- Referees are approachable and they will answer any of your question
- Rule changes:
* No horse collar if player isnt taken to the ground.
* If an infraction happens on Defense but a touchdown is scored,
Offense will have the choice to be taken then or on the kick off.
* When substituting a player they have 3seconds for the player being replaced to leave the field.
* Sideline Rule - if you are in the way of the referee and he runs into you, it can be a 5 to 15 yard penalty. You CANNOT touch a referee.
* Little infractions at the other end of the field that do not have anything to do with the play will NOT stop the play.
Referee Robert Black
* Refs DO NOT make the call on a player who may have a concussion. This is the Coaches responsibility to take or keep that player out of the game.
* Make sure all players are properly equipped or they will be OFF the field.
2. Discussion
Questions for referees:
- Regarding the horse collar rule - are you allowed to grab the shoulder pads or around the top of the shoulders? Answer:
To be a horse collar penalty the player has to be grabbed by the collar and taken down to the ground.
- Will referees confer on a call if the referee across the field makes a call and there was another ref closer to where the penalty occurred? Answer: Yes, but the ref across the field might have had a better angle. Refs will not see every penalty everytime.
- When kicking a ball the ball will the ball be centered on the field since there may be no hash marks? Answer: If there are no hash marks on the field the ball will be centered. If there are hash marks the ball will be placed on the closest hash mark. Extra points the ball will be placed anywhere.
- Is there a time buffer for TM for the first 3 weeks? Answer: YES
- Does the field marshall have the right to pull a player who may have a concussion? Answer: The ultimate decision to remove a player with a possible concussion is made by the field marshall.
- Is there a 3 minute warm up? Answer: Yes, the whistle will be blown and you will have a 3 minute warm up.
- How many officials are supposed to be at a game? Answer: 2 for TM and 3 for MM and above.
Asmar Shabazz inquired about the vice commisioner position. He has a cheer squad and is interested in getting more information on cheerleading. Cheer Commisioner Lia Zawoiski will get requested information to him.
Minutes recorded by Tammy Lee - VAYFA Secretary
VAYFA Board Meeting minutes for July 22, 2010
1. Announcements
Tammy Lee asked that all Team POC's and/or Presidents to send any updates to the BOD/coaches spreadsheet for their organizations and a copy of their Organizational By-Laws. Also mentioned a cleaned up copy of the VAYFA By-Laws is also available for review and will be emailed to all VAYFA members for discussion at the next General Board meeting.
Marco Mason stated that the report card for submission for Scholastic Achievment is the end of the year report card.
Submit form by 12/15/10 to Marco so he can submit all forms to Nationals by 1/10/11.
Travis Scott announced the following:
-Organizations need to submit a copy of their By-Laws to Tammy.
-There have been rumors that teams have been holding camps, although no one has been caught. Regardless,all teams MUST still enforce the 10 hours of conditioning before any contact can be made. There can be no contact first week of practice.
-Regionals may be held in NC or locally. More on that later.
-D1/D2 - The region has developed a methodology that we will use to determine D1/D2. Mike Fairfax (Atlantic Regional Director)
will submit to Joe Galat for approval.
*6 team minimum for D2
* All teams play Regular season schedule
* Playoffs split top half D1 bottom D2
*At 12 teams, divisions will split
*At mid season a review will take place to see if teams need to be moved up D1.
*Each Conference will have an end of the year review to determine next season D1/D2
*JPW/PW/JM divisions will have a wild card game to get to Regionals. If you lose at the State Tournament in VA Beach the Wild Card game will be played the following day in Maryland. The games will be played Sunday 11/14/10.
To avoid these Wildcard games DO NOT LOSE AT STATES!
*There are two groups that will be added to the All American Division this year:
Fauquier Timberwolves and the Loudoun Hokies and Terps.
2. Discussion
Moses Webb mentioned the USA Football scrimmages @ Marshall HS on 8/22/10.
