hate the ride home

after the game with his dad. The player knew that regardless of the game’s outcome, this trip would involve going over and over each and every play and the eventual criticism of his performance. He said he was only telling his dad now because his younger brother was going to start playing youth football the next year and hoped that his dad could leave his coaching hat on the field and not bring it home.

Parents should be encouraged to take part as coaches. At the same time, they should be aware of challenges that come with coaching their child and never forget that when they put on the coaching hat they have a responsibility to develop the talents of all the players on the team and not just those of their own child.

For more insight like that above, click on “Coach Bass Columns” under usafootball.com’s blue “Coaches” tab. All coaching members may pose him questions through usafootball.com’s “Ask the Expert” feature.

Dual roles as “Coach” and “Parent” need to take turns By Tom Bass


Meet a USA Football staffer

What are your duties as USA Football’s Digital Media Coordinator?

I work primarily with the content – editorial, audio and video – on usafootball.com. I spend time speaking with members and writing stories that highlight their youth football experiences and how USA Football resources and events have helped them contribute to the sport.

What is your favorite part of your job?

I have been a big sports fan my entire life, and I have always enjoyed writing, so I love that I have the opportunity to combine the two. I also enjoy being able to work with our members and others in the football community. I like reporting on people’s seasons and learning how USA Football is making a positive impact.

What attracted you to becoming a part of USA Football’s staff?

USA Football’s mission is a great one

– to improve the game of football from the grassroots level – and being a member of the staff gives me a chance to be a part of that.

What does football mean to you?Football reminds me of fond

memories with family and friends going to games and cheering from the stands. And football teaches great American values. With so many people on the field at one time, teamwork and responsibility

become very important because it takes everyone doing their part to be successful.

What are your goals for the next year at USA Football?

Helping continue to make usafootball.com the destination for youth coaches, commissioners, officials and players to learn and gain an edge to reach their potential within America’s favorite sport.

Based on your experience, what stands out to you when

you think of USA Football members or the youth football community in general?

The members that I have had the pleasure to work with have an uncommon passion for the sport, which can inspire youngsters on and off the field. The youth football community is motivated and it’s great to see so many coaches, commissioners and officials looking to sharpen their skills in order to improve the experience for their players.

Nicole Lukosius digital media coordinator

Established in 1971, the San Diego chapter of the National Football Federation (NFF) honors contributors to amateur football, be it as a player, coach or game official.

On March 27, the NFF San Diego chapter awarded USA Football’s Tom Bass with the Contribution to Amateur Football Award for his commitment to teaching the game through authoring several youth football coaching books and for his involvement in dozens of coaching clinics since his retirement from coaching. Bass has served USA Football and its members as an advisor and writer since 2003. He has been a key contributor to USA Football’s Certified Coaching Education Program (CCEP) and Coaches Handbook as well as several online coaching member benefits, including the Drills Library and Film Room.

Author of usafootball.com’s “Let’s Talk Football” question-and-answer column, Bass has served as defensive coordinator for San Diego State and San Jose State and contributed to NFL coaching staffs for the Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers and Tampa

Bay Buccaneers in his 30-year career.“Coach Bass puts his 30 years of NFL coaching experience

toward educating youth players, coaches, and parents today,” said Brian Fogerty, the President of the San Diego NFF chapter. “It’s even more special for us because he adds a national profile to the local flavor of our awards ceremony.”

Gain Coach Bass’ insight and visit “Coach Bass Columns” under the blue “Coaches” tab on usafootball.

com. Coaching members may also pose him questions through usafootball.com’s “Ask the Expert” feature.

USa Football’s tom Bass receives Football contributor Honor By chris Shepard

Nicole Lukosius

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Summer is in full swing, but there’s no doubt that Ross Conner is already excited about next fall.

The New Mexico State University linebacker will enter his final year, and both he and his father, Tom, have high hopes for a successful campaign.

As a football coach at Mayfield High School in Las Cruces, N.M., Tom has been around the game for years and had the pleasure of coaching and preparing his son to play at the next level.

In 2008, Ross earned his first career start as an Aggie. Along with 18 tackles on the field, he also performed off the field in the classroom. He graduated on May 9 with a B.A. in Business Management and earned the 2009 Senior Scholar Athlete Award and was named an Academic All-Western Athletic Conference selection for the third consecutive year.

Living only 10 miles from New Mexico State’s campus, Tom and the rest of the Conner family enjoy being able to support Ross as he grows as a football player – and as a person. USA Football Magazine spoke with Tom Conner to learn more about what football has taught his son.

