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contents issue 12 winter 2010
CoaChing
12 Art of rushing the passerK QB p fm nFL,
school and youth football minds
By Alex Fink
3 Qck-h gd
4 s rd:g Busa Fbll Cc Mmb dvlp
and excels
By Alex Fink
5 w if?
usa Fbll Cc Mmb thoughts about selecting assistant
coaches
By Alex Fink
heaLth & saFety
6 usa Fbll m u.s. h JdcCommitteeexcv Dc sc hllbck
represents youth football community
By Michael Kuebler
7 usa Fbll c c-c dc
CoMMissioners
8 r f d leaguesL pl d, mpl c-
q c pl & fml
By Alex Fink
usa Fbll rlM
h t g t M Fmy FdBy Tim Polzer
Bckd cck v
peace of mindL cmm pc pl
lp fm usa Fbll & nCsi
By Alex Fink
y l cplz usa Fbll s FmBy Alex Fink
3 usa Fbll g Pmstrengthens the sport in40-plus statesBy Alex Fink
oFFiCiating
4 usa Fbll LMf F BlBy Alex Fink
6 M usa Fbll Mmb:D sBy Alex Fink
F Cv
Photos By shawn huBBarD
Cc d cf usa Fbll
2009 g B Cc scl, pd
b Pck. Cck cc
cl cdl p. 10.
Photo by Scott LVeque, uSa footbaLL
Features
6 tm usa v. t wldgm f J. 3usa Fbll J nl tm
fc ld b s Fld
By Michael Kuebler
insiDe sLants
4 Kickoff
M usa Fbll sff Mmb:
shedrick taylor, Member service Coordinao
w Fbll t M s
By Nicole Lukosius
8 w Fbll t M:
Bll hmm, FoX n
By Steve Alic
http://www.gatorade.com/8/8/2019 USA Football Magazine Issue 12 Winter 2010
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Kickoff
fbll.cm
excv Dc
Scott Hallenbeck
Usa Football
editorial staFF
M ed
Steve alicCb:
brian Feener, alex Fink,
MicHael kuebler, bill lMonnier,
Scott lveque, nicole lukoSiuS,
tiM Polzer, SHedrick taylor,
JiMMy tHoMaS
t cc usa Fbll:
(703) 918-0007
traCtion media staFF
Pbl
rudy J. klancnik
edl Dc
tiM Polzer
D
williaM bridgeFortH
tc Md
Editorial Offices
trn trl.
Grlnd, tX
edl Dpm P
(972) 896-8006
Cm Pbl
(972) 898-8585
USA Football Magazineis published by
tc Md, LLC. all vd.
tc Md d ccp lcd
mcp. Pbl m
responsibility for return of unsolicited
mcp . n p f mz
m b pd dplcd
pm f d.
Dr Rdrs,
Wlm irs USA Football Magazine dlivrd in digil rm.
t srv r, r mgzin nw rnsss ll pnil inrn nd
sll.m kp inrmd r llw mmrs nd uSa fll nws ms
imprn .
Spking nws, rs pln vr r.
frs in r minds r mmris nr gr ssn; mmris md
lls s, mmissinrs, gm iils, prns nd plrs. as w knw, r is
n -ssn r s w pwr spr n
nd mr lvls. Is im g rd r 2010.
or m rginl mngrs nd r nn-pri
i s is inspird mk pming ssn
r s d. S Ldrsip frms (pg. 22) r
nw ndrw. and rgisrin rg sll.m
r cing Sls nd Plr admis is nw pn.
uSa flls 2010 Jnir Ninl tm will
Wrld Sl m in f. Ldrdl, fl. n Jn. 30. NfL
Nwrk will lvis 12 p.m. et gm ring p
ig sl-gd ll plrs rm nin nris
spnning r ninns. ck pgs 6-9 r mr
n is xiing mp wiin r grwing gll -
ll mmni.
or ipmn grn prgrm (pg. 23) wrdd
$1 millin in nw ipmn nd pprl mr n 800 nd ig sl prgrms
in 44 ss in is winr. uSa flls ssidizd kgrnd k prgrm (pg. 21),
pring r kids in ig gins sxl prdrs, s prvn n invll
rsr nd nins vill vr lg rss unid Ss.
tis iss ls lds insig n w rs rrk rm n mplisd uSa
fll ing mmr, ig sl , nd n NfL dnsiv nd (pg. 12). Rd
ids rm mmissinr mmrs n w imprv lgs rgisrin (pg. 18). and
k w uSa fll is nining wrk r sprs rmn wn i ms
plr s rg cDc-pprvd nssin wrnss nd din msrs
(pgs. 16-17).
tis nd mr wis in pgs d.
and lik sr-ndd rivr ws lws pn, uSa flls rginl mngrs
nd i s is rd srv . cn r rginl mngr (pg. 19) nd sk w
n lp gin n dg r srngn r lg. In ddiin, r nl ll-r
ll (1-877-5-footbaLL) r ms lik w (sll.m) rm r mmr srvis
dprmn.
all s in 2010 nd w lk rwrd sing uSa fll vn in
mns d.
Sinrl,
S hllnk
uSa fll exiv Dirr
w about USA Football Magazine. w
at [email protected] d.
4 USA Football Magazine
http://www.usafootball.com/resource-center/coaching/clinicshttp://www.usafootball.com/academy/indexhttp://www.usavworld.com/2010/team-usa/http://www.usavworld.com/2010/world-team/http://www.usafootball.com/pages/regional-managers/indexmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.usafootball.com/pages/regional-managers/indexhttp://www.usavworld.com/2010/world-team/http://www.usavworld.com/2010/team-usa/http://www.usafootball.com/academy/indexhttp://www.usafootball.com/resource-center/coaching/clinics8/8/2019 USA Football Magazine Issue 12 Winter 2010
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http://www.shockdoctor.com/8/8/2019 USA Football Magazine Issue 12 Winter 2010
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New faces, same goal.
A fresh crop of 45 high school seniors will don the red, white,
and blue for USA Footballs second Junior National Team.
USA Footballs hand-picked roster follows
in the footsteps of the team that won the gold
medal in the eight-nation 2009 International
Federation of American Football (IFAF) Junior
World Championship in Canton, Ohio, this past
summer. The 2010 squad looks to prove itself
against a World Select team this time around in
USA Footballs Team USA vs. The World game,
presented by Riddell in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., on
Jan. 30 at 12 p.m. ET.
The game will be nationally televised by NFL Network with Rich
Eisen, Deion Sanders, and Scott Kennedy calling the action.
USA Footballs roster is composed of Americas best high
school senior football players who also demonstrate charac-
ter befitting a USA Football national team.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, said North Bro-
ward (Fla.) Prep running back Ethan Grant to the South Flori-
da Sun Sentinel. Grant has verbally committed
to play at TCU next fall. This is a chance to
represent my country and show what we have
to offer in football as a whole.
Im looking forward to competing with the
best, added Hollywood Hills cornerback Tony
Grimes, who is considering scholarship offers
from Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State,
Oregon, and other schools. Its pretty exciting
to be able to represent your whole country
and see players from around the world. Im excited.
USA Footballs roster consists of young men who will play
in nine collegiate athletic conferences next season.
In light of the athletic achievements of Team USAs players,
U S A F o o t b A l l S
teAm USA s. the WorldGa s f Jan.
