Football FAQ

DYS Football is a member club of NVYFL (Northern Virginia Youth Football League), which is comprised of more than 17 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 -14), 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.

Registration usually opens April 1

The first practice for the 2025 Season will be on Monday, August 4th.  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.

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 July 1st & no older than 14 as of July 1st. Players in 9th-12th grade are NOT eligible.

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. NVYFL implements strict weigh-in processes to determine age, weight, and address verification.

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.

For maximum weights per weight class, please see next FAQ on age/weight matrix.

DIVISIONS (Note Players in 9th-12th grade are not eligible)

• ANKLEBITER DIVISION

• • Age 7 is unlimited
  • Age 8 can weigh up to 95lbs
  • Age 9 can weigh up to 55lbs

• RISING STARS DIVISION

• • Age 8 is unlimited (Must weigh at least 96lbs, and 100lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
  • Age 9 can weigh 56lbs to 105lbs
  • Age 10 can weigh up to 90lbs

• JUNIOR DIVISION

• • Age 9 is unlimited (Must weigh at least 101lbs, and 115lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
  • Age 10 can weigh 91lbs to 115lbs
  • Age 11 can weigh up to 100lbs

• JUNIOR VARSITY DIVISION
  • Age 10 is unlimited (Must weigh at least 116bs, and 125lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
  • Age 11 can weigh 101lbs to 125lbs
  • Age 12 can weigh up to 110lbs
• VARSITY DIVISION
  • Age 11 is unlimited (Must weigh at least 126lbs, and 140lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
  • Age 12 can weigh 111lbs to 140lbs
  • Age 13 can weigh up to 125lbs
• PREP DIVISION
• • • Age 12 is unlimited (Must weigh at least 141lbs, and 185lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
    • Age 13 is unlimited (Must weigh at least 126lbs, and 175lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
    • Age 14 is unlimited (Maximum weight for player to carry the ball is 165lbs)
    • PLAYERS IN GRADES 9-12 ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE

Only youth players between the ages of 7 and 14 who weigh at least 40lbs may participate in NVYFL. Players in grades 9-12 are not eligible to participate.  All youth shall play in the Age/Weight Division they are eligible for. There will be no waivers.

Commissioners check birth dates and weights at club registration and the official NVYFL Weigh-In.

The First Official Weigh in will take place on Saturday August 9th at George C Marshall HS in Falls Church.  Times will be announced by your coach.  All players must bring a valid VA issued DMV Children's ID.

Subsequent weigh in dates, will be announced at a later date.

As of the 2025 season, all players 14 and under can fit into the matrix. See above for rules regarding youngest player in weight class and restrictions.  Players in 9-12th grade are not eligible.

A physical is recommended but there is no requirement for a medical physical to play for DYS or in the NVYFL league.

Click Here and look for Tackle Football Registration. Registration will open by April 1st.  After registering, please be mindful of emails that might come from our Teamsnap website. This is our only communication method with you if there is a problem.

Refund Policy is described on the registration page and accepted as part of every registration.

The majority of our games are played on Saturdays, however, some are on Sundays or Friday nights.  NVYFL does not alter game schedules based on religious holidays, Commanders games, etc.

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.

Historically, Hanson Park & Byrnes Ridge Park have been practice locations allocated but future allocations are dependent on Loudoun PRCS.

Home games are usually at local Loudoun HS Fields (Lightridge HS/John Champe HS/Freedom HS/Independence HS). NVYFL has 17 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, NVYFL tries to look at convenient geographical scheduling, but the availability of facilities (lighted) or lack of lighted fields significantly impacts this process.

Coaches will be listed on the website but teams are not selected until after evaluation week.

There will be two equipment issue dates. One in June and one in July. Further information will be provided to registered participants.

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.

Included Equipment: Helmet, Shoulder pads, Game Jersey, Pants and Pads
You need to purchase: Athletic supporter and cup (optional), Practice jersey, Mouth Piece, Cleats

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 Central Division Teams (less experienced players) and 1 National Division Teams (beginners). We follow NVYFL rules regarding placement of teams, which is determined by the number of players in each weight class. (Ex: 2 teams 1 American & 1 National Team, 3 teams 1 American, 1 Central & 1 National Team). Teams are split by the end 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.

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.

DYS partners with Gainesville and other NVYFL Youth Football Leagues to take advantage of their experience and size in order to provide the best experience for our players. The Youth Football League is a coed flag football league that has been operational since the spring of 2002 and was started to enhance the fall football program by giving coaches and players a chance to work on skill development. It is also used to introduce new coaches into the program and evaluate them based on their overall abilities. Furthermore, 7v7 Passing League Football also provides an opportunity to allow potential tackle players a chance to have a non-contact type of football experience and aid them in their decision whether or not to try tackle football in the fall.

7v7 Football allows for a more realistic non-contact football experience to prepare players for the potential to play Tackle Football.  Players will learn proper football formations, passing and coverage concepts, all while maintaining a safe and fun environment to learn!

Registration opens December 1st and Closes March 1st.

Coaches and teams will be listed on the website prior to 1st week of practice.

In order to ensure we have enough coaches for all the teams, we must managed registrations with a waitlist. As soon as additional coaches sign-up for that age division, players will be removed from the waitlist. The best way to make sure everyone can play is to register as a coach.

We have 7v7 Divisions available for 10U / 12U / 14U.  League age is determined by the player's age as of 12/31/2024.  Players may play up an age division but can not play down.

Please review the Football Home Page and Registration Page to register as a Player and/or Coach

There are no I.D. Requirements for 7v7 Football.

No, there is no requirement for a medical physical to play.

Practices begin mid to late March. Teams will have 1-2 practices per week, with all games played on Sundays.  Practice days will be determined by Coaches.

We encourage all players to join us - even if they are already playing another spring sport!

Games are played on Sundays.  Each team will play 2 games each Sunday, with most games either back-to-back or with a short 30min break in between.

Practice fields have not been allocated by the county yet, but all practices will be in the Dulles area. Practice times will vary depending on a coach's schedule but will usually be between 5:30pm and 7:30pm.

All Games will be played at Grizzly Sports Complex located at:

10600 Determination Drive, Nokesville, VA 20181

Each team will play 2 games per Sunday.  Times will vary from week to week, but both games will either be played back-to-back, or with a short 30min break in between.

10U:  Players eligible for this division must have a birthdate 1/1/2014 or later.

12U:  Players eligible for this division must have a birthdate 1/1/2012 or later.

14U:  Players eligible for this division must have a birthdate 1/1/2010 or later.

**please note players can play up an age division, but can not play down.

Age divisions are divided into 1) Elite or 2) National. These teams and opponents are based upon experience and skill level.

DYS will provide:  Game Jerseys; Game Shorts; Protective Head Gear

You need to purchase: Athletic supporter and cup (if desired), Mouth Piece, Cleats, and Socks.

U10
K2 or "Pee Wee"
U12
TDJ or "Junior"
U14
TDY or "Youth" (NFHS H.S. size also allowed)

To be posted soon.  

Players will be divided into teams following the player evaluation in Mid march (date/location to be announced)

At the end of the season, all teams will participate in a single day double elimination tournament.