They may not be old enough to enter the NFL draft yet, but 40 area 6- to 9-year-olds got their first experience in football through the YMCA NFL Ultimate Football program this spring.

"The kids have been having a blast with this," said Ryan Finney, YMCA teen and family director.

The coed program concludes with its final games Thursday at Lincoln Elementary School.

A five-on-five game, NFL Ultimate is a combination of football, soccer, basketball and ultimate Frisbee. There are no set plays or downs as in regular football. Instead, the ball is passed around the field from teammate to teammate in any direction. Players can run only two steps after catching the ball. Reaching the end zone remains the offensive team's goal. Continuous play on missed passes or interceptions makes for continuous action.

Score is kept but no running record is kept, Finney said. The idea behind the program, he said, is to teach the fundamentals of football - passing, running and catching. There is no physical contact in the game.

For the first couple of games, 12-minute halves were played. For their last two weeks, the games have had 20-minute halves.

"They're getting the hang of it now so we play 20-minute halves," said Finney.

There are four teams this year and six volunteer coaches.

Fee for the program is $25 and financial assistance is available to those who qualify based on household income and family size.

NFL Ultimate is a mail-order program created and sponsored by the NFL, ESPN and Nike, who sends the YMCA the balls, reversible jerseys and promotional items for the program. All the jerseys have the Indianapolis Colts logo on them.

"They're cool jerseys," said Finney. All the participating kids wear their jerseys to school, he said, because they like them so much.

"It's a great deal," said Finney of the program and all that comes with it. Without the program sponsors, Finney said, they probably would have to charge double the fee to pay for the costs and promote the program.

In its first year at the YMCA, the program was five weeks long. Finney said they are still discussing whether to have the program in the fall or wait until next spring for its second year.

The YMCA philosophy is to strive to provide a positive environment for the young athlete and family. Participation, fitness, skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship and having fun are stressed over winning.

For more information about the YMCA, and its programs, call 269-9622 or on the Web at www.kcymca.org [[In-content Ad]]