The Detroit Lions/Ford Field organization introduces the Detroit Lions Youth Football Initiative, a state-wide venture designed for the positive development of the lives of Michigan’s youth through the sport of football.

Summer Football Camps

 Watch a camp promo!

The Detroit Lions will conduct a minimum of 9 Youth Football Camps around the state of Michigan during the summer of 2009. Boys & girls ages 6-14 are eligible for participation. Detroit Lions Youth Football Camps are non-contact, fundamental football camps designed to improve a child’s beginning, intermediate, or advanced skill level. Fundamentals of all positions on offense, defense and special teams will be taught in addition to life skills such as teamwork, communication, sportsmanship and the importance of education. Participants will be grouped based on age and skill level. For information on 2009 Detroit Lions Summer Youth Football Camps, please provide your name, mailing address, and phone number. You may e-mail information to Chris Fritzsching, Director of Youth Football, at cfritzsching@detroitlions.com.

Educational School Assemblies

Exciting, interactive 45 minute elementary school assemblies will address topics critical to today’s youth. The latest school assembly program, “Lions L.E.A.D.ers for Life” (Leadership, Educational, and Athletic Development), is designed to discuss the development of character, academic, and athletic values through goal setting. Leadership qualities acquired in one setting often transcend into other scenarios and are stepping stones to a child becoming more positive, confident, and successful. The objective of the program is to utilize football as an avenue to convey these life-skills

in a fun and educational forum. Assemblies are held September-April of each school year and are conducted by Chris Fritzsching, Director of Youth Football, and Roary, the Lions Mascot. For more information, please call (313) 262-2248 or e-mail at cfritzsching@detroitlions.com.

Year-Round Youth Football Fundamentals Clinics
 
Detroit Lions Youth Football Clinics have been created to provide fundamental football education on quarterback and wide receiver play. Clinics can be conducted on a year-round basis for your youth football organization, parks & recreation department, community service group, fitness facility or health club. These 90 minute clinics provide a good foundation of two of the most exciting positions in football: quarterback and wide receiver. Boys & girls ages 6-14 are eligible to participate.

Detroit Lions Coaching Academy
 
The Detroit Lions and the Detroit Lions Youth Football Department have embarked on an exciting football education program aimed at elevating the quality of coaching at the youth, middle and high school levels across the state of Michigan.

For more information on the Detroit Lions Coaching Academy 2009, please call (313) 262-2248 or e-mail at cfritzsching@detroitlions.com.

Skill Development Sessions

Take your game to the next level!  Sign up for Detroit Lions Skill Development Sessions (SDS)!  Conducted by Chris Fritzsching, Director of Detroit Lions Youth Football, these one-hour sessions include detailed, one-on-one, position-specific instruction at the position of your choice and video analysis. Video analysis will allow for individual evaluation and comparison to other football players, which will aid in the overall development of the participant.  Participants will receive a DVD of their SDS for future evaluation. 

SDS are conducted year-round for children ages 6-18 at a location to be mutually agreed upon.  Inquire about the possibility of conducting your SDS at Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions and Super Bowl XL!

For more information on rates and availability or to reserve your Detroit Lions Skill Development Session, please call (313) 262-2248 or e-mail cfritzsching@detroitlions.com.

Halftime Youth Football Games

Sign your youth football team up to play at Ford Field during halftime of a Detroit Lions game!  Your 7, 8, 9 or 10 year old team will be fully padded and scrimmage another youth football team of the same age and weight in front of 65,000 fans!  Typically 2 to 5 Halftime Youth Football games are conducted each Detroit Lions season.  Game dates are selected during June & July.  Teams are selected during August each year.   

September 14, 2008 - Oxford Jr. Wildcats Blue vs. Gold

October 5, 2008 - Gull Lake Youth Football vs. Newaygo Jr. Football & Brighton Jr. Football vs. Fremont Jr. Packers

October 26, 2008 - Forest Area Pop Warner vs. Ithaca Youth Football & Windsor Minor Football Association Intra-squad scrimmage 

For more information on how your youth football team can play at halftime, please call (313) 262-2248 or e-mail cfritzsching@detroitlions.com.

High School Football 7-on-7 Passing Tournaments

There is more high school football at Ford Field than just the Michigan High School Football State Finals!  7-on-7 Passing Tournaments are conducted every summer at Ford Field for high school football teams of all divisions.  This double elimination tournament will crown a champion and is open to the first 12 varsity football teams to register.  Tournaments are held every June or July!

June 20, 2008 Champion — Dewitt High School

For more information on Detroit Lions High School Football 7 on 7 Passing Tournaments, please call (313) 262-2248 or e-mail cfritzsching@detroitlions.com.

Youth Football Forum

The Youth Football Forum consists of 39 representatives from 25 different leagues around the state of Michigan. These particular leagues represent over 51,000 children participating in youth football.

Mission Statement: "The Detroit Lions Youth Football Forum is a representation of leaders within Michigan's youth football community that meet regularly to discuss and exchange information for the betterment of the youth football experience for participants, coaches, parents, and fans. Our mission is to help make the youth football experience educational, inspirational, competitive, and most importantly, fun for all involved."

For more information on how you can become a part of the Detroit Lions Youth Football Forum, please call (313) 262-2248 or e-mail at cfritzsching@detroitlions.com.