{"id":10010,"date":"2017-02-01T19:04:00","date_gmt":"2017-02-01T19:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/associatednews.us\/content\/2017\/02\/01\/big-rule-changes-could-make-youth-football-games-a-whole-lot-smaller\/"},"modified":"2017-02-01T19:04:00","modified_gmt":"2017-02-01T19:04:00","slug":"big-rule-changes-could-make-youth-football-games-a-whole-lot-smaller","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/associatednews.us\/content\/big-rule-changes-could-make-youth-football-games-a-whole-lot-smaller\/","title":{"rendered":"Big Rule Changes Could Make Youth Football Games A Whole Lot Smaller"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Colin Dwyer<\/a><\/span> <\/p>\n

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USA Football says it will be testing a new version of the game in select youth programs this fall that could become an alternative to tackle football and flag football. Adriana Varela Photography\/Getty Images<\/strong> hide caption<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Adriana Varela Photography\/Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

As concerns over player safety mount, the national governing body for youth and high school football is considering a version of the game that could look radically different from what football fans might expect.<\/p>\n

It’s a leaner, less contact-inclined game, focused on fostering well-rounded athletes and cutting down on the kinds of bone-rattling, open-field hits that can leave parents cringing in the bleachers.<\/p>\n

It is also, for now, just a glimmer in the eyes of its creators at USA Football: The organization will be introducing new rules in a pilot run at select youth football programs across the country for the fall season.<\/p>\n

Here’s a breakdown of what players and parents can expect from the modified game, as told to NPR by USA Football Communications Manager Tom Yelich:<\/p>\n