Southern York County Life

SEYFA IS ATTEMPTING TO GAUGE INTEREST IN A SPRING FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE FOR GRADES 1-6.  PLEASE EMAIL SEYFA AT IF YOU ARE INTERESTED.

What is SEYFA?  We’ve already signed our child up with spring flag football through HARP.

SEFYA is the Southeastern Youth Football Association.  We ran the fall tackle football program in the Stewartstown and Fawn Grove areas for grade 1 thru 6.  We are unaware of HARP running a flag football program.

There’s a fall tackle football program?When does sign up begin for that? I was under the impression we had to go to Maryland to find tackle football.

SEYFA has been in existence since 2003.  The website can be found at http://www.leaguelineup.com/seyfarams.  They play in the YAEFL, whose website is http://www.yaefl.com.

The tackle football says it’s for grades 4 and up. I’m looking for something for my 7 year old son. He tried flag football and didn’t like it; guess he likes the contact of regular football.

The SEYFA program is a very well run organization. It really looks out for the kids well being. The rules are set up to protect the kids well being while at the same time giving balanced playing time. The coaches give crucial and critical instruction on how to play the game safely.  With increased concerns and awareness with regard to concussion and other injuries this teaching is invaluable. My child went through the program and loved every moment.  The Flag Football games are awesome to watch and be apart of.  These games are also important to get the kids interested in football. ( Doesn’t hurt to get them off the XBOX for awhile too) Probably the most important feature of the program is that it is a direct feeder to the Kennard-Dale High football program. These kids learn many of the sames plays and techniques that are taught at that level. This program is directly responsible for the success that program has enjoyed over the past few seasons.

Now I would like to comment on a post concerning Maryland football. I know a few coaches and parents who have been involved with different teams. Some do have positive comments but most are not. In Maryland thing are a little more political (Dad as coach and his kid is the star) and more about wins and losses.  Some thing that are also different than SEYFA is the way the teams are put together. They take kids for that are heavier and younger and play them with kids older and lighter (7 year old weights 50 pounds and a 9 year old the same weight, advantage 9 year old.) ) This can be a recipe for disaster as many kids that are older can deliver more severe hits on kids who have yet to grow into their bodies. Not to say all teams are bad or flawed but with SEYFA there are weight limits for the ball handlers (non- lineman). If a child weights over 100 lbs. he can only be a line man. This saves little Johnny from tackling a running-back that weights 170 lbs. while he plays linebacker at 79 lbs. In Maryland they have playoffs and that jazz. In the York Adams Elementary Football League in which SEYFA plays you are not allowed to publish scores or standings. It is an instructional league only. Obviously kids and parents know the scores. After all what does champions of youth football at age 9 mean in the future. Now if they learn and play hard when they get to high school maybe champion means a scholarship to a good college.

Trust me, I don’t want to go to Maryland, but I don’t want to force my boys to play a sport they don’t want to play (flag football). I would love to find a tackle football program around here for a first and second grader, but everywhere I check, it says 4th grade and up. If you could point me in the right direction, I’d be happy to keep it local!! It would mean a lot less headache and travel for me!

HARP has had Spring flag football for quite some time, this year they also had a fall season, I’m not sure if it was new or just the first year we knew about the fall season.  It’s our 3rd year with their program and our child has a great time, it’s definitely not a high pressure kind of program, more for learning the basics, getting some exercise and having fun.  They practice at the Stewarstown park and play two games, one home and one away, in Red Lion.

@ lovemyboys, I know this isn’t the response you might be hoping for but I recommend waiting. By the name you go by on this site I assume you do love your boys.  I have an old school mentality but recently I’ve been educated on the dangers of concussions especially in the very young.  Young kids tend to tackle with their heads down or lead with the head (spearing) this is an innate and natural reflex when the mind senses an impact. It is very difficult to overcome at that age.  The decision is yours. I hope you err on the side of caution. My son has played since the 4th grade and he is a big strong kid and has a head like a rock(he got it from me) and he has experienced mild concussion like symptoms and I’ve have coached and taught him his whole life how to play correctly. Hope this helps. I want to see him make it to the high school level unharmed.

cc3: thank you..that was a very sweet and thoughtful post. 

lovemyboys - 09 February 2012 04:05 PM

Trust me, I don’t want to go to Maryland, but I don’t want to force my boys to play a sport they don’t want to play (flag football). I would love to find a tackle football program around here for a first and second grader, but everywhere I check, it says 4th grade and up. If you could point me in the right direction, I’d be happy to keep it local!! It would mean a lot less headache and travel for me!

Same here.