TACKLE FOOTBALL PARTICIPATION

• Tackle Football Player participants must be at least seven years of age and no older than 16 as of October 1st of the current calendar year.
• A parent or guardian is expected to attend (or make alternative arrangements to have a responsible party in attendance) for all practice sessions if a practice is short due to foul weather or other circumstances.
• 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. After that, practice will be held three nights per week, 2 hours a night.
• Players are placed into divisions based on their age and weight.  Refer to the age/weight matrix.  Please remember that the age/chart outlines the lowest and highest weights allowable for each age group. These restrictions are in place to keep participation and play fair and balanced among the age groups.
• New players are encouraged to attend sports training camps before the season's start. Visit our Member Clubs websites for more information regarding recommended training camps.

AGE CUTOFF DATES

• Age determination is based on cutoff dates to maintain fairness and consistency. For ages 7-14, the age is considered as of October 1. For ages 15-16, 15-year-olds turning 16 on or before December 31st must play in the 155lbs weight class. Notably, players turning 17 on or before December 31st are not eligible to participate.
• Please be aware that this information is subject to change based on updates to the Official Rules. 

DIVISIONS

• ANKLEBITER DIVISION
  • Age 7 is unlimited
  • Age 8 can weigh up to 90lbs
  • Age 9 can weigh up to 55lbs
• 80LB DIVISION
  • Age 8 is unlimited (100lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
  • Age 9 can weigh 56lbs to 100lbs
  • Age 10 can weigh up to 85lbs
  • Age 11 can weigh up to 80lbs
• 90LB DIVISION
  • Age 9 is unlimited (110lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
  • Age 10 can weigh 86lbs to 110lbs
  • Age 11 can weigh 81lbs to 95lbs
  • Age 12 can weigh up to 90lbs
• 100LB DIVISION
  • Age 10 is unlimited (120lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
  • Age 11 can weigh 96lbs to 120lbs
  • Age 12 can weigh 91lbs 105lbs
  • Age 13 can weigh up to 100lbs
• 115LB DIVISION
  • Age 11 is unlimited (135lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
  • Age 12 can weigh 106lbs to 130lbs
  • Age 13 can weigh 101lbs to 120lbs
  • Age 14 can weigh up to 115lbs
• 130LB DIVISION
  • Age 12 is unlimited (150lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
  • Age 13 can weigh 121lbs to 140lbs
  • Age 14 can weigh 116lbs to 135lbs
  • Age 15 can weigh up to 130lbs
• 155LB DIVISION
  • Age 13 is unlimited (175lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
  • Age 14 is unlimited (165lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
  • Age 15 can weigh 131lbs to 160lbs
  • Age 16 can weigh up to 155lbs

* The maximum weight for a player to carry the ball in Anklebiters is 70 lbs. Anklebiter players over the 70lb limit and all other unlimited players at other weight classes are not eligible to play in a position that usually 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 ball carrier 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 who weigh at least 40lbs may participate in NVYFL. All youth shall play in the Age/Weight Division they are eligible for. There will be no waivers.

Commissioners check birth dates and weights at club registration and the official NVYFL Weigh-In. For example, a 10-year-old will play in the 90# group if he weighs 86 to 100 pounds. He may not play in the 100lb division unless he weighs at least 101 pounds. See the official rulebook for additional information.