AYF is proud to announce a strategic partnership with National UnderClassmen Combine (NUC) the nation's premier operator of training, testing and recruiting for high school football players. The partnership will offer programs specifically geared towards youth football players and will be known as 'NUC/AYF'.  

AYF/NUC will offer training and performance programs including: youth skill and position camps, Combine prep and Combine testing, 7 on 7 Tournaments and a 7 on 7 National Championship.  

Learn more about NUC/AYF -Read the Press Release

For more information or to Sign UP for an event visit:  www.nucayf.com    

AYF is thrilled to announce an addition to our AYF national team with a person who is near and dear to our AYF family. She brings over 34 years of youth sports experience and shares a pure LOVE for AYF! She is our very own Rikki Kinsfather from the Desert Pacific Region! 

Rikki's youth Football program produced four Heisman winners, one Rose Bowl MVP and One Superbowl MVP, while witnessing over 50 NFL players come through her program. 

Rikki will be serving as AYF/AYC Member Relations and Support.  Her years of expertise will be an excellent resource for our members. 

If you have any questions or would just like to welcome Rikki please email her at rikki@americanyouthfootball.com. 

Joe's Corner this month is the response to a question posed to AYF by "The New York Times, Upfront".

"New York TImes" Question:   Is Football Too Dangerous?

Response: No! (Football is not too dangerous)

Participating is Football is SAFE. Structured play is always safer than unsupervised activities. Today's headlines dealing with the very disturbing developments in the National Football League probably discourage many parents from allowing their Children to play football. Your child is fortunate if he has the talent to play "America's Game". However, I am asking you to not compare your Child's participation with those who play in the extreme world of The National Football League. Not just yet.

The highways are full of safe drivers who don't compete in "the extreme sport" of NASCAR. Like driving a car, it is important kids learn safe techniques while playing youth football. When fundamental techniques are ingrained in a young player they become habits; safe play is the end result. Back when President Theodore Roosevelt instructed Knute Rockne to make the game safer, the players wore leather helmets and very little padding. Many of today's safety issues are being solved through research, technology and rule changes. The leatherheads would hardly recognize today's game. 

The Safety and well being of each player is the American Youth Football culture that keeps kids off the streets in a safe environment. Each child's physical, psychological, and social needs are the goal.  The "pillars" of AYF SAFETY are INSTRUCTION, PROPER EQUIPMENT and SPORTSMANSHIP. 

Instruction - Background checks are a must. Think of all the issues, which could have been prevented, had those closest to youth Players, and were background screened before given access. Positive, Exemplary Adults, leading by example is our focus. Football more than any other sport is blessed with an abundance of former players who willingly share their knowledge of the game. Quality instruction acts to actually limit the amount of Contact in Practices. Players do not suit up in pads until they have undergone a period of conditioning and fundamental instruction. Practices must focus on teaching proper techniques rather than "old school" contact scrimmages. All Coaches require the AYF Online Coaches Course completion. AYF updates and offers refresher courses annually to team coaching staffs.

Proper Equipment - There are many improvements in playing surfaces and protective equipment in the past decade. Playing surfaces, tested by independent studies of Dr. Barnhill proved Synthetic Turf is safer than grass. The AYF Safety Committee has enlisted NFLPA Players for concussion study reports. Helmet manufacturers are using advanced technology to further protect players. The NFLPA supplied former players Joe Germaine and Ernie Cronwell to make presentations at our AYF Leadership Meeting. Sadler Sports Insurance Study of "risk factors" provided detailed safety recommendations. Extensive research and development in football safety is a testament to the Value of Football in our society. Safety is the primary concern of American Youth Football.

Sportsmanship - AYF creed is "honor the game". The values learned in football stand the test of time. Most Community and National Leaders in our Country developed a work ethic and social skills on the "100 yard classroom". Playing football requires a sense of teamwork, perseverance, and self-sacrifice. Learning to "get back up" is a critical component of playing football. No team is permitted to continue scoring points to humiliate an opponent. Skill levels are placed in equal divisions to keep the competition fair. Players are required to maintain their academic standards. All Players much play in each game. When a youth plays football, he will forever possess a sense of courageous accomplishment and a deep respect for the game.