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Erin Supplying

Scott Hallenbeck USA Football CEO and Executive Director

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02 / NUTRITION 05 TABLE OF

CONTENTS Eating and drinking right are FUEL UP just as important as improving NUTRITION COMMUNICATION skills and practicing plays to 05 / FUEL UP FOR GAME DAY 20 / 10 PHRASES – YOUR CHILD SHOULD FOR GAME DAY be successful on the field. HEAR OFTEN 06 / SNACKS ON THE SIDELINES Get your child ready for game day with 21 / 4 EXPRESSIONS TO AVOID some simple nutrition tips: 08 / HOW TO STAY HYDRATED IN THE HEAT 3 KINDS OF FOODS TO AVOID 22 / 7 WAY TO BUILD MENTAL TOUGHNESS HEALTH & SAFETY STEP 1 – CARB UP Fatty and fried foods. Greasy foods such 10 / SPORTS PHYSICALS 23 / QUESTIONS TO ASK COACH Have your child eat a bigger meal two as hamburgers and French fries are hard to four hours before he or she takes to digest and just sit in your child’s 11 / EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST VALUES the field. stomach as he or she runs around. 24 / THE VALUE OF SPORTS 12 / BEAT THE HEAT Incorporate protein and antioxidants, Protein shakes and bars. Protein 26 / BUILDING CONFIDENCE if possible, with carbohydrates. 14 / MUST- HAVE FIRST- AID ITEMS plays an important role in your child’s overall diet, but they should not consume 27 / COACHING EDUCATION STEP 2 – SNACK ATTACK 15 / TREATING THE MOST COMMON INJURIES a large quantity right before a game. 30 to 60 minutes before kickoff, have 29 / THE BENEFITS OF FREE PLAY 16 / HEADS UP FOOTBALL PROGRAM a small snack or sports drink ready Artificial sweeteners. These will stress for your child. your child’s digestion, and the last thing 17 / CONCUSSIONS – WHAT TO ASK 30 / COMBATING CHILDHOOD OBESITY WITH SPORTS anyone wants before a big game is an YOUR LEAGUE The key is to not fill your child’s upset stomach. stomach, but to satisfy it. PERFORMANCE Get the scoop on 18 / MULTIPLE SPORTS protein shakes. 19 / AGE-BASED LEARNING ON THE FIELD

PRO TIP: Try a pasta dish with some lean ground turkey meat sauce, or a chicken stir-fry with lots of rice and veggies.

3 QUICK TIPS Never skip. We are all Colorful plates. Foods that Carb up. Kids burn through rushed on game day, but offer a variety of nutrients energy much faster than having your child grab a help with both performance adults, so an abundance of yogurt, banana, or bowl of and recovery. carbohydrates is OK. cereal before heading out the door will kick off the  day off right.

04 / NUTRITION / NUTRITION 07

Halftime for coaches means a chance to reinforce what the team is doing and helping your young athlete get better. For players, those few minutes also means snacks.

Halftime is a crucial point in the game to refill your child’s glycogen – a muscle’s fuel source – and keep him or her energized for the second half.

Try these easy options when orange slices just aren’t cutting it:

• Fig bars • Granola bars • Fruit rope • Dried fruit • Bananas • Rice Krispies Treats®

For more snack ideas and recipes, PRO TIP: visit www.usafootball.com/parent. Ease digestion. Go for a high