USA Ftballs Jun Natnal Tea t fae te ls best n Sut Fla
By Michael KueBler
6 USA Football Magazine
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8/8/2019 USA Football Magazine Issue 12 Winter 2010
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USA FootbAllS
JUNior NAtioNAl teAm
CoACheS
heAd CoAChChriS
merritt
#72 CJAke
AlexANder
#70 CJoShAlleN
#39 tekeNdAll
moNtGomery
#7 WrShAWNCorker
#30 CbkeioNpAyNe
#31 pkbeN
hopFiNGer
#77 oGNiCk
roWlANd
#28 CbriChArdleoNArd
#36 dethomAS
ryAN
#78 tkeviN
SChloemer
#53 lbdemetre
bAker
#23 SCorey
Cooper
#6 WrANthoNyCreeCy
#17 lbSteeledivitto
#76 otANdreWdoNNAl
#8 WrQUiNtoNdUNbAr
#62 oGdAN
FooSe
#2 WrSAm
GAGliANo
#3 rbJAkhAri
Gore
#10 rbethANGrANt
#25 CbtoNy
GrimeS
#88 temiChAel
hArtviGSoN
#32 lbtommy
heFFerNAN
#26 CbJoShhUFF
#92 delbrANdeN
riChArdSoN
#44 lbmikehUll
#71 otkodyiNNeS
#4 SbryANt
JACkSoN
#59 dtJordAN
JohNSoN
#5 WrkeiWoNemAloNe
#24 CbtyrANNmAthieU
#42 deZACk
mcCrAy
#33 deJordAN
mcdoNAld
#73 otmike
moUdy
#18 QbmArk
myerS
#75 oGColiN
porter
#9 WrJoSh
reeSe
#66 oGAdAmSheAd
#11 QbtylerSmith
#40 lbA.J.
tArpley
#1 StitUStill
#22 rbdoNtAe
WilliAmS
#41 lbtrAviS
WilliAmS
Kirk Heidelberg, Offensive
Coordinator/Line
Gabe Infante, Defensive
Coordinator
Harold Barnwell, Defensive Line
Telly Lockette, Wide Receivers
Pat Murphy, Defensive Backs
John Roderique, Linebackers
Rich Stuart, Running Backs
Steve Walsh, Quarterbacks
8 USA Football Magazine
8/8/2019 USA Football Magazine Issue 12 Winter 2010
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World teAm
CoACheS
#45 dlmehdi
AbdeSmAdcANAdA
#87 WrAlex
ANthoNycANAdA
#42 lbmArCUS
bAbiCcANAdA
#83 WrJUliANbAileycANAdA
#24 rbGUillAmeboUrASSA
cANAdA
#7 QbbrANdoN
bridGecANAdA
#40 lbJovANNi
CArrillomExico
#10 dbSooNbUm
ChAcANAdA
#31 lbbeCk
CoUlterAmEricAN SAmoA
#8 ktyler
CrApiGNAcANAdA
#12 QbJeremi
doyoN-roChcANAdA
#33 dbmike
dUbUiSSoNcANAdA
#15 WrShomAeNdoJAPAN
#94 dleliAS
GrooNSwEdEN
#77 oldANNyGroUlxcANAdA
#68 oldilloN
GUycANAdA
#34 rbJeFF
hASSlercANAdA
#75 olbeN
heeNANcANAdA
#6 rbhAmpUS
hellermArkSwEdEN
#21 dbdylAN
hollohANcANAdA
#26 dbSCottJANZ
cANAdA
#74 olSebAStiANJohANSSoN
SwEdEN
#44 lbtAvitAkAtiNA
AmEricAN SAmoA
#85 WrJerit
lAmbertcANAdA
#95 dldAvid
leecANAdA
#3 rbSteveN
lUmbAlAcANAdA
#36 dbCodylyNChcANAdA
#22 dbyUdAi
mArUyAmAJAPAN
#4 lbJerod
mcCrorycANAdA
#11 lbbyroN pereZ-ArChAmbAUlt
cANAdA
#76 olCAmredl
cANAdA
#89 olJACobrUby
cANAdA
#5 WrthomAS
rUiZFrANcE
#52 lbtyler
SAWyercANAdA
#93 dlJoel
SeUttercANAdA
#78 olmAtt
SeWellcANAdA
#32 FbJAmeS
SiFAkiScANAdA
#84 WrAdAm
thibAUltcANAdA
#37 dbCAmeroN
WAdecANAdA
#9 lbChriStiANWAlCott
cANAdA
#49 dlbJoerNWerNergErmANy
#54 dlJeSSe
WilliAmSAUSTrALiA
#81 WrJUmpei
yoShimotoJAPAN
heAd CoAChJAN
JeNmertSwEdEN
Masato Itai, Offensive
Coordinator
Warren Craney,Defensive
Coordinator
Oliver Moret,Special Teams
Greg Marshall,Offensive Line
Marco Iadeluca,Running Backs
Peter Tos,Tight Ends
Salomon Solano, Defensive Line
Shinichi Takeda, Defensive
Backs
Niclas Carlson, Strength &
Conditioning
Rick Sowieta, Team Manager
9
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Meet a USA Football staffer
What are your responsibilities as a
member services coordinator?
I take care of our memers troug
costat commuicatio o te
poe or over email alog wit ma
eid-te-scees resposiilities. I
compile reports ad memer feedack
o our resources, coacig scools,
ad oter USA Footall evets. I also
field calls ad emails from people wo
eed elp registerig for a evet or
wo wis to upgrade from a Certified
Coacig Educatio Program (CCEP)
user to a full memer.
What is your favorite part of the job?
I ejo talkig ad workig wit our
memers from all over te coutr.
I get to lear ow eac part of te
coutr adles differet scearios
ad cocers.
What does football mean to you?
Footall meas teamwork ad dedica-
tio. Its argual te ol sport of te top
four sports were a idividual caot
tpicall sigle-adedl wi or lose te
game. Its aout team: offese, defese,
special teams, ad coacig. Depedig
o ow eac of tese compoets fuc-
tio, it will determie te teams success.
What kinds of things do you do in
your spare time?
I reall ejo workig out ad pla-
ig sports. I am also prett active i
m curc ad its activities as well.
I ejo agig out wit frieds ad
spedig time wit m wife.
What is one thing that most people
do not know about you?
Ive lived i five states (Ga., Ka.,
Mi., Texas, ad Va.). I grew up i
Miesota ad traveled ad lived ack
ad fort to see m fater ad moter.
M moter was i Miesota ad m
fater was i Dallas ad Austi. M
dad te got a jo trasfer to Atlata
ad we all moved tere. I graduated
ig scool i Miesota ad wet to
college i Lawrece, Ka., at te Ui-
versit of Kasas. I ow live i Virgiia.
What do you aim to accomplish in
2010 for USA Football members?
I look forward to cotiuig to elp
upgrade our memer resources, make
sure tat our memers get te ig-qualit
service te deserve, ad fid eve more
was tat USA Footall ca e efficiet
ad productive for te sports eefit.
Shedrick Taylormember services coordinatorShedrick Taylor
USA Footall kicks off its amitious
2010 Coacig Scool scedule o April
10. I additio to gaiig a coacig edge,
attedees also receive luc, a USA Foot-
all Coacig Scool Tee, ad a gift ag.
Ever USA Footall Coacig Scool
features a keote speaker. Past speak-
ers ave icluded new Eglad Patriots
head Coac bill belicick, Pro Footall hall
of Famer Fred biletikoff, Atlata Falcos
head Coac Mike Smit, ad College Foot-
all hall of Fame lieacker Cris Spielma.
Seats are alread movig fast, so
reserve ours toda.
USA FOOTBALL COACHING SCHOOL SCHEDULEDATE LOCATION
Apil 10 nte Vigiia (Wasigt redskis)
Apil 17 Sacamet, Calif. (Gaite ba h.S.)
Apil 17 Des Mies, Iwa
(Valle Sutwds Fesma Scl)
Apil 17 Idiaaplis, Id. (Idiaaplis Clts)
Apil 24 baltime, Md. (baltime raves)
Ma TbD Caltte, n.C. (Calia Pates)
Ma TbD raleig, n.C.Ma 1 Fxug, Mass. (new Eglad Patits)
Ma 1 Gee ba, Wis. (Gee ba Packes)
Ma 1 Paisle, Fla. (All-Sta Spts Cmplex)
Ma 1 Sata Claa, Calif. (Sa Facisc 49es)
Ma 8 Ls Ageles, Calif. (nte Dame h.S.)
Ma 8 omaa, ne.
(Uivesit f neaska-omaa)
Ma 22 Clumus, oi (Duli Scit hig Scl)
Ma 22 Sa Dieg, Calif. (Sa Dieg Cages)
Ma 29 St. Luis, M. (St. Luis rams)
Jue TbD Tampa, Fla. (Tampa ba buccaees)
Jue 12 A A, Mic. (Piee h.S.)
Jue 17 Sa Dieg, Calif.
(Sa Dieg hall f Campis)
DATE LOCATION
Jue 19 Atlata, Ga. (Atlata Falcs)
Jue 26 Seattle, Was. (Seattle Seaawks)
Jul 10 Peix, Aiz. (Deset Vista h.S.)
