Football has always been a sport that really brings people together. The camaraderie of the team; the fans filling the stands; the marching band pumping up the crowd and the communities that band together to cheer for their hometown team!
And in recent years, it’s been really great to see an increase in the number of opportunities for kids to play flag football in our area. Last fall we spoke to a local, Madison-area mom about the positive impact that flag football has had on her daughter and it was so inspiring to hear her story about how her daughter has fallen in love with the game of flag football and how it has been a huge confidence builder for her! You can click here to find a league near you!
7 reasons I want my child to play flag football:
1: Building Self Confidence
Every time a child accomplishes something that they didn’t know they could do – they build confidence. Every time they step out of their comfort zone, they build confidence. And self-confidence is a critical piece of overall health for children. Playing flag football can be a big confidence builder!
2: Competition
Competition is a part of life and youth sports, like football, help children learn healthy competition. Always giving your all, working hard to achieve goals, and learning from mistakes. It’s important to learn the value of competition at a young age so that it can take you through life – this does not mean ‘winning at all cost’, it means learning how to put your best foot forward and having a strong desire to want to compete!
There is also an opportunity to “learn to lose.” Losing is a part of competition, and losing gracefully is a valuable life lesson.
3: Friendship and Camaraderie
To this day, some of my closest friends are friendships that started by playing together on a team. It’s a great way for kids to find a sense of belonging to feel a ‘part’ of something. And those kids spend a lot of time together, celebrate each other in their victories, and hold each other up during defeats.
4: Health, Wellness & Staying Active
We all know that it’s important for children to stay physically active. And these days there are more distractions than ever (video games, iPad, YouTube…) that prevent that. Flag football helps kids stay active – through the training, the games, and the practices… and it’s a FUN way for kids to be active!
5: Learning New Skills
It’s important to be willing to learn and open to learning new things whether it’s a sport, a subject in school, or a hobby. The ability to finish something that we start is a lifelong skill — and playing on a flag football team is the perfect way to help kids achieve that.
6: Learning to Work as a Team
Teamwork is a part of life — from childhood to adulthood. Being able to work well with others is so important. Flag football is all about teamwork, as there is not one player on a football team that carries the entire team. There are special teams and different groups and teams within the team and they all need to be able to work together in order to succeed!
7: Sportsmanship
One of the biggest things I tell my kids is that it’s important to always practice good sportsmanship. Win or lose – it’s paramount to be a good sport. Flag football instills sportsmanship in kids at a young age, so that as they continue in life – they can use that skill in other aspects of life. Good sportsmanship teaches how to be gracious and respectful of others.
And one of the best ways to get your child excited about football and flag football is to cheer on the Wisconsin Badgers! Check out our guide to football weekends at Camp Randall – for everything from Badger Bash, Badgerville, Homecoming and FAQs about attending a game with your family!
The National Football Foundation
The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people.
The mission is to promote and develop the power of amateur football in developing the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, competitive zeal and the drive for academic excellence in America’s young people.
Future For Football is an initiative by the National Football Foundation to promote and celebrate the game at all levels. Follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You can also visit their site for other helpful resources and click here to find a league near you!
