3-6 GRADE - PRACTICES & GAMES

• 3rd – 6th will practice up to 3 days per week; typically Monday, Tuesday & Thursday evenings for 90 minutes. We know that other things may come up so the coach may adjust the practice schedule at times to accommodate the most kids. The coach will communicate the schedule each week
• Evening of August 2 will be the initial practice; an entire grade may practice together this initial night to do player evaluations and ensure equitable teams are formed. (the locations and times of the first practice will be shared in the next week)
• Once the teams are formed families will hear from their head coach. Each head coach will have between 2 to 4 assistants to help execute practice/game plans and ensure the development of every player
• Games typically will be on Saturdays with the 1st game of the season planned for August 21. There may be 1 week night game (W or R) under the lights during the season.
• The game schedule will be available the week of August 9

 OPTIONAL PARENT MEETING

• For families who are new to the ERAA football program or who want to better understand the One East Ridge mission and vision, please join the optional parent meeting Monday, July 19 from 7-8pm.  It will be a zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4629038782
• We will talk about the upcoming season, rules and answer any questions. 

OTHER REMINDERS

• Reminders for Mini-Camp July 19 - 21; 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm at The Nest
• Equipment Fitting/Distribution July 19 - 21; 3:00pm to 6:00pm and July 22; 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Health East Miracle Field. 
• If you signed up to volunteer for equipment distribution please fill out the form - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090e48a4aa29a5f94-equipment

ERAA Youth Football requires every Head coach and Assistant Coach for TackleBar complete the Trusted Coaches training. 

Coaches will be able to complete these online courses in their own home and at their own pace. Coaches will be placed on our national registry once they have completed all the courses assigned to them.

The benefits of Trusted Coaches that help promote 100% compliance for an entire organization include:

• helping coaches minimize the risk of harm or injury to young athletes.
• providing information about fundamental coaching concepts which enhance volunteer coaches’ effectiveness.
• presenting a “one-stop shop” for youth associations to deliver best practices training to their coaches.
• offering an online repository capable of keeping track of coaches’ certifications and renewal dates – easily checked by associations and parents.

More on Trusted Coaches here https://www.trustedcoaches.org/

This football season, we are excited to offer TackleBar Football to our 3rd and 4th graders.

This change is centered on addressing concerns surrounding tackle football and the ultimate safety of our athletes while encouraging increased participation in our youth football program.  This Fall will be the fourth season TackleBar Football has been in play, and they have helped increase participation, while providing a safer football option, for kids across the country.

TackleBar Football is the ideal transition between flag football and tackle football, and it is a safer approach to the game that preserves the tradition and spirit of the sport.  Players wear traditional football equipment, plus a TackleBar harness that holds two foam bars across the lower back.  The defender must track and engage the ball carrier with proper form tackling technique, then wrap the ball carrier and rip the bar from the harness.  With this approach, players stay on their feet rather than taking the ball carrier to the ground.

The TackleBar harness teaches proper form tackling technique and skill development.

TackleBar Benefits:

• Decreases injuries by reducing big hits and high impact collisions
• Teaches proper tackling technique
• Ideal transition between flag football and tackle football
• Increases participation, eases player and parent concern

TackleBar Football is endorsed by the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Youth.  Football Coaches Association, and was a finalist at the NFL’s 1st and Future program.   

Our ultimate goal is to keep the athletes we currently have participating in football, while continuing to bring new athletes into our program. We want to respond to the parents who want two things: I want my child to be safe, and I want my child to enjoy learning to play football. We strongly believe strongly we are accomplishing both of these objectives with TackleBar.  

To learn more about TackleBar Football and to see videos of it in action, you can visit https://tacklebar.com.  We look forward to rolling out this program in the Fall as a way to encourage participation while providing our kids a safer option to play this game they love.  We are excited to offer this program for our kids.