Parents

NVYFL Age Matrix

This Age and Weight Matrix is OFFICIAL. Until such time as the Official Rules are updated, the below matrix will continue to serve as the OFFICIAL matrix. The minimum weight requirement for participating is 40lbs for Anklebiters and 56lbs for other weight classes. Players must weigh at or greater than the minimum by the official weigh-in (Typically mid-to-late August).

Birthday Age Cutoff Date: July 1st

Note: For the 2025 season only, October 1st will remain the cutoff date for determining eligibility for 7-year-olds.

* The minimum weight requirement for participating is 40lbs. Players must weigh at or greater than 40lbs by the official weigh-in.

In an effort to ensure we continue to serve our community and the largest group of children the Board of Commissioners approved a small modification to the NVYFL Age and Weight Matrix to adjust the upper weight classes (130lbs and 155lbs) to be more inclusive of the majority of middle school age children so that they may participate and prepare for High School ball.

In addition to the weight matrix, the NVYFL divides most of the Weight Classes into 3 development levels or Divisions. We believe that the combination of the weight matrix with the 3 skill levels will provide the vast majority of kids with the opportunity to be successful at their own pace. There are 2 exceptions to the 3 skill levels: 1) at Anklebiters (AB) all children are considered to be Developmental, and 2) at the 155lb weight class where participation levels prevent splitting into multiple teams and the majority of the kids are on the last stage before moving on to High School football.

 

NVYFL Age Matrix

(If you have any questions regarding this age matrix, please contact your local club's commissioner.)

Birthday Age Cutoff Dates: Ages 7-11 and 14 - Age on October 1; Ages 15-16 - 15 year olds that turn 16 on or before December 31st must play 155lbs. No player that turns 17 on or before December 31st is eligible to play. participation levels prevent splitting into multiple teams and the majority of the kids are on the last stage before moving on to High School football.

NVYFL Age Matrix

* Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball in Anklebiters is 70lbs. Anklebiter players over the 70lb limit and all other unlimited players at other weight classes are not eligible to play in a position that normally handles the ball unless they are at or below the listed maximum ball carrier weight (the weight limit listed next to "Unlimited/" on the chart above).

Positions excluded for unlimited players exceeding the maximum ball carrier limit include all offensive backfield positions, all eligible receivers and tight end positions, and any position not on the first line of a special teams formation. Exceptions include the offensive positions of center, punter, and placekicker.

** 15-year old’s that turn 16 on or before December 31st must play 155lbs.
*** 16-year old’s that turn 17 on or before December 31st are not eligible to play.

Required Equipment: The following is a list of required equipment. Parents and players will not modify this equipment in any way. All uniforms and equipment will be provided by Fort Hunt, except as noted:

1. Helmet (with approved face guard and chin strap).
2. Shoulder Pads.
3. Game Pants (with thigh pads & knee pads).
4. Practice Pants.
5. Hip Pads and Tail Pad.
6. Game Jersey.
7. Practice Jersey.
8. Shoes - either molded or removable cleats are allowed - (provided by the player).
9. Mouth Guard
10. Black game socks

Optional Equipment (Provided by the Player):
1. Athletic Supporter (with cup insert) and other personal protection devices are recommended, but must be in compliance with the National Federation of State High Schools Associations (NHFS) Rules.
2. Any shirts won under your game jersey need to be black in color.

If in doubt, check with your Head Coach or the Commissioner.

ALL PLAYERS MUST HAVE A VIRGINIA DMV-ISSUED ID CARD IN HAND WHEN ATTENDING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING WEIGH-IN SESSIONS.

No other identification cards (passports included) will be accepted. This is not a Fort Hunt rule, this is mandated by the Fairfax County Youth Football League.

The card must reflect the player's current address and will take approximately 10 business days to be delivered once issued by the DMV.

Fort Hunt Assembles at a designated time near Door 9 with DMV ID CARD and shorts and T-shirt

(NO SWEATSHIRTS/PANTS ALLOWED)

This Age and Weight Matrix is now OFFICIAL, and the new weights appear below:

* The minimum weight requirement for participating is 40lbs. Players must weigh at or greater than 40lbs by the official weigh-in.

In an effort to ensure we continue to serve our community and the largest group of children the Board of Commissioners approved a small modification to the NVYFL Age and Weight Matrix to adjust the upper weight classes (130lbs and 155lbs) to be more inclusive of the majority of middle school age children so that they may participate and prepare for High School ball.

In addition to the weight matrix, the NVYFL divides most of the Weight Classes into 3 development levels or Divisions. We believe that the combination of the weight matrix with the 3 skill levels will provide the vast majority of kids with the opportunity to be successful at their own pace. There are 2 exceptions to the 3 skill levels: 1) at Anklebiters (AB) all children are considered to be Developmental, and 2) at the 155lb weight class where participation levels prevent splitting into multiple teams and the majority of the kids are on the last stage before moving on to High School football.

