Football has long been a staple in American sports culture, inspiring passion, teamwork, and perseverance. But as much as we revere the game, it’s important to recognize that sports research and medical developments are changing the game. Regardless of how you feel, there are changes made in sports nearly every year to either make the contests safer or better in some way. Change is life – get with it or get left behind.
One such change that we’ll reference today - tackle football for children under the age of 12-14 presents significant risks, particularly concerning brain health and overall enjoyment of the sport. For children in this age range, flag football is not only a safer alternative but also a highly effective developmental tool that prepares them for tackle football once they are physically and mentally ready.
This is where youth coaches insert, “They have to play tackle football, or they’ll be weak” or “It was how I grew up playing football so it’s how kids today should do it, too.”
This article delves into the reasons why young athletes should avoid tackle football until at least middle school, focusing on head trauma risks, coaching competency, and the benefits of flag football as a foundational experience. For those concerned about the future of the sport, fear not: delaying tackle football until middle school will give athletes plenty of time to learn the necessary skills before reaching the high school varsity level.
The Dominance of the MAC
In Ohio, the Midwest Athletic Conference (MAC) has long been a cornerstone of high school football dominance in the state and has made significant contributions to the state’s storied legacy of football. From state titles to regional crowns and deep playoff runs, the MAC’s football history is decorated with success, cementing their status as one of Ohio’s premier high school football programs.
Teams from the MAC have earned 8 Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) state championships since 1985. These titles span several decades, highlighting their consistent ability to compete at the highest-level year after year. Teams earned state championship trophy in 1985, 1992, 1996, 2001, 2007, 2011, 2014, and 2018.
In addition to the state championships from the MAC, teams have secured an astounding 15 regional titles. The conference’s regional titles came in the years 1985, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2018, and 2022.
And…shocker…only 2 teams (neither of which attributed to any of the regional or state titles) have youth tackle football.
So tell us now, coach, is it really necessary for young kids to play tackle football?
The Risks of Subconcussive Trauma in Youth Tackle Football
In recent years, scientific studies have shed light on the dangers associated with head impacts in football, not just from concussions, but from what is known as subconcussive trauma. Subconcussive hits are repetitive blows to the head that don’t result in immediate, noticeable concussion symptoms but accumulate over time, leading to long-term brain health issues.
Children under 12-14 are particularly vulnerable to these hits because their brains are still developing. A child’s brain is more susceptible to injury from the same force of impact compared to an adult’s brain. The sheer volume of head impacts in tackle football—ranging from routine collisions on the line of scrimmage to full-speed tackles—presents a substantial risk of brain injury that can manifest later in life as cognitive decline, depression, or other neurological issues.
A study conducted by researchers at Boston University found that children who began tackle football before the age of 12 were more likely to have impaired cognitive abilities and behavioral problems in adulthood than those who started playing after that age. This is especially alarming because the effects of subconcussive trauma are cumulative—the more hits a child sustains, the greater the risk of later-life brain issues.
Higher Propensity for Concussions Down the Road
While subconcussive hits are concerning, concussions themselves are also a serious issue in youth tackle football. The link between early exposure to repetitive head impacts and a higher propensity for concussions later in life is well-documented. When young children play tackle football, they are not just at risk for immediate concussions; they may also become more prone to head injuries as they grow older.
The more head trauma a child endures at an early age, the greater their likelihood of sustaining concussions in the future. This is because repeated blows weaken the brain’s resilience and make it more susceptible to future injury. Coaches, parents, youth sports coordinators, and athletic directors alike should take this research seriously and consider whether it’s worth the risk to expose young athletes to such dangers before they are physically mature enough to withstand them.
Research:
HealthTech Connex YouTube video (explains the research in the above study)
Subconcussive changes in youth football players (pdf of the study)
National Library of Medicine
CDC
Image from cdc.gov/headsup
The Problem of Unqualified Youth Coaches
Another major concern with youth tackle football is the quality of coaching. Many youth coaches get involved in football simply because they played the sport in high school or college, assuming their experience as players qualifies them to coach young children. Unfortunately, the reality is quite different.
If you’re a youth coach relying on your personal experience to coach young athletes, and have no sought-out education regarding up-to-date football teaching and coaching education, you’re not doing enough.
