Mile High Football League

Q1: Why spring youth tackle football when it's a fall sport?
A: Football is an increasing popular sport among children. Not all kids play baseball or soccer in the spring. Some are looking for more opportunities to develop their skills or play a new position and for others the chance to play that may of missed the fall season. Or, it may be their first time trying the sport out.

Q2: Is this a recreational or competitive league?
A: Mile High Football offers both a competitive and recreational league. The goal is to offer kids an opportunity to play the great game of football while developing the skills necessary to compete in either playing level.

Q3: What’s the difference between the two levels?
A: Our recreational, D-2 level is designed for most of our players and teams who are of average talent. Some players are new and some are experienced. D-1 is considered our competitive level where teams have better then average skills. This division is meant for most independent teams who has been playing together for a while or teams wanting more competition.

Q4: How are teams formed? 
A: Teams in the league are formed mainly by regions. Players are assigned to teams closest to their residence within their regions. This means they can play with most of their friends and classmates. Some teams are independent meaning that they are formed by coaches and not through the league and may come from various regions. Independent teams are either existing teams or newly formed by coaches and/or association and is allowed into our league.   

Q5: What are the regions?
A: Currently, we have six regions representing our league. Those regions are Northwest, Northeast, West, East, Southwest and Southeast. For the 2011 season we plan to expend into a North and a South region to include potential teams not in the league.

Q6: What are the various grade divisions?
A: We offer 3rd, 4^th, 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, 8^th, JV and Varsity divisions.

Q7: Can we put an existing team into the league?
A: We want kids to play so existing teams can play in the league as long as they meet the requirements. Teams formed outside of the league are considered "Independent Teams." All independent teams must furnished their own uniforms, helmets and shoulder pads as well as securing their own practice fields their expense. One league game jersey is provided for those teams that don’t have two sets of contrasting jerseys. 

Q8: Do independent teams have to take players assigned by the league? 
A:  Yes. When there isn't a league team in an area independent teams are required to take on players who live in that area or region.

Q9: We’re registering to play in the D-1 competitive division and what happens if there aren’t enough teams in our division?
A: When this becomes the case teams will have a choice to either play in the recreational division within their grades or move up a division into that recreational division. For example, a competitive 5^th gr. team can move up and play in the 6^th gr. recreational division. Of course, that competitive 5^th gr. team may pick up other 6^th graders to play with them.

Q10: Is there playing time requirements?
A: We make it mandatory that all recreational players participate in half the game unless due to injury, missed practices or for disciplinary purpose. The kids sign up to play not sit on the bench or be idled on the sideline. No playing time requirements in the competitive division, however. 

Q11: I coach and my team plays in an association and I think it may have rules restricting play outside of the league. What can I do?
A: It's important to communicate with your association your desire to play and ask what their rules are and how your team can play without violating their policies. We think discussing to your board will only put you in a favorable position.    

Q12: Can I request my child’s buddy to play on the same team?
A: Yes, as long as he lives in the same geographical region or if he is willing to travel to practice in your region or if space is available.

Q13: Can I request my child to be on a particular team or coach?
A: If on a league team, preference will be given to players residing in that region. Generally, if a team or coach is in your region chances are your child may end up being assigned to his team. Though we’ll do whatever we can to honor your request it’s not 100% guaranteed.

Q14: Are there any other discounts?
A: There is a $25 discount for any additional siblings that sign up from the same household. 

Q15: What is your refund policy?
A: The league doesn’t offer a refund once a child is registered and paid. Should a child be unable play before the first scheduled game due to injury or serious illness, we’ll credit the fee to be used for the following season but again no refunds will be issued.

Q:16 How often will practices be held and for how long?
A: Our league will allowed a team to have four practices during the first week and thereafter a maximum of three practices per week. We do encourage teams to reduce their number of practices to two a week especially towards the end of the season but it’s optional. The duration of a practice will not exceed two-hours for all teams 3rd through 8th grade and 2.5 hours for JV and Varsity division.

Q17: How many players may there be on a team?
A: Each team is limited to no more then 30 players. ??However, we encourage teams to carry 18-24 players as a rule of thumb. Especially for the recreationally division we recommend 20-22 players per team since all players must play have the game.

Q18: Who will provide practice and game fields?
A: The league will secure and pay for practice fields for all its recreational league teams. Independent teams must secure and pay for their own practice fields.  All game fields will be secured and paid for by the league. Teams wishing to host some home games may also do so but must be responsible for all field preps and field rental costs.  

Q19: Is insurance provided in case my child is injured? 
A: Parents must provide medical insurance for their child in order to play. The league will provide general liability and secondary medical insurance.  

Q:20 Where are games and practices being held?
A: Games will be held throughout the metro Denver areas so it will require some traveling. Game sites will be secured through the league. Practices sites are generally centrally located within the region so to minimize travel. However, it will still require some travelling.

Q21: When are games held?
A: Games are held throughout the week but mostly on weekends. The majority of games are on Saturdays and some on Sundays. Weeknight games are generally held for teams within adjacent regions to minimize travel.

Q22: This there a post-season tournament for all teams?
A: All teams will participate in our post-season tournament. Depending on the number of teams in each division we may either conduct a playoff system based on records and seeding, or install bowl tournament games. The league reserves the right to implement tournament format that will best suit the various respective divisions.  

Q23: Will there be an admissions fee to the playoff or bowl games?
A: Yes. Because we want some of our important games played on great venues thus admission fees will be collected for all games played at high school stadiums and good for all games and sites. Cost is $3.00 per adult and $1.00 per child?

Q24: Can my child up a grade?
A: Parent/Guardian can sign their child to play up a grade if he or she so desired. However, we discourage players to play up two grades.

Q25: What are the weight limit and restrictions placed on those over the limit?
A: There is no maximum weight limit but there is a weight limit on players in the backfield per grade division.  Players over the limit will be considered a "patch players." Patch players, however, may advance fumbles and interceptions when on defense. Offensive patch players may catch passes beyond the line of scrimmage and allowed to kick or punt.

Q26: My child is older but is light in weight. Can he play down a grade so he can at least match up with kids of similar weight?
A: MHFL reserve the rights to put "older but lighter" players down a division at our discretions in such cases as this. Parents would have to partition the league and be approved to play down a grade. 

Q27: What equipment will my child need to play?
A: Players should provide helmets, shoulder pads, seven-pierce pads, practice jersey and pants. League teams will use white game pants. The league will provide one game jersey for each player and it’s his or her to keep.

Q28: When is equipment check-in?
A: Players with league equipment will check their items in at their last game or at our Equipment Check-In Center as designed. 

Q29: What happens if we don't return league equipment (helmets and shoulder pads)?
A: An equipment deposit $150 is required to secure any league equipment. If the equipment isn’t turned in by the designed deadline the deposits will be cashed. 

Q30: Will players get individual trophies, medals or certificates for playing in the league?
A: MHFL will provide each player a medal for participating in the league to be issued during tournament week.

Q31: Can a player transfer to another time during the course of the season?
A: Once a roster is set we expect players assigned to those teams to play and finish the season with them. MHFL reserves the right to transfer players to teams at it’s discretions.