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FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here are the answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions we receive. All of our board members are happy to assist you! If your question still has not been answered, please reach out to us so we can help.

What documents are needed at Registration?

Please make sure you bring adequate copies of all of your required documents to registration.

Your registration/equipment pickup will go quickly if you bring the following documents:

Your child (we need to fit them for equipment)
(If you are NEW to the district) Your child's birth certificate or copy of their passport showing (proof of age) - A COPY THAT WE CAN KEEP
(If you are NEW to the district) Utility bill with correct address pre-printed (proof of residency) - A COPY THAT WE CAN KEEP

When will game schedules be posted?

Game Schedules will be released as soon as possible.

Where are games held?

Butterfield Park is the home field for Mountain Ridge Football.

How long do games last?

About 2 hours

How often do we practice?

2 hours a day 6 days a week preseason and then down to three days a week when the season starts (after the first official game). 13 years old and above get an extra hour per day.

When do schedules get posted?

The A schedules usually post about a month before the season starts, B schedules get worked out after we find out how many teams each division has and usually gets posted a week or two after practice starts.

What is the minimum amount of plays my player can expect?

Each player must play a minimum of 10 plays in every game. A play is constituted as any time the official puts the ball in play.

If your player did not get 10 plays in a game, we suggest you wait 24 hours after the game and then talk to your coach about it. If the problem is not corrected in the next game, please contact your age group liaison so we can address this with the coach.

Can my child play on his friends team?

We do not accommodate requests to play on a friends team. There are no exceptions to this. Every player will be involved with the draft and the coaches will decide where they end up.

Family members (siblings, not cousins) can request to be on the same team. Please tell the A team coach at the start of tryouts if there are siblings so all coaches can evaluate them as a package deal throughout tryouts.

What happens if I miss the official weigh-in?

Official Weigh-In is on August 3rd. Any player who misses the official weigh-in is removed from the roster and is ineligible to play the first game. Players caught playing are subject to suspension and the game will be a forfeiture. Coach or coaches will be suspended. A makeup weigh-in will be the Tuesday after the 1st regular season game. Contact your coach for times and dates.

What do I wear to weigh-in?

Players are to wear shorts and t-shirts to weigh in. No Equipment!

Is football dangerous?

Like any sport, there are risks with playing the game. Football is a full contact sport. Having said that, it is very safe and we rarely see injuries outside of small scrapes and bruises. According to AMEA there are actually more concussions in girls soccer than in youth football. (http://equipmentmanagers.org/featured-story/concussions-more-prevalent-in-girls-soccer-than-football) Our coaches and board members have all been trained on how to avoid concussions or any other serious injuries.

Football is different than it was when we grew up. Instead of being taught and rewarded for making a big hit with your head it is now a serious penalty.

When are tryouts?

Tryouts will begin July 25th.

The first two days will be non-contact, so wear shorts and t-shirt. The third day will be full pads.

When do we play games?

We will announce Game Schedules as soon as we can.

Game times: 9:00 am, 10:30 am, 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm if needed.

What is the Refund policy?

NO REFUND WILL BE GIVEN ON OR AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE / TRYOUTS - NO EXCEPTIONS

Tryouts for team placement are considered Practice. Refunds will only be issued after all equipment has been returned to the district. Subject to $25.00 Administrative fee on refunds. All refunds require an Authorized District Official to submit “Request for Refund Authorization Form”.

What Age & Division?

The division is determined by your age on July 1st.

Scout – 7 & 8 Year Olds
Gremlins – 9 Year Olds
PeeWee – 10 Year Olds
MityMites – 11 Year Olds
Grid Iron – 12 Year Olds
Bantams – 13 Year Olds

What is the X man rule?

The "X"-man Rule in the conference bylaws is presently written as follows:

13.1.1 The "X" player must be an Interior lineman on offense, playing one of the four line positions, from Tackle to Tackle, the "X" player must be set, but not necessarily down in a 3 or 4 point stance at the snap of the ball. On defense the "X" player must be an interior lineman. They can line up anywhere along the line of scrimmage. However, they must be on the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball. The "X" player on defense must be down in a 3 or 4 point stance at the snap of the ball. (2017)

The following criteria apply to ALL "X"-men:

All individuals listed on their teams´ roster as an "X"-man, must have either a 4" White or Black "X" on the front AND back of their helmet. The Conference Board of Directors have also instructed the President´s of each District to inform their Coaches to ONLY use Conference-purchased block "X´s". Skull bones, decorations, colorings, numbers, names, writings, etc. are prohibited on the "X", and the "X" can NOT be made of Athletic tape, black electrical tape or anything other the Conference- provided "X".

What are the X weight limits?

X Weights

Scout – 85 lbs (7 & 8)
Gremlins – 95 lbs (9)
PeeWee – 105 lbs (10)
MityMites – 125 lbs (11)
Grid Iron – 135 lbs (12)
Bantams – 165 lbs (13)

What are the weight limits if I want to Z Down?

Z Down Weights

Scouts - No Z Downs
Gremlin - 70 lbs (10)
PeeWee - 80 lbs (11)
MityMites - 100 lbs (12)
Grid Iron - 110 lbs (13)
Bantams - 140 lbs (14)

15-years-olds cannot Z down to Bantams

What size football?

Ball – The approved football shall be of good grade. The following specifications will apply to all classifications:

- Division 1 Teams (Scouts & Gremlins) will use the NIKE 24/7 Vapor-

size "Pee Wee" as the game ball.

- Division 2 (Pee Wee & Mity Mite) will use the NIKE 24/7 Vapor-

size " Junior" as the game ball.

- Division 3 (Grid Iron, Bantam & Juniors) will use the NIKE 24/7 Vapor-

size "Youth" as the game ball.

Specifications for all three balls are determined by the Commissioner. All balls need to be inflated properly to the manufacturer’s specifications.

What equipment are they responsible for?

Cleats, Cup, Mouthguard, upgraded chin strap (that's not required).

Each player will receive a helmet, shoulder pads, game pants, and home and away jersey (provided as part of the registration fee, you can keep the jersey and oantsafter the season).

All equipment is to be returned in reasonable condition, with normal wear and tear when requested to do so by Conference or district officials or pay the stated value of $260.00, plus all costs of collection Including reasonable attorney fees plus interest.

How much does it cost to play?

Mountain Ridge district charges $325 for each player.

UTE CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEE Breakdown:

$55.00 OF REGISTRATION FEE goes towards conference franchise fees and insurances
$60.00 To Jersey Purchases
$75.00 To Officials, Security and on Field Medical Personnel
$10.00 To Online Administrative Costs

$200.00 cost per player goes to the conference.

The remaining balance of $125 is applied to the Mountain Ridge UTE Conference for the following expenses:

Equipment
Butterfield Park / JSD School locations field rental
Additional Uniforms i.e. (game pants/game day socks)
Team/ Individual Photos
Game Day Field Equipment (game day markers/ paint/ rope/ etc.)
Administrative/ Advertising Costs
Equipment Storage

(all on field cameras are privately owned)

Is it better to let my kid grow up and get bigger before I let them play?

No. As stated above football as a full-contact sport. In order to avoid injury, it is very important to learn how to make a block or tackle and more importantly how to get blocked and tackled. The longer you wait to enroll your child the further behind they are getting in learning these skills. Starting your child as a scout or gremlin will give them the ability to learn the game before any of the kids are big enough to cause any real damage.

Ute Conference Bylaws