This Age and Weight Matrix is OFFICIAL. Until such time as the Official Rules are updated, the below matrix will continue to serve as the OFFICIAL matrix. The minimum weight requirement for participating is 40lbs for Anklebiters and 56lbs for other weight classes. Players must weigh at or greater than the minimum by the official weigh-in (Typically mid-to-late August).

 

NVYFL Age Matrix

(If you have any questions regarding this age matrix, please contact your local club's commissioner.)

Birthday Age Cutoff Dates: Ages 7-11 and 14 - Age on October 1; Ages 15-16 - 15 year olds that turn 16 on or before December 31st must play 155lbs. No player that turns 17 on or before December 31st is eligible to play.

* Maximum weight for a player to carry the ball in Anklebiters is 70lbs. Anklebiter players over the 70lb limit and all other unlimited players at other weight classes are not eligible to play in a position that normally handles the ball unless they are at or below the listed maximum ball carrier weight (the weight limit listed next to "Unlimited/" on the chart above). Positions excluded for unlimited players exceeding the maximum ballcarrier limit include all offensive backfield positions, all eligible receivers and tight end positions, and any position not on the first line of a special teams’ formation. Exceptions include the offensive positions of center, punter, and placekicker.

** 15-year old’s that turn 16 on or before December 31st must play 155lbs.

*** 16-year old’s that turn 17 on or before December 31st are not eligible to play.

 

WEIGHT CLASSES AND DEVELOPMENT LEVELS
Beyond the weight matrix, the NVYFL organizes most weight classes into three development levels or divisions. This unique approach aims to provide a tailored experience for players of varying skill levels, allowing them to thrive at their own pace. One exception to the three skill levels is the Anklebiters (AB) category, where all children are considered developmental.

OFFICIALITY
NVYFL officially recognizes the Age and Weight Matrix. Until the Official Rules undergo updates, this matrix will continue to serve as the official guideline. It is imperative to note that players must meet the minimum weight requirements for participation—40lbs for Anklebiters and 56lbs for other weight classes—at or above the minimum weight during the official weigh-in, typically scheduled for mid-to-late August.

AGE CUTOFF DATES
Age determination is based on a cutoff date of July 1st to maintain fairness and consistency. For the 2025 season only, October 1st will remain the cutoff date for determining eligibility for 7-year-olds. 

Please be aware that this information is subject to change based on updates to the Official Rules. 

IDENTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION

Each player must obtain a Player Identification Card. The card will be required as an official player identification at all NVYFL Weigh-Ins and upon demand by the NVYFL Standards and Rules Committee pursuant to executing the Committee's official duties.

Player Identification Card shall be the sole allowable proof of age in determining a player's eligibility.

ACCEPTED PLAYER IDENTIFICATION

• A current Virginia DMV-issued CHILD ID (NOT EXPIRED) IS REQUIRED for official league weigh-ins in August. 
• DMV offices are located throughout the area; for information regarding how and where to obtain a CHILD ID, please visit the DMV website at https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/licenses-ids/id-cards/child-id.

WHAT IS DISPLAYED ON A CHILD ID CARD

The child ID card contains the following:

• Customer number
• Date of birth, height, and sex
• Expiration date and issue date
• Full legal name and address
• Full-face photograph
• Statement "Not a license to operate a motor vehicle"
• Statement "Organ donor information"

 

No other Identification Cards/Proof of Age and Residence are acceptable.

 

All identification cards must be valid, current, and issued within the above-mentioned time frame.

Identification Cards

 

MAINTAINING ELIGIBILITY

All Player Identification Cards of eligible participants shall be maintained by the Player during football season. All Player Identification Cards shall be available from NVYFL Standards and Rules Committee members on demand.

 

Suppose at any time during the season, a protest is filed against a player. In that case, the Commissioner and Head Coach of the player against whom the protest has been lodged shall attend the NVYFL Standards and Rules Committee Meeting or Weigh-In, as specified, with the Player Identification Card.

 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS AND/OR RULES

• A player will have only one chance to make his weight. Once he steps on an official scale and is found overweight, he must move up to the proper higher-weight class. A player who cannot move to a higher weight class, either because their league does not file a higher weight class team or because they fall outside the boundaries of the weigh-in requirements for any class, may be allowed a second weigh-in at a time and place designated by the Standards and Rules Committee Vice-Chairman.
• There will be no waivers for weight.
• All players must be officially weighed in to become eligible for NVYFL competition.
• All youth registered with one organization become a member of that organization's team roster at the time of their official Weigh-In and cannot be transferred to another organization's team during the football season and post-season.
• Youth shall wear gym shorts or bathing suits at a minimum. Youth shall wear only one pair of shorts (or bathing suit), a t-shirt, and socks as a maximum. No long pants, coats, shoes, football uniforms, or heavier garments will be allowed.
• If deemed necessary by the NVYFL, late weigh-ins shall be conducted at a time and place to be announced, with a per-player late weigh-in fee paid to NVYFL.

See the official rulebook for additional information.

