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The largest Youth Football Organization on Earth

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Home of the Largest Youth Football Tournament on Earth

• Championships

Football Divisions

Instructional divisions of play unlimited weight & weighted non- competitive divisions.

*Instructional Division can be established/adjusted as you see fit. This chart is a guideline.  

Pre-Game Weigh-In MUST be conducted for Tiny Mite and Mitey Mite Divisions prior to each game. PLEASE SEE TINY MITE & MITEY MITE GUIDELINES on  MyAYF.com  

ALL -AMERICAN DIVISIONS OF PLAY AGE PROTECTED UNLIMITED WEIGHT COMPETITIVE DIVISIONS

Conference all star divisions of play age protected unlimited weight *ayf national championship play only.

See Section 26 for details and to submit your team for consideration for participation in the National Champinoship tournament.

Conference All-Star Division

Conference All-Star teams are for those kids who will be graduating from AYF and entering their high school programs (8th Graders), have maintained a high standard of academic performance, and would like to have the opportunity to experience participating in an out-of-state Championship Tournament.

The Conference All Star division gives those players in their last year of AYF (those 8th graders on teams did not qualify for a place at National Championship) a chance to compete on a national stage and create AYF memories to last a lifetime. This division also gives city-and-state assembled teams a chance to represent their conference in the national football community.

Each AYF National Conference has the opportunity to create a Conference All-Star team made up of players selected in the post season. Members should inquire with their Conference Commissioner for more details.The selection process is determined by the conference exclusively. To submit a team from play in the National Championships Conference All-Star Division, contact the AYF National Office.

International Division

To raise the level of global cultural awareness among our young people, and to make American football and cheerleading a truly universal sport, AYF has made a commitment to the help develop football and cheer internationally. The heart of this commitment is to increase the knowledge of and respect for other cultures by our young athletes. We also hope to make American football and cheerleading a truly global sport. By inviting and encouraging nations across the globe to join AYF, we will become an organization that integrates religions, cultures, ethnicities and languages via the universal appeal of football. Join our roster of international progams.

Inspiration Program

The Inspiraton Program was developed to foster a confidence and sense of self-worth that extends beyond the gridiron and into the school, family and community. Children with cognitive and physical disabilities are given the opportunity to transform their disabilities into abilities. Players are able to exercise regularly to become stronger and healthier, while building a network of friends, support, and trust. No scores will be kept, however it is still a fun, social and competitive environment.

There are no age, weight, or height restrictions. This is skill-based play. Find Inspiration divisions and rules at MYAYF.com.

National Championships

The American Youth Football National Championships features the largest youth football tournament in the world. Over 150 football teams, travel from throughout the USA to Kissimmee, Florida, home to Disney World, Sea World and Universal Studios, to participate in age protected, all-star, and instructional divisions to compete for the title of national champion. For more information please visit AYFchampionships.com.

Each team is guaranteed two games, winners advance to play for a National Championship. Games are played every other day. The National Championships is a week long tournament, with on and off field activities, including football clinics, an AYF only party at Universal Studios Orlando or Islands of Adventure.

Qualifying:

AYF has eight regions including Desert Mountain, Big West, Midwest, Southwest, Big East, Atlantic, New England, and Southeast. Each region hosts a regional tournament, which is the qualifier for the National Championships. ( Learn about your region .) Regional championships occur in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving weekend. Each region is responsible for scheduling their own Regional Football tournament. If there are no National Tournament Conferences in your area, you may apply for a wild card bid to the National Championship.

Our Sponsors

Contact our sponsor for special offers and pricing available only to AYF members. Log in to your account for contact information and offer codes.

Kissimmee Sports

LIGHT Helmets

Training & Coaching Tools

These selected training & coaching resources enhance the football experience for coaches, players and administrators alike.

NFHS TACKLING COURSE

Tackling course.

Free tackling instruction course provided by the NFHS.

Coaching Youth Football

Published by human kinetics, authored by joe galat.

Book and Online course developed to teach fundamentals of coaching

CDC Concussion Course

How to identify concussions.

Center for Disease Control Developed Program for detection of concussions in youth sports.

Light Helmets

Proper fitting.

Light offers video instruction on how to properly fit your football helmet.

8th Grade All-Star Game

An experience like no other. Select AYF seniors are invited to play on youth all star football's largest stage.

AYF Camps & Combines

A camp like no other - learn techniques to improve your in game perfomance. Get coached up by pros and get noticed on the field.

AYF Camps & combines offer a unique mix of combine and position specific drills to each and every athlete on field. We start the day with athletic evaluations of each athlete while running them through all of the major drills from the NFL combine. Our athletic drills include the 40 Yard Dash, Pro-Shuttle, 3-Cone, and Vertical Leap. Next up is our position specific training covering seven of the most common football positions on field. Our position groups include Defensive Backs, Linebackers, Defensive Linemen, Offensive Linemen, Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, and Running Backs.

Throughout the day our evaluators record film of each athlete performing their drills and enter their corresponding scores. Once finished, all of our athletes are encouraged to log into their AYF combine account to see how they compare to AYF athletes from around the world.

Benefits of Joining AYF

Negotiated discounts on products and services needed to operate a youth football and cheer organization. (Footballs, Equipment, Apparel, Uniforms, Insurance, Background Checks, Team Photography and Trophies.)

501(c)(3) non-profit tax designation.

Awards: Scholastic All –Americans, Coach Awards, Community Leadership Awards, Youth Football Hall of Fame

Forms, legal and organizational

Team, league management and online player registration software (SAS)

Access to football and cheer camps & clinics and regional and national tournaments.

Operations manuals, including AYF divisions.

Access to the largest youth football and cheer community and its leaders.

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The Pros and Cons of Youth Travel Teams

A travel team is a youth sports team that plays at an elite level. These teams travel, often long distances and out of state, to games, competitions, and/or tournaments (hence the name). Usually, these teams are part of a private or club sports program, not a recreational league or one affiliated with a school.

There is almost always a try-out or audition process to join the team. And there is no guarantee of playing time (unlike in recreational leagues where all kids will usually get a chance to play regardless of ability). Travel teams are also sometimes called elite teams, select teams, club teams , or tournament teams.

Develop new skills

Enhances family bonding

Improved access to expert coaches

Reduces boredom

Increased risk for injury

Potential for burnout

Time-consuming

Young athletes can reach a point where they are bored with rec league play. A travel team may be the best way for them to learn new skills, meet expert coaches, progress in their sport, and have fun in the process. Kids need to be challenged so they can grow. On a competitive travel team, players gain great experience in team play and sportsmanship .

They also need to learn more about taking care of their body to keep it strong and healthy through conditioning, nutrition, and good sleep habits. And, of course, traveling can be a great way for both families and teams to bond through shared experiences, like meals or just swimming in the hotel pool. Kids are exposed to new cities and sometimes get a chance to play tourist.

Joining a travel team is definitely demanding, and not just for your kid. There are significant costs (thousands of dollars per season is common). There is a big time commitment: practices; games; travel; and parent volunteer hours all add up. It’s also likely that kids will need to miss school for team commitments. And with more practice and play time, the risk of injury and burnout goes up, too.

How to Make the Decision

It’s wonderful that your child wants to play at a higher level, but you need to be sure they understand what all you’re signing up for if they make the team.

When children are interested in a particular elite team, it's important to find out in advance what their expectations are. Have a frank family conversation about these sacrifices and whether you are willing to make them.

Be sure to consider these questions. It's really helpful to talk with other parents a few years ahead of you on the path—those who have experience with the same club or league you're looking at. Find out:

• Do you know the coach or coaches? Can you observe some practices or games before you commit? In many instances, the coaching staff can make or break a child’s experience with a team or sport. Look for positive, fair-minded coaching. Toughness is OK (even necessary for some kids and teams), but hostility isn’t.
• Does your child have the discipline, maturity, and attention span required to succeed? Even a child with exceptional innate talent still needs to be a good team player.
• How dedicated is your child? Do they want to try out for the travel team just because friends are doing it, or because it seems like the next step? Or are they truly passionate about the sport?
• How will they respond if they don't get selected for a team, or if they get selected but then don't see a lot of playing time? Do they understand that they'll have to compete for it?
• What is the financial commitment? It's not just what you'll spend on equipment and fees, which can be significant, but extras such as travel costs and required apparel purchases (like a team jacket or bag). And remember that there will be fundraising responsibilities, too.
• What is the time commitment? Lots of practice time is great for your player's development, but it definitely affects what other extracurricular activities they are able to do. And it cuts into homework time as well. Parents also will also have to give their own free time to volunteer.