When did Ross start playing football?He started playing in fifth grade, and what kept him interested

is he’s got the mentality of a football player. I’ve been coaching football my whole life, but he took it and ran with it and he just kept excelling at it.

What has football taught your son?It taught him courage, loyalty, teamwork, attitude and

discipline. That’s what football is all about. Competition is also big, and people handle competition totally different. Ross handles it with excitement. It’s a challenge, and you have this challenge for

four quarters and the end result tells you who has won.

What makes Ross a good linebacker?Leadership, leadership, leadership.

It’s so big to be a “Mike,” because you’re taking care of 10 other players. You’re calling the plays and you’re making sure everybody does their assignments correctly. When you make great plays, great things happen. You try to minimize bad plays and go back to the huddle and not let it get to your head.

What was positive about being redshirted his freshman year?

It was great actually because he got acclimated to school – it’s a big shock when you go to college. Very few players go into a Division I college and become a starter their first year, so it’s a great thing to be redshirted. The extra year allows the player to get bigger, stronger, acclimate to school and understand the Aggie system better.

How has football helped Ross off the field?You have to manage your time in sports as well as

your academics and you learn these skills through football. Everything is under a structured time – you get a certain amount of time between plays, to make the call, to execute it – and this rolls over to his academics as well.

What is your fondest memory of your son’s football career?It was last year, and it was in the Boise State game. Ross was

on the punt team, and when they punted the ball, it went to the opposite side of the field. He goes down and the guy takes off on the backside, so Ross keeps his lane and this guy comes down and cuts across the field. He’s getting ready to score a TD, and here comes Ross Conner and he tackles him on the 5-yard line. He basically ran between 120-150 yards to make the play. That’s what he’s all about. He doesn’t give up in football or with school. He sets very high expectations for himself and never compromises.

Visit usafootball.com for more insight on football values and fundamentals.

What football has taught my son: Tom Conner By Nicole lukosius

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Tom & Ross Conner

Ross Conner


Health & fitness

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Hydration 411 By MicaH SiMon

Water makes up 60 to 65 percent of a person’s body weight. When engaged in physical activity, football players should be

mindful of the importance of staying hydrated. Proper hydration means more energy and a decrease in health risks when playing.

Fluids should be taken throughout the day no matter the level of physical activity. Sports drinks and drinks from coolers are best. Also, drinking the right fluids at home such as low fat milk keeps the body properly hydrated.

At least 16 ounces of fluid should be taken two to three hours before physical activity. About 10 to 20 minutes before a practice or game, eight ounces of fluids

should be taken. During practice and game breaks, athletes should

continue to drink fluids to help maintain their energy level. The amount of fluids athletes should drink depends on how much they sweat.

Sports drinks such as Gatorade help the body refill sodium and potassium levels that are lost when sweating. Check nutrition information as not all sports drinks contain the same levels of sodium and potassium.

For more information on player health, go to usafootball.com and click on “Health & Safety,” found by rolling your mouse over the “Commissioners,” “Coaches,” “Officials,” or “Player” tabs.

A properly-fitted helmet is a must for every player, but how can you tell if a youngster’s helmet is the right fit?

Riddell, USA Football’s official helmet and protective equipment partner, offers recommendations on good helmet-fitting practices.

Listen to the players being fitted. Ask them how their helmet feels – is it tight, is it comfortable?

When taking a player’s head measurement, measure around the middle of the forehead. To put the helmet on, show the players to put their thumbs over the bottom of the face pads, with their fingers in the inside of the helmet. Face pads should first touch the temples when pulling the helmet down over the head.

Once the helmet is on, make sure that it touches the middle of the forehead. Never let players participate with helmets that sit too

high or too low on the head. Use both hands to push down on the top of the helmet, and double check that the helmet does not move.

“Most components of football helmets and shoulder pads serve a critical protective purpose,” said Riddell Vice President of Research and Development Thad Ide. “A proper fit ensures that all protective elements of your equipment are positioned where the

product designers and engineers intended them to be to best protect the athlete.”

The chin strap should be centered under the chin so that the player’s chin feels secure.

Check the athlete’s vision, both straight-forward and peripheral. The helmet should not inhibit vision and the player should be able to see clearly, despite the face mask. This is difficult to determine, especially with younger players. Track visibility with your finger to make sure they can see well.

