Rookie Tackle, a pilot program from USA Football, had its first game action this weekend at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind.

USA Football launched Rookie Tackle in June; the program is aiming to bridge the gap between flag football and traditional 11-person tackle.

Westfield Youth Football is one of 10 pilot programs throughout the United States, and this weekend featured the first games of the season.

"The coaches have taken the time to teach the fundamentals of tackle football, and they have taught them well," said Kyle Miller, whose son plays for Westfield Youth Football.

Miller added that he was impressed by the condition of the equipment provided to the players.

Rookie Tackle teams have 6-8 players on the field, and they play on a modified field — narrower and half the length of a normal field. This weekend Westfield's Youth Football program had six Rookie Tackle games running simultaneously.

After every timeout, coaches checked players’ helmets, ensuring each player's equipment was on properly.

Erin Craig's son, Luke, is a first-grader who plays for one of Westfield's Youth Football teams. Craig said, "My oldest son didn't start playing tackle football until he was in 3rd grade, so I was a little nervous. However, after seeing the equipment and the time these coaches are taking to teach Luke, those nerves have subsided."

While some players played flag football before their transition to Rookie Tackle, for others Rookie Tackle was the first time they had played organized football.

Coaches have been able to work with each player — whether they had previous football experience playing flag or not — and have taught them a proper two-point stance as well as how to play each position on the field and heads-up tackling.