April 12, 2024 |
Photo – Adult Football logo – Courtesy Dallas Fields
An Encampment resident is attempting to organize a four-versus-four adult football league in Carbon County.
Dallas Fields is the physical education teacher at the Encampment K-through-12 School. He has a degree in physical education and health and a coaching endorsement in football.
Fields said he played in an American-style football league while living in France. When the player count began to dwindle, Fields said he adapted the rules to suit a smaller number of players.
Fields said he changed the game to adapt to the number of people participating. The Encampment gym teacher said the smaller number of players necessitated the elimination of kick offs and punts.
Fields also said the field of play was shortened to 30 yards wide by 60 yards long. Without officials, Fields said players were responsible for calling their own penalties.
After returning to Carbon County, Fields said he wanted to start a football league using a similar set of rules. However, no one was interested in his idea.
Fields said he went to California to play in a Goal Line Football Game. When he returned to Encampment, Fields said he was encouraged to try and start his own league again.
Fields said only eight players are needed for a game, but additional players help prevent burnout. The Encampment P.E. teacher said players will need to show proof of medical insurance and provide their own equipment.
Fields said he has arranged a football field in Saratoga to play on.
Fields has created a Facebook page called Tackle Football Small Sided Games. He encouraged people to visit the Facebook page to get an idea of the style of football he is proposing.
Fields said you don’t have to be a professional football player to participate in his proposed league. The P.E. teacher said a smaller field and no special teams lowers the potential to get hurt.
Fields said he would like to play once or twice a month.
Visit the Tackle Football Small Sided Games Facebook page www.facebook.com/TackleFootballSSG/ or email dallasfields20@gmail.com to register.
Fields said he is not charging a registration fee, outside of the requirement for players to have their own equipment.
