In this episode, I sit down with Ramsey Lambert, Head Coach of girls flag football at Santa Monica High School in California.

When Santa Monica launched its program, 51 girls showed up to the first tryout ...and none of them had ever played football before.

We talk about what it looks like to build a program from scratch:

• Teaching football terminology from the ground up
• Slowing down the install process so athletes can truly learn
• Creating culture before worrying about wins
• Why celebration had to be taught
• Losing 14 seniors after a championship season and rebuilding
• The growth of girls high school flag football across California
• Middle school pipeline development and long-term sustainability
• Collaboration among coaches in a new and rapidly growing sport
• Advice for new coaches entering girls flag
• Advice for families navigating this emerging space

In this episode of She Plays Flag, I talk with Kevin Fraser, head coach of the Pope High School Girls Flag Football program. Kevin and the Pope Greyhounds have just completed a state championship season and are busy building for the future. We discuss the growth of girls flag football, the challenges of building a program from scratch, and the importance of community support. Kevin shares his journey into coaching, the structure of his coaching staff, and how he teaches football fundamentals and IQ to new players. He emphasizes the need for efficiency in practice, the use of technology like Playmaker X, and the significance of creating a pipeline for future players. We also touch on the future of girls flag football and Coach Fraser offers some valuable knowledge for new coaches entering the sport.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:33 Celebrating the State Championship

02:00 National Rankings and Future Plans

03:40 Growth of Girls Flag Football

04:32 Kevin Frazier's Journey to Coaching

07:22 Building the Pope High School Girls Flag Football Program

09:36 Early Challenges and Learning Experiences

11:50 Coaching Staff and Roles

18:57 Practice Structure and Philosophy

24:06 Player Experience and Development

29:18 High IQ Team and Coaching Bright Kids

30:49 Importance of Simplicity in Coaching

32:14 Building a Successful Program: Community and School Support

34:16 The Role of Fun in Sports

36:25 Tools and Technology for Coaching

40:30 Developing a Pipeline and Youth Programs

45:44 Future of Girls Flag Football

50:18 Advice for New Coaches

56:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the She Plays Flag podcast, I sit down with Jay Ross, head coach of the Madison High School Girls Flag Football Program in Northeast Ohio. Jay discusses how he built the program from the ground up, starting with just a handful of interested girls recruited through a Snapchat message. The conversation covers the practical and personal aspects of starting and running a girls' flag football team, including fundraising, maintaining fun while increasing competitiveness, and the unique challenges and opportunities in the burgeoning flag football ecosystem. The episode also touches on the importance of female coaches, the impact of social media, and the potential for girls to play at the collegiate level as the sport grows.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

01:24 Guest Introduction: Jay Ross

02:20 Jay Ross's Journey into Flag Football

03:35 Starting the Madison High School Girls Flag Football Program

07:26 Challenges and Growth of the Program

10:39 Support and Resources from the Cleveland Browns

20:57 Balancing Flag Football with Other Sports

26:11 The Future of Girls Flag Football

28:12 Introduction to the Exciting World of Girls Flag Football

28:36 Building Opportunities for Girls in Flag Football

29:07 Training and Showcases: Preparing for the Season

30:35 Navigating the Growing Ecosystem of Girls Flag Football

32:10 Balancing Genuine Opportunities and Financial Motives

34:03 Creating a Supportive Community for Girls Flag Football

35:32 The Role of Coaches in Girls Flag Football

37:14 Encouraging Girls to Play and Grow in Flag Football

38:39 The Importance of Social Media and Community Engagement

40:48 Challenges and Innovations in Coaching Girls Flag Football

51:59 Advice for Parents and Coaches New to Girls Flag Football

55:57 Conclusion and Ways to Follow the Madison Girls Flag Football Program