FOOTBALL FAQ
How old do you have to be to play football?
Our Flag program is for Kindergarten thru 2nd grade.
Tackle starts with our 8U (Rookie Tackle ) team which is for 2nd and 3rd graders must be 7yrs old by 7/31. We also have 9U,10U,11U,12U and 13U teams.
Who is eligible to play tackle football?
Children in grade 2 through grade 8, between the ages of seven and fourteen 07/31 of the current year (cannot turn 14 on or before 7/31). Children must be in good health and a Doctor’s Consent Form is required to participate.
What organization(s) does the Yorktown Youth Football (YAC) affiliate with?
We participate in the Taconic Youth Football and Cheer. The TYFC is a member of the American Youth Football and Cheer, one of the nation's largest youth football and cheer organizations. The TYFC is comprised of 10 towns from Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties.
What is the time commitment to play football?
In order to ensure the players’ safety, a significant amount of practice time is required to play football. Football practice begins in early August.
Practices are held Monday through Friday nights, approximately. 10 hours a week throughout the month of August. Practice during August is of paramount importance in how a team develops, both physically and in terms of its personnel being evaluated by the coaching staff. Therefore, players are expected to be at every August practice.
Where are practices and games held?
Practices and home games are held at either Legacy Field ,GraniteKnolls, Sports Barn or Yorktown High School.
Away games are played at any of the participating Towns fields.
What is the deadline for registering for Yorktown Youth Football?
Registration for the Football season will be as follows:
May 1st Registration Opens
June 1st Registration Closes
**Your registration is not complete until full payment and all paperwork has been received. Any unpaid on-line registrations will be deleted from the system. Players with outstanding paperwork (especially Doctor’s consent) will not be allowed to participate in August practice.
Why is there so much paperwork required to play football?
It is critical that we have complete contact and health information about your child. Please take care when completing the registration form that birth dates, grades, and phone numbers are accurate and up-to-date to aid in the correct placement of your child on the team.
Do not take this task lightly, your child will not be able to play until completed.
Consent Form (see the Documents section of the website). Please note: this form must be signed and dated after January 1, of the current year in order to be valid. Forms from previous years will not be accepted and are rejected by the Taconic Youth Football and Cheer. If you cannot schedule a physical exam until after July or August due to insurance reasons, your doctor can still sign and date the form this year and reference the Physical Exam date of the previous year if necessary.
It is also required that your child’s full end-of-year report card is copied and forwarded to us.
Every grade on your child’s report card is averaged to determine if he/she is eligible to participate.
Do I have to buy all of the equipment?
As part of your fee, we supply your football player with the Shoulder pads and helmet w/o chinstrap and game jerseys. Our equipment is reconditioned on a regular basis. Please make every effort to be at our scheduled equipment pick up with your son. If you do not pick up equipment at this time, your son may start August without it and have to be pulled from practice for a fitting. You need to purchase the more personal items such as an athletic supporter/cup, football cleats, black football pants, mouth guard and chin strap.
Is the TYFC considered recreational or competitive?
The TYFC is made up of mostly seasoned football programs and the level of play is considered to be Travel/Competitive.
8u (Rookie Tackle) is instructional.
Is there a minimum or fair play policy?
The TYFC does have minimum play policies (4 to 8 plays) which vary depending on team size. All players will receive their minimum playing time.
There is no guarantee or expectation of more playing time, especially with large teams.
How is playing time and positions established?
All players start the season off with a "clean slate”. Assessments are held during the first couple of weeks of practice. Based on skill and ability players are selected for positions that best suit their style and the team dynamic. Attendance, ability to listen, comprehend and learn, all will be deciding factors. Playing time will also be dictated by team size as well as the above-mentioned criteria and is not to be questioned. Parents must always wait 24 hours after a game to discuss your child's playing time or positions with the coach. You should respect his judgment and decisions at all times.
What are the average team sizes?
We have been averaging approximately 25 players per grade level. The TYFC mandates that teams MUST split if they reach 52 players.
If this were to happen, teams would be split as evenly as possible, thus more playing time.
Who makes all these team decisions?
The Head Coach and his selected assistant coaching staff. All have been approved and selected by the Yorktown Youth Football Board. Any decisions made by the coaches are said to be in the best interest of the team, individual player, and the program and will be backed by the Board.
Are the coaches paid for their time?
The whole organization is run under the pure notion of volunteering for the children and the community. Every Board member, Coach, field crews, game announcers, concession stand workers, equipment organization, and hand-outs, and so much more, are solely volunteers, who may or may not have kids in the program and pay all the same fees as everyone else. Thank you to all our volunteers.