Optimist Youth Football

Flag Football is played by Pre-K, Kindergarden, first through second graders. Tackle Football is played by third through sixth graders. Sign-up cards are available at area sporting goods stores, the Optimist Hut, online here or call 817-801-0588. All level of football teams are formed by the Football Project Committee by a school or group of schools in a geographic area.

As part of the registration fee, the Football Project Committee (FPC) provides some of the equipment for the players. At the Flag Level, the FPC provides flags and team game jerseys. At the Tackle Level, the FPC provides helmets, shoulder pads, and the team game jerseys. And at all levels, the players keep their game jerseys after the season is over.

The Flag Level has special rules in addition to the standard flag rules. The special rules are designed to allow young football players to grow into the game. The special rules cover the playing field used, presence of coaches on the field during play, methods and levels of participation required for players, etc.

The Tackle Level plays with modified NCAA Football rules and some special rules. The modification of rules concern size of fields, equipment usuage, weight limits, participation requirements, and recruitment restrictions. The special rules are limited to the fourth grade to handle skill growth. Physicals are required before practicing and playing with any team. They are available at the Optimist Hut, from a coach or online here.

All teams play their games at the Harold Patterson Sports Complex on Bardin Road just east of South Cooper Street. The game days are reserved for each level. All flag games are played on Saturdays beginning around 8:30 AM to the games are complete. Tackle games are played Saturdays for 4th & 5th grade teams beginning around 9:00 AM to completion and Tuesday evenings for 6th grade teams beginning around 6:30 PM.

The one exception for game location is the City Championship Games which are played at UTA Maverick Stadium in late November. During City Championship Games Day, all levels of teams are recognized for special awards earned during the season.

Football Information

Applications for all coaches are accepted beginning in March. Approval for each team's Head Coach begins May 1st. The failure of a returning head coach to submit a coaching application by May 1st may result in the loss of the position as head coach. See the rules of seniority for head coaches to determine the position in the order of succession for a coach. These rules also cover which coach will be the head coach when a flag team moves up to the tackle level.

The Football Project Committee begins its season in February with committee executive meetings for planning and rulebook review. See the FPC's administrative schedule.

Teams are formed as head coaches become available. The head coach of a team that played in the previous season is encourage to begin contacting team members in April to see who is planning to play in the new season. Head coaches of new teams must begin working the schools assigned to their team in April and May since practice starts before school starts in the fall. Tackle teams start practice in early August and the regular season starts in early September. Flag teams start one week after tackle teams for start of practice and games. Playoffs start in late October and continue until the City Championships in late November.

Football Coaches Information Page

Coaches, please help us produce schedules earlier! Use the Apply function below to enter your teams data into our scheduling system. Scroll down to see the Logo's that we have on file.

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