Sparta Youth Football League: FAQ

The Rocket Football program is a full contact (tackle) football program for children ages 8 - 14. Your child does NOT have to be a Sparta resident to participate. Each child will be placed in either the 8 - 9 year old age group, 10 - 11 year old age group, or 12 - 14 year old age group, based on the child's age on November 1 of the current year. The focus is on learning how to play the game of football and have fun doing it.

Are Special Requests Accepted?

As much as we like to, we are unablew to accept or satisfy any special requests regarding specific coaches, teams, practice schedules, game schedules, or number of home games. Thanks for your understanding!

What Can I Expect As Far As a Game Schedule for My Child's Team?

Sparta Youth Football does not control the schedule. The league (i.e., the NRFL) schedules each of the games in the league weekly based on a strength basis. In other words, each team is matched each week with a team with a similar win/loss record. The season consists of 7 games each Saturday starting the first Safurday after Labor Day, and ending 7 weeks after that. Game times can be affected for several different reasons, but as a rule there are NO games started prior to 8:00 AM and no games started after 8:00 PM. Your team's opponent, game location, and game time is normally available no later than Wednesday each week and published weekly on this website.

Is the Sparta Youth Football League affiliated with or run by the Sparta school district?

The program is run with the cooperation of the school district but is is no way affiliated with the school district. The program is a part of the NRFL (Northern Rocket Football League) and run solely by volunteers.

How are Players Assigned to a Team?

Teams are constructed through a league controlled draft process. Each coach is able to reserve 5 kids. The kids that weren’t reserved are sorted by DOB, weight, and playing experience, and then evenly distributed to a team in their age group. The draft process and the reserved picks gives us what we feel is a fair balance between dividing up the kids evenly (so we have evenly matched teams...in theory), and giving the coaches some continuity from year to year. Normally the kids that are reserved are coaches sons and sometimes kids that have played for the coach before. If a coach has 2 assistants, that leaves a whopping 2 additional kids that a coach is able to reserve. Don't worry too much if your child wasn't reserved. As you can see, most aren't.

What is the Practice Schedule Typically Like?

Each team will have 4 practices the first week, and 2-3 practices each week after that and through the season. Practices will be held from 5:30pm to 7:00pm.  The practice location are generally areas around Appleview Elementary School.

Are there Weight Limits?

Yes, there is. Each player's weight must be at or under the limits listed below in order to participate in practices or games. This is a league requirement. Each player is weighed before each game in full equipment, less helmet. If your child is within 20 lbs of the weight limit at the time of sign ups, please discuss it with the Field Director as there is a strong possibility that he will exceed the league weight limit by the time the season starts and not be able to participate. There are other options. A scale will be available during each of the sign-up dates. The weight limits for each age group is as follows: 

What Equipment is Needed?

Each player must provide his/her own helmet (white), football pants/pads (white), athletic supporter with protective cup, shoulder pads, and  football cleats (metal or screw in cleats are not permitted). Arm/elbow pads and gloves are optional, mouthguards are provided by the league.  Equipment can be purchased from several retailers including Prep Sports Centre, MC Sports, Athletes Connection, Dunhams, etc,.  Jerseys are purchased from the league by the player for $28, are customized with the players last name on the back, and can be reused from the previous seasons.  Players can request a specific number at signup.  Typically the player will provide two number choices with their jersey order.  Usually number requests are accepted so long as no other player has chosen the same number in their age group.

Are There Any Rules Concerning PLAYING TIME?

League rules concerning playing time are very clear. The NRFL rule is “All players shall start on either offense, defense or specialty teams; and thereafter play as equally as possible.” In Sparta, we insist that our coaches follow the letter and spirit of the rule. Each Sparta coach is asked to start each child on either offense or defense regardless if he/she plays special teams, with the only extenuating circumstances being injury or a child refusing to play. There are no exceptions. Coaches do have some discretion to try different line-ups during the course of a game but this should not impact your child’s playing time.

If you any concerns or questions about your child’s playing time, please discuss it immediately with your coach. And if your concerns are not addressed, feel free to contact the Field Director.

What are the rules (if any) concerning POSITION ASSIGNMENTS?

For a coach, assigning positions is one of the hardest things to do. We all know that each child can’t all be a running back or a quarterback. The important thing to remember is that there are a variety of positions and each one is just as important as the next.

Each coach is different and their process will vary, but normally most of the 1st week of practice is spent evaluating each child and trying to match each child to the position that the coach feels is best suited to his skill level and how his or her skill level compares to the rest of the team.  As a parent/fan, please be open-minded regarding your coaches recommendation and support your child & coach regardless of what position he plays.

What Should I Be Aware of If My Child is Eligible for 78ers?

If your Sparta student is in the 7th or 8th grade, 14 years old or younger as of November 1, and wants to play organized football, there is a decision that has to be made. He/she is eligible to play in either the Rocket football program or in the school run 78er football program. Although I'm admittedly biased, here is my opinion of both options:

The Sparta Youth Football League is first and foremost a teaching league. Winning is a goal, but its secondary to learning the game and having fun doing it. At the 12/14 age group, the level of competition can and frequently is on par with games played at the 78er level. Your athlete is guaranteed a starting position on either offense or defense. Coaches at this level have normally been coaching in the Rocket program 3 or more years.

The 78er program is where your athlete will get their first taste of being a part of our Sparta Spartans school football program. There is a lot of pride that comes with that, but just like any school run sport it is play to 'participate' program, not pay to 'play'. Playing time is not guaranteed, and will vary widely between the starters and non-starters. The choice can be difficult and there are pros/cons to both options. For help in making your decision, I'd encourage you to contact your Middle School athletic program for more information about the 78er football program, and to talk to other parents with players that have gone through both programs.