This is my family’s fifth season with Frisco (Texas) Football League. My boys both started playing flag football when they started kindergarten. Waiting to get to second grade, for both of my boys to finally play tackle football, seemed like forever.

My boys are rough and tumble, cut from the cloth, born to play tackle football. My oldest son, Collin, started tackle in second grade two years ago. They had 12 boys on their team and they played 11-on-11 football. It was a challenging season with only 12 players. By the final playoff game, we only had 10 eligible players due to injuries.

As my younger son, Mason, neared his second-grade year, we knew we had nine returning players from flag football and we were ready to draft five or six new players and be ready for 11-on-11. When we heard the numbers were low and they were considering Rookie Tackle, I was not sure what to expect.   

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So far, myself, the parents and coaches that I’ve talked to have been very supportive and happy with how Rookie Tackle has taken shape. 

Here are some thoughts from a few of the other Rookie Tackle parents on the Frisco Football League:

“I think the FFL coaches make the biggest difference. They commit so much time and energy to their team; they strategize and work hard to teach these young kids how to tackle safely and appropriately.  Each practice is conducted with intentional goals in mind; there is structure, positive reinforcement, and a sincere effort to make sure the kids are thriving in a team-based environment.”  — Abby Harris

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“This has been our first experience with Frisco Football League. We weren’t sure what to expect as we’re not from Texas and had only heard about FFL Rookie Tackle from others. It took us some time to make the decision to put our son into tackle, which I’m sure every family has gone through the same process. You ask yourself, is he ready? Is it safe? Am I ready? We’ve had a great experience and are glad we made the decision to start him in rookie tackle. He is too!” – Samantha Smith

“Not knowing what to expect, Rookie Tackle has been an unexpected pleasant surprise. It has provided a smooth transition from flag for players and coaches as they are entering their first year of tackle football. With the modified rules, it has allowed coaches to focus on basic football skills without having to teach the more complex parts of the game. The modifications of the rules has taken nothing away from the excitement and enjoyment of the game. It has been fun.” – Coach Ron (Frisco Bears)

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“You have to be strong to play football. Every practice we get stronger, and when we come out to play the game, everybody has one job to stick with. If they do that, we win.” – Daniel Hoffpauir

“I always liked the idea of Rookie Tackle when it was introduced. I especially liked the smaller fields, heads-up focus, A-Gap rules, center/end eligibility, and USA Football resources. I think the game is fun to watch and really feels like football. It also feels really appropriate for this age. I think this level of contact and transition is a great improvement over jumping straight to 11-man.” – Michael Cox (head coach, Frisco Bears)

Shelley Kilgore is the mother of Mason, who played for the Frisco Bears in the Rookie Tackle program, along with her older son, Collin.