What are the league ages and weights limitations for the divisions?

Division allocation is determined by the "league age" of a child.  A child's "league age" is determined by whatever the child's age was on July 31st, 2009. (Yes that is 2009) Therefore if your 14 year old played in the summer leagues they are eligible to play one last season in the FSYFL (even though they are already likely to be 15 years old)

The FSYFL certifies a players weight at the beginning of the season and then does not do any further weigh ins. 

• Peewee            8 - 10 year olds - 110 lbs or less

• Supers             9 - 11 year olds - 130 lbs or less

• Midgets          10 - 12 year olds - 145 lbs or less

• Junior Varsity 11 - 14 year olds - 160 lbs or less

• Varsity           12 - 15 year olds - Unlimited Weight

What are the costs to register each player?

What do I need to register my players?

• Copy of Birth Certificate
• Registration Fee
• FSYFL Registration Form
• FSYFL Medical Waiver Form
• FSYFL Liability Release Form

When is the FIRST Practice?

While coaches of teams may practice as much as they like in advance, the FSYFL insurance policy will only cover teams from the first formal practice of the season which is FEBRUARY 7th, 2010.  Practices prior to this date are not covered under the liability insurance for the FSYFL League.

What are the Equipment Requirements?

The FSYFL provides a game jersey. Teams are required to provide the remainder of the football equipment requirements through their own clubs or other means.

Is this a Recreational or Competitive Program?

While this program is an 8 on 8 tackle football league, the games are full contact competitive football.  There are some rule differences from regular 11 on 11 football, but in general the games are the same as regular season football competitions.  To review the rules Click Here

How long is the Season and when does it start?

2010 Season Tentative Game Dates (All Games played on Saturdays)

• Regular season games (7 Games) March 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th and April 3rd, 10th, 17th
• 1st Round Playoff (Regional Playoffs) April 24th
• 2nd Round Playoffs (Conference Finals) May 1st
• 3rd Round Playoffs (State Semi Finals) May 8th
• State Championships - May 15th

When and Where are the Games played?

All games are played on Saturday mornings typically starting with the Peewee divisions and ending with the Varsity divisions.

• Regular Season, 1st and 2nd round games are played at each of the local conference facilities. (During the Regular Season teams may play a few of their games outside of their conferences)
• 3rd Round and Super Bowl games will be played at a field TBD each season.

How many players are there on each squad?

Teams are advised to have no more than 20 players on their roster and no less than 12 players.  However there are no strict FSYFL rules on the amount of players required.

When and Where are the practices?

Practice times are determined by the coaches of each squad.  There are NO limitations to the number of practices allowed.  However typically squads will practice 1 - 2 times per week from 6.30pm - 8.30pm, and begin practice approximately 4 - 6 weeks prior to the start of the season. 

What is the Certification process for players and rosters?

On the FSYFL the Certification process is handled as follows:

1. Pre-certification Meeting - This meeting is held 7-10 days prior to season start in each region.  All coaches are required to attend with their player file folders.  These folders are then checked for correct paperwork, hard cards, photos, birth certificates and liability forms.  The on line roster system is available at that time to make any corrects to rosters.
2. First Game Weigh In - All players on each team roster is checked against their hard card and photo and then weighed.  If the player is qualified the hard card will be stamped with an FSYFL certification stamp over the card AND photo.  Once a player has been weighed and certified they do not have to weigh again for the season.
3. Second Game Weigh In - Due to the fact that teams are allowed to add players up to the beginning of the 2nd game, all late addition players will be weighed in and stamped at this weigh in.  Following this the final roster for that team will be stamped with the FSYFL certified stamp and this roster placed inside the coaches file folder.  No additions or changes will be allowed to the team from there on out.
4. Field Check In - For the remainder of the season, players will be checked in using the team file folder with photograph verification only. 

NO PLAYER WILL BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THE FIELD WITHOUT:

• Full payment being made to the FSYFL
• Full paperwork completed

What are the weigh in rules?

The FSYFL does have a slightly different approach to weigh ins from other leagues.  Click here for the weigh in rule document.

Are the rules any different for 8 on 8?

The rules for 8 on 8 are essentially the same as regular football, in terms of the basic game and penalties etc.  For a full set of rules please Click Here. However the following basic differences apply:

• The game is played with 8 on 8 players on the field
• There are two 22 minute halves with a continuous clock
• Only 2-3 referees in the game (depending on divisions)
• There are no field goals
• The field size is 80 yards by 40 yards
• The timeout structures are slightly different

What are the rules regarding naming of the teams?

The FSYFL allows each of the coaches/organizations to determine their own team names.  However we discourage the use of NFL team names without regional or geographic additions. (i.e. "Patriots" would not be acceptable but "Tampa Patriots" is fine) The FSYFL will assign a number to each team for the purposes of game schedules.

How can I be sure there will there be a team in every area?

Typically there are teams in most areas of the conferences, but this is NOT a guarantee.  If your child is interested in joining a team in your area you can email the FSYFL here and when a team registers from your area the FSYFL will forward your child's information to that coach.  The FSYFL will also inform you of that team contact.

What about Cheerleaders?

