Dickinson Youth Football League Expectations

Parent Expectations:

• Bring kids to practice on time with the necessary gear.  Contact coaches if your kid will be late or absent.
• Provide equipment and supplies such as water bottles, mouth guards, warm gear when necessary, and cleats (metal cleats not allowed).
• Emphasize hard work and good attitude to your kids.
• Teach them how to handle adversity.  Things will not always go their way during the season.
• Teach good sportsmanship and practice good sportsmanship as a fan.
• Leave the Coaching to the Coaches.
• DO NOT criticize or yell at the referees.
• Address concerns you have with coaches first.  In heated situations, wait 24 hours before addressing your concern.
• Offer to help.  This may include running the chain gang for tackle football, or helping manage kids during flag games when a coach is absent.
• DYFL does not carry medical insurance for players.  This is the responsibility of parents.

Player Expectations (Parents and Coaches will Review with Kids):

• Show up on time with all equipment ready.
• Show respect for your coaches and teammates. 
• Understand that you won’t always get to play the position that you want.   Your position this year does not determine your position in the future.
• When your coach is talking, everyone else is quiet.
• Show a willingness to learn and work hard.  Kids won’t get significantly bigger, stronger, or faster during the season.  Improvement will come from effort – physical and mental.
• Clean up fields after each practice.  This includes equipment, personal items, and garbage.

Coaches Expectations:        

• Understand this is a developmental league with the goals of:  Developing Skill and Understanding of the game; preparing kids to play football at the next level; and creating an atmosphere where the kids can have fun and develop a love for the game.  All coaches and kids want to win, but at this level it is secondary to other goals.
• Put the safety of kids above all else.  Review concussion protocol and adhere to it.
• Make parents aware of any injury concerns.
• Teach proper and safe tackling techniques.
• Make sure kids are matched up appropriately during drills by size and experience.
• Make sure all kids have properly fitted equipment.
• Make sure all kids play and are given the opportunity to try different positions.
• Do not hold practice outside of the scheduled DYFL times and locations.  If DYFL cancels practice, all teams must cancel.
• Make certain that at least two coaches are present with kids at all times.
• Communicate effectively with parents.
• Communicate any major concerns to DYFL.

What to expect from DYFL:

• A dedicated board with the best intentions for all the kids in our league.
• Open communication to address any needs, questions, or concerns.
• Provide a safe atmosphere for kids to learn and play football.
• Provide proper equipment for each level.

Everyone involved with DYFL as a board member, coach, player, parent, or fan:

• No illegal drugs, alcohol, smoking, or vaping at DYFL practice or games.
• No foul or obscene language.
• No abuse or bullying of any kind will be tolerated.
• Treat all facilities, equipment, and fields with respect.  Pick up trash and equipment.
• Treat all kids, coaches, parents, and refs with respect.