Q: Why should my child play NFL Flag football?

• With the increase of concussions and head injuries in tackle football NFL Flag Football Silicon Valley gives your child a much safer way to play football.
• It also will help teach him or her, the fundamentals of the game.
• Learning to play the game the right way will help your child prevent injuries in the future when they decide to play contact football.
• Your child will also be provided with lifetime memories of meeting former and current NFL Players.

Q:  What are the divisions?

• Pre-K - Kinder
• 1st-2nd Grade
• 3rd-4th Grade
• 5th-6th Grade
• 7th-8th Grade

Q: How many players will be on each team?

• 6-10 players are on each team

Q: When/Where will games be played? 

• Games will be played on Friday nights in San Jose.  Check the registration page for the dates and game location.

Q: How long are the games? 

• The games are played with 4 quarters, 10 minute running clock, forty minute game play.

Q: How long is the season? 

• It can vary but typically a season is 8-10 weeks long, including playoffs. Each team makes the playoffs! 

Q: What is the refund policy? 

• Full Refunds (for those who are NOT using a credit) given within 7 days of registration. Last refunds are eligible for processing one week after the close of the season's registration. 
• Cancellations after 7 Days and up to the week after the season close will be given a credit towards a future season
• After the week after the season closes, no refunds or credits will be provided
• Exception to the refund/cancellation policy is a severe injury/illness with a legitimate Doctor’s note provided prior to Game 1 of the Season

Q: I didn't know about your refund policy. Are there any exceptions? 

• We are upfront about our refund policy. It is on the registration page as well as an acknowledgement within the registration. 

Q: Can you request teammates? 

• Yes, you can! Within our registration, you are able to request coaches and teammates. Please include their correct first and last name. 
• If you have already completed the registration, you are able to update these details (as long as registration is open). 
• Once registration closes, you will no longer be able to make friend and coaches requests.

Q: How much does it cost? 

• This depends on the season and division you will play. 
• Our Winter and Summer seasons are typically shorter and therefore are less expensive. 
• Look at the “Register” tab for the current league registration information and prices. 

Q: When is extra equipment we ordered available? 

• All extra equipment will be packaged with the jerseys, which your coach will pick up before the first game. If you are missing an item after the Jerseys have been distributed, please check with the NFL Flag tent at the game location. They will have any missing or backordered items. Ordered footballs and mouthguards can be picked up at the NFL Flag tent. 

Q: I forgot to add a friend/coach request to my registration.

• When registration is still open, you are able to go in and edit the friend and coaches request by logging into your account. We are not able to do that for you. 
• If you need directions, please check out https://help.sportsengine.com/en/articles/821. This includes Coaches Requests, Jersey Sizing, Friend Requests, Grade level and more. Essentially anything that is not attached to store item can be edited by the parents. 

Q: I'm interest in renting a helmet. Where can I get a rental helmet? 

• Helmet rentals will be onsite at the NFL Flag Tent at your first game. The fee can be paid with cash or Venmo only. It is $30 to rent, plus a $30 deposit, which you will get back at the end of the season when the helmet is returned to the NFL Flag Tent. 
• Note: you may also purchase your own helmet at the game site at the NFL Flag Tent for $80. 

Q: I'm interested in coaching. Who should I contact? 

• You can register right on our website. Please go to the current season's registration page and click on "Coaches Registration". 
• Check out the Coaches Information pages for more information including handbook and rulebook. Go to https://www.nflflagsiliconvalley.com/coach-nfl-flag-silicon-valley

Q: Are there resources for the coaches? 

• We offer resources on our website under our Coaches Tab. USA Football also offers coaching resources at https://usafootball.com/resources-tools/coach/. 

Q: When will practices be held? 

• Practices for players will be held at a local city park within the San Jose area  to make it convenient for parents and coaches. Typically practices are held once a week for an hour. It is up to each individual coach to determine when and where practices will be held. Coaches are encouraged to work with players schedules since many players participate in multiple sports.

Q: Where are the practice locations? 

• The coaches choose their practice locations. We do permit various fields in the two locations for coaches to choose from if they are having issues. That list comes out a week to two weeks prior to the start of the season. 

Q: When will the schedule come out? 

• The schedule comes out generally the week leading into the season.

Q: What are the rules for NFL Flag? 

• The rule book that we adhere to is found at https://www.nflflagsiliconvalley.com/coach-nfl-flag-silicon-valley on our website. 

Q: How much will my child play? 

• We have equal playing time rules in our league. Please refer to the substitution rules based on the number of players playing a game. Go to NFL Flag Silicon Valley Substitution Rules

Q: What are the substitution rules? 

• The substitution rules for our league are found on https://www.nflflagsiliconvalley.com/coach-nfl-flag-silicon-valley as a download. All kids should have equal playing time. 

Q: I'm not with the right coach. What do I do? 

• If you requested a specific coach, we do our best to assign you to his/her team. Please keep in mind that the coach has the final say on their roster. Oftentimes, more than 10 kids request a coach and the coach makes the final decision on which kids he keeps. 
• If you did not have a coaching request, then we add you to a team that is closest to your area. 

Q: My team doesn't have an assigned coach yet. Help! 

• Given the size of our league, we do encounter a shortage of coaches. Please keep in mind that coaches are volunteers and generally have a child playing on that team. 
• We do love when a parent steps up to coach when needed. It shows your child and the team support. We do offer resources if you have not coached previously. 
• On very rare occasion, we are unable to find a coach for a team in which case we do our best to move the players to another team or refund the registration fees. 

Q: I have an assigned coach but I haven't heard from him/her yet. What do I do? 

• Sports Engine gives you the ability to reach out to your coach through our system. You won't necessarily know his cell number or email but be able to send him/her a message through SE. 
• If you haven't heard from the coach after that, please contact us via email. 

Q: When does my team need to do a sponsorship? 

• Teams need to have a sponsorship during our Fall and Springs Seasons. Sponsorship dollars are used to help fund scholarships for kids in need, secure permitted practice locations and help pay for the referees. 
• Sponsorship information can be found at on the website on the Sponsor tab on the current season Registration Page.

Q. My team can't find a sponsor. What do we do? 

•  All teams are required to have a team sponsor ($275.00) during the Fall and Spring Seasons. If team cannot find a community sponsor, then the $275 fee should be split amongst the team. (Due on or before the first season game)

Q: Do I need the mouthguard for practice? 

• You don't have to wear a mouthguard to practice although we do recommend it. Mouthguards are strongly recommended for all games. You can order a mouthguard on the registration form or buy one at the NFL tent at the first game.

Q: My practices are too far from my location. What do I do? 

• Practice locations can be up to 12 miles from your home/school. We have kids playing from all over the area so it is sometimes difficult to find a team that practices in your backyard. 

Q: Do you offer team photos? 

• We do offer Picture Day during some of the seasons. Teams are assigned by the photographer to a specific time based on the playing schedule. We do not have control over that time. 

Q: How do you handle playoffs? 

• All teams will play in the playoffs. We try our best to give each team a good chance to win their division by dividing teams (if possible) during playoffs to Above .500 and .500 and below.

Q: Do Pre-K / Kindergarten players all earn an award? 

• For this division ONLY, we offer awards for all of the kids for participation.