American football is a sport loved by millions of children. But if you’re not a fan, it can feel like you’re facing a 4th down on your own 10 line. The fact that the last sentence went over your head confirms you need help.
The following guide is here to provide it. Here are 12 simple plays that will allow you to build a better relationship with football and your child’s passion for it.
1. Encourage Them To Play
If your child has a passion for playing football, the best thing you can do is encourage them to play. Of course, it can be dangerous to play the full game in childhood. Therefore, touch football and flag football are usually the best solutions. They can play at home, in the park, or for a Little League team.
You can also set out training drills in the backyard to help develop speed, strength, and agility. When supported with hand-eye coordination skills and general ball work, they will become a better player. Seeing them develop while having fun is very satisfying for parents.
2. Buy Football-Related Gifts
One of the potential stumbling blocks of starting football is the perceived costs. In truth, joining a club for training and matches is a very affordable hobby. However, the attire can be far harsher on your pocket. Using their love of football for gift inspiration is a great way to bypass this particular problem.
Birthdays and festive periods are often difficult to navigate as their taste in cartoons and other hobbies change so often. However, finding American football jerseys and base layer attire works wonders. It ensures that your child has the best outfit and feels confident.
3. Increase Your Knowledge
Amazingly, your son or daughter has found a passion for themselves. Nonetheless, your interest in the sport can certainly enhance their hobby. Therefore, you may wish to educate yourself on the best NFL coaches and players. These are the heroes that your child looks up to.
Besides, you will most likely find a way to make this content interesting for you. Maybe a player is married to a celebrity you like. Or perhaps they’ve stood for a political issue that you care about. Either way, your interest in their hobby will not go unappreciated.
4. Find A Way You Can Enjoy Watching Games Together
Taking an interest in football for the sake of your child is great. However, you can level up this play by actually enjoying it together. Building a home cinema to watch the games from is a brilliant option. If you have ESPN, Monday nights will never be the same again. It’s an ideal way to start the week.
You can fake your enjoyment of the game. However, your love of great food will be authentic. Whether you use the game as an excuse for take-out or cooking homemade pizzas is up to you. In either scenario, spending quality time together as a family will make your evening.
5. Or Consider Playing Digital Games
If you genuinely can’t stand the thought of watching the game, your child can watch it alone or with siblings. That shouldn’t stop you from taking part in their love of football at home. If you are a gamer, the Madden NFL series is ideal. PlayStation, Xbox, and Google Stadia players can all enjoy this method.
There are plenty of flash desktop games and smartphone Apps. if video gaming isn’t your cup of tea, fantasy football games that are focused on real-life games are another route. Once you find a solution that can be enjoyed by the whole family, stick with it.
6. Decorate Their Room
When your son or daughter loves football, they will have a favorite team. It’s likely to be an NFL franchise but could be a college team too. After all, kids can be exposed to those games like never before thanks to social media and online streaming. Introducing the team colors into their bedroom can work wonders.
The official bedroom decor can be expensive, so simply using the right color carpet and wall colors is ideal. You can supplement the work with an official duvet or memorabilia of their favorite star. Posters and wall canvases are also great additions to a football-themed space.
7. Book A Trip to The Stadium
Taking your child to the game may be an option for a treat. Or if you live near, a season pass may become their birthday gift. Even if this isn’t possible or if your child is too young for a stadium, a stadium tour is ideal. It allows you to get a new insight into the stadium and provides the foundation of a perfect family day out.
It is an opportunity to buy a special gift from the club merchandise store too. It’s nice for kids to visualize the stadium they would love to play at. Even if they aren’t going to be an NFL star, the magic moment of seeing the field is a lasting memory.
8. Help Them Learn More
Educating yourself about football will allow you to play a more active role in their passion. Nevertheless, you should not overlook the importance of getting them to learn more. There are many ways to support a gifted child. Getting them to engage with the sport and understand its complexities is key for football.
They can develop a better understanding of the tactics and certain plays. If they are an offense player, why not get them to try defense? When they can see the game from the opposition’s perspective, it can aid their game.
9. Consider Football Camps
Summer camps can provide some of the greatest highlights in anyone’s childhood. The moments are greatly enriched when you actively find the type of camp your child will love. And if they love football, football camps are the obvious choice. They will love the chance to play daily against other players.
Camps are a great place for kids to make new friends, especially as staying in touch is easier than ever. Alternatively, teams can take a short tour to play games against teams in another part of the country. The travel aspects are even more beneficial after the last 18 months.
10. Relate Football To Schoolwork
Encouraging your child to love sports brings many positive outcomes. The best results are gained when it fits in with the rest of their life. Finding worksheets that use football examples to teach important lessons can be a good option for elementary kids. And the potential to merge football and education doesn’t end there.
Teens can learn about biology and nutrition through a love of football. They can also equate it to economics, geography, and a host of other subjects. When they actively enjoy the work, they will retain a greater level of information too.
11. Use Football As A Reward
When kids love football, it can be used as a reward. Setting age-appropriate chores and treating them to football-related goods or allowing them to watch the game can be very wise. Likewise, you can use special treats like new cleats as a reward for a great report card at school.
Similarly, taking football away can be a punishment. Of course, you’ll need to avoid turning them off of the sport altogether. Still, when you find the right balance, football is a great tool for promoting successful parenting.
12. Ask For Advice
Finally, remember that it’s good to talk. Speak to your child about how you can support them, and they’ll give you the answers you need. Touchdown.
