League and Division Realignment and Format Changes

Major realignment and formatting changes will be instituted for the 2023 Season in our youth football programs and divisions. The biggest changes will be happening in our NOYFL Program. The utmost
importance of these changes is to improve the experience, safety, wellbeing and development of our
young athletes as they prepare for their middle school and high school years.

Northern Ohio Youth Football League (NOYFL)

This league will be open to all kids that live in the City of North Ridgeville and surrounding communities.

Teams in this league will play other teams in the NOYFL. No travel will be needed. The focus of the
NOYFL will be having fun as we teach kids the game of football. This will be achieved with smaller teams
to allow coaches more time with players for learning. The new format change will also allow more kids the opportunity to pass, run and catch the football. 

The major changes will be:
1. The format will change to 7v7 and 5v5;
2. 4th Grade will move up to the Ranger Youth Padded Flag Division (Full Pads);
3. 3rd & 2nd Grade will merge into the Pro Division in a 7v7 format (Helmets and Padded Pants
Only);
4. 1st Grade & Kindergarten will merge into the College Division in a 5v5 format (No Pads);
5. In addition to the format changes listed above, the football programs will also see an overhaul in
how players are rostered and selected.

College Flag Division

This division is the very basics of flag football while also introducing the kids to a practice and game
structure. This will be a 5 on 5 flag division for Kindergartners and 1st Graders. Teams will have a
maximum roster of eight (8) players. There will be no freeze lists. Teams will be formed based on the
total number of registrations from the age group.

Pro Padded Flag Division

This division will build off the basics learned in our College Flag Division while also introducing
equipment to the kids. Players will be issued helmets and padded pants. This will allow them to
understand how to properly use this equipment and simply get used to wearing it and learning how they
work. This will allow them to be better prepared when they wear full equipment in the Ranger Padded
Flag Division the following year. This will be a 7 on 7 flag division for 2nd & 3rd Graders. Teams will have a maximum roster of twelve (12) players. Coaches can submit a freeze list of up to five (5) players only, this includes coach’s kids. Players not on a freeze list will be evaluated during a summer workout by a 3rd Party and then placed on teams to make them as competitive as we can. We will try to honor requests by parents if possible. In addition, 3rd Graders may request to play in the Ranger Padded Flag Division (see below). Requests to play up will be approved based on availability of roster spots on teams and registrations.

Quick Overview

Players not on a freeze list will be placed on teams to make them as competitive as we can. We will try
to honor requests by parents if possible.
1. College Flag Division (Kindergarten & 1st Grade)
a. Eight (8) players on a roster;
b. No freeze list;
2. Pro Padded Flag Division (2nd & 3rd Grade)
a. Twelve (12) players on a roster;
b. Five (5) player only freeze list, includes coaches kids;
c. Returning 3rd graders priority for freeze list;
d. 3rd Graders can identify preference to play up;

Ranger Youth Football

While fun will always be the focus, this program will be more competitive then the NOYFL. Teams in this
league will play teams from the surrounding communities who play in the Lake Erie Youth Football
League (LEYFL). Some travel is involved in this league to other communities within the LEYFL. The goal
here is to get the kids ready for middle school football and beyond, both mentally and physically. In
order to achieve this, we need the kids to still want to play after their experience with Ranger Youth
Football and to develop the kids as much as possible before we hand them off to the middle school
coaches. While actual game rules can be modified, the models discussed below are supported by USA
Football (Rookie Tackle/Padded Flag), Pop Warner Football and the NFL.

This league will be for kids that live in the City of North Ridgeville ONLY, outside city kids that played in 3rd Grade and up last year will be grandfathered in. Players not on a freeze list will be evaluated during summer workouts by a 3rd Party and then placed on teams to make them as competitive as we can. We will try to honor requests by parents if possible. To limit disruptions with these changes, returning teams in this league will be allowed to freeze more returning players to the roster for this season only.

The major changes will be:

1. Entering teams into the Padded Flag Division of the LEYFL in a 7v7 format;
2. Adding teams to the Rookie Tackle Division of the LEYFL in a 7v7 format;
3. In addition to the format changes listed above, the football programs will also see an overhaul in how players are rostered and selected.

