Programs

McLean Great Falls Spartans Tackle Football

McLean-Great Falls Football Association (MGFF) is the youth football program serving the Mclean-Great Falls Virginia area.  Our program is known as the Spartans.  We are 100% volunteer organization.  USA Football, the national governing body for amateur American football in the United States, certifies our coaches, who have passed a comprehensive background investigation.

We strongly believe that football is more than just a sport.  Football teaches our youth some tremendous life skills they carry with them long after they've hung-up their cleats.  Not only does youth football provide both mental and physical benefits, it promotes team work, discipline and a strong work ethic that will help shape our children into well-rounded adults.  Football is a team sport that teaches responsibility, handling success and failures and more importantly builds character.

Building friendships with teammates in youth football is something very special indeed.  There are 11 leaders on every football field.  When everyone works together towards one common goal, it brings those kids closer together. Friendships that are forged on the field of play can be strong and last a lifetime. The camaraderie learned through football is invaluable to building relationships later in life.

Youth football begins to lay the foundation of a strong work ethic for kids that will help them win and lose throughout their lives.  Youth football gives kids the skills to win football games, but those skills are easily translated into life skills down the road. The struggles, challenges, victories and defeats are all characteristics of football and life. Learning these lessons on the field of a youth football league is great for building resilient and well-rounded kids.

This is the prime season for football.  Practices are mandatory!

Every player must have a DMV-issued ID!

TACKLE FOOTBALL PARTICIPATION

  • Tackle Football Player participants must be at least seven years of age and no older than 16 as of October 1st of the current calendar year.
  • A parent or guardian is expected to attend (or make alternative arrangements to have a responsible party in attendance) for all practice sessions if a practice is short due to foul weather or other circumstances.
  • Please keep in mind this is a physical sport requiring the children to be willing and able to exercise 5 nights a week, 2 hours a night until Labor Day. After that, practice will be held three nights per week, 2 hours a night.
  • Players are placed into divisions based on their age and weight.  Refer to the age/weight chart below. This information can also be found on the NVYFL website for greater detail. Please remember that the age/chart outlines the lowest and highest weights allowable for each age group. These restrictions are in place to keep participation and play fair and balanced among the age groups.
  • New players are encouraged to attend sports training camps before the season's start.

AGE CUTOFF DATES

  • Age determination is based on cutoff dates to maintain fairness and consistency. For ages 7-14, the age is considered as of October 1. For ages 15-16, 15-year-olds turning 16 on or before December 31st must play in the 155lbs weight class. Notably, players turning 17 on or before December 31st are not eligible to participate.
  • Please be aware that this information is subject to change based on updates to the Official Rules. For the most current guidelines, refer to the NVYFL website.

DIVISIONS

  • ANKLEBITER DIVISION
    • Age 7 is unlimited
    • Age 8 can weigh up to 90lbs
    • Age 9 can weigh up to 55lbs
  • 80LB DIVISION
    • Age 8 is unlimited (100lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
    • Age 9 can weigh 56lbs to 100lbs
    • Age 10 can weigh up to 85lbs
    • Age 11 can weigh up to 80lbs
  • 90LB DIVISION
    • Age 9 is unlimited (110lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
    • Age 10 can weigh 86lbs to 110lbs
    • Age 11 can weigh 81lbs to 95lbs
    • Age 12 can weigh up to 90lbs
  • 100LB DIVISION
    • Age 10 is unlimited (120lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
    • Age 11 can weigh 96lbs to 120lbs
    • Age 12 can weigh 91lbs 105lbs
    • Age 13 can weigh up to 100lbs
  • 115LB DIVISION
    • Age 11 is unlimited (135lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
    • Age 12 can weigh 106lbs to 130lbs
    • Age 13 can weigh 101lbs to 120lbs
    • Age 14 can weigh up to 115lbs
  • 130LB DIVISION
    • Age 12 is unlimited (150lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
    • Age 13 can weigh 121lbs to 140lbs
    • Age 14 can weigh 116lbs to 135lbs
    • Age 15 can weigh up to 130lbs
  • 155LB DIVISION
    • Age 13 is unlimited (175lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
    • Age 14 is unlimited (165lbs Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball)
    • Age 15 can weigh 131lbs to 160lbs
    • Age 16 can weigh up to 155lbs

