Football is an ever-evolving game.  That is one of the biggest reasons it continues to thrive.  The game is far different now than it was when I was in high school.  

That is a great thing, because in the late 1980s, we knew how tough we were and how long we could go without water.  Knowledge has made the game so much better today, from the X’s and O’s to the safety of the game.  Youth football is no different.  The game has moved into a better era within the last several years. The game is safer and coaches are better trained.

Youth football is embarking on a very exciting time, and Rookie Tackle, a USA Football program that helps bridge flag football to the 11-player tackle game, is one of the most intriguing pieces of the pie. Rookie Tackle is the first experience that kids who are playing in participating leagues have in tackle football. The game is still football, but the field is smaller, there are no special teams, there are fewer players on the field, and everyone starts in a two-point stance.  The focus is on player development.

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But what makes Rookie Tackle the right choice for your youth program?  Here are 6 reasons your league should adopt Rookie Tackle:

1. Smaller field.  Kids in baseball have a transition from T-ball to coach’s pitch to regular baseball, and even then, the bases and pitching mound are moved back as the players get bigger and stronger. USA Hockey encourages the youngsters to play cross ice games before transitioning to full ice.  Basketball starts out with shorter hoops.  

So why in football would we make kids who are playing football for the first time compete on the same size field they get to watch in the Super Bowl?  A fourth-grader running 80 yards is like a high school kid running 150 yards, so it can cut down on the workload for each player. It also condenses the field so the fastest kid doesn’t always just run around the end for a touchdown all the time.  Smaller areas bring the players closer together, thus not having as many long runs at athletes.  

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2. Fewer players.  There are different options of how many players are on the field, and it can range from 6-on-6 to 8-on-8. Because the number on the field is lower, you can form teams with fewer roster spots as well.  The recommendation is anywhere from 1.5 times to no more than 2 times the players on the field as the team’s roster size.  This will bolster engagement and get more kids involved in each play.  

The pilot leagues in places like Cleveland and Oregon said that with the field being smaller, the defenders on the back side of the play were far more likely to be involved throughout the entire play. There was also an uptick in passing because there was less congestion. The league also stresses multi-position development, with players moving from the line to skilled positions during a game.  This is worked out so coaches match up size in order to keep the game fair.

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3. Two coaches on the field.  The opportunity to have two coaches on the field with the players shows the importance of development in the model.  Two coaches can help speed up the game by teaching kids to line up properly and get their team in and out of the huddle quickly. This keeps the game moving along, with the promise of more reps.  

This couples with the smaller field and getting the ball always marked in the center of the field for a quicker-paced game.  The coaches on the field and smaller teams will allow the coaches to have a better involvement with each player, naturally giving more teaching moments.

4. Two-point stance.  One of the biggest buzzwords you can hear at many practices is, “stay low.”  But what does that mean? It certainly does not mean to keep your head lower that the other player. It is about learning to play with leverage, and getting good bend in your hips, knees and ankles. 

The biomechanics are far easier to teach from a two-point stance.  Some kids struggle with putting their hand in the ground and maintaining a decent base. We now can take that part away and teach the body leverage right out of a good two-point stance.

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5. Standard rules and playbook.  USA Football has a rulebook and playbook that can get any league set up easily. Remember that teaching the basics and a good foundation will serve your players in the long run, so the basic playbook will strengthen their football knowledge.  There is no need to spend a bunch of hours creating your scheme because it is already right at your fingertips.  All you have to do is coach your kids. League commissioners who are interested in implementing a Rookie Tackle league should click herefor more information or email rookietackle@usafootball.com

6. Great message to parents.  Parents want to see us doing the right things.  This puts you and your league in a proactive position. Your league is finding better ways to make the game of football better for their kids.

The Rookie Tackle pilot programs have had overwhelming success in the first year of the American Development Model’s Rookie Tackle. I feel fortunate that I have an opportunity to be part of changing football for the better with all of you coaches and league administrators.  This will be something we will look back in 10 years and be proud of the day when we brought this into our communities.  Let’s get ready for a great season.

Terry Donovan is a Master Trainer for USA Football’s Heads Up Football program. He is the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Kasson-Mantorville High School in Kasson, Minnesota. He has coached with the U.S. National Team Program. He is also a youth coach and Director of Youth Development in the Kasson-Mantorville Youth Football Association.