9/10/2023
As a football coach, managing play counts in youth football is a crucial aspect of ensuring that all players get a fair chance to play and develop their skills. The USA Football website provides a comprehensive set of National Practice Guidelines for youth football that can help coaches manage play counts effectively 1. These guidelines are endorsed by leading medical organizations and work hand-in-hand with the Football Development Model (FDM) to ensure the health and safety of young players.
In addition to these guidelines, coaches can use tools such as the Play Counter app to track minimum play counts for each player 2. This app makes it easy to keep track of play counts during games and ensures that all players get a fair chance to play on-field.
It’s also important to design plays that are suitable for youth football players. Simplifying the approach and focusing on basic plays can help reduce cadence problems and ensure that all players are comfortable with the plays 3.
Overall, managing play counts in youth football requires a combination of effective guidelines, tools, and strategies that prioritize the health and safety of young players while ensuring that they get a fair chance to play.