Q: What is CT Flag?
A: The Connecticut Flag Football League (“CT Flag”) is a non-contact Youth Flag Football Program and it's backed by the USA Football. This is a recreation league, so there are no tryouts or cuts. No previous experience is necessary.
Q: How do I register?
A: All of our registrations are taken online through our website. CT Flag Registration
Q: When is the registration deadline?
A: Spring Season Registration begins on December 1st and continues through March 1st. You have 3 months to register.
Fall Season Registration begins on May 1st and continues through August 1st. You have 3 months to register.
There is a $25 fee for late registration, and it will only be accepted if their is available space.
HOWEVER, OUR LEAGUES TYPICALLY FILL UP ONE WEEK PRIOR TO REGISTRATION CLOSING. FOR THAT REASON, WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO REGISTER EARLY TO ENSURE YOUR CHILD IS PLACED ON A TEAM!!!
Q: When does the season begin?
A: Spring Season will typically begin the first or second week of April. The Fall Season will typically begin the first weekend after Labor Day (September). Practices will start the week prior to the first games. Both the Spring and Fall season lasts approximately 9 weeks. The Lil Ballez program runs for 6 weeks.
Q: Where are games played?
A: We have several locations in Connecticut - Windsor, North Branford and Portland. The exact location of games and practices will vary from Spring to Fall, but games are always played on either turf fields (Windsor) or well manicured grass fields (Windsor, North Branford & Portland). If you sign up for a particular league, your games will be played at that location. The only exception to that is for our Senior Division, which may travel between locations.
Q: What days are games?
A: Mostly Sundays, between 11am and 5pm. Each team plays one 40min game on Sundays (and some Saturday nights) for a total of ~7-8 games for the season. All teams qualify for the playoffs and those will typically be held on a Saturday & Sunday the last weekend of the season. In the spring we do mix in Saturday games to make up for not playing games on Easter Sunday, Mother's Day and Memorial Day weekend. In the fall we do not have any holidays to work around since the season begins after Labor Day.
Q: When are practices?
A: Teams will typically practice either one week night or for 45-60 minutes prior to their game at the field location or a local field. Coaches have the freedom of holding an additional weekday practice that are optional. Weekday practices will be scheduled for a time and location that is convenient for the coach and his or her team.
Q: Who Can Play?
A: This program is open to boys and girls, 3-15 years old. Participants from any town can register for our program.
Q: How much does it cost to play?
A: The cost per player is typically ~$155 per player for the season. We offer multi-player discounts as well. Registration includes a jersey and flag belt that each player keeps.
Q: What do I get for my Registration Fee?
A: A full season including practices and games (~9 weeks), team jersey, flag belt and flags, use of well groomed fields, certified officials, interactive website, organized administration, and a lot of FUN for you and your child!
Q: What is the cancellation policy?
A: Registration fees will be refunded in full, less a $25 administrative fee per player, for cancellation requests received prior to the date registration closes. There will be no refunds for cancellation requests received after registration closes.
In the event that the season is cancelled due to COVID-19 prior the start of the season all participants will be offered either a credit towards a future season or a refund of 90% of their registration fees.
Q: What are the rules?
A: This league is 5-on-5 and will play using it's own set of flag football rules for co-ed and NFL Flag rules for our girls league.
Q: Does the league supply uniforms?
A: Every Flag Football player in our program receives an dri-fit team jersey and a flag belt to keep with your registration. You only need to get a mouthpiece and we recommend cleats (no metal cleats allowed). Coaches are provided the necessary supplies to conduct practices.
Q: What equipment does league provide?
A: All participants will receive an official jersey and one set of flag belts.
Mandatory Headgear: Starting this fall the league is requiring each child to wear a protective headband.
Q: Do all flag football players need mouth pieces?
A: Yes, it is absolutely mandatory that all players are wearing a mouth piece before stepping on the field. However, kids in the Lil Ballerz Program do NOT need mouth guards.
