TABLE OF CONTENTS. Administrative Information 3

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2 The Reisterstown Mustangs Youth Football Organization participate in the Carroll County Youth Football and Cheerleading league (CCYFCL), and as such, operates within the rules of the CCYFCL. The purpose of this guide is to explain Reisterstown Youth Football organization, its general rules, and its policies and procedures. TABLE OF CONTENTS Administrative Information 3 Organizational Structure 3 Board of Directors.. 3 Coaches.. 3 Website & Social Media 3 Player Registration 4 Player Selection. 4 Maryland ID Card.. 4 Refund Policy. 5 Heads Up Football/Player Safety 5 League information 6 Divisions.. 6 Football Age and Weight Chart... 6 Equipment... 7 Equipment Return.. 7 Practices.. 8 Inclement Weather. 8 Player Participation 8 Game Schedule. 8 Volunteers.. 9 Fundraising. 10 Parent Code of Conduct 11 Coach/Parent Communication 11 Contact and Resource Information 13

3 Administrative information Organizational Structure Board of Directors President----- Marquita Melvin Chairman, Football Operations ---- Michael Melvin Treasurer TBD Fundraising Coordinator---- TBD Safety Officer ---- Lynn Beamon Pitbull, 8U, 9U Age Group Commissioner---- Rob McCracken 10U, 11U, 12U Age Group Commissioner---- Eric Weaver 13U Age Group Commissioner---- Lynn Beamon Coaches Pitbulls- Lynn Beamon 8U Mark Green 9U-Michael Melvin 10U-Rob McCracken 11U-Brandon Davis 12U-Alan Anderson 13U-Eric Weaver WEBSITE & Social Media Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Important updates will be sent out via TeamSnap. Download the app via Google Play (Android) or the App Store (iphone). 3

4 Player Registration Visit to register. Our registration fees are as follows: EARLY BIRD: MARCH 1 TO APRIL 30 - $185 (ADDITIONAL SIBLINGS $170) STANDARD: MAY 1 TO JULY 31 - $200 (ADDITIONAL SIBLINGS $185) LATE: AFTER AUGUST 1 - $225 AGES 5 TO 14 (AS OF AUGUST 1 st )* USA FOOTBALL CERTIFIED COACHES HEADS UP FOOTBALL SAFETY INSTRUCTION HELMET, SHOULDER PADS, PRACTICE/GAME PANTS, PRACTICE JERSEY, GAME JERSEY PROVIDED GAME JERSEY WITH LAST NAME IS YOURS TO KEEP *We field teams for players ages A limited number of 14 year olds are eligible to play at the discretion of the Head Coach, provided they will be in the 9th grade during the season and weigh 135 lbs or less. If your child meets this criteria, please register but do not submit payment at this time. Contact football@reisterstownmustangs.org for more information on this process. player selection Players are typically taken on a first come first serve basis. A typical team s roster consists of approximately players. Once a roster for a particular age group is full, a player is put on a waiting list until either there are enough players on the waiting list for that particular age group to form another team, or it is determined that the player is able to play at an age higher than his current age. We will make exceptions on a case by case basis based on the number of players on the waiting list for a particular age group. Maryland ID Card All players must have a Maryland Identification Card in order to validate their age. Note, the ID must be unexpired and valid as of August 1 st. ID cards will be required prior to Roster Certification in mid-august. If a player does not have a government issued ID, they will NOT be placed on a roster and will NOT be eligible to participate in games. Other options may be available through the League; additional information will be provided when available. For more information, visit: 4