To take the helmet off properly, show the athletes to first unbuckle the chin strap and place an index finger into each ear hole on either side. Show them how to press the face pads with their thumbs and lift off straight over the head.

USA Football Coaching Schools feature Riddell helmet and protective equipment experts. For more about Riddell’s state-of-the-art athletic equipment, visit Riddell.com.

Using Your Head: Proper Helmet FittingBy RoSe DiPaula

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Youth Football Community Values Coaching EducationUSA Football Membership & Resources Deliver for America’s Favorite SportBy Chris shepard

One play can change a football game. Since May of 2008, nearly 100 youth football

leagues across the country have made either USA Football’s Certified Coaching Education Program (CCEP) or coaching membership a requirement for all of their coaches.

At just $10 per coach, USA Football’s CCEP has quickly become the sport’s No. 1 online youth coach training program. Stocked with exciting video and narration, coaches gain insight on how to teach the fundamentals and instill the values of America’s favorite sport to their players.

Less than one percent of youth football players make it to the pros, so the most important thing for youngsters to obtain is a fun experience and football’s unique team-first values that will help them no matter what they choose to do in the future.

“We want to provide the best possible experience for the kids,” said James White, chairman of the board of the Washington, D.C., area Capital Beltway League, which purchased CCEPs and memberships for each of its coaches in April. “The better educated our coaches are, the better they can educate the kids. The better educated the kids are, the safer and more effective they will be on the field.”

The CCEP consists of two levels. Level One is an introduction to

coaching the game. Level Two teaches position fundamentals. Each of the course’s 11 chapters concludes with a quiz to help coaches retain information.

Being USA Football coaching members provides coaches access to usafootball.com’s 3-D online drills library, coaching insurance, an online practice planner, USA Football’s “Click ’n Create” online playbook, and more.

“The USA Football Coaching Education Program provides information from professionals and coaches who want to share their experiences,” said Renee Oglesby, president of the Northwest Midget Pop Warner Football League in Winston-Salem, N.C. The league recently

purchased CCEPs and memberships. “Coaches at every point in their careers enjoy the chance to work with professional coaches and players and apply these new skills to their own teams.”

See how thousands of youth football coaches are gaining an edge – surf to www.usafootball.com/cepcoaches to learn more.

USA Football’s Certified Coaching Education Course (CCEP) consists of two levels. Level One is an introduction to coaching the game. Level Two teaches position fundamentals.


commissioner

USA Football Regional Managers

Northwest RegionBassel Faltas(571) [email protected]

West RegionBucky Brooks(818) [email protected] South & Mid-Atlantic

Deno campBell(703) [email protected]

Southeast Regionrick peacock(703) [email protected]

Northeast RegioneD passino(703) [email protected] Region

Joe owens(571) [email protected]

Great Lakes Regionscott leVeque (571) [email protected]

America’s favorite sport is powered by you – dedicated youth league commissioners, coaches, game officials and volunteers. For each of you, there is a face and name to place in your football Rolodex:

your USA Football Regional Manager.USA Football Regional Managers are current and former coaches, players and administrators working for you. Each has the experience

needed to help you make your league or team even stronger with USA Football’s resources.Contact your USA Football Regional Manager to learn how you can kick off your free commissioner membership or to ask about coaching

certification, the nearest USA Football Coaching School, Player Academy or Officiating School. Stay in touch with your regional manager, whether it’s to share news about your league or team or to ask about member resources.

In addition, you may always contact our office, based outside of Washington, D.C., through usafootball.com or by phone at 1-877-5-FOOTBALL. Let us know how we can serve you better.

Together we’ll ensure that teamwork and leadership continue to serve as the laces binding our favorite game.

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consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities. The NFHS writes playing rules for 17 sports for boys and girls at the high school level. Through its 50 member state associations and the District of Columbia, the NFHS reaches nearly 19,000 high schools and almost 7.5 million high school athletes.

Football participation in the sport has grown exponentially over the years, with more than 1.13 million young men taking part in high school football, according to a 2007-08 NFHSA Participation survey. High school football is the most popular sport among boys by a two-to-one margin.

“USA Football is proud to partner with the NFHS to co-produce this ground-breaking course for the betterment of the high school coaching community,” said Scott Hallenbeck, USA Football executive director. “The commitment made by the NFHS to afford coaches resources to strengthen their skills will further grow football’s popularity and make the game’s future even brighter.”

The course is now available 24 hours a day at www.nfhslearn.com. Coaches are able to save their progress in order to log in and out. The $50 program consists of five units and takes approximately two and a half hours to complete.

