Should Girls Play Football?

Every week I get emails from young girls who love football. Not just watching football, but actually playing the game. And not just going in as the token field goal kicker. They want to play full on tackle football.

But football is one of those touchy areas where men still dominate and girls are thought too weak and unskilled to play.

And so the emails continue to arrive in my inbox from female fans asking my advice on how to convince their parent, coach or teammates that they should be given equal opportunity to play football.

Rather than writing yet another email response to a desperate young female athlete, I thought I’d post my best advice here for everyone in hopes that it not only helps other girls who may be searching for information, but also invites others to comment and offer additional ideas. I know there are many women out there who did play or are playing football right now on a co-ed team who will have a different perspective than I do on this topic.

So here is some of the advice I have complied from various emails to athletes wanting to play football in areas where no girls football teams exist (which is pretty much everywhere).

Connect with other girls who play football

Your first line of defense is to build a support group. You’re going to need it. And the best place to start is to find other girls who are playing. Find them on social media channels or seek them out locally. They will have the best advice on talking to parents and coaches and dealing with teammates.

If you find other girls who aren’t already playing, network with them and work as a team to build your case as to why girls should have a chance to play.

You are also going to need some adults on your side. If your coaches or your parents aren’t supportive, it may help to talk through your issues with an adult. This can be a counselor, a family member or someone who played football when they were a young girl. They can advise you on how to approach the situation and help you find additional resources.

Go watch a professional women’s football team

If you are lucky enough to live in an area that has a women’s football league, I highly encourage you to go to one of the games. Take a parent with you and let them see the women play. This is also an opportunity to talk with the players after the game. Let them share their experiences with you and listen to how they deal with injuries, backlash and the ups and downs of the game.

Connect the right people

One of the biggest roadblocks is usually communication. You’re going to need to connect the right people with each other to engage in a meaningful conversation about girls playing football. Typically it’s connecting parents with coaches and starting a dialogue where each person can voice their concerns. Do not run back and forth between them as a messenger. Everyone needs to be in the same room to discuss the options face to face for the best results.

Make others aware of your intentions and be serious about them

Saying you want to play football and actually playing are two very different things. You’re going to need to demonstrate how serious you are about playing football. If your area has a youth league or even a flag football option at the local YMCA, you need to get signed up to play. Find every opportunity to play and learn about the game.

The more people that see you play, the more supporters you will gain. Be visible at every event you can be involved in and play your best. When you take the sport seriously, others will take you seriously as well.

Be patient

Having girls on the football team is still a new concept, especially at the high school level and beyond. It is not easy for adults sometimes to make the mental transition that girls can play the game and do it well.

The world is not against you, they just don’t know you yet. Be patient, be courteous and be polite. Don’t be arrogant or act like you are entitled to play, even if Title IX says you are. You need people to like you and see that you are a team player. So be respectful at all times, even when people are opposing you or being rude themselves.

Support them anyway

If you don’t get your chance to play on the team for whatever reason, don’t throw in the towel and quit. Be supportive of the team anyway. Go to the games, cheer the loudest and compliment the players and coaching staff. Get involved as the team manager or keep the stats for them. Let them see your enthusiasm and your knowledge of the game.

Share your experience

For female athletes fortunate enough to have had supportive family and teammates, you have a great opportunity to share your experiences both on and off the football field. If you have other ideas or advice for girls wanting to play football, please post them in the comments below. We would love to hear from you!