Mission Statement:

Safely teach the fundamentals of tackle football in an atmosphere that promotes the concepts of teamwork, dedication, commitment, and fair play. The goal at each level is to have 100% of the boys continue to play at the next level.

Grade Level Objectives:

4/5^th
Teach the basic football fundamentals of stance, blocking, tackling, running, throwing, and catching. Formations and plays should be simple and limited as the majority of the practice time should be allocated to learning proper technique, not more plays and formations. Mismatches are to be avoided during all contact drills.  Playing time on Sunday should be as equal as possible based on practice attendance.

6^th  Introduce punting and extra point kicking
Majority of practice time should still be focused on fundamentals avoiding mismatches during all contact drills. Formations and plays should remain simple and limited as it is much better to run 4 or 5 plays to each side well than 20 plays poorly. Playing time will be fair but not necessarily equal and will based on preparedness (practice attendance, effort, and knowing assignments).

7^th Teams get bigger, faster, and more aggressive + live punting and PAT/FG
More advanced techniques, formations, and plays are introduced. Imperative to avoid mismatches during contact drills and have “quick whistles” when scrimmaging.
All boys who attend practice will get into Sunday’s game. Playing time will be based on preparedness and the ability to safely execute the assignments. As the opponents get bigger and more aggressive, the risk of injury increases and players who cannot safely execute pose an injury risk to themselves and their teammates on the field who are dependent upon them. We can avoid mismatches in practice but not in games.

8^th:  It is imperative to avoid mismatches and high speed collisions during contact drills and use “quick whistles” during scrimmaging. To keep practice injuries to a minimum and the boys ready for Sunday’s game; overall weekly amount of contact should be monitored closely. Since the boys are bigger, faster, and more aggressive, the impact force when blocking and tackling is much greater than it was in 7^th grade. Practice drills need to focus more on technique.

All boys who practice will get into Sunday’s game and the playing time will be based on the ability to safely execute the assignments. The ability to execute assignments is directly related to the relative size, speed, and aggressiveness of the opponents. In general, game playing time increases for our smaller, less aggressive players when playing smaller, less aggressive teams.

New Jersey Suburban Youth Football League:
Our Chatham Youth Football teams participate in the Suburban Youth Football League playing against surrounding communities. Travel to away games is required.
For (NJSYFL) information please go to the League website at: www.njsyfl.com. You can view information about:

• League rules
• Teams/Divisions
• Schedules (these are subject to change with the final coming from Chatham Recreation.
• Standings
• Field DIRECTIONS

Coaches:

• Coaches are approved by the football committee with input from the recreation department.
• Previous playing and coaching experience are necessary.
• Coaches must attend 5 hours of approved coaching clinics per year in order to be eligible to coach.
• Coaches must be Rutgers’s certified and in good standing with Chatham Recreation.
• Coaches will be fingerprint background checked and CPR/Defib trained along.
• Anyone not designated a coach (by the Rec. Dept.) will not be permitted on the field during practice or at games.  No exceptions!!!
• Volunteer coaches are dedicated to our mission statement and the goals and objectives for their grade level.
• Each coach has your son(s) best interest and safety in mind.