Jul 17 Kasas Cit, M. (Kasas Cit Ciefs)
Jul 17 oaklad, Calif. (oaklad raides)
Jul 24 Mieaplis, Mi. (Miesta Vikigs)
TbD Cicag, Ill. (Cicag beas)
TbD Clevelad, oi (Clevelad bws)TbD Dallas, Texas (Dallas Cws)
TbD Deve, Cl. (Deve bcs)
TbD hust, Texas (hust Texas)
TbD Lg Islad, n.y.
TbD new oleas, La. (new oleas Saits)
TbD East rutefd, n.J. (new yk Giats)
TbD Flam Pak, n.J. (new yk Jets)
TbD Piladelpia, Pa. (Piladelpia Eagles)
TbD Pittsug, Pa. (Pittsug Steeles)
TbD nasville, Te. (Teessee Titas)
*For te most up-to-date USA Footall Coacig
Scool scedule, click ere.
10 USA Football Magazine
http://www.usafootball.com/resource-center/coaching/clinicshttp://www.usafootball.com/resource-center/coaching/clinicshttp://www.usafootball.com/resource-center/coaching/clinicshttp://www.usafootball.com/resource-center/coaching/clinics8/8/2019 USA Football Magazine Issue 12 Winter 2010
11/28
bill hampto is a out
footall vetera.
Te 13-ear-old as
eigt seasos of Americas favorite
sport uder is elt, avig plaed
two ears of flag footall ad te
past six seasos wit teFootall
ad Ceer Clu of Joso Cout
(FCCJC) i
Kasas. his
little roter,
To, is
makig is
wa troug
te program
as well, ad
teir fater is
te leagues
secretar/
treasurer.
bills moter,
Agele, doest miss a miute of te
actio eiter, takig o te role of team
potograper for te FCCJC Falcos.
Agele sas tat out footall is
aout lastig friedsips, teamwork ad
perseverace. USA Football Magazine
recetl spoke wit Agele to lear more
aout wat footall as taugt er so.
When did your son start playing
football and how did he get started?bill started plaig footall at age
5 wit flag footall. hes alwas ee
atletic, active ad us plaig outside
wit oe all or aoter. M usad (bill
hampto) ad I elieve tat orgaized
sports elp keep cildre out of troule
wile teacig tem valuale life lessos,
terefore, we wated tat for our os
(bill 13, To 8). Te ejo sports so
muc ad ave decided to keep up wit it.
What does your son enjoy most
about playing football and why has
he stuck with it?
bill ejos te persoal ad team
calleges tat come wit footall, ad
e also ejos doig wat e is pas-
sioate aout ad tat is footall. I
tik e sees tat if oure passioate
aout sometig, oull e great at it o
matter wat. you ma ot e te est
o te team, ut if oure passioate
aout wat oure doig, oure goig to
sie like oure te est plaer ad e
successful at it.
Why is it important to you as his
mother to be involved with his youth
football experience?
beig ivolved i te os sports
gives me te est seat i te world! To
watc tem grow ad mature troug
te life lessos footall ca give to
e a part of sometig so profoud
ad great ad to e supportive i
wat te are passioate aout is
wat its all aout.
What has football taught your
son?
bill as developed from a
strog little o to a respectful
oug ma all wile makig last-
ig friedsips ad Ive oserved
m ougest ecome stroger
ad more cofidet. Seeig
bill grow troug tat time as
taugt im loalt, perseverace,
sportsmasip ad to respect is
elders ad is teammates. bills
also ee a team captai for eac
of te past eigt ears. Tis as
taugt im ow to e a role model o
ad off te field.
How have other aspects of your
sons life been positively affected by
playing football?
Footall as taugt m so to e
cofidet i te preparatio es take
ad tat preparatio ad ard work
are ot alwas te ke to a successful
turout ou lose some ad ou wi
some. Its wat ou lear alog te wa.
Its kowig eve toug e gave 110
percet, it doest mea a sure tig.
bill as applied tis to ever aspect
of is life. he as also leared aout
loalt to someoe or sometig oter
ta imself.
USA Football is the official youth foot-
ball development partner of the NFL, its 32
teams and the NFL Players Association.
Learn more about football fundamentals
and values at usafootball.com.
What Football Has
Taught My Sonby nicole lukosius
Angele and Billy Hampton
Presented by:
11
8/8/2019 USA Football Magazine Issue 12 Winter 2010
12/28
CoaChing
offiCiating
Co
mmissioner
health
&
fitn
ess
A ig aKeys to QB pressure from NFL, high school and youth football minds
By Alex Fink
Every efensive en
will tell you that once
he beats his man an
the only thing staning be-
tween him an a sack is an
unsuspecting quarterback,
there is no other place they
woul rather be.
Chicago Bears efensive
en an NFL all-star Aewale
Ogunleye is among the NFLs
best at putting pressure on
the quarterback. Miway
through the 2009 season,
Ogunleye has accumulate
65 career sacks an has been a con-
stant heaache for opposing offensive
coorinators week in an week out.
Each play, you have to just go with
all your heart an soul, sai Ogunleye.
You have to be relentless. You never
know when a sack is going to come, so
every own you have to play like that
is going to be your opportunity.
Having a goo takeoff is the most
unerrate technique a goo pass
rusher nees to have. I think people
ont really realize that goo
pass rushing begins with
your take off. You ont have
to be very fast to be a great
pass rusher, but getting off
the ball is essential.
USA Football coaching
member Michael Koenig,
coach an a founing boar
member of the Omaha (Neb.)
STORM, echoes the importance of a
soli burst off the line of scrimmage
an offers his proven techniques
an rills to successfully get to the
quarterback.
I will often use a blocking ummy
as a tight en an align cones to
ensure proper epth an angles for the
rush, Koenig explains. I will also posi-
tion a ummy (use two to avoi hea
to hea collisions) at a five step rop
position an have the players compete
to see who can get there first.
Chilren nee visuals, so you nee
to walk through the technique an use
cones an ummies for them to uner-
stan the istance/epth.
Gabe Infante, hea coach
at Paramus (N.J.) Catholic
High School an efensive
coorinator of the 2010
USA Football Junior National
Team, also emphasizes the
importance of getting out of
your stance quickly.
I think the most impor-
tant component for a youth
coach to focus on is get-off, sai
Infante. There are two elements to a
great get-off stance an trigger. The
stance we teach resembles something
closer to a track runners start than
a traitional football stance.
That is because we want to
get up the fiel as quickly
as possible, an it is ifficult
to o that with a traitional
shouler-with stance.
The secon component, or
trigger as I call it, is all about
ball movement. Ieally we
want to beat the offensive
player out of his stance. We
believe keying the football for
movement gives us the best
chance. It is a neutral stimulus
we believe is better than
keying our mans movement.
Infante points out that the most im-
portant thing a efensive en shoul
keep in min once the ball is snappe
is actually not
thinking at all.
His think-
ing or planning
shoul be one
before the ball
is snappe. He
shoul have a
plan or move
he intens to
execute base on careful stuy of his
opponent an his own strengths. Focus
on getting to the quarterback entails
getting by the person assigne to pro-
tect him. Closing the istance between
you an the offensive player assigne
to block you is paramount.
USA Football Coach Members: help
your defensive linemen get to the
quarterback go to the Drills Library at
usafootball.com. Twelve of the more than
100 computer-animated drills found here
are dedicated to defensive line play.
GAbe InfAnte
MIchAel KoenInG
AdewAle oGunleye, chIcAGo beArs de
12 USA Football Magazine
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13/28
quick-hitter gridwi mm i a 50 a a dii cmia, usA fa ag i ca Mm aig haa
w ca. b a i aig-aa g ig aig, mi, mi, a i i. n a i s b
ii mi ig wk 8 nfl 2009 ga a.
coAch:
experIence:
teAM:
locAtIon:
wIllIe reeves
39 yeArs
lexInGton colts
lexInGton, MIss.
JIM worMuth
11 yeArs
noblesvIlle eleMentAry
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USA Football Magazine
b b
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ci
dik bk
Im aig i
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A-
Ameia
ei Maig
s a Gia
pai pa
l hz
taig a,
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a mai,
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pai a a qik
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USA Football offers resource-packed memberships to give coaches, game officials, youth league commissioners and players
an edge. Learn more at www.usafootball.com/register.
