Tackle football is one of the most popular sports in the United States, ranking among the top five most-played youth sports. There are approximately 2.5 million youth players and 400,000 adult coaches working with them. Want to add to these numbers with your own team?
Learn how to start a youth football team, from initial league affiliation to game-day-ready uniforms.
1. Join a League
Teams cannot play alone. You will need several other teams to play against to make a season-long game schedule. The best way to do this, of course, is to join a league. National organizations like American Youth Football have leagues all over the country. Your local recreation center or city might have its own leagues you can join as well.
Research your options and pick the affiliation that best suits your needs. You will want to consider insurance requirements, available support from the league, and pricing when making your decision.
2. Find Qualified Staff
Staffing for a youth team can be relatively easy, if you want to coach the team yourself. If you want to take on the coaching role, you might only need parent volunteers or familiar community members for assistant roles. Bring on parents you trust to help you with certain logistics.
If you only want to act as an administrator for your team, you will have to look a little deeper to find the right coach. Look for someone who has experience with the sport and an aptitude for teaching, even if they haven’t coached before. League regulations may require you to run a background check on all adults working for your team.
3. Recruit Players
Player recruitment involves two steps: marketing your team to potential players and hosting tryouts to create your roster. Get the word out about your team through school partnerships and community outreach. The more people who know about your team, the more players you will have to choose from.
Then, during a tryout period, host drills and scrimmage play to see players in action. Consider scoring sheets to make objective observations and take notes. This can help you remember how each player performed and weigh various factors to find the right athletes.
4. Order Uniforms
The right gear keeps your players safe on the field, but it also supports team identity and cohesion. A uniform set for football players typically includes a jersey, shorts, and socks.
Custom football uniforms can include team colors, logos, and player names. These markers help your team feel unified and proud to play together. Accessories and safety gear like padding, helmets, and mouth guards round out the look.
5. Secure Locations
Football players can’t exactly play just anywhere. You will want to find regulation fields you can practice on for game-like simulations. Depending on your league, you may have access to fields through their reservation system. This is often the easiest way to find practice locations.
You may also be able to reserve time at a recreation center, high school, or other local area. Many football teams reserve a gym for additional training and conditioning.
6. Manage Money
The upfront costs to start a youth football team depend on a variety of factors, like your league, your geographic location, and your staffing expenses. However, all teams will need to manage money. Start with a simple budget using a spreadsheet or accounting software to project your expenses.
Then consider how you will bring money into the team to account for expenses. Player fees, fundraisers, and sponsorships can all offset costs and keep a team running.
Related Reading: 40 Fundraising Ideas for Sports Teams
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The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only. While we strive to keep the content accurate and up-to-date, we make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information. Please contact a professional for personalized advice.
