Frequently Asked Questions
There are three sections to the FAQ: General FAQ, Football FAQ, and Cheerleading FAQ.
It's not a bad idea to read all of them to get an overview of our program, since some information may overlap and not be repeated from one section to the next.
General FAQ
Q) Who can participate in our football or cheer programs?
A) Any child age 5-13 for football and 4-13 for cheerleading.
Q) Does my child really have to be at registration?
A) No your child does not have to come to registration with you.
Q) Can we sign up now and pay later?
A) Due to the nature of this sport, there are a large number of expenses that must be paid before the season even begins. We are not able to register any child without payment in full at registration time.
Q) After I pay my registration fees are there any other fees involved?
A) Yes. All participants have miscellaneous items that parents are responsible for purchasing, like socks, shoes, etc. Some of these are ordered as a group to take advantage of volume pricing. We encourage you to visit the website of our equipment and uniform vendor www.discountyouthfootball.com for your miscellaneous items you will receive a 10% discount on the already lower prices.
Q) Can girls sign up to play football with the boys?
A) YES!
Q) I want all my kids on the same team. Can this be done?
A) We make every effort to pair sibling, however, if their ages and weights don’t fall within the guidelines for the same division, they will have to play in different divisions. Please see our divisions section for the age/weight matrix. Note that cheerleaders are NOT subject to the weight requirements; they are placed solely by age.
Q) Can I help coach?
A) Parents interested in coaching may fill out an application at registration. We can always use good coaches to help develop our children.
Football FAQ
Q) When does the season begin and end?
A) The season begins in late July and could go into the second or third week of November.
Q) How much time is involved in football, per week?
A) For the first 2 weeks practice is as much as 3 times per week for 2 hours each practice. After that, practice is 2-3 times a week plus any games. RYFA understands what is required to be the best student possible and we try to ensure that football and cheerleading doesn’t interfere with school.
Q) Isn’t it really hot out in August?
A) It sure is! Coaches are responsible for ensuring the players get plenty of water breaks, throughout the practice sessions.
Q) Are the coaches paid employees?
A) Our coaches are all volunteers who donate their time to help our kids. This entire program, from the people who help out on game day on up to the President, is run by volunteers who put in a great deal of personal time to make this program available to your children.
Q) Do we have to buy all the equipment?
A) No. We provide a game jersey, shoulder pads and helmet.
Q) What equipment do I need to buy?
A) Your child will need to get a pair of football cleats, game and practice pants, practice jersey, game socks, mouthpiece, and 7 piece pad set for pants. There may also be other incidental items you wish your child to have.
Q) Do players ever get cut?
A) NO! All players who sign up and come to practice will play on a team in one of our divisions. Our inter-league program is our developmental program and is govern by our “clear the beach rule”. The clear the beach rule ensures that each child will participate throughout the course of each game. However, our travel division which is more competitive is NOT governed by the “clear the beach rule. Coaches for the travel division are encouraged to only select children that can contribute to the team.
Cheerleading FAQ
Q) How much time is involved in the cheer program?
A) The season begins in late July and there are practices 2 nights per week, every week for about 2 hours each. Games begin in August. As we approach competition there will be additional practices.
Q) Do we buy a uniform?
A) We provide each cheerleader a uniform. Parents of cheerleaders are responsible for purchasing a cheer pack which includes shoes, socks, bloomers, hair ribbons and warm up suit.
Q) Is it a problem if my child misses some practices and/or some games?
A) Yes. Cheerleading is a difficult sport and a team effort. Participates will learn routines, lifts and stunts. When a participate does not show up for practices this could affect the entire workout. Participates that miss practice may not know how to perform the routines or stunts that are being taught which endangers the participate and the teammates. Participants on a competition squad may be removed from stunt sequences for safety reasons, as we will not compromise the safety of any of our participants. All participants need to make every effort to be available for each practice session throughout the season.
Q) Can the girls paint their faces with logos and wear sparkle body lotions and makeup?
A) The cheerleaders are allowed to wear suitable makeup if the parents allow it, but for safety reasons glitter is not allowed.
Q) My daughter wants to be on the same team with all her friends. Is that possible?
A) You may make a request at the time of registration, and your request will be noted on the form by staff. WE DO NOT GUARANTEE ANY REQUESTS. RYFA will make every effort to put friends together if they are able to be in the same division, but ages of divisions overlap slightly and in order to have the numbers necessary for each squad, we may not be able to accommodate everyone.
Q) Can my daughter cheer for my son's team?
A) You may make this request at the time of registration. We make every effort to pair sibling if they qualify to be in the same division. Note that cheerleaders are NOT subject to the weight requirements as football players; they are placed solely by age and skill level.
Q) Can both my daughters be on the same team?
A) You may make this request at the time of registration. We make every effort to pair sibling if they qualify to be in the same division.
