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What is the Prosser Youth Football Association (PYF)?
PYF is a all-volunteer 501(c)(3) dedicated to the development of student athletes and the teaching of life lessons through competitive athletics both football and cheerleading. Football focuses on the students between the ages of 8 and 13. These students are generally in 3rd through 8th grades.
What is the Columbia Basin Youth Football League (CBYF)?
CBYF is an organization that coordinates the play between the individual youth football associations in the greater Tri-Cities area. They provide the rules, the schedules and the officials for over 30 teams. For more information, you read the CBYF bylaws.
What is the time commitment?
Compared to other youth sports the time commitment is considerable. Practice will begin on (proposed date) Tuesday, July 31st, 2012 and will be up to 5 days of practice per week until after Labor Day when the regular season begins. After the games begin, practices are normally reduced to 3-4 practices per week. In addition to practices, games will be played on Saturdays which can require up to 3-4 hours including travel time. There are normally 8 weeks during the season with the possibility of two or more weeks for playoffs, if the team qualifies.
Who can participate?
Any child ages 8 through 13 who live in the general Prosser area.
Can girls play?
Yes. Girls can and do play on PYF and other CBYF teams every year.
I have a medical condition or disability. Can I still play?
Probably; if your doctor is willing to sign your medical release and you are willing to work hard and play your best, you can generally have a good football experience. However, we would recommend contacting our President, Will Beightol, to discuss your specific details and any concerns you might have.
Do I have to start playing in the 3rd grade or at the age of 8?
No. We have successful first-time players at every grade level, including 8th.
What about the vacation I have scheduled?
Go and enjoy yourself. Football will still be here when you get back. But please tell your coach as soon as you can. With that said, if you have anyflexibility, try to schedule around the football season, especially August. But it won’t be the end of the world if you miss a week.
Does the Association have Insurance?
Yes, the PYF is required to carry liability insurance to use the Prosser School District facilities. Additionally, we also have a health policy for the athletes but it’s secondary to your own personal insurance plan to which claims must be submitted first. If you do not have insurance, ours will go into primary coverage
Registration
Do I need a Medical Release form signed by a doctor?
Not currently, but this will be changing for the 2013 season.
How do I sign up?
Registration is open during the months of April, May, and June. You can register in person at the days and times listed below or you can complete the forms and mail them to Prosser Youth Football, PO Box 91, Prosser, WA 99350. We recommend that if you are registering in person that you print off the registration forms and fill them out before you arrive. PYF will have the ability to take credit card payments this year.
- Thursday, April 19, 2012 6:00 to 7:30 at the Prosser Fire Station
- Thursday, May 17, 2012 6:00 to 7:30 at the Prosser Fire Station
- Tuesday, June 19, 2012 6:00 to 7:30 at the Prosser Fire Station
We are always looking to improve the registration process to make it easier for all involved, so there may be changes in the process year to year.
What if I do not sign up by June 30th?
Any registration forms received after June 30th will place that player on a waiting list and may be subject to a late fee up to $50.00. If you are placed on a waiting list you will only get to play if room is/or becomes available. This is a change in the way things have been done in the past. To best accommodate as many players as possible and use the PYF resources efficiently it is very important people sign up early.
Do I need a physical?
PYF HIGHLY Recommends that you have a physical annually if you participate in sports activities. We currently do not require a Medical Release but this will be changing for the 2013 season.
Equipment
What equipment is provided?
Helmet, shoulder pads, practice pads (integrated pants or integrated girdle/knee pads), and game pants. No deposit is charged for this equipment, but you will be billed if any part is not returned at the end of the season at the following rates for the 2012 season.
Helmet: $140
Shoulder Pads: $45
Pants: $40
What equipment do I have to provide?
- Game jerseys: these will be done on a team by team basis for 2012 season. Some teams purchased new game jerseys during the 2011 season and will use the same ones this year. If you are added to one of these teams you will need to purchase the same jersey through your coach/team mom. Teams that did not purchase jerseys during the 2011 season will be purchasing team jerseys this year.
- For the 2013 season, it is likely that Prosser Youth Football will go to a league wide jersey. This means that all players will be required to buy a jersey.
- Practice jersey
- Cleated football shoes (a.k.a. “cleats”)
- Mouth guard, if you destroy or lose your mouth guard, you will need to replace it as needed. You are required to have a mouth guard at all practices and games. If you have braces, please consult your Orthodontist for proper mouth protection.
- Other personal equipment such as gloves, arm pads, braces, etc.
What kind of cleats do I need?
CBYF rules require that our players wear football cleats that are designed for youth football. They must be a molded cleat for all players below A squad. Players at the A squad level may use molded cleats or cleats with threaded studs. The maximum size of cleat is a half of an inch (measured from tip of cleat to base of shoe). No all metal, primarily metal, or metal tipped cleats may be worn.
As a general guideline, cleats should be generally black, black with red, or white with red.
Can I pickup my equipment if I’m not yet registered?