FSYFL football teams may have cheerleading squads if they wish.  The FSYFL Registration Fee for Cheerleaders is $75 for the season.  The program is run in such a way that cheerleading teams may be compiled of mixed age groups or divisional age teams.  For guidelines on the cheer program click HERE.  All cheerleading forms and documents are provided on the FSYFL Coaches documents web page HERE.  Do you need a CHEER Brochure?

What is required as a coach?

The easiest way to review this information is to download the "Coaches What to Do Document" for FOOTBALL and CHEERLEADING.  These documents describe the entire responsibility of coaches for running and managing a team.

• There will be no player additions to a teams roster after the start of the second game of the regular season.  An addition is determined by full payment of the registration fees to the FSYFL registrar.
• No additional teams can be added up to and including midnight two weeks prior to the first game of the season.
• The final schedule will be provided to all coaches two weeks prior to the first regular season game.

What if I don't have enough players for my team?

The FSYFL web site registers individual players as well through our web site.  These players can be allocated to teams (who have openings) in their geographic area.  If you have a team and have some openings you can call Sandy Beckett 813 728 6747 and we will allocate some players to your team.

Do the games have official referees?

Yes all games in all conferences are officiated by certified referees.  These referees are provided, paid for and scheduled by the FSYFL.

Can I enter teams from each division of my Summer League Organization?

Yes.  Organizations/Coaches can enter as many or as few teams as they wish.  Many organizations enter the FSYFL tournament with a team from each of their Summer program divisions, and due to the limited size of teams on 8 on 8, some enter more than one team in each division.  Some coaches that participate are not associated with an organization and simply enter the tournament as independent coaches.

What is the cost to a coach or organization to enter a team/s?

There is absolutely no cost to a coach or organization for entering a team/s.  The only costs that are applicable are the FSYFL registration fees of $110 per player registered from your team/organization.  The FSYFL provides a Coaches What to do document here  The FSYFL provides the following: Liability Insurance, Game Jerseys, Medals and Trophies, Game Fields, Referees, Game Schedules, Field Set up and Operations, Weigh Ins, Play-off Schedules

Who do I contact if I need some information?

The following Regional Management Partners manage and oversee the various FSYFL regions.  Please email or call your RMP for any further information.

How does the FSYFL Insurance program work?

The FSYFL provides all teams that participate in the tournament an Accident and Liability Insurance coverage.  The liability coverage is a basic protection for the FSYFL and organizations and team participating against a lawsuit for negligence of a variety of kinds.  This liability essentially covers players, fans, coaches, organizations and board members associated with the liability coverage.   The accident coverage provides for accident insurance for any injuries sustained by players and coaches in the normal course of any game within the tournament purview.  This is a standard youth football accident 2ND TIER accident coverage program.  This means that the players/coaches personal insurance will be the primary and the FSYFL accident coverage will pick up any medical costs unpaid by the personal insurance coverage.  If a player does not have medical coverage then the FSYFL policy will cover as the primary.  For any further clarifications please email the FSYFL.  Players are required to sign an FSYFL Liability Release as well as a FSYFL Medical Release form to participate.  The Liability Release is a form required by the FSYFL insurance companies that ensures parents and participants are aware of the dangers associated with football, and in turn protecting the FSYFL from unreasonable law suits.  The Medical Release is a document that parents sign to release the FSYFL and their representatives to take an injured player to a medical facility in the rare event of a football related accident.

REGIONAL MANAGEMENT PARTNERS (RMP)

"This is my 1st year in FSYFL and the experience could not have been better. The league has been nothing but helpful in any problem that arose when I was forming my team together. The game play is fast and action packed. FSYFL has been a dream for not only myself but for the kids as well. If you want to play football in the spring this is the league to join" Coach John Folk, Flagler PAL

"I’ve enjoyed coaching and watching our players flourish in the FSYFL. There are not a lot of differences between 11 and 8 man football and your league has given our young athletes an opportunity to grow in the off-season which will certainly reap the benefits for each of them this coming fall. The FSYFL is a top notch organization and I am excited for the future of this league as it expands throughout the state, and who knows maybe someday across state lines"

Bob Priestap, Defensive Coordinator Brandon Wolfpack

 

If you're looking for a great way to improve your players skills during the off season, the FSYFL is the way to go!  The league not only provides our young athletes with an avenue to work on their football skills during the off season, it also allows them to compete against teams that they normally wouldn't play during the fall regular season.  With twelve teams in our age division that range from the East coast to the West Coast of Florida, the diverse competition has been great.  Also, the games have all started on time, and the officials have been first class and professional during each game.  The league does a great job staying in communication with the coaches and keeping us updated via e-mails and their web-site.  Overall, FSYFL has been a great experience!

Tony Mosco, Head Coach West Tampa Warriors

 

FSYFL has been a great growth experience for our kids and a pleasure to coach. Spring ball has given our staff the chance to coach kids who really want to play the game and it has been refreshing and unique. The kids love it and it is offering kids who love the game an additional season. It has been a super experience in all regards. The league has been run flawlessly and the support to our group from the league has been super in all regards.

Steve DeLuca, Head Coach Deland Bandits