When does the RDJFA season officially start?

Historically the RDJFA season starts practice on the second Saturday in August. At the discretion of the Head Coach, the first few days of practice the players will typically wear shorts, t-shirts, cleats or sneakers and then gradually work their way to practice in full pads. The "regular" game season starts in early or mid-September and can run through Thanksgiving if your team reaches the league Super Bowl.

Where are practices and games held?

All practices are held at D.P.A.C. (unless otherwise specified by your head coach) Regular season home games are played a D.P.A.C.(unless otherwise specified by your head coach) "Away" games are played at our opponent’s field. For more information on the location of our opponent's fields, please visit the "FIELDS" section of the website (https://leagueathletics.com/FacilityList.asp?org=riverdelljuniorfootball).

 

When will my child receive his football equipment?

The RDJFA Head Coaches and Equipment Director will set equipment hand out dates for sometime in mid to late June. Equipment handouts are done by level. Player’s must attend at the time and date assigned for their level. In the event that a player can NOT make their assigned equipment date, another date will be set through the appropriate Head Coach and RDJFA equipment Director.

 

What equipment does the RDJFA supply?

Each player is fitted with a protective helmet that includes a facemask, chin strap and mouth guard. Shoulder pads. In addition, each player is supplied with a pair of practice pants that include removable knee and thigh pads, an adjustable belt and a practice jersey as well as a set of game pants, & jersey(s) (if first year player). The game pants & jersey are only to be worn for our regular season games. Game jersey numbers are given to each player as designated by their head coach. All equipment is tested and inspected annually to ensure it meets the protective needs of our players. Defective equipment is promptly discarded and replaced. All helmets and pads are appropriately fitted to the player’s size by the RDJFA equipment director and football staff. In addition to RDJFA issued equipment each player must purchase and wear a protective cup. Parents are encouraged to purchase rubber, molded football cleats for their child. Many players wear multi-sport rubber or plastic cleats. Baseball spikes are NOT allowed. It is the individual player’s responsibility to keep the RDJFA issued equipment clean and in proper working order. No alterations are permitted to a player's equipment without special permission from their Head Coach, & President. Individual players must replace mouth guards that are chewed beyond effective use. The mouth guard is an important, protective part of our player's equipment and should always be in "working" condition. Parents may buy designer, higher end molded mouth guards for their child as well as any other protective football gear they deem necessary(gloves, forearm pads, rib protectors, etc.). All equipment problems should be reported promptly to the player’s coach.

 

How often will practice be held?

In the weeks leading up to the start of the school year, our 3rd through 8th grade teams (Pee Wees, Juniors and Seniors) will typically practice four to five nights per week (Monday - Thursday or Friday) for approximately two hours each evening. After school begins the practice schedule will be scaled back. The head coach of each team will determine the team’s actual practice schedule. K and 1st Grade Flag will be held once a week starting at the beginning of September and run through the beginning of November. 3rd Grade Flag will be held twice a week starting at the beginning of September and run through the beginning of November.

 

Is practice ever canceled?

Football is an all-weather sport, so we practice and play in the rain, snow, cold, etc.. We NEVER practice or play on a field that is unsafe or during unstable weather conditions such as when there is thunder or the threat of lightning. If heavy rain, thunder &/ or lightning come during our practice time, parents should be prepared to come to D.P.A.C. immediately to pick up their child. Occasionally your team’s coach may need to reschedule a practice and you will be informed in advance should this occur.

 

Who is my child’s coach?

A list of head coaches at each level can be found on the website in the "TEAMS'' section. All coaches are volunteers assigned by the RDJFA. The typical RDJFA coach devotes between 15 to 20+ hours per week to their team.

 

What are the age limits for each player group?

Seniors - Must not have reached the age of 15 prior to January 1 and may not be entering a grade higher than eighth grade.

Juniors - Must not have reached the age of 13 prior to January 1 and may not be entering a grade higher than sixth grade.

Pee Wees - Must not have reached the age of 11 prior to January 1 and may not be entering a grade higher than fourth grade.

Flag - Exclusively for players in Kindergarten, first or second grade.

 

Are RDJFA players restricted to maximum weight limits?

All teams in the NBJFL (3rd-8th graders) must adhere to weight limits determined by each league and for each competition level.

Pee Wees - (3rd & 4th grade) players must be no more than 120 lbs

Juniors - (5th and 6th grade) players must be no more than 143 lbs

Seniors -  (7th and 8th grade) players must be no more than 180 lbs

Importantly, the RDJFA encourages football players who may initially weigh more than the maximum weight limit for his level, to still play football for the RDJFA. During the nearly 50 years of experience teaching and coaching River Dell children the great game of football. Many players will work hard with assistance from their parents and coaches toward naturally and safely making weight. If that is not possible, players can move up a level of play or simply work out with their team all season to learn how to play the great game of football. If you have any questions about this topic, we encourage you to speak to one of our Head Coaches, or President for more about this subject. Lastly, there are weight limits at each level for "Backs". They are 96, 120 & 142 lbs for each respective level from Pee Wees through Seniors.

 

When are the players weighed?

On the Friday or Saturday prior to the start of the regular season, all players are officially weighed at a facility designated by the governing board of their league. RDJFA player’s try and carpool to the site at the designated time and are weighed by team assignment. Each player is required to wear his game jersey at the weigh in and is further identified to league officials by player photos and their birth certificate.

 

What happens if a player fails to meet the weight limit?

The NBJFL conducts two more weigh-in sessions during the season. They are scheduled for the weeks following the third and sixth games of the season. Players who exceed the weight limit at the prior weigh in are eligible to be re-weighed at those sessions to gain eligibility for league play. A player who exceeds the weight limit is ineligible for participation in NBJFL games, but may continue to practice at the discretion of his RDJFA coach.

 

Is there a post season?

The NBJFL awards trophies for regular season champions and also conducts a post season “Super Bowl” tournament at each level of play to determine a Super Bowl Champion a la the NFL. The RDJFA season concludes with an annual Senior awards banquet where each player is recognized for his accomplishments during the season. Each participant receives a trophy from the RDJFA and a level specific highlight video is presented. The banquet is usually held in mid January.