Frequently Asked FOOTBALL Questions
What are the football age groups and weight limits for each football team?
FOOTBALL PLAYERS Age(s) Football Max. Weight With Pads
Age as of 12/31 (Mites) 7 & 8 115
Age as of 12/31 (C-Team) 9 & 10 135
Age as of 12/31 (B-Team) 11 & 12 161
Age as of 12/31 (A-Team) 13 & 14* 197
Is my son or daughter eligible to play for the Windsor Giants?
All participants, except CTYFL returning approved grandfathered players , eligibility to play for the Windsor Giants must have a legal residence in Windsor, as defined by Windsor town boundaries, and the child must be legally eligible to attend Windsor public school.
How many games are in a season?
The Connecticut Youth Football League (CTYFL) typically schedules at least seven or eight games for each age group depending on the number of teams in the league. The regular season is September – October. Players that are on the competitive teams (A, B, and C) will have the opportunity to play up to three more playoff games depending on their regular season record, and post season games in the month of November. All post season games will end the weekend before or the weekend of Thanksgiving
What are the game times (kickoff time) and where are the games played?
The regular season games start the Sunday after Labor Day, and continue until Mid November for the all age groups except 7&8 (MITES). League rules require football players to weigh-in 30 minutes prior to kickoff to be eligible to play in the game. Any player who misses the team weigh-in prior to the game is ineligible to play that game.
SUNDAY GAME - B-Team 9:00 AM – 11:00AM
SUNDAY GAME- A-Team 11:00 AM – 1:00PM
SUNDAY GAME - C-Team 1:00 PM – 3:00PM
SUNDAY GAME - Mites 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING PLAYERS TO ALL HOME AND AWAY GAMES ON TIME AND PICKING THEM UP FROM THE GAMES !!!
þ All home games will be played on Windsor High School .
þ All away games will be played at our opponents respective home fields, and directions are available on the website and at our concession stand.
PRACTICE STARTS AUGUST 1st AT SAGE PARK FOOTBALL FIELD
During the month of August, football practices will be held weeknights, Monday-Friday, from 5:30-7:30PM at Sage Park Football Field. The week Windsor School starts, practice will be Tuesday & Thursday from 5:30-7PM and Saturday morning for 2 hours from 8am-12 noon. Each team head coach will set the hours for their team's Saturday practice. All practices will be held at the Sage Park unless otherwise noted.
FOOTBALL Practice Schedule For All Teams When School Starts.
Monday: No Practice
Tuesday: Practice from 5:30-7:00P.M
Thursday: Practice from 5:30-7:00P.M
Friday: No Practice
Saturday: Practice from 8:00 AM- 12:00 PM - Refer to coach for specific times for Saturday
* These practice days are for all levels, no coach can change these times for practice unless they get Director of Football Approval
REGULAR SEASON GAMES BEGIN THE SUNDAY FOLLOWING LABOR DAY
Sunday : Game Day (See Schedule Times) - Weight-In are 30 minutes before game start.
(If you don't make weight-In or do not meet the weight requirement for your team, you cannot play in the game. NO EXCEPTIONS)
How do I find out if a game or practice is canceled do to inclement weather?
Windsor will adhere to Windsor Parks & Recreation field usage standards. Therefore if the athletic fields are closed by Parks & Rec, there will be no practice. If the fields are not closed by Parks & Rec and there is inclement weather, Windsor Giants will use its discretion and/or the discretion of the head coaches in canceling practice. You will be notified by phone or by email. In the even all practices are cancelled, notification will also be posted on our website– www.windsorgiants.com.
ALL OUTDOOR PRACTICES AND/OR GAMES WILL BE CANCELLED DUE TO THUNDERSTORMS AND/OR LIGHTENING !!! PLEASE BE AVAILABLE TO PICK UP YOUR CHILD IMMEDIATELY DUE TO GAME OR PRACTICE CANCELLATION DUE TO THUNDERSTORMS AND/OR LIGHTENING !!!
How are positions and playing time determined?
Players will be competing with their peers for playing time at each position during practices and games. Coaches will evaluate each player in order to determine where they can help the team. Players who demonstrate hard work, discipline, and good attendance during practices and games will be rewarded with additional recognition and playing time.
How many football plays will my child participate in during the games?
The Windsor Giants and CTYFL by-laws mandate that all players must participate in a MINIMUM of SIX (6) PLAYS PER GAME which includes offense, defense, and special teams for the A & B Teams. C Team And Mite players will participate in at least six (6) plays per game to include offense and/or defense. Some players will only play the minimum six plays per game, and some players will play more than six plays. Additional playing time above the league required minimum of six plays is up to the discretion of the football coaching staff.