Original content provided by: glycemic carbohydrate that Joe Frollo, USA Football absorbs quickly with minimal fiber. 06 TYLENOL® and MOTRIN® are not affiliated with Shock Doctor®, McDavid®, or Cutters®, who are sponsoring partners of USA Football. / NUTRITION / NUTRITION 09 HOW TO STAY IN THE HEAT Children have a harder time cooling down during activity than adults, and the chances of them becoming dehydrated is a real problem—especially when fluids leave the body faster than they can be replaced. But what goes out must come back in. Hydrating before a game or practice is just HYDRATED as important as during it. LEARN IT DO IT Dehydration Symptoms When and how to hydrate • Feeling faint • Breathing faster Before activity: Drink 16-24 fluid or deeper than ounces of water 10-15 minutes • Headache normal before activity. • Fever • Skin numbness • Intense thirst or tingling During activity: Hydrate with an • Not urinating • Muscle spasms electrolyte-packed sports drink or for many hours • Extreme water every 15 to 20 minutes • Nausea tiredness throughout play. • Vomiting After activity: Have your child drink chocolate milk as a post-workout PRO TIP: If your child's urine is a snack to replenish nutrients lost dark yellow color, resembling apple during exercise. juice, it is time to rehydrate. Download this helpful Hydration Chart PRO TIP: Pair a favorite sports drink with a healthy snack, and on busy TEACH IT days, plan ahead for additional hydration opportunities the Make hydration a habit night before an activity or One of the best ways to keep your with breakfast. child hydrated is to get them in the habit of drinking fluids every 20 minutes during the course of activity and after it ends.

DID YOU KNOW? Need more tips? Watch more on Heat and Hydration. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests 4-6 fluid ounces of fluid every 15 minutes for a 90-pound child. 08 / HEALTH & SAFETY / HEALTH & SAFETY 11 THE IMPORTANCE OF A SPORTS PHYSICAL

Athletes come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and skill levels. One thing they should all have in common is a pre-participation physical evaluation (PPE).

While pre-season examinations won’t prevent the bumps and bruises that come with your child playing youth sports, it provides physicians with vital information to make informed decisions. EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST The start of football season is an exciting time as millions of young athletes and their parents prepare to take the field decked out in the best equipment available for purchase.

Covering the basics At the heart of it Before dropping hundreds of dollars on the latest gear, be aware of what PPEs measure the following factors, PPEs are a key component to identifying equipment you should buy. which may influence your child’s health certain heart conditions, including and performance: murmurs, arrhythmias, and other potential cardiac problems. • Height Make sure your child is prepared for practice with the following checklist: • Weight Sudden cardiac arrest is the No. 1 cause o 7-piece pad set o Integrated football pants • Blood pressure of death for young athletes in action and o o • Pulse often shows no warning signs. Screening Athletic bag Mouth guard • Vision can identify if your child is at risk. o Belt o Padded girdle • Flexibility o Chin strap o Padded performance shirt • Range of motion Learn more on Sudden o Cleats (typically plastic) o Practice jersey • Strength Cardiac Arrest (SCA). o o • Functional movement Eye black Shoulder pads o Football o Socks o o TAKE A TIME OUT Gloves Water bottle o o Before your child begins Helmet Wrist coach for plays (if required) practice, contact your o Clear helmet visor (if desired) pediatrician to schedule Watch proper equipment fitting techniques with Riddell. 10 an exam. / HEALTH & SAFETY 13 HEAT SYNCOPE HEAT EXHAUSTION HEAT CRAMPS Becoming lightheaded or May feel hot, tired, weak, Painful and localized fainting during exercise or dizzy while sweating cramps that are usually Treatment: Find a shaded profusely visible and make area, lay your child on the Treatment: Remove your muscles feel hard. ground, and raise their child from activity and put Treatment: Rehydrate with legs. This helps blood get him or her in a shaded/cool water and sports drinks. back to the heart. area. Lay your child on the Use light stretching and ice ground and raise their legs massages on the cramped Learn more about about 12 inches. Make sure muscle to relieve cramping. Heat Syncope. you replenish lost fluids Learn more about BEAT THE and use ice wrapped in Heat Cramps. towels to help cool down. Beat the heat with these items when out and about with your child:

o Hats o Sunscreen o Sunglasses o Aloe o Ice packs o Towel (can be o soaked with Water cool water) WITH THESE SUMMER SAFETY TIPS o Sports drinks o Cold compress

