MMYFCL = Rapid Growth and Popularity

The MMYFCL  or Mid Maryland Youth Football and Cheer League is growing rapidly this year.  2008 welcomes various new programs to the organization including but not limited to:  Poolesville Falcons, Damascus Cougars, TJ Patriots and the Columbia Ravens.  Koudos to the leadership of this league for aggressively working to improve the league and add more members increasing the overall level of competition and strength in numbers.

LUYAA Setting Record for Registration Numbers!

The LUYAA program…a staple of the Mt. Airy region as far as football is concerned is on pace to set record numbers for registered players this year.  An organization that normally would be just starting registration in May is already topping over 495 registered players and counting.  The program wants to continue to grow and offer a great place for kids of all ages to learn how to play football.  The groups growing popularity can be attributed to the overall success of the organization and the desire to let all players participate in every game at every level.  On line registration is currently under way at www.LUYAA.org 

Opportunities abound in Middletown - Bringing kids together…

Middletown Knights youth football program has embraced the new weight changes in the MVYFL.  It could be a great chance to bring kids together and allow them to develop and gel as a team.  Per the website update… @ http://www.mvaasports.com/Football/Football.htm

Increased weight limits - NEW for ‘08

Beginning with the 2008 season, the varsity level will have an unlimited weight format for league play.  Additionally, all younger level teams have increased their weight limits by 20 pounds.  This change will finally enable all players within the Middletown draw area to join together and strengthen our commitment to  Middletown Football. 

Capital Beltway - a long tradition of excellence…

There is an emphasis on Participation and healthy competition with in the league, so that Participants may become happier more productive individuals that are truly better people because of their involvement with the Capital Beltway League. Our primary Objectives shall always include the development of positive social values and character traits that will instill the will to win and the courage to accept defeat. There will always be an emphasis on clean play and sportsmanlike conduct for every one participating within the league.

The above is a clip of content found on the Capital Beltway League website indicating yet again that participation is a key factor in youth sports.

Winfield Cavaliers announce upcoming registrations!

Registrations fast approaching! - Registrations for the upcoming 2008 season of Football and Cheerleading will be here before you know it. As in the past, registrations will be held in the South Carroll High School’s cafeteria. Pay special attention to the dates and times below, as registrations will be on a first-come, first-served basis:April 19th: Registrations will be held from 9am - 12pm, and will only be open to returning WYFCP football players and cheerleaders. Spaces on rosters will be limited, so if you are a returning Cavalier, be sure to show up for registrations.  Visit www.wyfcp.org for more information.

April 26th: Registrations will be held from 9am - 12pm, and are open to anyone interested in joining the Cavalier community. Bring that special football or cheer talent to a program well known for it’s positive environment and winning tradition!

May 3rd: Registrations will be held from 9am - 12pm, and are open to anyone interested in joining the Cavalier community. Bring that special football or cheer talent to a program well known for it’s positive environment and winning tradition!

Go Cavaliers!

Redskin - Jim Taft was quoted saying the following… gut check anyone?

Jim Taft looked at me with all those years of experience behind him and said “Joe you must learn to read volunteers, a few of these guys are thinking of only themselves” I was sure he was wrong – look at all the time they had put into their positions directing both the adults and youth.

Even though Jim had lost sight in one eye while blocking a punt as a young Washington Redskin free agent, his insight remained keen.

With over 30 years as a commissioner of a national youth football organization, Jim had seen it all. He had that sixth sense of seeing right through the familiar hyperbole of a selfish motive. 

This quote was taken from a page of www.Americanyouthfootball.com and can be a reminder for league leadership when looking for volunteers.  Don’t be afraid to speak your mind!

Things to think about from “Pop Warner Football” Opinions??

Safety, Safety, Safety! – Kids compete with kids of similar age and size. Pop Warner is the ONLY youth football program (local, regional and national) that sets and enforces a strict AGE & WEIGHT MATRIX that reduces the risk and reality of injuries. Did you know that Pop Warner football is safer than soccer? Pop Warner football has 12% fewer injuries per capita among 5-15 year olds than organized soccer in the same age range!

Mandatory Play Requirements – Everyone participates under mandatory rules of play. Each league may set a higher number of Mandatory Plays, but never less than the minimum set by PWLS. All MPR’s should be based on eligible players at the time of the game.

 Age-Weight Structure – Kids compete with kids of similar age and size. We set and enforce a strict AGE & WEIGHT MATRIX that reduces the risk and reality of injuries.

