Dear Big Walnut Community,

Our BWYF program continues to grow, and we are excited to offer another season of tackle football! Our success on the field sets the bar for others in our league (COYFL), but importantly the lessons our players learn for life off the field are how we measure success. This note has many details on registration and the season. Please plan to read in its entirety and refer to it again as needed.

 

Our goal is to be aligned with the Big Walnut High School Football program. We do this from a playbook perspective and with our overall culture. From how we practice to the language we use; we want to help create an eventual smooth transition to MS and HS football. We will be one program that brings out the best in our players (Iron Sharpens Iron). We will compete, learn, and have fun playing the game of football.

 

We continue to be part of Central Ohio Youth Football League (COYFL) and you can familiarize yourself with the latest online version of the rules here. Organizations in this league come from ten different school districts such as New Albany, Worthington, Olentangy, Gahanna, Delaware, and more.

 

In 3rd and 4th grade, it is a combined “Junior” division, and we will have a max of two teams based on the coaches identified. 

 

5th grade is its own division, as is 6th grade (higher weight limit for non-linemen). We will have two teams in each division, unless there is an unexpected surge in registrations and we can identify a third coaching staff.

 

Each tackle player will be required to have at least one season of prior football experience (flag or tackle) to register for tackle football. Exceptions will be reviewed by our 7 member Board for extenuating circumstances.

 

 

Our goal is to field two competitive teams in every division. No one team will ever be the same, but our Board and Head Coaches are responsible for strategically building two strong teams in each division with the goal that they both make it to the gold bracket playoffs. We saw this last year in our 5^th grade group, and had both our Junior teams meet in the silver bracket championship.

 

Before you register, we ask that you talk with your child on what goals/expectations they have for this upcoming season. Tackle football requires a high level of commitment and it is hard. Our annual Conditioning Camp starts July 21^st and practices will be 4 days a week starting July 27th and then move to 3 days a week once in school (week of Aug 11^th). If a player is absent for required practices once the season begins it will affect playing time and the coaches ability to position them properly.

 

At practice, we want our players to learn, grow, compete, and have a joy for the sport. We find many benefits from our teams in each Division being able to practice together, with everyone constantly moving, getting reps, and developing skills. While we do have separate teams for games on Sundays, our coaching staff coaches all kids in that division during the week, with a focus on their position group.

 

Gameday playing time and positions will be determined by who is best able to support their team and how they perform in practice. Like all other districts in COYFL, our program follows the 10-play minimum rule for all players on a roster. That means everyone will have at least 10 plays in a game, but it may not be at the position they want. We will make sure each player is learning at least one offensive and one defensive position over the course of the season. Our head coaches will also reach out to families with feedback early on in the season so everyone is clear on expectations and what to work on at home.

 

If you have questions, please reply to this email and one of our Board members would be happy to talk more about tackle. We also continue to have a very strong and growing Flag Football league where the fundamentals (e.g. blocking, route running, etc) used at all levels are taught. That program is also aligned with HS terminology and we have separate divisions based on age/skill (open to all grades from K – 6). Registration for our flag division will open later this spring.

 

 

Each athlete will be provided one pair of integrated football pants for practice, one pair of game pants, shoulder pads, black helmet, mouth guard (if an athlete does not purchase one), practice jersey, and game jersey (6th grade division will keep their named jersey). As we continue to invest in our program, we want our players to be protected with quality helmets and shoulder pads, while also feeling confident on game-day with the quality of their jersey. Over the last two years, we have spent over $25k on upgrading player equipment and jerseys.

 

Given these continued investments along with the increased costs of refs/trainers/fields, the price for a full season will increase to $250. Registration costs for Fall Flag will remain unchanged. 

 

 

May 27-29: Youth Football Camp led by our HS staff (separate email and registration already sent out).

 

 

May 31: Tackle Registration Ends

June and July: Optional training sessions during the week led by our Coaches. This will be 3 evenings a week, split by position group and age. More details and separate sign-up to come.

July 21: Conditioning Camp Mon-Thurs evening

 

July 28: Practices start 4 days a week

 

Aug 17: Picture and Preview Day Scrimmage

 

Aug 24: Game 1 (note, games are on Sundays with our home field at Big Walnut Intermediate School)

 

Oct 26: Final game if a team continues to playoff championship

 

 We are looking forward to a great 2025 season!

 

Jason Rhodebeck (President of Big Walnut Youth Football)

Chad Zipfel (VP for our Youth Tackle Program)