Youth Football in Jordan (Minneapolis, Lakeville: neighborhood, college, club)

[inquisitive325]

Our family will be moving to Mineappolis soon. We have targeted Jordan as the area that we think will make a good fit. My son is currntly in 1st grade and started full contact football with pads this year. It appears that the whole area does not play in pads untill 5th grade. Is there any options for someone in 2nd grade to play full contact football with pads anywhere?

[Camden Northsider]

Are you referring to Jordan, MN the town way to the SW of Minneapolis? Or the Jordan neighborhood in Minneapolis? If you're referring to the Jordan neighborhood - the Folwell Recreation Center isn't too far from you (located in a neighborhood to the north of you) and it looks like they have contact football programs beginning at age 8. Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board - Activity Results

[inquisitive325]

Referring to the town of Jordan, MN. Didn't realize 30 miles from Downtown was "way out". From what I have been able to find all SW communities play only flag football until 5th grade. Don't understand that - they play hockey and Lacrosse. Lakeville, MN appears to have a rec league for residents to play football in pads at 8yrs old but who do they play?

[Clifford63]

Originally Posted by inquisitive325

Referring to the town of Jordan, MN. Didn't realize 30 miles from Downtown was "way out". From what I have been able to find all SW communities play only flag football until 5th grade. Don't understand that - they play hockey and Lacrosse. Lakeville, MN appears to have a rec league for residents to play football in pads at 8yrs old but who do they play?

Checking is not allowed in most youth hockey programs. Not sure how popular lacrosse is.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by inquisitive325

Referring to the town of Jordan, MN. Didn't realize 30 miles from Downtown was "way out". From what I have been able to find all SW communities play only flag football until 5th grade. Don't understand that - they play hockey and Lacrosse. Lakeville, MN appears to have a rec league for residents to play football in pads at 8yrs old but who do they play?

They play other teams in their rec leagues. They probably have 10-20 teams at each age level to play.

I guess I don't understand your insistence on the full pad/full contact practices. It is not good for their bodies which is why most leagues don't allow that. Heck, the winningest coach in football ever conducts no contact/no pad practices at all practices except the one before their game-college level. He might be on to something there?

[inquisitive325]

The game of football is centered on blocking and tackling. The children will not learn any true skills by playing flag, though they may have some fun and I am not against it being offered for the kids who do not like to "hit". But Hitting is what the game is about. My son very much enjoyed playing and I would hate to see him not continue to build on the skills that he has learned. Seems if one rec club has that many teams from only one community there must be many more families in other communities that would interested. Don't mind driving my son somewhere else so he can play / learn the game he wants to, just trying to find out our options. Not create an issue.