Travel team play isn't right for every child, but it can be a lot of fun if you make the right match between child, sport, and team. The goal should always be for kids to have fun, be active, and keep learning, no matter what sport or team they choose.

The Sleep Foundation. How much sleep do student athletes need? .

Aspen Institute. 2019 State of play: Trends and developments in youth sports .

Moen F, Hrozanova M, Stiles TC, Stenseng F. Burnout and perceived performance among junior athletes-associations with affective and cognitive components of stress . Sports (Basel) . 2019;7(7). doi:10.3390/sports7070171

Merkel DL. Youth sport: positive and negative impact on young athletes . Open Access J Sports Med . 2013;4:151-60. doi:10.2147/OAJSM.S33556

By Catherine Holecko Catherine Holecko is an experienced freelance writer and editor who specializes in pregnancy, parenting, health and fitness. 

Spring Football

Tackle football, getting started packet, football cheer, athlete protection and abuse prevention policy, sports for all, forever, aau cares about our athletes.

AAU sets the bar high, we care about our AAU community.

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Join the AAU community! Stay connected to get the latest AAU happenings.

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November 2022

Preview: 2022 aau unrestricted football national championships.

The 2022 AAU Unrestricted Football National Championships are ready to kickoff this weekend in Killeen, Texas

September 2022

The final saga of the jim thorpe restoration.

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August 2022

Longtime aau volunteer & national staff member passes.

Pamela Kirby "Pam" Marshall dedicated her life to developing youth sports in countless roles and numerous ways

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Teams traveled to Davenport, Florida for the 2nd AAU Spring Tackle Football National Championship

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ORLANDO, Fla - Sixteen (16) coaches from AAU programs were named 2022 Regional Winners of PCA’s Double-Goal Coach® Award presented by TeamSnap.

January 2022

Recap: 2022 west coast aau football and football cheer national championships.

Las Vegas, Nevada played host to the 2022 West Coast AAU Football National Championship on January 15th and 16th.

PREVIEW: 2022 West Coast AAU Football National Championship

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December 2021

Recap: 2021 aau league based football national championships.

Sixty-one teams competed this past week for the chance at an AAU national championship

RECAP: 2021 AAU Unrestricted Football National Championships

Thirty-four teams competed this past weekend for the chance at an AAU national championship

PREVIEW: AAU Football National Championships

​AAU Football will hold their National Championship Series in their respective locations this weekend and into next week.

October 2021

Simone biles and caeleb dressel crowned 91st aau james e. sullivan award co-winners presented by eastbay.

Biles and Dressel become third ever co-winners of the top amateur athlete award presented during the NBA Orlando Magic game.

Olympic Gold Medalists Headline Elite Class of Finalists for 91st AAU James E. Sullivan Award

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September 2021

Thirty-eight athletes selected for finalist voting round of the aau james e. sullivan award.

Olympians, gold medalists and national champions among star-studded line up of nominees. Public voting begins this week at www.aausullivan.org.

August 2021

Aau president/ceo jennings "rusty" buchanan featured on espnsa's laying down the law.

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AAU President Named to Sports Hall of Fame

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Several AAU Members among National Winners Announced for PCA's 2021 Double-Goal Coach® Award Presented by TeamSnap

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December 2020

Aau president & ceo passes.

Dr. Roger J. Goudy dedicated his life to serving youth through sports and education

November 2020

Aau football expands into pinellas county, tampa.

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October 2020

Thomas hill named aau flag football and 7v7 football west coast director.

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August 2020

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Check Out This Message from A Former Dallas Cowboy

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February 2020

Georgia aau makes charitable donations in local community.

The district chairs and officers of Georgia AAU have made a collective donation of $500 each for a total of $6,000 to a deserving charity of their choosing under the AAU Cares program.

January 2020

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Preview: 7th annual aau football battle of the border.

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October 2019

Feltrim sports announces partnership with aau football and riddle sports group.

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August 2019

From our partners: resources info– heart rate training lessons.

IHT Software Streamlines PYFP Assessment While Connecting Students with Essential Fitness Data for Physical Education application

May is National Physical Fitness & Sports Month

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Mildred Ella "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias presented with the AAU Gussie Crawford Lifetime Achievement Award

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Gold Medalists and National Champions Headline Elite Class of Finalists for 89th AAU James E. Sullivan Award

Gold medalists and national champions among elite athlete finalists; Public voting begins this week at https://aausports.wyng.com/AAUSullivanAwardFinalists

National Fitness Foundation and AAU Announce Partnership

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Thirty Amateur Athletes Selected as Semifinalists for the AAU James E. Sullivan Award

Gold medalists and national champions among elite athlete semi-finalists; Public voting begins this week at https://aausports.wyng.com/AAUSullivanAwardSemifinalists

February 2019

Habitat for humanity for hurricane relief efforts after hurricane michael.

The AAU strives to provide athletes with first-class athletic opportunities but, beyond the athletic surface, we strongly believe in instilling a sense of social responsibility in the more than 700,00...

January 2019

Nominate an athlete for triple-impact competitor® scholarship program.

Positive Coaching Alliance is now accepting applications from the Class of 2020 Student-Athletes for their Triple-Impact Competitor® Scholarship Program!

2018 AAU Football Season Results

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December 2018

Recap: 2018 battle of the borders.

AAU Football and Cheer ends its 2018 season with a bang at the 2018 AAU Battle of the Borders Game featuring all-star teams from Texas and Arkansas

2018 AAU Tackle Football National Championship

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October 2018

Dr. roger goudy re-elected as aau president.

National officers join Dr. Goudy in leadership of the AAU

18 AAU Events You Don't Want to Miss in 2018

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Dr. Roger Goudy Named Among Orlando's Best CEOs

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Olympic Medalists and National Champions Headline Elite Class of AAU Sullivan Award Finalists

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Why a Strong Parent-Coach Relationship is Essential

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Coaching From the Stands Ruins One of Sports' Key Life Skills

Eastman explains the hazard of parents coaching their kids from the stands. He also shares an exercise he\'s utilized to help get his point across to both parents and players.

February 2018

Workout of the month: kneeling exercises.

Walk into a gym and you’ll notice a lot of the same thing: athletes standing, sitting, or lying on their backs while they are getting their bodies ready for 2018 AAU competition. But have you ever t...

August 2017

Aau cares: aau national office brings clothes, water and non-perishable items to those impacted by hurricane harvey.

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AAU Strongly Embraces Diversity and Equality

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More Than 15,000 Participants Heads to Detroit for 18 Sports Competitions at the AAU Junior Olympic Games Beginning Next Week

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October 2016

Nominate a coach for pca double-goal coach award.

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January 2016

Recap: 2015 aau unrestricted nationals.

Tags: National Championship   Wow five (5) years running in Texas and another successful Unrestricted National Championship is in the books! Teams descended on the San Antonio and Somerset, ...

December 2015

Recap: 2015 aau league based national chps.

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LEXINGTON CO. FOOTBALL TEAMS GOING TO NATIONALS

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AAU MEMBERS SELECTED IN FIRST ROUND OF NFL DRAFT

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EZEKIEL ELLIOTT WINS AAU SULLIVAN AWARD

Written by: Amateur Athletic Union   New York, NY, April 19, 2015 – Today, in an exclusive Award Ceremony hosted at the historic New York Athletic Club, Ezekiel Elliott added the prestigiou...

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The pros and cons of travel sports

Travel teams can be fulfilling and help you or your child develop. but is it worth the costs and effort.

By Alyssa Bradford

Travel sports can be great for children or youth to learn life lessons, exercise and make friendships. However, being a part of the team is also costly and time consuming.

So should you or your child play a travel sport? It depends on what you and your family are looking for. As a general suggestion, have a sincere discussion about expectations and what sacrifices the family will need to make.