As parents, it’s up to us to make sure our children don’t come home dehydrated and overheated. For more information about keeping Here are some tips to keep your kids safer when the your child safe in the heat, talk to temperatures rise: your pediatrician. Avoid peak sun hours Hydrate before, during, Schedule outdoor activities early and after activity in the morning before the sun To prevent dehydration, make reaches its peak. Bring kids inside sure your child drinks 16-24 for a rest during the day’s hottest ounces of fluid 10-15 minutes hours, usually between 10 a.m. before activity begins and breaks and 4 p.m. for water during playtime. PRO TIP: PRO TIP: On both sunny and cloudy days, apply sunscreen with SPF 15 If mornings are a bad time for scheduled activity, plan plenty of breaks or greater that protects against UVA and UVB rays. In addition from the sun throughout the day. For more hydration tips, see page 08. to dressing for the weather, apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before sun exposure and repeat. Reapply sunscreen every two hours. 12 / HEALTH & SAFETY / HEALTH & SAFETY 15 TREATING MUST-HAVE FIRST-AID ITEMS Football is a physical sport. THE MOST COMMON Players will come home with Being a parent means knowing how to turn tears from aches and pains into bumps and bruises once smiles. And with a vast majority of youth sports injuries, that can be in a while, but most can be accomplished with over-the-counter (OTC) remedies that are easy to stock. treated with a little ice, rest, INJURIES and TLC. Here are three of the most common injuries ... Include the following in your youth sports first-aid kit: NAME OF INJURY DEFINITION TREATMENT • Children’s MOTRIN® (2-11 years) • Cardboard splints, pillows, • Children’s TYLENOL® (2-11 years) or commercial splint Sprains A stretch or tear of a Use the R.I.C.E. method ligament (tissue that joins (see below). • MOTRIN® IB (12 years and older) • Finger splints the end of one bone to • Hydrogen peroxide another), usually around • TYLENOL® (12 years and older) a joint. • NEOSPORIN® • Isopropyl alcohol Bruises Small blood vessels Apply ice to you child’s bruise to • BAND-AID® Brand Adhesive Bandages in • Instant ice packs below the skin break, help start the healing process. assorted sizes • Latex gloves allowing blood to leak After three days, rotate hot and into tissue around cold twice a day for 15 minutes • BAND-AID® Brand of First Aid Products • Pen light them. each. As the pain goes down, his gauze pads in assorted sizes or her range of motion will start • Scissors to return. • COACH® Athletic Tape • Arm sling • Tweezers Cuts/Scrapes An injury that rubs or tears Stop the bleeding with pressure • Wound-care spray off skin but is not deep from a towel. Ice the wound, then • Elastic wraps • CPR pocket mask and may sometimes bleed. apply a sterile gauze pad, like a It's most commonly caused BAND-AID® Brand Gauze Pad, and by accidents or falls. elevate the body part. If you can’t stop the bleeding with pressure, it might need stitches. Call 9-1-1 TAKE A TIME OUT or go to your local emergency If your child suffers an room. For minor injuries, consult with your pediatrician. injury, talk to your pediatrician if you have questions about whether Recover with R.I.C.E. Children’s MOTRIN® For most minor injuries, recovery comes in four steps: or Children’s TYLENOL® REST: Reduce your child’s activity and help COMPRESSION: Ask your pediatrician about is an appropriate choice him or her avoid using the injured area for wraps that can help apply gentle pressure for pain relief.* These are at least 48 hours — or longer if your pedi- (squeezing) to your child’s injured area. atrician advises. If your child is concerned Never wrap any body part too tightly. not recommended for about staying in shape while healing, ask headaches related to about alternative activities. ELEVATION: If possible, raise your child’s suspected concussions. injured area above heart level to ICE: Wrap an ice pack in a thin cloth and decrease swelling. Use Products Only as Directed. hold it on your child’s injured area for 20 minutes at a time, once an hour, as needed. NEOSPORIN® and BAND-AID® Brand of First Aid Products are brands marketed by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. Never put ice directly on skin. TYLENOL® and MOTRIN®, are brands marketed by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division. 14 / HEALTH & SAFETY / HEALTH & SAFETY 17 CREATING A NEW STANDARD IN SAFETY

USA Football’s Heads Up Football program is a comprehensive approach to teaching youth WHAT TO ASK YOUR LEAGUE ABOUT organizations and high schools a better and safer way to play football. CONCUSSIONS The program focuses on: • Equipment fitting • Shoulder tackling and A concussion is a traumatic brain injury, and you should feel comfort in knowing the • Health and safety blocking fundamentals people coaching your child can identify the signs and symptoms.