Innovative elements in the NFHS’ “Fundamentals of Coaching Football” course are found in USA Football’s Certified Coaching Education Program (CCEP). To learn more about USA Football’s CCEP, go to usafootball.com or reach your USA Football regional manager (page 23).

High school football stands among America’s greatest pastimes, uniting us in our passion for the sport and the pride we have in our communities.

USA Football is helping bolster this great American rite of autumn.The National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS) and USA Football

recently partnered to develop an innovative 3-D online football coaching course titled, “Fundamentals of Coaching Football,” designed for coaches at all 15,181 high school

football programs. Assembled with state-of-

the-art computer animation, narration from Fox-TV and NFL Network football analyst Charles Davis, the program is designed to assist high school coaches, sharpening their ability to teach the game’s fundamentals.

The interactive course includes graphics, video, and extensive instruction for all positions played, with built-in comprehension quizzes with instant auto-grading.

The NFHS views the course as a historic advancement to certify high school coaches on a national level.

“Our partnership with USA Football helps to ensure that interscholastic coaches will be properly trained in coaching football fundamentals,” said Robert F. Kanaby, NFHS executive director. “It also sends an important message to the football community that USA Football and the NFHS are united in providing training to coaches in education-based athletics.”

The NFHS is committed to improving the participation experience, establishing

Great American pastime fortifiedNFHS & USA Football partner for coaching innovationBy Rose DiPaula

E-reminder for E-quipmentSince 2006, USA Football has awarded more than $1 million in new football equipment to

approximately 600 youth and school-operated football programs spanning 45 states. Based on merit and need, USA Football’s Grants Program in 2009 – with help from partners Riddell and Under Armour – will award $500,000 worth of new shoulder pads, helmets and more to leagues and school teams.

Sign up at usafootball.com now to receive an automated email – or “e-reminder” – informing you of when the 2009 USA Football Grants application form is ready. Request an e-reminder by clicking on the “Equipment Grants” link under the green “Administrators” tab at usafootball.com.

The application will be up and running by late summer.

®

Advancing high school football, the NFHS & USA Football have built the country’s first online coaching course designed for prep coaches. High school football is the most-played sport by high school boys by more than a two-to-one margin.


commissioner

quick-hitter gridWith members in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, USA Football recently caught up with four Commissioner members from coast to coast. Below are their straight-ahead thoughts on topics including food, football and fundraisers.

Commissioner:Organization:

Location:

GAry BertOLUCCi Gateway youth Football

LeagueChesterfield, Mo.

Mike FrAnCeS Xtreme youth Football

LeagueMiami, Fla.

DWAyne LeGrAnD St. Martin (Miss.) youth

Football AssociationBiloxi, Miss.

CALvin MASSie Prince George’s County (Md.) Boys & Girls Club

Lanham, Md.

Most rewarding aspect of running a youth football league

Favorite football moment

your greatest accomplishment as Commissioner

Best football rivalry

Favorite concession stand food

Best fundraiser you’ve run

Best football uniform

Favorite USA Football Commissioner member benefit

three people you’d like to have dinner with

Watching young players learn and appreciate the concept of being part of a team

“the Catch” (Montana to Clark, Jan. 1982)

Getting adult volunteers to be committed, motivated and excited about building a youth football organization that is second to none

Michigan vs. Ohio State

Hot Dog

Car raffle

University of Oregon Ducks

the teaching tools available on usafootball.com

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, General norman Schwarzkopf, Jesus Christ

the opportunity to meet a variety of people and to be able to reach out

Coaching a 5-6 year-old team to a championship with limited talent

Building a bridge in the community between youth and adults

U. of Miami vs. Florida State

Chicken fingers and fries

two suite tickets for a Miami Dolphins game

Florida Gators

Coaching education

Jesus Christ, Don Shula, Chuck noll

the reaction of the kids and the memories they make

Being in tiger Stadium at my first LSU game when they beat Auburn in the “earthquake Game” (1988)

Getting involved with USA Football, the Saints, and other organizations to get the league into the spotlight

Michigan vs. Ohio State

Chili cheese fries

$14,000 in one BrAX Spirit Cups fundraiser

LSU tigers

the resources – they are amazing. you call

Deno (Campbell) or any regional manager and you get a quick response

Bill Walsh, Joe Montana, and John Madden

Seeing a child make their high school football team and watching them progress to play in college and some have made the pros

“immaculate reception” (Franco Harris, Dec. 1972)

Winning five of six games in the Washington Metropolitan Area youth Super Bowl Championships in 2007

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore ravens

italian sausage with all the trimmings

Joe Corbis pizzas and Otis Spunkmeyer cookies

Pittsburgh Steelers

USA Football Coaches Handbook and having a youth football standard to apply to our league

President Obama, Hines Ward and tony Dungy

USA Football offers resource-packed memberships to give coaches, officials and youth league commissioners an edge. Learn more at www.usafootball.com/register. 25

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Perhaps the most challenging tackle that a youth league commissioner needs to make involves fundraising.

