Thanks for joining Episode 2 of the She Plays Flag Podcast. For this episode, I had the opportunity to sit down with Coach Jake Burgdorf, Head Girls Flag coach at McEachern High School in Georgia. Coach and I discuss the growth and development of girls' flag football at his McEachern program and in Georgia at-large. Jake shares his journey from coaching tackle football to leading a successful flag program, emphasizing the importance of building a strong culture and commitment among players. He reflects on the challenges faced in the early years, including player attendance and buy-in, and how he has worked to create a competitive environment that attracts over 100 girls to try out each year. Jake also highlights the significance of feeder programs and the need for early education in the sport to bridge the knowledge gap for new players.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jake Burgdorf and McEachern High School

01:06 Jake's Journey from Tackle to Flag Football

03:43 Challenges and Successes in Girls Flag Football

07:39 The Growth of Girls Flag Football in Georgia

12:33 Changing the Culture and Commitment in the Team

16:24 Coaching Education and the Future of the Sport

20:05 Building Community and Support for Girls Flag Football

26:48 The Importance of Early Skill Development

32:28 Creating a Competitive Culture

37:34 Teaching the Basics to New Players

41:58 Adapting Coaching Strategies for Flag Football

45:42 Utilizing Video Analysis for Player Growth

52:24 Building a Strong Foundation for Future Success