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Upcoming Dates
7/26 - Practice begins
7/31 - Birthday cut-off date
8/1 -Post-season intent due
8/1- Team Contacts are due at MyAYF.com
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'Like' Us on Facebook!
Join our fan community and be eligible for prizes and exclusive sponsor offers!
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League Deals Contact Us Be Advised: this is the Exclusive Ball of AYF Regional and National Championships. |
Coaches make ALL the difference in the world. Get certified and $2 Million liability coverage at AYFCoaching.com |
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Safety is about the fit.
Football helmets and shoulder pads are most effective when athletes are wearing appropriately-sized equipment. A proper fit is essential. Make sure that you read the warning and proper care labels on your pads and helmets. Click here to view Riddell's proper fitting guide. |
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Skin cancer has been on the rise and prevention must start at a young age. If your child is going to be playing football in the sun, sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before going outside and reapplied every two hours.
- John Andrawis
Active Kids Today
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AYF/AYC Staff
Click the name to e-mail Joe Galat President Jim TaftChairman of the Board Jessica Abramovich Executive Director Dee Grayer Football Commissioner Elizabeth Bray Cheer Director & Member Communications Arielle Krieger Director, Marketing Operations Craig Heitczman Director, Social & Marketing Communications Shannon Shy Director, New Membership Kristin Walker Director, Events Diedrea Willis Step Coordinator AYF Regional Reps New England - Rick Pelletier
Big East - Craig Karahuta
Atlantic - Mike Fairfax
Southeast - Orlando Gudes
Midwest - Mike Bell
Southwest - L.E. Chamberlain
Desert Pacific- Rikki Kinsfather
Mountain Northwest- Mike Piha |
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You know what July means?
Practices Begin! Bring It!
To all of you kicking off your practice schedules, stay hydrated, stay healthy and have fun.
Be careful out there in the heat and good luck preparing for the BEST SEASON of AYF and AYC yet!
 
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Your A YF/AYC 'To Do' List
Team contacts are due August 1 at MyAYF.com
In order to remain eligible for 501 c3 status, grants, donations, events, tournaments, scholarships and more, ALL member organizations must add a designated CONTACT PERSON FOR EACH TEAM/SQUAD. This "Team Contact" person will be responsible for the entry of their designated TEAM ROSTER by Oct 1st.
To enter your "Team Contacts" - Sign in to Myayf.com, go to 'Member Profile' and select the 'Team Management' tab.If you need further instruction, refer to the MYAYF USER MANUAL in the 'Resources' section of MyAYF.com.
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Wear and Display your AYF and AYC Pride
Want to start your athletes' season off with the right look? You can now order AYF and AYC patches for your uniforms! Purchase Your Patches Now!
Want to Display your pride, AYF and AYC Banners and AYF Helmet stickers are available for Purchase now!
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GET IN THE GAME with Joe Montana, Alex Rodrguez, Joe Galat and dozens more Exclusively on ITUNES
Get in the GameŽ is a sports training application featuring one-on-one coaching tips from legendary players and coaches such as baseball icon Alex Rodriguez, quarterback Joe Montana, and dozens more. The Get in the Game app is a free download available exclusively on iTunes. Aspiring athletes can unlock up to an hour of exclusive coaching tips from their favorite sports stars.
Alex Rodriguez, who is a founding partner along with Joe Montana, said "Get in The Game provides kids of all ages with a fun and interactive way to improve their game and build upon their existing techniques." He continued, "we have assembled a unique collection of diverse athletes and coaches who are all considered among the most talented in their field. Their unique styles and approaches will be presented in this application."
There are over 30 coaches available in a variety of sports, ranging from football and baseball, to tennis and soccer. The Get in the Game roster includes legendary sports icons such as Andy Roddick, Barry Sanders, Bill Parcells, Hines Ward, Hulk Hogan, Michael Vick, Jennie Finch, Jerry Rice, Jimmy Rollins, Joe Torre, Kristi Yamaguchi, Martin Brodeur, and more. AYF President, Joe Galat joins the coaching app lending his expertise on Coaching Youth Football. Download the App now and wait for Joe to join Next Week!
For more information visit www.Getinthegame.com
Facebook Fans will be entered to win cool prizes as well as one-on-one experiences with our athletes.
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AYF & Kraft Huddle to Fight Hunger Kicks Off August!
AYF and Kraft Foods have teamed up in The Huddle to Fight Hunger campaign to help donate 25 million meals to Feeding America.
This season, the national AYF community will Huddle To Fight Hunger and further our Mission of Giving Back.
