Encouraging kids to play football

Coach,

Having been a Marketing major in college, I say you have to really market the sport. We're being overrun by the "futbol" people at every turn. Soccer can be played by anyone, anywhere, and rather cheaply, so it's easier for kids to do. It's a special situation to get a football team together.

1. Design a "mailer" type pamphlet on something simple like Power Point. Put photos of great moments from your past season. Aim some of it at the kids in the Jr. Highs, and some of the text at their parents. Focus on "Why Play Football?" and talk about building friendships, confidence, character, your program's committment to academics and community, etc. Outline WHY it is a benificial and special experience.

2. Hold an informational meeting at sign-ups. Have a formal presentation, mostly talking about your program. Then have Q&A with the kids and parents. Have TV's set up around the sign-up table playing hilight films of your past seasons. Have nice samples of your uniforms available. Maybe have captains available to answer questions as well.

3. Establish a town "passing league" and open it up to everyone. Make it fun and use it as a recruiting tool during the summer. If you can get some of the other athletes in the town to try out a June-August passing league, and you can make it a fun and productive experience, you might just gain some sign-ups who were originally "scared" of football. (I've found that most kids are more "scared" of the systems, terminology, complexity of the game, etc. than of the physical aspects).

4. Put posters all over the schools. Put big digital photos of moments from your past seasons on them. Put inspirational sayings like "Don't Miss An Opportunity" on them, encouraging kids to sign up.

Coach, between all of these things, you are bound to pick up those extra 6 kids or so at each level. I think it would be great if you are successful at this. To be honest, we ourselves have done none of this yet, but are doing it ourselves this season. We have 60-90 kids out every year, but we need to continue to grow to stay alive, especially in a very competitive division.

I hope this helps!!