JAMes McGoldrIcK
6 yeArs
sAntA clArItA wIldcAts
los AnGeles, cAlIf.
douG whIpple
5 yeArs
Greene county rAMs
Jefferson, IowA
13
8/8/2019 USA Football Magazine Issue 12 Winter 2010
14/28
CoaChing
offiCiating
Co
mmissioner
health
&
fitn
ess
sa i ri:
Ga baiUSA Football Coach Member develops and excelsBy Alex Fink
In just three short
years, Grant Brawith
has taken his Tokay
Jr. Tigers of Loi, Calif.,
from a grassroots youth
football organization
into a perennial power-
house. All four ivisions
of his Jr. Tigers program
finishe the season
above .500 an three of
the four reache their
ivision championship.
Before its incep-
tion in 2007, Brawith
wante to make sure his
organization was reaily
equippe for both the short- an long-
term goals he ha set in place. Win-
ning has become a natural byprouct
of oing things right.
Our goal was to be committe to
teaching our young stuent-
athletes to compete athleti-
cally at the highest level an
to strive to be a lifetime
learner in the classroom an
on the fiel, sai Brawith,
Presient of the Tokay Jr.
Tigers an delta Youth
Sports Association League
Commissioner. I felt USA Football
share those same values an they
have certainly helpe me as a coach
an league commissioner.
Brawith has been coaching for
seven years, three of those seven
as the Varsity Jr. Tigers hea coach
(12-14 year-ols). Looking back at his
early coaching years, Brawith amits
hes come a long way in terms of
coaching skills an philosophy.
I have a much better unerstan-
ing of how to coach-up an reach
the kis than when I first
starte, sai Brawith, who
resies in Loi, Calif. (85
miles east of San Fran-
cisco). I use USA Footballs
practice planner from the
website this season to orga-
nize my practices an also
implemente techniques
an rills Ive gathere over the years
some of which are from the USA
Football coaching schools.
The Varsity Jr. Tigers starte the
season strong with four victories in
their first five games. Coach Brawith
an his team finishe the regular
season with a 5-3 recor an con-
tinue their strong
showing well into the
playoffs. Although his
team came up just
short in the leagues
championship game,
Brawith was very
prou of the progress
he an his team ha
mae throughout the
season.
Our organization as
a whole achieve great
success an Im prou
of the way we finishe
the season, Brawith
sai. The players were
happy, the parents were happy, the
coaches were happy. The coaches are
alreay anxious for next season. They
all are asking if they can return an
when the next USA Football coaching
school is.
As for Brawith, he plans to continue
his har work well into the offseason
to ensure his team an league enjoy
the same successes for years to
come.
Im really looking forwar to the
new USA Football Coaching School
scheule to be release, Brawith sai
(see page 10). On top of attening the
coaching schools an other seminars,
Ill be stuying a lot of game film to see
what I can improve on in the upcoming
seasons.
Join Coach Brawith as a USA Football
Coach Member or renew your current
membershiphere.
GrAnt brAwIth
GrAnt brAwIth
14 USA Football Magazine
http://www.usafootball.com/pages/coaching_developmenthttp://www.usafootball.com/pages/coaching_development8/8/2019 USA Football Magazine Issue 12 Winter 2010
15/28
wa I?USA Football Coaching Members share thoughts about
selecting assistant coaches By Alex Fink
coach. They shoul believe in what you
o an teach an be sure to not just take
a a because he is your frien or that
his son is a beast on the fiel.
K: Balance, Balance, Balance if
youre an offensive guy, get a efensive
guy (an vice versa). If you ha play-
ing experience at a skill position, look
for someone that spent their time as a
lineman. Most importantly, look for an
assistant that will be complimentary to
your communication an coaching style.
Not all kis are motivate the same way.
h: I have coache now for six years
an have ha 10-0 teams two of those
years. The first year I coache, it was a 6-8
year ol team an we won our first five
games an our coaching staff thought we
woul have an unefeate season. We lost
our sixth game an my whole coaching
staff an parents were heartbroken. My
6-year-ol son came up to me after the
game an sai, da i we win? When
I tol him, No, he sai, Bummer, can we
stay a while so I can play with my friens?
His team went to the playgroun an
ha a great time playing. That was a life
lesson for me on wins an losses, we as
parents get hung up on it.
Coaching turnover in youth football is a
common occurrence. Volunteer coaches
work scheules may change year-to-year,
a family may move numerous scenarios
may alter a teams coaching staff. Three
USA Football coach members, all of whom
are youth hea coaches, recently share
their thoughts about how they woul fill
positions on their staffs.
What if you are seeking a new as-
sistant coach? What are some things
you take into consideration during the
selection process?
big: I believe that looking for an
assistant coach shoul start with his
or her character. If you ont believe in a
coach as a person, you shoulnt believe
in his or her philosophy or abilities as a
coach. A coach shoul have morals an
truly believe that the kis come first.
I believe that all coaches shoul have
no less than the USA Football Coaches
Certification (online CCEP course
completion), although some of the other
certifications are fine. I truly believe in
what USA Football is teaching.
K: First, can they relate to the
kis? Have the coaches an kis ha fun
when they coache or le other youth
activities? Secon, respect for the game:
players, parents, fellow coaches an refs.
This can sometimes be har to etermine
right away but hot heas nee not apply.
Thir, they nee to have passion for the
activity. As we often tell our coaches,
Football is a great game, ont screw
it up. The passion inee sometimes
means taking extra steps for the weak-
est player on the team. It can also mean
waiting for the 20-minute-late parent
picking up their chil from practice.
h: I think the most important thing
to me in picking an assistant coach is
coaching philosophies. Ninety-five per-
cent of the people I have coache with
fully unerstan the game an know how
to teach Xs & Os, but only 50 percent of
them have what I consier to be a goo
coaching philosophy. The most important
thing at this level is teaching them how
to love football while you teach them
how to play football.
What if you were giving advice to
new coaches seeking assistants?
What would you tell them?
big: A coach shoul trust his
instincts when looking for an assistant
tim big
City, State: Columbus, Ga.
Youth League:
Columbus Youth
Indoor Football
League
Team: Steelers
(11-12 year olds)Coaching
Experience: 3 years
G K
City, State: Eden Prairie, Minn.
League: Eden
Prairie Football
Association
Team: 5th grade
Yellow (10-11
year olds)Coaching
Experience: 5 years
Jami h
City, State: Endwell, N.Y.
League: Maine
Endwell Youth
Football
Team: Blue Upper
(11-12 year olds)
CoachingExperience: 6 years
15
8/8/2019 USA Football Magazine Issue 12 Winter 2010
16/28
CoaChing
offiCiating
Co
mmissioner
health
&
fitn
ess
The U.S. House Judiciary
Committee held its second
hearing on Legal Issues
Relating to Football Head Injuries
on Jan. 4. USA Football Executive
Director Scott Hallenbeck was one
of 21 individuals invited to testify
before the Committee, which
conducted the hearing in Detroit,
Mich., at the Wayne State University School of Medicine.
USA Footballs Hallenbeck is the only person who has
been called to represent the youth football community on
this topic in U.S. House Judiciary Committee hearings.
Those invited to give testimony on Jan. 4 included prominent
professionals from the sports, medical, and science industries.
Hallenbeck stated USA Footballs responsibility to the
youth football community and its work with the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in developing
and providing health and safety initiatives. USA Football
will emphasize CDC-approved concussion awareness
and management in 2010 through usafootball.com, its 85
events in 27 states, and its membership offerings serving
coaches, players, commissioners, and game officials.
We lead the sports development and serve the youth
football community, said Hallenbeck in his testimony. A
critical part of that leadership is the health and safety
information we provide, including our work with the CDC on
concussion awareness.
USA Football has worked with the CDC for more than
two years to share concussion awareness information
throughout youth football and we will do so with even
greater emphasis in 2010.
USA Footballs coaching education curriculum helps
dedicated volunteer youth coaches know how to teach
blocking and tackling fundamentals, which can lessen the
chance of injury. USA Footballs equipment grant program
also makes football safer by awarding more than $2 million
worth of football equipment since 2006 to youth and high
school programs, based on merit and need.
By April of this year, USA Footballs 11-chapter online
coaching course will be expanded
with new chapters on concussion
awareness, athlete hydration, and
equipment fitting. USA Footballs
CDC-approved concussion
awareness policy helps coaches
recognize concussion signs and
symptoms and shares what to do if a
concussion is even suspected.
All youth sports need to recognize the seriousness of
concussions and the need for further education among our
coaches, league administrators, game officials, athletes,
and parents, Hallenbeck said. We encourage other sports
national governing bodies to join us and make a similar
commitment to our young athletes.