For specific information and data for the pros and cons of travel sports, see below.

What is a travel sport?

A travel sports team features elite youth athletes who compete and travel extensively for games, competitions or tournaments. They are associated with private or club sport programs, distinct from recreational or school leagues, per Verywell Family .

There are multiple sports that offer travel teams to families and youth. Here are some of the most popular, according to Groundwork :

• Basketball.
• Field hockey.
• Gymnastics.
• Ice hockey.
• Volleyball.
• Water polo.

The pros of travel sports including improvement of skills, friendships, daily activity, life lessons and traveling.

Takes skills to next level

Travel sports offer higher-level competition, providing a pathway from recreational leagues to varsity teams. This can make it tempting for athletes wanting to get onto high school or college teams, per Rocky Top Sports World .

Builds friendships

The extensive time spent with teammates during practices, games and tournaments fosters friendships and create memories. This bond is particularly beneficial for reserved or shy children, helping them to feel belonging and grow in social skills, according to Rocky Top .

Daily activity

For those ages 5 to 17, 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activities should be completed throughout a day. This helps strengthen hearts, muscles and bones, per the World Health Organization .

According to The Everymom , travel sports allow for frequent activity and exercise for children and youth to stay healthy. Plus, it is usually more enjoyable than going to the gym.

Learning lessons

The Everymom also shares valuable lessons that one can learn from travel sports:

• Perseverance.
• Committing to promises.
• Knowing how to work as a team.
• Standing up for yourself.
• Working on and succeeding in goals.

According to Rocky Top Sports World , athletes on travel teams get to explore new locations and compete against opponents from other regions, states and sometimes countries. Families often seize this opportunity to turn sports travel into a vacation by aligning it with tournaments or events.

Cons of travel sports include costs, time spent, burnout, risk of injury and possible conflict with religion.

Expensive costs

The costs of travel sports might change depending on what sport you play, the team and where you live.

Looking at the 15 most popular travel sports above, Groundwork also shares the average costs per spot on the team.

• Baseball: $1,894.
• Basketball: $822.
• Cheer: $2,307.
• Dance: $2,099.
• Field hockey: $1,186.
• Football: $349.
• Gymnastics: $2,778.
• Ice hockey: $2,529.
• Lacrosse: $1,352.
• Rugby: $281.
• Soccer: $1,535.
• Softball: $1,258.
• Swimming: $1,325.
• Volleyball: $3,159.
• Water polo: $1,439.

According to Groundwork , these fees do not include travel, equipment, clothing and other expenses. “Parents can end up spending $10,000 annually for their child to participate at this level.”

It’s time consuming

Children’s sports activities can dominate schedules, with parents and children traveling extensively to attend games and tournaments, per Character Development and Leadership .

According to The Everymom , as a child, the author’s typical life while playing travel sports included three to five nights of long practices per week and two to three days for an away tournament almost every weekend.

As she grew older, the author found less time for hobbies or socializing with friends, as schoolwork demanded more of her free time, per The Everymom .

Burnout is possible

Burnout entails both mental and physical exhaustion, resulting in loss of interest in meaningful activities, according to Darling Downs Health .

With travel sports, burnout can be possible because of the constant time and energy dedicated.

Zipdo has important statistics related to burnout and sports:

• Seventy percent of U.S. kids quit organized sports at age 13 due to burnout.
• Boys are more likely to drop out (36%) than girls (31%) due to burnout.
• Three out of four athletes have faced moderate to severe burnout.
• U.S. youth athletes practicing over three consecutive hours are 125% more prone to burnout.
• Over 45% of specialized youth athletes quit due to burnout.
• Burnout in children playing travel sports surged by 50% in 2017.
• Athletes training over 16 hours weekly with inadequate sleep face a 70% higher risk of burnout.

Greater risk of injury

According to Sadler Sports , more than 3.5 million youth sports injuries require medical treatment each year. Engaging in youth travel sports, as a lot of time is dedicated to the sport, can elevate the risk of overuse injuries.

Due to playing consistently, athletes can also sustain injuries that last throughout their lives, such as knee or head injuries, per The Everymom .

May conflict with religion

Depending on how you and your family worship, check to see if what is expected or required makes you feel comfortable. Here are some ways religion may conflict with sports, per Case IQ .

• Required tournaments often play on Saturdays and Sundays. Question if one or both of those days are sacred.
• Some religions might not be allowed to mix with the opposite gender. Besides teammates, travel sports include meeting with coaches and staff.
• Is the sport uniform okay? Does it allow you to wear religious coverings? Is the uniform too revealing or does it showcase sponsors that you do not believe in?
• Does the team or coach accommodate as necessary for religious practices, such as easier practice when fasting or a quiet area for religious observation?

Should you or your child play a travel sport?

According to Verywell Family , before committing to a team, have an open discussion with your family about the sacrifices involved and whether you are prepared to make them. Here are some general questions to ask, besides looking at the pros and cons above:

• Are you familiar with the coach or coaches and do they offer the right environment for you or your child?
• Are you or your child a good team player?
• Are you or your child passionate and dedicated about the sport?
• How much can the family financially spend? How much does the travel team cost?
• How much time can you or your family give away? Can you or your children continue to complete school or family assignments?

If you, your child or your family feel comfortable with the answers given above, go for it! While people may continue to do travel sports throughout their youth, it does not mean someone can’t stop if wanted.

Want to get onto a travel sports team?

If the team requires tryouts, it can be scary for you or your child.

Before the tryouts look at some of these tips from the Thunder Soccer Club , perfect for all sports:

• Think positively and be confident.
• Put things in perspective. If you make the team, great; if not, that’s okay. What will you do for training next time if you don’t make it yet?
• Meditate, pray, take deep breaths and do what is necessary to calm down.
• Eat a light meal with carbohydrates before tryouts to get energy.
• Drink plenty of water weeks before tryouts begin. Hydration will help in performance.
• Get to the tryouts early.
• Bring all of the equipment you need. Consider packing beforehand so you don’t forget.

Naperville Patriots Youth Travel Football & Cheer

Helmet Reconditioning

For the 2024 season, ALL helmets MUST have a 2022 or newer sticker on the back to be eligible for play per Pop Warner. Two options to comply are as follows 1). Purchase a new helmet (click the "Riddell Team Store” tab above or 2). Use the below link to send the helmet in for reconditioning. 

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Patriots Youth Travel Football (PYTF) players receive the best coaching and personal training from coaches and volunteers who themselves have achieved success at the highest levels of football (high school, college, professional).  PYTF coaches bring over 100+ years of experience, adhere to industry best practices through third party certifications (i.e. AYF, CDC, & USA Football certification programs), and provide families a safe and educational environment to help young players recognize and learn life lessons.

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The Patriots name has long been recognized as one of the premier youth football programs. Our teams have been led by successful, volunteer coaches who have instilled a tradition of excellence in young football players.  Our experienced coaches have led teams against some of the toughest competitors at the local, regional and national level.  Along the way, those coaches and their teams have won multiple state, regional and national championship titles in the American Youth Football (AYF), United Youth Football (UYFL), and Pop Warner (PW) football leagues.

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What Are Youth Travel Teams?

A sports team that regularly travels to play tournaments is sometimes known as a youth travel team. The term is associated with those teams that label themselves as ‘select’ or ‘elite’. They are usually private businesses that require parents to pay for training costs. This is different from your local sports team that plays home and away fixtures as part of a local league.

Youth travel teams will hold regular tryouts where children as young as four are asked to perform skills and identified as having talent or potential. They will then be expected to train regularly and travel to tournaments and competitions, potentially all year round. Sometimes the travel will be within the state but sometimes out of state too.

The try-outs will select children who have matured early and are bigger or more coordinated or those who have had coaching and already have some technical skills. There is little thought of the young athlete’s development because the coaches are paid to get results this season, not to develop players for a team in 10-years’ time.

Because the coaches are paid, and this is their only job, the expectation is that the coaching is higher than that in local league teams. The word ‘professional’ is associated with these teams, referring to the coaching and organizational set-up rather than the children involved.

These teams are designed to win now.

Teams will travel to either play single matches or in weekend tournaments where the children may get to play in several matches. Parents will have to travel and book accommodation too. There is no guarantee that any child traveling will get playing time.

