Q: What is the cutoff date for ages in each age group?
A: TJFL uses the athlete's grade level for the upcoming school year to determine the division in which the player is placed. TJFL athletes range in age from 4-14. If a player is 15 as of November 3rd of the current year, they are not eligible to play in TJFL.
A: TJFL provides helmet, shoulder pads, and game pants with integrated pads, all of which return to the league after the season is over. Each player keeps the league provided jersey as a memento for finishing the season.
Q: How does TJFL handle playing time?
Q: Is TJFL’s spring program the same as its fall program?
A: Although both spring and fall football and cheerleading operate within TJFL and use the same game rules, team names and rosters are unique to each other. There is no carry over from the two seasons.
TJFL closely follows both CDC and USA Football guidelines for concussed athletes and makes the appropriate changes to the below protocol as they become available. All head coaches and first assistants must obtain proper concussion certification before coaching athletes in TJFL, this certification is reviewed prior to the start of each season.
Step 1: Back to regular activities
Athlete is back to their regular activities (such as school) and has the green-light from their healthcare provider to begin the return to play process. An athlete’s return to regular activities involves a stepwise process.
Step 2: Light aerobic activity
Begin with light aerobic exercise only to increase an athlete’s heart rate. This means about 5 to 10 minutes on an exercise bike, walking, or light jogging. No weight lifting at this point.
Step 3: Moderate activity
Continue with activities to increase an athlete’s heart rate with body or head movement. This includes moderate jogging, brief running, moderate-intensity stationary biking, moderate-intensity weightlifting (less time and/or less weight from their typical routine).
Step 4: Heavy, non-contact activity
Add heavy non-contact physical activity, such as sprinting/running, high-intensity stationary biking, regular weightlifting routine, non-contact sport-specific drills (in 3 planes of movement).
Step 5: Practice & full contact
Young athlete may return to practice and full contact (if appropriate for the sport) in controlled practice.
Step 6: Competition
Young athlete may return to competition.