Program Questions
What is the age range of players?
Age divisions vary by sport, season and location. Some sports allow players to participate as early as 3-years-old or as late as 16-years-old.
More advanced players may play up into the next age division if their age is within one year of the next division's age range. Players are not allowed to move down in a younger division.
What if my child has never played sports before?
At NYS our program is designed with every skill level in mind. From the beginner to the advanced athlete, everyone gets equal playing time. All teams are formed to ensure a balanced team on every level.
My child is special needs. Can he/she play with NYS?
Yes. NYS ensures that special needs participants have a positive sporting experience. Please discuss your specific needs with the League Director to ensure the best placement.
Registration
What does the registration fee cover?
All registration fees pay for the operation of the league. They cover game jersey*, liability/medical/property insurance, Saturday facility/field rentals, site directors/officials and other administrative expenses.
The NYS league is sponsored by a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization and receives no government funding or subsidization. Also there is no additional fundraising required such as selling candy bars, etc.
Items NOT covered are photo packages, participation trophies, and in some areas Photo ID. Visit your local league area page for more information.
Game jersey is included, unless otherwise stated under sport description.
Is there a discount for multiple children?
We purposely price our registration fee substantially lower than our competitors in order to make our program affordable for everyone. Contact your local league about registration specials in your area.
How do I register?
- Register online.
- Mail or hand deliver the printable registration form to your local NYS office.
- Make checks payable to NYS.
- Attend a Registration Event. Information can be found on your local league area page.
- Attend a Tackle Certification Event. Check with your local league area page to see if Tackle Football is being offered in your area.
Now that I’ve registered, what’s next?
Parents MUST attend the Parent/Team meeting. More information and meeting times are listed under the Important Dates section of your local league area page. Parents will be expected to be involved with their child’s team.
TACKLE: Attend Certification Event. More information and meeting times listed under Important Dates section on your local league area page.
Unable to make the meeting? An appointed coach should contact you by the following Tuesday after the meeting with team details. If you do not hear from a coach by that Tuesday evening, please call our office.
What is the Parent/Team Meeting?
The Parent/Team Meeting (PTM) is where you meet your team mates and appoint a volunteer coach, schedule practices, and get your game schedule. This is also the perfect time to present questions to your League Director. PTMs are scheduled one week before the start of the season.
What is Tackle Certification?
Registrants for Tackle Football programs must be certified by NYS staff to complete registration. Certification will officially start the Monday before the Saturday Certification event. Photo IDs will be issued at this event, at no additional charge*. Child must be present for photo. Please bring child’s original birth certificate, and a copy for NYS to keep. Tackle participants are required to have an NYS photo ID issued to participate in the first game.
11-Man Jr. High/Middle School Division: Bring current report card with grade level showing.
In select areas.
Can I cancel my registration and get a refund?
Partial refunds or full credit to a future season are available, options vary by league. National Youth Sports has committed resources for the duration of the season based on enrollment after the registration deadline. Check with your local league about refund policies and registration deadlines.
Games
How long is each season?
NYS operates four seasons a year: Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. Season length is determined by each local league and can vary in length, but is generally 8 weeks long.
Check with your local league for season dates.
When are the games played?
All games are played on Saturdays. Game times and days may vary based on availability of fields and gymnasiums.
Where will the games be held?
Game locations and maps are located on your local league area sports pages. Locations can also be found on game schedules.
What should I bring to the game?
Parents are encouraged to always bring bottled water for use during the game and snacks for after the game. If your game is held outdoors, sunblock protection is suggested. Location accommodations vary, it is recommended that you bring a chair as there may be very limited or no seating.
How do I find out if a game is cancelled due to inclement weather?
Generally, game cancellations will be announced on Facebook. Please be sure to like us on Facebook.
Thunder and lighting means auto cancellation. Rain may cause cancellation. It is up to each individual facility whether we may use their fields during rain or not. Contact with your local sports coordinator about cancelled games and possible makeup games. Check online, prior to game day, for current game schedules.
