He can get started at age 8-10 yrs of age, or when the kid feels he wants to. As a parent you never want to make the decision for the kids in some instances like this one. Because what if you make the decision to do it and he doesn't, he might not be the player that he could fully be, potential wise. So just bring it up to him as he gets closer to being able to play, and he might show you a big surprise. Sometime it takes a little bit for them to break out. It took me a little bit when I was coming up. And with some of the kids I coach now, they are first year players in tackle(jr midget), and there is some teaching that was missed. But with good coaches, a gr8 attitude, belief, willingness to learn will help increase his attributes. Football IQ. Let me know if this helps you out a little bit or more. Remember this though, you have to be super positive and careful of the words used to push on forward. Have a great day.

Thanks for the reply. His motivation is definitely not an issue. He would suit up tomorrow if he could.

I was really looking for information that tells me, not so much when they CAN play, but when they SHOULD play. I'm reading so many different articles that discuss the sports injuries seen in elementary age children. Kids with blown out knees, spinal injuries, etc...

I know that tackle football is available to 2nd graders, but I am hesitant to let him play such a hard contact sport at such a young age. If my wife has her way he won't pad up until the 7th grade, but waiting that long could put him too far behind the other kids.

As much as I love watching the little guy play, I want to make sure I do what's right for him (and not what's right for me).

I would like to see these articles if you have a link. I have not seen a blown out knee in elementary school aged kids playing football. Remember if your child is playing with other kids his age and approx same weight the force at which they hit is not that great. I have seen very few injuries at 10 and under. Once kids get faster and bigger the injuries increase dramatically but that is true of all sports not just football.

Counter to this is, football is one of the few sports you can start playing later without being to far behind. Yes the first year will be a huge learning curve whether it is at the age of 7 or 14.

It's all in the kid there are 6yr old's doing fine yet on average I would say 8 tends to be when whining is the exception and not the rule. since you started him out in flag, "not an option where I live," I would say he isn't going to have to worry about being behind and as far as tackle techniques, get a dummie and teach him to rap up and block properly, If more parents did take the time for this, injury and bench time would decrease.

i appreciate all the input. thanks.

the one article i remember in particular, was on cnn.com. i tried to search for it but could not find it.

when he weighs more than the football