Linden Youth Lions Football & Cheerleading

Participation Rules & Regulations

Registration – All participants must meet all MLYAC & LYFC requirements.

• Complete and turn in all required forms with Paid Fee. (Registration, birth certificate, copy of Medical Insurance card, proof of address)
• Turn in signed Doctors’ medical release before the first practice.
• Must meet age, weight, and grade requirements.
• It is highly recommended that each participant maintains at least a 2.0 grade point average throughout the season.
• Must reside within the LUSD boundaries (boundary map is available upon request).

Conditioning – The season will begin 8/2/10 There will be a conditioning session.  All participants are required to attend every day of conditioning or they will fall behind in the program.  The location of practice will be at a school within LUSD. You will receive a newsletter 2 weeks prior to the start of the season. Please make sure you wear the following the first day of practice: shorts, t-shirt, sneakers & socks. All participants are to bring plenty of drinking water in a clearly marked container.

Practice – After the conditioning session practice will begin. All cheerleaders are to wear comfortable clothing as stated above for conditioning.  All football players are to wear their assigned practice uniform.  Other items needed for practice are:  football cleats, and a football girdle.  The football girdle can be purchased through the league or at Athletic Supply in Stockton.  Missed practices:  All participants that miss one practice in a game week will not start.  If two are missed in a game week the participant will not participate until after half-time. If three are missed in a game week the participant will not play the game or cheerlead. Examples of an excused missed practice:

• Family emergency with contact from a parent to the head coach.
• Medical excuse with a note from a doctor.
• School or church activity with at least 1 week prior notice.

Uniforms- All participants are to wear their assigned uniform as instructed by their coach.  No alterations are to be made to any part of the football uniform or equipment.  If your equipment does not fit properly please make sure you let your coach know as soon as possible.  Football players are to come prepared to all games with all assigned equipment.  Cheerleaders are to come dressed in uniform as instructed by their coach or they will not cheer.

 *Football players will be assigned the following: Practice pants, practice jersey, shoulder pads, helmet, girdle pads, game pants, game jersey & belt. If your jersey is lost or damaged there will be a $35.00 replacement fee. The jersey cost is included in registration.

 *Cheerleaders will receive a complete uniform which will be purchased with their registration fee.  All items are to be kept by the cheerleader at the end of the season.  It is the responsibility of the parent to choose the correct uniform size.  Please make sure you measure carefully.  All orders are final.  We cannot return any items due to wrong sizes. *Cheerleaders will receive the following:  Skirt, top, briefs, poms & warm-up suit. *Other items needed not included in uniform cost:  White sneakers with no color with white shoestrings.

Football Equipment- All items that are assigned to football players are to be returned at the completion of the season.  It is the responsibility of the parent to return all items to the head coach.  All items are to be clean and in good condition.  Please do not return any items without receiving a receipt.  No football equipment will be collected at the awards dinner.  Please make prior arrangements to turn in all items by December 14th.  Parents will be responsible for any lost or stolen equipment. *Replacement cost – If your equipment is lost or stolen it is your responsibility to pay the replacement cost.  The total cost per player is approx. $350.00. *Alterations- All players are to wear their equipment properly.  If your equipment is broken or damaged, please let your coach know as soon as possible.  If alterations are needed for a cheer uniform, please make sure you have them completed by the first game. Cheer alterations are not provided or paid for by the league. Upon COMPLETION of the season all participants will receive a trophy at the awards dinner.

Transportation- It is the responsibility of the parent to provide all transportation to and from all practices, home games and away games.  If you need directions, please ask a coach or LYF member.  All participants are to arrive on time and leave when dismissed by their coach. All participants need to be at the game no later than 1 ½ hours before any game unless otherwise directed by the coach.

Parents – If you have any questions, concerns, comments, complaints etc. please contact our player agent.  Do not approach a coach during practice or game time.  We cannot have any interference with parents that may cause disruptions to our games or practices.  Our coaches are dedicating their time to the youth of our community.  If you have any free time and would like to help out. Please contact our league’s player agent. {Parents are not allowed in the practice area}

Respect- All participants are to treat others with respect at all times.  There will be no cursing, swearing, or bashing of others.  Any participant that cannot abide by the rules will be suspended from the program for the remainder of the season.

Personal property- Please keep all jewelry and personal belongings at home.  LYFC is not responsible for any lost or stolen personal items.  Please only bring what is needed to participate.

Playing time- Each football player will play a minimum of 4 plays per game and 2 plays for a play-off or super bowl game.  These play rules apply to players that have participated in weekly practices only.

Volunteering- It is a requirement that all participants have an adult volunteer four (4) hours at a home game.  All volunteers must be at least 16 years of age or older.  A parent or guardian can donate $10.00 per hour due at signup to LYFC to have their volunteer time served by someone else.  Please do your part and help out.

Fundraising- It is a requirement that all participants participate in fundraising. Please contact us if you would like to donate or if you have any fundraising ideas.

Cheerleading-Bantam: 9-10, JV: 11-12, Varsity: 13-14. Mascots will be accepted on a first come basis (two per squad).  Mascot ages are: 7-9.  All mascots will abide by all cheerleading rules.

Scheduled Games- will be played on Saturday or Sunday.  Times will be determined by location and day.  A tentative schedule will be given to all participants prior to the start of the season.  The tentative schedule is subject to change.

Jewelry- No jewelry may be worn to practice or games.

Pets- No pets are allowed at practice or games.

Alcohol or Tobacco – No alcohol or tobacco is allowed at any LindenUnifiedSchool.

Cheerleaders will be given separate rules for LYFC Cheer program from the Cheer Coordinator.