Mahwah Junior Football Goals/Principles
and Coaches Responsibilities
The Township of Mahwah Youth Sports Boosters, Inc. (TMYSB) sponsors Mahwah Junior Football (MJF) as a recreation/travel program open to Mahwah residents in grades Kindergarten through eighth grade. The TMYSB assignsCommissioner(s) to run the overall MJF program on a day-to-day basis and within its bi- laws and guidelines.
Mahwah Junior Football offers each fall season tackle football for 1st through 8th grade and flag football for Kindergarten through 2nd grade. Additionally, Mahwah Junior Football offers an early summer skills football camp for rising 1st through 8th grade Mahwah residents.
Goals/Principles of MJF:
Provide a positive, fun-filled football experience for all players.
To teach the players the skills, fundamentals, techniques, rules, strategy, teamwork and good sportsmanship needed to be a good football player.
Promote a healthy and safe physical activity and environment for all players.
Build character by offering a team experience, regardless of individual ability, stressing skill development and a positive attitude regardless of winning or losing.
Provide opportunities for playing time for all players(as much as possible) at their appropriate age/skill level. (exceptions to this may include missed practice time, disrespect for the game, coaches, officials or team and also weight limit considerations).
Build continuity within the MJF program and be a feeder program for future Mahwah High School football players.
To be highly competitive within our tackle football League (NBJFL) without sacrificing any of the above goals/principles.
Coaches:
Coaching football can be one of the most satisfying experiences in your life. As a coach, you have the opportunity to make a positive impact and influence many young lives. Mahwah Junior Football is only as good as the coaches who are involved with the program and we ask you to adhere to all the goals/principles set forth in this document. The guidelines and coaching requirements are demanding and the commitment is unlike any other youth sport, but the reward is unparalleled.
Head Coach Selection Process (tackle)
A head coach for each grade (2nd grade through 8th grade) will be selected by the Football Commissioner(s) based upon the football competencies presented in the coaching application form and an in-person interview. The prior year head coach for each grade will be given preference based upon keeping continuity as long as they are within good standing within the program.
Head Coach and Assistant Coach Requirements (tackle & flag)
Must have completed coach’s application
Must have proven experience coaching/playing football (Head Coach).
Must have signed a coach’s conduct code.
Must have a passed background check.
Must have a Rutgers first aid Certification.
Must actively participant in all Mahwah Junior Football activities both on and off the field.
Must attend all coaches meetings called by Commissioner(s)
Must agree to adhere to all the goals/principles and responsibilities set forth in this document.
Team FormationGuidelines (tackle & flag):
Mahwah will place an A and B team at the Pee Wee (3rd & 4th), Junior (5th & 6th) and Senior(7th & 8th) level in the North Bergen Junior Football League (NBJFL). The Mighty Mites (1st & 2nd) will play an independent schedule.
Tackle football teams will be dividedby grade to ensure consistency, balance and development of each grade/team as it moves through the MJF program. The eighth, sixth and fourth grade will participate in the NBJFL as the A teams. The 3rd, 5th and 7thgrade teams will participate in the League as B teams.
From time to time in each level, there will be an exceptional athlete in a younger grade that will be selected to play with the older grade A team for the season. This should be very limited and only be considered when there is a specific need or position to be filled on the A team on a regular basis.
If there are more than 35 players at any level a second B game will be added. The two Head Coaches of that level will decide on the division of players either up or down a grade to fill out the second B game roster.
In Flag football, the Flag Director will assign players to each team and will take into consideration parent requests.
Head Coach Responsibilities (tackle)
Responsible for the day to day activities, safety, and conduct of theirentire team.
Responsible to follow MJF master practice schedule; (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday practices 6:30-8:30 pm during the school year). Exceptions can be made for; playoff week(s), weather cancellations and with permission of MJF Commissioner(s). Football activities should never exceed more than four days straight during the school year.
Responsible to warm-up together by level (Mites and Pee Wees, Juniors, and Seniors). Head Coach of the older grade (or the designated coach) is in charge of the warm-up period.
Plan, organize, implement, and direct all team and individual practice and game activities.
Responsible for always matching player’s sizes and abilities when teaching one-on-one drills.
Coordinate development of winning attitudes, fundamental skills, team and individual discipline, good sportsmanship and citizenship.
Promote academic achievement, always emphasizing that school comes before sports.
Establish team playbook to fit team personal while meeting all MJF goals and principles.
