Putting the fun in fundamentals: New Madrid’s flag football program is...

NEW MADRID, Mo. - The youngster grins as he catches the ball tossed by his coach. He runs it back to the line and performs a summersault into his teammates.

Warm-ups are under way before the teams take the field and the crowd is filling the bleachers at the Hunter-Dawson Park in New Madrid. It is another night for New Madrid’s Little League Flag Football program.

This year approximately 40 first and second graders are taking part in the flag football program.

A member of the SEMO Health Network team turns upfield with members of GreenPoint Ag in pursuit during a flag football game at New Madrid. The four team played Monday and Tuesday evenings through Oct. 19.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

The sport differs from traditional football. Here youngsters “tackle” opponents by grabbing a flag hanging from their waist rather than wrestling them to the ground.

Steven Medlin, athletic director for the city of New Madrid, called flag football a great option for youngsters.

“We wanted to be able to offer something to get kids involved at an early age,” he said. “In some cases this is their first exposure to a team setting.”

The flag football program at New Madrid concentrates on the basics such as learning how to play together as a team and how to huddle around the coach. Some skills take more practice to learn than others.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

The program emphasizes the basics. Medlin noted often the lessons are as simple as learning to stop when the whistle blows or how to huddle around the coach.

As the season advances, the boys - along with a few girls - are on the field mastering their ball handling skills and pursuit angles.

For the past three weeks, the four teams have taken to the field each Monday and Tuesday evening for games.

Each of the flag football teams is supported by cheerleaders. The city of New Madrid offers flag football, tackle football and girls volleyball as well as the cheerleading program each fall.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

TJ Sides, who has previously coached Little League tackle football, T-ball, baseball and softball, is coaching flag football for the first time this fall.

He said he has worked with his team on the fundamentals such as how to get down in their stance and work as a team. The youngsters have learned how to run some basic plays.

Those who played flag football last year took home some great information and they brought it back this year, Sides said. Also he pointed out many of the first- year players are showing some top-notch skills as they learn the game.

A runner with GreenPoint Ag sprints for the goal line as a SEMO Health Network defense player reaches for the flag.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

“A lot of people think it is too young for kids to start, but just to come out and play an organized sport I think is wonderful,” he said. “I think it teaches them how to come together as a team and it gets them interested (in football) when they start learning young.”

Sides’ son Marshall said he has learned how to play both offense and defense in his first year of flag football. However, offense is his favorite, especially when he scores a touchdown, he added.

“But it is just fun to run and get exercise,” Marshall said.

A member of the SEMO Health team runs with the ball during a flag football matchup at the Hunter-Dawson Park in New Madrid.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

Eight-year-old Paxton Ross also likes the offense best but acknowledged he is good at both offense and defense.

Overall, Paxton said flag football ”is fun to play.”

Josh Underwood was on the sidelines watching his son J. Douglas, who is playing flag football for his second year. Underwood said the flag football program gives his son an opportunity to be with friends he might not see in his classroom as well as the opportunity to play football in a structured setting.

Members of the GreenPoint Ag team huddle up around their coach to discuss their next play during the game.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

“He has really come along since the first practice with his stance and listening to the coaches,” Underwood said and added with a smile, “The fact that he is listening to the coaches and taking instruction is just amazing.”

Another benefit, the father said, was that after all the practice and the games, his son comes home tired and ready for bed.

While the city of New Madrid offers the flag football program for first and second graders, there is also Little League tackle football opened to third through sixth graders, a Little League cheer program and a girls volleyball program. The programs are opened to not only New Madrid youngsters but also those from throughout the area.

Members of the team sponsored by TJ's Landscape Service work on passing drills prior to the start of their game. This year there are four teams made up of first and second graders taking part in New Madrid's flag flootball program. Sponsors are GreenPoint Ag, Bank of New Madrid, SEMO Health Network and TJ's Landscape Service. Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

Underwood, who also has a daughter taking part in the volleyball program, said he is grateful for all New Madrid and its Parks Program offers.

“I just want to thank the city for putting this together and all the volunteers that help out,” he said. “That is what makes it work.”

Putting the fun in fundamentals: New Madrid’s flag football program is popular with parents, children