No. You can only pick up your equipment if you are fully registered. To be fully registered, you must have filled out all forms, turned them in and paid in full. The registration forms can be turned in at one of the sign ups or mailed to PYF before June 30th.
What if I can’t make it to the equipment hand outs?
We do ask that you make every effort to be there on this date. The hand out date is selected to accommodate most families. However, if you find it impossible to attend this session, let us know as soon as possible, and we will work with you. You can contact the Prosser Equipment manager at PYFequip@prosseryouthfootball.com.
What if there is a problem with my equipment?
Many problems can be corrected using the tools and supplies that each team has, so contact your coach or team mom for assistance. If they cannot resolve the issue, then they will arrange to get you a replacement.
My helmet hurts, can I get a different one?
It is extremely common for your helmet to hurt your head for the first couple of weeks. They must be tight fitting in order to protect the head, and this tightness can result in some discomfort. Every effort will be made during equipment hand out to ensure a correct fit. We recommend that once you get your equipment, you wear your helmet, before camp and practice start, in order to break it in. And remember, when you wear it, pull it all the way down, hard.
Many issues with football helmets can be solved be adding or removing air to adjust the liner. Your coach has the proper pump and needle to make this adjustment, DO NOT try to add air at home, doing so will likely result in a popped bladder, ruining the helmet until it is replaced.
When and where do I get my equipment?
We will be handing equipment out on the Saturday before football camp starts (generally the first week of August) at the Housel Middle School football field. More information about your assigned times will be supplied later this year. You can only pick up your equipment if you have registered, paid in full, and have all forms completed.
Can I use my own equipment?
To use any personally owned equipment you are REQUIRED to have completed, signed, and have an approved PSE (Personal Sports Equipment) form each year. This form is required for the use of any helmet and shoulder pads that are personally owned by the player/parent. In addition, the personally owned equipment must meet or exceed all minimum safety requirements for use in youth football.
- Helmet
- Required to have equipment inspected and a new PSE Form every year.
- Required to meet or exceed all minimum safety requirements for use in youth football
- Required to be white with red facemask.
- Required that a helmet is purchased new from an authorized dealer. Please retain proof of purchase.
- Recommended to contact PYF prior to purchasing any personally owned equipment. Please email PYFpres@prosseryouthfootball.com.
- Recommended to meet or exceed the safety level of the helmets provided by PYF.
- Recommended to have any helmet professionally reconditioned every two years.
- Shoulder Pads
- Required to have equipment inspected and a new PSE Form every year.
- Required to meet or exceed all minimum safety requirements for use in youth football.
- Recommended to contact PYF prior to purchasing any personally owned equipment. Please email PYFpres@prosseryouthfootball.com.
- Recommended to meet or exceed the safety level of the shoulder pads provided by PYF.
Teams
How are different ages grouped?
Players are grouped into squads based upon the player’s age. The age cutoff date is August 1st.
E squad – 8 years old as of August 1st
D squad – 9 years old as of August 1st
C squad – 10 years old as of August 1st
B squad – 11 years old as of August 1st
A squad – 12/13 year olds as of August 1st
How are players assigned to teams?
Returning players are assigned to play with the coach they played with the previous year. All new players will be placed into a draft following the 3-days of camp that kicks-off the season. The head coaches meet to draft/form the teams at the end of camp.
Can I request a specific coach?
No, see above.
Can I request friends I want to be on a team with?
Unfortunately no; Siblings in the same age bracket are the one exception to this rule.
How do I find out what team I will play for?
If possible, you will find out the last night of camp. Otherwise you will receive a call or email from your coach the day after the teams are chosen.
How are coaches picked?
Prosser Youth Football is always looking for quality volunteer coaches. If you or someone you know is interested, you may send an email to PYFpres@prosseryouthfootball.com. Applicants for head coaching positions are reviewed and selected by the PYF board. Assistant coaches are selected by the head coach, usually from amongst the parents of their players. All coaches are subject to a background check.
Who can be a coach?
Head coaches should have a basic knowledge of football, and can apply it at the youth level. Head coaching requires a big time commitment, generally 20-25+ hours per week. All head coaches must be age 21 or over. Assistant coaches, reporting directly to the head coach can be age 18 or over. Coach trainees may be allowed with the consent of the Prosser Youth Football Board. The maximum number of coaches allowed on the field during a game is 1 head coach and 3 assistant coaches.
Are the coaches or board members paid?
No, all of the coaches and board members in the PYF organization are volunteer positions.
Practices
When do practices start?
In 2012, the proposed starting date is July 31st with a 3-day Camp. The camp is made up of many individual skill stations run by Prosser High School football players. The camp gives coaches a chance to evaluate players, while the players get a chance to learn many different football skills at a variety of positions.
How long are practices?
Practices can be up to 3 hours long before the beginning of the school year starts and up to 2 hours long after. Each coach will set their own practice start and end times and communicate them to the team and parents at the very beginning of the season.
Is practice cancelled because of weather?
No, practice is almost never cancelled due to weather. We will practice in the rain, cold, heat, or snow, as long as it’s safe for our players. So you must be prepared for the conditions the weather presents.
