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Last updated: February 24, 2026 | 5 minutes reading time
On February 21 and 22, 2026, the Mainfrankensäle in Veitshöchheim near Würzburg once again transformed into the beating heart of American Football coaching in Europe. Here, the anniversary edition of the Bayerische Coaches Convention (BCC) took place, this year combined with RedCon under the name Football Makers Weekend.
The Bayerische Coaches Convention is organized by RedZone (RedZone GbR), in cooperation with and with official license recognition by the American Football Verband Bayern (AFVBy). The event is positioned by the organization as one of the largest coaching and football makers events in Europe, with a network of hundreds of coaches. During this weekend, coaches, performance specialists, and suppliers from various countries came together to share knowledge, gain new insights, and expand their network.
Prominent Speakers and Content
The prominence of the event was clearly reflected in the speaker program. The speaker program consisted of a mix of international college input and top European practices. Among others, Travis Johansen was on the program (recently appointed as the defensive coordinator at Rutgers) and Harvard O-line coach Jim Jackson shared concrete insights from his daily practice.
Throughout both days, visitors could choose from various stages and breakout sessions, where topics such as tactics, positional technique, strength and conditioning training, and team development were explored in depth. The practical approach of the presentations ensured that coaches took home directly applicable insights.
In addition to the content program, there was an extensive expo area where companies from the American Football world presented their products. This combination of knowledge sharing and innovation emphasized how professionally and ambitiously the sport is developing in Europe.
Forelle in the expo area
For Forelle, the expo area was a valuable moment to showcase where we stand as a supplier: innovation, safety, and performance improvement. Forelle was present as a partner around the exhibition/expo component of the weekend (with a booth in the expo area).
During the weekend, we highlighted the SportsAttack Aerial Attack passing machine, a solution for teams looking to elevate their passing game. This device launches American footballs with consistent speed and precision, allowing quarterbacks, receivers, and defensive backs to train efficiently and realistically. Additionally, we informed visitors about the Porta Phone communication system. Clear and reliable communication between coaches is essential during training and games, enabling coaching staff and coordinators to make quick decisions.
In the realm of protection and innovation, several high-quality products were central:
With this selection of products, we emphasize our vision: improving performance starts with quality and reliable equipment.
What this development means for teams in Europe
The Bavarian Coaches Convention demonstrated that American Football in Europe is rapidly professionalizing. Training is becoming more data-driven, communication is becoming more efficient, and safety is increasingly prioritized.
For teams, this means that investing in modern training equipment and reliable protective gear is no longer a luxury, but a strategic choice. Innovation on the field begins with innovation in material.
Forelle guides clubs and organizations through this professionalization process, from the initial teams to the highest competitive level.
An inspiring weekend
The Bayerische Coaches Convention once again demonstrated how professionally and ambitiously the American Football world in Europe is developing. For Forelle, it was a successful and inspiring participation where knowledge, networking, and practice came together. We look back on this weekend with pride and eagerly continue to build new collaborations within the sport. Until next year in Würzburg!
