Get Certified!

ALL COACHES MUST COMPLETE AND PASS THE FOLLOWING
BEFORE STEPPING ON THE FIELD WITH ANY FCFL PLAYERS OR PARTICIPANTS: 

Please read below carefully.  There are 3 actions you will need to complete online, 2 certifications (USA Membership & Concussion Training) a criminal background check and lastly a CPR/AED Certification course.  Instructions for each are detailed below.  These online certifications are mandatory for every Head Coach and Asst Coach.  The CPR/AED training is only Mandatory for each Head Coach however we recommend that all leagues certify their Asst Coaches as well.  Each League can hold their own certified CPR/AED training course or each Head Coach can get their training done individually as long as all CPR/AED certifications are presented to the FCFL Administration for verification.  We will also try to hold a first-aid and CPR/AED training course at the PAL clubhouse at a date and time TBD for all coaches that are not certified yet.  As a reminder, no coaches will be allowed on the field during the season until we have received their certifications, each league is responsible for making sure your coaches complete every certification required.

FCFL Coaches Code of Conduct PDF Document must be signed by all FCFL coaches 
FCFL Players Code of Conduct PDF Document must be signed by all FCFL Players
FCFL Parents Code of Conduct PDF Document must be signed by all FCFL Parents

1. Become a Certified USA FOOTBALL Member
   1. All Head Coaches and Asst Coaches must Register as a USA Football Member.
   2. If you are not a USA Football Member and have never been certified go to http://usafootball.com/ Click “Become a Member” and fill out all required fields and submit.  Once you are registered click Organizations and associate yourself with your organization, you need to be associated with one of the FCFL football leagues for the PROMO code to work.
   3. Enter promo-code FCFL2025 and submit, but do not enter your credit card info.  You will receive an email to “Activate Now” your USA Football account.  Log in using new login/password, In “Coach Education Program” Box, click link for “Tackle Certification” At the conclusion of the program there is a quiz, hit "download" button and print and save your certificate.
   4. If you are a USA Football Member and have been certified in the past go to http://usafootball.com/ Click “log in” next to green Sign Up button on top right, Log in using your email and password, On “Membership Renewals” page – Click “Renew” under “Coach”  Accept Terms of Service and Renew Membership buttons using promo-code FCFL2025 and hit “update price” (do not enter credit card info).  In “Coach Education Program” Box, click link for “Tackle Re-Certification” Pass the quiz, hit "download" button and print and save your certificate.
2. CDC - HEADS UP CONCUSSION TRAINING CERTIFICATION
   1. All Head Coaches and Asst Coaches must pass the Concussion Training.
   2. Go to https://www.cdc.gov/heads-up/training/youth-sports.html
   3. At the outset of the module make sure to enter your full name as you'd like it to appear on your certificate. At the conclusion of the test, be sure to print the certificate using the link provided on the "congratulations" page. Your completion will not be saved so entering your name at the beginning, completing the module AND printing the certificate is required. MAKE SURE YOUR NAME APPEARS ON THE PRINTED CERTIFICATE BEFORE CLOSING THE SESSION
3. CBC - CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK
   1. All Head Coaches and Asst Coaches must pass a Background check.
   2. Each League can use their own company for background checks if they wish.  But all background checks for all Head Coaches and Asst Coaches must be verified by the FCFL Administration before your coaches are allowed on the field.
   3. You can use Westports Background check company, if you do not have one and then Westport will bill you for each coach you get certified under their program.  Just go to  Westport PAL Football Background Checks
   4. Complete required fields and sign using your mouse.  Open PDF to view the form.  Please print the signed form and keep for your records, Submit the order using the “submit this order now” button, You will receive an order number. 
   5. Send us the 5 digit order number confirming the information was submitted at 
      [email protected] and let us know what League you coach for, the grade and your full name.
      
   6. As a reminder, no coaches will be allowed on the field in until we have received a full set of all certifications.  
4. CPR/First AID, AED Certified
   1. All Head Coaches are required to be certified in CPR/AED.  It is recommended that all Asst Coaches get certified in CPR/AED but it is only mandatory for the Head Coach of each Team in each grade. Each league can hold its own Certified CPR/AED training course in location or each Head Coach can get their CPR/AED training done individually as long as all CPR/AED certifications are presented to the FCFL Administration for verification.  
   2. Westport will host a first-aid and CPR/AED training at the PAL clubhouse at a date and time TBD for all coaches that need certified
5. Watch USA Footballs Safety Videos on Sudden Cardiac Arrest Sudden Cardiac Arrest Safety

The 2 Conferences of the FCFL are split according to location in Fairfield County.  The AFC consists of teams located on the West side and the NFC consists of teams located on the East side to try and minimize the travel distance in a season.  Leagues with multiple teams in the same grade will be placed in both the AFC and NFC to try and prevent them from having to play each other in the FCFL Regular Season.  Playoff Seeding Matchups are based on the FCFL Standings Win-Loss percentage and all Ties are decided by Head to Head result first, then record vs common opponents, then a coin toss if needed.  

FCFL Football Rules - Per Division

A Coaches Influence "Beyond the Game"

Watch all 6 chapters, they are great for all levels of coaches!

All teams regardless of size of team or grade are required to play every player on the roster for a minimum number of plays (7th & 8th Grade = 10 plays, 6th = 12 plays, 5th, 4th & Modified = 14 plays).  Your teams Minimum Play Tracker Sheet and all of your opponents Minimum Play Tracker Sheet are located in a Private Head Coaches Page Minimum Player Trackers

1. For the Bantam (3rd and 4th grade) and Junior (5th and 6th grade) divisions, teams must be split when registration reaches 32. Therefore, the maximum team size is 31.

2. For the Senior (7th and 8th grade) division, teams must be split when registration reaches 36. Therefore, the maximum team size is 35.

However, under special situations and circumstances, each respective town has the option to appeal to the FCFL to increase the mandatory split prior to the first game of the season. All other rules and policies will apply including the minimum play rule.

3. For The 3rd grade through 6th Grade divisions, when registration reaches 57, three teams must be formed. When registration reaches 80, four teams must be formed.

4. For The 7th and 8 Grade divisions, teams may split at 60 players but when registration reaches 71, three teams must be formed. When registration reaches 80, four teams must be formed.

PLAYER WEIGHT and AGE POLICY

FCFL Weight Limits by Grade Level (updated 8/14/24)

1. Playing at “unlimited” positions (may play any position) must weigh in at no more than the designated weight of their grade level. Weight includes all equipment except helmet and shoulder pads. A player must play in the equipment he wears at the weigh-in with the only additions being helmet and shoulder pads.
2. A player who weighs over the “unlimited” weight for their grade level, must play an interior line “limited” position. “Limited” positions include only OT/OG/C/DT/DG.

All Minimum Play Tracker Sheets are located in our Private Coaches page Minimum Play Trackers.   All Head Coaches will have access to this page so you can print your teams and your opponents team Minimum Play Trackers Sheets.  If you would like your Asst Coaches or Team Manager to have access to the Minimum Play Trackers Page so they can print them as well just notify the FCFL Administrator [email protected] 

All teams are required to follow the FCFL Minimum Play Tracker Rules, which is to make sure that every player on your team and your opponents team gets the minimum plays per game required for your individual grade.  No Exceptions.  (7th & 8th Grade = 10 plays, 6th = 12 plays, 5th, 4th & Modified = 14 plays)