Travis stated:
- The schedule will be worked on starting the first week of Aug. He request that if you have any teams that you need to drop please do so before the start of the schedule so we can ensure all players have a team to participate on.
- Region agreed that JPW and up will be 1,2,3 as Div 1 and 4,5,6 will be Div 2. Cadet Champ MAY get a pass to go straight to National like last season. TBD.
-Recommendations for JPW D1: Bears, Saints, Mutiny, Raiders,Bengals and Cougars and any volunteers.
-Travis appointed a scheduling committee that will be led by Eric Heltzel and Carol McQuoid.
Also on committee will be Jim Edwards, Terry Muse, Tony Keiling and Eric Wilborne.
Minutes recorded by Tammy Lee.
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Vayfa Board Meeting Minutes for June 17, 2010
1. Announcements
Kristi Schickel with TSS Photography stopped by to discuss the various packages TSS Photography offers. You pick the picture date and they will provide all the staff and mail the pictures directly to parents. Entire process is hands off for Organizations once they pick the picture date. They will be flexible with the teams and work out a possible "give back". They offer a 100% gaurantee. For more information please visit
www.tssphotography.com/nova.
Eric Heltzel reported VAYFA has $6291.72 in the bank.
Rob Davis along with Coach Deutel attended the Stafford County P&R Field User Group meeting. County Stated that we will atleast be given the same amount of fields as last year, game and practice. Fees will be the same this year - practice field $15hr-Game fields $25hr.
Tammy Lee asked everyone to print clearly when signing in.
Travis Scott announced the following:
-Stafford County just gave him the game field bill from last season. They will not release any fields to VAYFA until bill is paid. Travis will email each Stafford Organization their share of the bill once he breaks it down.
-All Organizations must remove any signs that they have put up immediately, Stafford Co will fine VAYFA $50 for each sign that is up.
- Bill Brown has stepped down and Dee Grayer has replaced him as the AYF National Football Commissioner.
-All scales must be given to Travis so they can be taken to Baltimore to be calibrated and ready for the season.
Sterling Collins reminded everyone that the first Mandatory Head Coaches Field Marshall training will be this Saturday at the John Porter Library in Stafford beginning at 1pm. Instruction on rules and how they be done or are suppose to be done will be discussed. Session should be 1 hour depending on questions or issues brought up by individuals attending. Tony Keiling/Moses Webb will be setting up 2 sessions to be held in PW County, details will be emailed to everyone. Head Coaches make sure at least 1 other Organization member attends the training.
2. Discussion
Moses Webb stated the following fields are available for game use in PW County this season are Graham Park, Lake Ridge and Godwin MS
.
Jerry McQuoid asked if a Stafford County committee could be formed to discuss Stafford issues instead of everyone having to sit through discussions that only pertain to Stafford. Travis agrees.
Minutes recorded by Tammy Lee - VAYFA Secretary.
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VAYFA Board Meeting minutes for May 20,2010
1. Announcements
Eric Heltzel reported VAYFA has $5528 in the bank.
Please provide copies of report cards to Marco Mason to get kids recognition on a national level.
Travis Scott announced the following:
- We currently have the following amount of teams: 10TM, 13MM, 13JPW, 8PW, 7JM, 4Cadets, 2 7th All American and 2 8th grd.
-There are various camps coming up which you can find on
www.vayfa.com.
-Andre from MAYFC will be hosting their 2nd Annual Football Jamboree on Aug 14th which is a free event.
-A division 1 and 2 system has been approved on a Regional level and sent to Bill Brown for approval. Div 1 will be 1st -3rd and Div 2 will be 4th - 6th place.
-
Season important dates: 7/26 first day of practice, Sept 4th first day of games, Nov 6th Conference Tournament, Nov 13th State Tourney @ Va Beach, Nov 20th Regional Tourney in VA or NC and Dec 4th-11th National Tournament in FLA.
