The key to a successful football program is to create a fun and educational atmosphere for the kids, the opportunity for coaches to teach fundamentals, and for parents to have a quality experience and the chance to volunteer for things like the chain gang and fundraising.   

For all aspects of youth football, perhaps the most important mechanism is feedback and the implementation of any necessary changes based off it.

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Are the kids having fun? Are the parents happy with the way practices are conducted? Are coaches pleased with what they have to work with? These and many more questions can play a pivotal role in program improvement. 

Feedback is very important to USA Football, and a good example is the survey I was asked to take regarding my son Bradley’s experience at the U.S. National Team Middle School Bowl Game Series in Canton, Ohio. The questions asked dealt with his time there and observations from parents about the week, from check-in to game day.  

It’s important for any youth football program to not just implement their own rules and turn a deaf ear to things brought to their attention. Bradley once played for a football program that had an antiquated way of doing business, right down to registration on index cards. Despite requests by parents and coaches to change things, it never happened.  

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USA Football wants to hear feedback from everyone in the football community about their programs, and they’ve established the following survey to let voices be heard: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/4462897/Parents-Survey

This survey, or something similar, is a wonderful opportunity for any football program to make improvements that fit the best needs of everyone involved. For parents hesitant to discuss ideas with coaches and administrators, through a survey, they can express concerns and suggestions. The coaches may want to tweak some things, and collecting this type of data might go a long way in making that happen. 

Peter is a sports anchor for the CBS Sports Radio Network, FOX News Headlines 24/7 and WCBS 880 Radio in New York.  His son Bradley will be playing middle school football on Long Island this fall while his younger son Jared plays flag football.   Peter, his wife Sheryl and the boys are busy cheering on the New York Jets when they’re not at a youth football field.