2023 MGYFA Football Development Model Grades 1-8

MGYFA Offers a variety of football program aligned to the USA Football Development Model.  Our program starts as early as Kindergarten with Non-Contact and Progresses through two levels of Contact Football.

MGYFA is a development league that ensures 50% playing time for all athletes and the ability to play a variety of positions.  All coaches are certified to current standards for youth coaches and tackle coaches receive USA Footballs Heads Up Coaches training. 

Non-Contact Flag Football

1st & 2nd Grade House Flag

The MGYFA flag house program engages players in team competition including 1-2 night per week of practice and games on Saturdays at Fernbrook Fields. Play structure, defensive philosophy and advancing skills are applied at this level.   Teams are formed by elementary school. 

Season runs from August 21st - October  14th with one practice per week after school starts, and games on Saturdays

3rd Grade House Flag

Continuing to further develop our athletes with increased skills and football concepts taught while increasing the competition in a schedule of House games against other MGYFA 3rd grade teams.

Both Non-Contact League SeasonsRun from August 21st through October 16th

Practice Starts August 22nd (Tuesday and Wednesday practices for the fist two weeks, Tuesdays only after Labor Day)

Games Every Saturday from September 9th through October 16th

Contact (9-Man and 11-Man  Tackle)

Contact introducing players to full contact tackle football while progressing certain elements of the game at they get older.   Teams are formed through an Equidraft process that aims to build teams of equal strength.  All games are played against other organizations within the Lake Minnetonka Athletic Association LMAA

Season runs August 8th - October 16th

Helmet checkout Week of August 1st (TBD) 

Player Evaluations  - Week of August 7th (TBD)

First Practice August 14th

Weigh-in - TBD

First Games Week of August 27th

4th - 6th Grade: 9 Man Tackle

In rookie tackle players begin to learn the fundamental of blocking and tackling.  Play is 9 man football and played on a smaller 80 yard field while limiting defensive rushing.  This allows players to focus on executing their assignments and offensive plays to develop.  Teams play half their games at home and all games are played against non-MGYFA opponents in the LMAA.

7th-8th Grade: 11-Man Tackle

Our most advanced tackle offering is 11 man football giving players the closest view of full high-school tackle football.  The main difference is the inability of the defense to blitz the quarterback. 

*All information above is tentative and subject to change.

Refund Policy

It is our hope at MGYFA that every player that registers for the season ultimately decides to play the entire season.  We do understand that outside circumstances can impact those plans.  In those situations our refund policy is below.  All refunds are for MGYFA fees only, Sport Engine Registration Fees listed at checkout are non-refundable.   

MGYFA Standard Refund Policy 

Before team formation 100% 

Before first practice 75%

Before the first game 50%

All practices will be held at Fernbrook Fields at the following times are set for the 2022 season.  Specific field locations are below. 

• Flag  6:00 - 7:00 (Tue & Wed until Labor Day, then Tue Only)
• 4th 5:30 - 7:00
• 5th 5:30 - 7:15
• 6th-7th 7:00 - 8:45 
• 8th from 7:15-9:00. 

4th - 8th Grade  Tackle - Practices will be Monday through Thursday until Labor Day Weekend, Tuesdays through Thursdays the first week of School (Labor Day week) and Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays the remainder of the season.