Northampton Youth Football
Participant's Handbook
Welcome to the Northampton Youth Football League (NYFL). This handbook was
developed to help our adult and youth members understand how our organization
operates and what is expected of all parents/participants and volunteers. While we
cannot cover every contingency in this handbook, you are asked to follow the spirit of
what is outlined here, and allow common sense to prevail. NYFL is organized and
operated by volunteer members- your input is always welcome.
Mission:
Our mission is to teach football to youths between the ages of 8 and 15, which will help
them meet their individual goals. The training will take place in an environment based
on the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, courage, loyalty and respect for oneself
and others.
Organization:
NYFL is a non-profit Massachusetts Corporation, governed by By-Laws. We are
affiliated with the Suburban Amateur Football League (SAFL). We have 3 divisions of
teams based on age and weight policies established by the SAFL.
Rules and Policies:
Every parent/participant is required to read this handbook and abide by the policies
outlined here.
Roles and Responsibilities:
NYFL is operated entirely by volunteers- every activity that is a part of our program
occurs through the efforts of volunteers. Board members and coaches donate
approximately 200 hours or more per person, each season, to ensure we can offer the
highest quality program to children. It is critical that every volunteer be treated with
courtesy and respect at all times.
There are a variety of levels of involvement within our program here are some
examples:
Board of Directors: They are responsible for the management of all operations in the
program, including oversight of all volunteer networks. Other board members are
appointed, as needed for one-year terms as per the By-Laws.
Coaches: These volunteers manage all practices and games for NYFL. Coaches are
the primary instructors for the players. They are responsible for the supervision,
teaching of plays, running drills, discipline on the field as well as management of
parent relations and communications. All issues should be directed at the head coach
or one of their assistants for resolution.
Football Players: Every child is expected to put forth their best effort, both on and
off the field, and to abide by the rules and regulations in this handbook and the players
code of ethics.
Citizenship:
NYFL is known for pride and respect- to each other, any other SAFL program, their
leadership to coaches, parents, teachers and fellow classmates. Any derogatory
comments, mocking of others, gossip, or criticism that is not constructive in nature will
not be tolerated.
Required Adult Conduct:
The support of parents is essential to the success of any youth program. This support
should, however, be of the off the field variety in such activities as fundraising,
promotion, equipment maintenance, team sponsorship, and other volunteer activities.
On occasion, well-meaning parents can become overzealous and cause unwarranted
problems. For the safety and well being of everyone involved NYFL provides these
rules concerning parent conduct.
A) Parents should clearly understand that the purpose of this program is to teach
children teamwork, good sportsmanship, fair ply and the love of the game.
B) Alcohol, smoking, and drugs will not be permitted at the practices or games or
at any other NYFL activity.
C) Parents must stay in the areas designated by the local programs during all
practices and games, nor are they to approach the coaches or officials during a
game. At the Ryan Road field, parents need to stay behind the treeline by the playground.
D) Parents are expected to cheer loudly for your team, but always in good taste and
never in a way that is disparaging to the opposing team. Un-sportsmanlike
conduct is prohibited at all times, and can result in penalties to the team on the
field.
E) Derogatory statements toward game officials or the opposing team is prohibited
and can result in the forfeiture of the game.
F) A positive mental attitude, free from parent pressures, is an important
ingredient for the success of any youth program. Adults will refrain from open
criticisms, especially in the presence of children of the program, coaches, or
any personnel connected with the program.
G) Parents should encourage attendance at all practice sessions. Absences impede
progress for the rest of the team as well as for the child who is absent. Missing
practices can lead to limited playing time during the game. Missing practice
should be limited to illness or serious injury. Children with minor injuries or
mild illness can still benefit from observing at a practice session. You must
notify your coach is an absence occurs.
H) Parents are responsible for getting all players to and from all games and
practices, on time. Please have players there 15 minutes prior to the start of
practice and 60 minutes prior to the start of a game. Parents are required to
arrive 15 minutes prior to the end of practice. It is not the responsibility of the
coaching staff to wait for parents to show up to pick their children up.