 

OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN 

• Official league (NVYFL) weigh-ins will be conducted at Marshall High School, 7731 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043, on Saturday mornings in August.
  • ​Saturday, August 9th (1st Weigh-In)
  • Saturday, August 16th (2nd Weigh-In) 
  • Saturday, August 23rd (3rd Weigh-In) 
• Coaches will provide further instructive information to the parents and players.
• Players are only allowed to weigh in once to determine their division.
• NVYFL charges a fee, to be collected by Member Clubs, for the 2nd and 3rd weigh-in.

Our home game field is Carl Sandburg Middle School (8428 Fort Hunt Rd, Alexandria, VA 22308), which is a synthetic turf field. As a member of the Northern Virginia Youth Football League (NVYFL), Fort Hunt is one of 24 clubs participating in this League. In order to make this year’s football season a positive experience for you and your child, we would like to provide you with some important information as it pertains to the NVYFL game schedules so that you are fully informed of League expectations prior to registering and making the commitment to participate in Fort Hunt and in the NVYFL. 

(a) Game schedules are NOT finalized until after the last weigh-in. The League needs to first understand how many teams are participating before a schedule can be completed.

(b) Approximately 70% of NVYFL games are scheduled on Saturdays.

(c) Approximately 25% of NVYFL games are scheduled on Sundays.

(d) Approximately 5% of NVYFL games are scheduled on weeknights (Mon-Fri).

(e) All game scheduling is done regardless of outside factors such as community events;

(f) Weekend games are scheduled without deference to religious denominations. The potential exists that conflicts may occur and the NVYFL will go ahead and play scheduled games. Please be aware that the possibility exists for a conflict and personal decisions must be made by the family whether to participate or not.

(g) All game scheduling is done by the NVYFL based upon allocated space available to each individual member club.

(h) When games are postponed due to inclement weather, they must be made up as soon as possible because of the limited facilities (fields) available, the short seven-week regular season; unpredictability of weather, play-off and championship games, and the Thanksgiving Holiday. This means games could be rescheduled as quickly as the day after a postponement!

(i) With the introduction of the new turf fields around the county, NVYFL will schedule and reschedule games on these weatherproof sites in the best interests of finishing the season on time and not canceling any games! This scheduling pattern takes precedence over the “home” game concept experienced in the past. When possible, we will continue to schedule home games as in the past, however, “playing the game” is the most important goal we desire. In the next few years, sports fields in our region will undergo a MAJOR renovation to synthetic turf surfaces and we must be flexible and adjust ahead of the curve.

(j) The availability of game officials and the weather are the primary reasons for the initial schedule and subsequent schedule changes.

 Please keep in mind that the NVYFL has (24) member clubs from Gainesville to Alexandria, from Woodbridge to Loudoun County. The NVYFL tries to “look” at weekly match-ups, time and location of games when schedules are developed. However, the availability of facilities (lighted) or lack of lighted fields, significantly impacts “convenient” geographical scheduling. Teams are matched by draw, not by geography, so the possibility exists in each weight class that all clubs may play any other club, anywhere in the county. We are cognizant that traffic, early morning, and late night games, are considered an inconvenience by some people. The bottom line is that the NVYFL is an organization that has over 7,000 players, a limited number of officials; limited number of lighted and turf fields, and trying to schedule all these games in a 7 week regular season is a challenge, to say the least, so we appreciate your patience when inclement weather causes everyone’s schedule to change.

Our philosophy in Fort Hunt Football and Cheer is that every boy and girl who wants to play Football and Cheer should be able to do so, regardless of their financial situation.
If your family is in need, there are two ways to receive financial assistance for Fort Hunt Football and Cheer.

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1. Fairfax County Youth Sports Scholarship program
Once you have properly finished the Fort Hunt online registration form, the following additional steps are needed before your child's registration is considered complete. Until all these steps are done, your child's registration is considered incomplete and they will not be assigned to a team and are not allowed on a field or court for either practice or games.
Download application, properly complete, and sign the Fairfax County Youth Sports Scholarship program application.
Provide proof that your child is currently receiving assistance by:
Attaching a copy of your official document that signifies your child is receiving aid.
or obtain the signature of school counselor, staff, case worker, or other official on appropriate line of Scholarship application form.
Give signed application form and proof of aid to your sports commissioner and/or registrar.
Once you have completed the online registration AND provided appropriate paperwork to the sports commissioner/registrar, your child's registration is complete.

FHYAA wants to ensure that every child has an opportunity to participate in youth sports regardless of his or her financial situation. The Fairfax County Department of Community and Recreational Services (DCRS) provides registration fee scholarships. To be eligible for a county scholarship, a child must be currently enrolled in a public assistance program such as Free or Reduced Lunch, General Relief, Food Stamps, ADC, Foster Care, Medicaid, or SSI. In addition the child must live in Fairfax County, be enrolled in K - 12, commit to attend 80% of practices and games, and not be currently served by an existing scholarship or fee waiver program.

1. Special requests for assistance
If you are not eligible for the above Fairfax County assistance program, but still require financial assistance, you can make a special request directly the Football and Cheer Commissioner.