Overview cont.
Registration for the
Fall Season is done on-line via the leagues web site (www.rfl.cc)
and begins in mid May or early June. Six divisions, one
flag and five tackle are available based on age and weight.
Within each age and weight group at the Pony, Pee Wee and
Intermediate levels is a NAVY Division and an ARMY Division.
Coaches will place players in the proper division based on
experience and in some cases size.
The requirements can be found by following the
Age & Weight link.
Players are placed on teams based on previous participation
and geographical boundaries established by the Board.
Transfers or moving of teams can only be accomplished by
submitting a Waiver Form available on the web site. Age and/or weight exceptions
are very rare and must be initiated by a letter to the
President from a physician stating the medical reasons why
such an exception should be considered. All games are
played at Mattie Stepanek Park located in King Farm.
New Players should not register until they have read the
Registration Primer that is right next to this article on
the Home Page.
Practice may start on August 1st
however the younger division teams tend to start later.
Practice schedules, times and locations are set by the
individual team coaches. Please do not email the
league and ask about practgice schedules and locations.
Only your coach can tell you. While it is best that players
attend all August practices it is understood that vacations
and camp sometimes interfere. Limited absence will be
tolerated while significant missed practices may result in
less playing time until the player catches up with the rest
of his teammates.
The RFL provides Helmets, Shoulder
Pads, Game Uniforms and mouth guards to all registered
players. Cleats, practice jerseys and pants and any special
pads or protective devices are the players responsibility.
Divisions:
Flag
- Entry level football for those not ready for the rigors of
a tackle program. As an instructional league there is no
score kept and there are no play-offs. Practice may begin
anytime after August 1, however most Flag teams do not start
practice until the end of August. Games are usually played
on Friday evenings and one night during the week. The season starts the weekend after
Labor Day and runs through early November. Coaches are
primarily parents of players but must be approved by the
League and complete National
Youth Coaches Association (NYSCA) Certification requirements.
Coaches determine practice schedules, locations and time.
There is a must play requirement by which every team member
must play at least 8 plays per game.
Ankle
Biter - Entry level instructional tackle
football. As an instructional league there is no score
kept and there are no play-offs. Games are usually
played on Saturday mornings. The season usually
starts Labor Day Weekend and runs until late
November or the first weekend in December. Practice
may start after August 1. Prior to the start of school
three practices a week are
permitted although most coaches practice two times per week.
Once school starts practice is limited to two times per
week. Most coaches have either prior coaching experience or have
played at high school or college level. Coaches must be
approved annually by the Board of Directors and certified by
the National Youth Coaches Association (NYSCA)
and USA FOOT BALL. Coaches determine practice
schedules, locations and time. Ankle Biter games
follow a special format which assures equal playing time for
all players.
Pony and
Pee Wee Divisions – These divisions are only
differentiated by weight and slightly different age
requirements. This is novice level tackle football.
Standings are kept and all teams compete for their
respective league championships. While beginners are
welcome, a basic knowledge of the game will aid the learning
process. Pee Wee games are usually played on Friday
evenings, Pony on Saturday morning and afternoon. The
season usually starts Labor Day Weekend and runs until
late November or the first weekend in December. Practice
may start after August 1. Prior to the start of school four
practices a week are permitted although most coaches
practice two or three times per week. Once school starts
practice is limited to three times per week although most
teams only practice twice. Most coaches have either prior
coaching experience or have played at high school or college
level. Coaches must be approved annually by the Board of
Directors and certified by the
National Youth Coaches
Association (NYSCA) and USA FOOTBALL. Coaches
determine practice schedules, locations and time.
There is a must play requirement by which every team member
must play at least 8 plays per game in the Navy Division and
10 in the Army.
Intermediate – Advanced level. Standings are kept
and all teams compete for their respective league
championships. Most players have at least a year of youth
football experience and many have several years. This is a
competitive division and many of its participants go on to
play high school football. While first year players are
welcome, unless they are exceptional athletes they should be
prepared to spend several weeks learning before receiving
significant playing time. Games are usually played on
Saturday afternoons or evenings. The season usually Labor Day
Weekend and runs until late November or the
first weekend in December. Practice may start after August
1. Prior to the start of school four practices a week are
permitted. Once school starts practice is limited to three
times per week. Most coaches have either prior coaching
experience or have played at high school or college level.
Coaches must be approved annually by the Board of Directors
and certified by the National Youth Coaches Association (NYSCA)
and USA FOOTBALL.
Coaches determine practice schedules, locations and time.
There is a must play requirement by which every team member
must play at least 8 plays per game in the Navy Division and
10 in the Army.
Middle
School Football League (MSFL)– These are advanced level
teams that have no weight restrictions. Players are
restricted to a team that represents the High School they
will most likely play football at in the future.
Players outside the RFL core will be handled on a case by
case basis. Home games are played at
Mattie Stepanek Park while away games are played at various locations. Participation in the
Middle School Football League
is geared for serious players that are planning on playing
high school football. As such the program is rigorous and
demanding to better prepare players for the next level. Like
high school football there are no minimum play requirements.
This does not preclude first year players as many due to
size have simply never been able to fit into the traditional
youth football weight requirements. Based on the number of
participants there may be both a Varsity (6th – 8th
graders) and a JV (5th – 7th graders)
based on experience and ability. The season usually starts Labor Day
Weekend and runs until late November or the
first weekend in December. Practice starts August 1. Five
practices a week are permitted. All coaches have
significant coaching experience and most have played high
level football. Coaches must be approved annually by the
Board of Directors and certified by the
National Youth
Coaches Association (NYSCA) and USA Football. Coaches determine practice
schedules, locations and time.
Cheerleading – The RFL Cheerleading program is
attended to introduce the basic fundamentals of cheer as
well as promote sportsmanship and spirit. Squads are made
up of girls and boys ages 5 to 14. Coaches are usually
parents with some cheer experience that are aided by area
High School cheerleaders that serve as instructors.
For more information on all the topics
discussed above contact
president@rfl.cc.
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