*DYS Football
Frequently Asked Questions

COVID 19 STATUS

At this point in time, we do not fully know what the current COVID guidelines will be for 2023.  We just want you to know we will be prepared to have a season if FCYFL and Loudoun PRCS support youth athletic participation in their programs and use of county field space.  

Q: About DYS Football 
A: DYS Football is a member club of FCYFL (Fairfax County Youth Football League), which is comprised of more than 22 clubs, hundreds of team, and thousands of players from 4 counties in Northern Virginia.  It is the only youth tackle program in Loudoun County structured to establish various levels of competition based upon a player’s ability, age (7 -16), and weight.  We also have mandatory player participation rules where each player must have a starting position and play the entire game at the National and Central skill divisions.  We believe this format gives youth, at different stages of skill and physical development,  the best opportunity to participate, learn, and enjoy the great sport of Football and the values it instills.

Q:  When will registration open?
A:  Registration usually opens April 1, 2016.

Q. When does practice begin?
A.  See Important Dates but usually the 1st-week full week of August.  Practices are 5 days a week plus a possible scrimmage on the weekend for the first 4 weeks.  Once school starts, practices are 3 days a week plus games.

Q.  Who is eligible to register in DYS Football?
A.   Registration is open to all of Loudoun County but we focus on the area south of Dulles Toll Road and East to route 15. You must be 7 years old as of October 1st & no older than 16 as of  Dec. 1st.  Note that weight division placement is based on BOTH age and weight. The age/weight matrix below will detail who is eligible and which weight division they will play in.  FCYFL implements strict weigh-in processes to determine age, weight, and address verification.

Q.  What type of I.D. do I need?
A.  For official league weigh-in, the players MUST have an official DMV Child's ID (aka walker's ID) with a current address.  They are mailed to you, so don't wait to last minute.  No other form of ID is accepted.

Q. Is there a minimum or maximum weight?
A. Yes and Yes.  There is a minimum weight of 40lbs for the Anklebiter weight class ONLY.  No other weight classes have a minimum weight.  For maximum weights per weight class, please see next FAQ on age/weight matrix.

Q. What is the age/weight matrix?
A. Your player's playing age is determined based on their age as of Oct 1st. For example, if your player is 11 years old on Oct 1. and weighs 90lbs, they would play in the 90lb division.  This player is above the 80lb limit for 11-year-olds in the 80lb weight class and under the limit of 95lbs for the 90lb weight class.

* Unlimited players are not eligible to play in a position that normally 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 ballcarrier 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.

Q. When is the official weigh-in?
A.  Please see Important Dates Page

Q. What if my player doesn't fit into the age/weight matrix?
A.  As of the 2018 season, all players 14 and under can fit into the matrix.  See above for rules regarding youngest player in weight class and restrictions.

Q.  Is a medical physical required to play?
A.  A physical is recommended but there is no requirement for a medical physical to play for DYS or in the FCYFL league. 

Q.  How do I register?
A.  Click Here and look for Tackle Football Registration. After registering, please be mindful of emails that might come from our LeagueAthletic website.  This is our only communication method with you if there is a problem. 

Q. What is the refund policy
A.  Refund Policy is described on the registration page and accepted as part of every registration.

Q.  What days of the week are the games played?
A.  The majority of our games are played on Saturdays, however, some are on Sundays, Friday nights and occasionally another weekday night.  FCFYL does not alter game schedules based on religious holidays, Redskin games, etc.  So your games can be on any day.  Please see the program document for more information.

Q. What times do the practices start and end?
A.  Practices generally run from 5:45 to 8:00PM.  Once it begins to get dark earlier, they begin earlier.  This may also vary depending on a coach and field schedule availability.

Q. Where are practices?
A.   Historically, Freedom H.S., John Champe H.S., Pinebrook E.S., Lunsford M.S. and Byrnes Ridge park have been practice locations allocated but future allocations are dependent on Loudoun PRCS.

Q. Where are GAMES played?
A.  Home games are usually at John Champe H.S.  FCYFL has 22 member clubs from all over the NoVA region and our away games could be in Arlington, Alexandria, Gainesville, Manassas or anywhere in Fairfax County.  When scheduling weekly match-ups, FCYFL tries to look at convenient geographical scheduling, but the availability of facilities (lighted) or lack of lighted fields significantly impacts this process.
 
Q.  How will I contact my child's coach?
A.  Coaches will be listed on the website but teams are not selected until after evaluation week.

Q.  When is the equipment issue date?
A. There will be two equipment issue dates.  One in June and one in July.  Further information will be provided to registered participants.

Q. Do I have to bring my child to the equipment issue day?
A.  Yes, bring your child.  No equipment will be issued without the player present.  No parents will be allowed in the equipment issue areas, so bring a book or newspaper as each child will take approximately 30 minutes to fit properly.

Q. What Equipment is provided and what do I need to purchase?
A. Included Equipment: Helmet, Shoulder pads, Game Jersey, Pants and Pads
You need to purchase: Athletic supporter and cup (optional), Practice jersey, Mouth Piece, Cleats

Q. How are the teams created/selected?
A.  All Anklebiter teams are drafted in order to create equal teams.  Most other weight classes split into 1 American Division Team (most experienced players), 1 or 2 Central Division Teams (less experienced players) and 1, 2 or 3 National Division Teams (beginners). We follow FCYFL rules regarding placement of teams, which is determined by the number of players in each weight class. (Ex: 3 teams 1 American & 2 National Teams, 4 teams 1 American, 1 Central & 2 National Teams). Teams are split after the first week of practice or in the first few days of the 2nd week of practice.

Note: If your child is one of the younger or smaller players at any weight class they will "most likely" play in the Central or National conference. It is based on ability and this usually sorts itself out after the first few nights of contact practices.

Q.  What if we have a vacation planned during the first week of practice?
A.  If your child is not present during the first week or evaluation period (first practice week), they will be evaluated as quickly as possible upon your return.  However, they fall behind quickly if they miss an extended period of time. Players are required to have at least 3 days of non-contact practice prior to contact and 5 days of practice before they can be drafted.  We highly encourage participants to be present during the month of August.  Remember next year when planning vacations, football practice always starts the first week of August.

Q:  What are the program policies for DYS Football?
A:  Please read the DYS Football Program document under the documents tab.  This should explain everything.

Q:  I still have questions that are not addressed by this FAQ.
A:  Please feel free to email football@dullesyouth.com