 Well for eight years the Bemidji Youth Football Program has taught kids the basic skills of playing football. In tonight's community spotlight our Josh Peterson shows us how a change in the program could lead the way to having higher quality athletes. For these kids it's just another after-school practice but it's what they learn at this age that could take them well into the future. For years the Bemidji Youth Football Program has always focused on the basics giving each kid the opportunity to try out each position. Fourth and fifth grade no matter what size you are inside the 20 can touch the ball. So now we try to create it so everyone gets a chance to score and be a part of the offense. This year is the first time that third graders won't be allowed to tackle. Instead they'll be using tackle bars a new technology to help teach kids a safer way to tackle. Yeah as opposed to flag when you when you reach and lunge for the flag now you're going to be wrapping and pulling the bar we're hoping that that's going to create a better understanding of how to properly tackle in the game. For the kids they're learning more than just football they're also learning valuable lessons. The thing that makes me want to keep on playing is I just have a lot of fun doing playing football, exercising, good sportsmanship always. And while the kids are getting a well-rounded experience for some trying out football is a way of helping them train for other sports. My dad made me because they want me to get stronger for wrestling. But for many of these young football stars it's dreaming of what could be in their future. I want to make it to the NFL or at least college. For many of the coaches it may seem like only yesterday when now two Bemidji Lumberjack football players were learning the basics through the youth football program. But their first few original members now making their way through high school it will only be a matter of time before we know the impact of the program. The more football they can play the more reps they're getting the better it's going to be for the for the program as a whole. With this week's community spotlight in Bemidji Josh Peterson, Lakeland News. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland news please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.