An organization that represents more than 64,000 primary care pediatricians and other professionals dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of children recently released a policy statement that recommended standards for youth tackle football but did not set a minimum age for participation.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, which released these proposals Saturday during its national conference in Washington, D.C., focused on four primary tenants – all of which USA Football supports.

• Game officials and coaches must enforce the rules of proper tackling, including zero tolerance for illegal, head-first hits.
• Players and parents must decide whether the benefits of playing outweigh the risks of possible injury.
• Opportunities for non-tackling (flag football) leagues should be expanded.
• Certified athletic trainers should be available on the sidelines.

The AAP also noted that delaying the introduction of tackling until a certain age may reduce the risk of injury for certain ages but “could lead to even higher rates of injury … if players have their first tackling experiences when they are older, stronger and bigger.”

“It’s this paradox that makes it so important for leagues to teach proper tackling technique and skills to avoid and absorb tackles,” Dr. Greg Landry said in an AAP press release accompanying the position policy.

SEE ALSO: Read the entire AAP position statement

USA Football’s programs and resources benefit more than 1 million youth and high school players, coaches and parents to establish standards founded in the best available science.

Through USA Football’s Heads Up Football program, every member of the football community is offered instruction on Heads Up Tackling and Heads Up Blocking techniques; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concussion recognition and response protocols; sudden cardiac arrest protocols; heat and hydration education; and instruction on proper helmet and shoulder pad fitting.

USA Football also operates NFL FLAG, which brings flag football to more than 265,000 U.S. children ages 5-17. 

And while having certified athletic trainers on every sideline is the goal, USA Football recognizes the financial and availability challenges this presents to youth programs.

The bottom line, the AAP wrote, is to keep kids active and empower parents to make informed decisions for their kids’ best interests.

“The AAP encourages athletes to continue playing organized sports while supporting coaches and officials in their work to reduce these injuries,” Dr. William Meehan, a member of the AAP Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness, said in the release.