Tackle Football
Optimist offers tackle football to participants ages 8 years old through 12 years old serving Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Star, Mountain Home, Kuna, Emmett, Homedale, and Wood River.
Tackle teams are formed based around the school a participant attends and area where they live. Once assigned to a team, those players stay with the same coaches and players throughout their time in the program.
Each player is required to play a minimum number of plays each half to help ensure more equitable playing time.
Every team plays seven games throughout the season. Teams also travel to other clubs and leagues for games.
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.)
The Basics: Tackle
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)
Practices: In your neighborhood, 4 times/week (5 times in first 3 weeks)
Teams: Boise and surrounding towns
Cost: $150/season; jersey and helmet provided; other equipment available as package from area sporting goods stores
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.