Like a coach turning to a favorite play, commissioners move the financial chains with BRAX Spirit Cups.

A practical, inexpensive and fun way to raise money, leagues raised as much as $18,000 in profit for their programs in 2008 with the Spirit Cups.

Scot Eaton of the Huntersville Buccaneers Football Club in Cornelius, N.C., is a fan of the fundraising program. “My team’s experience with BRAX has been very positive,” he said. “The cups were an easy sell and inside of two weeks my players were able to sell over 400 sets.”

Spirit Cups feature your favorite team and are heavy-gauge 18-ounce plastic cups, made in the USA. They are recyclable and packed in a four-pack team set. Spirit Cups boldly display logos and colors of every team in the NFL and Major League Baseball as well as more than 50

college athletics programs. Each four-cup pack sold generates $4 in profit for your league’s bank account. BRAX is the official fundraising partner of USA Football.

Kick off a Spirit Cup program by reaching BRAX’s customer care team at 1-888-825-9339. BRAX is online at spiritcups.com.

Commissioners turn football fans into fundraisersBRAX Spirit Cups help commissioners power programsBy Rose DiPaula

ORgAnizAtiOn LOCAtiOn PROfit

1. Culpeper Youth football Reva, Va. $18,328

2. Piqua Youth football Association Piqua, Ohio $14,920

3. greenlee/graham Pop Warner Morenci, Ariz. $9,776

4. northeast Bandits St. Petersburg, fla. $9,500

5. St. Martin Youth football Association Biloxi, Miss. $8,952

6. St. Cloud Youth football St. Cloud, fla. $8,372

7. Boone grove Winfield PW Hebron, ind. $8,364

8. griffith Pop Warner griffith, ind. $7,816

9. Ontario PW football/Cheer Ontario, Canada $7,652

10. Matthews Athletic Rec. Association Matthews, n.C. $7,032

America’s top 10 youth football league profits with BRAX Spirit Cups

26 USA football Magazine

commissioner

Professionalism is key for game officialsBy Chris shepard

No one ever hears about officials who make the right calls, but when something goes wrong, taking the

criticism as a professional is a sign of integrity.“The first thing I tell upstart officials is to

‘kill them with kindness,’” said Tony Michalek, NFL umpire and USA Football Director of Officiating. “Always be professional. We always want to be polite, courteous and to the point. And we always want to acknowledge them. If you don’t know the answer, tell them, ‘We will get the answer when we can.’”

When encountering a coach who is upset with a call and perhaps steps over the bounds of what is acceptable, Michalek asks, “Please repeat that.” This gives the upset coach a chance to rethink his words. A second offense will result in a penalty.

“The one thing that we need to do is be

professional,” Michalek said. “We also never blame another official. We ignore the fans and the parents. We don’t engage with them. And if it’s a controversial call that I made, all I tell the coach is, ‘This is what I saw; this is what I ruled.’”

Standing by your call is one of the most important things a credible official can do, especially at a level that does not have the option of instant replay. The official who changes his call without the firm reassurance of a replay is one who looks indecisive and unprofessional.

Michalek also stressed the importance of officials keeping their cool during the game. In a sport as emotional as football, it’s important that somebody remain calm and composed – and that has to be the officials.

“I learned my biggest lesson in keeping

my composure working lower level football from USA Football’s own Bill LeMonnier,” Michalek said. “When I was young and immature, I would violate all these rules and engage with fans and coaches and lose my cool. Bill was the one who told me that if I wanted to continue to advance and be a good official, I needed to control myself.”

Tony Michalek has now been an NFL umpire for six seasons and continues to give back to America’s favorite sport by leading USA Football’s online Certified Officiating Education Program and the non-profit’s officiating training events.

Whether you’re interested in officiating football or are already doing so and want to improve, learn from the best. Go to usafootball.com now and become a USA Football Officiating Member.

