GYF Tackle Football


Glencoe Youth Football is, at its core, a tackle football program.  One of the goals is to prepare the athletes for high school football.  As a part of that goal, we utilize age appropriate techniques and training to enable a progression from the lower grades to the higher grades.  This progression is structured such that the 3rd-4th grade levels learn the very basics of football (just getting them all going in the same direction is a big accomplishment!), up to the 8th grade where they are becoming very comfortable in all aspects of the sport.

Along the way, players are instructed in proper tackling and blocking techniques, how to throw and catch, and provided increasingly complex plays. GYF's primary goal of ensuring a positive environment is always at the forefront.  Although we are in a competitive league, our focus at the lower levels is not on the score, but on learning, having fun and conditioning.

GYF plays in the Tualatin Valley Youth Football League.

Every other year, each helmet undergoes a certified reconditioning process by an outside reconditioning service.  This ensure the helmets are all in top condition and are as safe as possible.  Helmets that fail reconditioning are pulled out of use and properly disposed.


TACKLE SEASON INFO


Tackle Season: August to October or early/mid November for playoffs & championships

Glencoe Youth Football currently offers Rookie Tackle for 3/4 and 11-Man Tackle for 5/6 & 7/8. 

Grade Levels:

  • 3/4 (3rd & 4th graders)
  • 5/6 (5th & 6th graders)
  • JV (7th/8th graders)
  • Varsity (7th/8th graders)

Practice Days: 4-5 days in August, 3-4 days once school begins

Practice Times: around/between 5pm-8pm

Practice Location: Evergreen Middle School Grass Fields or Glencoe High School Turf Field 

Game Days: Saturdays

Game Length/Time: 2 hours, anytime between 9am-7pm

Game Arrival/Warm-up Time: 90-60 minutes prior to game time

Game Home Location: Hare Field on Grant Street

Cost: $295 for Tackle Registration Fee and a $125 Volunteer Fee** 
(Payment Plans, Fundraising & reimbursement for Volunteer Fee available**) See Tackle Registration (link) for more info.

*Days/Times are general. Specifics will be posted/emailed once finalized and vary by season and coach.  

 


FAQ:
 

WHAT LEAGUE ARE WE IN?
The Glencoe Youth Football program (GYF) is in the Tualatin Valley Youth Football League. This league has members from schools around the Hillsboro area, as well as many other areas. We are no longer part of the Pacific Youth Football League.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER FOR GYF?
We serve students that are in the Glencoe High School boundaries and who will be attending Kinder to 8th grade in the next fall year. 

IS A PHYSICAL FORM REQUIRED TO PLAY TACKLE?
Yes, you must have the OSAA Medical Release Form physically signed by your doctor (NO stamp signatures). This is the only form we can accept.

WHEN IS THE REGISTRATION FEE DUE?
You have the option to pay your fees in full that same day or choose the three (3) month payment plan.

The initial payment for tackle football will be paid the day you register your child and then the program will automatically deduct the next payment for the next two months, on the 1st of each month.

All payments must be made by 8/1/23 or your registration will be cancelled. 

WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED?
GYF will provide : helmet, shoulder pads, practice/game jerseys, pants/girdle/shorts, lower body pads, flag belt.

You will be responsible for: your own cleats. (GYF has a bin of gently used cleats that will be available to all at Equipment Handout.  Many purchase their own mouth guards. Its important to have players keep track of it or else they wont be eligible to play and participate.

DO I HAVE TO BRING MY CHILD TO THE EQUIPMENT HANDOUT DAY?
Yes, your child must be present so he can get fitted properly, otherwise no equipment will be issued. 

WHEN DOES PRACTICE BEGIN?
Youth Tackle Camp is usually the second week of August then practice starts the following week after. (Check the calendar for the exact dates).

WHAT TIMES DO THE PRACTICES START AND END?
Practices generally run from 5:00/6:00 PM to 7:30/8:00PM. This will vary depending on the coach's schedule & availability. 

HOW MANY DAYS PER WEEK IS PRACTICE?
Prior to Labor Day, net practice time is 10 hours per week not counting water breaks. If the weather is hot we will schedule additional water breaks for hydration, which would make a difference of an additional 10 to 15 minutes of overall practice times.

Practice will be net 6 hours per week (after Labor Day) when school starts, generally 3-4 days per week per your head coach.

IS PRACTICE CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER?
Its a rare occasion for practice to get cancelled. We follow the OSAA guidelines when to cancel practices and/or move them indoors. During the hot summer months we monitor the heat index for everyone's safety.  We use the Air Quality Monitor. to make the final decision.

