Why Incorporate Football Into ReCharge! Activities?

Although all students may or may not be interested in football, ReCharge! introduces children to some basic football skills that are also skills fundamental to a variety of other physical activities – such as balance, coordination, agility, stamina and speed. ReCharge! also uses football as “a way in” for learning about nutrition concepts, the importance of teamwork and the value of goal-setting. Students are introduced to some game-play aspects of football, like a blitz is when a defensive back or linebacker runs behind the line of scrimmage toward the quarterback or offsides is when either team crosses the line of scrimmage before the football is snapped, resulting in a penalty. For more football terms, to learn about team positions, and to determine which teams are in the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC), see pages 10 –13 in the Coach’s Clipboard.

The Seven Guiding Principles of NFL Youth Football

The Seven Guiding Principles of NFL Youth Football – which are based on research with kids, parents and coaches – can also be applied to the ReCharge! after-school program activities:

1. Make it fun.

2. Limit standing around.

3. Everyone plays.

4. Teach every position to every participant.

5. Emphasize fundamentals.

6. Incorporate progression of skill development for every participant.

7. Yell encouragement, whisper constructive criticism.

Pre-Game Prep

Starting any new program can be a daunting task. Most of us do not have five or six hours at one stretch to sit down and read the entire ReCharge! Instructor’s Notebook from cover to cover, determine what will work best for our program, and then create a game plan to follow for the entire year. The Notebook is full of useful information, but it may seem a bit overwhelming. Therefore, MO Action for Healthy Kids suggests the following strategies to help you get started.

1. Put on your Game Face and get ready to have some fun!
2. Plan to spend at least 40-60 minutes a day following each step below.
3. Review the 2-page program snapshot provided in the Instructor’s Notebook at the beginning of Section 1: Getting Started. View the Instructional DVD (31 minutes) for program introduction and demonstration of some of the ReCharge! activities.
4. Make copies of the 2-page program snapshot to share with school administrators, classroom teachers, PE teachers, food service directors, PTA board members, and other community members to let them know about the program and to solicit their help and support. Be sure to include the information in your school or district newsletter telling how your after-school program plays an integral role in improving the school’s wellness practices and supporting the district’s new wellness policy.
5. Review the Coach’s Clipboard for background information with program concepts and terminology that may be unfamiliar to you.
6. Read MODULE 1: A Balanced Team. Make note of which activities will work best for your program(s). You do not have to do them all.
7. Read MODULE 2: Nutrition Plays. Again, make note of which activities will work best for your program(s).
8. Read MODULE 3: The Ultimate Goal, making note of which activities will work best for your program(s).
9. Create your Game Plan using the activities noted from each module. Are you going to do them all or just selected ones? Will you conduct an activity each day for a week, each day for a month or spread them out over the course of the year? You decide.
10. Read the “Energy In – Energy Out” TRACKER section to see how students can track healthy nutrition and physical activity choices as you move throughout the program. Try this yourself for a few days to get an idea of how it works and to show students your personal example.
11. Check out the HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE section. Review the resources available to help extend the core concepts to those at home. Be sure to send home the first issue of the Home Field Advantage newsletter that introduces ReCharge! to family members.
12. Review the HEALTHY SNACKS section. Be sure to set up an appointment with your district’s foodservice director to discuss how your school can serve and FUND healthy, after school snacks for your students.
13. Plan a big Kick-Off event to create excitement and ReCharge! your students. Remember to include the Student Playbook from MODULE 1: Activity 1. Create a sample playbook to show students. Have materials available to personalize their playbook.

Half-Time

From time to time it’s a good idea to evaluate the process of the ReCharge! program. At mid-semester you should be asking yourself these types of questions:

• Are the student enjoying the activities? If not, why not? What could you do differently? And if they are… WAY TO GO!
• Are the instructors enthusiastic? Get your game face on and ReCharge! with your students—have some fun!
• Are the lessons being conducted in the manner intended? Deviation from the lesson plan can have positive and negative affects. Be sure to read the Coach’s Clipboard for background information. Read the Activity Descriptions and be sure to allow amble time to complete activities. Review Lockeroom and Instructor’s Notes in the curriculum kit and on web. Be sure to start each activity with an incredible Kickoff. Successful teams study Game Plays carefully. And, don’t forget to score big with Touchdowns to conclude each activity. The processing of the activity to summarize important concepts is often more important the activity itself.

Post-Game

Final ReCharge! Evaluation (Word document)

Information adapted from the ReCharge! curriculum created by National Football League™ and Action for Healthy Kids™