Ranger Padded Flag Division

Prior to Rookie Tackle, the USA Football model has what they call Limited Contact (Padded Flag), this
allows players to better transition from flag to tackle and allows a step prior to entering Rookie Tackle.
All levels of football are important but from a major safety stand point this may be the most important
of all. The next piece to the puzzle is having kids play football in full gear allowing them to understand
how to properly use this equipment for their protection. This step, if taught properly, helps to promote
heads up football and safety to ensure our children enjoy playing football for years to come as healthy
well-rounded individuals. Adding equipment to children is an important step and deserves the attention
that we are now giving it. Parents, we can’t stress enough how valuable playing at least one year of
padded flag is to the health of our youth as they look to us and depend on us to ensure their safety and
wellbeing.

This will be a 7 on 7 padded flag division primarily for 4th Graders but 3rd Graders may request to play in this division in lieu of the NOYFL Pro Padded Flag Division. In addition, 4th Graders may request to play in the Ranger Rookie (Modified) Tackle Division (see below). Requests to play up will be approved based on availability of roster spots on teams and registrations. Teams will have a maximum roster of twelve (12) players. Coaches can submit a freeze list of up to five (5) players only, this includes coach’s kids.

Ranger Rookie (Modified) Tackle Division

This level of football is part of USA Football’s Football Development Model and serves as a bridge between flag football and full-field tackle. This allows players to add an extra step incorporating the basic fundamentals of tackling before going 11 on 11. It also allows for some to continue to develop before moving on to the final progression in our program. This is full contact tackle football just in a smaller format. Rookie Tackle allows coaches to be more thorough teaching fundamentals to smaller groups. At this level our goals should be to reinforce fundamental football and safety while incorporating tackling.

This will be a 7 on 7 tackle division primarily for 5th Graders but 4th Graders may request to play in this division in lieu of the Ranger Padded Flag Division. Teams will have a maximum roster of twelve (12) players. Coaches can submit a freeze list of up to five (5) players only, this includes coach’s kids. We will try to honor requests by parents if possible. In addition, 5th Graders may request to play in the Ranger Varsity Tackle Division (see below). Requests to play up will be approved based on availability of roster spots on teams and registrations. This division also has weight restrictions: There is a weight limit of 120 pounds for any skilled offensive position for rookie tackle. This includes helmet, shoulder pads, pants with pads, cleats and any other mandatory or optional protective equipment. There is no weight limit for defensive positions. Players in this division will be required to receive a health examination. A health examination form will be available on the league registration page. The form will be required to be completed by both a parent/legal guardian and a licensed physician.

Ranger Varsity Tackle Division

This is where it all comes together, not just for the kids but parents and coaches alike. This is where we
continue to focus on fundamental football by honing our craft at dedicated positions. The fruits of our
labor should be on display at this point as more kids should be prepared to play at a higher and safer
level. This part of our program acclimates kids to bigger groups, the need to work on their craft at home
and begin owning responsibility to their own development.

This will be a 11 on 11 tackle division primarily for 6th Graders but 5th Graders may request to play in this
division in lieu of the Rookie (Modified) Tackle Division. Requests to play up will be approved based on
availability of roster spots on teams and registrations. Teams will have a maximum roster of twenty-five
(25) players. Coaches can submit a freeze list of up to eight (8) players only, this includes coach’s kids.
We will try to honor requests by parents if possible.

This division also has weight restrictions: No player may advance the ball or play in the offensive or
defensive backfield who weighs more than 130 pounds in full dress uniform. This includes helmet, shoulder pads, pants with pads, cleats and any other mandatory or optional protective equipment. All players over the 130-pound weight limit can only play center, guard, or tackle on offense. On defense they may only play defensive line or linebacker. Players in this division will be required to receive a health examination. A health examination form will be available on the league registration page. The form will be required to be completed by both a parent/legal guardian and a licensed physician.

Quick Overview:

Players not on a freeze list will be placed on teams to make them as competitive as we can. We will try to honor requests by parents if possible.

1. Ranger Padded Flag Division (4th Grade)
a. Twelve (12) players on a roster;
b. Five (5) player only freeze list, includes coaches kids;
c. 4th Graders are priority for roster;
d. 3rd Graders can identify preference to play in division;
e. 4th Graders can identify preference to play up;
2. Ranger Rookie (Modified) Tackle Division (5th Grade)
a. Twelve (12) players on a roster;
b. Five (5) player only freeze list, includes coaches kids;
c. 5th Graders are priority for roster;
d. 4th Graders can identify preference to play in division;
e. 5th Graders can identify preference to play up;
3. Ranger Varsity Tackle Division (6th Grade)
a. Twenty-five (25) players on roster;
b. Eight (8) player only freeze list, includes coaches kids;
c. 6th Graders are priority for roster;
d. 5th Graders can identify preference to play in division;