This is different from your local league or school team, where all children are given opportunities to play. If a team has too many players, they often set up a ‘B-team’ or’ 2nd-team’ and arrange fixtures to play.

Pros & Cons Of Youth Travel Teams

The advantages of the youth travel system are:.

• Those older, physically more developed and have skills can play with similar
• Children and compete against others like them.
• The competitive youngster gets to compete for more.
• Scouts for colleges and senior teams may be present at these tournaments to see lots of good players together.

The disadvantages include:

• There is a high cost in time and money to the families of the young athlete. Youth sports is a multi-billion dollar industry and discriminates against those on low incomes.
• The athlete is taken away from their school friends and will compete for their place every week. This does not suit many children who just like to ‘play’.
• If the athlete is not selected to play, suffers an injury or gets burnt out, then they may drop out of the sport altogether.
• There is no guarantee that early selection in a sport leads to success at a senior level.

The younger the athlete, the more the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. As athletes reach middle school and have gone through puberty, they are more physically and emotionally mature and better able to assess what they want and need.

A Cheaper and Sustainable Alternative

One way of benefiting from extra coaching and playing against players of better ability is to sign up for training camps or clinics. These will be more affordable than year-round coaching and there is a finite start and finish time. They are also a lot easier for parents to arrange travel and family logistics. Parents can then assess whether their athlete comes home ‘buzzing’ and wants to do more or whether they come home tired and drained. Remember that competing all year round is tough for senior professional athletes. It is even more so for children.

Many recreational leagues select All-Star teams at the end of a season to compete against other leagues. Schools compete, and children can represent their school or district teams. These again are good opportunities to compete at higher levels.

Youth travel teams provide an opportunity for many children to compete regularly and receive extra coaching. However, they are not the only solution, and for younger children, they could be too much, too soon.

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Starts december 11th.

Season Overview

Our travel team is for athletes in grades 6 through 12.

The goal of our 7-on-7 program is to give all our athletes the opportunity to learn/play the game of football while competing against their peers and some of the top talent in the Bay Area. 7-on-7 is a great way to develop offensive and defensive players skills set while avoiding the physical wear and tear of a regular season/game. Our teams will compete in passing league tournaments during the winter and spring season.

For more Information: Contact Kahlil Bell at (415) 259-1607 or [email protected]

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The #1 Select Youth Football League in the Nation

8U, 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U

If your not Playing select, its only Rec

You have often heard "to be the Best, you must play the Best",

USA Select National Championships is where you find the Best in the Nation.

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USA Select NYFL National Championship for League or Independent Teams

USA Select NYFL presents a road to a national championship for all elite/select teams. Play within a league or as an independent. Age as of July 31, 2021.

EASY as 1,2,3.  Register your team with USA Select NYFL ($35 fee per team), Certify Coaches , Obtain Required Insurance, upload team roster prior to first game.  You play within a league, or create your own schedule, either way you provide USA Select your schedule and weekly scores. (Must play a minimum of six (6) game season.

Teams are ranked by State, Region, and National weekly.  Top 2 ranked teams in state playoff for winner; winner moves on to to regional; regional winner moves to National Championship January 2022 in San Antonio, Texas.

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We are always looking for Sponsors to help us continue providing the many events presented by USA Select NYFL.

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USA Select NYFL 2021 - Age As of Date to Change

The age of of date for USA Select will change to September 1st of the current year beginning in 2022.

The NFHS, and all high school across the nation use September 1 for eligibility for varsity play senior year.  The September 1 date is also used to enter school when the student first begins school.

Youth teams and leagues across the nation need to change to the September 1 date so that all are on the same page for pre season, post season, and tournaments.

Membership 2020 Spring/Fall Season

Join USA Select for the 2020 Spring/Fall Season.  Teams, Organizations, and Leagues will be able to begin registering soon.

A single team, an organization of teams, or a league of teams are eligible to join.  Upon joining, new members will receive a certificate of membership for the current season, or for the duration of years joined.

Injury/liability insurance is available to all members at a discount rate from Wilson Sports Insurance . See "insurance tab" on top menu bar for more information.

See "tabs" above in menu bar for your State league.

Age Divisions: 8U, 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U

Rosters lock the last Friday of September, add players who have chosen to leave other leagues that are NOT USA Select members.

Select and Recruit Players, Hold Tryouts, No Minimum Play Rule, and its all legal.

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USA Select, the Only Level Higher is High School Varsity.

USA Select NYFL, setting the bar for the highest level of youth football outside of High School Varsity.

All players must have a State issued Identification Card to participate. NO BIRTH CERTIFICATES HERE.  Military Dependent ID Card or Valid U.S. Passport are also accepted as proof of identity and age.

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USA Select is seeking State Directors. Must have great communication and organizational skills.

Director will maintain State website, organize conferences within the State, schedule State playoffs, and other duties.

This is a VOLUNTEER position. But has it owns rewards.

Interested persons should email: [email protected] and Subject: State Director (and which State).

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Eggz Flag Football currently has 8u boys, 8u girls, 10u boys and 10u girls travel teams and we are looking to add 12u divisions as well!

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All of our Travel Flag Organizations play in local, regional, and national tournaments. Some of the locations cities throughout California, Las Vegas, Arizona, Texas, Florida, as well as many other areas. We try to keep each organization as close to home as possible for tournaments, but there are times where we need to go farther for other tournaments.

As with any travel organization or club, there will be a huge commitment needed by not only the travel players, but their parents, coaches, and teammates. We ask all players to commit fully to the program for their 6 month season (either 1st half of year, or 2nd half of year) once they are accepted to the program.

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The five types of college football programs you meet in the transfer portal

Welcome to the era of unlimited transfers in college football .

Administrators and coaches have been putting it off for as long as possible, but it’s here. The rules limiting players to one transfer with immediate eligibility have been suspended since December and will likely be eliminated this week . Transfers are up almost 20 percent among FBS scholarship players from this time last year. The average Power 5 team has signed more than 10 transfers this offseason. And the spring transfer window opens on Tuesday.

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In this evolving portal era, programs take different approaches to attacking that opportunity. Everyone must decide who they want to be when it comes to transfer recruiting, finding a strategy that fits their institution and ambition. As the action resumes, here’s a closer look at the five prominent styles of portal shopping you’ll see in the next two weeks.

The NIL barons

If these guys have offered, you’re out of luck. The programs that do the best job in portal recruiting aren’t always the ones operating with the most NIL money, and players don’t always pick the highest bidder. But those that spend the most tend to get who they want.

“If you have good player relationships and if you have a collective that’s run really well,” Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin said, “you then stand a chance in this portal world.”

In December and January, the schools consistently battling and setting the market for elite transfers were Oregon, Texas, Ole Miss and Ohio State . The Buckeyes clearly stepped up this offseason and sent a message by landing Alabama safety Caleb Downs and Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins . One SEC personnel staffer noted Florida State and Louisville were highly competitive as well when they locked in on players and that Texas A&M became a threat again after coach Mike Elko’s arrival.

The collective model has put more programs in position to go get the key player they covet, like Miami adding quarterback Cameron Ward or Missouri bringing in tackle Cayden Green . But it’s worth noting that some of the strongest collectives aren’t necessarily all-in on portal recruiting and overpaying for transfers. The list of perceived biggest spenders fluctuates from year to year.

Georgia and Alabama continue to be in a class of their own. They usually don’t take many transfers, but the few they add will be legit. Sometimes these recruitments are over before they even begin. New Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer could have room to add a few more this spring, but he’ll be selective like his predecessor. Ole Miss’ expertise in portal recruiting has helped the Rebels catch up to those two SEC powers, but Kiffin acknowledged that’s always a moving target.

“It closes the gap, but then at times it doesn’t,” Kiffin said. “You might be like, ‘Hey, this is the year they don’t really have an elite running back.’ But then they go get Jahmyr Gibbs (from Georgia Tech ).”

The portal enthusiasts

These programs have effectively embraced portal recruiting as a key element of building a contender, signing double-digit transfers on a consistent basis. When it’s time to compete for the top available players in the portal, you can usually expect to see Ole Miss, Florida State, USC , Oklahoma and TCU among the schools in the mix. All five have proven that the portal can seriously speed up a turnaround.

