Former NFL Players’ Free Youth Flag Football Clinic Builds Columbia and Women’s Programs
✨ Coach, Parents & Player Tips
Coach’s Clipboard: Tell your defenders to watch the QB’s eyes, plant that front foot, then slide to mirror the runner—mixing smooth tracking with a sudden burst will pop flags like popcorn.
Postgame Parents: Before practice or dinner, have your kid blow up a balloon for 30 seconds—this sneaky breathing drill builds lung power for any sport, and you’ll both crack up chasing that runaway balloon.
Players Snap: Add three sets of power skips (drive your knee high, land soft) to your warm-up—skip ’em and you’ll be trudging like a snail when the whistle blows.
🔎 Feature Story
🏅 Former NFL players invest in Columbia’s youth
Former NFL veterans partnered with Columbia Metro Under the Lights to launch a free youth flag football league and clinic, using pro experience to teach fundamentals and encourage safe, teamwork-driven play. This investment in grassroots flag football aims to boost local participation and develop essential social and athletic skills among area youth.
“We live in a very head-down, technology-driven world that lacks socialization and teamwork,” Huguenin said.
🌍 Regional Roundup
California: El Camino College’s women’s flag football program, launched last spring under coach John Hall, fell 21-0 to Saddleback College on March 10, moving to a 1-6 record in its inaugural season. The matchup underscores growing collegiate interest in women’s flag football ahead of its 2028 Olympic debut.
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Los Angeles: USC women’s flag football co-founders Alia Pasternak and Maliya Patel detailed their strategy for expanding the program and engaging local youth in a recent Daily Trojan interview. The pair outlined plans for strengthening coaching, improving facilities and fostering community partnerships as the university evaluates the sport’s long-term presence.
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⭐ Player Spotlight
Alia Pasternak – Co-founder, USC Women’s Flag Football. She co-launched USC’s first women’s flag football program, rapidly growing participation on campus and paving the way for the next generation of female athletes.
“Our goal is not just to play, but to empower every woman to grab a flag and feel confident on the field,” said Pasternak.
📈 Flag Growth Focus
🔥 Fanatics Flag Football Classic Expands to L.A.
The inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Classic will take place at BMO Stadium on March 21, featuring teams captained by NFL stars Tom Brady, Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels and coached by Sean Payton and Kyle Shanahan. The event’s move from Saudi Arabia to Los Angeles underscores the rapid international growth of the sport and its push toward Olympic recognition.
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🔥 First Women’s Flag Football Program at El Camino College
El Camino College launched its first women’s flag football team last spring, with coach John Hall championing a positive culture and institutional backing. This historic addition broadens collegiate athletic opportunities and signals growing momentum for the sport ahead of its debut at the 2028 Olympics.
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⚡ FlagSnap Daily Blitz
Cumberland University’s women’s flag football squad recorded its largest win ever with a 25-0 shutout of Campbellsville, fueled by six interceptions and two touchdowns from Marley Hyde.
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🏁 Final Whistle
“Show me a guy who’s afraid to look bad, and I’ll show you a guy you can beat every time.”
— Lou Brock
