Tackle Football Youth Curriculum, Go Core Athletics

Ages 8 to 12

Youth Clinics

Two youth clinics move from first contact on bags to controlled team reps, with safety and technique first at every step.

Youth Clinic 1, Introduction to Tackle FootballHalf-Day · 3 Hours · Ages 8 to 12

0:00 to 0:20

Warm-Up & Movement Prep

Dynamic stretch, agility ladder, and body-control games
Coach expectations: effort, respect, and playing safe

0:20 to 0:45

Equipment & Stance

Helmet, shoulder-pad, and mouthguard fit check with Ashlee Austin-Bean
2-point and 3-point stance, get-off, and athletic position

0:45 to 1:20

Tackling Fundamentals, Bags Only

Heads-up shoulder tackle: eyes up, near-foot, near-shoulder, wrap & squeeze
Fit-and-freeze and profile-tackle footwork into held bags
No live contact, technique and body position only

1:20 to 1:40

Water Break & Team Talk

Go Core values: teamwork, respect, effort
What it means to play 'safe and tough', plus icebreaker introductions

1:40 to 2:20

Ball Security & Blocking Basics

Ball-carrier fundamentals: high-and-tight, five points of pressure
Base-block hand placement and pad level on bags and sleds

2:20 to 3:00

Controlled Team Period & Celebration

Half-speed, coach-commanded team reps at the Control level
End-of-session celebration, sticker awards, and parent showcase

Youth Clinic 2, Offense, Defense & Controlled ContactFull-Day · 6 Hours · Ages 8 to 12

0:00 to 0:30

Warm-Up & Athletic Movement

Ladder drills, cone weaves, and directional-change exercises
Dynamic stretch sequence led by athletic training staff

0:30 to 1:15

Tackling Circuit, Bags to Control

Form fit, angle/profile tackle, and sideline tackle stations
Gang-tackle pursuit angles and rally-to-the-ball
Progress to controlled wrap on a shielded coach

1:15 to 2:00

Offensive Line & Ball Carrier

Drive and base blocks, hand placement, and double-team footwork
Running-back vision, cutback reads, and ball security

2:00 to 2:30

Lunch & Team Talk

Nutrition basics, fuel before and after sport
Goal-setting: each athlete sets one skill goal

2:30 to 3:15

Skill Positions

QB: snap, handoff mechanics, and drop footwork
WR: releases, route stems, and catching
DB/LB: backpedal, pursuit angles, and tackling profile

3:15 to 4:30

Controlled Team Period

Install run and pass concepts at the Thud level
Coach-directed play calling with rotating reps

4:30 to 5:30

Athletic Training, Speed & Agility

Acceleration mechanics, change of direction, and eccentric strength
Cool-down stretch and foam-rolling intro

5:30 to 6:00

Debrief & Awards

Coaches review athlete highlights from the day
Skill-award recognition and parent Q&A

Ages 8 to 12

Youth 3-Day Camp

Full daily programming builds on clinic fundamentals with a guarded contact progression, athletic training, and a character focus each day. Live reps on Days 2 and 3 are earned only through Contact Certification on Day 1.

Day 1

Foundations & Safe Contact

Check-In, Equipment Fit & Warm-Up, Team assignments, gear fitting, and a dynamic warm-up led by Ashlee Austin-Bean
Fundamentals Stations, Heads-up tackling form (bags), blocking and hand placement, ball security, and athletic agility
Position Intro & Contact Certification, Walk-through of offense and defense; athletes earn form-tackle and base-block certification before live progressions
Controlled Scrimmage, Thud, Coaches officiate and guide half-speed team play
Character & Cool-Down, Toughness with respect, trust exercises, then guided stretching and foam rolling

Day 2

Offense & Defense Deep Dive

Offensive Skills Clinic, Run-game blocking, RB/QB exchanges, route basics, and install of a simple youth playbook
Defensive Skills Clinic, Gap control, run fits, pursuit angles, and tackling progressed to the Control level
Scrimmage, Coach-Gated Live, First supervised live reps for certified athletes; others stay at Thud
Character: Resilience, How do we respond to mistakes and losing?
Athletic Training, Strength, Bodyweight circuit: squats, lunges, push-ups, planks

Day 3

Competition & Celebration

Game-Day Warm-Up & Final Install, Full team warm-up and final playbook review
Camp Tournament, 3-team round robin, modified rules, 20-minute games
Athletic, Speed Finals, Timed 40-yard dash re-tested vs. Day 1 benchmark
Championship Game, Top two teams, full sideline experience, families invited
Awards Ceremony, MVP, Most Improved, Best Teammate, and the Iron Helmet, certificates for all

Assessment

Tackle Football Benchmarks

Coach-administered skill scores and athletic markers track measurable growth from the first day to the last.

0 to 5 Scale

Skill Scores

Tackling, blocking, position technique, and football IQ, re-assessed at the end of every camp to show measurable growth.

By Ashlee

Athletic Markers

40-yard dash, broad jump, and 5-10-5 shuttle recorded by Ashlee Austin-Bean at the start and end of each camp.

Safety-Gated

Contact Certification

Every athlete earns heads-up form-tackle and base-block proficiency before live reps, a progression that is earned, not assumed.