PRFB Modified Rookie Tackle Football Introduction: In 2016, USA Football is designing and testing a game of modified tackle football to be implemented by the youth football leagues and clubs across the country beginning in 2017. USA Football believes that both a high quality experience and high quality coaching drive higher participation rates. By modifying the game structure at lower levels Junior League (3 rd and 4 th grade) in our case, utilizing small-sided games and educating the coaches and commissioners in the game mechanics and skills, we hope to drive experiences that keep kids involved in our great game for many years. Our game is at a crossroads, and in Park Ridge, the love for and quality of the game is strong, but the safety and future of the game is being questioned by many of us. LET S MAKE THE PRO-ACTIVE CHOICE. LET S BE THE LEADERS IN ILLINOIS FOOTBALL. LET S MAKE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN FLAG FOOTBALL AND TACKLE FOOTBALL MORE ATHLETE-CENTERED. LET S MAKE IT A BETTER EXPERIENCE FOR ALL. Why Rookie Tackle Top 10 List for PRFB: 1. To better connect flag and tackle (much like baseball s and hockey s model) 2. Promote the safety of the game 3. Create fan friendly viewing for a more positive experience 4. Improve skill development and mechanics 5. Enhance player enjoyment & understanding of the game 6. Introduce and improve coaching of tackle football 7. Provide more opportunities to teach and learn 8. Maximize playing space on appropriately scaled field
9. Create rosters to provide more individualized learning 10. Drive Park Ridge to the forefront of youth football USA Football Modified Rookie Football Game Philosophy: Like all other forms of youth football, USA Football envisions leagues and clubs adopting the modified tackle game structure and adding this offering to their current game format menu. While USA Football will provide the initial game format and rulebook, we are aware it will be governed and implemented at the local level. As such, rule changes may take place to meet community needs or individual circumstance. It is important to note that for this test, the game format must remain consistent and follow the rules, goals and philosophy that follow. The goals of the modified rookie tackle game are: 1. Maximize player enjoyment, participation and learning. 2. Ensure all players have playing time and the opportunity for success. 3. Provide a bridge between popular non-contact versions of football such as flag football and 7-on-7 to the 11-player tackle version. 4. Encourage leagues to play on a field size that is appropriate to the age and size of the youth football players. 5. Encourage a fast-paced game with more plays, activity and fun. 6. Stress skill development by isolating situations for players to show and develop their skills and ability via formations, regulations and field size. 7. Teams incorporate a theme of All players, all positions, all skills 8. Allow leagues and clubs to maximize field space by playing two games at a time on one regulation-sized field. 9. Limit roster sizes to provide more focused and individualized coaching attention. 10. Allow leagues and clubs to run a fall season with limited registration numbers through smaller team sizes.
What we envision for 2018 Junior League under a Rookie Tackle format: SMALLER ROSTERS TO HELP COACHES TEACH ENHANCE COACHING OPPORTUNITIES A DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH MORE INDIVIDUALIZED TIME TO FOSTER LEARNING BETTER USE OF TIME FOR FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS IMPROVED UNDERSTANDING/BREAKING DOWN OF CONCEPTS LESS STANDING AROUND AND PLAYER MANAGEMENT FASTER PACE, MORE PLAYS & MORE ACTIVITY INCREASED ENJOYMENT FOR PLAYER AND PARENT CLARIFICATION OF THE GAME FOR FANS & PLAYERS WIN-WIN SITUATION FOR ALL INVOLVED What a Rookie Tackle Team and Game Looks like: 1. Modified tackle football is recommended to begin at the 7- and 8-year-old age division and can be played as high as 11 and 12 years old. a. It is noted that some high schools play modified tackle games based on local population numbers 2. Because of the all players, all positions, all skills, philosophy, there are no weight restrictions regarding player positions. a. Coaches are encouraged to allow players to play at least two positions on both sides of the ball with all players switching positions at halftime. b. All players MUST start in a 2-point stance; 3-point stances are not allowed. c. Leagues can institute rules where both teams field larger players on the line at the same time and switch during the following period so that Bigs play Bigs on the line and then cover each other when playing skill positions.
