Per CAYFL regulations, football practices cannot begin before the second Monday in August.  Games begin several weeks after the first practice.  Equipment fittings will be announced and take place over the summer.

Teams generally play a 7 week regular season and then participate in 2 additional weeks of playoff games.  Teams that do not make the playoffs will still participate in 2 consolation games.

Games are generally played on Sunday mornings from early September through the first week in November.  Younger players will have an earlier game time than older players, with games beginning from 8am through 1pm.  Actual start times will vary throughout the season.

LPYFC have reserved a field at the Lynnfield High School between 5:30 and 8:30 for every evening during the season.  A team’s head coach will determine the specific practice days, which generally will run for 90-120 minutes, 2-4 times per week.

Football is played in inclement weather and players should expect to practice or play.  Exceptions will be made for severe weather or during anticipated lightning/thunder storms.  If fields are closed or if a practice is canceled, communications will be sent directly from a player’s coach.

LPYFC generally organizes players by grade according to rules set by CAYFL.  Players are usually organized with grades 2-4 on the D team, grade 5 on the JVC team, grade 6 on the C team, grade 7 on the B team and grade 8 on the A team.  Note that some teams allow for multiple grades depending on enrollments.

CAYFL is an independent league and has structured rules that combine weight limits along with grade groupings.  In order for kids to play within their grade, but still aim for fairness and safe play, there are weight limits imposed for players that may carry the ball.  Each level has different weight limits set, but the goal is that only players under a certain weight (in pads) can carry or generally touch the ball (with minor exceptions).  Those limits are (as of 2021 season):

• A – 158lbs
• B – 140lbs
• C – 120lbs
• JVC – 120lbs
• D – 93lbs

LPYFC will conduct a coaching selection process each season for its football program.  All LPYFC coaches (head and assistant) will have passed a USA Football certification program and a CORI review.

Head Coaches may appoint assistant coaches as long as they are CORI and USA Football certified.  The Head Coach selection process is run by the LPYFC Board and all Head Coaches are elected by the LPYFC Board of Directors.

LPYFC supplies each football player a helmet, shoulder pads, game socks, mouth guard, practice pants with pads, game pants and pads, practice shirt and game shirt.  Players that participated in the 2020 season will use their game jersey unless a new size is required.  New players for 2021 season will be provided a new game jersey.  You will be responsible for supplying the other necessary items. These items include a cup, girdle (for game uniform), rib pads (if desired), and football cleats. Other optional items include arm pads, receiving gloves, equipment bag, etc.

LPYFC players need to have a parent or guardian that resides in Lynnfield.  Exceptions can be made from other towns depending on availability and CAYFL and other league rules.

LPYFC strives to provides the best equipment for its players, but no equipment is concussion-proof.

There will not be a LPYFC league-wide year end banquet, as the board believes a significant banquet requires a significant expense.  Instead, coaches will be given the opportunity to have their own year-end function and may choose to coordinate with other teams if desired.  A LPYFC stipend for each team may be available depending on the availability of league funds.

The Heads Up program is USA Football’s national initiative to help make the sport of football better and safer. Introduced in 2012 by the NFL's youth development arm, USA Football, and funded entirely by the NFL, Heads Up is now employed by over 5,500 youth organizations. The program teaches concussion recognition and response, heat and hydration protocols, proper equipment fitting instructions, but its central tenet is the Heads Up Tackling program. When executed properly, Heads Up Tackling literally takes the head out of the game. Players are taught to keep their heads up and lead with their shoulders when tackling.

USA Football’s Heads Up Tackling is a step-by-step protocol to teach the core principles of the skill and sets a new standard in player safety. The program utilizes five fundamentals through a series of drills to reinforce proper tackling mechanics and teach players how to properly tackle with a focus on reducing helmet contacts.

You can learn more about USA Football's Heads Up program at: http://usafootball.com/headsup.

LPYFC’s first concern is the safety of the players. There are weight restrictions for the players who can run, throw or receive a pass with the ball.  The philosophy of LPYFC is to ensure every player gets a chance to play either on the offensive or defensive side of the ball or on special teams.  It’s left up to the team's coaching staff to place each player in a position in which they will succeed and have fun.  All players will learn multiple positions during the season.  If you have any questions about the position your child is playing, please speak with your child’s coach.