Mike Norvell’s four-year flip of Florida State, from 3-6 in 2020 to 13-1 last fall, was a great feat of modern roster construction. The Seminoles had nine transfers make All-ACC teams last year, and it’s likely nine or 10 will get drafted later this month. How did Norvell get it right? By establishing a winning culture before he loaded up on impact transfers.

In their first two years, before the roster rules changed, he and his staff had to build carefully. “Every person you brought into the program, you had to be right,” Norvell said. What that required was a willingness to say no to talented players who didn’t fit. That’s a tough thing to do after consecutive losing seasons, but it yielded the transfers FSU needed to make the leap from five wins to 10 in 2022.

The Seminoles have won battles for big-time talent like Keon Coleman , Jared Verse and Jermaine Johnson, but they’ve thrived by finding hidden gems as well. Norvell points out that Johnny Wilson had 18 career receptions at Arizona State , Trey Benson had six career carries at Oregon and Dillan Gibbons made one start at Notre Dame . All three developed into All-ACC performers. Stacking up that many success stories has made them a destination.

“When guys go into the portal, if it’s a potential fit, there’s definitely a lot of excitement on their end because we have the experiences,” Norvell said. “We can point to the guys that have been in similar situations and came in with all the hopes and dreams of what they wanted to accomplish here – and they were able to do that and even more here at Florida State.”

There are many more programs — such as South Carolina , Arkansas, Miami, Tennessee, UCLA , Kentucky and UCF — that have benefited from high-quality transfer portal hauls. In this new 12-team playoff era, we’re going to find out whether a portal-heavy approach can lead to a national title.

This blueprint is working at the Group of 5 level, too. SMU won the AAC last season with 13 transfers in the starting lineup and has brought in 56 transfers over the last three years. Liberty went all the way to the Fiesta Bowl in its first year under Jamey Chadwell with the help of 10 transfer starters.

The desperate portalers

These programs are in Year 1 or Year 2 under new coaches and don’t really have a choice. Rosters get raided during coaching transitions. The 30-day window to transfer that players receive as soon as a coach exits means attrition can hit hard before the new guy even shows up.

Deion Sanders and Colorado grabbed all the headlines last spring for their dramatic roster shakeup , but that was forced attrition . Most first-year coaches going all-in on the portal are just trying to make up for what they lost. At Arizona State, Kenny Dillingham had to replace more than half of his roster in a matter of months and coached 78 newcomers during his debut season.

“We literally wouldn’t have been able to field a team without them,” Dillingham said.

Dillingham knew it would be a tough start, but he had to get back to a more normal roster balance of old and young. The Sun Devils lost 17 of their 19 freshman signees from their 2021 and ‘22 classes. Their staff has specifically targeted players with multiple years of eligibility remaining and brought in 23 more transfers this offseason to continue to fill the void.

Louisville and Texas State thrived in Year 1 thanks to deep portal classes. This year, it’s the new coaches at Texas A&M (24 incoming transfers), Indiana (22), UTEP (21), Houston (18) and San Diego State (17) who are leading the way and hoping that sharp evaluations can flip their fortunes in Year 1.

“You’ve gotta remember, when you get better faster, what are you sacrificing?” Dillingham said. “Are you sacrificing the future? What’s the correct speed to get better so you do show improvement, which allows you to recruit the future, but you’re also not sacrificing it? I think there’s a balance with that. Because everybody just wants you to win. Do they want you to win Year 1 or Year 2, or do they want you to win Year 4 through 9? My method and my goal is to win and create something sustainable here, not something that’s a flash in the pan.”

Let’s not forget the other end of the desperation spectrum: Coaches on the hot seat who hope the portal can deliver a quick fix. If that strategy works, they may have to become portal enthusiasts — whether they like it or not. If it doesn’t work, the next coach usually inherits a mess.

The need-based portalers

This is the old-fashioned way — some would say the right way — of utilizing the transfer portal. Many Power 5 coaches still look at transfers as more supplement than substitute. They don’t want to live and die by the portal. They like who they’ve got and only try to resolve needs at specific positions caused by issues like injuries, early draft entries or surprise attrition.

The belief that the way to win is signing around 20 high schoolers and five to 10 transfers per class still seems like a sound one. Among the teams in the final AP Top 25 rankings, 13 took this approach going into 2023: Michigan , Washington , Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Ohio State, Arizona, Penn State , Notre Dame, Tennessee, Kansas State , NC State and Iowa. In this year’s cycle, nine of those 13 are in that same five-to-10 transfers range.

Kansas State has had more hits than misses with its portal recruiting, but Chris Klieman is never looking to sign too many.

“I’m gonna still have a developmental program,” Klieman said. “We need to have kids here for four or five years for us to be successful. Our locker room is in a really good place because we have kids that are here for four or five years. The transfers that come in, they make the locker room better because they’re the right kind of guys.”

Look at how it paid off for Michigan. The Wolverines don’t need to shop in the portal most years, but they loaded up for a CFP title run in 2023 with nine incoming transfers and didn’t whiff on any of them . That’s a rational approach to take, especially for programs that don’t (or can’t) make big spends on coveted transfers: Chase short-term pickups when they make sense.

When it’s portal season, these programs do tend to have to play a lot of defense in fighting off poachers and persuading their guys to stay. K-State didn’t wrap up spring ball until Saturday, but last week Klieman was already having end-of-spring exit meetings with many of his top players.

“I’m not gonna wait until Monday,” he said. “It could be too late.”

The portal denier

Clemson remains the outlier in the portal recruiting world. Dabo Swinney is not changing his ways.

His dedication to the evaluation, retention and development of high school recruits has yielded two national championships. Sure, Clemson has extended offers to a small number of transfers in recent years, primarily plug-and-play offensive linemen, but backup QBs Hunter Johnson and Paul Tyson have been the program’s only transfer additions in the past three years.

Imagine how many players would want to transfer to Clemson with its staff, infrastructure, trophies and NFL Draft picks. The Tigers would likely be doing well in this pool if they ever cared to jump in. They’ve dealt with attrition like everyone else, with 33 scholarship players transferring out since the end of the 2021 season. Still, Swinney is doing what he believes is best for his program culture.

“We’ve just always wanted to be slow and right than fast and wrong,” Swinney told reporters this month. “We’ve made some mistakes in the past like anybody. You’re never going to bat 1.000. We just think the biggest thing is we know the fit here.”

Clemson is the only Power 5 program that has signed zero transfers this offseason. Iowa has typically been very selective with transfers in recent years and only took one this offseason: five-star tackle Kadyn Proctor , who has already bailed to go back to Alabama . The list of programs on the low end of transfer commitments so far includes Michigan (two), Stanford (two), Northwestern (three) and Virginia Tech (four). Some schools have stricter transfer standards than others, though it’s notable n ew Northwestern coach David Braun has mostly stayed out of the portal despite the program losing 14 scholarship transfers since July. We’ll see whether the spring window changes the calculus for a few of these teams.

When the NCAA approves unlimited transfers and this becomes full-on free agency, it’ll be even tougher for programs to avoid portal recruiting altogether. Plenty of coaches have similar philosophies to Swinney when it comes to constructing their roster but have conceded they need transfers to improve and sustain.

“You can’t lose guys and then just replace them with high school freshmen,” Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said last year. “You’re going to have a team full of young kids and you’ll get your ass kicked for two years. That’s the difficult part.”

Editor’s note:   This is part of a series of stories examining the transfer portal, NIL and their impact on college sports. The spring football transfer portal window is open from April 16-30.  Find all transfer portal stories here .

(Top illustration: Sean Reilly for The Athletic ; Photos: Harry How, Jonathan Bachman. Isaiah Vazquez, Christopher Hook, Brian Rothmuller / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Max Olson covers national college football for The Athletic. He previously covered the Big 12 and recruiting for ESPN.com. Follow Max on Twitter @ max_olson

How to watch Bundesliga Eintracht Frankfurt vs. FC Augsburg on ESPN+

• Data Skrive

Eintracht Frankfurt (sixth) and FC Augsburg (seventh) play on Friday at 2:30 PM ET, in a matchup between two clubs in the top half of the Bundesliga.

