AYL Rookie Tackle Football Info

The AYL Rookie Football League program is modeled after the USA Football’s Rookie Tackle program.  AYL’s Rookie Football League for 1st through 3rd graders is a small-sided tackle football (8 v 8) game designed to be implemented as a BRIDGE game between flag football and the current AYL 11-on-11 tackle youth football leagues at 4th grade and above. The AYL believes that an age-appropriate and developmental approach to the game driven by high-quality coaching will improve athlete enjoyment and skill development but more importantly provide a means for Parents to get their younger children into tackle earlier rather than later!  Further, by eliminating the Special Teams play we can absolutely advertise an increased safety for our younger players.  The elimination of Special Teams not only increases the number of effective plays at these younger ages but also eliminates the incidents of high speed collisions between players that have had to run a long distance during a kick off/punt or kick return/punt return! 

By modifying the game at younger age groups, 1st, 2nd, & 3rd grade and educating coaches, delegates, officials and parents on the game adjustments, mechanics and skills, we can create an age-appropriate, athlete-centered understanding that leads to a better experience that better prepares  these children for their ultimate move into 11 v 11 tackle football at 4th grade. 

The most significant aspects of the proposed Rookie Football League program vs our current 11 v 11 tackle program are as follow: 

  • Game will be 8 v 8 with rosters of 14 to 16 players (max).
  • NO PLAY DOWN PLAYERS ALLOWED.
  • Play on a standard 60 by 40 field, same as 4th grade division. 
  • Three officials the same as the 4th grade division.
  • Offensive series starts on the team’s own 20 yard line (similar to controlled scrimmage).
  • Offensive series continues as long as offense makes first downs or scores No safeties allowed On interceptions or defensive recovery of fumbles the new offensive series starts at the point of the turnover unless that point is inside the offenses 20 yard line.  If it is, the ball will come out to the 20 yard line.
  • No special teams play, no kickoff or punts.
  • PAT’s are run from the 2 or 4 yard line.
  • Equal play for all on the roster – on field player changes with quarter change - must be tracked by team.
  • Rotation of positions is strongly encouraged. 
  • Playing a full quarter as a unit allows much better player development rather than play by play substitution No weight restrictions, allows for more open position rotation No blocking below the waist by any player anywhere on the field.
  • No QB Blitz allowed.
  • Each play must have three offensive linemen, ineligible to catch a pass, plus two eligible players also on the line used as TE and or WR players.
  • No QB sneaks.
  • No defensive lineman lined up over the center.
  • Defensive lineman must be head up or in an outside shade, no inside rush. 
  • Offense must have five players on the line of scrimmage, 3 players in the backfield.
  • No trips formations allowed on offense. 
  • Defense must have one player at least 10 yards (deep safety) from the line of scrimmage. 
  • Defense must have a player on every offensive player, except the center, starting on the line of scrimmage, whether a lineman or TE.  Lined up on a WR is optional for the Defense.  If not lined up on the WR the defensive players must be at least four yards off the ball.
  • All other defensive players must be 4 yards off the ball.
  • The only those defensive players initially lined up in the box (box defined as the space from TE position to TE position only) are allowed to penetrate the line of scrimmage, i.e. rush the passer, No blitz’s. 
  • Plays per quarter, 16 plays for 1ST & 2ND, 18 for 3RD grade.
  • Penalty yardage the same as 4th grade game.
  • Two coaches, offense or defense, on the field during 1st & 2nd grade play, one coach on field for 3rd grade play. 
  • All personal foul penalties include an immediate substitution (cooling off – education) from the field for a minimum of four plays to allow coaches to address misconduct and promote good sportsmanship. 
  • One session of overtime, as in 11 v 11 games, is allowed to attempt to break a tie game during the regular season.  Overtime during playoffs will be used to determine a game winner.