Sixteen flag football players, ages 4 to 6, are registered for the Lincoln Area YMCA's Chad Burnham flag football. Most of those young players were at practice Wednesday evening, tossing the ball, running plays and learning the basics of the game. Now and then someone would roll around in the grass. It's just too nice to stay upright when you can do gymnastics between plays.

The miniature players practice and play their games at the Y Activity Center on Wyatt Avenue. Games are entering their sixth and final week, but practice is just as important now as ever, as the young athletes continue to repeat their moves and show what they've learned on Saturday mornings.

Terry Bent and Mike Starasta are coaches for flag football. Ron Tomczak and Jeff Brummell are assistant coaches.

Pictures by Marla Blair

Sometimes when the weather is warm, and energy is high, it just takes a while to get into the swing of the game. Flag football players joked around before practice Wednesday night.

Players line up for a turn at running, as one teammate stretches and gets into shape before his turn comes around. Eleven players attended practice Wednesday night.

Assistant coach Ron Tomczak encourages a player to take a chance against the invisible opponent and carry the ball into play.

Tomczak delivers instructions during Wednesday practice for the Lincoln Y's flag football. Players this season are 4 to 6 years old.

Chris Cicci, sports and activity director at the Y, helped a player fasten a strap holding the flags. Cicci does not coach, but he organizes the Y sports and athletic programs offered during the year.

Coach Terry Bent offers encouraging words as the flag football players begin to unwind after the hourlong practice Wednesday night.

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