Make sure your league has sufficient answers to the following questions provided by Children’s National Health System: REASONS WHY IT’S Does the league have a general policy in Does it coincide with USA Football, IMPORTANT how it manages concussions? the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and state concussion laws, 4 Does the league have access to healthcare which stress that athletes only be allowed professionals with knowledge and training to return to play after being cleared by a in sport-related concussions? qualified medical professional?

Are coaches required to take a concussion Does the league teach proper  FUNDAMENTALS EQUIPMENT THAT FITS education and training course? techniques and fundamentals? If a 1 Focuses on age-appropriate methods of 3 Covers the proper way to size and player demonstrates unsafe technique learning and teaches techniques to fit fit helmets and shoulder pads to Who is responsible for the sideline during a practice or game, do the a player’s progression in skills and decrease risk of injury on the field. concussion recognition and response test coaches re-instruct them on the spot? development. for athletes with suspected concussions during practice and games? Are there limitations to the amount of HEALTH AND SAFETY  COACHING CERTIFICATION contact in practices? How often does 2 Protects your child on and off the field 4 Coaches are able to get certified Do coaches have readily available tools practice include live contact? Is that any through a comprehensive health and with the help of USA Football and the like concussion signs and symptoms cards, different than past years? safety curriculum covering: nation’s leading football and medical clipboards, fact sheets, smartphone apps, experts that have created content for etc, during practices and games to guide How amenable is the league, team, and • Concussion recognition and response our nationally accredited coaching proper recognition and response of a coach to accepting feedback from parents • Heat preparedness certifications. suspected concussion? about their children’s head safety? • Hydration Does the league provide concussion • Sudden cardiac arrest Watch more on Learn more about education for parents, and what is Heads Up Football. concussions. the policy for informing parents of a concussion? What is the policy for allowing a child to return Learn more about USA Football’s Heads Up Football back to the game? program at www.usafootball.com/headsup. 16

/ PERFORMANCE / PERFORMANCE 19 REASONS FOR YOUR CHILD TO PLAY MORE THAN ONE SPORT Participation numbers are dropping for many youth sports because children are focusing on a single sport at earlier ages. Driven by year-round travel clubs and the availability of indoor practice facilities, parents are spending more money and time AGE-BASED LEARNING to specialize early. Encourage children to play a variety of sports while they have the chance. According to medical experts, taking part ON THE FIELD in a variety of activities leads to greater Coaching is teaching, and like in the classroom, youth football coaches must stick to skill and muscle development. subjects that their players can first understand then put into action.

Right age. Right stage. Every age group requires a different approach to training and development so young The numbers behind multi-sport and going pro. athletes can get the best and most appropriate training.

The five stages of development Children learn through play, exploration and problem solving. They have shorter 5 COMMON MYTHS attention spans and process information differently. about athletes who focus on a single sport: While all children are different, most follow a distinct progression throughout athletics.

Most college athletes specialize in one sport as Kids who spend their time in one sport Discover, learn and play (ages 0-12). Excel for high performance or a child. Eighty-eight percent of college athletes are more likely to stay active throughout Kids are taught basic movement skills participate and succeed (ages 15+). played more than one sport in high school. their lives. Children who specialize in a single 1 4 sport early in life are more likely to burn out of the sport and learn to love the game Focus on strength, speed and power The only way to build the skills necessary to and stop participating altogether. for skill development in a play at the college level is to focus on one sport. Develop and challenge (ages 10-16). competitive environment Children who play multiple sports tend to be The only way to truly love a sport is to start 2 Playing for the fun of the sport more physically developed than those who early and stick with it. Playing multiple sports means focusing on skill development Mentor and thrive (active for life). limit themselves to one sport. statistically produces longer playing careers, A business led by advanced coaches better confidence, improved athletic 5 Train and compete (ages 13-19). Young athletes need to play year-round to stay in development, and less chance of burnout. with a focus on winning shape and avoid injury. Athletes who play just one 3 Adolescence brings explosion of physical, sport are 70- 93 percent more likely to get hurt. mental, emotional and social growth

18 / COMMUNICATION / COMMUNICATION 21 EXPRESSIONS TO AVOID SAYING 10 ONCE YOU LEAVE THE FIELD PHRASES YOUR 4 The car ride home after a game or practice can be a magnet for emotionally CHILD SHOULD charged comments that could later lead to regret. After a disappointing loss or performance, silence is a valid option if you aren’t ©James Smith, Courtesy of Dallas Cowboys HEAR OFTEN sure what your child wants to hear. Here are four things you should avoid with your child after a hard loss:

“If only you hadn’t …” Remember to 1 give kids some credit. They know their performance wasn’t great and probably feel bad about it. Reliving it could just make things worse.