Resources and training acquired through USA Football’s officiating membership places good officials on a fast track to be even better.

USA Football Director of Officiating and NFL Umpire Tony Michalek authors and leads officiating membership resources. Working with Michalek is USA Football Officiating Consultant and Big Ten Referee Bill LeMonnier, a co-author of the NCAA Football Officiating Test for the past eight seasons.

An officiating membership earns you online access to USA Football’s comprehensive Basic Course with exciting computer-animated video and narration, four Mechanics Courses especially useful for the advanced official, Rules Interpretations video synched-up to NFHS rule numbers and Expert Analysis video featuring insight from the best in the business.

Hit the field prepared – become a USA Football Officiating Member today at usafootball.com and press the “Membership” button.

Usa Football = Miracle-Gro for Officiating KnowledgeBy MiCah siMOn

Key resource highlights:

Basic Education CourseComprehensive two-hour course •Four chapter quizzes to help retain learnings•Excellent training program for new officials•

Mechanics CoursesFour courses written by Tony Michalek and Bill LeMonnier•

Covers special teams, running game and •passing game90 total minutes of material•Online comprehension quiz following each •courseIdeal for youth officials preparing for high •school football

Rules InterpretationsCategories: Player Conduct, Pre-Snap, •Passing & KickingGrid with key rules, their enforcement •and videoHigh-quality video examples for each rule•Preparation for what will be seen on the field•

Expert AnalysisOnline video insight from the best officials •in the countryFeatures Tony Michalek (NFL), Bill, Dick •Honig (ACC) & Tom Herbert (Big Ten)Integrated with the NFHS rule book•

USA Football’s Basic Education Course for officials teaches fundamentals in an exciting state-of-the-art format.

27

Officiating

Meet a USA Football board Member

Helping steer USA Football’s mission as the sport’s national governing body on youth and amateur levels is its 17-member Board of Directors. The board is composed of leaders throughout the football community who share a

deep appreciation for America’s favorite sport. This issue of USA Football Magazine introduces you to USA Football Board Member Tom Cove, president and chief executive officer for the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA), based in Washington, D.C.

What does football mean to you?Football has always been a part of my life. It was the sport I played best as a kid, the

one I enjoyed most and it was also my ticket to being a part of a very good high school team at a time in my life when being on a team was extremely important. On a different level, football was a strong connecting point between my dad and me and continues to be a passionate connection between me and my children.

What does football mean to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA)?As the largest high school sport and one of the largest youth sports in terms of

participation rates and equipment expenditures, football is critically important to our member companies. When one considers the economic and social impact of football spectators in American culture, football clearly merits a top place in the business of sport.

USA Football and the SGMA are membership organizations. In what ways does an energized membership shape an organization?

An energized group of members is fundamental to the well-being of any membership organization. Committed members who participate on committees, benefit from education opportunities, attend events, and visit websites are the life blood of a good organization. This will keep staff focused and programs relevant, and all members will reap dividends.

Tom Cove

USA FooTbAll’S boArd oF direCTorS

President & CEOSporting Goods Manufacturers Association

Ray AndersonExec. V.P., Football Operations

National Football League

Jason BelserSenior Regional DirectorNFL Players Association

DeMaurice SmithExecutive Director

NFL Players Association

Joe BrowneExec. V.P., Communications

& Public AffairsNational Football League

Jon ButlerExecutive Director

Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc.

Tom CovePresident & CEO

SGMA International

Carl Francis Director of Communications

NFL Players Association

Alexia GallagherDirector, NFL Youth Football Dept.


Bob GardnerChief Operating Officer

National Federation of State High School Associations

Roger GoodellCommissioner


Scott HallenbeckExecutive Director

USA Football

Mark Meana Chairman

Fairfax County (Va.) Youth Football League

Brian MitchellFormer NFL All-Star

NFL Alumni

Keith RuckerFootball Coach

NFL Alumni

Frank SanchezVice President

Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Grant TeaffExecutive DirectorAmerican Football

Coaches Association

Deborah YowAthletic Director

University of Maryland

Throughout your tenure on the board, where have you seen USA Football make its greatest advancements?

The online education programs provided by USA Football are great. In my travels, I see far too many youth coaches who have all the right intentions but lack training in how to coach proper football technique. USA Football’s program offerings to coaches are cutting edge and user-friendly for the coach who might be starved for time. They are wonderful resources. Similarly, USA Football’s emphasis on improving officiating is right on target and will improve the overall game for years to come.


