FAQ | Hamilton-Wenham Generals Youth Football

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Last Updated on Friday, 22 March 2013 22:03

HWGYF MISSION STATEMENT/GOAL: The Goal of the H-W Generals Youth Football (HWGYF) Program is to implant firmly in the children of the community the ideals of good sportsmanship, teamwork, honesty, loyalty, courage and respect for authority, so that they may be well adjusted, stronger and happier children that will grow to be good, decent, healthy and trustworthy citizens while enjoying the fun of learning football and cheerleading in a well coached and safe environment.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Hamilton Wenham Generals Youth Football, Inc. is a non-profit organization that is part of the Cape Ann Youth Football League (CAYFL). We are not associated with Pop Warner Football. Please see our website www.generalsyouthfootball.com and the CAYFL web site for further information.

EXPERIENCE: No prior experience is needed for football or cheerleading. Participation in football requires the ability to run, tackle, block, catch a football and understand the rules of the game. If your child has any current condition that limits his/her ability to participate in these activities, collectively defined as Generals Youth Football, please advise the Commissioner or Director of Cheerleading in a confidential letter.

AGE GROUPS/TEAMS: There are four (4) Age Groups for football and three (3) for Cheering in Hamilton Wenham: Ages for teams are determined as of September 1st of the current season. “D Team” 3rd & 4th Graders, 10 years old and under. “C & JVC Teams” 6th & 5th Graders, 12 years old and under and "A & JVA Teams” 7th & 8th Graders, 14 years old and under. The JVC Team (football only) is usually for 5th Graders. There is a B Team football level for 7th Graders only in the CAYFL if there are a minimum of 45 players registered at the 7th and 8th grade level and a minimum of 20 7th Grade Players. CAYFL By Laws state that there MUST be 36 or more players at the 5th/6th and 7th/8th grade levels before a town can field JV football teams. JV Teams are where players will be placed by the Head Coach based on ability and physical maturity. H-W Cheerleading does not support JV teams as this time.

D Team - At the D Team Level (3rd & 4th grade) all players should receive equal playing time and instruction at various positions. This is an instructional level first and foremost. The Coaches do their best to provide equal playing time to all players.

C Team - At the C Team Level (6th & 5th grade) more playing time (approximately 65% to 35%) is given to the players with more ability, experience and physical maturity. Coaches are encouraged to sub in players judiciously and sub in players should the score be way up or way down.

JVC Team - At this level (5th and 6th grade) more playing time (approximately 60% to 40%) is given to the players with more ability, experience and physical maturity. There will be a JVC Team when there are more than 36 players at the 5th and 6th grade level. Players will be placed on the JVC Team that are not yet ready as determined by the coaches for the C Team. Coaches are encouraged to sub in players judiciously and sub in players should the score be way up or way down.

A/JVA Teams - The A & JVA Team Level (8th and 7th grade) - is a very competitive level and playing time of approximately 80% to 20 % is given to players with the most ability, experience and physical maturity. When there are less than 36 players there will be no JVA Team for those players that might not yet be ready for the A Team. When there is only an A Team (due to having less than 36 players) there will be players that will see less playing time based on ability, experience and/or physical maturity and the score. When the score is way up or way down coaches are encouraged to sub in players that see less playing time provided there are not safety concerns for the player.

B Team - There is a B Team Level (7th grade only) in the CAYFL for towns that can field a 7th grade only team based on the total number of 7th & 8th Graders registered (45) or more and a total number of 7th Graders registered (20) or more. Playing time is approximately 70% to 30%.

WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS: There are weight-restricted player positions for each football age group established for the safety of the players. The weight limits apply only to players touching the football (running backs, receivers and quarterbacks). All players are weighed to determine eligibility to play these positions. A player’s weight is determined based on their football uniform and pads without a helmet. To be a running back, receiver or quarterback, players must (in uniform and pads but no helmet) weigh no more than: D Teams = 93 lbs; C & JVC Teams = 120 lbs; B Teams = 136 lbs; A & JVA Teams = 152 lbs.

GAMES: There are typically nine (9) games on the schedule that will start in September. The regular season ends on Sunday in early November. There are Playoffs and Championship games for C, B & A Teams that qualify. The Game Schedule will be posted on the web site in September.

PRACTICE: Football practice, prior to the first game, for all teams is five (5) nights a week Monday through Friday, 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at Patton Park. After the first game, football practice for the all teams drops to (4) nights a week – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM. After the 4th game practice will change to three nights a week Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for all teams. Practice days are subject to change based on weather. All teams practice at Patton Park in Hamilton.

GAME DAYS: Game days may be Saturday or Sunday. Away games are sometimes played on Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday. Times are subject to change – please check the web site Game Schedule link and emails. Players need to arrive one (1) hour before game time for warm-up, weight in, and coaches’ instruction. Directions to opposing team’s fields can be found on the HWGYF website under the Directions Link to the left on the Main Menu.

EQUIPMENT: A complete set of football equipment is provided for all football players that includes a helmet, chin guard, practice pants, practice jersey, game jersey and game pants, shoulder pads, belts. and socks. GAME JERSEYS AND GAME PANTS MAY NOT BE WORN TO PRACTICE. All helmets are inspected, refurbished, tested and replaced, as needed, by a manufacturer-certified supplier. All other equipment is inspected and replaced as needed. Parents must provide padded girdles, athletic supporters and cups, and properly fitted, “molded rubber” only cleats. “Screw-ins”, metal, hard plastic cleats or plastic cleats with rubber tips are illegal and will not be allowed on the field. Players with anything but molded rubber cleats will be ejected from the game and the team will be assessed a 15 yard penalty. All issued equipment with the exception of game shirts and socks are returned at the end of the season to the Football Storage facility at Iron rail – dates will announced.

COACHES: Each football and cheerleading team will have experienced and trained coaches that have been Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) cleared and approved. Head Football Coaches are required to be USA Football Certified.

BANQUET: The season ends with the Annual Banquet at the H-W Regional High School where there is a dinner in the Cafeteria, then speakers, awards, gifts and a slide show of the season in the auditorium. All immediate family members and players/cheerleaders are welcome to the dinner (nominal fee charged to cover expenses). All other family and friends are welcome to the auditorium after dinner for the speakers, awards, gifts and slide show.