5 Maryland ID Card (Continued) New Identification Card Please refer to Sources of Proof for required identity and residency documentation. If you are using a name other than your birth name, you must bring the documents that initiated the change of name, such as a marriage certificate(s), divorce decree(s) or court name change order. The ID card will be mailed to your Maryland residential address on file. Please do not wait until the last minute to obtain your child s ID. Please pay close attention to the expiration date of your Maryland ID card. The MVA is not obligated to remind you when it is time to reapply for an ID card. Sources of Proof: 1. Proof of age & identity (original or certified copy of US Birth Certificate); and 2. Proof of Social Security number or ineligibility for a Social Security number; and 3. Proof of Maryland residency (Parents Driver s License) Refund Policy All requests for refunds MUST be made in WRITING to the Chairman of Football Operations at football@reisterstownmustangs.org Please provide a reason for the refund request. Please see the refund breakdown below: 100% refund (minus $50 jersey fee and $20 admin fee) for requests received on or before the Saturday prior to the first day of practice. There will be no refunds given to any parent of a player who leaves the program after that player has received football equipment and/or after the first day of practice, whichever comes first.* Refunds will not be paid out earlier than September 7. Heads Up Football/Player Safety Our program participates in the USA Football Heads Up program. Our coaches complete training and certification in Heads Up Football, Concussion Prevention and Recognition, Heat Illness Prevention and Recognition, and Tackle Football Coaching Certification. Our Safety Officer receives additional training, oversees this process, monitors compliance, and acts as a liaison between our program and USA Football. *Amended by Board Vote 7/26/18 5

6 League information Divisions CCYFCL has designated divisions of play based on age and weight for football. The age determination date for the season is August 1 of each year for football. A maximum of three (3) Older-But-Lighter (OBL or Playback) players per team is permissible as shown below. All players including fourteen (14) year old OBL players may have any birth date between August 2 of the current season and August 1 of the following year. Current football divisions Freedom Arbutus North Carroll Westminster Sykesville Hampstead Reisterstown United Montgomery County Clarksville Frederick Damascus Olney Winfield Football age and weight chart Division Ages Skill Players Red Stripe OBL* Pitbull 5-6 yrs old < 75.9 lbs 75.9 lbs N/A 7U 6-7 yrs old 85.9 lbs lbs 60.9 lbs 8U 7-8 yrs old 90.9 lbs lbs 65.9 lbs 9U 8-9 yrs old lbs lbs 70.9 lbs 10U 9-10 yrs old lbs lbs 80.9 lbs 11U yrs old lbs lbs 95.9 lbs 12U yrs old lbs lbs lbs 13U yrs old lbs Unlimited lbs 6

7 Equipment Equipment handout is typically given out per team by the equipment manager and the head coach. You should receive notifications as to the date, time and location for your team s equipment handout. Each player will be provided with the following: Helmet Shoulder pads Practice pants (with pads) Game pants (with pads) Practice jersey Game jersey Mouthpiece Chin strap A parent or guardian must be present at equipment handout to sign an equipment handout sheet, acknowledging that he/she has received the equipment. Please make sure that the player has all of the equipment you have signed for and that it all fits properly. We ask that each player wear football cleats, a mouthpiece, and an athletic supporter (cup) at every practice and at every game. These items are mandatory for every game. The player will be ineligible to play if he does not have an athletic supporter on during the weigh in procedure prior to the game starting. You can purchase these items at your local sporting goods store, such as Dick s or League Outfitters (Elkridge, MD). You are free to buy your player any equipment you choose (provided it conforms to league rules), but please note that we are not liable or responsible for any equipment that is not handed out by this organization. It is important to maintain clean equipment and gear, not only to extend the life of the equipment but also to prevent infections. Please clean your uniforms and equipment regularly, especially your pads and helmets. You can wipe down the pads and inside of the helmet with cleaning wipes and Lysol. Jerseys, pants, and uniforms should be washed in COLD water and hung up to air dry. They MUST NOT go in the dryer Equipment return All Reisterstown Mustang Football equipment must be returned at the end of the season. No exceptions! Coaches will notify you of a drop off date and location. If any equipment is missing, you will be charged for those items. A complete set of equipment costs $300. You will receive a receipt as proof of equipment return. 7