AYF and Kraft Foods have developed a number of programs for the AYF community. Not only will AYF members help to feed the hungry in their own communities, but they will also be eligible to win Grants, administrator awards, VIP trips to the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl and more!
Click here to read more about AYF and Kraft Foods Teaming up in the Huddle to Fight Hunger.
AYF staff are calling ALL League Presidents educating them about how to get involved. If you have questions, e-mail fighthunger@americanyouthfootball.com.
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Are You a Card Carrying Member of AYF?
 Do you need new AYF Players Cards for your athletes?
If so, anyone with access to MYAYF.com can create them NOW at MyAYF.com.
To learn more about the cards and their benefits, click.
With their AYF Players Cards, your athletes can win some great prizes, scholarships and meet other youth athletes from across the country - in the safest and only kids-only social networking site on the Internet.
Cards will also grant your players and their friends/families special offers from AYF Sponsors!
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What the kids are saying these days.
Here is a piece of action on AYFPlayers.com
How has football changed/helped your life?
It has changed my life by teaching me how to listen to your elders because they know best. After all, I would not be as good as I am if it weren't for listening to my coaches.
Tell us about your pre-game warm ups and rituals
I jam out to my music and get pumped up by bouncing up and down with my ankles only. My ritual is pointing at the stands and telling them to get loud, then I kneel down and pray, "God, please avoid harm and make this game fun just like any other." Another warm up is jumping rope and doing a handstand to give me power and balance.
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Sign up for XP Xtreme Procision Training Clinic with NFL Pro-Bowler, LaVar Arrington (in Maryland) starting July 11, 2011
 | | Xtreme Procision Training Clinics |
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This is how YOU do it!
Youth1 Media: Telling Your Story
AYF's media partner is here to help our AYF/AYC members share all of the wonderful things they are doing around the nation and globe! Do you have news to share? Email us.
Do you have the world's best coach? The AYF National Staff is looking for the cream of our coaching crop to crown them Coach of the Month. Winning coaches will be featured in a special Skype interview. Send your nominations by July 15.
Summer Fun to Kick off the Fall Season Conference events scheduled in Canton, OH, Casa Grande, AZ, Akron, OH, Jacksonville, FL, Manchester, NH, and many more. Check it out - join in - cheer them on! Click here for a calendar of events. Please send us Kickoff information, pictures or announcements!
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AYC Advisory Board
AYC is proud to announce that we have established a Technical Advisory Board to help better serve squads with advice and knowledge from our 'think tank'! Please help us welcome our newest members to the Advisory Board:
- Kathy Robinson - Oak Grove Renegades
- Jennifer Payer Eldridge - Baystate Conference
- Tammy Gagne - New Hampshire Youth Football and Spirit Conference
This group will be led by AYC Technical Advisor and Big East Cheer Regional director Kerry Lorenca, from New Jersey AYF. Kerry has coached all levels of cheer and has had tremendous success coaching national championship teams. She has helped develop coaches' education clinics, risk management seminars and coaches' certification classes and held executive and committee positions in local, league and regional levels.
Take advantage of the experience and knowledge of the Advisory Board, email any cheer technical questions to AYCtech@americanyouthfootball.com.
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2011 Conference ALL STARS
Commit Your Conference Today!
2011 will be the 4th Annual Conference All Star Championship Division at AYF National Championships. The Conference All-Star teams are made up of players selected in the post season. Eligible players are those in their last year of AYF, graduating to their High School programs (8th Graders), that have maintained a high standard of academic performance.
Over the past 3 years, Conference All-Star teams have had some great experiences, including getting guest coached by Mike Ditka, debuting Under Armour's latest uniforms, coverage in national media, testing in Under Armour combines with pro-athlete coaches, and had dozens of players selected to the Under Armour AYF National All Star team to go on to play at the Under Armour All America Game.
Slots are limited and are on a first come first served basis. Eligibility is for competitive National Tournament Conference Members. Give your brightest stars the chance to experience a National Championship in their last year in AYF and Represent Your Conference! If you are interested, have your Conference President contact Dee Grayer.
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Show Your Team Pride with a Customized Wilson Ball
Take your team s pirit to a new level of pride with these exclusive customized options from Wilson.
If you want to prepare for the post season, get your players accustomed to the Official Game Ball of AYF, from the first practice.
Click here for the order form or contact services@americanyouthfootball.com.
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UCA AYC Summer Camps: Skill builder & fundraiser
You can still plan a UCA camp and prepare your squads for the upcoming season, build team chemistry and earn money for your organization. Click here for the official pamphlet Click here to create your own camp schedule.