Sterling Collins mentioned there will be a mandatory Field Marshall/Head Coached training in June, July and August at the Stafford Library and Dale City B&G Club. It will be a 1 day training. It is Mandatory for all Head coaches to attend the training or they will not head coach this year. You are required to know the AYF Rulebook and VAYFA BY-laws. The dates of the training will be posted to the website and the Secretary will send out an email.
2.
Discussion
USA Football will be hosting a Tournament at Marshall HS during Thanksgiving weekend.
For the playoffs 1st and 4th place teams will have a bye the first game. Teams must commit to traveling beyond the Conference playoffs to play.
Representative from Northern Va attended the meeting to see about joining VAYFA or to see if we can get everyone together to get some unlimited games scheduled. They just added 2 Loudoun teams with a possibility of 4 more.
There were discussions of Pay for Play and the possibility of the Counties cutting Middle School sports and how it could add players to our All American level teams. Also discussed the possibility of dropping JM and Midget level teams and just having All American teams in the future.
It was asked how we use the $100 team registration fee. VAYFA Treasurer Eric Heltzel explained it is used for league expenses such as Field equipment (scales, markers), meeting rooms, BOD ins, website, field maintenance and Trophies and medals etc. Eric also stated that if you have a field that you need assistance with to put a request in writing to the Ex Board.
Travis asked that all scales be turned in so they can be calibrated before the season starts.
Question was asked who is coordinating fields in Stafford? Travis stated it will be VP Rob Davis and Sec Tammy Lee along with Coach Deutel who will be working that issue.
Coach Wilborne is interested in hosting a conditioning camp open to everyone to get kids together early and get them in shape. There would be no cost. The camp would include individual drills only. It was explained that the event would have to be insured and it cannot be a team building event. Upon further discussion it was stated in the AYF Rulebook it clearly states there can be no scheduled practices until the 4th Monday in July.
Again, there can be NO scheduled practice until the last Monday in July!
Various types of Insurance coverages were discussed and the possibility that some types are no longer available.
VAYFA looks to start at around 75 teams for the 2010 season.
Minutes recorded by Tammy Lee (Sec).
_________________________________________________________________________________________
VAYFA Board meeting minutes for April 22nd,2010
1.
Announcements
Mike Miller from Riddell stopped by to show everyone the new Revolution Speed Edge fitted
helmet. He also passed various jersey styles around and stated they will match any comparable
price from another competitor; he just needs the offer in writing to present to his manager. Also Mike is willing to assist with equipment fittings for all players regardless of the brand of equipment you are using.
Ken Gantt (Regional Liason) will attend the Atlantic Regional meeting on 5/1 to discuss the Regional Tournament and Div 1 & 2.
Eric Heltzel (Treasurer) reported VAYFA has $1432.19 in the bank.
Marco Mason stated he will be submitting Academic Awards up to Nationals this year so players will get local and National recognition for their achievements. Marco will check on what grade level and which report card he can start submitting awards for and report back next month.
Travis Scott announced the various camps coming up. Details for each camp will be posted on the VAYFA website
www.vayfa.com shortly. Asked coaches from the Bears and Saints to show their National Championships rings...Talk about BLING!!! Manassas and Loudoun teams are interested in the All American Unlimited division, Travis will meet with various reps to nail down details. He will also be attending the Atlantic Regional meeting 5/1 and would like ideas from everyone on criteria on Div 1 & 2 status possibilities to present at the meeting. We will also be putting in a bid to bring the Regional Tournament back to the area. Travis will update everyone at our next Board meeting with everything that is discussed. Mandatory Coaches training will be held next month with date, location and time sent out with atleast two weeks notice.
2. Discussion
Tony Spates offered a possibility for determining D1 & 2 status by allowing Coaches to decide their own status. Their decision would be based off the teams experience and amount of returning players.
Pastor Jones stated that we need to look into field usage in Stafford Co. He also stated the County is still looking for large, open pieces of land to rent to use as practice/game fields.
