1) Grade-Based League: AYFL divisions are determined by participant's grade during the season.
A Division is for 7th and 8th graders. 6th graders that turn 12 before September 1st are eligible to advance to A. Any one over the age of 15 on September 1st MAY NOT participate.
B Division is for 5th and 6th graders. 4th graders that turn 10 before September 1st are eligible to advance to B.
C Division is for 3rd and 4th graders. 2nd graders that turn 8 before September 1st are eligible to advance to C. 3rd graders that are 7 on September 1st may request a regression to D. 2nd graders that are 7 on September 1st are eligible to advance to C; however, grade/age exception waiver signed by the parent and approved by the AYFL Board is required.
D Division is for 6 and 7 year olds (*there will be a 72 lb weight limit applied to 7 yr olds for safety reasons - players exceeding that limit may request permission to participate in C league).
Cheer ages model the tackle divisions; however, sibling requests will be honored whenever possible.
2) Volunteer League: AYFL is a league run by volunteers. It is expected that every family chip in to assist the league and/or team; however, we recognize that some families may have a full plate. Families will be given the opportunity to Opt out of volunteering during registration by making a donation to AYFL.
3) Player Retention (Tackle A thru C only): Returning players will automatically return to the same team they played on last year if returning to the same division. For example, a player that played for the B Division Panthers will returning to B league will remain on the Panthers. Players moving up a division will be included in a draft. If a player does not desire to return to his former team, the parents must send an email to AYFLretention@ayfl.org and provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances why the player should not return to his former team.
4) Player Evaluations (A thru C Division football players only, not cheerleaders. D league players just need to be sized, there will not be a D league draft): AFYL hosts evaluation sessions (see AYFL Calendar for dates and times) for tackle football. All players playing tackle football must attend a tryout in order to be eligible to play This includes players that have signed-up but have been placed on a waiting list. For players returning to the same team as last year, special team eval/gatherings will be scheduled separate from the league wide evals (these players are encouraged to attend the team specific gathering instead of the league wide eval).
5) Player Participation (Tackle A thru C only): AYFL is revising player participation rules for 2010, with an objective to make sure that everyone participates at least 16 plays per game.
6) Player Positions (Tackle A thru C only): Since AYFL is an grade-based league, there is no limit on a player's weight. However, the League does establish a weight per division, often referred to as the running back weight, where players at or below this weight can play any position on the field (e.g., running back, quarterback, offensive/defensive line, linebacker, safety). Players exceeding this weight can only play on the offensive or defensive line. For the safety of all players, they cannot run the ball, play quarterback, or play anywhere other than the offensive or defensive line. They may participate on special teams in designated positions (kick-off team- any position) and receiving team on the front-line only.
In 2009, the running back weights were as follows:
C Division - 84 lbs and below
B Division - 104 lbs and below
A Division - 134 lbs and below
The running back weight is established after the final tryout. The above 2009 weights are provided only as a guide and will change based upon the weights of the children participating in the league in 2010.
7) Time Commitment : Football is a time-consuming activity. Practices start the first week in August for tackle football and Cheer 2 weeks later. The first game is August 28th . In order to appropriately prepare your child to play, and ensure his/her safety, participation in practices is essential. AYFL expects a child to make most if not all of the pre-season practices, so that coaches have sufficient time to prepare the entire team for the season. Parents that know their child will miss a significant portion of August practices (more than one week) should re-consider registering their child to play.
8) Game Schedule: The first scheduled game for 2010 is August 28th, that is the week before Labor Day weekend. In 2010, Loudoun County schools will open the Monday after Labor Day.
9) Refunds: AYFL will refund the registration fee up to two weeks after the start of practice. There is a $15 service charge for all refund requests. After that time, if a child decides not to participate or is unable to participate, no refund will be offered.
10) The Loudoun County field individual usage fee of $10 has been added to the AYFl registration fee for 2010 (this new "expense" was collected from families after the season started in 2009)
11) DO NOT duplicate a registration. If you complete registration and want to make a change - contact us at registration@ayfl.org
REGISTER HERE