USA Fa shars simy wih
U.S. Hus Judiciary CmmiExecutive Director Scott Hallenbeck represents youth football communityBy Michael KueBler
SCott HAllenbeCk
16 USA Football Magazine
http://www.usafootball.com/articles/displayArticle/7130/8751http://www.usafootball.com/articles/displayArticle/7130/8751http://www.usafootball.com/articles/displayArticle/7130/8751http://www.usafootball.com/articles/displayArticle/7130/87518/8/2019 USA Football Magazine Issue 12 Winter 2010
17/28
Twenty-six youth sports
organizations, including USA
Football, have worked with
the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) for more than
two years to educate the youth
sports community on concussion
awareness.
Continuing this practice for the
sports betterment, USA Football
is emphasizing this topic in 2010.
USA Footballs CDC-approved
concussion awareness policy
was created for youth leagues to
adopt. USA Football recommends
that every youth football league
and every youth sports league
employ such a policy. This
information is shared through USA
Footballs curriculum, events, and
resources.
Prvi ad Prparaifr Cachs(Primary Source: CDC)
1. educa ahs ad pars au
ccussi
a. Talk with athletes and parents
about preventative measures,
symptoms, and proper action to
take relative to concussions.
b. Emphasize the dangers of playing
through a concussion.
2. Isis ha safy cms firs
a. Teach athletes safe playing
techniques and good
sportsmanship
b. Review the Concussion Fact
Sheet for Players found at
usafootball.com with players and
their parents
3. tach ahs ad pars ha i is
saf pay wih a ccussi
a. Explain that it is not courageous
nor does it show strength to play
with a concussion
4. Prv g-rm prms
a. When in doubt, sit them out. Keep
athletes with known or suspected
concussion off the field until an
appropriate health care professional
clears them to return. Returning to
play must be a medical decision.
Wha a Cach Shud D Wha Ccussi is Suspcd(Primary Source: CDC)
1. Rmv h ah frm pay
a. Look for signs and symptoms of
concussion if an athlete experienced
a bump or blow to the head
b. When in doubt, sit them out
athletes with signs or symptoms of
concussion must not return to play
2. esur ha h ah
is vauad immdiay y
a apprpria hah car
prfssia
a. Do not try to judge the severity
of the injury yourself
b. Coaches recording the following
can help a health care professional
in assessing the athlete:
i. Cause of the injury and the force
of the hit or blow to the head
ii. Any loss of consciousness and if
so, for how long
iii. Any memory loss or seizures
immediately following the injury
iv. Number of previous concussions
(if any)
3. Ifrm h ahs pars/
guardias f h pssi
ccussi & ad giv hm h
ccussi fac sh fr pars
fud usafa.cm
a. Ensure that parents know
the athlete must be seen by
an appropriate healthcare
professional
b. Provide formal documentation of
the injury and notify the league
commissioner
4. Aw h ah rur pay
y afr a apprpria hahcar
prfssia cars his r hr rur
a. A repeat concussion that occurs
before the brain recovers from the
first can slow recovery or increase
the likelihood of having long-term
problems
USA Fa ciusccussi awarss ducai
DEPARTMENTOF HEALTHAND HUMAN SERVICES
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
Athletes who experience any of the signs and symptoms listed below
after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body may have a concussion.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Signs Observed byCoaching Staff
Appears dazed
or stunned
Is confused aboutassignment or position
Forgets an instruction
Is unsure of game,score, or opponent
Moves clumsily
Answers questions slowly
Loses consciousness(even briefly)
Shows mood, behavior,
or personality changes
Cant recall eventsprior to hit or fall
Cant recall eventsafter hit or fall
Symptoms Reportedby Athlete
Headache or
pressure in head
Nausea or vomiting
Balance problemsor dizziness
Double or blurry vision
Sensitivity to light
Sensitivity to noise
Feeling sluggish, h azy, foggy,or groggy
Concentration ormemory problems
Confusion
Does not feel right or is
feeling down
ACTION PLAN
Emergency Medical Services
Name:
Phone:
Health Care Professional
Name:
Phone:
School Staff Available During Practice
Name:
Phone:
School Staff Available During Games
Name:
Phone:
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
January
2010
HEADS UPCONCUSSION
INFOOTBALL
If you suspect that an athlete has a concussion, you should take thefollowing four steps:
1. Remove athlete from play.
2. Ensure that the athlete is evaluated by an appropriate healthcare professional. Do not try to judge the seriousness of theinjury yourself.
3. Inform the athletes parents or guardians about the possibleconcussion and give them the fact sheet on concussion.
4. Keep the athlete out of play the day of the injury and until anappropriate health care professional says they are symptom-free
and its OK to return to play.
For more information and safety resources, visit
www.cdc.gov/Concussion or www.usafootball.com. WHEN IN DOUBT, SIT THEM OUT
evry cach wh ads f USA Fas 37
fu-day cachig schs i 2010 wi rciv his
cipard sicr, crad y USA Fa ad h CDC.
this sam ifrmai, scrd cipards ad
rfrigrar mags, wi disriud agu
cmmissirs a USA Fas 38 Sa ladrship
Frums, spaig 27 sas.
17
http://www.usafootball.com/articles/displayArticle/6671/7692http://www.usafootball.com/articles/displayArticle/6671/7692http://www.usafootball.com/articles/displayArticle/6671/7692http://www.cdc.gov/ConcussionInYouthSports/pdf/parents_Eng.pdfhttp://www.cdc.gov/ConcussionInYouthSports/pdf/parents_Eng.pdfhttp://www.cdc.gov/ConcussionInYouthSports/pdf/parents_Eng.pdfhttp://www.cdc.gov/ConcussionInYouthSports/pdf/parents_Eng.pdfhttp://www.usafootball.com/articles/displayArticle/6671/7692http://www.usafootball.com/articles/displayArticle/6671/7692http://www.usafootball.com/articles/displayArticle/6671/76928/8/2019 USA Football Magazine Issue 12 Winter 2010
18/28
CoaChing
offiCiating
Co
mmissioner
health
&
fitn
ess
Rran fr ay
y aLeagues plan ahead, employ new techniques to reach players & families
By Alex Fink
The off-eaon can
e ut a important
a the actual eaon
itelf for youth footall
league commiioner.
Commiioner now com-
monly prepare for league
regitration through innoa-
tie trategie acro the
country.
League regitration effort hae
een made een more productie y
employing the internet. Email lat,
urey and weite are ome of the
more popular way league harne
thi reource.
Unlie the pat when communica-
tion wa trictly limited to the newpa-
per, yard ign or flyer handed out to
a chool which may or may not mae
it home we can now reach player
and their familie through the internet,
explain Indian Nation Footall Con-
ference (Ola.) Commiioner Tom Lott,
whoe league
conit of 366
team. We hae
the aility to
hae contant
contact with
our familie and
we conitently
earch for any
mean we can
offer on our weite to entice them to
tay in contact with u.
Commiioner alo partner with
local elementary and middle chool
and ue their email ditriution lit
to reach propectie player. Once
player ecome intereted in playing,
parent are directed to go online for
more information.
We hae a ery good regitration
primer on our weite that i written
much lie the For Dummie oo,
aid Rocille (Md.) Footall League
Preident Eric Hecman. We hae a
lot of oundarie and recruiting rule
that mut e enforced, o it ery im-
portant that we mae ourele aail-
ale ia email and phone to anwer
uetion and mae ure player
are regitered to the correct age and
weight group and the right team.
We hae uccefully ued the
technology to increae our regitration
y 10-20 percent a year for the lat
fie year.
Perhap the mot important thing
commiioner hould eep in mind
during the offeaon i rememer-
ing to plan ahead. It imperatie to
ecure a location for euipment hand-
out and regitration day a early a
poile. Planning ahead eliminate
confuion and arm the player, par-
ent and coache with
information they need
when regitration time
come around.
In order to run
a ucceful youth
footall organization,
a commiioner mut
treat the clu lie a
uine and alway follow the rule
of the 5 P (Prior Planning Preent
Poor Performance), aid Lott, who
ha een commiioner of Indian
Nation Footall Conference for
more than 23 year. I feel a new
commiioner who i preparing
for the upcoming eaon need to
mae ure eerything i et in place
early typically y April. For u, our
euipment ha een purchaed, re-
conditioned, organized and returned
to the hele; our regitration are
open and online; our weite i up
to date; and our coache hae gone
through their firt preeaon meet-
ing. We hae alo egun finalizing
our preeaon camp and coache
a well a aigning practice field
and comine location.