Eintracht Frankfurt was defeated on April 13 against VfB Stuttgart with the final score 3-0.

In its last action on April 12, FC Augsburg secured a 2-0 home win over Union Berlin. Sven Michel and Phillip Tietz topped FC Augsburg with a goal each.

Bundesliga Live Stream Info: FC Augsburg vs. Eintracht Frankfurt

Watch Eintracht Frankfurt vs. FC Augsburg and catch all Bundesliga action on ESPN+ .

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FC Augsburg @ Eintracht Frankfurt

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Bundesliga news.

No Bayern Munich, Zidane talks over manager role - sources

Zinedine Zidane has not been contacted by Bayern Munich to take over as manager when Thomas Tuchel leaves at the end of the season, sources have told ESPN.

Nagelsmann extends with Germany, won't return to Bayern Munich

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has signed an extension to remain in his post past this summer's Euros, removing any chance that he will return to succeed Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich.

Tuchel takes shot at critics after Bayern reach UCL semifinals

Departing Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel took a shot at his critics after guiding the Bundesliga side into the Champions League semifinals with a 1-0 win over Arsenal on Wednesday.

The best of Bayer Leverkusen's historic Bundesliga win

Relive the best moments of Bayer Leverkusen's first Bundesliga title win, masterminded by Xabi Alonso.

How Bayer Leverkusen built the team that took down Bayern

Bayer Leverkusen shocked perennial champions Bayern to win the Bundesliga at a canter, unbeaten so far, but how did they do it? And can they do so again?

Ref body trials giving corners, throw-ins for GK time-wasting

The protocol behind a trial to tackle goalkeepers holding onto the ball and running down the clock has been outlined by football's lawmakers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

Green Bay Packers fans in Brazil thrilled to have game in São Paulo, saying: 'We will be WILD'

Marcus Rovere of the Packers Brasil fan site gives fair warning about the Green Bay Packers playing the Philadelphia Eagles in São Paulo: "Prepare yourself, we will be WILD in this game."

The Packers and Eagles will play Sept. 6 at Arena Corinthians in São Paulo. It is the first NFL game in South America and the season opener for both teams, who will each play their second regular-season international game.

Rovere, who lives in Porto Alegre, estimates there are 5 million Packers fans in Brazil, with more than 23,000 following their @PackersBR account on Twitter, now called X. The NFL estimates there are more than 35 million football fans in the country. The Packers and New England Patriots are thought to be the most popular teams.

"Soccer is very popular here, and our teams are just like the Packers. We don't have an owner; the team belongs to the fans! Of course, being a winning team is a fact, too. People here are crazy about the NFL and even without playing in a Super Bowl in last 13 seasons, we still have a lot of new (Packers) fans every year," Rovere wrote Wednesday morning to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, after the announcement was made.

Arena Corinthians, also known as NeoQuimica Arena, is home to Brazilian soccer team SC Corinthians and hosted both the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games. The stadium has a capacity of about 47,000.

"The expectation is a crowded arena for the game," said João Storer of Florianópolis. "São Paulo is the best city for this event, and for sure NeoQuimica Arena is the best Brazilian stadium. I’ve visited the stadium three times; it has a huge outside space for other events and tailgating."

Because of the stadium's size — Lambeau Field's capacity is 81,000 — tickets are expected to be at a premium.

"The only concern that we have are the ticket prices," said Storer, who hopes to find a Packers watch party near home if he can't secure a ticket.

Visiting teams — which the Packers are for this contest — typically do not receive a ticket allotment for season ticket holders, so tickets are not available through the Packers. Ticket packages will be available through On Location, an official partner of the NFL, at onlocationexp.com/packersbrazil . 

Event USA in Ashwaubenon also is taking deposits for travel packages to the game, which company President Dennis Garrity said are in limited supply. The company provided packages to about 800 Packers fans for the game in London in 2022.

More: Will Packers fans need a Peacock subscription to watch Brazil game against Eagles?

More: Packers to open 2024 NFL season in São Paulo, Brazil, against the Philadelphia Eagles

"Regrettably, we're not going to be able to offer that much space this year, so we believe we will have a sellout quite quickly," Garrity said.

The flight to São Paulo is longer than to London, but the time zones are more forgiving. All of South America is east of Michigan, but São Paulo is only two hours ahead of Green Bay when daylight savings time is active in the United States.

With a population of 12.3 million, São Paulo is 1.5 times larger than New York or London, as populous as all of Illinois, and more than twice the size of Wisconsin. It has 50 times more residents than Brown County, and Metro São Paulo is 3,000 square miles, compared to Brown County's 530.

"São Paulo is a New York-stylish city," Rovere said. Like New York, São Paulo is a financial hub. It is the most important city in South America because of that, he said.

"It has some incredible museums, huge parks, one of the best restaurants in world and many nice people," he said.

As with any large tourist city, visitors need to be aware of their surroundings. "Don't trust everyone, keep things in a pocket, don't walk alone and do some research about where you will be and the best transport options," he said.

Rovere expects attendance at the game will heavily favor the Packers.

"We know that is gonna feel like a home game for the Packers," Rovere said.

Contact Richard Ryman at  [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at  @RichRymanPG,  on Instagram at  @rrymanPG  or on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/RichardRymanPG

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11 facts about UEFA EURO 2024

Everything you need to know about the football summer in Berlin

One summer, ten venues, 22 match days, 24 football teams, 51 matches, thousands of volunteers and millions of fans: these are just some of the facts and figures of UEFA EURO 2024 , on of the world's largest sporting event, which will be staged for the 17th time this year. And in Germany for the first time since 1988. In this blog, we reveal what you can expect in Berlin during the big football summer and where the capital really scores. 11 facts about UEFA EURO 2024 in Berlin - and just about everything you need to know about UEFA EURO 2024 in Berlin.

Fact 1: One of the world's biggest sporting events is coming to Berlin

After the Olympic Games, the Football World Cup, the Cricket World Cup and the Super Bowl, the UEFA Champions League is one of the biggest sporting events in the world . This statistically calculated ranking is based on the number of spectators worldwide. And depending on the match, that's up to 380 million people!

More about Sports in Berlin

Fact 2: The world's largest fan zone at the Brandenburg Gate

The Brandenburg Gate will be transformed into the world's largest football goal for what will probably be the world's largest fan zone . And the green artificial turf will be rolled out in front of it. This giant pitch will be the place to gather for public viewing and celebrate the summer of football. There will also be concerts, open-air cinema, DJ sets, performances, exhibitions and much more. Look out for the big opening show in front of the Brandenburg Gate on 12 June.

Brandenburger Gates becomes a football goal

Fact 3: Public viewing all over Berlin

During UEFA EURO 2024, public viewing will take place at a number of locations in Berlin, including the two fan zones at the Reichstag and the Brandenburg Gate. Large screens will also be set up in restaurants, cafés and beer gardens.

Infos zu Public Viewing & Fan Zonen:

Brandenburger gate.

• Where: Straße des 17. Juni in front of the Brandenburg Gate
• When: 12 June to 14 July
• Public viewing: All matches taking place in Berlin, all matches of the German national team and all matches of the elimination round (from the quarter-finals onwards) will be broadcast here.
• Concerts, cultural programme and sporting activities
• Space for up to 30,000 guests
• Admission free

Fan Zone Reichstag:

• Where: Platz der Republik, Berlin-Tiergarten (directly in front of the Reichstag)
• When: 14 June to 14 July, daily 2 a.m. to midnight
• Public viewing: all 51 EURO 2024 matches will be broadcast
• Space for up to 10,000 guests
• Cultural programme on two stages
• The largest fan pub in the world
• Football pitch
• Sports activities

beer Gardens in Berlin

Fact 4: Six matches and the Grand Final will be played in Berlin

During the tournament, which runs from 14 June to 14 July, the teams will compete over 22 days. A total of 51 matches will be played in ten German cities, six of them at the Olympiastadion Berlin , including the Grand Final on 14 July.

