ABOUT OUR PROGRAM
The goal of the NJSYFL is to provide the largest number of pre-high school aged youth with a positive experience in the game of football, through participation in a town residency required league. Our program has grown and garnered the reputation for being one of the most balanced programs in the state, in terms of how it is run, and the values set forth for the children that participate. The program focuses not only on athletic skill development, but also on personal growth and enjoyment while it embodies the values of academic excellence, respect for others, discipline, teamwork, and good sportsmanship.
We have a great responsibility to the boys and girls that participate in our program and the league has a “low tolerance” for any coach or individual that is part of this program and that does not strive to meet these responsibilities and places either the safety of the participants or the development of good values at risk.
The NJSYFL currently supports three types of programs for pre-high school aged boys and girls; contact football, cheerleading, and flag football. Additional details about each program can be found by clicking on the links below.
Flag Football
The Flag” Level teams are for players up to a maximum age of 8 years 6 months of age as of September 1st. This group typically falls in the K, 1st & 2nd grade school level. There is no overall weight limit that precludes any player in this age bracket from playing with others of the same age. Players wear velcro attached flags, plays are concluded when the flag of the ball handler is pulled off and the whistle is blown by the coach. Typically flag games are played on a 50 yard field.
At this level the coaches are allowed on the field with players during the game, 2 for offense, 2 for defense. Fixed Clock, 85 min game time, two 40 minute halves and a 5 min halftime. There are no kick-offs. Punts are an option declared after 3rd down and the refs will walk of 25 yards and the possession changes, no 4th down is played. No Scores are kept for these games.
CONTACT FOOTBALL
The contact football program is comprised of six levels, designated A through F, and are based upon the age and weight limitations indicated in the table below. There is no maximum weight for a player at any level, however based upon the combined factors of age, weight, and grade, a player my be classified as a “waiver”. In the interest of safety for all participants, any player classified as a waiver must adhere to specific rules unless that player elects to “play up” at a higher level. (refer to Section 6 of our Rulebook for more information on waivers).
The starting level for this program is the “F” Team which is a very instructional based program where coaches are on the field during the games and emphasis is placed upon enjoyment and building sound fundamentals. The other levels provide for increasing levels of skill development and competition up through the “A” Team, the final level prior to high school participation.
Levels “A” – “F” participate in games officiated by NJHS certified referees and, based upon their season records, A-D Levels have the opportunity to participate in playoff games, an All-Star game (A-level only), and a league Super Bowl game.
DIVISION OF PARTICIPANTS
| Team Level | Grade Level | Backfield Weight Limit |
|---|
| “A” – Heavyweights | 8th | 160 |
| “B ” – Middleweights | 7th | 135 |
| “C” – Lightweights | 6th | 120 |
| “D” – Instructional | 5th | 105 |
| “E” – Instructional | 4th | 95 |
| “F” – Instructional | 3rd & 2nd | 90 |
| “Flag” Introductory | 2nd , 1st & K | N/A |
“A” LEVEL
The “A” Level teams are for players up to a maximum age of 14 years 6 months of age as of September 1st. This group typically falls in the 8th grade middle school level. There is no overall weight limit that precludes any player in this age bracket from playing with others of the same age, however, there is a “backfield” weight limit of 160 pounds. There is no age/weight coefficient that applies at this level, the only waiver that may occur is based upon grade. At any given point during a game there may only be a maximum of two waiver players on the field at the same time.
At this level the coaches are not allowed on the field with players during the game, there are official referees that control the whistle and the game clock. Quarters are 10 minutes in length utilizing standard clock stoppages. There are no kick-offs. Punts are live from the snap. A kicker over 160 pounds is not allowed to run the ball, if he does not execute the punt the ball is dead, if he does not have control the ball is live. Extra points are scored 2 for kick, and 1 for run or pass.
