The New York Times reports that U.S.A. Football, youth football’s governing body, intends to introduce drastic changes to the game, in response to safety concerns and declining participation.
The Times writes:
The organization has created a new format that brings the game closer to flag football and tries to avoid much of the violence in the current version. Among the rule changes: Each team will have six to nine players on the field, instead of 11; the field will be far smaller; kickoffs and punts will be eliminated; and players will start each play in a crouching position instead of in a three-point stance.