GENERAL INFORMATION

GENERAL INFORMATION

TACKLE FOOTBALL PARTICIPATION

  • Tackle Football Player participants must be at least seven years of age and no older than 16 as of October 1st of the current calendar year.
  • A parent or guardian is expected to attend (or make alternative arrangements to have a responsible party in attendance) for all practice sessions if a practice is short due to foul weather or other circumstances.
  • Please keep in mind this is a physical sport requiring the children to be willing and able to exercise 5 nights a week, 2 hours a night until Labor Day. After that, practice will be held three nights per week, 2 hours a night.
  • Players are placed into divisions based on their age and weight.  Refer to the age/weight chart below. This information can also be found on the NVYFL website for greater detail. Please remember that the age/chart outlines the lowest and highest weights allowable for each age group. These restrictions are in place to keep participation and play fair and balanced among the age groups.
  • New players are encouraged to attend sports training camps before the season's start. Visit the Grizzly website for more information regarding recommended training camps.

AGE CUTOFF DATES

  • Age determination is based on cutoff dates to maintain fairness and consistency. For ages 7-14, the age is considered as of October 1. For ages 15-16, 15-year-olds turning 16 on or before December 31st must play in the 155lbs weight class. Notably, players turning 17 on or before December 31st are not eligible to participate.
  • Please be aware that this information is subject to change based on updates to the Official Rules. For the most current guidelines, refer to the NVYFL website.

DIVISIONS

  • ANKLEBITER DIVISION
    • Age 7 is unlimited
    • Age 8 can weigh up to 90lbs
    • Age 9 can weigh up to 55lbs
  • 80LB DIVISION
    • Age 8 is unlimited (Must weigh at least 91lbs, and the maximum weight for a player to carry the ball is 100lbs)
    • Age 9 can weigh 56lbs to 100lbs
    • Age 10 can weigh up to 85lbs
    • Age 11 can weigh up to 80lbs
  • 90LB DIVISION
    • Age 9 is unlimited (Must weigh at least 101lbs, and the maximum weight for a player to carry the ball is 110lbs)
    • Age 10 can weigh 86lbs to 110lbs
    • Age 11 can weigh 81lbs to 95lbs
    • Age 12 can weigh up to 90lbs
  • 100LB DIVISION
    • Age 10 is unlimited (Must weigh at least 111lbs, and the maximum weight for a player to carry the ball is 120lbs )
    • Age 11 can weigh 96lbs to 120lbs
    • Age 12 can weigh 91lbs 105lbs
    • Age 13 can weigh up to 100lbs
  • 115LB DIVISION
    • Age 11 is unlimited (Must weigh at least 121lbs, and the maximum weight for a player to carry the ball is 135lbs)
    • Age 12 can weigh 106lbs to 130lbs
    • Age 13 can weigh 101lbs to 120lbs
    • Age 14 can weigh up to 115lbs
  • 130LB DIVISION
    • Age 12 is unlimited (Must weigh at least 131lbs, and the maximum weight for a player to carry the ball is 150lbs)
    • Age 13 can weigh 121lbs to 140lbs
    • Age 14 can weigh 116lbs to 135lbs
    • Age 15 can weigh up to 130lbs
  • 155LB DIVISION
    • Age 13 is unlimited (Must weigh at least 1411lbs, and the maximum weight for a player to carry the ball is 175lbs)
    • Age 14 is unlimited (Must weigh at least 136lbs, and the maximum weight for a player to carry the ball is 165lbs)
    • Age 15 can weigh 131lbs to 160lbs
    • Age 16 can weigh up to 155lbs

* The maximum weight for a player to carry the ball in Anklebiters is 70 lbs. Anklebiter players over the 70lb limit and all other unlimited players at other weight classes are not eligible to play in a position that usually handles the ball unless they are at or below the listed maximum ball carrier weight (the weight limit listed next to "Unlimited/" on the chart above). Positions excluded for unlimited players exceeding the maximum ball carrier limit include all offensive backfield positions, all eligible receivers and tight end positions, and any position not on the first line of a special teams formation. Exceptions include the offensive positions of center, punter, and placekicker.
** 15-year-olds that turn 16 on or before December 31st must play 155lbs.
*** 16-year-olds that turn 17 on or before December 31st are not eligible to play.

 

Only youth between the ages of 7 and 16 who weigh at least 40lbs may participate in NVYFL. All youth shall play in the Age/Weight Division they are eligible for. There will be no waivers.

Commissioners check birth dates and weights at club registration and the official NVYFL Weigh-In. For example, a 10-year-old will play in the 90# group if he weighs 86 to 100 pounds. He may not play in the 100lb division unless he weighs at least 101 pounds. See the official rulebook for additional information.