Jack kemp1935-2009

USa Football’s First chairman – Football champion & american patriot

by Steve Alic

Some athletes play quarterback. Few are born one.Jack Kemp was one of those few.USA Football’s first chairman, from the

organization’s founding in 2002 until his death in May, exuded the game’s qualities of leadership, intelligence and integrity. And he did it all as a winner.

Under his leadership, USA Football grew to become the sport’s national governing body on youth and amateur levels with coaching, officiating and league commissioner members in all 50 states.

“Jack Kemp loved to share how football teaches our youngsters American values like responsibility, sacrifice and teamwork,” said USA Football Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck. “The passion he showed for the game as USA Football’s chairman will continue to inspire our non-profit office in advancing the sport. A leader, a patriot, always a quarterback – we will miss him immensely.”

Kemp led the Buffalo Bills to two American Football League (A.F.L.) titles (1964, ’65). A consummate leader, he directed his teams to five of the A.F.L.’s 10 championship games. He also recorded the most career completions and passing yards in the A.F.L.’s 10-season history – a league that won two of the first four Super Bowls against its NFL competition while both leagues operated as separate entities (1966-69). In addition, he was the only A.F.L. quarterback to be listed as a starter in all 10 years of the league’s existence.

Following his football playing career, he represented the Buffalo area and western New York for 18 years in the United

States House of Representatives (1971-1989). Kemp served from February 1989 to January 1993 as the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and in August of 1996, received the Republican Party’s nomination for Vice President.

Page 32 of every USA Football Magazine is titled, “What Football Taught Me.” Jack Kemp offered our first installment of this feature in Jan. 2008. Among his thoughts shared with USA

Football Members were the following:“Football gives you a sense of

responsibility in a transparent environment. You take on responsibilities and gain credibility for your actions and decisions. Football brings out leadership, helping people achieve a common goal, and brings the best out of people. There are many positives from football that translate into being successful in politics and business in general.

“I grew up in Los Angeles. I loved to go to games at the L.A. Coliseum to watch the Rams play as a fan of Bob Waterfield, Norm Van Brocklin, Kenny Washington and George Taliaferro. I recall back in 1945, I’d go and see the Los Angeles Dons

in the old All-America Football Conference. I’ve always loved football. My older brother played quarterback in high school. The only thing I ever wanted to do was play pro football.

“I have 17 grandchildren and now I’m watching them play football. And they’re better for it. It’s a great game. It teaches so much about life through discipline and putting aside differences for the good of a team.”

To borrow our late chairman’s words, it is we who are better off for his leadership. Jack Kemp’s contributions to football and America live on through his proud and lasting legacy.

Jack Kemp

29

Football facts, stats & figures

Source: 2009 uSA FootbAll StAte Forum Survey

Source: 2009 hArriS poll

USA Football continually conducts and uncovers research to share with you, our members. We speak with youth league commissioners, coaches, game officials and parents to learn how America’s favorite sport can be even better. Every issue of USA Football Magazine shares “Facts, Stats and Figures” relative to America’s football community.

USA Football State Leadership ForumsUSA Football State Leadership Forums give Commissioner members

opportunities to share ideas on running successful leagues and to learn how USA Football can help strengthen them. Following this year’s schedule of 37 State Forums, USA Football reached out to more than 500 attendees to make the 2010 meetings even stronger. Here’s what you said:

NFL Dominates Pro Sports Apparel Sales

It’s no surprise to see someone wearing a jersey or hat supporting their favorite pro sports team, but you may raise your eyebrows in learning how many of those logos and colors belong to NFL clubs. According to the latest ESPN Sports Poll, seven of the top 10 best-selling teams play in the NFL with the other three residing in Major League Baseball. No NBA or NHL teams crack the top 10.

For 44th Consecutive Year, Football is America’s Favorite Sport

Harris Interactive, a global leader in custom market research, announced for the 44th consecutive year that football is America’s favorite sport. More than 1,500 American adults who follow multiple sports were recently asked, “If you had to choose one sport, which would you say is your favorite?”

NFL football lapped the field with 31% of the country placing it at No. 1. Trailing the NFL was Major League Baseball (16%). College football drew the third-strongest figure with 12%, meaning that either pro or college football stand No. 1 in the hearts of 43% of America’s sports fans.