* The maximum weight for a player to carry the ball in Anklebiters is 70 lbs. Anklebiter players over the 70lb limit and all other unlimited players at other weight classes are not eligible to play in a position that usually handles the ball unless they are at or below the listed maximum ball carrier weight (the weight limit listed next to "Unlimited/" on the chart above). Positions excluded for unlimited players exceeding the maximum ball carrier limit include all offensive backfield positions, all eligible receivers and tight end positions, and any position not on the first line of a special teams formation. Exceptions include the offensive positions of center, punter, and placekicker.
** 15-year-olds that turn 16 on or before December 31st must play 155lbs.
*** 16-year-olds that turn 17 on or before December 31st are not eligible to play.

Only youth between the ages of 7 and 16 who weigh at least 40lbs may participate in NVYFL. All youth shall play in the Age/Weight Division they are eligible for. There will be no waivers.

Commissioners check birth dates and weights at club registration and the official NVYFL Weigh-In. For example, a 10-year-old will play in the 90# group if he weighs 86 to 100 pounds. He may not play in the 100lb division unless he weighs at least 101 pounds. See the official rulebook for additional information.

EQUIPMENT

  • Players must provide their own white integrated football pants with pads, cleats, mouthpieces, and game socks. This player-supplied equipment can be purchased at major sporting goods stores such as Dicks Sporting Goods or online at Amazon.com, etc
  • The Spartans will provide game jerseys, helmets, and shoulder pads.
  • Players must return cleaned equipment (helmet, shoulder pads, and game jersey) at the end of the season and will be directed by the team coaching staff on how to return the equipment.
  • The credit card used for registration may be charged a fee for equipment not returned to the Spartans.

EQUIPMENT HANDOUT DATES (2024)

  • TBD

COMBINE AND PRACTICE (2024)

  • COMBINE INFORMATION
    • DATE: Monday, August 5th - Friday, August 9th
    • TIME: 6:00 - 8:00pm
    • LOCATION: Lewinsville Park
    • EQUIPMENT:
      • Monday: Helmets & Cleats
      • Tuesday/Wednesday: Helmets, Shoulder Pads, and Cleats
      • Thursday/Friday: Full Gear (Full contact begins on Thursday)
      • Be sure to bring plenty of water each night
      • A player must attend three days before they can begin full contact
    • Field commissioners will be assigned to each field to help things run smoothly.
    • After the first week, a drafting of players will occur. Parents and players will be informed after the draft of who their coach will be.
  • PRACTICE INFORMATION
    • After the tackle combine and the draft, practice will continue to be held five nights a week, 2 hours per night, until August 30th.
    • Beginning September 2nd, teams will practice three nights per week, 2 hours per night, with actual practice days being decided by the coaching staff.
  • Dates, times, and locations are always subject to changes, so please continue to visit the website for updates.

DRAFTING OF TEAMS

  • Teams are drafted in compliance with the NVYFL rules. This ensures that teams from different leagues are equally matched in age, weight, and ability.
  • Ankle Biter teams will be drafted using an S draft method since this developmental division is designed to create equal teams.
  • The 80lb and higher divisions will be drafted as follows: American players will be drafted first. The draft will then take place for Central and National teams.
  • The team draft usually occurs on the first Saturday or Sunday after the Combine (August 10th or 11th).

TACKLE FOOTBALL SCRIMMAGES (2024)

  • Labor Day Clash: Saturday, August 30th
  • Alex's Army Bowl: Saturday, September 7th

TACKLE FOOTBALL GAMES (2024)

  • Week 1: Saturday, September 14th
  • Week 2: Saturday, September 21st
  • Week 3: Saturday, September 28th
  • Week 4: Saturday, October 5th
  • Week 5: Saturday, October 12th
  • Week 6: Saturday, October 19th
  • Week 7: Saturday, October 26th
  • Playoffs: Week of October 28th
  • Championship: Saturday, November 9th
  • The Spartans home field is at Marshall HS.
  • Away games may be played throughout Northern Virginia.
  • Games may be played on Saturday or Sunday.  On occasion, a game may be played during the week.
  • Dates are always subject to changes, so please continue to visit the website for updates.

"Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it."

- Lou Holtz

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Email: mgffboard@gmail.com