The offseason is a time for most to spend relaxing and recuperating after the non-stop action of a busy schedule.

However, many youth football league administrators use this time as a valuable opportunity to attract new players to the sport and drive league membership.

From holding general registrations at local sporting goods stores to hosting minicamps, league administrators are finding creative ways to draw attention to their organization and increase participation in their areas.

For large, geographical-based leagues such as North Carolina's Piedmont Youth Football League (PYFL), player recruiting is chiefly done by individual teams. Because organizations are split by region, coaches know where to focus their attention without competition from other teams, making it easier to find prospective players.

“We try not to put multiple teams in an area as to ease finding players in a competitive market,” PYFL coach John Heath said. “Our league is very competitive from a competition standpoint, so it basically recruits itself with each organization recruiting to build its organization.”

To ease the recruiting process, PYFL holds general league signups at local sporting goods stores. From there, the league notifies coaches of potential players within their area.

In an effort to retain current players and attract new ones, large leagues organize events and offer services that satisfy both participants and their parents.

For example, PYFL holds games at local high school stadiums and organizes travel exhibitions throughout the state. These unique opportunities make the league more attractive to potential players while simultaneously providing current players with a fulfilling experience.

Some leagues, such as the Thornton Junior Football League (TJFL) in Colorado, take a more creative approach to driving membership.

Every summer, TJFL hosts a three-day minicamp for local children interested in the sport. The camp, which is run by the league's coaches and includes only drills without pads, also includes an obstacle course, contests and the NFL Punt, Pass & Kick skills competition.

“Every year, we just keep getting more and more kids,” TJFL president Norm Maestas said. “The idea is to get the kids out there, get them in the mood. Football is just around the corner, and we try to give the kids a chance to get out there and get loose, get football running through their veins, give them a feel for it.”

TJFL brings local doctors to the event to provide up to 350 kids with $5 physicals. Local businesses have partnered with the league to provide scholarships for players who cannot afford the registration fee.

This summer, the league introduced USA Football's Heads Up Football program to participants for the first time.

“It gives us an opportunity to implement the new techniques for tackling,” Maestas said.

This year’s event, which takes place July 19, has traditionally drawn more than 400 kids, many of whom register for the full season. In recent years, the league has averaged 100 to 150 registrations from the minicamp alone.

Every participant is given a t-shirt with the league logo emblazoned on its front. In addition to rewarding the participants, the shirts provide the league with free publicity around town.

“The kids go out and wear their shirts, and in a sense, it promotes the league by itself,” Maestas said. “It's kind of like free advertising in a way.”