Next Play Flag Football Training for local youth May 5-9 a Storm Football Complex
Local youth looking to pick up some football skills and learn the basics of the game can sign up for a training program put on by a group of coaches.
Next Play Flag Football Training is hosting a session for boys and girls ages 9 to 12 from May 5-9 at the Storm Football Complex in Cape Coral.
With the simple mission of helping youth “to get better,” Next Play is putting on this session for players, both beginners and seasoned, to help them improve their skills, gain confidence and grow as athletes and individuals.
“We’ve been talking about having a program that develops skills and training for the kids to go alongside the city program,” said Next Play owner Zach Overcashier. “We’re finally making it happen. We’d like to have this in May, and also in January. It’s to specialize and focus on those things that we’re not able to take time for during the regular season of leagues. It’s geared towards the kids and the age groups they’re in, and also develops sportsmanship. For us, that’s one of the most important things at this level. If we can teach them character development, they can carry it into life as well.”
Overcashier praised the city’s flag football program, but said the training is a way to teach the game to young players with more attention to detail.
Next Play is designed to help kids overcome failures and mistakes, and while learning from it, move on to the next play.
“We thought it was a fitting name,” said Overcashier, who plays adult flag football and has been volunteering with the city for four years.
Each training session runs from 6-8:15 p.m., with five coaches present to teach children about the game.
Sessions will include an introduction to the game, skills and drills, offensive and defensive positioning, mini games, passing and catching, scrimmages and awards.
“It’s knowing what clicks for the kids and how they can succeed,” Overcashier said. “Everyone has a different experience and different performance levels. Just being able to try and put together an all-encompassing program that can help all of the kids is what it’s designed around.”
Kids will have the opportunity to earn awards for their skills as well as their attitude and behavior. At Next Play, winning isn’t the primary goal-it’s a result of working toward a true mission. Next Play emphasizes sportsmanship, integrity and respect for others, ensuring these values are a core part of the experience.
For a sport that’s growing in popularity and will debut at the Olympics, flag football is a great way to get introduced to the sport, without a lot of the injury risk that goes along with the full-contact iteration.
“There’s a lot of kids already playing for that sole purpose,” Overcashier said. “Parents want kids to be able to get the skill set and foundation without the concussions or broken bones and bruises and swelling and hardship on your body.”
Registration for the session is currently open, and is $110 for the week. For more information and to register, visit https://nextplay.ticketspice.com/next-play-flag-football-camp-ages-9-12.
The Storm Football Complex is at 2602 Chiquita Blvd., S., in Cape Coral.
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com