A Letter to the Parents

Common Football Questions asked by Parents Below are some of the most frequently asked questions by parents and the answers to each. If your questions are not answered in either place, please feel free to contact us on the Hotline phone/Fax (760) 961-0509 or send us an email and we'll be happy to get back with you. Why does registration cost so much? Where do we go to register? Is there a discount for the second child? Why is an identification Card required? How is weight determined? What about this safety issue? What about the family vacation we normally take in August? Can any kid play contact football? What are the different competition levels? What is this one child one vote issue? When does practice start? My son doesn't want to play football, but I think it is good for him or will "toughen him up"; should I sign him up? Can anyone be a coach? My son cannot make all practices or will necessarily be late; can he still play? Why does registration cost so much? The registration fees do not cover the expenses, including quality equipment, field use, game officials, insurance, paramedic, etc....   Thus, we ask sponsors to help cover the expenses of our football organization.   Some income is received from the Concession stand and booster sales.   No board members are paid; they are all volunteers. The registration covers approximately half of the costs of fielding a player. Back to Top Where do we go to register? Some registration forms will be given to your child at school for children if they attend schools in Apple Valley. Registration forms can be picked up at the Apple Valley Community Center. Back to Top Is there a discount for the second child? No, we have priced our fees to help out all the members of our community. Therefore, no discount can be offered. You will however get a second vote. Back to Top Why is identification required? The Antelope Valley Youth Football system matches players on teams of similar ages and weights for safety reasons. Therefore, players of all teams must submit proof of age and residence. Back to Top How is weight determined? While the AV knights will initially use your submitted weight during registration (the medical form), all players are weighed during "Certification Day" by AVYFA officials weigh every player from all the teams in the league. If your player happens to fall on or slightly above the maximum weight range for their age, but is not eligible to move to the next level team because of age, they do assume the risk of working all of August and not 'making weight'. Set your weight goals early in the summer if this applies to your player. Back to Top What about this safety issue? While injury is a possibility, excellent equipment, required conditioning, and weight-age similarity tend to minimize injury.   Statistically, football has fewer injuries than soccer. Back to Top What about the family vacation we normally take in August? August is the month of conditioning and learning teaching, and is necessarily devoted to AV knight football.   Back to Top Can any kid play contact football? Football is a team game, rewarding players with self-esteem, confidence, an ability to work together, and better physical health. I have found "heart" and desire to be the most important factors in a player's success. I am a strong believer in the value of team sports to a young boys and girls. Back to Top What are the different competition levels?   In short, the A.V.Y.F.A. has four different competition levels to suit the various experience levels of our players. Back to Top What is this one child one vote issue? Other league has strict conditions on who is eligible to vote. Some have extra fees or voluntary service. We have decided to simplify this process. If you have one paying child you get one vote, if you have two paying children you get two votes. No other strings.  Back to Top When does practice start? The first official day of practice is the first Monday in August at starting between 5-6pm. Every club that participates in the Antelope Valley Football League must abide by this rule. Although we do have the occasion where a player doesn't show up until late August or early September (for whatever reason), it is to the benefit of the player to get in practice as soon as possible. Each day missed by one player is a day gained by the others in practice who are developing their skills. Each player is required to go through non-contact conditioning regardless of when they start practice. Back to Top My son doesn't want to play football, but I think it is good for him or will "toughen him up"; should I sign him up?     No.   Encourage him to seek a sport in which he has an interest. Back to Top Can anyone be a coach?  No - To insure all coaches reflect the attitude of the board and parents of our league they are questioned and screen by the board. This is not a league for personal adult glory so coaches must also be trained and go though a clinic provided by the Conference. They must have a background check. Lastly, we are proud to provide an added review provided by the parents as to the coach’s key competencies. We have also instated a rule that anyone on the Executive board (the President, Vice President Treasurer or the Athletic Director) “cannot” be a head coach. This rule is to insure all coaches can be disciplined for any misconduct and to reduce the likelihood of favoritism. Coaches will truly serve the interest of the parents and league.  Back to Top My son cannot make all practices or will necessarily be late; can he still play?     No - (you) or he is not committed. Min of 3 practices a week once the season begins. In additional to a lot of instructional training and conditioning takes place in August (pre-season). Back to Top  Agility Drills   Interactive Playbookﾠ Back to Top