Tony K. would like to present a motion regarding how we handle suspensions. Tammy will contact Tony to discuss this offline to workout details of what his actual motion is so he can present it at next months meeting for a vote.
A motion was presented to remove an Executive Board member off the VAYFA Board. Because a formal complaint has already been filed this motion will be discussed after the General Board meeting.
Outcome: Motion dismissed.
Coach Don Davis asked if we have recieved a response from Naitionals regarding the weight issues with the Cadet level. It was determined that the weights were 109.5 lbs and 89.5 lbs for O/L.
IV. Board Voting Matters.
The following is a cumulative list of Associations that have submitted their 2010 Association/Team Registrations Request Forms and have been approved.
FAYFL - 3 teams
SCAYFA - 5 teams (Tigers)
STORM - 4 teams
FALCONS - 3 teams
SAINTS - 3 teams
NSWYFA - 5 teams (Wolverines)
HYLTON BOYS & GIRLS CLUB (NVYAA) - 10 teams (Bengals/Cowboys)
NSYFA - 5 teams (Titans)
RAIDERS - 4 teams
NVYFL - 3 teams (Mutiny)
SYFA - 5 teams (Cougars)
WOLFPACK - 4 teams
FBYFA - 3 teams & 2 Cheer squads (Bears)
Next Meeting: THURS MAY 20th 2010, Time 7:30
Hylton Boys and Girls Club
Minutes recorded by Tammy L.
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VAYFA Board Meeting Minutes for March 25, 2010
1. Announcements
Travis welcomes everyone and calls on the Executive Board for any updates.
Treasurer Eric Heltzel reports VAYFA has $933.00 in the bank.
Rob Davis (VP) reported the Stafford Tigers will host a 3 day camp July 11th-13th. It will be run by College and High School Coaches and players, held at Quantico Marine Base.
Note: All camps must be insured and once your team is voted in you must inform the VAYFA Board and it must be advertised and open to everyone.
Travis Scott announced the various camps coming up. Details for each camp can be found on the VAYFA website.
Sterling Collins asked that associations get their applications in for all your teams. Don;t wait to see how many other teams will be in your division. There will be 7th and 8th grade All American (unlimited) teams, you may have to travel to Baltimore,PG County and /or Loudoun to play.
Sterling has made a formal request. He asks that anyone that has anything to do with VAYFA Football please read the VAYFA By-laws and AYF Rulebook.
KNOW THE RULES! The first coaches training will be held April/ early May at the Park Ridge Library, date and time TBD. If you are a perspective coach, Coaches training is a must, it is not optional. Come game day, the list will be checked and if the training was not attended by the Head Coach, the Asst Coach will coach that day. There will be
THREE Training dates so please plan to attend.
2. Discussion
Danyel Lewis (Vice Commish) asked if there is a set date when the 10 hour conditioning had to be completed.
Response: There is no such date, but the conditioning must be completed before any contact
to include dummy contact can be made. Repeat NO contact can be made until conditioning is complete. You cannot start conditioning until the first official day of the season, which is the 4th Monday in July.
Sterling would like to make a motion to be voted on next month. He would like added to the by-laws a statement or clause to reflect the following: It will be acceptable to cut a player from your roster if the Head Coach determines the child is there only because of pressure from a parent or guardian but he/she does not want to be there, as well as the other players on the field.
Sterling asks all Coaches to remember the following:
"DO NOT GET CAUGHT OR HAVE A PARENT MAKE A STATEMENT OF THEIR CHILD HAVING TO TRYOUT FOR A TEAM!" Tryouts of any kind are illegal and you will be held accountable. The National Rulebook states there are NO TRYOUT and NO CUTS!
Sterling also stated that VAYFA will be putting in a bid to host the 2010 Atlantic Regional Tournament again. If Approved all Head Coaches are on the hook to help support the tournament even if your team isn't participating.