“We worked on this.” Let the “I love you.” You may think it is going “I forgive you.” Your child may say the coaches coach, and instead focus on in one ear and out the other, but wrong things during emotional times, 2 1 6 giving your child the support he or she trust that this phrase will stay with like right after a loss. Put moments like your child. that in the past and learn to forgive. needs instead of discussing missed opportunities on the field. “I am proud of you.” Look into your “You’ve got to forgive yourself.” 2 child's eyes and say it every day 7 Any frustrations your child shows “Why didn’t the coach put you in?” and before and after every game, are nothing compared to what is 3 Avoid asking why your child’s playing win or lose. going on inside their head. time dwindled or why they lost a starting spot. It will only demoralize “I believe in you.” Self-confidence can “I am listening.” Put down your phone, and discourage– and maybe even plant be a struggle for some children. Having iPad, or TV remote and look your child 3 8 ideas that weren’t there to begin with. your child know you believe in what he in the eyes. or she is doing no matter what is a great foundation.  “What do you think?” Start a “I’ve seen you play harder than that.” 9 conversation with your child, even 4 Effort and performance are unrelated, “How was your day?” Let your child if you may not agree with what is especially at younger levels. Avoid 4 know that you care about things other going on. making kids feel like they have to than sports. please you while out on the field. “Let’s talk.” Don’t give up on your Athletes who aren’t trying their best “You can do this.” Encourage your child, even when it seems like you are 10 already know. 5 child to never quit, to keep pursuing being shut out. Let your child know dreams, and to overcome challenges you are always there. Visit www.usafootball.com/parent for more tips on communicating with your player. when things get tough. Original content provided by: Original content provided by: 20 Michelle Hill, Author, winningproof.com Janis Meredith, Author, Sports Parenting Survival Guide / COMMUNICATION / COMMUNICATION 23 7 WAYS TO BUILD QUESTIONS MENTAL TO ASK YOUR CHILD’S COACH Your role as a parent of an athlete is to While it’s the coach’s job to instruct, support, encourage, volunteer and guide you must become comfortable with TOUGHNESS them through the ups and downs of the process and be aware of what IN YOUR CHILD every season. your child is doing. What are your thoughts on playing How can I help? time? Know up front whether your This answer might surprise you. While coach’s main focus is winning or every league and school welcomes Athletes can practice and prepare to get their bodies in the best shape for a game, development. At the younger levels, volunteers to do the work behind the but getting prepared mentally is a different thing. Fear of failure is real and affects the final score should not matter. scenes, the coach’s No. 1 request might As athletes advance, a coach’s job be, “Please get your child to practice how athletes perform, regardless of their age. might be tied to the team’s and games on time.” performance. Do you have a child on the team? Look to the future. Everyone loses once Let them own it. When young athletes Do you have first-aid training? Don’t jump to conclusions. If the in a while, but that doesn’t make it easy. can accept that they make mistakes, Don’t assume that coaches can do coach says, “yes,” seek assurances 1 5 anything more than apply a BAND-AID® that favoritism will not be an ongoing Help your child put that last play behind that is when progression starts. them and focus on the next opportunity. Brand Adhesive Bandage. Insist that problem throughout the season. Be their rock. Emotions ride high someone on staff is present at all Focus on the positive. Even after during games, and coaches and players games and practices, knows CPR and Original content provided by: 6 Janis Meredith, Author, Sports Parenting Survival Guide near-perfect performances, it’s sometimes overreact to what is going can identify both heat illness and 2 sudden cardiac arrest. natural for players to dwell on one or on. Your job is to show your child how two failures. Help your child focus on to handle both success and failure in successes and how to learn from a mature fashion. What is your emergency action plan? failures in order to overcome them. If an emergency does occur, are you Repeat after me. In the end, belief has prepared to react? Is there proper Don’t punish every mistake. Not every to come from within. Create a mantra cellphone coverage at all practice 7 and game sites? Are there automatic misstep needs to be addressed. Don’t for your child to say over and over 3 external defibrillators (AEDs) and step in until mistakes become a habit when times get tough. “Let’s do it,” that needs to be corrected. “I believe,” and “I got this,” are all cooling tubs available nearby? powerful starting points. Don’t show disappointment. Your job 4 as a parent is to help your child build confidence, so encourage, support, and just be there.

