Cal SELECT has five teams (6u: 2018, 7u: 2017, 8u: 2016, 9u: 2015, and 10u: 2014) with progressive expectations to maximize our players' potential. The program has four components :

• Performance & Skill Training: we partner with Thoroughbred Performance Training so our athletes receive the same expert programming and coaching that has been utilized by some of the best youth, high school, collegiate, and professional athletes in West Michigan.
• Practice: we have a program wide philosophy developed by coaches that have played and coached at the highest levels of football. The coaching staff of each team is hand selected and teams will practice on their own, against other Cal Select teams, and scrimmage other competitive teams.
• League Play: each team competes in a local league (location TBD) against older competition in the spring and fall.
• Tournament Play: we select six to ten tournaments a year to expose our players to the best teams in the nation. Besides seeking out the best competition, we select tournaments that will lead to fun and memorable experiences for the entire family (i.e. Ford Field, The Big House, Disney).
  

In 6u, we gradually build throughout the year before increasing the workload and competing in tournaments. In the spring, the team will practice and have performance & skill training once a week while competing in a local league. In the summer this will increase to twice a week while we compete in the West Michigan Flag Championship on 6/22, SHS Nationals on 6/28-29, and SHS Battle at the Big House on 7/13. Then players will have a break before the fall season, which mirrors the spring. Finally in the winter, they will train and practice once a week to prepare for the Game on Cancer Tournament at Ford Field and SHS World Championships.

In 7u, we balance training and competition throughout the year, with lower workloads in the spring and fall to accommodate other sports. The spring and fall seasons are similar to 6u, except the team will compete in NFL FLAG Regionals and another tournament in both seasons. Summer and winter workloads will be the same as 6u, except there may be an additional tournament or two if the team qualifies for NFL FLAG Nationals or the Junior Olympics.

In 8u, we maintain the same workload as 7u with the exception of the fall season. We assume Cal SELECT players will also participate in tackle football when they are eligible, so we limit activities to Sundays for a short practice and league play. Depending on the NFL FLAG Regional schedule, we may participate in that tournament in the fall assuming the players and families agree.

In 9u and 10u, we maintain the same workload as 8u except we shorten the winter and spring seasons to accommodate the West Michigan Drive 7 on 7 season.  Just like we assume our players participate in tackle football, we also assume our players will participate in West Michigan Drive's 7 on 7 program. 

Please click here for a detailed overview of the program.

Will players also participate in the flag regular season?
That is completely up to you. Cal SELECT will play as a team in a local league against other competitive teams, so you will already have practices and a game the same days as Cal's regular season. It is possible to do both, but it will lead to busy days and potentially missed games. We ask that if there is a conflict between SELECT and the regular season, players prioritize SELECT. As of now, SELECT teams cannot simply play as a team in Cal's regular season because competitive teams playing recreational teams leads to a negative experience for everyone. 

How are players selected for the team?
During tryouts, we will evaluate players on athleticism, football skills, understanding of the game, and attitude. For
players who have played for us or against us in the past, we will also consider those observations. Head coaches in
the program and external skill coaches will collaborate to build each of our teams. After selections, we will provide
transparent feedback for each player that tried out.

Is it possible to play for Cal Select while playing other sports?
Not only is it possible, but it is encouraged. We do not believe that young athletes should specialize in only one sport. Every player in the first year of Cal SELECT not only played other sports, but most of them played multiple sports per season.

Isn’t this a bit much for youth flag football?
Like other travel sports (e.g., baseball, softball, soccer), we provide our best and most committed players with the specialized coaching, additional training, and high-level competition they need to improve. Cal SELECT is not for everyone, but it is the type of structure high-potential players need to become better flag players, tackle players, overall athletes, and leaders.

What are playing time expectations once players are on a team?
As a competitive team, players will earn their positions and playing time. Coaches will decide based on what is best for the team, and everyone will play only some positions equally. All players will play in games and tournaments outside of attendance or discipline issues.

Why don’t kids have to go to Caledonia schools to play in Cal SELECT?
Allowing players from surrounding towns to play in our program allows us to be more competitive, challenge Caledonia players more, and ultimately grow the program's potential pool in the short—and long-term.

Are kids allowed to “play up” or do they need to play with their birth year?
Technically, yes, but it is extremely unlikely. For a child to play with older kids, they will not only need to be physically ready but handle more complex gameplay against better competition.