The football community lacks standardized levels of play. Age categories not only vary between regions, but also in their description, as some classify based on age (e.g. U11) while others use names (e.g. Atom). Categories also vary with respect to their age ranges. As a result, age categories are inconsistent with respect to the developmental stage of athletes, resulting in some that consist of larger gaps (e.g. 7, 8, 9 year olds) which can cause safety concerns. Larger age gaps may also result in younger athletes receiving limited developmental opportunities.

Rationale

A standardized system in-line with the LTAD would allow players across the country to compete in the same groupings. Confusion would be minimized when determining a standardized pathway for athletes to move from grassroots to high performance.

 

Under designation
	Ages
U8	6, 7
U10	8, 9
U12	10, 11
U14	12, 13
U16	14, 15
U18	16, 17
18+	18 and older

Tackle football lacks a true off-season in Canada. The sport continues to grow and with it, so do the opportunities to compete. Playing additional games is seen as a means to get ahead. Leagues now play in the fall while an increasing number of spring or summer leagues are becoming available in many regions across Canada. In addition, during the fall season, some players choose to participate on two tackle football teams concurrently (e.g. high school and club football). In all, players may be members of three separate teams; playing 30 or more, full tackle football games a year.

Currently, players are also free to participate in an unlimited number of out-of-season tackle football games (e.g. all-star games). There is currently little regulation of these types of games. In addition to adding to players total games played, questions arise as to whether or not these types of contests are properly insured, have coaching staffs that are properly trained, or if they are being run by reputable organizations. Currently, the NCAA limits high school seniors to two of these types of games of which USA Football’s national teams are exempt.

Rationale

Playing two seasons concurrently (at the same time) dramatically increases the risks of injury. Proper recovery is necessary for optimal athletic performance and limiting risks such as burnout or injuries.

Playing two seasons at the same time also doubles the number of games played in a week, therefore diminishing time for practice and development.

Rather than adding repetitions brought on by enrollment in a second team or season, athletes looking to develop would have more success through participation in out-of-season player development programs or non-contact leagues.

Rationale

Allowing for proper rest and recover reduces the risk of injury, and maximizes weekly practice and preparation time. A longer recovery time between games would also enable players sufficient time to work through the return-to-play protocol and may deter some players from rushing through the protocol to return to competition during a short practice week.

Rationale

Some out-of-season tackle football games offer little developmental benefits, whether the benefits are developmental or exposure. Adding in-game tackle football competitions increases the potential risk of injury for athletes. These additional competitions also reduce athlete’s ability to play other sports as well as focus on off-season activities such as strength and conditioning as well as skill development (e.g. player development program).

Category	Weeks per year
U8	No Contact Football
U10	10 + 1 Safe Contact Week
U12	12 + 1 Safe Contact Week
U14	15 + 1 Safe Contact Week
U16	16 + 1 Safe Contact Week
U18	16 + 1 Safe Contact Week

Rationale

Playing too many games can lead to burnout or to overuse injuries. Additionally, health and safety issues may arise when playing on two teams concurrently. For example, a coach may be unaware that a player on their roster has sustained an injury in another league (e.g. concussion) and are supposed to be following the return-to-play protocol. This can lead to various liability issues.

Having a true off-season is important for a number of reasons. Players not only need proper rest and recovery but can use time away from competition to work on skill development, conditioning as well as to play other sports.

Category	Male	Female
U8	Non-contact	Non-contact
U10	Non-contact or 6-a-side	Non-contact or 6-a-side
U12	Non-contact, 6-a-side, 9-a-side	Non-contact or 6-a-side, 9-a-side
U14	Non-contact, 6-a-side, 9-a-side, 12-a-side	Non-contact, 6-a-side, 9-a-side, 12-a-side
U16	Non-contact, 6-a-side, 9-a-side, 12-a-side	Non-contact, 6-a-side, 9-a-side, 12-a-side
U18	Non-contact, 6-a-side, 9-a-side, 12-a-side	Non-contact, 6-a-side, 9-a-side, 12-a-side
18+	Non-contact, 6-a-side, 9-a-side, 12-a-side	Non-contact, 6-a-side, 9-a-side, 12-a-side

Note: Males and Females may participate together up to U14, but it is recommended that if numbers allow, female participants should be provided their own participation programs specifically in the contact stream starting at U10.

Rationale

The modified versions of the game offer more development opportunities, especially at the younger levels. They offer more playing time, more involvement in the action and better coach-to-athlete ratios. The gradual progression will ensure optimal athletic and tactical development at each developmental stage.

Mandating a team’s roster size at the start of a season with a minimum number of players makes sure teams have enough players to continue during a season should in-season injuries occur.

The recommended maximum to begin thinking of alternative options is a threshold at which having too many players restricts the ability for all players to get playing time or adequate development opportunities.