Original content provided by: 22 Craig Sigl, Author, MentalToughnessTrainer.com / VALUES 25 TEACHES TEAMWORK FOSTERS PERSEVERANCE Working and playing as a team, it’s Mistakes. Lost games. Errors. one of the best lessons a young athlete Every athlete will have a horrible can learn while participating in a sport. game. It’s how they overcome SPORTS = INCREASED HAPPINESS From understanding how actions can and fix the mistakes that matters Kids who play sports show higher affect teammates to working with others, the most. Participating in a sport DEVELOP AND IMPROVE self-esteem, are less depressed and sports teach young athletes unparalleled teaches young athletes a valuable COGNITIVE SKILLS more satisfied with their lives. life lessons in teamwork. lesson of overcoming adversity Organized sports help children and persevering when the odds develop and improve cognitive skills seem against them. and is associated with improved academic achievement, attitude, THE VALUE OF concentration and behavior.

The value of sports goes far beyond the wins, losses, plays and games. In fact, the more children start participating in SPORTSsports, the more likely they are to stay active as they grow older. And that is just the start to all of the benefits. ENCOURAGES GOAL SETTING NURTURES A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE From improving a particular technique or The most obvious benefit of participating skill to mastering a position, participating in sports at a young age is it teaches the AFFECTS FUTURE CAREER SUCCESS INSTILLS TIME- in sports plays a huge role in how children importance of fitness. Staying active starts The benefits of youth sports can extend into the MANAGEMENT SKILLS learn the aspects of goal setting and a life-long habit of a healthy lifestyle. workplace. A survey of 400 female executives Adding extracurricular activities, achieving personal success. found 94 percent played a sport and 61 percent such as sports, can teach your had contributed the lessons they learned to child the importance of time help them succeed in their career. management and prioritization of commitments. Parents can help their children prioritize their com- mitments, schoolwork and chores by creating a plan to help them handle their responsibilities while 24 leaving enough time for sports. / VALUES / VALUES 27 BUILDING CONFIDENCE THROUGH COACHING OPPORTUNITY EDUCATIONEDUCATION: Confidence and opportunity are two of the most important things that you The foundation of a positive and youth football coaches can give players. experience for your child For some, things come easy, and their personalities exude confidence. Others struggle to believe in themselves enough to give their best effort.

Confidence is something you can instill and improve by exhibiting great energy, providing positive feedback, and showing your child you know how hard they are working.

4 PHRASES THAT INSTILL CONFIDENCE As your child leaves and prepares to join their teammates, choose your words wisely as they will carry those words with them onto the field.

Original content provided by: Craig Sigl, Author, MentalToughnessTrainer.com PRO TIP: SHOULD SAY ... Football parents, check out DON'T SAY ... www.usafootball.com/parent to see if your coaches have taken a step “You can do it.” toward a new standard in football. “We’re rooting for you.” “Woah, those guys look big.” “You are awesome.” “Don’t screw up.” “You’ve done it before. “It can’t be as bad as last time.” 26 You can do it again.” “Make me proud.” / VALUES 29 THE POWER OF A STRONG SUPPORT SYSTEM

Running a successful football program can be challenging, especially when costs surpass what THE BENEFITS OF registration fees and budgets can handle. Fundraising is a key component of creating FUNDRAISING CAN: a solid foundation for your program. 1 ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF YOUR PROGRAM FREE PLAY 2 SAFEGUARD YOUR BUDGET USA Football offers organizations the Free play teaches children about leadership opportunity to gain additional funds and problem solving that an organized, 3 through fundraising partners. MAKE THE GAME BETTER AND SAFER FOR PLAYERS coach-led team may not allow. Children who grow up on the playground and compete for the fun of it have an advantage because they adapt to FUNDRAISING PARTNERS different roles depending on whom Everyone needs help with fundraising, and our partners offer a wide variety they play with. of options to best suit your program’s needs.

