FAQs

EFA PROGRAMS OFFERED

The EFA offers three (3) different programs depending on a student's agegrade level. The programs offered are as follows:

1. FLAG FOOTBALL: Offered to students who are in Grades 2 and 3. This is an introductory, fun level of play for students just learning about football. Students practice and play on Saturdays. The practices and games are held at Courney Fields (Braemar baseball fields). A Practice is held immediately prior to each game. There are no specific equipment requirements for Flag Football. Teams are formed by neighborhoods or school attendance to the greatest extent possible. Some ability exists to play with a particular friend of a student (see registration).

2. 4th-6th Grade Tackle Football: Beginning in 4th Grade, students begin tackle football with appropriate equipment. Practices are usually held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays of each week, with games usually being held on Saturdays. (Some games may be scheduled during the week on practice nights as the schedule requires.) The goals of this level of play are to teach students the proper fundamentals of football and let them have fun learning and playing. Teams are "equi-drafted" to assure that all teams have a fair ability to compete with each other. Teammates are not chosen based on neighborhoods or schools and we are unable to honor any such requests. Practices begin approximately 10 days prior to Labor Day, with games starting the first Saturday after Labor Day. The skills taught increase by grade as students progress to learn more about the game. Playoffs are held in Grades 5 and 6.

3. 7th-8th Grade Tackle Football (SWML): Students in Grades 7 and 8 progress to the last level of play in the EFA. We are a member of the Southwest Metro League, which consists of the communities of Edina, Bloomington, Eden Prairie, and Chaska. SWML members schedule inter-city games each year, so students at this level get the ability to play against students in other communities. The goals at this level are to continue skill development, which additional emphasis on developing certain skills in certain players and helping players learn the offensive and defensive schemes used by the High School. Practices are Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, with games primarily on Saturdays. Students participating in this level are required to travel to other communities for some games.

20 Frequently Asked Questions About Youth Football in Edina

The Edina Football Association was created in 1962 to provide the youth of Edina the opportunity to participate in organized football. Since then, thousands of kids have enjoyed the benefits of what some believe is the finest youth football program in Minnesota. For those who are new to Edina and/or new to the game of football, we have collected below a list of commonly asked questions and answers about our program. If you have additional questions we encourage you to contact the EFA by calling the Edina Parks & Recreation Department 952-826-0367 or the EFA hotline 952-826-0368. Please leave a name and a number where you can be reached or send an email (see contact EFA) from our site. Someone from the EFA Board will gladly respond.

Is football a dangerous sport for young people to play?
Although the EFA has taken numerous measures to make our program as safe as possible, football is a rough and tumble sport. Even with modern protective equipment, bumps and bruises will occur. Serious injuries are rare. However, the risk of injury must be placed in perspective with other youth activities.

From the National Safe Kids Campaign, here are some interesting statistics from hospital emergency rooms in the United States in 1977 (children 14 and under):

Bicycling: more that 312,000 treated for injuries; more than 200 children died;

Basketball: nearly 200,000 treated for injuries; no deaths reported in this age group;

Baseball: nearly 95,000 treated for injuries; (baseball has the highest fatality rate among all sports in this age group averaging 3 to 4 deaths each year);

Playgrounds: nearly 211,000 treated for injuries; (each year approximately 20 children, 14 and under, die from playground injuries);

Football: more than 150,000 treated for injuries; no deaths reported in this age group;

Here is what the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons has to say about organized sports, generally:

