Step1
Decide whether you want to participate in a flag or tackle program, and the age group for a team. Typical youth football leagues run a flag program through second grade, and then transition to a tackle program in third grade.
Step2
Talk to people involved in youth football leagues in your community. Before starting a team, you'll need to have an idea how local leagues operate. Personally, First, ask permission to attend meetings and see if they are accepting new teams. Get a copy of their rules. These steps also will give you an idea of the types of people you'll be dealing with. When the league I'm involved with transitioned to a tackle program, we attended the monthly meetings of four leagues for about four months before we decided which to join.
Step3
Start fundraising early. It can cost several thousand dollars to develop a new team, especially in a tackle league. Equipment and training facilities can be expensive. Even in a struggling economy, though, there are many ways to raise money. Business sponsorships constitute the lion's share of fundraising dollars. Send letters to local companies offering varying levels of sponsorship opportunities. Try to have at least one fundraiser event---spaghetti dinners, candy bars sales or raffles for a gas card---where the athletes and their families are involved. These types of fundraisers can carry you from year to year after your first year startup expenses. The USA Football link below also offers equipment grants and tips on fundraising.
Step4
Apply for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status through the Internal Revenue Service. This is extremely important when accepting donations for your team. Use the link below to review the material available through the IRS.
Step5
Recruit coaches and team officers. Once you have select the league you will participate in, find out how many coaches you are allowed to have on the sideline. Besides sideline coaches, you also should have more coaches and parent helpers at practice. Officers are important to your 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Teams and leagues typically have a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer. Coaches can assume these positions, and people can accept multiple titles.
Step6
Send coaches to a coaching clinic. Check out the USA Football site below. They have many resources and there are links to coaching clinics held in partnership with the National Football League and college teams. Ask your local high school if your coaches can sit in on practices to learn.
Step7
Check around for the best prices on equipment. Talk to local sporting goods stores, and ask your local high school for items they no longer use. Our local school donated practice jerseys and tackling dummies. Once again, refer to the USA Football site for equipment grants. Ordering equipment for a first-year team can be a challenge. Once you decide where you will get your equipment, get a sample or two of each size for the athletes to try on during sign-ups.
Step8
Hold an informational session for parents and members of the community prior to sign-ups. Speak with school administrators about sending home flyers inviting parents to attend. Give a brief presentation at the meeting to generate interest, and hold a question-and-answer session. Have interested parents sign a contact list. After sign-ups, you can use the cross-check the list and contact those who didn't sign up.
Step9
Hold sign-ups in a public place, such as a community building to generate more excitement and support.
Step10
Talk to your league officers about insurance coverage. Most leagues are covered by a blanket policy, but you'll want to make certain. If you have to obtain coverage independently for your team, check the USA Football site below for policy offerings. Also contact a local insurance broker for ideas on the levels of coverage and associated costs.