FAQ
1. At what age can my son play in the GridIron Football League?
The GridIron Football League is for boys ages 7 to 12 (age as of September 1st) consisting of three divisions:
- Freshman: 7/8 years old.
- JV: 9/10 years old.
- Varsity: 11/12 years old (not in the seventh grade)
2. How are teams formed?
The GridIron League is a zoned football league. Teams will be made up of players that live in the same high school zone per Fort Bend ISD or Lamar Consolidated ISD zoning. Teams have a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 players. If 30 or more players in a single division in a zone register, teams will be determined by a draft within that zone. For the Fall 2013 season, Austin, Clements, Foster, George Ranch, Lamar and Ridge Point zones will be participating in the league and we are looking to expand into Dulles and Travis pending getting the proper leadership in place. If you live outside of the six participating zones, you can still sign up. Your son will be placed in one of the active zones.
3. Why isn’t my zone a participating zone?
The GridIron League has not yet secured the right leadership in your zone. We are looking for zone leaders and coaches so that the GridIron Football League can expand into more zones of Fort Bend County. If you are interested in becoming a zone leader or forming a team in a zone not yet participating, please click here to contact us.
4. How much is the registration fee?
$185 per player. This amount covers limited equipment, fields, and officials. All other equipment is the responsibility of the player. (See Question #8 below).
5. I am interested in volunteering to coach football this year and would like to know what process I need to follow to pursue this.
Please click here to contact us. All coaches will be approved by the FBYSA Board and also be required to pass an on-line coaching course presented by USA Football. This course takes approximately 2 and a half hours and will cost $20.
To advance through USA Football’s on-line coaching course, a coach must receive a cumulative score of at least 80 percent on its 15 chapter quizzes. The computer-animated course with audio narration covers coaching philosophy, practice planning, and communicating with young players and parents. It also encompasses player health material and video addressing concussion awareness, hydration, and proper equipment fitting. USA Football coaching membership for the league’s coaches provides innovative resources including coaching insurance, a video drills library with more than 150 drills, an on-line practice planner, USA Football’s “Click ’n Create” on-line playbook and more. Upon completing USA Football’s CCEP, each coach receives a USA Football coaching certificate and has his or her name added to usafootball.com’s national coaches registry.
Coaches who pass USA Football’s certification are also subject to a background check. Upon successful completion of both of these requirements, you are eligible to coach in the GridIron Football League. Head coaches for each team are nominated by the Zone Manager for that zone and approved by the FBYSA Board. Head coaches select their own assistant coaches; however, assistant coaches are also required to be USA Football Certified and pass a background check.
6. We reside in a school district adjoining Fort Bend ISD or Lamar Consolidated ISD. Can my child play in the GridIron Football League?
No. The GridIron Football League is limited to players who reside in Fort Bend ISD or Lamar Consolidated ISD.
7. How do I get involved in the program?
Volunteers are essential to the success of this program. Please click here if you are interested in volunteering your time or expertise. If you are interested in sponsorship, advertising opportunities, please click here.
8. What equipment must my son have to play, and what does the GridIron Football League issue?
The GridIron Football League issues game jerseys, helmet decals, and Spirit T-shirts. Any other clothing/uniform necessary to practice and play in games is solely the responsibility of the player. Football pants with pads, football cleats, shoulder pads, helmet with chin strap, and attached mouth piece will be required. Arm pads, elbow pads, and gloves are optional. We recommend that all players have their equipment fitted and purchased at a sporting goods store.
9. How many nights a week will there be a practice and/or a game?
During the regular season, teams will have a total of three “activities” per week. Activities include practices and games (i.e., two week-night practices and one Saturday game).
10. When does the season start, and when does it end?
The first day of practice will be August 12th, the first game will be August 31st, and Super Bowl Sunday will be October 27th. Season duration will be approximately two and a half months. If a draft is necessary, we will hold a GridIron combine/evaluation day on a date to be determined in July.
11. What is the Refund Policy?
Full refund will be given, less a processing fee, until June 30th. Partial refund of $100 will be given from July 1st until August 1st. NO REFUNDS AFTER AUGUST 1ST.
