Dear Big Walnut Football 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 email has many details on registration and the season (including summer timeline attached). 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. This ranges from the same standards, terminology, practice drills, and even offensive/defensive schemes. 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. 5th grade is its own division, as is 6th grade (higher weight limits for non-linemen). We expect to have two teams in each division, but our numbers continue to grow and we may get to a point where 3 teams are necessary in a division. Schedules will not be final until August, but we expect at least an 8 game season.

 

Each tackle player will be required to have at least one season of prior football experience (flag or tackle) to register for tackle football. A parent must live in Big Walnut and/or the player must attend Big Walnut schools to register. Exceptions will be reviewed by our 7 member Board for extenuating circumstances.

 

 

Our goal is to field competitive teams in every division. No one team will ever be the same, but our Board and Head Coaches are responsible for strategically building strong teams in each division with the goal that they experience on field success. We saw this last year in our Junior division, and regularly have the highest combined win percentage in COYFL as an indicator of fielding competitive teams.

 

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 20^th and required practices will be 4 days a week starting July 27th and then move to 3 days a week on Aug 17^th. If a player is absent for required practices once the season begins on July 27^th, 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 dressed on Sunday. 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.

 

We do our best to maintain a safe practice and playing environment, but recognize injuries do happen. As part of this registration, you have insurance coverage (through BWYSO) in the advent of a sport related injury happening at practices or games.

 

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). Our flag numbers continue to grow, with over 270 players participating in our 2026 Spring Flag season.

 

 

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 $20k on upgrading facilities, player equipment and jerseys.

 

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

 

 

May 26-28: Youth Football Camp led by our HS staff (separate from our league registration, see below).

 

 

May 31: Tackle Registration Ends. This is a firm deadline and late registrations will not be accepted.

June and July: Optional training sessions 6:30pm 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 20: Optional Conditioning Camp Mon-Thurs evening (included in our league registration). More details to come.

 

July 27: Required practices start 4 days a week.

 

Aug 16: Picture and Preview Day Scrimmage

 

Aug 23: Game 1 (note, games are on Sundays with our home field at Big Walnut Intermediate School)

 

Oct 18: Final game if a team continues to playoff championship

 

 

We are looking forward to a great 2026 season!

 

Jason Rhodebeck (President of Big Walnut Youth Football)

Chad Zipfel (VP for our Youth Tackle Program)