What is Grayslake Colts Youth Football?
Grayslake Colts Youth Football is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a qualit
Grayslake Colts Football will field teams in the Tri-County Youth Football League at the following levels for the current season. Note that there will be 1 Big10 team at each level. All remaining teams at each level will be Pac10 teams. Depending upon the number of players that register at each level, the # of teams at each level may vary slightly.
| 2006 Grayslake Teams at each level in the TCYFL | |
| Level | Game Day |
| Bantam Big10 (1 team) | Sunday |
| Bantam Pac10 (1 team) | Saturday |
| Featherweight Big10 (1 team) | Sunday |
| Featherweight Pac10 (4 teams) | Saturday |
| Middleweight Big10 (1 team) | Sunday |
| Middleweight Pac10 (4 teams) | Saturday |
| Lightweight Big10 (1 team) | Sunday |
| Lightweight Pac10 (2 teams) | Saturday |
| Heavyweight Big10 (1 team) | Sunday |
| Heavyweight Pac10 (1 team) | Saturday |
When does the football season start and end?
The first practice starts in mid July. The first games start in Labor Day weekend. Games are played thru late October to mid November (depending upon how far in the play-offs your team goes).
What does my child need to bring/wear to practices/games?
For the first week of practice, your child should wear shorts, tee shirts and football cleats to practice until the first practice in August, after this players should come dressed in their full practice uniform (including mouthpiece and football cleats). All players need to wear athletic supporters & cups. All players need to bring water to each practice.
Your child should wear their full game uniforms (including mouthpiece and football cleats) to all games. All players need to wear athletic supporters & cups. All players need to bring water to each game.
Practice and game uniforms need to be returned at the end of the year. All players however, get to keep their game jersey, game socks, and their mouthpiece.
?Our home games are mostly played at Grayslake Aquatic Field, the field is just west of the Grayslake Aquatic Center in Central park. A few home games may be played at the Grayslake High School Field.
Our away games are played in various cities in the area. Check the webpages which lists Big10 league and Pac10 league members for directions.
How often will my child play games and practice?
Your child's team will
practice 4 days/week (Monday-Thursday) during the pre-season months of mid July through August. Teams will practice from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Practices after the first game, Labor Day weekend, will be Monday through Thursdays. Each team will be scheduled to practice 3 of the 4 days from 5:00pm to 7:00pm Practices for some teams may extend into Friday's. All practice information is subject to change.Games are played on either Saturdays or Sundays. Pac10 teams generally play on Saturday and Big10 teams generally play on Sunday with an occassional Saturday night game.
Day gametimes start as early as 9:00AM (sometimes 8:00AM). Depending upon which level you're in, day gametimes are usually at 9:00AM, 10:30AM, 12:00PM, 1:30PM and 3:00PM though they may vary from these times. Check team schedules for details.
Depending upon which level you're in, night games are usually at 6:00PM and 7:30PM though they may vary from these times. Again, check team schedules for details.
Are games/practices ever rained out or snowed out?Unless there is dangerous weather in the area, games and practices are not usually rained out or snowed out although sometimes practices are cut a little short in inclimate weather. Of course, if there is lightening or thunder present then a game or practice will end right away. Please be aware of the approach of storms during practices and/or games...be prepared to bring your player(s) home if practice or games need to be cut short.
What are the differences between the Pac10 and Big10 leagues?
The
Pac10 league is a developmental league whereas the Big10 league is a more competitive league. Game scores and standings are officially recorded in both Pac10 and Big10 leagues. Both leagues have end of the season play-offs (which can go on for a few weeks (usually 3) depending upon the number of teams in the league. How do I know at which level my child will play?Grayslake Colts Youth Football is a member of the Tri-County Youth Football League. We are required to abide by Tri-County rules and regulations for placement of players in accordance to their age and weight. Players may be required to change teams or weight groups due to weight gain or weight loss from time of registration weigh-in to pre-season practices. Most of the levels have maximum weight levels assigned to them. However, some levels allow for exception players (players who weigh more) in special circumstances. For example, young players who based on their weight should be playing at a higher level might be able to play at a lower level because of their age. All exception player's cases go before the Tri-County board before being placed on a team. There are no exception players on Big10 teams. Pac10 teams are allowed 1 exception player each. Some players may be light enough to play at a lower level; however, because of their age they're moved up to a higher level. All players are officially weighed in weekly during the season to make sure that the weight restrictions are being followed. All players birth certificates are checked and filed to make sure that the age restrictions are being followed.
Check the Tri-County Youth Football webpages for more specific weights and ages.
How are players placed on teams?
Players are evaluated in different categories (such as running speed, blocking ability, passing ability, catching ability) for the first couple weeks of practice. After that, the coaches draft their players for their team in the league they're coaching in based upon their scores during evaluations.
During evaluations, all players at the same level practice together. After teams have been drafted, players practice with their own teams.
Can my child pick the position he/she wants to play?Players wishes and talents will be taken into consideration when coaches choose their positions but it is the coaches who ultimately decide who will play what position. Football is a team sport and a coach has to consider all of his players talents and team's needs when assigning positions.
What if my child has health problems/allergies?If your child has any health problems or concerns such as asthma, allergies to bee stings, etc., please make sure that he/she has their medication available during practices (clearly marked with their name) and that the coaches are aware of your child's health concerns
What if my child cannot make a practice?
If your child cannot make a practice, please let your child's head coach know as soon as you know.
What are weigh-ins and does my child have to go?
Weigh-ins are times when all players (regardless of their weight) need to get weighed in by officials of the
Tri-County Youth Football League to which we belong. A player's official weight is recorded here. Based on their weight, a player may be classified as a 'striper'. If they are a 'striper', then tape will be put on their helmets to identify them as such. Stripers are limited as to what positions they can play. Stripers may not advance the ball. Also, there are no stripers allowed on Big10 teams (except Heavyweight). A team coordinator assists the coaching staff with off-the-field administrative duties throughout the season. They sometimes field questions from the parents of players on the team. They also pass out hand-outs, collect forms, plan homecoming festivities and decorations, create and pass out team newsletters, etc. Is there a volunteer program?Everyone is required to volunteer in some form. Failure to volunteer may effect your child's/children's registration in the future. Your time is a very valuable asset and contribution this program needs and appreciates. There is a 3 hour minimum requirement per player.
NYSCA is part of a national program called National Alliance for Youth Sports. NYSCA stands for National Youth Sports Coaches Association.
WTYFB and TCYFL requires that its head coaches are NYSCA-certified. NYSCA trainees each take a 2-3 hour class. Memberships may also be renewed yearly. NYSCA training teaches volunteer youth coaches how to work with children in all aspects of sports. Coaches receive training, continuing education, excess liability insurance coverage and are held accountable to a code of ethics when coaching. NYSCA-certification is quite often required in other youth sport programs in the area.What is the Tri-County Youth Football League?
The Tri-County Youth Football League is the league that our teams belong to and play in.