Educational Programs

Play It Smart

A joint venture between the National Football Foundation and the YFF, the Play it Smart program uses participation in organized football to enhance the academic, personal, career, and athletic development of high school football players who live in communities with significant socio-economic challenges. The key to the success of the program is the Academic Coach who works throughout the entire year to provide academic and life skills counseling to high school football players. The Academic Coach also works with coaches, school personnel, parents and community leaders to facilitate participants’ individual growth and positive transition into productive adulthood. The program currently exists in 136 schools nationwide.
www.PlayItSmart.org

National Athletic Testing Systems

The National Athletic Testing Systems (NATS) is a nationwide athletic performance test that provides standardized, consistent athletic test data and accurate academic information for high school football players. Each test produces results that can be used to track and compare a player’s athletic ability and development. NATS also provides high school football players, parents, coaches, and guidance counselors with important information and services pertaining to college recruiting, NCAA academic requirements, financial aid, and athletic performance analysis and preparation. In 2005, the YFF approved a three-year grant to the American Football Coaches Foundation to assist in the expansion and continuing development of the NATS program.
www.nats.us

National Association of Sports Officials Grant

Through a grant from the YFF, the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) has developed Officiating Youth Sports Football - a 20-page, full-color publication which provides need-to-know basics to help football programs manage on-field officiating, better understand the rules of the game, and recruit and train their officials. Created in conjunction with the NFL’s officiating department and USA Football, this resource emphasizes safety, instructs on basic officiating skills and mechanics, and provides communication tips for officials when dealing with coaches and parents.