We hae learned that y preparing
early, it eliminate a maor amount of
complaint which would otherwie
arie. It alo mae for a mooth tran-
ition into the eaon.
For more insight on how to best
operate your youth league, go to
usafootball.com and click the green
Commissionertab.
Tom LoTT
W av fy ny nra rrran by 10-20 prn ayar fr a fv yar.
Erick Heckman, Rockville (Md.) Football League President
18 USA Football Magazine
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19/28
NoRthWest RegioN
BAssel FAltAs
() -
West RegioN
Bucky Brooks
() -
[email protected] & Mid-AtlANtic
Deno cAmpBell
() -
southeAst RegioN
rick peAcock
() -
NoRtheAst RegioN
eD pAssino
() -
[email protected] RegioN
Joe owens
() -
gReAt lAkes RegioN
scott leVeque
() -
America faorite port i powered y you dedicated youth league commiioner, coache, gameofficial and olunteer. For each of you, there i a face and name to place in your footall Rolodex:your UsA Footall Regional Manager.
UsA Footall Regional Manager are current and former coache, player and adminitrator woring for you. Each ha the experience
needed to help you mae your league or team een tronger with UsA Footall reource.
Contact your UsA Footall Regional Manager to learn how you can ic off your free commiioner memerhip or to a aout coachingcertification, the nearet UsA Footall Coaching school, Player Academy or Officiating school. stay in touch with your regional manager,
whether it to hare new aout your league or team or to a aout memer reource.
In addition, you may alway contact our office, aed outide of Wahington, D.C., through afba.mor y phone at
1-877-5-FootBAll . Let u now how we can ere you etter.
Together well enure that teamwor and leaderhip continue to ere a the lace inding our faorite game.
19
usA Fba rga maag
8/8/2019 USA Football Magazine Issue 12 Winter 2010
20/28
CoaChing
offiCiating
Co
mmissioner
health
&
fitn
ess
hw t g t M
Frm Yr FnrarBy tim polzerE
ery youth footall organization
game plan include the challenge
of fundraiing, ut not eery
organization ha a good game plan.
Too many aociation and league
are putting together long, dedicated
drie that wind up eating a lot of cloc
efore talling out hort of the goal-line.
joel Reader, who helped turn around
a financially challenged youth footall
aociation, ha alo een the good
and the ad of fundraiing in hi role
a Wetern Fundraiing Director for
bRAX spirit Cup. One of the firt
thing Reader ugget i creating a
fundraiing game plan and finding the
right people to run it.
jut lie you plan out your league
year or your play for your next game,
you need a game plan for your fund-
raier, Reader aid. Hi firt, and mot
important tip: select the right peron
to manage your fundraier.
A you now, team ucceed or
fail y the merit of their play-
er or people, Reader aid. If
you try to run a 5-3 defene
and only hae two good line-
men, youre going to hae a
long year.
The perfect uarterac
for your fundraier hould e
an aggreie leader, who i a
good communicator capale
of motiating ey player
including youth coache, par-
ent and player.
The next tep i determin-
ing what youre raiing money
for, etting goal and pulih-
ing thoe goal. Why are we
raiing money? And how much?
Mae ure thi information i com-
municated all the way down the line,
Reader aid.
You mut alo outline ale target
and opportunitie uch a friend,
familie, teacher, co-worer and
een out-of-town relatie.
When I too mine to wor, I aed
my o if it wa oay if I ent out an
e-mail that aid I wa doing a fund-
raier and what it wa, Reader aid.
A ale egin to tricle in, e ure
to create a iual meter that how
your ale people how far theye
come and how far they hae to go
to meet your goal.
Draw up a ig thermometer, which
how where youre at and where you
need to e, Reader uggeted.
Incentie will help drie your ale
olunteer, drawing out their competi-
tie trea and proiding a carrot for
etter reaching your goal.
Incentie help oth the top
performer and drie the aerage
performer, Reader aid. I put
up prize of $175. The three top
indiidual old oer $2,000, o
my profit wa ut oer $1,700.
Conitently monitoring
goal and eeing weely
update from coache or team
repreentatie i critical.
When a team i not on trac
for it goal, a team/parent
meeting hould e called or
phone call made to thoe who
are not on trac to reinforce
how they can reach their goal,
Reader aid.
BRAX spr cp Wrn Fnran
drr J Rar ffr x p fr
ffv fnran:
1. Select Right Person to Manage
Fundraiser
2. Set & Publish Fundraising Goals
3. Document & Communicate Methods for
Reaching Goals
4. Use Motivational Items To Promote
Progress vs. Goals
5. Include Incentives in Promotion
Program
6. Monitor Progress Toward Goals
20 USA Football Magazine
8/8/2019 USA Football Magazine Issue 12 Winter 2010
21/28
Enuring a poitie foot-
all experience for our
youngter egin with
a coach-player relationhip
uilt on trut. Recognizing
thi, UsA Footall continue
to e America only youth
port organization that dedi-
cate a much a $500,000
to help pay for gold-tandard
acground chec on youth
footall olunteer.
Etalihed in 2007, UsA
Footall continue to offer a $15 two-
eaon gold-tandard acground chec
through pecial pricing from the National
Center for safety Initiatie (NCsI) the
official acground creening company
of the U.s. Olympic Committee. The
normal price for thi premium erice i
$25. UsA Footall acground chec
uidy i open to eery youth footall
league in the United state.
Our league ha definitely een the
poitie outcome from UsA Footall
program with NCsI, aid Roert Mead-
ow, commiioner of the Annandale
(va.) boy & Girl Clu. The AbGC oper-
ate within the Fairfax (va.) County
Youth Footall League which encom-
pae more than 7,200 youngter.
The acground chec allow you to
ee what ind of indiidual are olun-
teering and woring with our id. We
hae een uing the acground chec
for aout three year now and wee
gotten nothing ut poitie feedac.
The purpoe of the acground chec
are to help youth league determine if a
coach or olunteer i deemed uitale
to interact with children. NCsI perform
earche in two national criminal dataa-
e a well a all tate ex offender reg-
itrie. The earch alo include county
record. Depending on the indiidual
league preference, NCsI can earch
lifetime record or ut a time frame for
when certain crime hae taen place.
After the applicant report i com-
plete, the indiidual i flagged with a
green light or a red light. If an indi-
idual receie a red light, NCsI notifie
them and allow the indiidual to explain
or dipute the record. Following that con-
eration, NCsI end
creening finding to
the league, ut no con-
fidential information i
exchanged.
The criteria for red
light are eparated
into pecific categorie in the graph aoe.
Preident and Co-Founder of south
County (Mo.) Athletic Clu Mar bole
made ure acground chec were part
of hi league. He learned
aout UsA Footall uidy
program in a coache meet-
ing with UsA Footall Central
Regional Manager joe Owen.
When we tarted our
organization, we were
adamant aout doing ac-
ground chec on eeryone
haing contact with the
player, he aid. I at down
with joe and he detailed the
program and the eae of ue
y the uer and the league. It a mall
cot incurred y the organization that
gie olume of peace of mind to oth
the parent and player.
We actually had a uniform upplier
that wa on the watchdog lit. Upon
finding out and erifying that he wa a
regitered ex offender, we eered all
tie with him and the company and any
future companie he wor for.
Youth footall acground chec
conducted with UsA Footall financial
help hae reulted in more than 1,300 red
light during the pat two youth footall
eaon. The program ucce i due
in large part to the implicity of the NCsI
application proce. They manage the
data entry with a uic online urey and
league are ale to chec the tatu of
the application online.
One of my faorite feature i the red
light/green light, bole aid. Rememer,
no go until you get the green light!
Visit usafootball.com to employUSA
Footballs subsidized background check
program today.