8 PRACTICES Practices are 5 days a week until school starts Once school starts, a maximum of 6 practice hours are allowed each week. Practice days after school starts will be determined by your head coach Please download the TeamSnap application to be aware of changes in practices due to weather conditions and other situations Inclement weather We do practice and play in the rain, although coaches and administrators will exercise caution due to unplayable field conditions. Decisions on field conditions are not made until after 4pm. If practices/games are canceled, information will be posted on our website, or will be sent to you on the TeamSnap application. Additionally, due to sudden changes in weather conditions, we ask that all parents remain on site during practice or designate some to take responsibility for your child in case practices end early. Player participation The Reisterstown Mustangs will follow the CCYFCL mandatory play rule. This can vary from 4 to 8 plays per game based on the number of players on the team. Pitbulls do not have a mandatory play rule. Game Schedule Parents should keep their weekends available from the middle of July through early November. Prior to the regular season, scrimmages will be scheduled -- sometimes at the last minute -- so please be flexible. The regular season begins the last weekend in august. Game schedules are not finalized until after the last weigh-in so the schedule may not be available until that weekend. The league needs to first understand how many teams are participating before a schedule can be completed. Please try to be as flexible as possible and keep weekends open until the schedule is finalized. Directions to all fields can be found on the CCYFCL website 8

9 Game Schedule (Continued) Game schedules are designed by the CCYFCL, in which this organization and other organizations participate. It takes a great deal of effort and planning to come up with a game schedule to ensure that teams play 10 games and also have the flexibility for makeup games in the event there are cancellations due to weather or other circumstances. The following are some key points in developing the game schedule: 1. Approximately 80% of CCYFCL games are played on Saturdays 2. Approximately 20% of CCYFCL games are played on Fridays 3. All game scheduling is done with the available field space provided by the individual member organizations. It is recognized that there will be conflicts at times between player availability and the schedule. Please advise your head coach of these conflicts as soon as possible. 4. When games are postponed, they must be made up as soon as possible because of limited facilities available, unpredictability of weather, and limited availability of dates/times. This means games could be rescheduled as quickly as the day after the postponement. 5. The availability of game officials and the weather are the primary reasons for the initial schedule and schedule changes. 6. CCYFCL tries to look at weekly match-ups, time and location of games when schedules are developed. However, the availability of lighted fields significantly impacts convenient geographical scheduling that is sometimes challenging. We are cognizant that traffic, early morning, and late night games can be challenging. In many cases, there is often no other scheduling alternative, so players and parents should be aware of these participation conditions. Volunteers Our program relies heavily on volunteers. Please volunteer to help throughout the season. If you cannot make a season long commitment like coaching or team parent, you will be required to help out at games or fundraising events. Below are some of the volunteers roles needed: Coaches Head and Assistant. If you are interested, please contact the Chairman of Football Operations. Team Mom/Dad these parents help with administrative items and communication so that the coaches can focus on teaching the kids the game of football. The organization administrator is the Team Mom/Dad coordinator, who will be a resource to The Team Mom/Dad and provide them with s assistance and all other pertinent information needed to distribute to their respective teams. These parents also help collect and/or distribute items to parents such as fundraising information, travel directions, etc. Let your Head Coach or organization administrator know if you are interested. Chain gang we must have 3 people to hold the chains during home games. Each team will ask volunteers to help with the chains. We ask that it be an adult rather than a child to prevent an issues on the sidelines. Spotters we are required to provide 2 spotters at every game. Spotters help to ensure each child gets their required number of plays and that the mandatory play rules are adhered to. 9

10 Volunteers (Continued) Volunteer registration is required for all Head and Assistant Coaches, and Team Moms/Dads. Visit to complete your volunteer registration. Please note that in order to register as a volunteer, you MUST 1) complete the Reisterstown Recreation Council application using the volunteer registration link, then 2) follow the prompts at the end to complete your Baltimore County Recreation and Parks background check, using access code BCGRec17 (case sensitive). Fundraising Successful fundraising is what keeps registration fees lower, allowing as many kids as possible to participate in our program. Monies raised help up offset the cost of equipment and uniforms, insurance, field maintenance, referees, and scholarships for low income families, and much more. Such efforts as Chic-Fil-A, Chipotle, and other restaurant fundraising nights are examples of fundraising events that help our organization raise monies for a variety of fun and exciting things for the kids to enjoy. Fundraising is voluntary exercise but is strongly encouraged. For more information on fundraising please speak to your Team Mom/Dad or see the Fundraising Coordinator. 10

