FAIRFIELD YOUTH TACKLE FOOTBALL PROGRAMS
Overview
The Fairfield Youth Football Giants organization offers 2 programs depending on grade for padded football. Tackle for 5th-8th Grade and Modified Flag for 3rd and 4th Grade. All of our programs are focused on character first, and then, athletic development of Fairfield's young athletes. Our goal is to teach the fundamental concepts and techniques of football, promote sportsmanship and adhere to a safety first approach. All of our coaches are certified through USA Football which requires extensive football fundamental course work and safety training. We require all coaches to attend continuing education clinics as well as CPR and First Aid certification. Our board maintains strict oversight and quality control to ensure your young athlete has the opportunity to learn, safely compete and take pride in their football development path.
The Fairfield tackle program competes in the Fairfield County Football League (FCFL) which is comprised of schools in the FCIAC conference. Games will be played on either Saturdays or Sundays and any away games are within a short drive.
We tap into the resources from our local high school football programs when possible and benefit from the community outreach. The vision is to further develop Fairfield's football pride and teach them that game of football that rewards those who commit to it like no other sport.
USA Football's Heads Up Program Was Adopted by FCFL in 2013. For complete details, click here.
Fairfield Youth Football provides scholarships to help qualifying children participate in FYF Tackle programs. We are proud as a program to be able to help families within our community and will review each application on its own merits. Click here to learn more and submit application
2026 Rising 5th Grade Tackle Clinic
As players transition from 4th to 5th grade, families are faced with an important decision: continue with Flag Football or move into Tackle Football. Both pathways offer competitive and rewarding experiences, but Tackle Football requires a greater commitment, including multiple weekly practices and game days beginning in August.
To help families make an informed decision, FYF offers Winter and Spring Tackle Clinics designed as a “try before you buy” opportunity for players interested in Tackle Football. These clinics allow athletes to gain hands-on experience in pads, learn the fundamentals of the game, and build confidence in a controlled, instructional environment.
The FYF 5th Grade Winter Tackle Clinic is a 5-week program specifically for rising 5th graders. The clinic focuses on core tackle football fundamentals, including:
- Proper stances and positioning
- Blocking and tackling techniques
- Position-specific instruction
- Agility, movement, and football IQ
This clinic is ideal for players coming from Flag Football who want to better understand the physicality, structure, and expectations of Tackle Football before committing to the fall season. Our experienced coaches emphasize safety, technique, and player development to ensure a smooth and confident transition into the tackle game.
Location: Boost Sports Performance Academy at 210 Old Dam Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824
Cost: $50 (5 sessions)
This program will be on Sundays on the following Dates. We offer two different hour long sessions that you can register for (4:30pm OR 5:30pm). Spots are limited for each session.
Sunday, January 25th
Sunday, February 1st
Sunday, February 22nd
Sunday, March 1st
Sunday, March 8th
Registration is open. Scroll down to sign up
2026 Fall Tackle
As you register for Fall Tackle football, it is important for parents and players to understand the commitment that will be required over the coming months. Football is a preparation sport, not a pick-up sport, and these requirements will ensure the safety of your child and teammates, as well as ensuring the best possible experience and competitiveness for our players:
1: Tackle Football Camp is provided at no extra cost and will begin August 11th. This gives the kids and opportunity to improve on their fundamental skills through coaching from our local area high schools and FYF coaches.
2. Fall season practice starts on Monday, August 18th for all Tackle grades. All practices are mandatory. If your child has not attended these practices, or has not had enough days of live tackling drills, they will not be eligible to participate in games until cleared by the Head Coach.
3. Tackle football is a contact sport! Injury risks do exist, especially for players at the 7th and 8th grade levels, where athletes begin to get faster, bigger and stronger. We have a commitment to all teams to field athletes who can practice and play safely. Should there be an injury risk concern for your child or their teammates, your Grade Head Coach will be in contact about opportunities to continue to practice with the team until that safety concern has been rectified or alternatively to develop in our FYF Flag program
4. Commitment is more than just attending practice. Players are expected to show respect and discipline – listening and learning from coaches. Furthermore, playing tackle football includes work that needs to be done at home. We expect each player to take time at home to review their playbook and watch the game tape that we will provide each week. We expect our players to show respect and discipline on and off the field to their teammates, coaches, opponents, teachers and members of their community.
5. Finally, tackle football is not a sport to combine with another Fall sport. As you can see from the above, the commitment is significant, and this should be your child’s primary sport for the Fall season. As we mentioned earlier, football is a preparation sport and is difficult to prepare when a player does not attend every practice, or attends only some practices and some games - or worse, when a player cancels their attendance at a game at the last minute.
Tackle football is a big undertaking. We feel it is important that both parents and players understand what is expected of them from the outset. If you are unable to make this level of commitment, or if your child faces a safety concern, we hope you consider competing in our grade specific flag programs.
Grades: 5th-8th based on child’s fall 2025 grade year
Registration opens in spring 2026
Tackle Refund Policy Notice:
Please reach out to [email protected] for refund requests. Please note that no refunds will be issued once regular season games or clinic sessions begin. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.