Q: Are you looking for volunteers?
A: Yes. If you would like to volunteer, please email [email protected]. You can also click the "Volunteer Opportunities" link on our home page.
Q: How are Individual Players Placed on Teams?
A: This is a league designed to keep ages/grades playing together. We do allow for special requests, such as if there is a coach your child has played for that would like to play for them again or to keep friends together. However, special requests are NOT GUARANTEED and NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN IF WE CANNOT MEET THE REQUEST. Also, please keep in mind that to keep balance in our teams, requests may not be accommodated if the team is heavy on a age/grade level.
After requests are processed, individuals are placed on teams determined by age and ability factors. Our goal is for each division to have at least 4 flag football teams. Teams are formed using the following criteria:
1. Current Age/Grade
2. Number of Players in Division
Most teams will have 8-11 players.
Ages for divisions are based on the child's age as of January 1st of the league year. For example, if you child was 10 on January 1st, but turned 11 in June, he will be put into the Bantam 9-10 year old division. This is the same across all divisions, so while it may seem like your child will be playing with younger children, he will be appropriately placed. If you'd like to have your child moved up, we will transfer kids up, but never down.
Lil Ballerz: (Limited 5-week Program) 3-4 years old.
Pee Wee: 5 - 6 years old
Developmental: 7 - 8 years old
Bantam: 9 - 10 years old
Junior: 11 - 12 years old
Senior: 13 - 15 years old
Q: Do you accept team registrations?
A: We do not accept team registrations in our recreational flag football league. If available, our Pro Divisions will offer team registrations.
Q: What is the Lil Ballerz Program?
A: Our Lil Ballerz program is an exciting program that begins the development of throwing, catching and running control, all while playing creative and fun games. In this parent participation class, the kids are split into groups each week, and age appropriate balls are used to introduce the early skills of athletics in a fun and exciting manner. Props are used to enhance both their balance and motor skills. Touchdowns are scored at the end of every class with the parents cheering them on! Lil Ballerz meet once a week (on weekends) for 5 weeks. Each session is 45 minutes long.
Q: Do you accept buddy requests?
A: Yes. We encourage kids to play on a team with their friends and ask that parents identify buddy requests on registration form. We will do our best to accommodate buddy requests with the ultimate goal to ensure balance among all teams, for this reason buddy requests are limited to 3 per team and are NOT guaranteed.
Q: Can I request my son/daughter be placed with a specific coach / team?
A: We encourage kids to play on a team with their friends and ask that parents identify coach requests on registration form. We will do our best to accommodate coach requests with the ultimate goal to ensure balance among all teams. Ultimately balance between the teams is the goal, and for that reason we limit Team Coach requests to 3, and they are NOT guaranteed.
Q: Are your coaches certified?
A: Yes. Our coaches are volunteers who must register with the league, agree to code of conduct, complete a flag certification course, complete a CDC concussion awareness course, pass a background check, and complete CPR / First Aid training every two years.
Q: How many teams can one division have?
A: It depends. We try our best to not turn away any player. As many teams that can be formed from each division by grade/age division will be accepted. Everyone who wants to play is welcome.
Q: How many players are on a team?
A: Most teams have 8-11 players. However, we do reserve the right to stretch these guidelines if the league deems necessary.
Q: Who are the Officials and are they Qualified?
A: Our officials are trained and certified by our staff so they have a full understanding of our rules. They are very good at what they do and will call a fair game for both sides.
Q: How much playing time can my child expect?
A: All of our programs promote participation, fun, and fundamentals. Coaches are required to fairly allocate playing time equally among all players on the team. We will do our best to assure all players receive equal playing time.
Q: Are there playoffs?
A: This is a recreation league that is designed to teach the fundamentals of flag football. The concept of the game is what is important. Playoffs will be handled/scheduled on an individual basis based on each division. We typically hold playoffs the last weekend of the year and all teams make the playoffs.