I) NYFL cannot be held responsible for the health and welfare of unattended
children. (Siblings of players) should not be left unattended.
Required Youth Conduct
Hard work and dedication will be required before you can wear the uniform of the
team. Being a member of the team requires much more than just learning about
playing the game of Football.
A) Vulgarity, temper tantrums, taunting and fighting are absolutely prohibited.
Any player observed displaying improper conduct below the acceptable
standards of NYFL will result in disciplinary action or dismissal.
B) If you are going to miss a practice or a game, you must notify one of your
coaches. You are expected to arrive at games and practices on time, or to alert
your coach if you are going to be late or have to leave early.
C) Report all problems to your coaches immediately. It is your responsibility, not
your parents, to keep your uniform and equipment clean and in good repair.
Football uniforms must be clean before every game.
Should violations of the required conduct or other policies outlined in this
handbook occur, they will be handled in the following manner.
1. First incident: The head coach will take the player aside and speak with them
privately about the behavior and consequences. The incident will be
documented and submitted to the President of NYFL.
2. Second incident: The Head Coach and President will meet with the player’s parents and the
player privately, again documenting the incident.
3. Third incident: The player will be suspended one game. The incident will be
documented and submitted to the President of NYFL.
4. Fourth incident: The incident will be documented and the player will be
dropped from the team roster for the remainder of the season.
Adults:
The NYFL board of directors has established a NO TOLERANCE POLICY FOR
IMPROPER ADULT BEHAVIOR. Any violation will be reviewed by the BoD and can result in the removal from any
practice, game or function of NYFL for the entire season.
Communications:
We welcome your ideas, concerns and input at all times. If you have a question or an
insight to share, you should begin with the players head coach. If you do not feel that
the situation is resolved, you can speak with the President of NYFL. Please remember, if you have a complaint, you must be part of the solution.
Attendance:
Attendance at all practices and games is mandatory. Each participant is allowed only 2
unexcused absences from practices. Participants are only allowed 4 unexcused
absences total. The only excused absences are:
1) Medical/Injury ( with doctors note excused absences can be extended)
2) Academic ( with proof of field trip or other school activity)
3) Religious ( worship or education)
4) Family emergency ( with note excused absences can be extended)
5) Family obligations (vacations)
6) Another activity in which the player has been involved for several weeks
and in playoff/championship (such as baseball)
Playing Time:
Playing time is earned, and will be solely up to the Head Coach and their staff.
Handouts:
As a player, you are sometimes given handouts at practice. It is your responsibility to
bring them home to your parents, make sure that they read them, if there is an
announcement at practice please be sure to pass it along to your parents.
Safety:
Your Child’s Safety is our highest priority. The following measures will be followed at
all times:
Hydration: It is your responsibility to bring adequate sized water jugs to each
practice. Coaches will supply water on game days. Water breaks will be taken as
needed, and all players are responsible for picking up their own empty containers.
Conditioning: Conditioning exercises will be a part of each practice and game to
ensure that the player is able to keep up with the rigors of the sport.
Equipment: Helmets are evaluated by an outside vendor to ensure quality and
safety. The head coaches inspect all equipment prior to the start of the season, if
necessary, equipment is replaced.
Players are to wear a complete league approved uniform for games. Current year
game jerseys or pants are not to be worn during practices. 1 mouth guard and 1 pair of
Gold Sox will be provided by the NYFL. Each player is responsible for their
equipment, keep track of it. The cost of maintaining and replacing football equipment
is the largest expense for the league. Each player is responsible for the equipment
issued to them. All equipment must be returned to the league at the end of the season.
Treat your equipment in a responsible manner. Equipment maintained properly and in
good condition is critical for your safety.
If a player separates from their team before the end of the season, it is the player and
parents responsibility to return all equipment issued after it has been cleaned.
Certification: All coaches are Heads Up certified and trained.
Registration:
A player will not be permitted to play or attend practice without the proper registration
forms filled out and returned to the league. A copy of the player’s birth certificate is
required and can be requested at any time.
Thank you,
2024 NYFL Board of Directors
