USA Football will host its annual Coaching School for all Tampa area football coaches on the second Saturday of June. USA Football is the official youth football development partner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the NFL and the NFL Players Association.
The Coaching School will be conducted on Saturday, June 11 at Tampa Catholic High School from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET. Tampa Catholic is located at 4630 North Rome Ave.
"We're proud to be the official youth football development partner of the Bucs and we share the team's commitment to youth football throughout Central Florida," said Scott Hallenbeck, USA Football's Executive Director.
The Coaching School has been engineered to meet the needs of specific age groups and enhance coaching abilities. Participants will learn new coaching skills and theories, all of which are designed to help create better more educated coaches.
With a focus on fundamentals and safety, USA Football is committed to providing all youth football leaders with the best in coaching education at all age levels.
"USA Football Coaching Schools prepare youth coaches across the country to lead their teams as it pertains to Xs and Os, as well as player safety and coaching philosophy," Hallenbeck said.
USA Football has been hard at work during the NFL offseason, redesigning the curriculum of the Coaching School to develop a better experience which fits the needs of more coaches.
Coaches will learn skills, schemes, techniques and philosophies that are based on players' physical growth and mental maturity. The program focuses heavily on practice planning, communication and methods of instilling football fundamentals. In addition to the new curriculum, the area's top high school and youth coaches will serve as clinicians, offering valuable insight and comprehensive knowledge for coaches at any level.
The Coaching School is organized in a half-day format with 4½ hour sessions. Each session begins with a 45-minute registration period and coaches are placed in groups based on the age group in which they are involved.
This year's Coaching School has undergone several changes designed to increase the impact and effectiveness of the program. The majority of new information is driven by USA Football's Player Progression Development Model and is age-specific. The model follows the principle that athletes have different skills and ways of learning at different ages.
"We emphasize and teach age-appropriate coaching techniques," Hallenbeck said. "Any parent of a 12-year-old and a 7-year-old can tell you that kids at these ages learn differently and at varying rates. Coaching football is no different – it's not 'one-size-fits-all' and recognizing this makes for a better – and most importantly, a more fun – football experience."
The model was developed by USA Football's Health and Wellness Committee and takes into account the physical, social and cognitive abilities of players and applies it to youth football development. The new format includes tailored, age-specific education and allows for a shorter, more focused day and greater impact for participants.
Space is limited and coaches are encouraged to register online at www.usafootball.com/schools. Registration for the event is $30 for individuals. All Coaching School attendees receive a certificate of completion, a t-shirt and a gift bag.
USA Football manages U.S. national teams for international competition. USA Football is an independent 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that leads the development of the game through educational programs and innovative resources. Every year, USA Football awards $1 million in equipment grants to youth football programs.
