1. When does the season start?
Practice starts the first of August, the season starts the first of September. The season ends the second week of November with the championship games.

2. In which league does Cahaba Valley/Briarwood teams participate?
The league is called Jefferson Shelby Youth Football League. Other participating members are Oak Mountain, Pelham, Helena, Thompson, Homewood, Vestavia and Chelsea.

3. Where and when are the games played?
The schedule is arranged by the league and is released about one month prior to the first game. Games will be held at participating parks. Generally, about half of the games will be home and played at Briarwood High School, and the other half away. Games will be played weekly, either on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday nights at the other parks. The game night may vary from week to week.

4. What times are the games?
Junior division (80,90,105#) games begin at 6:00 and senior division (120,130) begin at 7:15 and last about 1 hour and 15 minutes. The game schedule is arranged by the league. The league has made every effort to expedite these games, however, they must provide a schedule that satisfies many considerations.

5. When will we practice?
The practice schedule is a reflection of the game schedule. Generally, teams practice 2 to 3 times a week, usually 1 1/2 to 2 hours per practice. You may practice Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. If, for example you have a Monday game, you may practice Saturday. A team may practice in the pre-season on Fridays, but generally do not practice on Fridays during the season. Practices cannot start before 6:00 due to Jr. High and High School teams practice schedules. Please be at all practices, your commitment to the team is important.

6. Where will we practice?
All our teams will practice at Briarwood High School on the field behind the Varsity game field press box. Our home games are played their and it is commonly called the "shelf". The coaches are assigned practice times prior to the season.

7. How much will my son play?
This program is a competitive program, and includes all desiring participants who compete for positions and playing time. Playing time will depend on a persons experience, ability, skills, understanding of the game, needs of the team, and game situation. The position and playing time are determined by the coaches on each team, based on the above criteria. It is our desire to see every child play in every game. Playing time can be an issue with some parents. All kids in our park have an equal opportunity to practice and develop skills and fundamentals, however, there is no way to ensure that all play equally.

8. What equipment does our program provide?
Cahaba Valley Football provides HELMETS, GAME PANTS, GAME SOCKS, and a GAME JERSEY (You will keep the jersey)

9. What equipment must I provide?
You must provide a CHIN STRAP, MOUTHPIECE, SHOULDER PADS, EXTRA PRACTICE JERSEY, PRACTICE PANTS, PANT PADS, ANY ARM PADDING, and SHOES. We will provide you with the best source for these items.

10. What division can or will my son participate?
There are 5 age/weight divisions. A player may play up in age and weight but may now play down a division. The first criteria is age, followed by weight. Eligibility requirements for age and weight apply equally to all parks in the JSYFL. Divisions and age/weight requirements are below:

* Jr. 1 – teams for Players 5, 6 and 7 years old, cannot be 8 years old before August 1 of the
current year. Players must weigh in at 80 lbs or less. (Child must play at whatever age he/she is
on July 31st.)

* Jr.2 – Teams for players 7 and 8 years old, cannot be 9 years old before May 1 of the current year. Players who turn 9 between May 1 and August 31 must be in the third grade. Players must weigh in at 90 lbs or less.

* Jr.3 – Teams for Players 8 and 9 years old, cannot be 10 years old before May 1 of the current year. Players who turn 10 between May 1 and August 31 must be in the fourth grade. Players must weigh in at 105 lbs or less.

* Sr.1 – Teams for Players 9 and 10 years old, cannot be 11 years old before May 1 of the current year. Players who turn 11 between May 1 and August 31 must be in the fifth grade. Players must weigh in at 120 lbs or less.

* Sr.2 – Teams for players 10, 11 and 6th Grade 12 years old; cannot be 12 years old before May 1 of the current year. Players must weigh in at 130 lbs or less to play as a non-Restricted player, a “non-Restricted player” is allowed to play any position on the field. Players weighing over 130 lbs and less than 151 lbs are considered “Restricted” and must play on the offensive or defensive line as a tackle, guard or center (tackle to tackle) in a down position. All “Restricted players” will be subject to a second weigh-in which shall be completed after the end of the regular season and prior to the commencement of the play-offs subject to the official weigh-in rules of the JSYFL. Any “Restricted Player” who weighs more than 160 pounds at the second weigh-in, will be ineligible to compete for that Park during any play-off game. “Restricted” players will have a small dot located on the helmet and will be notated on the official roster for easy identification. “Restricted” players can only play for a Park if one of the following two conditions are met:

A) Restricted” player lives within said parks city limits

Or

B) “Restricted” player has already been certified for that Park. If any player certified as “Restricted” is found to have participated in a game at a position outside of the “tackle to tackle” designation or does not meet one of the above rules, this will be considered a violation that will result in a forfeiture of any and all games where the violation occurred. In addition to forfeiture of games there may also be a monetary penalty assessed to the Park whose team violates “Restricted Player Rules”.

In all divisions, no player will be eligible who is in 7th grade or higher classification for the current year.

11. What is the refund policy if my son quits?
Once you register, the Cahaba Valley Football Board makes an expendure for equipment, supplies, and insurance for the player. If the player quits before the first practice, you will receive all but $50 of your $300 registration fee, provided you return the already distributed equipment. Once your child signs up, we buy insurance and pay a field fee before the season begins. After the first practice, you will receive 50% of your total fee ($150.00) regardless of your reasons for not finishing.

12. How are teams chosen?
If a particular age group has enough players for two teams, then the director, asst. director and the head coaches of the age group determine the division of the teams.

13. If I homeschool, can my child participate?
Maybe, if you have another child currently in Briarwood School, or you are pre-enrolled in Briarwood Christian School. You will have to be released by the closest park in the Jefferson Shelby Youth Football League based on your residence. There is no guarantee the league will approve a non Briarwood student.

14. Are there any alternative youth football leagues which may be less competitive in nature?
Yes. Although there are several other youth football leagues in this area, most are equally or more competitive in nature. However, as an alternative to a competitive youth football league, CVYF recommends that you consider the Over-the-Mountain Recreational Youth Football League which offers participation for players in grades 3rd through 6th that live in the Over-the-Mountain areas (Hoover, Homewood, Vestavia, Pelham, Shelby County and others). CVYF is not affiliated or associated with the Over-the-Mountain Recreational Youth Football League. The Over-the-Mountain Recreational Youth Football League offers unique features which include restricted team sizes and mandatory play guidelines. For more information, please visit this league's web site at www.otmyf.org.