Assign each Assistant Coach a role on the team (i.e. offensive, defensive, special teams, coordinator, line coach, backfield coach,receivers coach, linebacker coach, secondary coach).
Provide clear guidance to each Assistant Coach with regards to their assignments and position responsibilities.
Responsible for all Assistant Coaches actions, conduct and fulfillment of required coaching application, background check and Rutgers Certification.
Establish strong lines of communication with Program Commissioner(s), other MJF Head Coaches, Team Mom, MJF Administrator, Parents and of course all your players
Full utilization of assigned Team Mom for all scheduling and logistical communication (email/text) with the Team.
Full responsibility for encouraging and recruiting players to sign up for MJF and building the numbers of the program and your grade.
Responsible for knowing all League (NBJFL) rules.
Inspect away game fields for rocks, glass, holes, that may deem the facilities unsafe.
Always Inspect player’s equipment and promptly advise replacement of any defective equipment. Work collaboratively with MJF Equipment Manager.
Use restraint/caution in periods of hot weather. Make sure every player has access to water.
Explain and illustrate, not just once -- but many times, the proper placement of the head and neck in tackling, blocking, and as a ball carrier. Absolutely never allow the use of the head, helmet or facemask to spear, or lead block.
Responsible for keeping list on-hand of all players’ emergency numbers at all times.
During all home games and all NBJFL games (home or away) a paid certified athletic trainer will be present. You are responsible to meet the trainer before the game. If a player is injured the trainer has the final authority on whether the player can remain in the game.
If a player is injured in practice, stop practice and immediately attend to the player. Ensure a coach always remains with injured player. Call Mahwah EMS if necessary.
Responsible for taking daily practice attendance (or assigning it to an assistant coach).
Responsible that every player in good standing, plays a minimum of half a game that weekend. To be in good standing, the player must have attend all three practices that week unless he is granted an excused absence. An excused absence will be granted only for illness, school, religion or family reasons.
A player missing two practices(for excused reasons) in a particular week cannot start and it is up to the sole discretion of Head Coach on how much playing time that player will receive.
Any unexcused absence during any week will lead to the player forfeiting the right to play minimally a half a game that weekend. Continuous unexcused absences by a particular player can lead to suspension from the team.
Responsible for proper home game field set-up, equipment storage and proper clean-up.
Overall responsibility during home games for press box to be open, PA announcer assigned, chain gang assigned and scoreboard to be operating (can assign to Team Mom to handle).
Must maintain and carry League required book with player weight cards to all games (Team Mom will help assemble book).
The Head Coach is the only one allowed to speak to officials during a game.
The Head Coach is responsible to ensure that no physical contact or use of foul language or derogatory remarks toward officials, opposing coaches, opposing players or fans occurs by anyone affiliated with their team. If such an event occurs the Head Coach is responsible to report it to the MJF Commissioner(s) immediately.
Ensure after games all players and coaches show good sportsmanship and participate in post-game handshakes.
Head Coaches of A teams are responsible for emailing or texting MJF Commissioner(s) with NBJFL League A game results within 3 hours of the end of the game.
Responsible to conduct a mandatory parents meeting before the end of August to discuss the upcoming season and team/program rules.Team Mom must be introduced to parents and in attendance. Please ask parents to wait 24-hours after a game for any questions/concerns.
Responsible for working amiably with Mahwah Cheerleading coach at every game
When practice or a game is over, the Head Coach (or the assigned coach) must stay with the team until every player has beenpicked up by a parent.
Assistant Coach Responsibilities (tackle)
Take ownership of all the tasks and positions assigned to you by the Head Coach.
Attend practice regularly (no game day only Assistant Coaches)
Be an active coach and fully support the Head Coach on and off the field.
Learn and help implement the playbook, assignments, alignments and proper techniques.
Promote development of winning attitudes, fundamental skills, team and individual discipline, good sportsmanship and citizenship.
Always match player’s sizes and abilities when teaching one on one drills
Promote academic achievement, always emphasizing that school comes before sports
Do not be a passive coach or only coach your son.
Feel free to suggest player rotation, strategy, play calls but understand the Head Coach has final say and support those decisions.
Actively participant in all MJF activities both on and off the field.
Misconduct/Suspensions
All Coaches or Player disciplinary action or suspensions will be in accordance with the procedures set forth in TMYSB bi-laws and/or NBJFL league rules.