USA FOOTBALL HOSTS 2021 “SUMMER BLITZ” EVENTS NATIONWIDE FOR AMERICA’S YOUTH FOOTBALL FAMILY
INDIANAPOLIS – USA Football today announced its plans for 2021 youth football-centered Summer Blitz events in 10 markets across the country, continuing to elevate the sport’s advanced standards and celebrate its excitement and fitness-affirming benefits for millions of children nationwide. Summer Blitz events are open to youth football families, coaches and league leaders free of cost.
All 10 Summer Blitz events are rooted in dynamic skill development for kids with cutting-edge training for coaches and youth league leaders featuring inspiring presenters and football experts. USA Football’s Summer Blitz series is made possible by support from the NFL Foundation.
The single- or two-day events will draw thousands of youth football families, coaches and league administrators from the country’s largest youth football organizations. All 10 free Summer Blitz events will feature an exciting Fan Fest area, including:
- Kids’ “Combine Corner”
- Fun youth flag clinics
- USA Football giveaways
- Football-themed inflatables
- Tailgate yard games
- D.J., music and food trucks
Summer Blitz events’ keynote speakers include Super Bowl XXXVII Most Valuable Player and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Dexter Jackson (Tampa) and former NFL defensive lineman and football commentator Mike Golic (Indianapolis), among others.
USA Football’s 2021 Summer Blitz Series Schedule:
| Date | City | Date | City | |
| June 5 | Nashville, Tenn. | June 26 | Las Vegas | |
| June 12 | Omaha, Neb. | June 27 | Tampa, Fla. | |
| June 12 | New Orleans | July 10 | Salt Lake City | |
| June 19 | Canton, Ohio | July 18 | Buffalo, N.Y. | |
| June 19 | Warren, N.J. | July 24-25 | Indianapolis |
“As our communities strive toward a post-pandemic world, youth football delivers a path to friends and fitness for our kids while millions of moms and dads encourage or coach them with the greatest care,” said USA Football CEO SCOTT HALLENBECK. “If you’re wondering what it looks like to play and teach 21st century youth football, that’s exactly what you’ll find at Summer Blitz events nationwide. We can’t wait to kick off our schedule on June 5 in Nashville.”
Nearly one dozen expert presentations and breakout sessions will be held for coaches and league leaders, including:
- USA Football’s Football Development Model: Designed to advance safer play and develop better players by reducing contact and meeting young athletes where they are in their mental and physical development
- Return to Youth Football: COVID-19 protocols for youth leagues to employ for a safe, smart return in 2021
- Prep For Contact (part of the Football Development Model): Provides insight and application of USA Football’s curriculum to introduce crawling, tumbling, push-pull games and rough-and-tumble play in controlled games and activities to help develop basic athletic skills and set a foundation for contact in sport.
- Planning Effective Practices (part of the Football Development Model): Coaches receive and share information on practice organization, effective practice planning, using drills and activities effectively. Upon completion of this clinic, coaches will be able to design and conduct practices that promote Football Development Model principles for team and athlete development, helping players have fun reaching their full potential.”
- Flag Football – Offensive & Defensive Concepts: Experienced flag football coaches share their systems, schemes and learnings to help coaches understand different philosophies and concepts that have proven successful in this fast-paced, 5-on-5 version of the sport.
- Football Concepts for Modified Game Types: Coaches most familiar with the 11-player version of the sport will learn core concepts and simple adjustment protocols to successfully transition and install an offense and defense in modified game types, such as Rookie Tackle which utilizes six-to-eight players.
Registration for the Summer Blitz series is on a first-come, first-served basis due to pandemic-related capacity limits. To learn more about Summer Blitz and how to register, visit usafootball.com/summerblitz. If you have any questions about the series, email blitz@usafootball.com.
About USA Football: USA Football designs and delivers premier educational, developmental and competitive programs to advance, unify and grow the sport. As the sport’s national governing body, a member of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the United States’ sole delegate to the International Federation of American Football, USA Football assembles and directs U.S. National Teams for international competition. The independent non-profit also partners with leaders in medicine, child advocacy and athletics to support positive football experiences for youth, high school and other amateur players. Visit usafootball.com to learn more.