Q: Are requests for specific coaches, teams, practice schedules, or game times accepted?
A: No, sorry...as much as we like to, we are unable to accept or satisfy any special requests. Thanks for your understanding!
Q: What will be my child's team game schedule this year?
A: The season consists of 7 games each Saturday beginning the first Saturday after Labor Day and ending 7 weeks after that date. Your team’s opponent, game location, and game time is scheduled by the league (i.e., the WMYFL) .
Game times can be affected for several different reasons, but as a rule there are no games started prior to 8:00 AM and no games started after 8:00 PM.
Games could be played at our home field, CHS, or at one of the other WMYFL field (Lowell, East Kentwood, Catholic Central, Forest Hills (Central, Eastern, Northern), East Grand Rapids, Comstock Park, Sparta, Northview, and Rockford).
Q: Is the Caledonia Youth Football League affiliated with or run by Caledonia Community Schools?
A: The program is run with the cooperation of the school district but is in no way affiliated with the school district. The program is a part of the WMYFL (West Michigan Youth Football League) and run solely by volunteers.
Q: How are Players Assigned to a Team?
A: Teams are constructed through a controlled draft process. Each coach is able to request 5 players. The 5 requested players include the head coach’s child and any assistant coaches child. If a head coach has three assistant coaches with children, then coach only has one open request for the draft. The children that are not requested by a coach are drafted based on DOB, weight, and playing experience, and then evenly distributed to a team in their age group .
Q: What is the Practice Schedule Typically Like?
A: Each team will have 4 practices the first week, and 3 practices each week after that throughout the season. Each team's practice schedule and practice location are determined by the team's head coach. Practice locations are generally the CalPlex and Duncan Lake Middle School.
Q: Are there weight limits?
A: All players will be able to play at their grade level regardless of weight. However, each player's weight must be at or under the limits listed below in order to play certain positions. If a player is over the weight limits listed below, he/she will need to play between the tackles on the line of scrimmage. Each player is weighed before each game in full equipment (minus helmet). Grade Level
3rd- 4th Grade = 125 lbs
5th- 6th Grade = 145 lbs
Q: What Equipment is Needed?
A: Each player must provide his/her own (white) helmet, black football pants/pads, shoulder pads, practice jersey, football cleats (metal or screw in cleats are not permitted), and mouth guard.
Q: What are the rules (if any) concerning Position Assignments?
A: For a coach, assigning positions is one of the hardest things to do. We all know that not every child can be a running back or a quarterback. The important thing to remember is that there are a variety of positions and each one is just as important as the next.
Each coach is different, and his/her process will vary, but normally most of the 1st week of practice is spent evaluating each child and trying to match each child to the position that the coach feels is best suited to his skill level and how his or her skill level compares to the rest of the team. As a parent/fan, please be open-minded regarding your coach's recommendation and support your child & coach regardless of what position they play.
Q: Are There Any Rules Concerning Playing Time?
A: We insist that our coaches follow the letter and spirit of the rule. Each Lowell coach is asked to start each child on either offense or defense regardless of if he/she plays special teams, with the only extenuating circumstances being injury or a child refusing to play or practice. There are no exceptions. Coaches do have some discretion to try different line-ups during the course of a game, but this should not impact your child’s playing time.
WMYFL rule is that “Every player must start on offense or defense and play equally.” Special Teams do not count as a starting position. CYFA insists that all our coaches follow this rule, with the only extenuating circumstances being injury or a child refusing to play or practice. There are no exceptions. Coaches do have some discretion to try different line-ups during the course of a game, but this should not impact your child’s playing time.
If you any concerns or questions about your child’s playing time, please discuss it immediately with your coach. And if your concerns are not addressed, feel free to contact the Field Director.