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Tackling the game: Little League introduces third, fourth graders to tackle football
NEW MADRID, Mo. — Jarrett Allen still remembers when he first stepped on the high school football field for his Little League championship game.
“Getting to go to the high school football games on Friday was incredible, I couldn’t wait to do that. But putting on your helmet and your pads and getting to play on that same varsity field was something special,” Allen said. “That is one thing I will always cherish and remember forever.”
The Little League Youth Football program continues to make memories for boys – and girls – in third through sixth grades. This year there are 70 youngsters from New Madrid, Parma, Matthews, Lilbourn and the surrounding area taking part in the league, which is fielding a third and fourth grade team and a team of fifth and sixth graders.
Kevin Lyons took part in the program as a player and for more than 20 years has served as a coach.
According to Lyons, most of the youngsters on his third and fourth grade team took part in New Madrid’s Youth League flag football program for pre-kindergarten through second grade. The Little League Youth Football program is designed as the next step.
Lyons said many of the third graders are still trying to understand football. Some are even a bit scared.
Working with assistant coaches T.J. Sides and Michael Brown, Lyons said they try to position the younger players where there is less contact until they gain an understanding of the game.
“For probably 60 percent of them that first year is a deciding year about whether they like playing the game,” he said. “Some are quick, some are strong, everybody is not a running back, everybody is not a lineman. We try to encourage them at what we see they can do best to succeed in moving forward.”
If they enjoy their experience, he said, most of the players stick with it, not only through the Little League program but into the Central Middle School and High School programs. Lyons pointed out a majority of the Central High School Eagles varsity football team are former Little League participants.
Practices also introduce players into a regime.
Twice during the week the third and fourth graders meet at 5:30 p.m. After suiting up they exercise for 20 minutes then break into groups where they work on skills required by their positions. For the last 45 minutes of practice the offensive runs plays against the defensive.
The hardest thing is getting his players, who range in age from 7 to 9, to focus, Lyons said.
“This is kind of a separation stage. They have to start to grow up a little bit,” he explained. “They have to start to become their own person and realize I can tie my shoes myself, I don’t need my mom to tie my shoes or I can buckle my helmet or I can get my teammate to help me buckle my helmet, I don’t have to run to mom to do it for me.”
To keep their attention, the coaches strive to keep practices moving and above all, fun.
Lyons said he also mixes in some life lessons as he teaches the rudiments of the game.
Of course, there is the lesson that sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. Lyons said he also hopes they learn to have pride in what they do, whether it is success on the field or in the school.
“Football teaches a camaraderie and a friendship that will last forever,” he said. “It also teaches them there are steps in football to be successful. If each step is not handle correctly the process will fail. It is the exact same with life. If you don’t go through life with a certain process you will fail in life.”
Stephen Medlin said after the third and fourth graders learn the base formations and plays, he and his assistant coaches Brian Williams and Martin Maltbia, will build upon this with the fifth and sixth grade team.
“As we move them up to the fifth and sixth grade team we are able to get a little more advance,” he said. “It is amazing what these young kids can learn and can retain.”
In the past there was a trend for each grade to have its own team. However, combining grades has worked well for the New Madrid program, Medlin said. He said youngsters gain an understanding that it isn’t just about playing time but about mastering the game and honing their skills.
“They are working as substitute players behind some of the starters who are a year older and a year more advanced but they are sticking with it and even bringing out their friends the next year,” he said. “They know how to focus more on the team as opposed to just on themselves and their own personal playing time.”
Both Medlin and Lyons noted the young players are also becoming acquainted with their opponents and their games. The New Madrid Little League is part of a Southeast Missouri league which includes teams from Cape Girardeau, Poplar Bluff, Jackson, Dexter, Kennett, Portageville, Charleston, Hayti, Caruthersville, Kelly and Sikeston.
They also praised the many volunteers, parents and supporters who make the League possible.
Recalling his Little League Football days, Allen added praise for those who volunteer to coach.
“Over the years, we had some great volunteer coaches who really put a lot of work and effort into it,” he said. “So many had tremendous impact on my life. I hope they understand how important they are and how thankful I am. I’m sure many of the people who came through our Little League programs are too.”