NEW TO THE PROGRAM? Start Here!
Posted by Lee Spooner on 11/1/2023
If you have a question that isn't listed here please email it to me.
Lee.Spooner@ymcasenc.org
Welcome to the YMCA NFL Flag Football Program!
Below are the common questions we receive from the families in our program. As a parent myself, I welcome you to the world of organized sports, for many of you this will become a part of your weekly life for many years to come. The YMCA of Southeastern NC started providing youth sport leagues back in 1975, in that time our biggest take away is that kids play sports to have fun....that's it. Therefore our #1 goal is that the player has fun in our program.
Sections below:
Basic Program Q&A
YMCA Registration /
SPRING 2024 NFL FLAG Leagues
11/15-02/03: On-time Registration
01/15: Playerspace System will switch from Fall 2023 to Spring 2024.
02/04: Late registration opens, open spots will be filled based on when registration is received.
02/08-2/09: Notification of Team Assignments start through PlayerSpace!
02/17 & 02/24: Coaches Meeting and Free Coaches Training
02/19: Practices Start
03/06: Entire Seasons Game Schedule Released
03/04-03/08: Uniforms are distributed at practice.
03/09: First league games of the season.
05/04: Last games of the season.
Fall 2024 NFL FLAG Leagues
05/01-07/28: On-time Registration
07/01: Playerspace System will switch from Spring 2024 to Fall 2024.
07/29: Late registration opens, open spots will be filled based on when registration is received.
08/08-8/09: Notification of Team Assignments start through PlayerSpace!
08/17 & 08/24: Coaches Meeting and Free Coaches Training
08/19: Practices Start
09/04: Entire Seasons Game Schedule Released
09/02-09/06: Uniforms are distributed at practice.
09/07: First league games of the season.
10/28: Last games of the season.
BASIC PROGRAM Q&A
Q: Can I still register my kid for flag football?
A: Spring registration is now open. "On-time" Spring Registrations ends on February 4th. After this date there is a $20 late registration processing fee. It takes 24 to 48 hours to be placed on a team. We do our best not to turn away any kid that wants to play. Many times throughout the season positions open and you can be placed on a team even if you enroll mid-season.
Q: What time are practices?
A: Practice times are set by the coaches and available field space. Usually there is every age group everyday of the week. Teams practice once per week for 1 hour. First practices of the Spring season start the week of February 20th.
Q: What time are games?
A: That depends on total registration. This seasons game schedule will be posted on March 8th. Games may be added to locations once we know total team counts. Games will be played on Saturdays. We have 3 fields for NFL Flag, games start at 8:30 AM and we start with our youngest in the AM and finish the day with our oldest.
Q: Where are games and practices.
A: Most our games will be played at the Midtown YMCA Fields this Spring. We are always looking for new space, if there is a demand we will look into it. Weekly Practices are available at the locations below, we capture your preferred field during registration. *Days of the week vary and we will know more August 5th as on-time registration closes. Our coaches choose their practice day, time and location, space permitting.
-Nir Family YMCA - 2710 Market Street
-Midtown YMCA - 709 George Anderson Drive
-Ogden Park - Eaton Elementary Fields
-Leland: Belville Elementary School or Leland Municipal Park
Our games are played at the locations below:
-Mid-Town YMCA - 709 George Anderson Drive
Q: How much does it cost.
A: We price divisions based on our cost, so as our younger groups do not have referee's means the games cost less. As kids get older we add referees to the field per league guidelines.
On-Time Registration ends on February 4th, after this date there is a $20 processing fee.
*Note divisions are not final, we will post divisions based on final registrations.
Ages League Play Prices Field Size and Officials
6- 8 U9 5 v 5 $120 30x70: Two Officials
9-11 U12 5 v 5 $130 30x70: Two Officials
11-14 Middle School 5 v 5 $140 30x70: Two Officials
14-17 High School 5 v 5 $140 30x70: Two Officials
* Members receive a $20 discount.
* Financial Aid is available to those that qualify and covers 30% of registration.
* Multiple Child Discount ($5 off each child's registration)
* Coaches Discount (Coaches and Assistant Coaches receive discounts for their child after training.