3. Roundtable
Recruitment - When you speak to a child and he/she says he/she plays for another VAYFA team, STOP TALKING! Don't cross the recruitment line. When a parent/guardian approaches you saying they want to move to your team you must tell them to send the commissioner an email notifying him of their decision. Even if a player didnt complete the entire previous season with the other team, an email must be sent to the Commissioner of their decision. He will then reply to the parent and forward the email onto the losing and gaining Coaches. The email is not to get his approval of the transfer; it is only to alleviate any transgressions of recruitment violations.
Daniel Jones of the Storm has been working with Stafford County and he feels VAYFA needs to address the possible field usage more aggressively. He believes VAYFA should have a contract with the County saying if any league or team wants to play football in Stafford they will have to come through us, like SBL and SASA currently have with Baseball and Soccer respectively. This will allow VAYFA to have first use or priority of the rectangular fields in Stafford County.
Sterling asked Pastor Jones to write up a DRAFT contract for the
VAYFA Executive Board to review within the next 2 weeks.
Eric Heltzel would like to make sure VAYFA isn't committed to
Stafford County in any way if we do this contract.
4. Board Voting Matters
The following Associations submitted 2010 Association/Team Registration Request Forms:
FAYFL - 3 teams - APPROVED (Feb)
SCAYFA - 5 teams -APPROVED
STORM - 4 teams APPROVED (pending)
FALCONS - 3 teams - APPROVED
SAINTS - 3 teams - APPROVED
WOLVERINES - 5 teams - APPROVED
HYLTON COWBOYS - 5 teams - APPROVED
HYLTON BENGALS - 5 teams - APPROVED
TEAMS have 30 days upon approval (4/25) to pay VAYFA Registration fees.
Minutes recorded by Tammy Lee - VAYFA Secretary
_____________________________________________________________________________
VAYFA Board meeting minutes for Feb 18th 2010:
1.
Announcements
Travis and Sterling welcomed everyone and announced guest speakers for the evening.
Joy Pearson - Partners For a Cause
(Cell) 571-723-1562 (Ofc) 703-445-2707
Provides fund raising opportunities for non profit organizations.
Steve and Mike -All-Pro Team Sports
(Ofc) 410-472-2071 Mike- 410-472-2831 / Steve 410-472-2834
www.apteamsports.com
II. Discussion
Eric Heltzel (Treasurer) reported VAYFA has $732.19 in the bank.
Sterling Collins mentioned there will be training in May, June and July for all and potential Head Coaches covering the rulebook.
Sterling also stated that we are accepting applications early this year, with one submitted tonight. Reminder: Once you are approved you have 30 days to pay for your teams or reapply.
Bill Brown, AYF National Football Commisioner will try to attend atleast one of the VAYFA meetings this year so please start getting any questions you'd like to ask him together.
At that time he will explain the structure of Div 1 and Div 2.
Travis Scott reminded everyone about the VAYFA website
www.vayfa.com and all the information posted there to include the 2010 Registration Form, various camps being offered to players and coaches and the Fredericksburg Flag Football league.
Travis will be meeting with reps from FFX County teams that are interested in coming over and joining VAYFA. This is still in the early stages but they are very interested in playing in a nationally competitive league.
Sterling stated there will be a drop dead date for pulling a team out of the league because it affects so many people. He asks that everyone be realistic in your expectations and remember all your decisions affect the kids.
Sterling asked Jerry Mcquiod (FAYFL) to ask a representative from the South referees to attend the Coaches training in the month of MAY. We will be asking for reps from all ref crews to attend Coaches training during the upcoming months.
III. Roundtable
Danyel Lewis (Cougars) put a motion out for Executive Board members to serve 2 year terms with the option to leave so that there can be some continuity and changes or improvements can actually be made and implemented.
Sterling pointed out that at this time only the Executive Board is allowed to vote
since all teams have been dissolved.
This motion will be placed on the agenda
for a later meeting once organizations are approved and we have a larger voting pool.
He also wanted to make it clear to everyone that a position on the Board requires
a major commitment by the individual, it is not just a once a month meeting.