Most youth football coaches are not adequately trained in child development, football pedagogy, or sports safety. They may know the basics of how to run plays, but they often lack an understanding of how to properly teach blocking and tackling techniques to young athletes, especially those who are just beginning to learn the sport. Worse yet, some of these coaches push children too hard, emphasizing winning over development and taking the fun out of the game. This environment can lead to burnout, disinterest, and a loss of passion for the sport, all while increasing the risk of injury due to improper technique.
Education:
NFHS Learn has a robust education platform and most of the courses are free
USA Football flag and tackle football coaching certification
CoachTube youth football coaching education
"If you're relying on education alone, it's not enough. If you're relying on your experience alone, it's not enough. You owe it to your athletes to obtain both."
In many cases, these coaches are unaware of the risks of subconcussive trauma and concussions, or they may dismiss them as part of the game. This lack of education and carelessness with player safety makes tackle football particularly dangerous for young athletes, who rely on adults to guide and protect them in a sport where physical contact is inherent.
Flag Football: A Safer and More Inclusive Alternative
Flag football offers a much safer and more inclusive alternative for children under the age of 12-14. It allows young athletes to experience the excitement and teamwork of football without the high-risk collisions and head impacts associated with tackle football. Importantly, flag football also provides a platform for all players—regardless of size or physical maturity—to actively participate and enjoy the game.
Fun and Engagement for All: In flag football, every player gets a chance to be involved in the action. Kids can throw passes, catch passes, and even be the running back, offering more inclusive gameplay than tackle football, where positions are often specialized early on. The focus is on skill development and enjoyment, which helps young athletes build a love for the sport.
Focus on Footwork and Agility: Flag football places a premium on agility, quick footwork, and overall athleticism. Without the need for blocking and tackling, players spend more time working on speed, coordination, and the fundamentals of movement. This not only makes them better all-around athletes but also gives them a solid foundation for when they eventually transition to tackle football. Smaller teams means more repetitions in flag football and more opportunities to learn how to move efficiently on the field, which will benefit athletes in the long term.
Learning Football Concepts: Flag football is an excellent way for young athletes to learn the basics of football—strategy, play-calling, teamwork—without the physical risks of tackle football. Concepts like route-running, defensive positioning, and play execution can all be taught and practiced in flag football, giving young athletes a deep understanding of the game’s intricacies before they begin tackling and blocking in middle school.
A Safe Transition to Tackle Football: By the time kids reach middle school, they are typically more physically developed and mentally prepared to handle the demands of tackle football. They’ve already built a solid foundation in flag football, so when they begin learning the specific skills of blocking and tackling, they do so with a strong understanding of the game and better-developed athletic abilities. Middle school football provides a perfect window for learning the intricacies of physical contact in football, with plenty of time before reaching the high school varsity level. This approach also gives young athletes the chance to adjust to the demands of tackle football in a safer, more controlled environment, where the emphasis is still on skill development rather than winning.
The Role of Middle School and High School Football
One common argument against delaying tackle football until middle school is the concern that athletes will fall behind their peers if they don’t start playing earlier. However, this fear is unfounded. See information on the MAC above.
Middle school football provides plenty of time for athletes to learn the technical skills of tackling and blocking, and by the time they reach the freshman or JV level in high school, they will be on par with their teammates regarding the fundamentals.
The goal at the middle school and freshman/JV levels should not be winning championships—it should be focused on skill development and athlete growth. By delaying the start of tackle football until middle school, coaches can ensure that players are physically and mentally prepared for the demands of the game while building on the solid foundation they developed in flag football. In this way, young athletes will be ready for the more competitive atmosphere of varsity football by the time they reach that level, without sacrificing their health or well-being along the way.
Coach’s Final Thoughts
While tackle football is an exciting and beloved sport, it poses serious risks to young children under the age of 12-14, particularly concerning head trauma and the quality of coaching they may receive. Flag football offers a safer, more inclusive alternative that allows young athletes to develop their skills, enjoy the game, and build a foundation for tackle football later in their athletic careers. By encouraging children to play flag football at younger ages, we are not only protecting their health but also fostering a love of the game that will last a lifetime.
When young athletes are physically and mentally ready to transition to tackle football in middle school, they will be well-prepared to learn the intricacies of blocking, tackling, and other essential skills without the unnecessary risks that come with starting tackle football too early. In the long run, this approach will produce healthier, happier athletes who are equipped to succeed at the high school varsity level.