Thanks for joining the inaugural episode of She Plays Flag!

In this conversation, Coach Greg Johnson discusses his journey as the head coach of Ralston Valley High School's girls flag football team in Colorado. He shares insights on building the program from scratch, the growth of girls flag football in the state, and the importance of fostering a positive environment for athletes. Coach Johnson emphasizes the need for patience, communication, and respect among players, coaches, and parents. He also highlights the future of girls flag football, including recruiting opportunities and the potential for the sport to grow nationally.

Takeaways

• Ralston Valley High School has a strong athletic reputation.
• The girls flag football program has seen significant growth in Colorado.
• Building a program from scratch requires patience and dedication.
• Communication with athletes and parents is crucial for success.
• Girls flag football is gaining recognition and support at the state level.
• The structure of high school flag football in Colorado includes two divisions: 4A and 5A.
• Recruiting for girls flag football is evolving with more opportunities available.
• Coaches should focus on building trust and respect with their players.
• The future of girls flag football looks promising with potential for college scholarships.
• Creating a positive environment is essential for the growth of the sport.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ralston Valley High School and Coach Johnson

12:15 Building the Flag Football Program from Scratch

22:38 Challenges and Future of Girls Flag Football in Colorado

24:17 Coaching Challenges and Volunteer Support

25:58 Training the Next Generation of Coaches

28:30 Building a Flag Football Community

29:35 Developing Youth Programs and Camps

30:54 The Importance of a Strong Pipeline

31:45 Differences Between Freshmen and Upperclassmen

37:06 Structure of High School Girls Flag Football in Colorado

44:00 Future of Girls Flag Football in Colorado

50:16 The Joy of Watching Daughters Play Football

54:37 Pathways for Girls in Football After High School

01:00:55 Navigating the Recruiting Landscape

01:05:15 Advice for New Coaches in Flag Football

01:14:34 Building a Positive Culture in Sports