04/10/2026
🏈 Level Up: Jr. Ranger Rookie Tackle (5th Grade Only!)
The transition to tackle football is a big milestone, and at Jr. Ranger Football, we’ve designed the perfect "bridge" to ensure your athlete is confident, skilled, and safe. Welcome to Rookie Tackle!
🎓 The 5th Grade Advantage
Unlike many programs that mix ages, our Rookie Tackle division is exclusively for 5th graders.
Learning Together: Your son will be playing alongside peers who are all in their first year of tackle. No one is "behind," and everyone starts on a level playing field.
The Two-Year Plan: By starting in 5th grade, players get two full years to master fundamentals before middle school, setting them up for long-term success.
🛡️ Safety & Full Contact
Make no mistake—this is full-contact tackle football. However, we use a modified format to keep safety at the forefront:
The Gear: Since they’ve played Padded Flag, they already know the equipment!
The Build-Up: We spend the early weeks focusing strictly on form and confidence. We don't start tackling until they are truly ready.
Focused Coaching: By playing 7-on-7 on a smaller field (40 x 35 1/3 yards), we reduce the "chaos" of the game. This allows coaches to work in smaller groups and ensure every child is using proper, safe technique.
⚖️ Important Weight Restrictions
To keep the game fair and safe for all participants, we enforce the following weight limits for offensive "skill" positions:
Skill Position Limit: 120 lbs (This includes all gear: helmet, pads, cleats, etc.).
Defense: There is no weight limit for defensive positions.
🚀 The Final Progression
Rookie Tackle is the ultimate bridge. It takes the lessons from Padded Flag and incorporates the fundamentals of tackling before moving to the traditional 11-on-11 game. It’s about building a better, safer football player—one rep at a time.