The mission of the South Elgin Youth Football program is to give the children, of our area, an opportunity to be involved in a team sport, to provide them with the best possible equipment and facilities, and to teach them sportsmanship, discipline and ded
After the evaluation period, practice will be at a designated field which will be given by your coach.
How do I know where to go once checked in?
When you check in you will be directed to the area that will coordinate to your level.
There will be signs in the area you should be. There will be volunteers to help you.
Can family and friends stay to watch practice?
Yes! You are welcome to stay and watch all practices.
Bring a chair or blanket to sit on as the fields seating is limited. Also it’s a good idea to bring bug spray.
Please do not interfere with the coaches and players during practices. Distractions can cause injury.
If you do not plan on staying, please make sure you are in the area in case the weather changes.
Practice could be canceled if there is lightening, nasty weather or extreme heat.
What should I bring?
WATER!!!! The coaches will make sure there are plenty of water breaks.
If you have not turned in your birth certificate, make sure to bring it to check in on the first day.
The first week of practice will consist of conditioning then will increase in the weeks to follow
Football Equipment needed to practice:
Week 1 – Helmet, Mouth Guard, Cleats, T-shirt, Shorts, Athletic Supporter with Cup
Week 2 – Above plus Shoulder Pads & Rib Guard & Practice Jersey
Week 3 – Full Equipment
Cheer Equipment needed to practice: Shorts, T-shirt, Gym Shoes, Hair in Pony
What happens during the evaluation weeks?
All players are placed at the level appropriate for their age, weight, and skill to provide them with the safest experience.
During the first 3 weeks of practice, coaches will be working with players to learn their level of play.
Coaches will run different warm ups, drills, evaluate players on skills and knowledge.
Be sure your player is there, it is a great time for everyone to get to know each other and begin working together.
After the 3rd week, the Big 10 coaches will draft their players first followed then by the Pac 10 coaches.
There will not be placement of players on teams outside the draft process.
There are normally no changes to teams once draft is complete.
There may be certain cases in which slight changes must be made by the Executive Board due to weight transfers, balance of team, etc.
These changes are only to made by the Executive Board.
If you feel your child is not at the correct weight class, please contact SEYF President Ed Brania to discuss.
When will I know what team and coach my player will be on?
Once the draft process is complete, your player’s coach will contact you with all your team information.
What if my player wants to play on the same team as his/her friend?
Unfortunately we can not guarantee players on the same team.
Do we really practice everyday for the first few weeks?
Yes. All levels except for Flyweight will practice Monday-Friday during the evaluation period.
Practice will be 5 days per week with a maximum of 2 hours per day, 10 hours maximum.
Flyweight will practice 3 days per week with a maximum of 2 hours per day, 6 hour maximum.
It is important that your player is there to be properly evaluated and learn.
When will I know my players practice schedule & location for after the evaluation period?
Your player’s coach will contact you with this information once teams are drafted.
Once school starts, Flyweight will practice 2 days per week for 2 hours, 4 hours total per week
All other levels will practice a maximum of 8 hours per week.
The schedules of practice will be at the discretion of the head coach.
What equipment do I need to buy for the season?
Tackle Football –
Mouth Guard
Integrated Game Pants – may use previous years or purchase thru FanShop for $20, must be SEYF approved
Practice Pants and Pads if not Integrated Pants
Practice Jersey
Cleats
Athletic Supporter with Cup
Chin Straps with Plastic Clips – No Metal Clips Allowed. Chin Straps are available thru FanShop, Soft Cup $8.50 Hard Cup $14
Other OPTIONAL Items some players like – compression tee to wear under pads, a padded girdle, cold weather shirt under jersey, receiver/lineman gloves
What equipment does the organization provide?
Tackle Football –
Helmet – return at end of season – may keep helmet decals – helmets are reconditioned annually
Rib Guard – return at end of season
Shoulder Pads – return at end of season
Game Jersey – yours to keep
Game Socks – yours to keep
When can I pick up my child’s equipment?
SATURDAY TBD @ SPERRY PARK
If the equipment handout dates have already passed...please be sure you are registered for the season and come to day one practice or contact your coach or Todd Wood to schedule pick up.
Practice begins at Sperry Park so if you are missing equipmment or need adjustments we can take care of it at the field.
Please make sure your fees are paid in full prior to pick up and you have your deposit checks with you.
Please bring your child with you so the equipment can be properly fitted.
You will receive your deposit check back at the end of the season once your equipment is returned.
If you are new to the Patriots please make sure we have a copy of your players birth certificate.
When will I receive the game schedule?
We are part of The Chicagoland Youth Football League (TCYFL) and they organize all game schedules with the other towns in the organization.
The games will be scheduled for Friday evening, Saturday or Sunday. No night game starts later than 8:30 PM. No morning game starts before 9:00 AM.
Teams are to report to the field early for warm ups and weigh-in which will be given to you by your coach.
Game schedules may not be available until the week prior. Usually from previous years, Pac 10 plays on Saturday and Big 10 on Sunday but can change at any time.
TCYFL tries to keep the team level at the best competitive level and will adjust as the season progresses.
Games are usually played in the following order of earliest to latest: Featherweight, Varsity/Jr. Varsity, Bantam, Lightweight, Middleweight, Flyweight.
About half of our games will be home games which is at Sperry Park in South Elgin.
Addresses for all fields are on the website and your coach will also let you know when and where your game will be.
Cheer to sideline cheer at home games
When is picture day?
Picture day will take place after all teams are offically established. We will announce the day and times once we have it scheduled.
Your team manager will pass out picture order forms.
Your player should come dressed in full game day uniform and gear minus helmet. We will have a helmet there for pictures.
What are the raffle tickets for?
The raffle tickets are a great fundraiser for the Patriots.
You pay up front and then sell them to family, friends, neighbors or keep for yourself. The grand payout is $500!
The tickets will be collected at Sperry Park during home games with the drawing taking place at the last home game.
The winner does not need to be present. We will contact them with their great news!
What is the raffle baskets for?
Raffle Baskets are a fundraiser that is done around Homecoming time. Each team is given a fun theme to put together a basket to be raffled off Homecoming weekend.
What is Homecoming?
Homecoming is a fun time of celebrating being a SE Patriot…past, present & future! There will be fun events at Sperry Park, a TPing night, team gifts.
Homecoming will take place on a weekend that is ideal for the majority of teams to be home.
What do I need to do to volunteer?
SEYF is run completely by volunteers, there are no paid positions. The success of the organization depends on having volunteers to keep this running smoothly. We need you!
We use a points system, and for each participant you will need to complete 10 points.
To sign up for volunteer times, you MUST complete this on our website so that your points can be recorded accurately.
When you arrive to volunteer, you must also sign in at concessions.
Points System:
Concession Stand = 5 pts. Volunteer will be assigned to either the game either before or after their child’s home game.
The complete time of volunteer coincides with the game you are have volunteered for.
If you can’t make your assigned time, it is your responsibility to exchange your time with another family from your team.
Chain Gang = 2.5 pts. All home teams are responsible to providing a 3 member chain gang team in order for the game start. Volunteers stand on home side with the down markers.
4th of July Parade = 3 pts. Responsible for children in the parade. Check in kids in, walk the parade with them and release child to adult.
Other opportunities will become available throughout the season.
Who do I contact if I have a problem?
It is always good to talk with your coach, team manager or teammates on any concerns or questions.
If you need to go further, please submit your question/concern to the CPAC Contact Form on the SEYF website.
You can also contact our SEYF President Edward Brania or any board member; the contact list is on the website.
