QUESTION: Why should  my child play football?
ANSWER:

The values kids learn from football set them up for success on and off the field. The game inspires character, leadership, resilience and teamwork — key life skills that transfer from the huddle to the classroom and beyond.

QUESTION: What kind of time commitment should  I expect?
ANSWER:

Conditioning, practice, and game schedules may vary depending on the age of the athlete, and each head coach. The time commitment on a tackle football team is generally around three two-hour practices a week, plus a game on the weekend.

QUESTION: Does my child need a physical exam?
ANSWER:

Each year, the player’s physician must certify that the player is physically fit to play youth football by signing the Physician’s Examination Form. We realize that it may be necessary to schedule a physical exam before the Physician Certification Form can be submitted. The Physician’s Examination Form must be returned prior to the first full contact practice. 

QUESTION: Is the GCYFL an age-based league or a grade-based league??
ANSWER:

The GCYFL is a grade-based league. Our grade levels are Kindergarten and 1st Grade combined, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade. There are no middle school 7th and 8th Grade teams.  

QUESTION: ​When does the season start? How long does it run?
ANSWER:

The 2024 season will begin in July and run through the end of October. See the upcoming season’s key dates below:

June 8th – Conditioning practices may begin.
July 15th – Practices in full pads may begin.
August 3rd & 4th – 11th Annual Fairfield Kickoff Classic
August 17th – GCYFL regular season league play games begin.

QUESTION: Is tackle football safe to play?
ANSWER:

Football, as we know it, is changing. The way the game used to be taught and played is different from what’s happening today. Player protection and injury prevention are front and center, causing a major culture shift within the sport. According to the National Institute of Health, Basketball, Cheerleading, Soccer, and Wrestling all report a higher injury rate among youth sports than football.

QUESTION: ​Do FYAA coaches receive any training?
ANSWER:

Every FYAA coach must complete and earn the USA Football’s Heads-up Blocking and Tackling certification. This certification covers:

Foundations of Quality Coaching
Transformational Coaching
Tackling & Blocking: Skills & Drills
Health & Safety
Abuse Prevention
Principles of Safer Contact
Effective Practice Planning or Communication Strategies

Our coaches must also earn a certificate to recognize the symptoms of concussions. They also must review Lindsay Law Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) Informational Video and Documents annually, and at least two members of the coaching staff must be certified in CPR.

QUESTION: Do your coaches complete a background check?
ANSWER:

Yes, all of our coaches must take a background check before they are permitted to provide any coaching for Fairfield Youth Football.

QUESTION: May I donate or sponsor FYAA ?
ANSWER:

Fundraising/Donations- Fairfield Youth Athletic Association is a 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit and accepts donations and sponsorshiips; this helps cover costs for insurance, field maintenance, clerical fees, home games, referees, end-of-the-season trophies, practice equipment, and player equipment. 

QUESTION: Is thare a fee to attend youth football games?
ANSWER:

Yes, every organization will charge an admission fee. This covers the cost of paying for the officals and other organization expenses.

Admission Fees are $6 for Adults, $4 for Students and Seniors, Children under 12 are free.

QUESTION: ​​May I help with practices?
ANSWER:

Practice assistants are welcomed and allowed at the discretion of the team's head coach. Practice assistants must complete all of the required training and certification that head and assistant coaches complete. Head coaches are ultimately responsible for the schedule of all practices and any practice assistant coach participation.

QUESTION: ​What if there is inclement weather during practice or a game?
ANSWER:

Football is played in inclement weather and players should expect to practice or play.  Exceptions will be made for severe weather, high heat index, or during anticipated lightning/thunder storms.  If fields are closed or if a practice is canceled, communications will be sent directly from the player’s coach or team mom.

QUESTION: I have more than one child who will be playing is there a multi child discount?
ANSWER:

Yes, there is a discount for each additional child who plays.

QUESTION: Are there weight limits?
ANSWER:

Yes, for grades K - 5th grade there are limits to the weight of backfield players. There is no weight limit for 6th grade.

QUESTION: Do I have to buy equipment?
ANSWER:

FYAA supplies each football player a helmet, shoulder pads, and a mouth guard. 

The game day uniform and pants along with pads for the pants are included in the cost of registration. These are yours to keep at the end of the season.

Practice pants and practice jerseys may be purchases from FYAA depending on supplies.  

QUESTION: What is USA Football's Heads Up Program?
ANSWER:

The Heads Up program is USA Football’s national initiative to help make the sport of football better and safer. Introduced in 2012 by the NFL's youth development arm, USA Football, and funded entirely by the NFL, Heads Up is now employed by over 5,500 youth organizations. The program teaches concussion recognition and response, heat and hydration protocols, proper equipment fitting instructions, but its central tenet is the Heads Up Tackling program. When executed properly, Heads Up Tackling literally takes the head out of the game. Players are taught to keep their heads up and lead with their shoulders when tackling.

USA Football’s Heads Up Tackling is a step-by-step protocol to teach the core principles of the skill and sets a new standard in player safety. The program utilizes five fundamentals through a series of drills to reinforce proper tackling mechanics and teach players how to properly tackle with a focus on reducing helmet contacts.

You can learn more about USA Football's Heads Up program at: http://usafootball.com/headsup.

QUESTION: Is there guaranteed playing time for all players?
ANSWER:

FYAA's first concern is the safety of the players. There are weight restrictions for the players who can run, throw or receive a pass with the ball.  The philosophy of Fairfield Youth Football is to ensure every player gets a chance to play either on the offensive or defensive side of the ball or on special teams. 

Playing time is at the discretion of the Head Coach and his coaching staff. It is not guaranteed. The goal is to place each player in a position in which they will succeed and have fun.  All players will learn multiple positions during the season.  If you have any questions about the position your child is playing, please speak with your child’s coach.