I typically like to receive because if you can score in the first 4-5 plays it really does something to the other team. Also is the other team has a high powered big play offense it hurts us if the hit one off first.

Team that scores first rarely loses in youth football

We ALWAYS take the ball
We feel we can move it on anyone

At the youngest levels I want to receive the ball first and put points on the board right away.  When you get to 11 and 12 year old's I want to defer.

I really don't care. We will set the tone on offense or defense. The big advantage to kicking is the onsides kick.

We want the ball. If you score first, it can hurt the other team mentally.

This is us, as well.

We always take the ball first.  I like to get points on the board as soon as possible and then immediately start subbing in MPPs to try to get everyone's plays in before halftime.

One more very important thing goes into our decision: our rules.  We play by halves and not quarters.  Actually the officials tell us when the 1st & 3rd Q end, but we don't change ends of the field.

Yesterday I found out the new Pee Wee div. that we're in uses the previous Jr. div. rule where we do change ends with the Qs!  I have no idea why they had that distinction.  Funny, because another important rule that the old Pee Wees had and Juniors didn't was carried over to the new Pee Wees.

I guess for me it depends on my team. Right now our D is the strength of the team so ill defer so by halftime im looking to pull away.

What goes into your decision to receive the kickoff or defer when you win the coin toss?

Depends on what kind of statement we wanted to make and where I was confident that we could make the stronger impression.  But generally, I liked the short-field scenario by deferring.  But sometimes, we had so many kids on the team (and most of the subs played offense) that I would want the ball first, so that I could start getting them plays ASAP with a longer field (longer field = more plays = fulfilling the MPR rule sooner).

--Dave

We always want the ball.  I think that setting the tone in the game as quickly as possible is important.  If your offense takes the field and marches down for a touchdown, the other team is now trying to play "catch up".

Even though my defense is the team's strength, I will opt to take the ball every time.  Try to put points on the board early.  Not only is it a mental blow for the other team, it might change opposing team's coaching stratagy as well since they are trying to get out of a hole.  The only thing that might change it for me is strong wind, rain or sun- those factors might make me want to defer.

We've always deffered.  Our defense is the better of our two units(by design) and we want to set the tone with them.

Dan

Heh...I chuckle a bit at the phrasing by many posters, "take the ball".  If they have an actual (rather than simulated) kickoff, being the "receiving" team works literally that way probably with a lower percentage in children's football than with more experienced players.  That is, I think the kicking team's going to recover onside with a higher percentage than with older players, mostly because new players aren't as good at covering a loose ball.  That's never going to move the onside percentage over 50% (only exceptionally developed skill would possibly do that), but it will tend to move it closer to 50% than you'd see at higher levels.  So just because they call it the "receiving" team....

Heh...I chuckle a bit at the phrasing by many posters, "take the ball".  If they have an actual (rather than simulated) kickoff, being the "receiving" team works literally that way probably with a lower percentage in children's football than with more experienced players.  That is, I think the kicking team's going to recover onside with a higher percentage than with older players, mostly because new players aren't as good at covering a loose ball.  That's never going to move the onside percentage over 50% (only exceptionally developed skill would possibly do that), but it will tend to move it closer to 50% than you'd see at higher levels.  So just because they call it the "receiving" team....

B

ummm...what?

B

ummm...what?

...doesn't mean they'll actually receive the ball.