Q: How do you determine a players age?
A: For the Fall 2022 & Spring 2023 seasons age is based on a child's age as of 08/31/2022. We allow players in our league to play up one division. Players are NOT allowed to play down a division. This is to keep our divisions fair and equal play. The rule that allows you to play up a division is so that friends may play together that may be off by a few months or if you would just like a little more competitive play.
Q: How do I find out information like my coach, practices or game schedules?
A: We use a program called Playerspace to communicate with such a large league. Playerspace is a sports communication and league management portal that we use to enhance and improve the overall communication and scheduling for our soccer league. All teams, players, coaches and volunteers will be active users in Playerspace in conjunction with their YMCA registration. Once registered, all users will have access to all league schedules and information. Weekly Emails will be sent out 30 days prior to the season starting. Cancellations due to weather are posted on the website, emailed out to parents and text if you opted to receive them.
Q: What size football does my child play with?
A: U9 Division will use the Junior (Size 7) Ball
U12 Division will use the Youth (Size 8) Ball
MS & HS Divisions will use the Official (Size 9) Ball
Q: I am having troubles with how to use Playerspace.
A: Playerspace is the system we use to communicate with the 5,000+ families in our programs. It will always have the most up to date information. This includes your Childs team, coach, practice times and game times. The following site is available to help parents on how to navigate the system. https://www.playerspace.net/playerspace-view-all-parents
Q: I have not heard from anyone, including my coach. When will this happen?
A: Even if coaches don't email you, you will get emails from me via Playerspace. I send updates out each week. I have also set-up auto reminders for all practices and game times. So if you have not received these please scroll to the bottom and problem shoot. If that still doesn't work please email me so i can trouble shoot. (Meantime, all information can be found on this site once you are logged in - including the option to email your coach.)
Q: When do I get my child's Jersey?
A: Jersey's are issued the week prior to first league game.
Q: What is included in my registration?
A: 8 games/sessions, Official NFL Flag Team Jersey, Official NFL set of flags, Player award & fun, not in that order.
Q: Does my child need mouth guards and/or cleats?
A: Mouth guards are required for all players. You can find them at Target, Wal-mart, sporting good store or our staff on Saturdays. Nothing fancy, as they get lost before end of season, trust me as a parent. Cleats are not required but at some point if your child likes the sport you will need them. We have a cleat exchange at the home field during the season. Take a pair - give a pair....kids out grow quickly.
Q: What is the Weather Policy?
A: Below is our cancellation guidelines for outdoor sports.
NOTIFICATIONS:
There are two ways we communicate this.
POSTED:
https://ymcasoccer.playerspace.com you will see a “Field Status” link under “News & Announcements” this will have the most up to date info. Link below.
EMAILS & TEXT:
We will email through the Playerspace system to teams that are affected by weather so please check your email before leaving to come to the fields. I will do my best to cancel as quickly as I can, for last minutes cancellations we will also text as well as email the notification. There may be a practice/game or two this season that we wait, do not cancel and as you pull up lighting strikes. We try to keep these to a minimum, but it happens. Either practice/game will be delayed 30 minutes or cancelled.
PRACTICES:
For those practicing at YMCA Fields:
Calls for practices are made between 3 PM and 3:30 PM during the week. Our fields dry quick and weather in NC comes and goes just as quick so we do not cancel until we have too.
For those practicing at an offside field that is maintained by City, Town or County:
Municipalities will notify us of closures. Once we are contacted we will notify the league. There may be cases where on one side of the county we have practices and one side of the county gets cancelled.
Our Volunteer Coaches:
Our Volunteer Coaches are given the choice to cancel practices before we close fields. As a coach I knew my parents of 5 year olds would not come out if it was sprinkling. COACHES, please email us so we can remove from calendar. NAC Teams will follow field closures.
GAMES:
We play in the rain (the kids love it, parents and my staff not so much.)
