Registration for our 2023 Spring Flex/Flag program begins on January 16th and will continue through early March. All players are required to be fitted with soft pads and a soft helmet. Dates, locations, and times for these fittings will be posted here as well as email to parents who have registered online. Register early to secure a spot on a team.

Please note that we will form teams by a players age at the time of the start of the season. Because we also have Flex in the fall, our program shows the age of the player as of September 1st. Our staff will make any needed corrections to properly assign your child to the appropriate team for the spring season. We typically have teams made up of 6,7,and 8 year olds, 9-10 year olds, and 11-12 year olds.

Flex fitting dates, locations, and times are as follows:

Saturday, March 4th 11AM to 2PM at Fanci Freez - Meridian Location 1750 W. McMillan Rd.
Thursday, March 9th 6PM to 8PM at Fanci Freeze - Meridian

FRIEND OF FOOTBALL

WHAT HAS CHANGED ABOUT THE GAME
WHY KIDS SHOULD PLAY SPORTS
OPPORTUNITIES IN THE TREASURE VALLEY TO PLAY
FOOTBALL RESOURCES IN THE BOISE, MERIDIAN, EAGLE AREA

GO TO FRIENDOFFOOTBALL.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION

Flex Football

Flex provides the real football gameplay that flag players desire, along with the fundamental progression that every tackle player needs. Through the experience, competition, progression, or just plain fun, athletes get what they want from the game with Flex.

Like NFL off-season practices, Flex focuses on fundamentals, football IQ, and physical development, but in the form of gameplay. High-tempo and low impact, it’s a great tool for accessibility and development in the game of football.

Ages and Weights

Age cut-off is midnight on September 1st of the current year.
(* Players exceeding the maximum weight for his/her age will have the option to advance to a higher age league but they must meet the weight requirement for that league. No player can advance more than two age brackets - no exceptions.)

Advance with FLEX Football

• Ages 6-13, including girls
• The ideal progression game without tackling
• Learn football’s important fundamentals
• Players wear furnished padded vest and soft helmet, plus flags
• Enjoy the benefits of all Optimist Football programs, including strict adherence to the latest safety guidelines and mandatory training and certification for coaches

Download Current OYF Rulebook (.doc)

Rookie League (8 years) - maximum weight:

100

Freshman League (9 years) - maximum weight:

115

Sophomore League (10 years) - maximum weight:

130

Junior League (11 years) - maximum weight:

145

Senior League (12 years) - maximum weight:

170

The Basics: FLEX

Ages: 6-13, Boys & Girls

Season: Spring Flex/Flag

Games: FLEX football games will be played during the week, on Mondays and Wednesdays. Practices start mid April and games will be played during the month of May.

Practices: Practice Locations vary by team and are generally at a neighborhood park or school. Teams may practice up to 3 times per week prior to the start of games, then once per week thereafter.

Teams: Boise and surrounding towns

Cost: $150/season; jersey and flags provided

Add your child to Optimist Football or Cheer.

Siblings and friends: join Cheer! Cheer squad is a great opportunity for a sibling of a player, or a friend or neighbor, to be involved with Optimist. Each team can have a squad, and there is guidance and an early-season camp for participants. Cheer squad members practice at the same time and location as the football team, making it easy on families. Cheer squads add to the game-day spirit and perform at halftime. Open to ages 4-12 years. (Cheer is only available for the Fall Tackle Season)