Here is the schedule:

• Saturday 15 June 2024: Spain - Croatia
• Friday 21 June 2024: Poland - Austria 
• Tuesday 25 June 2024: Netherlands - Austria 
• Saturday 29 June 2024: Round of 16
• Saturday 06 July 2024: Quarter-finals
• Sunday 14 July 2024: Final match (21.00 CEST)  

More about UEFA EURO 2024

Fact 5: The Olympic Stadium is the oldest and largest venue

With 74,474 seats, the Olympiastadion Berlin is the largest venue for this year's European Football Championship. In comparison, the Munich Football Arena has 67,000 seats, Dortmund has 61,534, followed by Stuttgart with 50,998 and Hamburg with 50,215. Other venues include Cologne (46,635 seats), Frankfurt am Main (48,057 seats), Gelsenkirchen (49,471 seats), Düsseldorf (46,264 seats) and Leipzig (46,635 seats). 

The history of the Olympic Stadium

Built between 1934 and 1936 - during the National Socialist era - for the 1936 Summer Olympics, it is also the oldest stadium in which the UEFA EURO 2024 will be played.

More about Olympiastadion

Fact 6: 100 events for the summer of football

The whole of Berlin is in football fever. Galleries, theatres, stages and exhibition venues, as well as districts and libraries, are on the ball with an extensive programme showing just how diverse the topic of football is . It's about fair play, victory and defeat, history and visions of the future for a better world, education, participation, sustainability and anti-discrimination. Be there when fans from all over the world come together for a peaceful summer of football in Berlin under the motto "United by Football - United in the Heart of Europe". Here you can find an overview of the events.

Events for UEFA EURO 2024

Fact 7: 24 teams have qualified for UEFA EURO 2024

24 teams from all over Europe will take part in UEFA EURO 2024. As the host country, Germany has automatically qualified for the EURO 2024. The countries playing for the trophy on site in Berlin include Spain, Croatia, the Netherlands, Poland and Austria . It remains to be seen who will play in the round of 16, quarter-finals and the grand final in the Olympic Stadium. The Austrian national team will be staying in Berlin for a longer period of time during the tournament.

11 reasons, why we are looking forward to EURO 2024 

Fact 8: The UEFA trophy will come to Berlin on 24 & 25 April

Before the opening match of UEFA EURO 2024 kicks off in Munich on 14 June, the Henri Delaunay Cup will tour all ten host cities in Germany . The trophy is named after French football official Henri Delaunay, who initiated the European Nations Cup in the 1950s and played a key role in the creation of UEFA in June 1954.

Today's trophy is made of sterling silver and, at 60 centimetres, is 18 centimetres taller than the original and, at 8 kilograms, two kilograms heavier. The trophy will be on display in Berlin on 24 and 25 April. Philipp Lahm and mascot Albärt will also be there.

Tip: The 3.20 metre high replica of the trophy is currently on display at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (image from ITB). You can also take a selfie with the giant trophy here.

Berlin Brandenburg airport

Fact 9: The Berlin Bear has a new playmate in the form of mascot Albärt

The Berlin bear has reason to be happy. Albärt, the big teddy bear mascot, has been given a partner. The name was chosen by UEFA.com users and schoolchildren from across Europe . Albärt beat out Bärnardo, Bärnheart and Herzi von Bär. As the EURO 24 mascot, Albärt will now inspire children and adults alike to take part in sport and exercise in a fun way. Find out how to get active in Berlin:

Outdoor activities in Berlin

Fact 10: 2.5 million fans and guests expected

425,000 tickets for UEFA EURO 2024 have been sold for the Olympic Stadium in Berlin alone. Ticket requests have come in from over 170 countries . In Berlin, 1.9 million external guests from around 120 countries are expected to cheer on their teams and watch the football together.

Travel to Berlin

Fact 11: EURO 2024 sets new standards for climate protection, inclusion & anti-discrimination

Under the slogan " EURO 2024 will be our game ", Berlin is focusing on climate protection, anti-discrimination and inclusion at the European Football Championships - and also wants to serve as a practical example for future events. In addition to major infrastructure projects such as the removal of barriers, new drinking fountains and bicycle parking, the use of solar energy and the implementation of a circular economy, many exciting small projects are being initiated at the district level to achieve a great deal together at the local level.

As part of " Euro24 - Clean Game " in Mitte, for example, trained staff in costume inform Berlin guests about reusable packaging. Champions without Borders is launching a sports and health programme for refugee women aged 45 and over, while Buntkicktgut invites young people from all backgrounds to get active at KiezKick . Street football, graffiti and hip-hop workshops are planned.

Sustainability at UEFA EURO 2024

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11 reasons why we are looking forward to EURO24

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A Beginner’s Guide to American Football Positions

Sports & activity.

Looking for a breakdown of all 22 players on the football field? Check out this guide to learn the basics of football positions.

In football, every player on the field has a distinct role and specialized set of skills. For example, the quarterback is (usually) the only one to throw the ball. Receivers catch it; offensive linemen don’t. All these positions have to work together in order for the intricate plays designed by the coaches to work.

“Everyone has to be doing their job, and everything has to be in sync,” said Craig Karahuta, vice president for football and cheer operations at American Youth Football . “Eleven people [on each team] have to do their jobs at all times. There is no ‘most important’ player on the field. That’s why, as far as I’m concerned, football is the ultimate team sport.”

If you’re not familiar with the game, understanding all the critical positions in football can be confusing. Don’t worry: If you’re new to the game, this guide is for you.

What Are the Offensive Positions in Football?

There are 11 players on the field for the offense, working together on running and passing plays to move the ball toward the other team’s end zone. Once in that end zone, the team can hopefully score a touchdown or settle for a field goal, the two primary ways to score in football. Those 11 offensive players can come from these groups of positions:

1. Quarterback (QB)

On most plays, the quarterback gets the ball from the center and controls the play. The QB might hand the ball off to a running back on a rushing play, or they might pass it to a running back, tight end or wide receiver on a passing play. The QB might even run the ball. But being a good quarterback is about more than just being able to throw good passes, said Karahuta.

“The quarterback has to know everybody’s position on the field. The lineman just needs to know to block here, and a receiver knows to run here. But the quarterback has to know everything,” he said. “There’s a big responsibility to see the whole field and know the whole field, not just play your own position.”

The QB must know where all those players are in order to know where the receivers will be before throwing a pass. And when the pass isn’t caught — or if it’s intercepted by the defensive team — the quarterback needs another important skill: quick mental recovery.

“He has to come back from making mistakes and recover from that,” said Roman Oben, a former U.S. National Football League (NFL) offensive tackle and the NFL’s vice president for football development.

Quarterbacks need to quickly make that recovery and respond positively , Oben said, because they need to lead the team before the next play in the huddle, where the team discusses the upcoming play.

“A QB has to set the tone for what everyone else has to do. So, the quarterback has to be, to some degree, a coach on the field,” Oben added.

2. Offensive Linemen

With some offensive positions, the number of each player type on the field can vary. There can be one, two or even five wide receivers on the field, but there must always be five offensive linemen. From the quarterback’s point of view, those five are: the left tackle, left guard, center, right guard and right tackle.

The center is the most important member of the offensive line, said Oben.

“Every single play, the center touches the ball,” he said. That isn’t true for any other position on the field. When a play starts, the center snaps the ball, handing it or tossing it between his legs to the quarterback or another player. This starts the play.

The center is often the captain of the offensive line, said Andy Ryland, senior manager of education and training for USA Football .

“[The center is] responsible for a lot of the communication and inter-play play calling,” he said. What that means is that when the team gets ready for a play to start, the center may look at the defense and make adjustments to the way the line will block (in other words, which of the other team’s players to stop from tackling the quarterback or running back).

After the center snaps the ball, the offensive line is usually not allowed to touch the ball again, unless a pass is tipped or the ball is fumbled (Note: A “fumble” is when a player carrying the ball drops it). Instead, the linemen either act as bulldozers, pushing the defense out of the way on a running play, or protectors, forming a circle — or “pocket” — around the quarterback to keep the defense away from him, said Ryland.

“[Offensive lineman] are the ultimate teammates,” Ryland said, because their job is to make their teammates succeed. By blocking the defense, the offensive line makes it possible for the running back to gain yards or the quarterback to make a touchdown pass.

