SMYA Frequently Asked Questions
During every Football season, parents of players and cheerleaders ask very common questions about many different aspects of the SMYA Football and Cheerleading Program. Below, we will try and address some of the questions that many of you inquiry about from SMYA Officials and other parents prior to and during the season.
Q) When does the season begin and end?
A) The season generally starts the last week of July and goes to the 1st of 2nd week of November. The season can go on further if a team makes the playoffs. .
Q) How much time is involved in the Football and Cheerleading Program?
A) It is a BIG time commitment on the part of players, cheerleaders, and parents. From around the last week of July to just before the start of school, football and cheerleading practice is at least 4 times per week for 2 hours each practice. After that date you will have practice 3 times a week for two hours each practice.
Q) What time do the kids practice?
A) During July and August, practices are usually around 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., 4 days a week. Once School begins practice will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., 3 days per week.
Q) Where will my kid(s) have practices and games?
A) The practice site is at Matthew Henson Middle School on Bryans Rd. About 50% of the games will be played at Bensville Region Park, located on Bensville Road in Charles County. Away games will be played in the Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties. Parents are responsible for all transportation for their children to and from practices and games.
Q) Is Football too rough for my child?
A) Only you and your child can answer this question. SMYA takes great strides to ensure that coaches are knowledgeable, well trained individuals with the abilities to teach proper technique and skills, and that all the equipment is inspected and is more than sufficient to provide proper safety for all players. But, keep in mind . . . this is tackle football. It's not a sport for every child. Please discuss this with your child and any of our Board members and Coaches prior to registering if you have specific concerns. REGISTRATION FEES ARE ONLY REFUNDABLE FOR A LIMITED PERIOD OF TIME.
Q) How do you select teams?
A) In SMYA there are seven weight-classes (7U, 8U, 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, and 14U). The players on these teams are determined by age and in some case skill level. Cheerleaders are divided by age and grade.
Q) What happens if we miss all the sign ups?
A) Once a player has missed the last official registration (dates will be specified), that player will be unable to participate for that season.
Q) When will I know what team my child is on?
A) You will generally know which team your child is on at registration. In the event of multiple teams at a given age group, players will be evaluated based on their skill level. Cheerleaders are grouped by age and grade, so their team is determined at registration.
Q) Can girls sign up to play football with the boys?
A) Absolutely!
Q) If my kid(s) does not like football and/or cheerleading or we are unhappy with our team or my child gets hurt, can we quit and get out money back?
A) No. Due to the overall costs in this sport, all fees paid at registration are not refundable once the refund period has expired.
Q) My daughter has a lot of activities. Is it a problem if she misses some practices and some games?
A) Yes. Cheerleading is not just for glamour anymore. It is a difficult sport and a team effort, as the girls will be doing routines, lifts and stunts. When people do not show up for practices, often the entire work out has to be revamped if the stunts or routines cannot be done without the missing people. Because there are only 3 practices a week during the season, if a girl misses a practice she may not know how to perform the routine or stunt properly. When this happens, the coaches are not allowed to let the girl perform that routine at the game. This is a safety issue and we will not compromise the safety of any of our participants. All participants need to make every effort to be available for the entire season.
Q) Why do football coaches yell so much?
A) Let us answer this way. Imagine if you invited 35 boys over to your home, put pads and a helmet on each of them and told them to hit each other as hard as they can, knock each other down and then do it again, and again, and again. What do you think would happen? More likely than not it would be complete chaos, mayhem, arguing, eventual name-calling, fist fighting and perhaps even a call from your neighbors asking you to move. I’m not sure a polite "Lets calm down now boys" would cut it. The answer to this question is: Coaches will demand complete attention and sometimes they demand it loudly. This is a contact sport and coaches are responsible for teaching the kids not only how to play football, but to do it properly so no one gets hurt. This requires a lot of cooperation, teamwork and the respect for each other, so coaches will make sure they are heard.