To learn more, contact Elizabeth Bray
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Summer School For Coaches - Free Webinar
Prior to holding hot August practices, be sure your coaches know proper hydration guidelines to avoid dehydration and heat-related illnesses in athletes. Topics Include: Electrolyte and fluid fallacies, sweat-rate equation. Water vs. Sports Drinks vs. Juices, etc, Sodium needs, caloric intake, carbohydrates, protein.
Join us for an ASEP Successful Coaching Webinar Series, "Hydration and Nutrition Checklist Guidelines for Peak Performance," scheduled for Wednesday, July 27, 12:00 - 1:00pm CT. Click here to register for the FREE webinar.
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Take advantage of summer vacation and fundraise!
 Get the Official AYF Coupon Book for your next fundraiser! Stand out from the competition with a fundraiser no one else has. It is completely customized for your team, with photo, name and logo. You earn at least $9 each. Plus there are no set up of shipping fees. It includes 40 valuable coupons, plus hundreds more online. Sign up today by calling 866-503-7053 or click here to get more info. |
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Memberships are ANNUAL!
Your 2010 log-in information will not work at the new MyAYF.com. You must Click here to Renew!
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Joe's Presidents Corner
Murphy's Law - How could this happen?
This is the exciting part of the Football and Cheer season. That feeling of starting the season is similar to the butterflies you get in your stomach when the referee holds up his hand as a signal to kick off or when your cheer squad gets introduced as they approach the mat. You've gone over and over your checklists and held the last Board of Directors Priority Meeting (our kids safety comes first - adults setting an example of teamwork for the kids is a close second). You have chosen the venues for practices and games, arranged for players' certification (ensured their age, medical and academic requirements), organized your coaching staff (background checks and training course) and met with your parents to educate them of your Association's priorities. All is in place. What could go wrong?
A guy named Murphy is credited with Murphy's Law. "That which could go wrong - usually does."
Leaders are born out of emergencies. Please try to be that leader. You do so much good for your community, it would not be fair to be blamed, or viewed as incompetent, for not handling an emergency. Of course, you have volunteers who are willing to help at a moment's notice. Take the time to detail some common areas of attention, so your group can be proactive, rather than reactive. Knowing you will be judged on how you handle a crisis is reason enough to plan for the unexpected. That sounds stupid, huh? If the unexpected happens, how can you plan for it? Work with me on this.
Have an emergency communication procedure to contact every member of your association. Have a specific communication chain of command. By making one phone call, you need to be able to reach every member of your association. For example, Your Communications Director phones each Association Leader who will, in turn, phone his coaches. The coaches will then phone the players to alert them of the emergency or change of plans. Remember this is an emergency. A live voice is better than an e-mail, text or tweet.
Extreme weather can be solved simply by referring to an established written procedure. For example, When heat is excessive and humidity is high - it is condition Charley (pardon the Marine reference). Take off the pads or practice after sundown. Drink liquids and stay hydrated. Lightening ends any practice or game. List the plans for a tornado or hurricane be it a Watch or Warning, team travel in the face of extreme weather should not be permitted.
Fields used by the public are always in need of attention prior to the start of practice. Coaches should always inspect their fields before practice for broken glass or other hazards. Harmful bacteria may remain after a flooded field is drained. It is of utmost importance to have an ambulance with access to the field. Do not move an injured player until medical assistance arrives.
if you are a veteran of a youth football administration, you know that most emergencies involve humans and human nature. All the background checks and policemen on duty along cannot prevent the antics of an out-of-control parent or coach. Crowd control is more possible with the opponents or visitors' fans and parents on the opposite side of the field. A zero tolerance policy on threats of violence or acts of violence will help eliminate trouble makers. Exercise your right to refuse admission to repeat offenders.
Lastly, keep perspective with how you interface with the community. If the President of the USA is coming to town, go ahead and postpone a game so your kids can meet him. From my personal experiences, you cannot plan for every curve ball that comes your way. Years ago, while serving as Head Coach and General Manager of the Montreal Alouettes, the Olympic Stadium Manager came to me for permission to erect a stage, which would block one of the giant scoreboards (a violation of our contract). I gave my permission, which enabled the City to enjoy an amazing performance on that stage of Michael Jackson's Victory Tour. In the motion picture, The Gladiator, Russell Crowe's character enters the Coliseum and gathers his fellow gladiators near him to say, "no matter what comes out of those tunnels, we have a better chance of making it, IF WE STICK TOGETHER."
AYF is your backstop. No matter what Murphy and his law throw at you, WE WILL STICK TOGETHER AND PROTECT THIS HOUSE!
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