DETROIT NEWS: Women Get Chance To Play
10/2/2003
Women get a chance to play
By Mary Quinley / Special to The Detroit News
Flag football leagues
Crystal Kopietz was tired of sitting near the sidelines as a spectator watching flag football games. She wanted to be on the field. So, she coaxed a handful of her friends to sign up with her in a female-only league.
"I think it will be a lot of fun," says Kopietz of Shelby Township, who admits she has never played flag football. The 27-year-old says the sport will be a great reason to get together with friends and exercise.
According to Francis Meram, president of the Detroit Xtreme Flag Football League, there's a huge demand for women's football programs. Yet, he says, the availability for women in Metro Detroit is limited.
The Detroit Xtreme is accepting registration for its first women-only teams. The fall indoor sessions, including teams for men only, begin Oct. 19.
Flag football leagues offer contact and noncontact options for players of all skill levels, ranging from novice to ex-NFL players. Some leagues operate year-round; many offer indoor fall and winter sessions.
Typically, flag football players wear shorts, a jersey and running shoes. A belt, with three 1-foot long by 3-inch wide flags, is secured around each player's waist.
The Detroit Xtreme is a contact sport league. However, says Meram, the women's teams will probably start with low-contact.
If you're on the roster with the Detroit Xtreme, you'll be part of a seven- or eight-person team. The teams play two 25-minute halves. The league allows full rush on the line of scrimmage and down-field blocks.
"I like the action and the strategy of the four-man teams," says Bryan Ledin of Rochester. The 30-year-old Ledin, who is the CEO of the noncontact Flight Zone Football league, says each player is important to every play and teamwork is fundamental to the program.
"Our goal is to have the most competitive games possible," Ledin says.
There are three receivers and one quarterback on each team. After the ball is snapped, everyone on the offensive line goes out for the pass. Two, 14-minute halves are played in the Flight Zone league. "It's a speed and hands league," Ledin says. The fall session begins Oct. 4.
Oakland Yard Athletics in Waterford Township sponsors noncontact leagues for boys 8-10 years old and adult males. Play starts Oct. 27.
Mary Quinley is a Metro Detroit free-lance writer. You can reach her at Mqinfo@aol.com.
Back to Media
|