You will need to know everything in both the AYF Rulebook and the VAYFA By-Laws,
as well as be willing to put forth the time to work through many issues and
complaints during the year.
Jim Edwards (Titans) had two things to discuss:
1. Jim presented the question, "Why do we disband a team or an association and then vote them back in? Why cant we keep building our teams all year round?". Jim would like to keep teams all year round.
2. Since a team is disbanded how can we have recruitment violations? Right now there are no teams and no coaches technically so how can the recruitment rules apply. These are kids, we dont own any of them and if they want to go to another team then they should go.
Eric Heltzel agreed and stated that he thinks it would be a good idea to create a form that a parent would sign when they decide to leave a team for whatever reason and once that form is signed there can be no complaint filed against the new team.
Kevin Odlum (Titans) believes there is no way to truly prove a recruiting infraction.
Sterling stated the only proof would be if you have a parent willing to sign a statement and make that statement to the Board regarding the violation.
The topic will be place on the agenda for a later meeting once
organizations are approved and we have a larger voting pool.
Sterling (Falcons) would like to bring the Team League Fee up to match the minimum Player League Fee which is currently $125.
Kevin Odlum asked for clarification for changing the By-Laws because there are still mistakes from last years By-Laws that have not been corrected yet.
Sterling asked that everyone email any errors they see to Tammy Lee (Secretary)
and Sterling Collins (Football Commisioner)
so changes can be made. He also stated that we will be
discussing changes to the By-Laws in Feb and March so get
all your ideas down on paper and be prepared to discuss
them at the March board meeting.
Hollywood Robinson (Bears) voiced his concerns with the weigh in at Nationals. They did not follow the same procedures we do, kids were allowed to get on the scales multiple times, lots of kids were overweight, books werent completed prior to arrival and people were clearly filling out forms and forging signatures while in line and at the table.
Travis also voiced his frustration on the whole process and how it was handled. Sterling asked that Hollywood bring this up to Mr. Brown when he attends our meeting.
Sterling would like to also try to get the Regional tournament back. One of the issues with this past tournament included having to drive to different places to play your games.
Minutes recorded by Tammy Lee.
THE NEXT VAYFA BOARD MEETING: Wednesday, MARCH 17TH 2010
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VAYFA Board meeting minutes for Jan 21st 2010:
Nominations and votes were taken for the VAYFA 2010 Executive Board:
The 2010 VAYFA Executive Board members will be:
President: Travis Scott
Vice President: Rob Davis
Football Commissioner: Sterling Collins
Secretary: Tammy Lee
Scholastic Coordinator: Marco Mason
Treasurer: Eric Heltzel
Cheer Commissioner: Lisa Zawoiski
Regional Liaison: Ken Gantt
Mike Miller presented new football equipment available and clinics that are being offered to all. Call or email Mike (
) with any questions or to receive more details/catalogs from Riddell.
Sterling and Travis recognized the Cadet Stafford Saints and the JPW Fredericksburg Bears for the force they took to the National Championships that no one came close to stopping.
The VAYFA bank account was left at $932.19 as reported by treasurer Eric Heltzel.
A motion was made to allow all issues that require a vote, be left to the Executive Board along with all Voting associations (that are in good standing). The motion was made and our Football commissioner 2nd the motion and the vote was unanimous. The change will reflect in the bylaws for the 2010 season. 2/3 of the voting body must be present.
A general warning was made that Pop Warner league is coming back to the area.
The Board will start accepting association applications at the next monthly board meeting, that is tentatively scheduled for Feb 18th, 2010 (please check website for updated information on time, location and for exact date in case of any changes).
There will be field marshall training for all coaches. Locations and dates will be posted when determined.
Communication is the key to a successful conference and association and with it we will make it a better league for the kids.
Thanks to everyone from Travis and Sterling for a successful 2009 season and help make 2010 more successful than the past.
Minutes recorded by D.L.
