The She Plays Flag Podcast

In this episode of She Plays Flag, I sit down with Kelley Palfrey, assistant girls flag coach at East Paulding High School.As a first-year coach in the sport, Kelley shares what it was like stepping into girls flag football, organizing tryouts, building team culture, and learning the game alongside her players. The conversation dives into player-led learning, early program challenges, developing confidence in female athletes, and how new coaches can approach the sport without needing years of flag experience beforehand.This episode is a great listen for: new girls flag football coaches  athletic directors considering starting programs  coaches transitioning from other sports  anyone interested in the growth of girls flag football Topics include: building a first-year program  conditioning and tryout structure  culture development  coaching while learning  empowering athletes  teaching beginners 

Coach Brandon Harwell of Blessed Trinity joins the She Plays Flag Podcast to talk about building one of Georgia’s top girls flag football programs and the coaching philosophy behind sustained success.Coach Harwell shares his journey from coaching baseball and freshman tackle football into girls flag football, how coaching every position shaped the way he teaches the game, and why communication, efficiency, and adaptability matter so much in a growing sport.We also discuss: Building culture in a championship-level program  Coaching female athletes  Managing small coaching staffs  Translating tackle football concepts into flag football  Multi-sport athlete development  Practice organization and efficiency  The rapid growth of girls flag football in Georgia  Lessons learned from coaching multiple sports  Creating buy-in and accountability This episode is packed with insight from one of the most respected coaches in the Georgia flag football community.

What does it actually take to build a successful girls flag football program?In this episode of She Plays Flag, I sit down with Jordan Davis, Head Coach Girls at Allatoona HS in Georgia, to break down the realities of coaching, building culture, and running a program from the ground up.Jordan shares his journey from multi-sport coaching into girls flag football, including how early experiences coaching his own kids shaped his understanding of the game and its unique strategy.The conversation dives into: What a strong program culture looks like  The gap between “ideal” programs and real-world challenges  How to structure practices and manage game day  Coaching philosophy vs. execution  Lessons learned from coaching multiple sports This episode is especially valuable for: New coaches entering girls flag football  Programs trying to build consistency and accountability  Anyone looking to understand how successful teams are actually run As girls flag football continues to grow across the country, conversations like this highlight what it takes behind the scenes to build something sustainable.

In this episode of the She Plays Flag Podcast, I sit down with Kelly Bendall, assistant girls flag coach at Milton High School in Alpharetta, Georgia.Kelly didn’t come into flag football with a background in the sport. She came in as a coach.With years of experience in soccer and a deep understanding of how to lead and connect with female athletes, she stepped into a brand new game, learned it in real time, and helped build one of the most respected programs in the state.This episode focuses on what matters when you’re starting out in flag football:How to coach when you don’t know the sport yetWhy relationships come before schemesHow girls teams build culture differentlyWhat new coaches should focus on firstWhy female coaches are essential in this spaceWhat the growth of college flag football means for today’s playersKelly shares incredible insights into coaching female athletes and leaves us with a clear message:You don’t need to be an expert in flag football to get started.You need to be willing to step inside the fence.

Dakota Hughes has lived nearly every chapter of the women’s flag football story.From a childhood spent throwing the football in the backyard to becoming the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Steam, Dakota’s path eventually led her into coaching and developing the next generation of players.In this episode, she shares the lessons she learned stepping into leadership at a young age, why adversity and failure are essential parts of growth, and how sports can shape confidence, resilience, and character.Dakota also discusses the rapid rise of girls flag football and the responsibility coaches carry to lead athletes not just on the field, but in life.This episode gives us a look at the mindset, leadership, and purpose that continue to shape the game as it grows.

In this episode, I sit down with Clark Nixon, head coach of the Milton High School girls flag football team in Georgia. Clark didn’t come from the flag world. He was a math teacher, basketball coach, and tennis coach who simply loved football and saw an opportunity to create something meaningful for girls in his school.Starting with just a handful of players and no prior flag experience, Clark and his staff built a program that now competes at the highest level in Georgia.We talk about what those early days really looked like: recruiting athletes, teaching football from scratch, navigating multi-sport participation, and building a culture that lasts beyond one season.Clark also shares what it means to coach a sport that is growing rapidly across the country, and why the girls playing today are truly trailblazers for the future of football.This conversation is a blueprint for coaches, athletic directors, and communities who are thinking about starting girls flag football programs of their own.

In this episode of the She Plays Flag Podcast, I sit down with Lacey Abell, Head Coach at Arvada West High School in Colorado and a member of the 2024 USA Football Women’s National Team pool.Lacey’s football story didn’t begin with organized opportunities. It started in the backyard in Wisconsin, moved through co-ed leagues, rugby in college, national travel tournaments, and eventually onto the USA Football trial field.We talk about:Growing up loving a sport that didn’t have much of a path for girlsEarning opportunities in adult travel flagThe process and pressure of USA Football national team trialsWhat elite evaluation looks likeThe mindset of playing quarterback at a high levelTransitioning from player to high school head coach (while still playing!)Building a program during Colorado’s rapid flag football expansionTeaching football IQ to first-generation playersLacey brings a rare perspective actively competing at the national level while coaching high school athletes who are just beginning their football journeys.It’s about growth, leadership, standards, and what it means to build something that didn’t exist a generation ago.

