BEAR PRIDE STARTS HERE
Congraulations Ponies 2009 Undefeated XYFL Champions!!!
SAVE THE DATE
JANUARY 10, 2010
Time: 1-3 pm
Where: Middle School Cafe
What: Awards Party
XYFL Members,
A few meetings ago a discussion was introduced regarding if game time was mandated by the league for Contact Players.
I would like to respond by describing the differences between Contact and Non Contact.
Flag Football: This level is Non Contact with head protection supplied in the event of an unintentional impact. This level is intended as an introduction to football. The rules have been simplified to assist the coaches with an environment catered to the age of the participant. It is conceivable a player can interact on the game field throughout their entire "career" without ever contacting another player. Minimum game time requirements are in place to insure each participant gets full exposure to the sport.
Pony / Midget: This level is Full Contact with traditional Football gear supplied and with the understanding every child will inevitably engage in bodily collisions. The league has never mandated minimum game time for Contact teams. The reasoning for this is very simple, the league can not evaluate a child's readiness for full contact. This responsibility falls to the coach or franchise on an individual basis.
As a coach and parent myself believe me some kids simply need more preparation prior to game condition contact. Or they may be ready for small amounts of time if the game is in the correct stage and a coach feels more confident the child can handle limited exposure. The very last thing any coach wants is to place a child in a situation where they are at an elevated risk level. Please be patient and allow your child's ability level to increase at a rate where they can enjoy participation.
As a closing thought kindly keep this in mind. Some players may tell their parent they are ready but confide in the coach that they are unsure. I have had this personally happen multiple times. A parent approaches and asks why Johnny isn't playing because Johnny tells his Dad he begs to get in but in reality Johnny whispers to his coach he is nervous. These situations have a way of working themselves out. Maybe a coach can slip Johnny in at practice here and there until Johnny feels confident enough to play. On the other hand if the coach forces him in to play and he isn't ready then his risk factor for injury increases exponentially. Your coaching staff faces tough decisions on a minute to minute basis throughout the season. It may look simple from the bleachers but believe me it is much tougher than you may think.
I hope this helps clear the air.
Mike Bellizia / XYFL President
Mahanoy City Little League
Mahanoy Area Elementary PTO
MMFA Mission Statement -
What we strive to acheive...
The Mahanoy Midget Football Association, a non-profit organization, is a program that through mentoring, healthy competition, and team pride, players are challenged to discover positive things about themselves and others and work together cohesively. They are divided into age groups, where they can learn skills, not only of the game of football, but skills that will help them to succeed in the
community and grow with a positive self-image.
The Mahanoy Midget Football Association is offered to children ages 5-12. They are divided into a Flag Football Team, Pony Team and
Midget Team. From our program, they graduate to the 7 & 8 grade team offered at the Mahanoy Area Middle School program. Our organization has a strong alliance with the Mahanoy Area Middle School and High School Football programs which help in mentoring our younger players and to keep them involved as they grow, as well as giving the older players the opportunity to display their talents and guide their younger counterparts on a path to a positive future.
We are now listed on the USA Football site!