More than just athletes! – Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. (PWLS) is the only national youth sports organization in America that requires its participants to perform adequately in the classroom before permitting them to play. We believe that the standards we have set give these children a sense of responsibility and an appreciation for academics and athletics that will help them develop later on in life.

Visit www.popwarner.com for more infomation.

The Mt. Airy Bulldogs vs. the “NFL’s 7 Guiding Principles of Youth Football”

Here is some content taken straight from this page of the Bulldogs website:

“Please understand that MVFL is a highly competitive level of football and players aren’t given playing time, they earn it. If your player has the determination to play and shows it to their coach everyday in practice, then there is no reason why they shouldn’t make it on the field.” (MVFL also has strict age and weight restrictions that can be found later in the packet.)

By the way the last part about age and weight restriction is incorrect. They changed all that and haven’t updated the website yet! There is no weight limit at Varsity and they added 20lbs. to every other level. But that’s another story…

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN ARE THE NFL PRINCIPLES found at http://www.nflyouthfootball.com/7principlese7fe.htm

Here’s Principle #3

Football at the youth level should be an inclusive experience.  It is never fun at any level of play to sit and watch others participate, anticipating the opportunity to play if the situation arises. The youth level of football should be an equal learning experience for everyone, whether it’s a game or a practice.  How often have you either experienced or witnessed a practice where several players are being instructed and drilled while a group of teammates stand around and watch, never receiving the same attention? Most often the group standing around has been deemed by their coach to be not as skilled or talented, therefore, the attention is paid to the so-called “stars” of the team. A coach is a teacher. A teacher/coach’s job is to raise the level of learning and skills of not only the most talented, but for everyone on the team, starting with the least talented. The NFL philosophy eliminates first, second, and third strings in both games and at practice.

O.K. Coaches and Parents… Here is one for discussion that is sure to raise some different opinions.  Work together and sort it out if possible:

#4 Teach Every Position to Every Participant

Don’t pigeonhole kids in one particular position because of their physical size and/or ability. In order to provide each participant a full experience and appreciation for the game that will last a lifetime, we encourage all programs to teach everyone every position.

As we all know, kids grow at various rates. A smaller child may develop late and become much larger than his/her present size indicates and vice versa. How many athletes has football lost throughout the years because of coaches taking the largest kids and making them play the line? These kids often experienced an entire football season without touching the football.

Kids should have the opportunity to experience every position. As Peter Brock, former center for the New England Patriots, explains to youth coaches in the Boston area, “What a tragedy it would’ve been for New England Patriots football history if Drew Bledsoe had been told as a big kid beginning youth football that he could not play quarterback, and was forced to play the line due to his size. Who knows? He may have dropped out of football like so many other kids in his situation and gone on to play baseball, another sport, or dropped out of athletics completely.”>

A youth coach’s job is to introduce and teach every position to every kid. Never make judgments based on someone’s size alone; teach every participant every position and they will naturally find the position they belong in, and you will be in a better position to guide them.  “This content is from the NFL at www.nflyouthfootball.com”  Please visit the website for more great information.  I’m sure the NFL has plenty of good information to offer.

Mt. Airy Bulldogs Youth Football withdraws interest in MMYFCL but TJ Patriots and Poolesville Join?

The Mt. Airy Bulldogs youth football program officially withdrew interest in joining the MMYFCL recently. In an amazing turn of events the TJ Patriots “GTJAY” youth football program and the Poolesville Falcons all leave the MVYFL and get voted into the MMYFCL!  It seems nearly every organization around them in the Mount Airy region has joined MMYFCL! Here’s the list TJ Patriots, Damascus Cougars, Linganore Lancers, West Howard Warhawks, Westminster, North Carroll, West Carroll, Urbana Hawks, and of course the Winfield Cavaliers.

Columbia Ravens Youth Football Returns to MMYFCL

The Columbia Ravens youth football organization has returned to the MMYFCL in full force and welcome arms.  The Howard County youth football program returns to it’s roots this year to a more convenient local level of competition.  The Ravens are poised to succeed in 2008 and appear to be very ready for the season.  A quick visit to their website shows coaches in place and offseason training taking place with speed agility and quickness training.  The Columbia Ravens look to field teams in all 3 MMYFCL divisions/levels at all age groups.  Online registration is now open for football, cheer and camp.  You may also register in person on Saturday April 29th from 9:00am to 12 noon at Cedar Lane West Park Recreation Center from 9:00am to 12 noon.  Visit www.ColumbiaRavens.com for more information and to see a list of 2008 Coaches.