FAQ's
Q – Why do I need to supply two passport size photos and a copy of a birth certificate at registration?
The BCJFL requires each team to maintain a roster “book” that can be used to individually identify each player on the team. One picture and the birth certificate are included in the roster book for each player. That book is presented to opposing teams before each game so they can immediately challenge any player they feel does not meet BCJFL standards for participation. The roster book is returned to the Montvale Junior Football Association coach for use in future games.
Additionally, on “weigh-in day” (see below) an BCJFL official compares each player’s photo to the player presented to establish identity. The BCJFL keeps that second photo in a master file for future reference should a dispute over a player’s identity surface during the season.
Q – When does the season start?
Practice for the season is usually scheduled to begin the week 3rd week of August. Please check the schedule page for information about when and where games will be played.
Q – What equipment does the Montvale Junior Football Association supply?
Each player is fitted with a protective helmet that includes a facemask, chin strap, a rib cage protector and mouth guard. Shoulder pads and a “girdle” that contains hip and tailbone pads are also supplied. In addition, each player is supplied with a pair of game and practice pants that include removable knee and thigh pads and an adjustable belt. Finally, each player is supplied both a game and practice jersey with numbers designated by the coaching staff. All equipment is tested and inspected annually to ensure it meets the protective needs of our players. Defective equipment is promptly discarded and replaced. All helmets and pads are fitted to the player’s size by the Montvale Junior Football Association staff.
Players may not keep their game or practice jerseys or any other equipment.
In addition to Montvale Junior Football Association issued equipment each player must purchase and wear a protective cup and athletic supporter (jock strap). Rubber cleats are allowed and many players were multi-sport cleated shoes. Baseball spikes are NOT allowed.
It is the individual player’s responsibility to keep his equipment clean and in proper working order. Individual players must replace mouth guards that are chewed beyond effective use. All equipment problems should be reported promptly to a player’s coach. Many players opt to purchase their own white practice pants and an additional belt to help ease laundry chores during a particularly muddy practice season. If your son is a Missile or Jet consider buying pants that will last at least two seasons.
Q – How often will practice be held?
In the weeks leading up to the start of the school year teams will practice five nights per week (Mon-Friday) for approximately two hours each evening. After school begins practice will be scaled back to a three night a week (Mon - Wed - Friday) schedule. The only exception is when there is a Friday night game. Teams will only practice on Monday and Wednesday unless for some reason it is necessary for teams to practice Thursday. The coach of each team will determine the team’s actual practice schedule.
Q – Is practice ever cancelled?
Football is an all-weather sport so we practice and play in the rain, snow, etc. Occasionally your team’s coach may need to reschedule a practice and you will be informed in advance.
Q – Where are games played?
Montvale Junior Football Association home games are played at Montvale's Junior Football Field on Saturday mornings. Away games are played at similar times at facilities provided by BCJFL opponents. There are no busses or Montvale Junior Football Association supplied vehicles for transportation to away games. Parents are responsible for providing transportation to away games or practice scrimmages for players.
Q – How are the games played?
Games consist of four 8 minute quarters. The clock runs continuously without stoppages for out of bounds plays or incomplete passes. With timeouts, halftime, etc. you can expect the game itself to last approximately one hour.
The BCJFL assigns three paid officials for each game. Each team is required to dress at least 15 players. Many towns also supply cheerleading squads who add immensely to the atmosphere of the game.
At the Pee Wee level coaches are allowed to be on the field with their team but must not have physical contact with the players once the offense breaks its huddle.
Q – Who is my team’s coach?
A complete list of head coaches at each level can be found on the Montvale Junior Football Association Coaches/Contacts page. All coaches are volunteers assigned by the Montvale Junior Football Association. The typical Montvale Junior Football Association coach devotes between 15-20 hours per week to his team. Most have played at the college level and regularly attend off-season clinics to improve their football knowledge and coaching skills. Comments and suggestions regarding coaching assignments along with any interest in volunteering can be directed to our coaching staff, the Montvale Junior Football Association Coaching Director.
Q - What can I do to help?
Parents who make sure their son is on time and properly dressed for practice are a tremendous help to the coaching staffs. Please make sure he has done his homework and/or household chores before practice so he doesn’t have those responsibilities waiting for him after a physically demanding practice session.
Setting up and breaking down the field before and after a home game requires a small team of volunteers to set out yard markers, rope off the field perimeter and move benches from the pump house to the field.
We expect to be serving refreshments so volunteers will be needed to work the refreshment stand at each game.
Additionally, we need to supply a three person “chain gang” for each home game to handle the down and distance markers. This is a chance to watch the game from the best seat in the house.
Q - What are the age limits for each player group?
Seniors - must not reach the age of 15 prior to September 1 and may not be entering a grade higher than eighth grade.
Juniors - must not reach the age of 12 prior to June 1 and may not be entering a grade higher than seventh grade.
Pee Wees - must not reach the age of 10 prior to June 1 and may not be entering a grade higher than fifth grade.
Q – When are the players weighed?
The Saturday prior to the start of the season all players are officially weighed at a facility designated by the BCJFL governing board. Currently that site is at the Norwood Facility on a Saturday. Montvale Junior Football Association players car pool to Norwood at the designated time and are weighed by team assignment. Each player is required to wear his game jersey at the weigh in and is further identified to league officials by the photos and birth certificate supplied to the Montvale Junior Football Association at registration.
Q – What happens if a player fails to meet the weight limit?
The BCJFL conducts two more weigh-in sessions during the season. They are scheduled for the weeks following the third and sixth games of the season. Players who exceed the weight limit by no more than 5 lbs (Pee Wees), 10 lbs (Juniors) and 15 lbs (Seniors) are eligible to be re-weighted at those sessions.
A player who exceeds the weight limit is ineligible for participation in BCJFL games but may continue to practice at the discretion of his Montvale Junior Football Association coach. In some cases an over weight player may be promoted to the roster of a higher level team (ex – Juniors to Seniors) at the discretion of the Montvale Junior Football Association.
Q – Is there a post season?
The BCJFL sponsors a post season “Super Bowl” tournament. The top two teams in each BCJFL Division qualify for the tournament and play a single elimination series to determine the BCJFL Champion at each competition level.
The Montvale Junior Football Association season concludes with an annual awards banquet where each team is recognized for its accomplishments during the season.
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