Will there be a makeup game if a game is cancelled due to the weather?
We will do our best to make up any cancelled games. However, as we are renting our fields and courts, several factors are out of our control and re-scheduling may not always be possible.
Coaching
Who will be coaching my child’s team?
We believe in family involvement that require parents to participate in the operation of their child’s team by volunteering to coach or assist with practices or other operational duties.
How to volunteer to be a Coach:
- Sign up on your local league's printable registration form.
- Check the box marked Coach or Assistant Coach when registering online.
- Appoint yourself at the Parent/Team Meeting.
- Call your local NYS office.
Does NYS assign coaches?
No. There are many vital roles to assist your team and those positions are filled by volunteer parents. NYS offers a pre-volunteer section on the registration form, but many times we utilize the Parent/Team Meeting (PTM) to assign coach roles after we have put the team together.
Any team with a coach is the result of a parent indicating on their child' registration form of their willingness to help.
Doe NYS provide any coaching materials?
Yes. We want you to have a positive coaching experience. Practice guides and rules can be found online, on your league's sports pages.
Coach packets will be distributed at the Uniform Passout Event. Check your local league area page for dates and locations for this event. Coach packet content vary by league, but generally contain:
What are the benefits of coaching?
Coaching is key to developing character in children and about helping players achieve personal goals as well as team goals. Every coach is a role model. Your team will be more apt to achieve their goals and become great athletes when given the proper direction.
We like to reward all volunteer coaches who attend an AYS Photo Night! As the Head Coach, you will receive a complimentary wood Coach Plaque complete with your team photo! All coaches will also receive a free 5x7 “Coach Shot” with their child.
Team & Practice
How are the teams formed?
Teams are formed by age, closest school or zip code proximity. Area coordinators have authority to adjust league age divisions as necessary. NYS has the right to add players to any team until the maximum amount of players is met.
We do our best to honor friend and coach requests.
Can my child play on the same team with a friend, sibling or particular coach?
Yes. When you register your child for the season, simply list the name of the friend, sibling or coach in the request field. We will do our best to accommodate your request although we cannot make any guarantees.
Coach and friend requests must be in the same age group.
Does NYS schedule practices?
No. Each team decides practice times and locations, allowing for 1 to 3 practices per week. Practice times and locations are determined at the Parent/Team Meeting by the appointed coach.
Does NYS provide practice facilities?
No, NYS does not provide practice facilities. Indoor and lighted practice facilities may be available at an additional cost. Requested practice times cannot be honored.
We encourage all teams to utilize daylight hours, HOA parks, or neighborhood green areas to conduct practices to avoid additional costs.
Equipment
Do I need to purchase any equipment?
Yes. To keep registration fees low, NYS does not provide sports equipment. Each player is provided an official NYS jersey, unless otherwise stated in the sports description. Players may wear shorts or sweats of any type so long as it doesn’t have cargo pockets or belt loops.
The following equipment will need to be purchased based on sport:
- OUTDOOR SPORTS: Appropriate footwear includes rubber cleats or sneakers.
- INDOOR SPORTS: Gym shoes must be worn at all times.
- BASEBALL/T-BALL: Each player receives an official NYS hat in addition to the NYS jersey. Each player is required to have a baseball glove. Protective cups are recommended.
- BASKETBALL: Mouth guards are highly recommended.
- FLAG FOOTBALL: Each player is required to wear a mouth guard at all times during the game.
- SOCCER: Each player is required to wear shin guards at all times during the game.
- TACKLE FOOTBALL: Well fitted helmet, shoulder pads, mouth guard and padding required.
- VOLLEYBALL: Knee pads are recommended.
Check with your local league for additional equipment requirements.
Does NYS sell equipment?
Equipment purchases vary by league. Call your local office to find out what is offered in your area.