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Team 82 Football League : Our Program

The Team 82 Football League has patterned its principle after the NFL's Junior Development Program and while the implementation of the program is uniquely different, the guiding principles of the two programs are identical:

  • Make It Fun
  • Limit Standing Around
  • Everyone Plays
  • Teach Every Position to Every Participant
  • Emphasize the Fundamentals
  • Establish a Progression of Skill Development for Every Participant

Junior Development Football coaches will adhere to these principles and are expected to focus on the fun aspects of playing the game of football by following these "fundamental" guidelines in how they organize and run our practices and games:

  • Make drills short, realistic, and game-like.
  • Keep all players active, and keep lines short.
  • Let kids make some decisions.
  • Find something each player does well and let him demonstrate it.
  • Praise and reward effort and accomplishment in any form.
  • Be specific and animated in your praise.
  • Criticize the technique, not the individuals.
  • Break-up routines with unusual activities.
  • Give all players an opportunity to play and practice their favorite position.
  • Remember:  Players are children, not adults.

Many experts agree that these should be the objectives of any quality, wholesome youth sports program but unfortunately, insensitive and overly competitive adults often undermine these principles.

Junior Development Football addresses the common "problem situations" that are so prevalent in youth football today, including insufficient playing time for all players, an overemphasis on winning, insensitive and abusive coaches, and competitive mismatches.

Players participating in the Junior Development program are grouped by age and weight, but an additional factor – ability – is also a consideration in placing a player in a particular division. Each division will consist of 30-32 players. Our 2008 season will include 430 players who are grouped into 13 separate divisions:

  • Div #1 - 6yrs; @ 60 lbs.
  • Div #2 - 7yrs; @ 65 lbs.
  • Div #3 - 8yrs; @ 63 lbs.
  • Div #4 - 8yrs; @ 65 lbs.
  • Div #5 - 9yrs; @ 65 lbs.
  • Div #6 - 9yrs; @ 90 lbs.
  • Div #7 - 10yrs; @ 74 lbs.
  • Div #8 - 10yrs; @ 98 lbs.
  • Div #9 - 11yrs; @ 82 lbs.
  • Div #10 - 11yrs; @ 107 lbs.
  • Div #11 - 12yrs; @ 85 lbs.
  • Div #12 - 12yrs; @ 114 lbs.
  • Div #13 - 13yrs; @ 135 lbs.

These age and weight guidelines are flexible to reflect a player’s skill level and experience. The number of divisions will vary depending upon the number of registrants.