Barn v
pa f mnLeague commissioners protect players with help from USA Football & NCSIBy Alex Fink
Red lights BY cAtegoRY(662 red lights in 2009)
any fny
any r rm nvvn fr r ra f
fr aan a prn
any r rm nvvn nr b-
an, n paraprnaa r a
any r rm n w xa ran
an mn, nn vm rm f a
xa nar an prnrapy
47%
27%
19%
4%
mark boLes
21
http://www.usafootball.com/backgroundcheckshttp://www.usafootball.com/backgroundcheckshttp://www.usafootball.com/backgroundcheckshttp://www.usafootball.com/backgroundcheckshttp://www.usafootball.com/backgroundcheckshttp://www.usafootball.com/backgroundchecks8/8/2019 USA Football Magazine Issue 12 Winter 2010
22/28
CoaChing
offiCiating
Co
mmissioner
health
&
fitn
ess
Y a apaz n
usA Fba sa FrmBy Alex FinkUsA Footall state Leaderhip
Forum ring youth footall leader
together to dicu the game and
identify olution to challenge hared
in common.
In 2010, UsA Footall will conduct
38 tate forum throughout 28 tate
to cultiate an enironment where top
youth footall mind can exchange
idea on how to further trengthen
their league and the port in general.
Elmo Le beouf III, preident of the
Dutchtown (La.) Youth Footall League
for the pat nine year, ha een firt-
hand what enefit can prout from
UsA Footall tate forum.
before the tate forum, I often
thought that I wa the only one woring
through the different prolem that
aroe during my time a league prei-
dent, aid Le beouf, a UsA Footall Com-
miioner memer. Litening to other
commiioner dicu thee ame
prolem I wa haing, I now hae a
etter undertanding on how to improe
my league and how to deal with certain
prolem that can arie in the future.
Led y the UsA Footall regional
manager, each of whom i experi-
enced a a current or former coach,
player or footall adminitrator; UsA
Footall tate forum coer an array
of topic pertinent to league regard-
le of ize or location. Dicuion
range from coaching and officiating
education, player health and afety,
mareting a league to grow participa-
tion, organizational tructure, a youth
footall-pecific ruleoo, acce to
UsA Footall euipment grant, fund-
raiing guidance, and more.
Thee topic and other are central
to thee full-day league commiioner
meeting.
The tate forum helped my league
etalih guideline for our coache,
explained john Palumo, Coaching
Commiioner of the Moriche (N.Y.)
seahaw. The forum alo helped u
create a etter connection etween
ourele and the local high chool
program. There i a lot of information
on how other league are improing
themele o it important to attend
if you want to improe your program.
The networing apect of the state
Forum i inaluale a attendee
remain in contact with one another to
enure that youth footall continue to
trengthen it root.
Mot of the time,
we dont hae to rein-
ent the wheel in order
to hae a ucceful
footall program,
Le beouf aid. The
forum allow you to exchange informa-
tion with all of your fellow commi-
ioner and tay in touch throughout
the entire year. It important to tae
adantage of the preiou experience
of other adminitrator. Mot of the
time the olution to my prolem
hae een right in front of me through
the people I hae met at the forum.
If your league ha not participated
in a tate forum, ut would lie to,
contact your UsA Footall Regional
Manager (pg. 19).
Visit usafootball.com and roll to the
green Commissionerstab for more
resources to best serve your league.
sa Frm
da sfr cann
For the third conecutie year,
one youth league commiioner
from each of UsA Footall 38
state Leaderhip Forum will e
elected to participate in the NFL/
UsA Footall Youth Footall summit
in Canton, Ohio, thi july.
The NFL/UsA Footall Youth
summit aemle nearly 200 youth
and high chool coache from all 50
tate and the Ditrict of Columia.
Youth league commiioner and
former NFL player now coaching at
the high chool leel alo tae part.
Included in the two-day ummit
agenda i a UsA Footall National
Forum compried of one delegate
from all 38 tate forum.
NFL/UsA Footall Youth summit
dicuion topic include character
deelopment, league operation, the
NFL ATLAs & ATHENA Anti-steroid
Education Program, UsA Footall
CDC-approed concuion aware-
ne information, role-playing dem-
ontration regarding coach-player-
parent relationhip, and more.
since 2007, more than 1,000
youth league commiioner hae
attended a UsA Footall state
Leaderhip Forum. Dont e left
ehind contact your UsA Footall
Regional Manager (pg. 19) to oin
them in 2010.
stee Alic
eLmo Le beouf
22 USA Football Magazine
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23/28
UsA Footall ha awarded $1 million
worth of helmet, houlder pad, uni-
form, and more thi winter through it
Grant Program, enefiting more than
800 youth and high chool footall
program in 44 tate aed on merit
and need.
UsA Footall award
it euipment grant
with the help of the NFL
Youth Footall Fund, a
non-profit foundation
created y the NFL and
NFL Player Aociation
in 1998.
Thi euipment gie
u an opportunity to
expand our program to
younger children and
get them moe inoled
in footall, aid Lanelle
Ramey,Northwet Area
Director of the boy &
Girl Clu of Greater
Milwauee (Wi.) Tacle
Footall. It help u e-
caue it reduce expene for euip-
ment that we would not otherwie
e ale to afford during thee tough
economic time.
Each league elected for an euip-
ment grant receie a $1,000 pacage
that offer a ariety of footall euip-
ment and uniform option to chooe
from. High chool receie imilar pac-
age alued at $1,500.
New euipment mae footall afer
for the 3.0 million youngter participat-
ing in America faorite port.
We receied 25 helmet and we
play in the Arizona Competitie Youth
Footall League competitie league
footall where you hae to furnih
your own euipment, aid kenny king,
Organization Leader of the Chandler
(Ariz.) king Youth Footall Organization.
Wee done fundraier throughout
eery year, ut alway fell hort in get-
ting upplie. Thi grant really helped u
tae our program to the next leel a far
a haing new and afer euipment and
it really helped our program.
UsA Footall grant program ha
aited the youth and high chool
footall community ince 2006 and i
reponile for awarding more than
$2 million worth of footall euipment
proided y Riddell and Under Armour.
A footall participation numer
continue to grow, UsA Footall hope
the euipment grant
continue to empower
youth league and pro-
ide them with the nec-
eary tool they need
to enure our children
afety.
In a mall town lie
Reidille, we hae id
that participate in our
program that depend on
u to proide them with
omething poitie to
do, aid Dale Hagwood,
Program superior of
Reidille (N.C.) Recre-
ation. Our reource are
limited and the grant we
receie from UsA Footall
goe a long way toward
u eing ale to offer the youth in our
town with high uality euipment to
play footall.
It i ery important to the ucce of
our program.
Apply for a 2010 USA Football grant
by registering for an e-remindertoday
and youll be notified when the online
application is open. USA Footballs 2010
grant application will be available on
www.usafootball.com this spring.
usA Fba gran
Prram rnn pr n -p aBy Alex Fink
t gpar cran s & ra fba am n Man,
tnn. (nar Nav), wa n f y an -ba fba prram
n a a bnf frm usA Fba gran Prram wnr. usA
Fba qpmn ran ar awar n a mr an n ba.
23
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24/28
CoaChing
offiCiating
league
health
&fitn
ess
USA Footballs LeMonnier
referees Fiesta BowlBy Alex Fink
USA Football Rules
Editor and Officiating
Consultant Bill LeMon-
nier earned another Bowl
Championship Series assign-
ment this year when he was
selected to referee the 39th
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl between
Boise State and TCU on Jan.
4, televised nationally on
FOX-TV.
The 2010 Fiesta Bowl is
LeMonniers 12th college
bowl assignment in the past
15 seasons. His postseason
resume now includes four
Fiesta Bowls, two Orange,
two Holiday, and a Cotton,
among others.
A Big Ten referee since
1995, LeMonnier is USA
Footballs primary officiating
consultant and is the rules
editor of USA Footballs
Youth Football Rule Book.
Boise State (14-0) defeated TCU
(12-1), 17-10, in Glendale, Ariz., for this
years Fiesta Bowl crown.
Being selected to work the Fiesta
Bowl was extremely special to me it
was the site of my first bowl assign-
ment back in 1997, said LeMonnier,
who has co-authored the NCAA Foot-
ball Officiating Test for each of the
past eight years. This was my fourth
Fiesta Bowl, and I had the honor of
being part of the Boise State-Oklaho-
ma game three years ago.
A Big Ten referee since 1995,
LeMonnier oversees USA Footballs
innovative Certified Officiating Educa-
tion Program (COEP), accessible to USA
Football officiating members through
usafootball.com. The Chicago-area
resident also contributes to usafoot-
ball.coms Ask the Expert
feature, answering questions
from USA Football members
on an array of topics.
LeMonnier is also USA
Footballs primary officiating
consultant and is the rules
editor of USA Footballs Youth
Football Rulebook.