If there are any precautions or changes such as pushing back practice start time, we contact the Head Coaches to relay the information back to their team and families. We will also send email updates and post onto our social media.  As long as it's safe for our players & the fields are available, we  will practice. 

WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD BRING TO PRACTICE?
For the conditioning period they should wear shorts, a t-shirt, cleats, and their helmet. Once they have completed the conditioning requirement, we will wear the full practice uniform every practice. This consists of helmet with mouth guard, shoulder pads, practice jersey, pants with all pads, and cleats. All game day equipment, pants and jersey will be provided.

Finally, every player should bring PLENTY of water to each practice. We CANNOT over-emphasize the importance of this. We recommend at LEAST 1/2 gallon or more. This will be especially important on hot days.

HOW SHOULD MY CHILD PREPARE FOR PRACTICE?
Drinking plenty of water prior to practice is key, especially in warm weather. We do not recommend that they eat heavily before practice. It's also a good idea to skip sugary drinks or soda on practice days. Once school starts, it's a good idea to make your child responsible for their gear and to set it out the night before they go to sleep. We see players show up at practice missing gear all the time. If they aren't fully dressed, they can't practice and this is detrimental to the team. The most commonly forgotten items are mouth guards.

WHEN ARE GAMES PLAYED?
All GYF games are played on Saturdays. Tackle families depending on grade level/schedule will range from playing from mid afternoon to evening time. 

WHERE WILL OUR GAMES BE PLAYED?
Home games will be at Hare Field (primary) located on Grant Street and GHS if necessary. We share Hare with Hilhi, any games versus Hilhi will be at Hare Field also. Our away games will be at various schools throughout the Tualatin Valley League. GYF may play teams as close as the other Hillsboro programs, or as far away as Wilsonville or St. Helens. Tackle players need to arrive one hour prior to game time for weigh ins (required at every game in order to play) and for team warmups.

HOW LONG IS A GAME?
Typically, you can expect your player to be at the field for 3 hours. We require players to show up 1 hour before game time, and most games take 2 hours to play.

ARE GAMES CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER?
As with practice, we do not cancel games for weather unless there is a significant safety risk. During the hot summer months we monitor the heat index for everyone's safety.  We use the Air Quality Monitor. to make the final decision.

HOW MUCH WILL MY CHILD GET TO PLAY?
Play counts vary by grade levels.

Glencoe Youth Football believes strongly in teaching and learning and less on the final score of a game. As such, we make every attempt to assign a starting position to all players (if team size permits). GYF has a Playing Time policy that all coaches are required to follow.

GYF is required to follow the TVYFL mandated rules for playing time however. Note that attending and participating in practices is required (if you don't practice, don't expect to play). 

While all this is good in theory, in the heat of a game, coaches are focused on the details of the game and may overlook swapping players in/out. If this is consistent and pervasive, please contact your coach to express your concerns. If that fails, please file a grievence with the GYF Board and we will investigate the matter. Again, we strive to have kids learn the fundamentals and good sportsmanship, rather than winning at any cost. 

HOW WILL I CONTACT MY CHILD'S COACH?
The Head Coach will hold a meeting after the first team practice; at that time you can obtain contact information. You will also be connected via our online team software/apps.

WHAT IF WE HAVE A VACATION PLANNED DURING THE SEASON?
If your child is not going to be present during a practice or game please notify your coach. GYF posts the season calendar after our first Board meeting in January to allow parents visibility in advance. 

WHO DO WE PLAY?
3rd - 6th grade will play same age teams from associations based on Glencoe High School's OSAA Conference and proximity. 7th-8th grade will be matched with same age teams in similar size programs within the TVFYL.

ARE THERE SPECIFIC RULES TO YOUTH FOOTBALL?
Although the league follows the OSAA High School rule book, there are exceptions and changes for youth. The current set of rules can always be found on our documents page and on the TVYFL website.

ARE THERE COVERED SEATING AREAS AT ALL FIELDS?
Hare Field has covered seating but not all away games will have shelter. Ask your coaching staff if you have questions.

WHAT IS THE TVYFL?
The Tualatin Valley Football League (TVYFL) is a non-profit football club whose goal is to provide safe and enjoyable athletic competition. TVYFL is a tackle based football program for 3rd through 8th grade youth in the Tualatin Valley and Portland metropolitan area in Oregon. With 50 football associations, the program now boasts over 7,500 players and 500+ volunteer coaches.