3. Modifications to playing rules: USA Footballs modified tackle begins with National Federation rules and lists the following changes. a. The playing field is 40-by-35 & 1/3 yards. i. Sidelines are the of the numbers on a traditional football field and should be marked with additional cones ii. Teams always start on the plus-40, always going in toward the end zone iii. After each play, the ball is marked in the middle of the field b. Each game is made up of four (4) quarters of 12 minutes each with a running clock. The final two minutes of both halves are played in accordance with National Federation time stop rules i. Halftime is seven (7) minutes ii. Each team is granted three timeouts per half. Timeouts do not carry over from half to half. Timeouts are one (1) minute in length c. Overtime is played only in playoff games (if the league has playoffs) d. Major rule violations are enforced at 10-yards not 15 to account for the smaller field. e. Coaches on the field: Each team is allowed one coach in the huddle at all times to facilitate faster play calling and keep the speed of the game and activity levels high. Once the huddle is broken, the on-field coach may assist in alignment but there are no audible calls or changing of plays allowed. i. Teams have the option to have an offensive and defensive coach who switch on change of position ii. Extra instruction will receive one (1) warning and all continued infractions will result in a 5-yard penalty f. No special teams
i. There are no kickoff or punts. The game starts with the ball on the plus-40, and if the ball is turned over on downs, the team s flip sides, and the ball is placed back on the 40-yard line. ii. All PATs are attempted through a run or pass try. Coaches can choose to go for one point from the 3-yard line or two points from the 5-yard line. g. Offensive regulations i. Each play must have three (3) offensive lineman a center and two guards, one on either side of the center. a. Guards are required to play from a two-point stance b. The distance between guard and center may not exceed three feet (1 yard). c. Because of all players, all positions, all skills and the changing of positions during the game, the three offensive lineman must identify themselves by raising their hands they approach the line of scrimmage. Once identified as an offensive lineman, players may not shift to another position. ii. The offense must have four (4) players on the line of scrimmage. iii. The quarterback-center exchange may be direct, pistol or shotgun. a. The quarterback is NOT allowed to run the ball after receiving the snap. A handoff, pitch, or pass must be made. iv. The four non-offensive line players may be deployed in positions at the coach s discretion: QB, RB, FB, TE and WR in any numbers; as long as one is on the LOS. v. There will be no trips formations vi. Motion is allowed vii. There are no cut blocks (any block below the waist) allowed by any player on any point of the field h. Defensive restriction
i. Defenses may only have two defensive lineman: a. Defensive linemen MUST be in a two-point stance. b. Defensive linemen over guards must be aligned in a head up or outside shade position. Players in a shade must always have one foot aligned inside the stance of the opposing guard. ii. The defense must have one player at least ten (10) yards from the ball iii. The remaining four players can be deployed at the coach s discretion but must be four yards off the line of scrimmage unless covering the fourth offensive player on the offensive line of scrimmage. a. If the ball is inside the 4-yard line, the four non-linemen, non-deep players may align on the goal line. iv. No blitzes are allowed. The two defensive linemen within the box can penetrate upon the snap. All other players can flow to the ball naturally AFTER a handoff is made, but predetermining penetration to a specific gap is illegal. v. The box includes offensive players who line up within two yards of the ball and on the line of scrimmage along with the defensive players lined up directly over them. vi. On pass plays, only the two defensive linemen can rush the quarterback on the snap; all other defensive players must remain behind the line of scrimmage in pass coverage. Key Takeaways for Your Rookie Tackle Consideration: COACH 11/12 PLAYERS PER TEAM PRACTICES: LESS ORGANIZING & BABYSITTING INCREASE SKILL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH OPPORTUNITY
TEACH ACTUAL CONCEPTS ATHLETES LEARN MORE THAN ONE POSITION CONTROLLED SCRIMMAGES MORE MANAGEABLE SCORING OPPORTUNITIES INCREASE - GOOD FOR KIDS! GAME MANAGEMENT MADE EASIER GAMES MORE REALISTIC TO REFEREE GAME FLOW MORE ENJOYABLE TO WATCH