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About the Edina Football Association


Frequently Asked Questions About Youth Football in Edina

  • How are teams selected?
    EFA football is "inclusive" rather than "exclusive". We don’t have "A Teams" and "B Teams", nor do we "cut" players to form team rosters. All players make a team. All players start; therefore, all players play. Teams in 5th-8th will be selected with the "Equi-Draft System". EFA will host combine where kids will be evaluated and timed in a series of drills. After the combine, coaches and the grade coordinator conduct a draft. We take the Equi-draft very seriously because we want all the teams to have an equal chance to experience success. Every year we receive requests to have swaps made so "Billy can be on Bobby’s team", etc; however, the Equi-draft works for everyone, we just ask that you trust the system and reserve judgment until the end of the season.
  • How are coaches selected?

All EFA coaches are volunteers. The EFA provides coaches with clinics and manuals to teach them our system. Coaches are all required to complete the Concussion Certification program and complete the USA Football Tackle Certification. We expect our coaches to abide by the EFA rules and regulations and to conduct themselves at all times as a role model. We are looking for coaches who will put teaching the game of football and providing a fun, quality experience ahead of winning. Our coaches must never forget that this program is for the players and not the coaches. If you are interested in becoming a coach, please email edinafootballassoc@gmail.com or call and leave your name and a phone number where you can be reached with the Edina Parks & Recreation Department, (826-0435). Be sure to indicate the grade level you would like to work with.

  • What equipment is required by the EFA?
    Helmet
    Mouth guards
    Shoulder pads
    Pants with hip, tail, thigh and knee pads.
    Athletic cup supporter
    Cleats
    Football jersey 
    Water bottle
  • How often do the team’s practice and for how long?

The frequency of practices will vary somewhat by grade level. In the first week, 4th Grade will probably have 3 or 4 practice sessions. These practices are usually 1 1/2 to 2 hours in length. After school begins, the 4th Grade practices are usually 1-11/2 hours long on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights. (The number of practices may seem excessive, but remember, football has the shortest season of any of the organized sports and the kids have much to learn).

  • Where does each grade practice?
    The field locations are available in the "Field Locations" section of the EFA website at www.edinafootball.org.
  • Why does each grade practice together on one field?
    Practices are designed to emphasize skill development for all the players. It is much more efficient and effective to have all the coaches teaching at multiple stations to all the players than it is to have a coach and assistant attempt to teach multiple skills to each member of their team. It is also easier for the coaches to learn from one another if everyone is at the same location. Storage of practice equipment is centralized. Contact drills can be organized according to the size of players to avoid physical mismatches. Neighborhood car pools can still function even if the riders are on different teams. If the coach is late to practice, the other coaches will look after his team until he arrives.
  • When are practices cancelled?
    The grade coordinators may cancel practices when school or other events effect a significant number of players. Practices will always be cancelled when a severe weather situation develops, especially the threat of lightning. (If we hear thunder, practice is over!) If your child is at practice and threatening weather conditions develop, it is your responsibility to pick your child up. Shelter at the parks is either non-existent or inadequate at best. As a rule, we will practice in drizzle, but not a downpour. A coach will always remain at the practice site until all children have been picked up.
  • Are practices mandatory? What if my child misses a practice?

Practices may occasionally be missed. The EFA is not the NFL. However, a team is dependent on the contribution of each player. For example, how can the coach introduce a new series of plays and expect the plays to work if the whole team has not learned them? A casual attitude toward practice attendance penalizes the whole team. If a player must miss a practice the parent should notify one of the team’s coaches before each practice to be missed.

  • Why do you have weight restrictions for ball carriers?

This is a safety issue. Statistics show that more injuries occur when smaller players attempt to tackle larger players. Players above the maximum ball carrier weights cannot advance the ball except in the case of a pass interception, fumble recovery or a forward pass. (Practice drill stations provide ineligible players a chance to learn ball carrier skills, because they may need them in 9th Grade when there are no weight limits).

  • Who gets to play?
    Every attempt will be made to assign a starting position on either offense or defense, thereby assuring that each player will play a minimum of one-half of the game. Players will learn to play several positions and have the opportunity to play different positions during the course of the season. The majority of young players want to play the skill positions such as quarterback, running back or wide receiver. As they develop more knowledge of the game, young players will come to appreciate that all positions are important to a good team.
  • How often are games played?

Typically, games are played on Saturday mornings. Some games will be played during the week on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday evening. As a rule there will be no games or practices on Wednesdays.

  • Where are games played?
    The field locations are available in the "Field Locations" section of the EFA website at www.edinafootball.org.
  • When does the season end?
    The regular season and playoffs should be concluded by the end of October. In addition, we are working with the EBA and EHA to minimize conflicts with basketball and hockey tryouts.
  • Normally football is played with 11 players. Why does the EFA play "9 Man Football" for 4th - 6th grade?
    In 11 man football, as a rule, there are 4 offensive players who rarely, if ever, touch the football: the guards and tackles. By eliminating one of those positions, more players are eligible to touch the ball, thereby making the game more fun for more players. The game also tends to be more wide-open. In addition, our games are played on an 80-yard field, because the regulation 100-yard field is a lot of real estate for little players. The smaller teams fit very nicely on the 80-yard field.
  • What is a football parent’s role?
    Parents are welcome to attend all practices and games. They are also welcome to communicate with the coaches. We ask that you be patient and supportive of your young player and his coaches. Be quick to praise and slow to criticize.
  • What is a football player’s role?
    Football is a team sport. Teams learn together, play together, win together and lose together. A good football player: helps and encourages his teammates, pays attention to the coach, is always a good sport, never complains to the officials and never gives up. If you and your teammates follow these simple rules you will become good football players and you will have a successful season.
  • What if a parent has a concern or complaint about the EFA?
    Parents are encouraged to communicate with your child’s coaches; however, if you are uncomfortable with this, feel free to talk to the respective grade coordinator. If the issue cannot be resolved at the Coordinator level, the parent may raise the issue with the EFA President.  If the parent disagrees with the decision of the EFA President, the EFA has a Grievance Committee to which the issue can be appealed.  That Committee consists of three former EFA Presidents.  You may invoke the Grievance Committee process by sending a written complaint to the Edina Park & Recreation Department, who will forward the written grievance to the EFA President, who will forward it to the Grievance Committee.  The Grievance Committee's decision shall be final and binding, subject to any review provided by the City of Edina's Youth Sports Taskforce to the extent permitted by its rules and regulations.  You need not be concerned about recrimination and your inquiry or report will be treated confidentially.