I will never forget the first football game of the regular season.

I will never forget the first football game of the regular season. That was when we first got our pads and positions. My position was fullback. We got helmets, shoulder pads, knee pads, thigh pads, and butt pads. We need all of these pads so we won’t get hurt, or injure a muscle, or anything else. The pads protect the parts of our bodies where we get tackled. The helmet protects our head and neck.

The coaches give us positions so we will know where to play in a game. This way no one gets confused. The coaches assign you a position where you’re best. You might have more than one position like offense and defense, or offense and special teams, or defense and special teams. The more positions you have the better you are.

If you try your hardest and the coaches see that you give 100%, they will let you start. During practice you have to do your best. Effort is the key to starting in a game. In a game you get a different jersey, pants, and pads. People are able to come and watch you play if they want.

You now know about why coaches give you pads and a helmet, why you play a certain position, how to start in a game, and what happens at a game.

By R.J., a middle school student