Friday Night Lights

No I am not talking about the movie or TV show.  I am talking about an activity that Coach Wong has done for a few years now to build team unity.

Players wear either their home or away jersey and their dates wear the opposite jersey.  The boys bring their dates to the football field and proceed to go through a mini practice.  The players take them through our warm up, stretch, then take them through different drills.

After that session the players then get 15 minutes with their dates to divide them into offense and defense and run through some plays.  Then the girls will play a whole flag football game.  Four 15 minute quarters and a half.  They play late enough so that the lights have to be turned on hence the name Friday Night Lights.  After the game the kids have dinner and mingle with the girls of course getting to eat first.

It is actually a really fun event as the girls and players have fun with the game.  What is funny to watch is how intense the players and girls get during the game.  I have seen some of the girls just take each other out.  Might be some good linebackers out there playing.  Of course as coaches we help make sure that the event runs smoothly and that dinner is ready.

The purpose of the event is to let the girls see what goes on with football practice.  The players are to ask girls from Timpview as it is also to build up that school unity and spirit.  I really like the event and believe that in the future I will incorporate it should I leave to another program.

What other events do some of you coaches do out there with your teams?  I would love to hear what you do.