“B” LEVEL
The “B” Level teams are for players up to a maximum age of 13 years 6 months of age as of September 1st. This group typically falls in the 7th grade middle school level. There is no overall weight limit that precludes any player in this age bracket from playing with others of the same age, however, there is a “backfield” weight limit of 135 pounds.
At this level the coaches are not allowed on the field with players during the game, there are official referees that control the whistle and the game clock. Quarters are 10 minutes in length utilizing a HS clock with full stoppages. There are no kick-offs. Punts are live from the snap. A kicker over 135 pounds is not allowed to run the ball, if he does not execute the punt the ball is dead, if he does not have control the ball is live. Extra points are scored 2 for kick, and 1 for run or pass.
“C” LEVEL
The “C” Level teams are for players up to a maximum age of 12 years 6 months of age as of September 1st. This group typically falls in the 6th grade school level. There is no overall weight limit that precludes any player in this age bracket from playing with others of the same age, however, there is a “backfield” weight limit of 120 pounds.
At this level the coaches are not allowed on the field with players during the game, there are official referees that control the whistle and the game clock. Quarters are 10 minutes HS clock. There are no kick-offs. Punts must be declared to both the referee and the opposing team and requires a 7 man line. No player can move until the ball is kicked. A kicker over 120 pounds is not allowed to run the ball, if he does not execute the punt the ball is dead, if he does not have control the ball is live. Extra points are scored 1 for kick, run, or pass.
“D” LEVEL
The “D” Level teams are for players up to a maximum age of 11 years 6 months of age as of September 1st. This group typically falls in the 5th grade school level. There is no overall weight limit that precludes any player in this age bracket from playing with others of the same age, however, there is a “backfield” weight limit of 105 pounds. Additionally, there is a weight limit of 120 lbs. used for determining if a player is waiver or player that is significantly heavy for his age. At any given point during a game there may only be a maximum of five waiver players on the field at the same time.
At this level the coaches are allowed on the field with players during the game, 2 for offense, 1 for defense, there are official referees that control the whistle and the game clock. Quarters are 10 minutes HS clock. There are no kick-offs. Punts must be declared to both the referee and the opposing team and requires a 7 man line. No player can move until the ball is kicked.There are no kick-offs. Punts must be declared to both the referee and the opposing team and requires a 7 man line. No player can move until the ball is kicked. A kicker over 105 pounds is not allowed to run the ball, if he does not execute the punt the ball is dead, if he does not have control the ball is live. The option exists to declare a punt after 3rd down and the refs will walk of 25 yards and the possession changes, no 4th down is played. Extra points are scored 1 for kick, run, or pass.
“E” LEVEL
The “E” Level teams are for players up to a maximum age of 10 years 6 months of age as of September 1st. This group typically falls in the 4th grade school level. There is no overall weight limit that precludes any player in this age bracket from playing with others of the same age, however, there is a “backfield” weight limit of 95 pounds.
At this level the coaches are allowed on the field with players during the game, 2 for offense, 2 for defense, there are official referees that control the whistle and the game clock. Fixed Clock, 85 min game time, two 40 minute halves and a 5 min halftime. There are no kick-offs. Punts are an option declared after 3rd down and the refs will walk of 25 yards and the possession changes, no 4th down is played. No Scores are kept for these games.
“F” LEVEL
The “F” Level teams are for players up to a maximum age of 9 years 6 months of age as of September 1st. This group typically falls in the 3rd or 2nd grade school level. There is no overall weight limit that precludes any player in this age bracket from playing with others of the same age, however, there is a “backfield” weight limit of 90 pounds.
At this level the coaches are allowed on the field with players during the game, 2 for offense, 2 for defense, there are official referees that control the whistle and the game clock. Fixed Clock, 85 min game time, two 40 minute halves and a 5 min halftime. There are no kick-offs. Punts are an option declared after 3rd down and the refs will walk of 25 yards and the possession changes, no 4th down is played. No Scores are kept for these games.