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please find some frequently asked questions and answers
concerning participation in the
Ridgewood Junior Football Association:
Q
– Why do I need to supply two passport size photos
and a copy of a birth certificate at registration?
The NJJFL requires each team to maintain a roster “book”
that can be used to individually identify each player on
the team. One picture and the birth certificate are included
in the roster book for each player. That book is presented
to opposing teams before each game so they can immediately
challenge any player they feel does not meet NJJFL standards
for participation. The roster book is returned to the RJFA
coach for use in future games.
Additionally, on “weigh-in day” (see below)
an NJJFL official compares each player’s photo to
the player presented to establish identity. The NJJFL keeps
that second photo in a master file for future reference
should a dispute over a player’s identity arise during
the season.
Q – When does the season start?
The NJJFL allows members to begin practice on the second
Saturday in August. Actual start dates for the RJFA are
determined on a team by team basis. Please check the Schedule
page for information about when and where games will be
played.
Q – What equipment does the RJFA supply?
Each player is fitted with a protective helmet that includes
a facemask, chin strap and mouth guard. Shoulder pads, rib
pads, and a “girdle” that contains hip and tailbone
pads are also supplied. In addition, each player is supplied
with a pair of game and practice pants that include removable
knee and thigh pads and an adjustable belt. Finally, each
player is supplied both a game and practice jersey with
numbers designated by the coaching staff. 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
fitted to the player’s size by the RJFA staff.
A deposit is collected at registration and is refunded
when all RJFA issued equipment is returned at the end of
the season. Players may NOT keep their game or practice
jerseys or any other equipment. The amount of the
deposit can vary each year, refer to the current
registration form for the current amount.
In addition to RJFA issued equipment each player must purchase
and wear a protective cup and athletic supporter (jock strap).
Rubber cleats are allowed and many players wear multi-sport
cleated shoes. Baseball spikes are NOT allowed.
It is the individual player’s responsibility to keep
his equipment clean and in proper working order. Individual
players must replace mouth guards that are chewed beyond
effective use. All equipment problems should be reported
promptly to a player’s coach. Many players opt to
purchase their own white practice pants and an additional
belt to help ease laundry chores during a particularly muddy
practice season. If your child is a Missile or Jet player,
consider buying pants that will last at least two seasons.
Q – How often will practice be held?
In the weeks leading up to the start of the school year,
teams will typically practice four nights per week (Monday
- Thursday) for approximately two hours each evening. After
school begins practice will be scaled back to a three night
a week schedule. The coach of each team will determine the
team’s actual practice schedule.
Q – Is practice ever cancelled?
Football is an all-weather sport, so we practice and
play in the rain, snow, etc. Occasionally your team’s
coach may need to reschedule a practice and you will be
informed in advance.
Q – Where are games played?
RJFA home games are played at Veterans Field on Friday nights
and/or Saturday and Sunday. Away games are played at similar
times at facilities provided by NJJFL opponents. There are
no busses or RJFA supplied vehicles for transportation to
away games. Parents are responsible for providing transportation
to away games or practice scrimmages for players.
Q – How are the games played?
Missile and Jet games consist of four-8 minute quarters.
Rocket games consist of four-10 minute quarters. The clock
runs continuously without stoppages for out of bounds plays
or incomplete passes. With timeouts, halftime, etc. you
can expect the game itself to last approximately one hour.
The NJJFL assigns three paid officials for each game (two
officials for Missile games). Each team is required to dress
at least 15 players. Many, including Ridgewood, also supply
cheerleading squads who add immensely to the atmosphere
of the game.
At the Missile level, a coach (two coaches in a B game)
is allowed to be on the field with his team, but must not
have physical contact with the players once the offense
breaks its huddle.
Q – Who is my team’s coach?
A complete list of head coaches at each level can be found
on the Schedules page. All coaches are volunteers assigned
by the RJFA. The typical RJFA coach devotes between 15-20
hours per week to his team. Most have played at the college
level and regularly attend off-season clinics to improve
their football knowledge and coaching skills. Comments and
suggestions regarding coaching assignments along with any
interest in volunteering can be directed to the RJFA Director
of Coaching.
Q - What can I do to help?
Parents who make sure their child is on time and properly
dressed for practice are a tremendous help to the coaching
staffs. Please make sure he has done his homework and/or
household chores before practice so he doesn’t have
those responsibilities waiting for him after a physically
demanding practice session.
Setting up and breaking down the field before and after
a home game requires a small team of volunteers to set up
potable fences, put out yard markers, and other field set-up
related tasks.
We expect to be serving refreshments again this season so
volunteers will be needed to work the refreshment stand
at each game.
Additionally, we need to supply a three person “chain
gang” for each home game to handle the down and distance
markers. This is a chance to watch the game from the best
seat in the house.
If you are interested in being a regular volunteer for any
of these jobs please send us an e-mail and we’ll put
you in touch with the parents who are overseeing these activities.
Q - What are the age limits for each player
group?
Rockets - Must
not reach the age of 15 prior to September 1 and may not
be entering a grade higher than eighth grade.
Jets - Must not
reach the age of 12 prior to June 1 and may not be entering
a grade higher than seventh grade.
Missiles -
Must not reach the age of 10 prior to June 1 and may not
be entering a grade higher than fifth grade.
Q – Are RJFA players restricted to maximum weight
limits?
All teams in the NJJFL must adhere to weight limits at each
competition level.
Missile (3rd and 4th grade) players must
be 107 pounds or less
Jets (5th and 6th grade) have a weight
limit of 130 pounds and the
Rockets (7th and 8th grade) have a maximum weight of 160 pounds.
There is an additional
maximum weight limit placed on players who play in the offensive
backfield as ball carriers. Those limits are 95, 117 and
140 pounds, respectively.
Q – When are the players weighed?
On the Saturday prior to the start of the season, all players
are officially weighed at a facility designated by the governing
board of the NJJFL. RJFA players car pool 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 the
photos and birth certificate supplied to the RJFA at registration.
Q – What happens if a player fails to meet the weight
limit?
The NJJFL 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 by no more than 5 pounds (Missiles), 10 pounds (Jets)
and 15 pounds (Rockets) are eligible to be re-weighed at
those sessions.
A player who exceeds the weight limit is ineligible for
participation in NJJFL games, but may continue to practice
at the discretion of his RJFA coach. In some cases an over
weight player may be promoted to the roster of a higher
level team (example – Missile to Jets) at the discretion
of the RJFA.
Q – Is there a post season?
The NJJFL sponsors a post season “Super Bowl”
tournament. The winner of each Conference Championship Game
play against each other to determine the NJJFL Champion
at each competition level. In addition, the league sponsors
a single elimination ‘B’ Tournament, which is
open to all ‘B’ teams in the league.
The RJFA season concludes with an annual awards banquet
where each team is recognized for its accomplishments during
the season.
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