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 upSlowing down the install process so athletes can truly learnCreating culture before worrying about winsWhy celebration had to be taughtLosing 14 seniors after a championship season and rebuildingThe growth of girls high school flag football across CaliforniaMiddle school pipeline development and long-term sustainabilityCollaboration among coaches in a new and rapidly growing sportAdvice for new coaches entering girls flagAdvice 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.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Welcome01:33 Celebrating the State Championship02:00 National Rankings and Future Plans03:40 Growth of Girls Flag Football04:32 Kevin Frazier's Journey to Coaching07:22 Building the Pope High School Girls Flag Football Program09:36 Early Challenges and Learning Experiences11:50 Coaching Staff and Roles18:57 Practice Structure and Philosophy24:06 Player Experience and Development29:18 High IQ Team and Coaching Bright Kids30:49 Importance of Simplicity in Coaching32:14 Building a Successful Program: Community and School Support34:16 The Role of Fun in Sports36:25 Tools and Technology for Coaching40:30 Developing a Pipeline and Youth Programs45:44 Future of Girls Flag Football50:18 Advice for New Coaches56:55 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.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview01:24 Guest Introduction: Jay Ross02:20 Jay Ross's Journey into Flag Football03:35 Starting the Madison High School Girls Flag Football Program07:26 Challenges and Growth of the Program10:39 Support and Resources from the Cleveland Browns20:57 Balancing Flag Football with Other Sports26:11 The Future of Girls Flag Football28:12 Introduction to the Exciting World of Girls Flag Football28:36 Building Opportunities for Girls in Flag Football29:07 Training and Showcases: Preparing for the Season30:35 Navigating the Growing Ecosystem of Girls Flag Football32:10 Balancing Genuine Opportunities and Financial Motives34:03 Creating a Supportive Community for Girls Flag Football35:32 The Role of Coaches in Girls Flag Football37:14 Encouraging Girls to Play and Grow in Flag Football38:39 The Importance of Social Media and Community Engagement40:48 Challenges and Innovations in Coaching Girls Flag Football51:59 Advice for Parents and Coaches New to Girls Flag Football55:57 Conclusion and Ways to Follow the Madison Girls Flag Football Program

In this episode of the She Plays Flag Podcast, host Matt Mashburn discusses the growth and development of girls' flag football in Florida with Jeremy Hernandez from the Florida High School Athletic Association. Jeremy shares his journey from New Mexico to Florida, where he took on the role of overseeing girls' flag football. He highlights the significant progress made since the sport was first sanctioned in Florida in 2003, noting the increase in participation and the establishment of a competitive framework. The conversation delves into the advantages Florida has over other states, particularly in terms of experience and infrastructure, as well as the challenges that come with rapid growth, such as the need for more officials and the potential for scheduling conflicts with other sports.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Girls' Flag Football03:04 The History of Flag Football in Florida05:39 Florida's Competitive Advantage in Flag Football09:02 Challenges in Growing the Sport13:04 The Role of Coaches and Officials17:12 Attracting Girls to Flag Football22:58 Future Opportunities for Female Athletes30:12 Challenges of Growth in Flag Football32:26 Structure of Girls' Flag Football in Florida35:31 Encouraging New Programs37:23 Interest from Other States40:02 The Future of Flag Football42:20 Risks of Rapid Growth45:57 Planning for Sustainable Growth47:04 Exciting Future Prospects

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.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Jake Burgdorf and McEachern High School01:06 Jake's Journey from Tackle to Flag Football03:43 Challenges and Successes in Girls Flag Football07:39 The Growth of Girls Flag Football in Georgia12:33 Changing the Culture and Commitment in the Team16:24 Coaching Education and the Future of the Sport20:05 Building Community and Support for Girls Flag Football26:48 The Importance of Early Skill Development32:28 Creating a Competitive Culture37:34 Teaching the Basics to New Players41:58 Adapting Coaching Strategies for Flag Football45:42 Utilizing Video Analysis for Player Growth52:24 Building a Strong Foundation for Future Success

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.TakeawaysRalston 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.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ralston Valley High School and Coach Johnson12:15 Building the Flag Football Program from Scratch22:38 Challenges and Future of Girls Flag Football in Colorado24:17 Coaching Challenges and Volunteer Support25:58 Training the Next Generation of Coaches28:30 Building a Flag Football Community29:35 Developing Youth Programs and Camps30:54 The Importance of a Strong Pipeline31:45 Differences Between Freshmen and Upperclassmen37:06 Structure of High School Girls Flag Football in Colorado44:00 Future of Girls Flag Football in Colorado50:16 The Joy of Watching Daughters Play Football54:37 Pathways for Girls in Football After High School01:00:55 Navigating the Recruiting Landscape01:05:15 Advice for New Coaches in Flag Football01:14:34 Building a Positive Culture in Sports