As youth football coaches, Jason Barter’s and Joe Hall’s most important duty occurs each fall during the player registration: The youth coaches meet the youngsters and properly fit them with a helmet and shoulder pads. This makes sure each player is ready to play the game.

Barter and Hall did this 23 times on August 6 as this year’s group of youth football players entering grades 3-6 met their coaches for the new season. The coaches hoped at least 20 players would show up for the season’s first preseason meeting. And they’re were pleased that turnout exceeded expectations.

“This is really a strong turnout out for us,” Hall said. “We expect between 20-30, and I spoke to some parents who said they couldn’t make tonight. So I think we’ll have a large number of players this season.”

Registration was held on a field behind the elementary school. As the players arrived, the coaches took their measurements and fitted them for helmets and shoulder pads.

“Making sure everything fits is a big part of the program,” Barter said. “Tonight, we run a few drills, show them some formations, and run a few plays. This gives them a taste of what the season is all about. But fitting them with the right equipment is really what tonight is all about. Safety is really a big part of what we do.”

Registration occurs a week a before the season officially starts. League rules dictate the first official practice begins August 12. Registration gives the coaches a chance to familiarize themselves with both the newcomers and returning players.

Besides learning the basic football drills and plays, the youth are taught the importance of staying focused on the field. The players are reminded constantly to wear the mouth guards and keep their chin straps buckled. Fifth and sixth grade coach Matthew Rice warns all the players what happens if “Coach Joe” (Hall) catches somebody not wearing their equipment properly.

“Preseason is more like Coach Joe’s (Hall) boot camp,” Rice said. “If we see someone not wearing his mouth guard. He’s told to put it back before Coach Joe sees. If Coach Joe catches them not wearing the equipment properly, then the whole team will have to run laps or do push-ups.”

A big part of coaching football is also making sure the players learn the right way to play. As a coach, Rice is focused on teaching the players the proper technique. As a parent, he’s not worried about his son or other players getting hurt.

“No one is going to get hurt at this level,” Rice said. “Their bones still bend and don’t brake at this age. After they’ve been hit a couple of times they catch on. They realize that the contact doesn’t hurt so they get right back up and want to try it again.”

Once the youth team completes their preseason, they will begin their quest for another successful season. Last year, Boothbay Region Youth Football finished the season undefeated. The returning players are anxious to begin scoring touchdowns and tackling opposing ball carriers this fall.

Fourth grader Tyler Barton is a quarterback and linebacker. He enjoys playing defense.

“It’s fun to go out there and run somebody down and tackle them,” Tyler said.

While fifth grader Matthew Sullivan, a running back, likes making would-be tacklers miss.

“I like running the ball. I like to make a move to make a tackler miss, but sometimes I try to run right over him,” Matthew said.

Boothbay Region plays in the Mid Coast Youth Football League. Among their opponents for this season includes Damariscotta, Medomak Valley, and two Rockland teams. The games are played on Saturdays. The game are split into two sections. The teams play one game, but the third and fourth graders are considered as the junior squad and never play against the fifth and sixth graders.

“We’re like the prelude to the big game,” Hall said. “The third and fourth graders are like the jayvees. The coaches are out there on the field directing play, but in the fifth and sixth grade, the coaches are on the sideline just like a regular game.”

The third and fourth graders — coached by Barter and Hall —  will practice three times a week. Once school starts, the third and fourth grades will practice twice a week. The fifth and six grade team practices three times a week throughout the season. Each practice is scheduled for 90 minutes.