11 Parent Code of conduct As a parent of a child participating in the Reisterstown Mustangs Football program, your conduct is seen not only by your child, but by the entire community and the league. Therefore, the Board of Directors has outlined the following rules and standards of conduct, to which all parents and fans must adhere. 1. Parent, guardian or designee is requested to be present at all events. Especially in the event of bad weather, lightening, injury, or any other emergency, it is extremely important for parents to take part in their children s activities. 2. Alcohol and drugs are strictly prohibited. At no time shall any person be under the influence of alcohol or drugs during any practice, game, or special function (i.e banquet, homecoming) while at Reisterstown regional park or Hannah more park or any opposing fields. 3. No smoking at or around any fields 4. No pets are allowed at Reisterstown Regional Park football field area. Pets are allowed at Hannah More Park, but please be mindful that children are practicing in the same area as your pet is playing or relieving him/herself. Please clean up after your pet. 5. Parents and fans will refrain from criticizing, belittling, antagonizing, berating, or bullying referees, parents, players, coaches, participants or opposing parents/fans, coaches, and participants by word of mouth or by gesture. 6. Profanity is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. 7. I will participate in volunteer activities as assigned by my team during the season. 8. Volunteers represent the organization in official capacity, and their conduct reflects directly upon the individual as well as the organization. Volunteers should be aware of their behavior at all times and it should reflect positively towards the program, officials and all participants. 9. I will place the emotional and physical well-being of my child ahead of any personal desire to win. Including, insisting that my child play in a safe and healthy environment. 10. I will provide support for coaches and officials working with my child to provide a positive enjoyable experience for all, including ensuring my child treats other players, coaches, fans, and officials with respect. 11. I will always address any issues with my child s coach in private. coach/parent communication Athlete-Coach-Parent Communication/Parent-Coach Relationship: Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult roles. By establishing an understanding of each role, we are better able to accept the actions of each other and provide a greater benefit to our children. Parents, when your child becomes involved in our program, you have the right to understand what expectations will be placed on your child. This begins with clear communications from the coach of your team. Communications to expect from your child s coach: 1. Team requirements (i.e. special equipment/uniform). 2. Game/practice schedule and updates. 3. Team rules, guidelines and consequences for any infractions. 4. Team selection process. 5. Injuries occurring at practice/games. 11

12 Football coach/parent communication (continued) Communications coaches expect from athletes/parents: 1. Any concerns are expressed DIRECTLY to the coach. 2. Advanced notification of any schedule conflicts. 3. Advanced notification of any illness or injury when possible. It is the goal of everyone that each athlete will experience some rewarding moments in these growing years. It is important to understand that there may be times when things do not go the way you and/or your child wish. When this occurs, discussion with the coach is encouraged. It is the first and most integral step to understanding and resolution. Appropriate Concerns to Discuss with Coaches: 1. Treatment of your child. 2. Ways to help your child improve. 3. Concerns about your child s behavior. Coaches are professionals. They make decisions based on what they believe to be in the best interest for the team and for all the athletes involved. Certain things can be and should be discussed with your child s coach. Other concerns must be left to the discretion of the coach. Inappropriate Concerns to Discuss with Coaches: 1. Playing Time. 2. Team Strategy and Plays. 3. Football team selection. 4. Other athletes. WE ARE THEIR ROLE MODELS! The critical factor in determining whether your child has a positive experience is the quality of their adult leaders their parents and coaches. If you have a concern with a coach, here are the procedures and order to be followed: 1. Call the coach to discuss, or discuss after practice. 2. Please do not attempt to confront the coach before, during, or after a game. These can be emotional times for both the parent and the coach. Meetings of this nature usually do not promote positive resolution. The Next Step.What can a parent or coach do if the discussion did not provide a satisfactory resolution: Call and discuss the situation with the appropriate Age Group Commissioner, or contact the Reisterstown Mustangs President or Football Operations Chairman. 12

13 Contact and resource information Website: Questions or feedback: 13