This will be an exciting
year working as the rules
editor for the USA Football
Youth Football Rulebook,
LeMonnier said. The rules
committee members have
been a pleasure to work
with and we look forward to
making youth football the
safest and most exciting
place for kids to play sports.
The USA Football Family
congratulates Bill on yet
another BCS Bowl referee-
ing assignment, said USA
Football Executive Director
Scott Hallenbeck. Bills long list of
officiating accomplishments and
integrity underscores that USA Football
officiating members hone their craft
with guidance from the best in the field.
We encourage football-savvy people to
consider becoming game officials. Bill
and others at USA Football can help you
succeed and provide an exciting way to
contribute to Americas favorite sport.
LeMonnier also will serve as the
referee for USA Footballs Team USA
vs. The World game, presented by
Riddell, in Ft. Lauderdale on Jan. 30
(see pages 6-9).
Bill LeMonnier
24 USA Football Magazine
http://www.usafootball.com/cepofficialshttp://www.usafootball.com/cepofficialshttp://www.usafootball.com/pages/ask_the_expert/officiating/indexhttp://www.usafootball.com/articles/displayArticle/7092/8755http://www.usafootball.com/articles/displayArticle/7092/8755http://www.usafootball.com/articles/displayArticle/7092/8755http://www.usafootball.com/articles/displayArticle/7092/8755http://www.usafootball.com/pages/ask_the_expert/officiating/indexhttp://www.usafootball.com/cepofficialshttp://www.usafootball.com/cepofficials8/8/2019 USA Football Magazine Issue 12 Winter 2010
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Meet a USA Football Member
T
he USA Football Family unites all those who con-
tribute to Americas favorite sport. USA Football
Officiating Member Donnie Stitt has called youth
football games in Fairfax County
(Va.) for more than 17 years and
also has experience officiating
flag football, basketball and soft-
ball. Stitt, a member of USA Foot-
balls Rules Committee, recently
spoke withUSA Football Magazine
to discuss his officiating passion
and the value of being a USA
Football member.
What interested you in becom-
ing a youth football official?
I became a youth official out
of necessity. I was a coach in our
youth league when the commis-
sioner approached me and
wanted to know if I would like
to be an official. This was due
to the fact that the number of
teams had increased and we
had to cover additional fields.
We ended up with 12 new of-
ficials and the Fairfax County
Football Officials Association
was started in the early 90s.
Ive been officiating ever since.
What do you value most about being an official?
Trying to do my best to allow all participants of a youth
football game to have a fair and enjoyable experience
during their time on the field.
What is the toughest call to make as an official?
The toughest call for me to make is offensive holding.
What is your favorite football memory?
My favorite football memory is John Riggins pulling
away on 4th and short against Miami for a TD and a
Redskins Super Bowl victory (Super Bowl XVII, Jan. 1983).
My favorite officiating memory, believe it or not, is the
first set of games I did as an official. I blew a backwards
pass call by calling the play dead. The defense picked it
up and ran it in for a TD and that
team lost by six points. I went up
to the head coach and apologized
for my mistake after the game and
admitted that I had blown it. He
respected me for my honesty and
we became football friends for
years to come.
How did you learn about USA
Football?
I learned about USA Football
after they requested that several of
our crews attend their youth tour-
nament in Minnesota several years
ago (2006 USA Football Classic).
I attended this event for two
years and had a great officiating
and learning experience.
How have you benefited from
USA Footballs officiating
membership?
I have benefited from the
officiating section on their web-
site. I love the information and
articles and I now require all of
my officials to pass their certification tests (Certified Offici-
ating Education Program) before they can become officials
in our association. I believe this reinforces our veteran of-
ficials and gives our first-year officials a great introduction
to becoming a good referee.
What would you say to someone considering becoming
an official?
It is very important to have fun out there while work-
ing games. If youre too nervous or tense it can become
stressful.
Visit usafootball.com/register to learn more about
USA Footballs officiating membership.
Donnie StittBy Alex Fink
Name: Donnie Stitt
Resides: Vienna, Va.
USA Football Membership: Official
Position: Referee & Commissioner, Fairfax
County Football Officials Association
Game Official Since: 1992
USA Football Member Since: 2006
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I
was raised in a family where football was around us since as
far back as I can remember. I still have pictures of me hold-
ing a ball in my third-grade team photo at Our Lady of Victory
grade school on Cincinnatis west side.
I figure I was a pretty typical kid. At Our
Lady of Victory, I was given a jersey number
and emulated NFL players who I shared it with.
I distinctly remember wearing No. 44 one
season, so I became a fan of Browns running
back Leroy Kelly. My brother was given No. 72,
so he pretended to be Howard Fest, a Bengals
offensive guard.
Football taught me dedication, discipline,
teamwork, training in the off-season so that
youre prepared you experience all of that when
you play on a team. And because this game has
physical demands, its a greater test. You have to
love the game if youre going to play it well. It demands more of you.
Football teaches you how to be a team player. Weve got a
team in Americas Newsroomof 12 people. We are nothing
without each other. We need to work in symphony to pull
off the broadcast and I liken this to football. We all have our
responsibility. And when you uphold that responsibility, you do
well its amazing what you can accomplish.
Also, when Ive been overseas covering our troops in Iraq
or Afghanistan I cant say this for all of the men and women
but theres usually an allegiance to their football team. The
sport can bring people together whether you cheer for the
same team or not. Its what you have in common.
I played practically every position in youth football, except
quarterback. In high school, I played strong safety.
I attended (Cincinnati) Elder High School, which is
steeped in tradition. When I reflect on my football experi-
ence there, I remember the spirit of competition and how the
good as those who are willing to sacrifice for it.
One year in high school, I quit football for a day or two my
dad often allowed us to step in our own pile. Are you sure that
you want to do that are you sure that you
want to quit? he asked. That was the nudge
that I was looking for and my boycott lasted
about 36 hours. Im grateful that he encour-
aged me to change my mind.
I couldve played Division III college
football, but it wouldve been tough for me
financially (Editors Note: athletic scholar-
ships are not granted in Division III athletics.
Hemmer went on to earn a journalism degree
from Miami University of Ohio). On Sunday
afternoons, Ill still find myself watching foot-
ball. And Ill always be a Bengals fan.
When the Bengals went to their second
Super Bowl (Jan. 1989), I was a young sports producer at Cincin-
natis WLWT-TV (NBC). We had six people in our department and
five got to work on-site in Miami. I was the one assigned to stay
back, but it actually turned out to be a good break. Being the only
sports staffer in the building, I was needed to do live work on
camera. Well, that led to a full-time job on-air, so I have football
and the Bengals to thank for that opportunity.
Yes, Im a Bengals fan, but Im a football fan to the core. My
high school airs all of its football games on the internet and I
log on to watch whenever I can. Earlier this year (Sept. 6), we I
still say we when talking about Elder were on ESPN. I was
at a wedding in Hamburg, Germany, when the game was on
the air. The next day I rented a bicycle, riding to about 10 of
the best hotels in the city hoping to catch some of the game,
but I was 0-for-10. But I was there in spirit. (Editors Note: Elder
defeated Colerain High School on ESPN, 20-7).
Some people talk about music, movies, or other pastimes
What Football Taught Me
Whether his position is news co-anchor, running back, or strong safety,
Bill Hemmer excels in the spotlight and values gained through football con-
tribute to his success.
The co-anchor of Americas Newsroom on the FOX News Channel (Mon.-
Fri., 9-11 a.m. ET) grew up on Cincinnatis west side. One of five children, his
parents celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in later this year.
His father, William Hemmer, Sr., played college football and later worked
full-time to support his family, but still managed to help coach his sons youth
football teams. Hemmers brother, Andy, played linebacker at Boston College
and was a teammate of Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Doug Flutie.
A former youth and high school football player, Hemmer is a life-long
Cincinnati Bengals fan. He still owns an oversized Bengals foam finger
from 1981 when the team earned its first Super Bowl berth.
Americas Newsroom is the countrys ninth-most watched cable news
program as of Oct. 2009. Hemmers work contributes to the fact that the FOX
News Channel is themost watchedcable news channel and is on track to
have its best year ever in the networks history.
Hemmer recently spoke with USA Football to share what football taught him.
Bill Hemmer, FOX News Channel Co-Anchor, Americas Newsroom
As Told To sTeve Alic
Bill Hemmer