Do I have to live in the North County area to play for North County Youth Football and Cheer? 
We serve the Rancho Bernardo, Carmel Mountain Ranch, Sabre Springs, Del Sur, Poway, Escondido, Santa Luz and other surrounding communities. If you are unsure, please contact us for the exact territory boundaries.


Does my child have to tryout to make the team?
North County Youth Football and Cheer prohibits tryouts of any kind for football or cheer.  Every eligible participant makes a team.

Do you offer scholarships or payment plans?
Yes we do.  We want to give all kids the opportunity to participate.  If you would like to know more about these options please email us as soon as possible at [email protected].  

How safe is Youth Football? 
Playing youth football is actually quite safe. North County Youth Football and Cheer coaching staff believe that safety is a top priority. All of our coaches participate in mandatory clinic hours and concussion training each year and coaches consistently reinforce concepts of injury prevention and safe tackling techniques.

My child is new to football or cheer. What should we expect?
You can expect that your child will learn the basic fundamentals and principles of football or cheer in an environment that promotes discipline, character and teamwork. They will be exposed to conditioning and concepts of overall physical fitness. They will also be challenged mentally and physically in a competitive environment as well as having fun while learning and playing.
 

What is conditioning?
There are a mandatory number of conditioning hours that are required by our conference that must be met prior to full contact participation. The first two weeks of practice for the fall season are devoted to conditioning the players to better prepare them physically for football and cheer. The players do not wear full equipment during conditioning, only helmet.

Does my child have to come to all the practices in August? We want to take a vacation.
Yes, it is extremely important that your child attend as many practices as possible. In the months of July and August, players are introduced to the fundamentals of football, including proper tackling, hitting, passing, and receiving. Cheerleaders are introduced to the fundamentals of stunting, jumps, tumbling.  If your child goes on vacation during this time, he/she will be behind upon his/her return. Football and cheer are team sports and it takes 11 players executing their jobs to make each play work for football and stunt groups cannot practice without everyone present for cheer.  Please plan your vacations for accordingly.

Will my child participate in competitions or championship games out of town?
Yes, it is possible. If your child’s football teams advancing to playoffs or cheer squad advancing to championships, your child's team will likely travel to the regional and/or national championships.  The location of the regional and national championship may change from year to year, exact dates and locations will be announced to families as soon as it is available. If your child's team advances past local games/competitions, additional fundraising activities may occur with your child’s team to offset travel expenses. Please be aware that some "upfront" fees are required and must be paid before traveling to national games/competitions and possibly regional games/competitions.

What if my child has a non-North County Youth Football & Cheer activity planned during a scheduled practice/game?
If at all possible, please do not schedule non-North County Youth Football & Cheer activities during practice and/or game times. Each athlete plays a significant role on their team. As such, all players and their parents must make a commitment to be available for all practices and games, to the best of their ability. Football and cheerleading requires a commitment from each player for the team to be successful.

What if I think that my child is not playing enough?
North County Youth Football has a "Mandatory Play Rule", which stipulates that each rostered team member must have a minimum number of plays in every game. Players who are injured or benched for disciplinary reasons are exempt from this rule.

Why a Birth Certificate?
North County Youth Football and Cheer must adhere to eligibility requirements as set forth by AYF/AYC. By providing your child's birth certificate, you are providing proof of their age so that your child is appropriately assigned to a division. This is a mandatory requirement and your child will not be allowed to participate without it.

How is weight determined for Tiny Mite Division? (*this only applies to Tiny Mites)
While the Nighthawks will initially use your submitted weight during registration, all Tiny Mite players are weighed during “WEIGHT CERTIFICATION DAY”, held at our registration. This is a one-time weigh-in and will be recorded and kept for the entire season.

Where do the records go and who sees them, such as the Birth Certificate?
All documents submitted are collected and confidentially kept by our eligibility team during each season. An official Record Book for each team is kept by each team's head coach. During the Certification Day, SDFYC officials will verify each player’s documents, and residence making sure he/she is on a team appropriate for his/her age. Records are kept on file according to SDYFC Rules and Policies and are destroyed when no longer needed.

What can I do if I have a problem with a team member (child) or parent?
Take an opportunity to speak to the Head Coach and/or Team Manager privately. Most often, he/she can quickly resolve the problem. The game of football can sometimes be emotional in nature, so please remember that all coaches and staff are volunteers trying to do their best for all children involved.

What can I do if I have a problem with a Coach/Team Manager?
Take an opportunity to talk to the Coach and/or Team Manager privately. If you are unsatisfied with the Coach's response, you may talk to the Coaches Representative or Vice President, who will hear your grievance and respond appropriately through the NCYFC Board of Directors. 

Who are the other teams in our conference?
Visit SDYFC to see all teams in the San Diego Youth Football & Cheer Conference.


Where are the fields located?
See below for Field Directory.