America’s top five favorite sports:

Coaching/Officiating Education & Certification

USA Football Membership Programs

National Playing Standards

Recruiting Coaches and Officials

Recruiting more players

Financial Responsibilities, Equipment Grants & Fundraising

0 10% 20% 30%

Untitled 1

Chart 6

1 year or less

2-3 years

3-5 years

6 years or more

0 20% 40% 60%

What discussion topic was most important to you?

For how many years have you served as Commissioner?

Do you require coaching education in your league?

Would you recommend other Commissioners to attend a USA Football State Forum?

Yes100%Yes

67%

No33%

Thousands of youth football league commissioners have attended USA Football State Leadership Forums. Don’t be left behind – join them in 2010 and contact your USA Football regional manager (see page 23).

0

10%

20%

30%

40

Chart 10

NFL MLB College Football

Auto Racing

Men’s pro basketball


The thing that’s always attracted me to football is the fact that everyone on the field – the players, the coaches, the band, the cheerleaders, the officials – is focused on executing their

jobs at the highest level possible. I love that about football and it’s the reason that you have to bring your best efforts to the field no matter if you’re working a small-town high school game, a youth game or a Big 12 game. I always tell young officials that it’s critical that you control the things you can control . . . your preparation, rules knowledge, your appearance and fitness, demeanor with everyone surrounding the game. You must respect the game and respect the fact that the game you’re working is the most important thing in these young guys’ lives. The same is true in everyday life, take responsibility for your actions and do your absolute best every minute because it matters to someone.

Of course in officiating, you have to know the rules, you must get the right type of training and your team of officials has to function as a cohesive unit. That’s the same as in my day job. In my position, several different disciplines report to me. I want to make sure they all are accountable but also know that they are all equally important to making our company perform at a high level. Officiating keeps me very humble, which I believe is an important trait for any business leader in an executive position. On the field, I’m accountable for my mistakes and coaches and fans certainly won’t let you forget that fact. It keeps you very humble, especially

when you’re dealing with people who work behind the scenes. My high school football coach was the one responsible for getting

me back on the football field – as an official. I saw him one day after I had graduated and told him how much I missed the Friday night lights of Texas high school football. He immediately reached out to me and had me get in touch with the local chapter of football officials

who helped me get started. I’ve never looked back. There’s nothing like Texas high school football. It just doesn’t get any better or more intense. Friday night in this state is a special deal. I always enjoyed being part of it and I always worked hard to make sure I respected everything I had to do with those games.

My day job is very busy and involves a lot of travel. So does my weekend responsibilities in the fall. When I was in the Mountain West, that meant

travel to the coast at times. Needless to say, you have to have a very understanding family to make it all work. It’s the most important part of having success at both occupations. My wife is a saint, plain and simple. I work under a lot of pressure Monday through Friday and then work under a different type of pressure on Saturdays. The family makes the biggest sacrifices and I’m lucky to have them on my team. You must never forget to give back to your support group.

Each issue of USA Football Magazine reveals what America’s favorite sport has taught accomplished individuals in a variety of vocations. These football accounts illustrate how today’s players become tomorrow’s leaders.

What Football Taught Me

When you’re the Chief Financial Officer for a publicly held NYSE company in this unprecedented and unpredictable economy, you know something about working in the spotlight. Make that a heat lamp. With the temperature topping 120 degrees. Tom Bessant, CFO at Fort Worth-based Cash America, often calls on the life lessons he’s learned playing high school football at Dallas Skyline and the 29 years as a football official to give him the proper grounding to do his job and to lead others to do likewise.

Bessant admits that his football skills were never destined to land him playing time at any

collegiate level. But through years of hard work, discipline and focus, Bessant now resides in rare air as a deep sideline official in one of college football’s most competitive power conferences, the Big 12.

Like so many of his officiating peers, Bessant worked his way up through youth leagues to high

schools to small college divisions and then the Mountain West Conference, the nation’s premier non-BCS conference. Now comes the

Big 12 and weekly dates with the likes of Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas Tech.

Of course for a person whose business decisions influence the direction of a dynamic corporation and the people who work there, the pressure that comes with making a challenging call in the fourth quarter is something Bessant can put in its proper perspective. But that doesn’t mean he ever takes anything on that field lightly. Just the opposite. Bessant is driven to achieve perfection on the field and off, although he admits that football has taught him that perfection is a fleeting pursuit.

Tom Bessant, CFO, Cash AmericaAs Told To rudy klAncnik


Tom Bessant

Documents

USA Football Magazine Issue 10 Summer 2009