PROGRAM INFO

Flag Football introduces younger athletes to the game in a fun, non-contact environment. Played on a smaller field with fewer players, Flag helps athletes learn basic football skills, spacing, movement, teamwork, and game concepts while building confidence and enjoying the sport.

Pre-K/Kindergarten and 1st/2nd Grade options available.

Rookie Tackle is a modified, developmentally focused version of football designed to bridge the gap between Flag Football and full 11-player tackle football. In our league, Rookie Tackle is played 8-on-8 on a smaller field, with simplified rules and no special teams, giving athletes more opportunities for reps, skill development, and multi-position learning.

AJSA strongly encourages 2nd graders to participate in Rookie Tackle before moving into 3rd grade Traditional Tackle.

Traditional Tackle Football begins in 3rd grade and continues through 6th grade. Players build on earlier fundamentals while learning more advanced offensive, defensive, and team concepts in preparation for their future high school programs.

Focus areas include safe tackling and blocking techniques, position fundamentals, football IQ, teamwork, toughness, and coachability.

Organized practices begin in August, with the first practice date determined annually by AJSA and posted on the program calendar.

Practices are held at designated fields throughout the City of Andover. Exact practice times and locations are communicated by each team’s coach.

Typical practice schedules are:

• Pre-K/Kindergarten and 1st/2nd Grade Flag Football: usually two practices per week
• 1st/2nd Grade Rookie Tackle and 3rd–6th Grade Tackle Football: usually three practices per week until games begin

August practices are especially important. This is when teams are introduced to fundamentals, coaches evaluate players, and athletes begin learning offensive, defensive, and team concepts.

Families are encouraged to plan vacations before the start of August practices whenever possible, especially for Rookie Tackle and Traditional Tackle players. Jr Football Camp is offered for 4th through 6th grade athletes only. Families with eligible players can find full camp details by selecting Jr Football Camp under the About Us tab.

Player team assignments are based on the grade the athlete is enrolled in as of September 1st.

Requests to play up one grade are rarely granted and are reviewed by AJSA on a case-by-case basis. AJSA may consider the athlete’s size, athletic ability, prior football experience, coach input, teammate size and safety considerations, and roster needs in both grade levels.

Because play-up approvals can affect roster balance, player development, team placement, and future grade-level assignments, AJSA keeps athletes with their current grade whenever possible. Final approval of any play-up request rests solely with AJSA.

Team rosters are formed with consideration of grade level, the Andover Public School the athlete attends, and the feeder system leading toward Andover High School and Andover Central High School.

For tackle football players, AJSA provides the following equipment as part of the registration fee:

• Helmet
• Shoulder pads
• Practice jersey
• Game jersey
• Practice pants
• Game pants

Players are responsible for providing their own:

• Mouth guard
• Socks
• Cleats

For safety, certification, warranty, insurance, and league rule compliance, players may only use equipment issued and fitted by AJSA. Personal helmets, shoulder pads, helmet visors, back plates, or other add-on equipment may not be used, purchased, installed, or attached to AJSA-issued equipment unless specifically approved by AJSA. Outside modifications can affect equipment fit, safety certification, manufacturer warranty, league eligibility, and insurance coverage.