TACKLE- GRADES 5-8:
Important Dates (All Divisions)
- Early Bird Registration: Friday, May 1 - Monday June 15th. (Pricing listed on registration page DOES NOT INCLUDE EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT. Early bird rate applied at checkout)
- Regular Registration: June 16th-August 1st
- Financial Aid available to those who qualify. Please reach out to [email protected]
- Mandatory Preseason: Begins Monday, August 17th, 2026. Preseason Schedule: Monday–Friday, ~2 hours each evening, times TBD (Aug 18 – Aug 28).
- 2026 Jamboree: TBD (likely August 29th-August 30th). Teams play Sat OR Sun, not both. Eligibility: Players MUST have 16 hours of mandatory practice (6 hours of conditioning (helmet only) & 10 hours in full pads. Players can't practice in full pads until they complete 6 hours of conditioning. Please schedule vacations accordingly.
- Regular Season: Begins: Monday, August 31st.
- Practices: Typically 3x weekly, pending HC's schedule & field availability). Practice schedules are not finalized until late August. Game schedule set by FCFL, not WYF).
- FCFL Playoffs: Late October/early November through late November.
- FCFL Championships: Late November, (following the pattern of previous years)
Tackle Info (grades 5-8)
- Travel Program (Fairfield County Football League)
- Players wear full pads (helmet, shoulder pads, padded football pants). Guardian caps worn at practice at all time
- Traditional 11v11 tackle football
- Full contact, full pads, standard blocking and play ends by bringing runner to the ground (tackle).
- All player's must be verified to be eligible to play* (see below).
- Weight Restrictions: FCFL has age & weight restrictions for each grade. Players exceeding a specific grade-level weight are designated as "Limited" players, meaning they must play in interior line positions (OT, OG, C, DT, DG) and cannot play skill positions like quarterback or running back. Players are weighed prior to each game with coach and opposing team coach.
- Mandatory Play Rule: Every player on the roster must play a minimum number of plays per game. 7th & 8th Grade: 10 plays; 6th Grade: 12 plays; 5th Grade: 14 plays.
- Focus is on skill and player development, team development, tackle IQ, and sportsmanship. Education and development in key areas of proper tackling, blocking, and other skill areas, as well as conditioning. Continued focus on tackle principles, strategies, positions, formations and plays that align with WHS football program.
- Must be primary fall sport. Full attendance and commitment at all practices and games are expected for optimal team and player development
FCFL rules are unique to Fairfield County Football, and differ from AYF or Pop Warner style football. There are no kick offs or onside kicks in the FCFL. The FCFL is a development league and its top two (2) focuses are player safety and skill development. The FCFL follows USA Football's 'Heads Up' philosophy which is the 'Gold' standard for commitment to player safety. The FCFL is considered a 'Gold' standard nationally for player safety and skill development.
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PLAYER VERIFICATION PROCESS:
Parents must upload their Parent Consent & Waiver Form and Player Medical & Doctor Consent Form to their player's SportsConnect profile to complete the Player Verification process.