We only cancel game and practices if there is lighting, thunder and/or standing water on more than 25% of our fields. If light rain only, we are going to play. Calls will be made early in the morning (7 AM to 7:30 AM) for a full day closure or if we will cancel on a game by game basis. Game by game will be called 1 hour before your game time. There may be some weekends that the 8:30 AM to 11 AM games play and the rest of the day does not.
Q: What first-aid do you provide?
A: We have first-aid kits. Most staff has been CPR certified and couple have more advanced training. We call 911 for any major injuries. If you child has any severe condition please inform me as well as their coach. Communication with us is key.
Q: How competitive is your program?
A: Our #1 goal is for your player to have "fun".
U9 (6, 7 & 8): "FUN" play skills, passing skills, running skills.
U12 (9, 10 & 11): "FUN" introduction of team dynamics.
Middle and High School: You can make this program whatever you want. Just fun or competitive we offer both.
Q: What are the basic rules in each age group?
A: CLICK HERE FOR OUR 2022 RULE MODIFICATIONS - Please note these are the official NFL Flag Rule Book.
Q: Can I play my child up or down in a division?
A: It is common for a child to play up one level in a recreation league in the younger divisions. I would speak to your coach or myself if this is something you are concerned about. It should be rarely that a child is held back. We are pretty even in all our younger divisions so everyone is nervous about moving up. This does not go away as your child gets older. There are times to move a player up or down and as a league we are open to discuss, that is why we are family friendly soccer. My goal is that they are having fun playing soccer, fair and safe.
Q: What is your refund policy?
A: Refunds are given. There is a $35 non-refundable administration fee to help cover the cost that are accrued once a child registers for the program. Refunds must be requested prior to April 1st, 2023 for the Spring League AND October 1st, 2023 for the Fall League.
Q. Why play flag football instead of tackle football?
A: Football is one of the most exciting and popular sports for kids. But whether it's because of limited size or ability, or the desire to keep from getting hurt, not all kids want to play tackle football and many parents are concerned about the violent nature of the game. Flag football has proven to be a much safer sport for kids that still includes the high action appeal of football with far less of the common injuries associated with tackle football: concussions, broken bones, sprains, and dislocations.
Q. Is there physical contact in this league?
A. This is a no-contact league, and penalties for contact will be enforced. Tackling, blocking, stiff-arming or physical contact of any kind is not allowed.
Q. What jersey size should I order?
A. Check the jersey size chart to determine the size jersery you should order for your child.
http://flagcontent.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/NFL-FLAG-Jersey-Size-Chart-1.pdf
YMCA Registration & Playerspace Q&A
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE PAGE FOR HELP ON REGISTRATION
Q: I have multiple children in your program, I see one's schedule on PlayerSpace but not the other?
A: This one is tricky, as it depends on what type of device your using on the format. You are looking for your profile button, should be your first name and last initial with a blank picture, unless you set one up. Click your name and within your profile you will see "You have 2 kids" or "My Children", click either of those to toggle between your children or view a parent master which will show both.
Q: There's two parents and we both would like to receive emails.
A: Want to add your spouse or babysitter to the Playerspace notification system for your child this season. This is a new function in Playerspcae this season. It will have to be added by whomever signed them up this season. Using that email to log into Playerspace they will be able to add an additional email. Note: we are working with our vendor to be able to capture this through the regisration process. We hope to have it available in future seasons.
Below are the instructions to add an additional email to your account.
http://d13ynksnjelk36.cloudfront.net/Downloads/4626/4626_15989324222362932_20424.pdf
Q: Why do I need an YMCA account & a Playerspace account?
A: The YMCA system is used for registration and collecting funds, this system is called Daxko. The YMCA Soccer Program uses Playerspace so that you have convenient 24/7 online access to league information such as schedules, practice times, team information, standings and event specifics. You will also be notified through playerspace of any weather delays or cancelations!
Q: What if I am not receiving e-mails from Playerspace?
A: Be sure to check your junk, trash and spam folders for Playerspace. You will need to add notifications@playerspace.com to your safe sender list. If you use a mobile device please look for your "spambox" folder, you may need to expand your folder view to locate as this is not the same as your "junk" folder. If you still do not see it please email Lee.Spooner@ymcasenc.org for assistance.