Here are six skills children can learn from free play:

Physical skills. Simple games such as Courage. It’s hard competing against tag, follow the leader, and ping-pong older, more talented kids. By stretching Dynamic Drinkware Fundraising FlipGive is a unique fundraising tool that Super Fan Fundraising is the only 1 4 is the leader in sports-licensed allows you and your supporters to shop company to offer officially-licensed address important skills including the boundaries of comfort, children go fundraising for youth football — online with popular brands and raise merchandise from the NFL, NBA, MLB, speed, reaction time, hand-eye beyond what they may think is possible. and USA Football’s longest-running money for your team, club, school or NHL, NASCAR, and top COLLEGES coordination, balance, and how to preferred fundraising partner. As cause. Fundraisers earn up to 50% back around the country. Featuring a wide fall down. Visualization. Whether riding a bike, the exclusive National Football when they and their friends shop online variety of TERVIS Tumblers, Super Fan bearing down on a skateboard, or trying League licensee for drinkware, with popular brands like Nike, Under also has the ability to make CUSTOM 5 Footwork. The same crossovers, lead not to get tackled, it’s about keeping Dynamic Drinkware Fundraising Armour, Starbucks, ALDO and many Tervis Tumblers with your team name steps, and backpedals players use in your head up and watching the angles. is the only supplier of all 32 NFL more! It’s fast. It’s easy. It’s 100% free. and logo. With your organization 2 teams along with other top To start a fundraising campaign, visit receiving up to $10 profit for each item football are there in basketball, soccer, sports licenses. usafootball.flipgive.com. sold, Super Fan is the Fundraiser to tennis, lacrosse, dodgeball, and dozens Decision making. With no adults in help you this football season! of other sports. 6 charge on the field, kids are pretty good at finding common ground. Mental balance. If you play enough After all, everyone wants to get back Learn more about how you can recieve the power of a strong support system. 3 games around the house or at the park, to the game. Visit www.usafootball.com/fundraising and see what options are right for you. you are going to lose a few. Dealing with disappointment is a key lesson Original content provided by: TYLENOL® and MOTRIN® are not affiliated with Dynamic DrinkwareTM, FlipGive, or SuperFan®, for children. Ken Taylor, Author, howtobefaster.com who are sponsoring partners of USA Football. / VALUES

COMBATING CHILDHOOD OBESITY 60 minutes of physical activity each day also helps reduce the risk of diabetes, WITH SPORTS cardiovascular disease and colon cancer. ©matimix, Courtesy of Adobe Stock

But remember, as a parent it is your job to get your child out on the field.

PRO TIP: To combat what the Center for Disease Control (CDC) calls a “health epidemic in young people,” the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) encourages all children and teens to be physically active and play sports, including football.

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JOIN THE OFFICIAL YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL PROGRAM OF THE NFL.

NFL FLAG is the only flag league that allows your child to play for the NFL.

NFL FLAG is powered by USA Football, the sport’s national governing body. NFL FLAG is a fun and exciting sport played year round by boys and girls ages 5-17. Players enjoy the fast paced nature of football in a non-contact environment, while coaches and league organizers are held to the highest standards for coaching credibility and safety through the USA Football certification program.

WHAT YOUR PLAYER RECEIVES:  NFL FLAG reversible team jersey  Official NFL FLAG football belt and flags  Opportunity to compete at Regional Tournaments  Opportunity to compete at the NFL FLAG Championships held at Pro Bowl            ,      .      ,            .           . Find a league in your area and learn more about NFL FLAG by visiting www.nflflag.com. Build a Store Learn More USA FOOTBALL THANKS OUR PARTNERS FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT TO HELP US CREATE A BETTER, SAFER GAME.