The Basics: Optimist Tackle Football

Ages: 8-12 years

Season: Early August through October

Games: Saturdays, 7 games, Optimist Youth Sports Complex; Hill Rd, Boise (may include some limited travel to Treasure Valley towns; may include additional championship game for 11 and 12 year old divsions).  All 12 year olds will play an 8th “Bowl” game the last day of the season.

Practices: In your neighborhood, 4 times/week (5 times in first 3 weeks)

Teams: Boise and surrounding towns

Cost: $185/season; jersey and helmet provided; other equipment available as package from area sporting goods stores

Age Determination and Removal of Player Weight Restrictions


Age cut-off is midnight on September 1st of the current year.
(Parents must bring a birth certificate to one of the in-person registration events to complete their online registration.)

NEW IN 2025: In assessing guidelines and rules regarding player weight, Optimist Youth Football relied on three separate national studies, which concluded age, not weight, is the leading injury risk factor. Accurate age groupings are therefore the most important player safety consideration, while weight classifications do not offer increased safety.
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Coaches you can count on

The coaches of Optimist Football care as much about your child and his youth sports experience as you do.

We craft practices and games so your child can:

• Watch their skills grow with each practice
• Be encouraged for their effort and progress
• Develop knowledge of the game and a love for competing
• Be in a setting that follows the latest guidelines for safety, with strict
adherence and mandatory training and certification for coaches
• Enjoy the camaraderie of teammates