3. Running Back

The running back’s primary job is to take the ball from the quarterback and run with it on rushing plays. Running backs also block for the quarterback on some passing plays and may run out to catch a pass. They’re fast players who are powerful enough to shrug off linebackers who try to tackle them, but running backs need more than just speed.

“Vision is very important,” Karahuta said. When running backs get the ball, they don’t just run forward. They need to identify the best place to run and be agile enough to get there. “A play might be supposed to go [in one place,] but it’s jammed up. They have to be able to stop on a dime to make the right move [somewhere else].”

Running backs usually line up in the back of the offense, which is why they’re sometimes called the “tailback.” Offenses usually have one running back on the field at a time. If there are five receivers on the field, there will be zero running backs. And sometimes there might be two.

4. Fullback

A fullback is another kind of running back — kind of a mix between an offensive lineman and a running back. They usually line up behind the quarterback and in front of the tailback and are often tasked with blocking for the running back, who is typically the primary ball carrier. For this reason, fullbacks are sometimes called “blocking backs.” They are allowed to carry the ball, though, and sometimes do.

If they’re not all the way back, then why are they called a “fullback,” you might wonder? Ryland said the name has been kept from the earlier days of football. In fact, it actually goes back before football. “Fullback” is a name for a position in rugby, the game’s predecessor.

Many offenses do not use a fullback very often in the modern, more pass-focused game, instead, they swap in another receiver.

5. Tight End (TE)

The tight end usually lines up right next to the offensive line — that’s the “tight” part. These players are usually bigger than wide receivers but smaller than offensive linemen, and their job is a hybrid of the two.

The tight end combines “the strength , power and blocking ability of an offensive lineman with the pass-catching and running abilities of a wide receiver,” said Ryland. “They have to run-block like an offensive lineman. They'll also have to get out in space and block like a wide receiver. They'll have to pass protect like an offensive lineman. But they also have to run routes, catch and run with the ball.”

Tight ends, Ryland said, are like a middle-of-the-road character you might create in a video game. They are pretty good at everything and don’t have any glaring weaknesses. They can block (but not as well as an offensive lineman can) and can run and catch (but not as well as a wide receiver can).

6. Wide Receiver (WR)

Wide receivers line up at or near the line of scrimmage (the line where the ball is before the play), outside of the offensive line and the tight end. Being on the edges is the “wide” part of their position’s name.

While they can be used to carry the ball like a running back and may have some responsibility to block on running plays, wide receivers are known for catching passes. They’re skilled at plucking passes out of the air, jumping to catch the ball and using their sticky gloves to grab the ball with one hand. They are usually the fastest players on the offense, and they often run predetermined routes on each play, so the quarterback knows where to throw the ball.

Wide receivers also have another special skill, Ryland said: deception.

Great receivers “can make the opponents think I'm doing one thing before I do the other thing, not give away my intentions and then lean one way and go back to the other,” he said. By doing this, these receivers can trick the players who are defending them, giving the receiver more room to catch the ball and run with it after the catch. Some receivers even wear face shields over their eyes, which can keep the defender from seeing where they’re looking for the ball.

What Are the Defensive Positions in Football?

The 11 players on the field for the defense want to stop the other team’s offense from moving the ball or scoring a touchdown. They try to tackle the player who has the ball, knock down passes or even catch the pass themselves (a play called an interception). The defense plays these positions.

1. Defensive Linemen

The defensive linemen tend to be the bigger players who start the play at the line of scrimmage, which is the imaginary line where the ball is placed before the play starts. There are normally three or four defensive linemen on the field, and they tend to put one or both hands on the ground before the play.

Unlike on the offensive line, where the outside players are the tackle, the defensive linemen in the middle are called defensive tackles (DTs). When there is only one defensive tackle, that player is sometimes called a “nose tackle,” because they start over the nose of the ball.

The defensive linemen on the outside are called defensive ends (DEs). In the past, these linemen were tasked with getting past the offensive line to stop a running back, put pressure the QB to throw sooner than they want to or tackle the quarterback — a play called a “sack.”

But in the modern game, Oben said, defensive linemen need to do even more. They might need to drop back into coverage to stop a receiver, get their hands up to block a pass or even cover receivers who are near the line of scrimmage all the way to the sideline. With all these responsibilities, defensive linemen today need to be more athletic than ever before.

2. Linebacker (LB)

Linebackers play behind the defensive line. If the defense has three defensive linemen, there are usually four linebackers. If there are four defensive linemen, there are usually three linebackers. Linebackers are usually smaller and faster than defensive linemen.

In the past, linebackers were responsible for stopping a running back who had run through a hole in the defensive line, tackling receivers on a short or medium pass and running at the quarterback to try to pressure them to throw or to sack them.

But like many other positions, Ryland said, linebackers have more roles now than they did in the past, as the game has become more pass-focused. Modern linebackers need to be able to cover speedy tight ends and even some wide receivers.

Linebackers also have important communication roles on many defenses, Oben said. The middle linebacker, specifically, is often “the quarterback of the defense,” he said.

That means that the middle linebacker may be responsible for looking at the offense before the play, predicting what they think will happen and telling the other defenders what to do on the upcoming play

3. Cornerback (CB)

Cornerbacks and safeties are called the “defensive backfield,” or “defensive backs,” because they play in the back of the defense. Cornerbacks are lined up on the outside of the defense and are usually tasked with covering the offense’s best receivers.

“A corner is usually assigned a man or an area,” said Karahuta. When he’s covering a player, the cornerback will shadow the offensive receiver to try to keep them from catching the ball by batting it down or just getting in the way of the ball. When covering an area, the corner defends any player or pass that comes into that area. Cornerbacks are usually faster than safeties and tend to be better at covering receivers.

Sometimes, you’ll hear a defensive back called a “nickel back” or a “dime back.” When a defense has five defensive backs on the field at once — by having one less linebacker or defensive lineman — the fifth defensive back is called a “nickel back.” This can be a cornerback or a safety, and is often done when the offense has more receivers on the field or when the offense has further to go and is more likely to pass. If there are six defensive backs on the field, the sixth is called a “dime back.”

4. Safety (S)

Safeties are the last line of defense. They usually play all the way in the back of the defense and are responsible for making sure no offensive player gets past everyone else on the defense. Safeties are usually not as fast as cornerbacks, Karahuta said, but they’re often better at reading and patrolling larger areas of the field.

There are usually two safeties. One is called the “strong safety,” and the other is the “free safety.” The strong safety would be on the “strong” run side of the offensive formation, which is where a tight end is lined up.

The strong safety used to be known more for supporting the run defense and coming closer to the line of scrimmage, while the free safety was known more for pass coverage and the back of the defense. But there’s less difference between the two in the modern game, Ryland said. Both safeties are usually skilled at both jobs.

What Are the Special Teams’ Positions in Football?

Kickoffs, extra point tries (PATs), field goals and punts — and defending all four — aren’t done by the offense or the defense. These special plays are done by units called “special teams.”

1. Kicker (K)

Kickers kick the ball off the ground on a kickoff, field goal and point after touchdown (PAT), also called the “extra point.”

2. Punter (P)

On fourth down, an offense sometimes won’t try to get the first down, because if they fail, the other team will get the ball right where the offense was stopped. Instead, the coach may call on the punter. This player can punt the ball to the other team, hanging it high in the air to try to keep the opposing team farther away from the end zone.

Some punters also hold the ball for the kicker on field goals, and they may kick off after a safety, when the rules allow the kickoff to be a punt.

3. Kick Returner (KR)

When the kicker boots a kickoff, the kick returner catches it and runs toward the opposing team’s end zone. These players are usually speedy and are often also wide receivers or defensive backs.

4. Punt Returner (PR)

When the punter punts to the opposing team, the punt returner catches it. This player may call for a “fair catch,” which means that they will not return the ball because the other team’s special teams are going to tackle them right away.

The PR may also choose to return it; like a kick returner, the PR runs toward the other team’s end zone. Just as with kick returners, punt returners are fast and are often also wide receivers or defensive backs.

5. Long Snapper

The long snapper is a special kind of center who snaps the ball on punts and kicks. They snap the ball between their legs to the punter on a punt or to the player holding the ball for the kicker on field goals and PATs.

Words by Greg Presto

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Originally published: August 2, 2022

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