	Minimum to start season	Minimum to play game	Recommended to play a game	Maximum to begin thinking of other alternative options
Touch 5’s	7	5	7	7
Touch 7’s	9	7	9	9
Flag 5’s	7	5	7	7
Flag 7’s	9	7	9	9
6-a-side	9	8	10	10
9-a-side	17	13	15	15
12-a-side	30	24	28	45

Not enough time is dedicated to fundamental movement skills and skill development during the FUNdamental (ages 6-9) and Learn to Train (ages 10-12) stages. Instead, competition and strategy are over-emphasized, resulting in early specialization. In many cases, players never get to try multiple positions on offence or defence which can have adverse effects on their development.

The football system is also not standardized when it comes to the types of football, best suited to early levels play. In some parts of the country, young players may start with 12-a-side football while others begin with modified football such as flag, 6 or 9-a-side, and work their way towards 12-on-12.

Rationale

Creating a standardized practice calendar would assist coaches and leagues better align their programs with the LTAD plan.

There is currently no guide with respect to how many practices or amount of contact in practice is best for specific ages. Not enough time is dedicated to fundamental movement skills and skill development during the FUNdamental (ages 6-9) and Learn to Train (ages 10-12) stages. Instead, competition and strategy are over-emphasized, resulting in early specialization. In many cases, players never get the opportunity to try multiple positions on offence or defence which can have adverse effects on their development.

The football system is also not standardized when it comes to the types of football, best suited to early levels play. In some parts of the country, young players may start with 12-a-side tackle football while others begin with modified football such as flag, 6 or 9-a-side, and work their way towards 12-on-12.

Rationale

These early stages of play are vital, as they provide the foundation for future success. As described in the LTAD plan, all athletes are more likely to succeed, if early in life, they develop a wide range of movement, balance and object control skills.

A focus on strategies such as special teams or executing complicated play calls is very difficult, given the cognitive capacity of players at these age levels (e.g. attention span, memory capacity). Significant time in practice is devoted to teaching players strategy instead of skill development.

Rationale

Creating a standardized practice calendar would assist coaches and leagues better align their programs to the LTAD (see Appendix C).

These early stages of play are vital, as they provide the foundation for future success. As described in the LTAD plan, all athletes are more likely to succeed, if early in life, they develop a wide range of movement, balance and object control skills.

A focus on strategies such as special teams or executing complicated play calls is very difficult, given the cognitive capacity of players at these age levels (e.g. attention span, memory capacity). Significant time in practice is devoted to teaching players strategy instead of skill development.

 

U8 (non-contact [flag and touch] only)
	Off-Season	Pre-Season	Safe Contact week (1 week before Pre-Season)	In-Season
Number of practices	None allowed	None	3 practices allowed	2 practices/week
Length of practices	N/A	N/A	60 minutes max.	60 minutes
Two-a-days	N/A	N/A	N/A	None allowed
Number of games	None allowed	None allowed	N/A	4 games max., 1 developmental game (recommended)

 

U10
	Off-Season	Safe Contact week (1 week before Pre-season)	Pre-Season (1 weeks before 1st game week)	In-Season
Number of practices	None allowed	3 practices allowed	3 practices allowed	2 practices/week
Contact to non-contact ratio	N/A	Helmets only	First 2 practices must be helmets only with 3rd practice being full pad optional	30 minutes max. of contact per practice
Length of practices	N/A	60 minutes max.	60 minutes max.	90 minutes max.
Two-a-days	N/A	N/A	N/A	None allowed
Number of games	None allowed	N/A	None allowed	6-8 games max. (including 1 developmental game)

 

U12
	Off-Season	Safe Contact week (1 week before Pre-Season)	Pre-Season (1 week before 1st game week)	In-Season
Number of practices	3 practices	3 practices allowed	4 practices allowed	3 practices maximum/week
Contact to non-contact ratio	All non-contact	Helmets only	1 practice with helmets only  No contact practices two days in a row	3 practices/1 must be helmets only
Length of practices	90 minutes	60 minutes max.	90 minutes max.	90 minutes max.
Two-a-days	N/A	N/A	None allowed	None allowed
Number of games	None allowed	N/A	None allowed	7-9 games max. (including 1 developmental game)

 

U14
	Off-Season	Safe Contact week (1 week before Pre-season)	Pre-Season (1 week before 1st game week)	In-Season
Number of practices	5 practices	3 practices allowed	4 practices allowed	3 practices maximum
Contact to non-contact ratio	All non-contact	Helmets only	Must have 1 practice with helmets, No contact practices two days in a row	3 practices/1 must be helmets only
Length of practices	90 minutes	60 minutes max.	90 minutes max.	90 minutes max.
Two-a-days	N/A	N/A	None allowed	None allowed
Number of games	None allowed	N/A	None allowed	8-10 games max. (including 1 developmental game)

 

