The She Plays Flag Podcast
She Plays Flag is a podcast focused on the growth of girls flag football and the people shaping its future.
Hosted by longtime football fan and coach Matt Mashburn, the mission of the show is simple: to educate and advocate all things girls flag football.
The show explores the sport through conversations with coaches, administrators, organizers, and leaders working across the flag football ecosystem. From understanding the rules and structure, to navigating high school and college pathways, to examining where the game is headed next.
She Plays Flag is for anyone who cares about where girls flag football is going and how it gets there.
The She Plays Flag Podcast
Building and Sustaining in Georgia with Coach Jake Burgdorf, McEachern HS, Georgia
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Thanks for joining Episode 2 of the She Plays Flag Podcast. For this episode, I had the opportunity to sit down with Coach Jake Burgdorf, Head Girls Flag coach at McEachern High School in Georgia. Coach and I discuss the growth and development of girls' flag football at his McEachern program and in Georgia at-large. Jake shares his journey from coaching tackle football to leading a successful flag program, emphasizing the importance of building a strong culture and commitment among players. He reflects on the challenges faced in the early years, including player attendance and buy-in, and how he has worked to create a competitive environment that attracts over 100 girls to try out each year. Jake also highlights the significance of feeder programs and the need for early education in the sport to bridge the knowledge gap for new players.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Jake Burgdorf and McEachern High School
01:06 Jake's Journey from Tackle to Flag Football
03:43 Challenges and Successes in Girls Flag Football
07:39 The Growth of Girls Flag Football in Georgia
12:33 Changing the Culture and Commitment in the Team
16:24 Coaching Education and the Future of the Sport
20:05 Building Community and Support for Girls Flag Football
26:48 The Importance of Early Skill Development
32:28 Creating a Competitive Culture
37:34 Teaching the Basics to New Players
41:58 Adapting Coaching Strategies for Flag Football
45:42 Utilizing Video Analysis for Player Growth
52:24 Building a Strong Foundation for Future Success