The Steele Playbook – YSF Blog
Hi everyone, I’m Emma Steele, and I’m excited to be the writer behind The Steele Playbook for the Youth Sports Foundation.
This blog is a space to highlight the stories, people, and moments that make youth sports so much more than just games. From athletes learning the value of teamwork and resilience to coaches and families shaping strong communities, I’ll be sharing what happens both on and off the field.
My goal is simple: to bring attention to the lessons, energy, and impact that youth sports create every day. Whether it’s a big win, a tough loss, or the growth that happens in between, The Steele Playbook is here to tell those stories honestly and meaningfully.
More Than Just a Game at South Tama
By: Emma Steele, Social Media Intern
Strong community support is the backbone of youth sports and the Youth Sports Foundation. There is an immense amount of time and work put into making sure everyone is on the same page and doing their best. South Tama coordinator Eric Haughey has seen that firsthand through his work with the community’s youth football program.
“What makes our community unique is the buy-in from parents and the support from everyone around,” he said. “I never have problems finding volunteers or coaches. With extra games and events, the parents are always on board. We have a strong youth program.”
The support off the field directly translates to progress on the field. One game this past season against Dyke-New Hartford stuck out to Haughey.
“Our quarterback got hit and had to come out of the game, and we hadn’t really been training a backup quarterback,” he explained. “I asked a kid named Raff, ‘Hey, do you want to be a quarterback?’ He shrugged and said, ‘Sure.’”
Despite never playing the position before, he stepped in and led the team.
“He played by the seat of his pants,” he said. “He’s a smart kid and knew the plays, but he had never really played quarterback before. He did a great job, and we competed hard. Watching a kid step up with that kind of leadership was pretty awesome.”
Moments like that one reflect the larger goal of the program, to help kids grow on and off the field.
“When they come into our youth program, they leave more respectful and disciplined,” he said. “They develop a bigger respect for the game of football, for coaches, for authority, and for adults in general. That’s our main goal.”
Beyond the field, the program also helps build connections within the community.
“It’s an excellent way for parents to get to know other parents and for kids to start making friends,” he said. “When you’re on a football team, it’s more than just friendship. It becomes a brotherhood.”
The 7-on-7 Advantage
By: Emma Steele, Social Media Intern
A kid who had never touched the football before lines up, runs his route, and suddenly finds the ball in his hands. He scores. On the sideline, his teammates erupt because they know that moment might never have happened anywhere else.
For coordinator Ethan Eppley, that’s what 7-on-7 football at Waverly-Shell Rock is all about.
“We’re not making an elite team,” Eppley said. “We’re making even teams. We want all kids to go out, regardless of skill level, and get better.”
Unlike traditional tackle football, 7-on-7 offers a more fast-paced, skill-focused version of football. Eppley says that is what makes it valuable and unique.
“It’s still football, but it’s not what you typically think of,” he explained. “It gives kids a chance to try positions they normally wouldn’t.”
Linemen, for example, are often limited in tackle football; they rarely get opportunities to handle the ball. However, in 7-on-7, they can run routes, catch passes, and play coverage on defense.
“My son’s a good example,” Eppley said. “He’ll probably be a lineman long-term, but this gives him a chance to experience other parts of the game.”
The 7-on-7 season runs during the spring season, from mid-March through mid-May, positioned between winter and summer sports. It is a manageable commitment for families with only one practice per week and games on Sundays.
“It fits really well,” Eppley said. “It doesn’t interfere much with other sports, and that’s been a big draw for kids.”
This flexibility helps keep participation strong.
While the program is still growing, Eppley says the most rewarding part isn’t wins or standings, it is the small moments on the field. He recalled players who had never touched the ball in a game scoring their first touchdown, or kids stepping into new roles like quarterback for the first time.
“Just seeing the smile on their face after a play like that,” he said. “That’s what makes it worth it.”
The program also helps players develop new skills that carry over into future seasons. On defense, athletes learn how to backpedal and play zone coverage, concepts they may not experience as often in traditional youth football. Offensively, they gain confidence in passing and catching.
“It gives them exposure to things they’ll see later,” Eppley said. “It helps prepare them for junior high and beyond.”
At its core, Eppley believes 7-on-7 football offers something simple but important: a chance for kids to be active, try something new, and spend time with friends.
“It’s another opportunity to get outside and play,” he said. “It’s low-key, it’s fun, and everybody gets a chance.”