NFL Extends Way to Play Initiative to High School Football

In partnership with Hudl and the NFL Legends Youth Advisory Committee, the NFL announced the extension of the Way to Play initiative to the high school football level, helping highlight proper playing technique to protect players from unnecessary risk and to foster culture change across all levels of the sport.

The NFL Way to Play High School Award will honor one high school football player weekly for demonstrating exceptional in-game playing technique. The high school award recipient will be announced on NFL Network each Saturday morning, and the school of each honoree will receive a $1,500 equipment grant through USA Football.

NFL Football Operations representatives Phil Bogle, Kevin Boothe, Jay Manahan, Roman Oben, Jon Runyan and Troy Vincent will serve as panelists.

"NFL Way to Play is a resource for coaches and players to use in promoting proper playing technique that aims to protect players from unnecessary risk and attain on-field excellence at all levels of the game," said TROY VINCENT, NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations. "Each week, the Way to Play Award recognizes and amplifies the excellence demonstrated by NFL players who exemplify proper technique to make impactful plays. In addition, this season, high school football players also will be recognized for using proper playing technique."

This week, the NFL distributed a full overview of Way to Play content to youth and high school football coaches, colleges, partners and all 32 NFL clubs. This content includes the Way to Play Playbook, which outlines proper coaching and playing techniques, tips on selecting practice drills and best practices regarding nutrition, hydration and time management. To supplement the Playbook, educational videos of on-field demonstrations and tips from NFL Legends and coaches have also been shared.

For the second year, the NFL Way to Play Award will continue to recognize the excellence demonstrated by NFL players who exemplify proper technique to make impactful plays. Each recipient of the Way to Play Award will receive a $2,500 equipment grant through USA Football to be awarded to the local youth or high school football program of the player's choice.

The NFL Football Operations and Officiating departments will select the top nominees for the award recognizing current NFL players. Video of those plays will then be sent to an expert panel consisting of Merril Hoge, Ronnie Lott, Willie McGinest, Orlando Pace and Michael Robinson. The recipient will be announced on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football every Thursday morning.

Several NFL head coaches, current players and NFL Legends have created videos to assist in educating coaches and players. The videos provide coaching points of emphasis to execute proper technique and are to be used as an educational tool. Watch the videos and for more information on the NFL Way to Play.