U16
	Off-Season	Safe Contact week (1 week before Pre-Season)	Pre-Season (2 weeks before 1st game week)	In-Season
Number of practices	10 maximum	3 practices allowed	6 practices minimum  8 practices maximum	4 practices maximum/week
Contact to non-contact ratio	All non-contact	Helmets only	Maintain a 3 contact/1 non-contact practice ratio	4 practices/1 must be helmets only  3 practices/1 must be helmets only
Length of practices	120 minutes	60 minutes max.	120 minutes max.	120 minutes max.
Two-a-days	None allowed	N/A	None allowed	None allowed
Number of games	None allowed	N/A	None allowed	10 games max. (1 exhibition, 6 regular season, 3 playoff)

 

U18
	Off-Season	Safe Contact week (1 week before Pre-season)	Pre-Season (2 weeks before 1st game week)	In-Season
Number of practices	10 maximum	3 practices allowed	6 practices minimum  15 practices maximum	4 practices maximum/week
Contact to non-contact ratio	All non-contact	Helmets only	Maintain a 3 contact/1 non-contact ratio	4 practices/1 must be helmets only 3 practices/1 must be helmets only
Length of practices	120 minutes	60 minutes max.	120 minutes max.	120 minutes max.
Two-a-days	None allowed	N/A	4 two-a-days maximumOnly 1 padded practice allowed in a two-a-day	None allowed
Number of games	None allowed	N/A	None allowed	12 games max. (1 exhibition, 8 regular season, 3 playoff)

 

The current system has room to grow football’s non-contact streams across Canada. The lack of programming in the FUNdamental and Learn to Train stages are counter-intuitive, as they’re well suited for the sport’s introduction while promoting fundamental skill development. There’s also a lack of programming in the Active for Life (non-competitive and senior league, recreation) stage.

Rationale

Non-contact football is a great opportunity to help introduce young athletes to the sport while teaching many of the fundamental skills required to be proficient in sport at later stages of development. Non-contact football also provides a safe and fun way for youth to interact with the sport without having to worry about contact. In addition, non-contact football requires less equipment which may reduce start-up costs and can be played on a greater number of playing surfaces.

Rationale

Non-contact football is a great avenue to promote sport for life and keep former tackle athletes participating in the game. It is also an opportunity to introduce adults who have not participated in the tackle context to enjoy football for fun, exercise and competition.

The current system does not allow for athletes to play at appropriate competition levels at all stages. Regardless of skill level (development age), players of the same chronological age compete against one another. In addition, players of lesser ability as compared to their peers are sometimes cut from teams.

Rationale

Especially at younger ages, lesser skilled players may benefit from additional coaching, playing time or off-season opportunities to bridge developmental gaps.

The current system does not provide a standardized pathway for female participation and development. The effect of this gap is evident through a lack of female specific programming at the Learn to Train (9-11), Train to Train (11-15) and Learn to Compete (15-17) age groups. The current system primarily introduces female athletes to the sport of football through non-contact streams or by playing in predominantly male tackle leagues. A number of female athletes either rejoin the sport or become introduced to football at the senior (18+) level.

Rationale

Having programs across the country to service female participants is crucial for the development of our sport. Collecting quality feedback from our current female participants on how to grow and develop those programs is the best approach to eliminate this particular gap.

There are currently no standardized U14 and U16 high performance pathways. A number of provinces lack U14, U16 and U18 regional and/or provincial championships which would prepare athletes for national and international competition in their later years. This gap includes both male and female tackle as well as non-contact football.

Rationale

The creation of regional and provincial championships would introduce players to higher level competition in preparation for national and international competition. Such competition could also be used to identify players for regional or provincial teams in addition to allowing players to test themselves against elite competition. Elements such as strength and conditioning, physical testing and tracking could also be gradually introduced in preparation for national and international play.

Note: The gap is currently at the U14 and U16 levels, where no real high performance teams or opportunities are offered (changes are highlighted in the appendix).

 

 

Male Tackle Football
	Current	Proposed
U14	No championships	Provincial championships only
U16	Provincial championships (dependent on PSO) Regional championships (dependent on PSO) Red River Cup, Spalding Cup	Provincial championships Regional championships
U18	National championship (Canada Cup) International competitions International Bowl IFAF U19 (Junior) World Championship	Regional championships  National championship (Canada Cup) International competitions International Bowl IFAF U19 (Junior) World Championship
18+	Vanier Cup (CIS) Canadian Bowl (CJFL) International competitions International Bowl U19 (Junior) World Championship Senior World Championship	Vanier Cup (CIS) Canadian Bowl (CJFL) International competitions International Bowl U19 (Junior) World Championship Senior World Championship

 

Female Tackle Football
	Current	Proposed
U14	No championships	Provincial championships
U16	No championships	Regional championships
U18	No championship	National championship
18+	Football Canada Women’s Challenge International competitions Women World Championship	Football Canada Women’s Challenge International competitions Women World Championship

 

Non-contact Football (male and female)
	Current	Proposed
U14	No championships	Provincial championships
U16	No championships	Provincial championships Regional championships
U18	Flag Nationals U16 category U18 category	Regional championships Flag Nationals U16 category U18 category
18+	Flag World Championship	Flag World Championship Football Canada non-contact league (PSO act as divisions)