EAA Tackle Football FAQs
Q1. Is my child ready for tackle football?
Only you as parents can determine whether your son is ready for tackle football. Some of the things to consider include the time commitment (usually three practices a week and a game), and attentiveness of your son. Can he stay focused for a one and half or two hour practice and will other extracurricular activities create too many conflicts?  

Q2. What is the risk my son will get hurt?
There is never a guarantee that a child won't get hurt. Some parents may be concerned about the heavier kids playing against the lighter kids, we have seen fewer kids hurt because of a size difference. A more significant concern is the age disparity parents will find in some of the other organizations and leagues where older but lighter kids are allowed to play with younger kids. In some cases, as many as three ages are combined (for example 8, 9 and 10 year-olds). We believe there is more risk of injury when having a light older player play against a younger player than there is with having a light 10 year old play against a heavier 10 year old. Kids who exceed the weight limits in each division are deemed "stripers" and must play a line position between the tackles. They cannot play on kickoff teams and cannot carry the ball under any circumstance.

Q3: How much does it cost to play tackle football at EAA?
There is a registration fee of $300.00 per player which covers the majority of the expenses. This fee is based on the sport. There is NO MANDATORY FUNDRAISING.  Teams can still participate in fund-raising activities to help raise money for specific team purposes; however EAA does not require any organization level fund-raising toward the general EAA fund. Pre-Season and post season tournaments are not part of EAA registration fees.

Fee's will cover all necessary equipment to play tackle football, including a personalized game jersey. 
Players are expected to provide Cleats at a minimum. 

Q4: Does EAA have a scholarship program available to families under financial hardship?
Yes. Our business sponsorships provide a small pool of funds used to cover the player registration fee to those families in financial hardship. These scholarships are awarded by the EAA Committee on a case by case basis to those families who request it in writing. Players who receive these scholarships must still fully participate in the team fundraiser programs. Requests MUST be submitted BY JUNE 31st of each playing season via email to the address: [email protected]. Requests received after JUNE 31 shall be denied, although EAA will provide payment plans for families in need on a case by case basis. Please include the players name, age division, and team. Like all need based scholarships, we require the family to state their case in writing as to the need for scholarship dollars.  While each case will be treated as confidential information, please be advised all information contained in the scholarship request will be shared with the EAA Committee and EAA financial advisors.  The preliminary requirement is that a player must have qualified for a free or reduced lunch program at an Elkhorn Public School.  Scholarships are limited, and priority is given to returning players who have already played in the organization. Parents of scholarship players are expected to volunteer for their specific school when the opportunity arises, the EAA Committee will take into account Parent/Player involvement when providing scholarships over multiple seasons. EAA has the right to refuse scholarship requests for any reason. Scholarships may be given on a "FULL" (no fee) or "PARTIAL" (reduced fee) basis. If a partial fee is awarded, the parent will have until JULY 30 to pay in full.  It is our goal to not turn kids away simply based on financial purposes.

Q5: How is a player assigned a team? Which team should I register to play for?
EAA Tackle Football is a school aligned program designed to keep players who will be attending the same high school together. By default, players should register for the team and division which aligns with the high school based on their primary address. Please visit the Elkhorn Public Schools information to see your correct aligned 0high school. We strongly encourage participation with the correct school aligned team for the associated high school.

Q6: Are team roster’s based on age or grade?
Team rosters are limited by the rules imposed by the league we play. Our tackle football teams play in the Metro Youth Football League, which have divisions based on a single grade levels per Nebraska Board of education guidelines. EAA/MYFL does not allow 9th grade players to participate, since our mission is to prepare players for entry into their high school systems. For specific information on team age or grade composition, please visit the Metro Youth Football League website. www.myflomaha.org

Q7: What are the weight limits? Will my larger son need to play up with older players?
While there are ball carrier limits, the league has built in striper rules to limit those players to play on the interior offensive and defensive line. The MYFL ultimately sets the maximum weights and ages. Please see the Divisions page of MYFL website. www.myflomaha.org

Q8: Are there tryouts to make a team?
No tryouts. Normally our teams fill on a first come first serve basis through our web registration process. There is a limit to the number of players allowed on a team roster. Once the maximum number of players for a given team has been reached, registration is closed for that team

Q9: How many players are allowed on a team?
Team size is important, since it directly impacts play time and game time experience for all members of the team. At the youngest divisions, team roster size needs to be smaller to allow each player adequate opportunity. As players progress and begin to specialize in a position, team rosters can and should grow. By division age group, our target and maximum player roster sizes are:
Tackle 8U - min 16, target 20, max 25,  
Tackle 9U - min 16, target 22, max 25,  
Tackle 10U - min 16, target 22, max 25,  
Tackle 11U - min 18, target 22, max 25,  
Tackle JV (7th Grade) - min 18, target 22, max 25,  
Tackle Varsity (8th Grade) - min 18, target 22, max 25.  
In some cases, teams can accept more players than the maximum roster guidelines; however it is highly discouraged at the younger age divisions.