My child participates in additional activities during the football season. How does this effect my child's chances of playing?
Windsor Giants encourages each player to attend and participate in all practices and games. If a player must miss a practice or game, a coach must be notified either by phone call or email in advance. Limited excused absences are acceptable and will be allowed, however excessive absences may result in loss of playing time due to lack of participation.
Excessive unexcused absences and/or missing 2 or more practices during the week may result in game day suspension.
What does my child need in order to participate in football?
1) Game Jersey and Game Pants - (Supplied By Windsor Giants)
2) Helmet - (Supplied By Windsor Giants)
3) Shoulder Pads - (Supplied By Windsor Giants)
4) Practice Pants - (Supplied By Windsor Giants)
5) Football Girdle , Football Practice Jersey, & Game Socks - (Parents Must Buy And Can Be Purchased From Windsor Giants)
6) Athletic Cup/Supporter (Parents Must Buy)
7) Football Cleats w/Rubber Cleats - No Metal Spikes!!!! (Parents Must Buy)
8) OPTIONAL - Helmet Chin Shield - (Parents Must Buy And Can Be Purchased From Windsor Giants)
What does my child need to wear to football practice?
There is no storage for any valuables, so any items that you bring are at your own risk.
If you need any sort of medication (asthma inhalers, for example), please bring your medication with you. Unfortunately, we are unable to dispense medication.
Coaches will usually announce the dress code for the next practice. The majority of practices will be held in "Full Pads". Please reference the "Dress Code" for what to wear to practice.
Football Dress Code
þ "NO PADS"- Players will need to wear a T-shirt or practice jersey, shorts, and cleats for the first 10 hours of conditioning.
þ "HELMETS ONLY"- Players will need to wear a T-shirt or practice jersey, shorts, cleats, and helmet.
þ "SHELLS"- Players will need to wear helmet/mouthpiece, shoulder pads, practice jersey, shorts, and cleats.
þ "FULL PADS"- Players will need to wear helmet/mouthpiece, shoulder pads, practice jersey, practice pants, girdle, all pants pads, cup/supporter, and cleats..
When will my child receive the Windsor Giants issued equipment?
No player will receive any Game Day Uniform until all required financial and fund-raising obligations are met and all required equipment contract(s) are signed by the parent /guardian.
All equipment signed for in the equipment contract must be returned to the Windsor Giants on the team assigned published return date(s) in the same CLEANED CONDITION in which it was received. Each team will be advised of the equipment return date at before the season ends, and we must receive the equipment on that date. A $25 late fee per child will be charged to any parent/guardian who does not return the equipment on or before the required date. Unpaid fees will prevent a player(s) from participating in the program in subsequent years until the fee(s) is paid.
Mandatory Participant Coin Drive Fundraiser (TBD)
Each football and cheer participant is required to participate in our annual coin drive, and parents are required to volunteer 2 hours to help drive and chaperon participants at local stores. The coin drive is in August on a Saturday (TBD). Parent drivers, and players must sign up for the two (2) hour shift in advance on-line. Links will be provided in advance once date(s) are final. We cannot accept sign-ups the day of the fun drive, and will only have spots available for those who sign up in advance. NO EXCEPTIONS.
**If a player does not participate, the buy-out option for this fundraiser is $35 per participant.**
No player will be issued a game uniform or allowed to play a game prior to all registration fees and fund-raising requirements being met. No exceptions.
Mandatory Participant Candy Sale Fundraiser
Each football and cheer participant is required to participate in our annual 2nd fundraiser which is typically the candy sale. **If you do not want to participate, the buy-out option for this fundraiser is $35 per participant.** Parent can elect the buy-out option must have the payment in our POB (Windsor Giants, POB 361, Windsor, CT 06095) on, or before June 30Th. If the buy-out payment is not in our box by June 30th, then you have missed the buy-out and owe $52 for each of your participants for the candy fundraiser. No player will be issued a game uniform or allowed to play a game prior to all registration fees and fund-raising requirements being met. No exceptions.
Mandatory Parent Volunteer - 2 Hours Per Child
Each football and cheer parent is required to volunteer a minimum of two (2) hours per child participating in the program. Parents can volunteer by signing up to be a driver/chaperone for the August Coin Drive Fundraiser, sign up for concessions during our home game, and/or signing up for the concessions or game day chains during our Sunday games. If you do not want to meet your parent volunteer hours, you may elect to buy-out. The buy-out option for this fundraiser is $75 per participant and must be paid or in our POB (Windsor Giants, POB 361, Windsor, CT 06095) on, or before Aug 30th.
Parents who do not meet their mandatory volunteer hours will forfeit their son and/or daughters right to participate in post season games and/or the annual awards ceremony. No exceptions.