The NCAA and the American Football Coaches Association are partnering on a national sportsmanship initiative called “Respect Weekend” that will take place in games played September 3-7.

Before the kickoff of each game, the NCAA and AFCA are encouraging teams to meet at the center of the field to shake hands. The head coaches and athletics directors, or representatives of the athletics departments, will lead the sportsmanship gesture.

“This is a symbolic initiative that says to the football world, our fans, our students, our players and our athletics departments that sportsmanship is a vital part of the successful football programs we have in this country,” said AFCA Executive Director Grant Teaff. “We wanted to show sportsmanship in a clear way.”

Teaff said the AFCA code of conduct already calls for coaches to shake hands before and after each game, but this initiative helps reinforce that philosophy.