OPS Youth Flag Football
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OPS Youth Football is now at The Plex!
Optimum Performance Sports and its OPS Football Academy are proud to announce the integration of youth football leagues and activities into its expanding umbrella of operations.
Working in conjunction with The Plex, OPS Football will now be the managing body of all youth leagues beginning this fall. The Plex – at both the north and south locations will continue to be the venue for youth football programming – and will also take on an expanded role as host of OPS Football showcases, 7v7 events and practices.
Many of the youth football options familiar to The Plex will remain, while other new and exciting opportunities will now be made available through OPS.
Highlights include:
- The continuation of “The Yard” program on Sundays, a six-week program for kids ages 5-10 to learn the basics of the game and have fun in a relaxed atmosphere. Sessions will be held at The Plex North.
- The OPS Youth 7v7 League, with age groups ranging from 5-14 years old. Eight-week sessions with skill development, teamwork and field IQ as priorities. Organizational rules and expectations will match the OPS 7v7 Football program, allowing for a seamless transition. Teams will be chosen following an “Evaluation Day” and will mirror each other in skill sets taught & playbooks.
- Discounted access to OPS Football Academy training – including group workouts, position-specific skill development and 1-on-1 instruction.
- Connectivity with the same coaches and trainers that are at the forefront of OPS Football Academy, as well as those who lead the burgeoning OPS 7v7 organization.
- Have fun, learn the game and be held accountable and responsible!
OPS – The Yard
Beginning Sunday, August 14 on the campus of The Plex North, OPS Youth Football will begin its first session of “The Yard,” a six-week program that focuses on teaching basic principles of football coupled with a loose scrimmage to put those principles into action.
THE BASICS
- Age groups: 5-6, 7-8, 9-10
- Cost: $65 for each six-week session
- Location: Fall I and Fall II sessions outside at The Plex North
- Times:
- noon – 5-6 year olds
- 1 p.m. – 7-8 year olds
- 2 p.m. – 9-10 year olds
Details:
Each week will begin with a 20-25 instruction session teaching a fundamental aspect of the game, established by OPS Football staff. This can be a particular playing trait such as throwing or catching or skills such as change of direction, acceleration, etc.
The instruction session is followed by a 30-35 minute scrimmage that works on honing the skills taught during instruction.
Over the first few sessions, coaches/OPS player volunteers will act as the QB to make sure the ball is being tossed around fairly to as many kids as possible. As kids gain instruction and more understanding, we can then hand off QB duties to them.
Goals:
The basis of “The Yard” is to give opportunities to kids who either do not have much experience in the game to learn the basics, or for kids who would like to try other positions in a relaxed setting.
We want our younger groups especially to feel as if they can take part in a program that allows them to grow into the sport, to make a 9-year-old not feel like he cannot play football because he is just starting out.
Staff:
- Justin Kenny will oversee operations.
- Brandon Davis will run on-field operations and training
- OPS Football player volunteers will assist in coaching and training duties
OPS Youth 7v7 League
Coming in November, OPS Football Academy will begin our Youth 7v7 Leagues for ages 5-14. Partnering with The Plex, our youth leagues will prioritize skill development, the principles of the game of football and fairness in terms of team balance and playing time.
The Basics
- Age groups: 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14 (age on Nov. 1, 2022)
- Cost: $165 for each eight-week session
- Location: Practices on Thursdays at The Plex South; Game days Saturdays at The Plex North
Details:
- Each age group will go through an evaluation session prior to teams being chosen. Volunteer coaches will assess players using customized evaluation criteria and squads will then be selected via a draft format.
- Teams will be balanced to the best of our ability.
- Rules and regulations will be streamlined across all leagues. Coaches will be vetted by OPS and held responsible for their actions and behavior.
- Each age group will have a list of set skills that will be taught at each level. These will be priorities for each coach and team in that age level.
- Playbooks will be set for each age level – both offensive and defensive. The principles of the plays will be taught to the players, then built upon at successive age groups. During games, only plays from the playbook for that age level will be allowed.
- Team names and jerseys will be unique and included with the session fee
- No scores will be kept or playoffs for the 5-6 age group. Scores/standings will be kept for all other age groups, with a “playoff Saturday” concluding the season.
Winter I and II Key Dates
- Evaluation Day: Saturday, Oct. 29/Thursday, Jan. 26
- First Practices: Saturday, Nov. 5/Thursday, Feb. 2
- Week 1: Saturday, Nov. 12/Saturday, Feb. 4
- Week 8: Saturday, Jan. 21/Saturday, March 25