The Gainesville Haymarket Youth Football League (GHFYL) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a character building program for both boys and girls of the area through fundamental instructions associated with youth tackle football.
Tackle Football Player participants must be at least 7 years of age and no older than 16 years of age as of October 1st of the current calendar year.
There is no requirement for a medical physical to participate in the Fairfax County Youth Football League. It is the responsibility of each parent/guardian to be aware of their child’s physical condition for continued participation.
A parent or guardian is expected to be in attendance (or make alternative arrangements to have a responsible party in attendance) for all practice sessions in case practice is called short due to foul weather or other circumstance.
Please keep in mind this is a physical sport requiring the children to be willing and able to exercise 5 nights a week, 2 hours a night until Labor Day. Thereafter practice will be held 3 nights per week, 2 hours a night.
Players are placed into divisions based on their weight and age. Refer to the weight/age chart below. This information can also be found on the FCYFL and Grizzly websites for greater detail. Please keep in mind the weight/age chart outlines the lowest and highest weights allowable for each age group. For example, a 9-year-old can not weigh more than 105 lbs. to participate; a 10-year-old can not weigh less than 80 lbs. or greater than 115 lbs. These restrictions are in place to keep participation and play fair and balanced among the age groups.
DIVISIONS:
Ankle Biters – generally ages 7, 8, 9;
80 lbs. – generally ages 9, 10, 11;
90 lbs. – generally ages 10, 11, 12;
100 lbs. – generally ages 11, 12, 13;
115 lbs. – generally ages 12, 13, 14;
130 lbs. – generally ages 13, 14, 15;
155 lbs. – generally ages 14, 15, 16;
WEIGH – IN:
Weigh-in will be conducted on Saturday mornings in mid to late August (Marshall High School)
​Saturday, August 12th (1st Weigh-In)
Saturday, August 19th (2nd Weigh-In) $20 Cash Only
Saturday, August 26th (3rd Weigh-In)$20 Cash Only
Coaches will provide further instructive information to the Parents and Players.
Players are only allowed to weigh-in once to determine their division.
Late weigh-in Players must pay a fee of $20 (FCYFL).
WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS TABLE (UPDATED APRIL 2019)
Age
Team
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
AB
UNL
90
55
80LB
Unlimited/100*
100
85
80
90LB
Unlimited/110*
110
95
90
100LB
Unlimited/120*
120
105
100
115LB
Unlimited/135*
130
120
115
130LB
Unlimited/150*
140
135
130
155LB
Unlimited/175*
Unlimited/165*
160
155
* Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball in Anklebiters is 70lbs. Anklebiter players over the 70lb limit and all other unlimited players at other weight classes are not eligible to play in a position that normally handles the ball unless they are at or below the listed maximum ball carrier weight (the weight limit listed next to "Unlimited/" on the chart above). Positions excluded for unlimited players exceeding the maximum ballcarrier limit include all offensive backfield positions, all eligible receivers and tight end positions, and any position not on the first line of a special teams formation. Exceptions include the offensive positions of center, punter, and placekicker.
** 15-year-olds that turn 16 on or before December 31st must play 155lbs.
*** 16-year-olds that turn 17 on or before December 31st are not eligible to play
Only youth between the ages of 7 and 16 years of age and who weigh at least 40 pounds may participate in the FCYFL. All youth shall play in the Age/Weight Division that they are eligible for. There will be no waivers.
Commissioners are responsible for checking birth dates and weights at club registration and the official FCYFL Weigh-In. For example, a 10-year-old will play in the 90# group if he weighs from 86 to 100 pounds. He may not play in the 100# group unless he weighs at least 101 pounds.
For the purpose of eligibility in the various Age/Weight Divisions, a player's age on October 1 of the current year will determine his football age. Example: A youth who becomes 10 years old on or before October 1 will play as a 10-year-old. A youth who becomes 10 at any time after October 1st of the current year will play as a 9-year-old.
PLAYER IDENTIFICATION VERIFICATION:
A current Virginia DMV-issued CHILD ID (not expired) is REQUIRED for official league (FCYFL) weigh-ins in August. This is a change from the 2022 tackle season.
Players are required to provide their own black football pants with pads, cleats, mouthpieces, chin straps, practice jerseys, and game socks. This player-supplied equipment can be purchased at major sporting goods stores such as Dicks Sporting Goods or online at Amazon.com, etc.
The GHYFL will provide game jerseys, helmets, and shoulder pads.
Players are required to return cleaned equipment at the end of the season and will be directed by the team coaching staff on how to return the equipment.
The credit card used for registration may be charged a fee for equipment not returned to GHYFL.
For Grizzly Flag Football Camp – We do NOT use helmets, shoulder pads, or other safety equipment during this camp as this camp is designed purely to focus on conditioning, skills development, and fundamentals.
For Grizzly Tackle Football Camp – We do NOT use helmets, shoulder pads, or other safety equipment during this camp as this camp is designed purely to focus on conditioning, skills development, and fundamentals. We recommend the players wear light clothing: a T-shirt, shorts, socks, and rubber cleats. Also, bring plenty of water! Most kids bring a half-gallon jug of ice water with their name written on it.
GHYFL GRIZZLY FALL TACKLE FOOTBALL COMBINE AND PRACTICE:
Dates, times, and locations are always subject to changes, so please continue to visit the Grizzly website for updates. At this time, the 'Combine' will begin Monday, August 7th, and run through Friday, August 11th, from 6 PM to 8 PM. Players will be divided into weight divisional practice for the first week at multiple locations in the area. Check the event calendar on the home page for your location.
After the first week, a drafting of players will occur. Parents and players will be informed after the draft of who their coach will be.
After the first week and the draft, practice will continue to be held five nights a week, 2 hours per night, until September 5th.
New players are encouraged to attend sports training camps prior to the season's start. Visit the Grizzly website for more information regarding recommended training camps.
Thursday/Friday - Full Gear (Full contact begins on Thursday)
** A player must attend 3 days of camp prior to contact **
PLENTY OF WATER FOR EACH NIGHT!
Ankle Biter division will practice at GSC (TBD).
80 lb division will practice at GSC (TBD).
90 lb division will practice at GSC (TBD).
100 lb division will practice at TBD.
115 lb division will practice at TBD.
130 lb division will practice at TBD.
155 lb division will practice at TBD.
Field commissioners will be assigned to each field to help things run smoothly.
After September 4th, teams will practice three nights per week, 2 hours per night, with actual practice days being decided by the coaching staff.
GHYFL FALL TACKLE FOOTBALL DRAFTING OF TEAMS:
Teams are drafted in compliance with the FCYFL rules. This is done to ensure that teams from different leagues are most equally matched in age, weight, and ability.
Ankle Biter teams will be drafted using an S draft method since this is a developmental division designed to create equal teams.
80 lbs. and higher divisions will be drafted as follows: American players will be drafted. The draft will then take place for Central and National teams.
The team draft usually takes place on the first Saturday or Sunday after the Combine (8/12 or 8/13).
GHYFL FALL TACKLE FOOTBALL GAMES:
Games begin in mid-September and continue through the end of October.
Games may be played on Saturday or Sunday. On occasion, a game may be played during the week.
Playoff games may begin toward the end of October.
The Grizzly home field is at the Grizzly Sports Complex.
Away games may be played throughout Northern Virginia.