Q10: Is there a minimum participation rule?
Yes, however, the rules of the Metro Youth Football League do not impose a minimum participation standard.  EAA does balance this with a minimum play rule. Exceptions to the minimum play rule include illness, injury, player safety, or player discipline.

8U & 9U:         6 plays per half- 12 plays total
10U &11U:         5 plays per half- 10 plays total
7th & 8th grade:     4 plays per half- 8 plays total

*For the MYFL playoffs, the minimum number of plays per game is as follows:

8U & 9U:         5 plays per half- 10 plays total
10U & 11U:        4 players per half- 8 plays total
7th & 8th grade:     4 plays per half- 8 plays total

Q11: When does practice begin? How long does the season last?
Practices can officially begin the week of August 1st. Prior to August 1st, some teams may meet informally and do summer conditioning, or attend a mini-camp together; but participation is not mandatory and open to all registered players. Games typically begin after Labor Day and finish around the first week of November. If a team qualifies for league or Bowl Championship play, games may continue into mid-November.

Q12: Does my son need a physical examination prior to participating?
Yes. Elkhorn Athletic Association (EAA) requires players to receive a medical physical examination annually prior to participation. The decision if a player is healthy enough to begin participation is up to the parent and the player's physician.
 
Q13: Who and where do we play our games?
EAA’s competition will be other high school feeder organizations who participate in MYFL.  In most cases, EAA’s home games are played at Elkhorn High School or Elkhorn South High School, and Skutt.  Away games are played at various fields in the Greater Omaha Metro area.  The fields are typically high school stadiums and are first class facilities.  EAA believes we should give our players the best opportunity to improve their skills, which is why we play in the most competitive football league in the Omaha area.

Q14: What is the time commitment for players and parents?
Organized tackle football requires an entire team to perform as a single unit. There are up to ten hours of practice per week before school starts, usually weekdays from 6pm-8pm. Once school begins, practice times drop to 4 to 6 hours during the week. When the days get shorter late in the season, practices also get shorter, or may begin a bit earlier. Games are usually on Sundays but a few games or divisions may need to play games on Saturday.  Always check with your team’s Head Coach for the practice schedule.

Q15: Can I also play for my Middle School Team?
Absolutely! EAA fully supports our associated school programs, including music, band, as well as football. The middle school teams typically practice right after school is dismissed. Practices for EAA start later. If a player arrives late to practice or has a schedule conflict due to these school programs, our coaches fully understand. We support our Elkhorn schools!

Q16: Do I need to provide my own helmet?
No, all protective football equipment is provided by EAA as part of the player registration fee. *Players get to keep their game jerseys!

Q17. What does EAA provide with the registration fee and what do I still need to purchase?
The registration fee pays for the use of quality helmets for all divisions, chin strap, shoulder pad, practice and game pants, lower body pads, game uniforms, belt, practice jersey and a standard colored mouthpiece. In any case, players will receive the highest quality equipment available. Each player is responsible for providing football shoes, socks, supporter, t-shirts (worn under the shoulder pads) and any optional padding they wish to equip themselves with (sweatbands, elbow pads, forearm pads, etc.) Football shoe cleats must be rubber molded cleats without any metal or sharp plastic edges.

Q18. What kind of football shoes should I get?
There is a wide range of football shoe styles and types, which also vary widely in price. Football shoes are typically black in color, mid-high covering the ankle bone (the bump), mostly leather, with a cleat pattern which is fewer, spread out, and longer (1/2 to 3/4 inch). When you go to the shoe store, the following will help you make a good selection: Wear two pair of socks when trying them on. Two pair of socks reduces blisters, increases comfort and will help keep the foot warm during the colder weather late in the season. Select a cleat pattern with 6 to 10 rubber cleats on each shoe. Avoid a turf type shoe with several smaller and tightly molded cleats. If the mud sticks to the bottom of the shoe, you want to be able to kick the mud out with a single kick. Smaller / tighter cleats will put the player on the sidelines picking at the bottom of his shoe with a stick. Make sure the cleats are not HARD plastic. They need to bend a bit when pushed, much like a rubber eraser. If the cleats are hard, they will not grip the field if it is short, hard, dry grass.

Q19. When and where is equipment distributed?
Equipment is distributed during the third weekend in July. An email will be sent to all registered players with details as to when to show up at the equipment shed. The map to the equipment shed along with the time window for your team to show up will be emailed to you in early July. Be sure to bring your checkbook for the $300.00 equipment deposit.

Q20. Weather Policy
NSAA heat guidelines https://nsaahome.org/textfile/spmeds/heatindex.pdf