I wouldn't worry so much about when your child begins playing as I would where. I'd take time to look into the philosophy of the youth organization in your area.

I'm 22 years old and played tackle football as a 3rd grader. I actually played for the fourth grade team. Football of any kind wasn't offered to 3rd graders when I was that age but I was a pretty big kid so they let me play up.

My stepson played as a 7 yr old 1st grader over in Cincinnati's catholic league even though he attends Ft. Thomas public. He played for Lourdes and they divide it up with 1st and 2nd graders playing separately in games but practicing together. He is a bigger 1st grader and had a great time. He loves the contact. He cant wait to suit up for the Fort Thomas league next year as a 2nd grader playing up with the 3rd/4th graders. With him being an older 1st grader and having that one yr experience we feel he is ready. FTJRFL also does a good job of playing the 3rds vs. 3rds during the games so we expect him to be in with the 3rd graders. There are also a couple other kids in 1st grade this year with him that are going to seek doing the same thing. Alot of enthusiasm to get started over here in Ft. Thomas. I wonder why. : )

I'm not a big fan of Flag football for 1st and 2nd graders. The reasoning behind this is I feel that kids at that age don't or can't controll themselves when they are running full boar down the field and the temptation to tackle rather than grab a flag gets the better of them. Which means they end up tackling without helmet and pads. I feel they are at greater risk of injury. Also, at that age, it could be one good hit and it would scare them away from the contact sport for sometime. Third grade is early enough. Put pads on them and let'em go. With the pads they really can't get the momentum to do a whole lot of damage. Very rare that you see major injuries at this age level. Not saying they don't happen , just that they don't happen often.

The Pulaski County Youth Football League has flag for 4-5 yr olds, Pee Wee tackle for 6-7 yr olds, Jr. tackle for 8-9 yr olds, & Sr. tackle for 10-11 yr olds. The 6-7 yr old tackle group is really a fun group to watch & it doesn't appear any of those kids are being hindered by playing tackle football @ such a young age.

IMO kids have a greater rise of getting hurt playing flag, than they do playing tackle at that age.

IMO kids have a greater rise of getting hurt playing flag, than they do playing tackle at that age.

 

 

Adults too. In a co-ed league I played in a girl on our team got knocked out with a concussion in the first game of the season.

I think at that age there fun to watch, My boys started playing in the 1st grade.

I think it's too early but obviously a lot of people have success with it.

I started playing in the 3rd grade and I turned out alright...or so I think. :lol:

What about "BURN OUT"?? Have family who played from time he was six.. Went to collage and played only his freshman year.. He came home and went to another collage to get his degree. He said he had Burn Out and could not play football anymore. He played for Georgetown on one of the teams that won first place in the playoffs.. Even being at the top is not enough if you have played so much that you burn out.

What about "BURN OUT"?? Have family who played from time he was six.. Went to collage and played only his freshman year.. He came home and went to another collage to get his degree. He said he had Burn Out and could not play football anymore. He played for Georgetown on one of the teams that won first place in the playoffs.. Even being at the top is not enough if you have played so much that you burn out.

 

You don't get burnt out if you love the game. IMO.

You don't get burnt out if you love the game. IMO.

 

I agree. You sometimes hear of very talented high school players going on to college, even D1 scholarship players, who give up the game. My sense is that they never had a passion for football and would have quit regardless of what age they started playing. You then see some kids balling crying after their last game as a high school senior...not because of the score but because of the realization this was the last time they'll walk off a football field as a player.

.not because of the score but because of the realization this was the last time they'll walk off a football field as a player.

 

Been there..

To answer the original question, no 3rd grade is not too early, I've seen kids younger start playing.