When my son, Bradley, went to a three-day minicamp, he and his team did a lot of work. The boys and girls of all age groups went through drills to get the rust off in preparation for what awaited them — the first day teams could put the helmets on and have a real practice.

In other words, minicamp was just an appetizer. Training camp is the main course. 

After the final day of minicamp, the program director said he hoped everyone had fun during those three days, because that was the objective. He wanted the kids to have a little fun and get acclimated to playing football again. Training camp and the season are fun, too; after all, what’s not fun about football? The director was trying to convey that playtime is over and it’s time to get to work.

Are you the parent of a youth, middle school or high school football player who’s looking for more tips or resources? Check out our Parent Guide, Parents 101 course, nutritious recipes and more.

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In youth football, getting to work can mean a few different things.

Some coaches and parents look at early August as the beginning of a march toward a championship. Not everyone subscribes to that theory, because youth football is still about kids learning how to play the game and, in the case of Bradley and many of his teammates, the chance to experience town football for the last time before making the transition to playing in middle school.

Training camp is important at every level of football, as players begin to learn and execute the plays and formations they’ll utilize during the season. For coaches, it’s a chance to get the players on the field, teach them proper fundamentals and to get them ready for the season. That could include a few scrimmages against other towns, but for the most part, it's all about teaching and preparation.

But August isn't just about the players and coaches, or even the administrators of your program. It’s also about the parents, whether your child has played seven years of youth football or is new to the game. It’s a learning experience. 

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Parents need to pay attention at practice, whether it’s training camp or an in-season workout.  

Youth football should not be treated as a day care center, and it’s important to learn what’s happening in case any kind of issue arises. Training camp is a great time to meet the new parents or catch up with parents from last season, but don’t spend the whole two hours yapping, and try to keep cellphone use to a minimum.

Keep in mind that your kids are going to peek toward the sideline and see if you’re watching. You don’t want to miss your child making a great play because you were distracted. Pay attention to what’s happening, because it will be good to have some dialogue with your child on the way home about what happened at practice.

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Training camp is a great time to get to know your child’s coaches, especially if this is a new experience for you. In the case of my wife Sheryl and me, along with other parents who moved from another program, it’s important to meet the administrators from the new program and get to know what’s expected from parents in terms of behavior and opportunities to volunteer.

When August arrives, relaxation time is over, and it's time to get to work.

Peter Schwartz is a sports anchor for the CBS Sports Radio Network, FOX News Headlines 24/7 and WCBS 880 Radio in New York. His older son Bradley plays youth tackle football for the Super Bowl Champion East Meadow Rams on Long Island, while his younger son Jared plays flag football for the LSW Giants. Peter, his wife Sheryl and the boys are busy cheering on the New York Jets when they’re not at a youth football field. 

This is an updated version of a blog that originally published Aug. 1, 2017.