2024 ROOKIE TACKLE: 5TH/6TH GRADE

Rookie Tackle is a modern version of tackle football developed by a team of experts that is played on a smaller field with less players, 7-on-7, and with rules that enhance safety. Our certified coaches are mentored by our High School staff to teach a safer shoulder tackling system as well as fundamental techniques for all positions to ensure we are developing our players the right way. We feel this is the best version of youth football to prepare our kids to be safe and successful for Middle School Football in the years to come.

  • Cost: $175 + $75 jersey fee ($50 discount on jersey if you purchased one in 2023). Registration fee includes helmet, shoulder pads, practice jersey and pants. The game jerseys can be used for multiple years and are yours to keep.

  • Key Dates:

    • May 22 - Safety Meeting -7pm in the Willow Room at the Civic Center on Padded Flag safety + Q & A (for parents new to Padded Flag who would like more info on the program)

    • June 17-19 - Victory Camp 9-11am at IHS Stadium

    • June 23rd - Registration Closes

    • June 29 - Equipment Pick Up 8-10am at Old Middle School Field

    • July 25 - Parent Meeting 7pm @ Kiwanis Pavilion

    • July 30 - First practice 5:30-7pm @ Old Middle School

    • August 3 - Homedays Parade @ 12:00

    • August 13 - First practice 5:30-7 at IHS practice field, helmets only

    • August 26 - Picture Day at Fieldhouse

    • September 8 - First game

    • October 19 - Bowl Games

  • Practices: All practices at the IHS practice field.

    • Starting August 13 5:30-7, helmets only (first 2 practices are helmets only, 3rd practice helmet and shoulder pads and 4th practice full pads.)

    • Technique Tuesdays 5-6 (We will practice tackling along side our high school coaches and players and take the time to develop strong contact and positions specific key skills during these sessions.

      • Tuesday 8/13 will be 5:30-7

    • Wednesdays and Thursdays 5:30-7:00

  • Games: We will play 7 games as part of the Chagrin Valley Conference Youth Football League (Beachwood, Berkshire, Cardinal, Chagrin Falls, Grand Valley, Hawken, Ledgemont, Orange, Trinity, University School and Wickliffe). Games were played on Sundays last season due to a ref shortage and they are between 9 and 1pm at any of the above mentioned schools . You can expect to have 1-2 home games and the last game will be a “Bowl Game” on Saturday night 10/19 where teams are matched up with others with similar records.

Prepared.

Rookie Tackle is the ideal bridge game from Padded Flag to Middle School Football. The smaller field and roster size along with the rules that create predictable contact is ideal for introducing the more physical elements of football in a controlled manor. We want our kids well coached and confident in their blocking and tackling skills so they’re ready to graduate to full field 11-on-11 in 7th grade.

Tough.

In football and in life tough people win. We work hard, get muddy, practice in the cold and do the little things the right way. We do this because it’s the cost of greatness and greatness is our mission…on the field and off the field.

But toughness has to balanced with having fun and even a bit of silliness. I think this picture nails it.

Skills.

By the last step in our 8 year Youth Football journey we will have progressively developed a broad range of athletic and football skills that gives all our players the best chance of experiencing success. Our players will have a strong foundation as they grow into their specific positions in Middle and High School Football.

Rookie Tackle and all of our offerings are for Independence residents only and SMS non-residents who were grandfathered into our program who participated in Fall Football in 2022.