 

EQUIPMENT

  • Players must provide their own black football pants with pads, cleats, mouthpieces, chin straps, practice jerseys, and game socks. This player-supplied equipment can be purchased at major sporting goods stores such as Dicks Sporting Goods or online at Amazon.com, etc
  • The GHYFL will provide game jerseys, helmets, and shoulder pads.
  • Players must return cleaned equipment (helmet and shoulder pads) at the end of the season and will be directed by the team coaching staff on how to return the equipment.
  • The credit card used for registration may be charged a fee for equipment not returned to GHYFL.
  • For Grizzly Football Camp(s) – We do NOT use helmets, shoulder pads, or other safety equipment as this camp is designed purely to focus on conditioning, skills development, and fundamentals. We recommend the players wear light clothing: a T-shirt, shorts, socks, and rubber cleats. Also, bring plenty of water! Most kids bring a half-gallon jug of ice water with their name written on it.

EQUIPMENT HANDOUT  (2025)

  • Dates:
    • TBD
  • Location
    • Grizzly Sports Complex

TACKLE FOOTBALL CONDITIONING (2025)

We host conditioning sessions during the summer months for those registered for the tackle football season. We feel it’s a great way to get kids out of the house and exercise before the season starts in August!

  • CONDITIONING INFORMATION
    • DATES: TBD
    • TIME: Sat (9-10:30am), Tues (6-7:30pm)
    • LOCATION: Grizzly Sports Complex
    • WHAT TO BRING: Cleats and plenty of water

COMBINE AND PRACTICE (2025)

  • COMBINE INFORMATION
    • DATE: Monday, August 4th - Friday, August 8th
    • TIME: 6:00 - 8:00pm
    • LOCATION: 

      • ANKLEBITER: Grizzly Sports Complex

      • 80LB: Grizzly Sports Complex

      • 90LB: Grizzly Sports Complex

      • 100LB: Gainesville Middle School

      • 115LB: Gainesville Middle School

      • 130LB: Gainesville Middle School

      • 155LB: Gainesville Middle School

    • EQUIPMENT: 
      • Monday: Helmets & Cleats
      • Tuesday/Wednesday: Helmets, Shoulder Pads, and Cleats
      • Thursday/Friday: Full Gear (Full contact begins on Thursday)
      • Be sure to bring plenty of water each night
      • A player must attend three days before they can begin full contact 
    • Field commissioners will be assigned to each field to help things run smoothly.
    • After the first week, a drafting of players will occur. Parents and players will be informed after the draft of who their coach will be.
  • PRACTICE INFORMATION
    • After the tackle combine and the draft, practice will continue to be held five nights a week, 2 hours per night, through Friday, August 29th.
    • Beginning September 1st, teams will practice three nights per week, 2 hours per night, with actual practice days being decided by the coaching staff.
    • Practices will be held at the Grizzly Sports Complex and local area schools.
  • Dates, times, and locations are always subject to changes, so please continue to visit the website for updates. 

DRAFTING OF TEAMS

  • Teams are drafted in compliance with the NVYFL rules. This ensures that teams from different leagues are equally matched in age, weight, and ability.
  • Ankle Biter teams will be drafted using an S draft method since this developmental division is designed to create equal teams.
  • The 80lb and higher divisions will be drafted as follows: American players will be drafted first. The draft will then take place for Central and National teams.
  • The team draft usually occurs on the first Saturday or Sunday after the Combine (August 10th or 11th). 

TACKLE FOOTBALL SCRIMMAGES (2025) SAVE THE DATES

  • Labor Day Clash: Saturday, August 30th
  • Alex's Army Bowl: Saturday, September 6th 

TACKLE FOOTBALL GAMES (2025)

  • Week 1: Saturday, September 13th
  • Week 2: Saturday, September 20th
  • Week 3: Saturday, September 27th
  • Week 4: Saturday, October 4th
  • Week 5: Saturday, October 11th
  • Week 6: Saturday, October 18th
  • Week 7: Saturday, October 25th
  • Playoffs: Week of October 28th + Saturday, November 1st
  • Championship: Saturday, November 8th 
  • The Grizzly home field is at the Grizzly Sports Complex.
  • Away games may be played throughout Northern Virginia.
  • Games may be played on Saturday or Sunday.  On occasion, a game may be played during the week.
  • Dates are always subject to changes, so please continue to visit the website for updates. 

TEAM MANAGER

As a football team relies on a skilled quarterback to orchestrate plays on the field, our Flag Football teams need a Team Manager to coordinate the off-field efforts. As a Team Manager, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring our players have everything they need to succeed. Your responsibilities may include coordinating snacks, facilitating communication between coaches and parents, and handling various logistical aspects crucial to the team's success.

Your involvement will not only contribute to the overall success of the team but also foster a sense of community among players, parents, and coaches. We genuinely hope you'll consider joining us in making this season memorable for everyone involved.