"Grade school students are less likely to suffer from severe injury because they are smaller and slower than older athletes; when they collide or fall, the forces on their musculoskeletal system are usually not high enough to cause injury". also "Sports injuries occur more frequently in physical education classes and free-play sports than in organized team sports. Minimal safety precautions and supervision can prevent many injuries".
How effective is protective equipment in preventing injuries?
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, "protective equipment is one of the most important factors in minimizing the risk of injury in football. Play it safe and wear the equipment required by most youth football leagues".
What equipment is required by the EFA?
1. Helmet (labeled NOCSAE certified) with face mask and chin strap with hard plastic chin guard.
2. Mouth guards with keeper strap.
3. Shoulder pads.
4. Pants with hip, tail, thigh and knee pads.
5. Athletic cup supporter.
6. Shoes: sneakers or preferably shoes with non-detachable, molded rubber cleats. (Soccer shoes are ok).
7. Football jersey (a jersey is provided by the EFA, but you may use your own for practice).
8. Water bottle: water is very important, especially in hot weather.
Good used equipment is available. Each summer the EFA conducts an equipment swap and we arrange for vendors to come to the first 4th Grade practices. However, don’t compromise fit for price when it comes to the helmet. The helmet is the singular most important piece of protective equipment.
According to the National Safe Kids Campaign, 60% of sports related injuries occur during practice rather than games. What does the EFA do to make practices more safe for participants?
Most football injuries occur when players use improper technique for tackling or blocking. Our coaches are trained to coach proper techniques and to correct players when they observe improper technique being used. Proper warm-up and stretching drills are performed before any contact drills take place. For first time players, techniques involving contact are initially taught using repetitive "walk-through" drills with emphasis on correct form for safely. Scrimmages are controlled with "quick whistles" to minimize injury from "piling-on" or unnecessary "stand-up contact".
How often do the teams practice and for how long?
The frequency of practices will vary somewhat by grade level. In the first week, 4th Grade will probably have 3 or 4 practice sessions. These practices are usually 1 1/2 to 2 hours in length. After school begins, the 4th Grade practices are usually 1-11/2 hours long on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights. (The number of practices may seem excessive, but remember, football has the shortest season of any of the organized sports and the kids have much to learn).
Where does each grade practice?
The field locations are available in the "Field Locations" section of the EFA website at www.edinafootball.org.
Why does each grade practice together on one field?
Practices are designed to emphasize skill development for all the players. It is much more efficient and effective to have all the coaches teaching at multiple stations to all the players than it is to have a coach and assistant attempt to teach multiple skills to each member of their team. It is also easier for the coaches to learn from one another if everyone is at the same location. Storage of practice equipment is centralized. Contact drills can be organized according to the size of players to avoid physical mismatches. Neighborhood car pools can still function even if the riders are on different teams. If the coach is late to practice, the other coaches will look after his team until he arrives.
When are practices cancelled?
The grade coordinators may cancel practices when school or other events effect a significant number of players. Practices will always be cancelled when a severe weather situation develops, especially the threat of lightning. (If we hear thunder, practice is over!) If your child is at practice and threatening weather conditions develop, it is your responsibility to pick your child up. Shelter at the parks is either non-existent or inadequate at best. As a rule, we will practice in drizzle, but not a downpour. A coach will always remain at the practice site until all children have been picked up.
Are practices mandatory? What if my child misses a practice?
Practices may occasionally be missed. The EFA is not the NFL. However, a team is dependent on the contribution of each player. For example, how can the coach introduce a new series of plays and expect the plays to work if the whole team has not learned them? A casual attitude toward practice attendance penalizes the whole team. If a player must miss a practice the parent should notify one of the team’s coaches before each practice to be missed.
How are teams selected?
EFA football is "inclusive" rather than "exclusive". We don’t have "A Teams" and "B Teams", nor do we "cut" players to form team rosters. All players make a team. All players start; therefore, all players play. Teams of approximately 15 players will be selected with the "Equi-Draft System". During the initial practices, all players will be weighed and timed. Coaches will also take notes on individual skills such as passing and catching the football. Toward the end of the first week of practice all coaches and the grade coordinator conduct a draft. After all the players have been assigned to a team, each head coach draws a number from a hat to determine the team he will coach. Coaches are allowed to trade for their son, but all the coaches must agree that the trade is fair. No other changes or swapping of players between teams is permitted after the drawing takes place. We take the Equi-draft very seriously because we want all the teams to have an equal chance to experience success. Every year we receive requests to have swaps made so "Billy can be on Bobby’s team", etc; however, the Equi-draft works for everyone, we just ask that you trust the system and reserve judgement until the end of the season.
How are coaches selected?
All EFA coaches are volunteers. We have one coach who has coached for over 25 years. Coaches are selected on their ability to work with young people and not solely on the basis of technical football knowledge. The EFA provides coaches with clinics and manuals to teach them our system. We expect our coaches to abide by the EFA rules and regulations and to conduct themselves at all times as a role model. We are looking for coaches who will put teaching the game of football and providing a fun, quality experience ahead of winning. Our coaches must never forget that this program is for the players and not the coaches. If you are interested in becoming a coach, please leave your name and a phone number where you can be reached with the Edina Parks & Recreation Department, (826-0435). Be sure to indicate the grade level you would like to work with.
Why do you have weight restrictions for ball carriers?
This is a safety issue. Statistics show that more injuries occur when smaller players attempt to tackle larger players. Players above the maximum ball carrier weights cannot advance the ball except in the case of a pass interception, fumble recovery or a forward pass. (Practice drill stations provide ineligible players a chance to learn ball carrier skills, because they may need them in 9th Grade when there are no weight limits).
Who gets to play?
Each player will be assigned a starting position on either offense or defense, thereby assuring that each player will play a minimum of one-half of the game. Players will learn to play several positions and have the opportunity to play different positions during the course of the season. The majority of young players want to play the skill positions such as quarterback, running back or wide receiver. As they develop more knowledge of the game, young players will come to appreciate that all positions are important to a good team.
How often are games played?
Typically, games are played on Saturday mornings. Some games will be played during the week on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday evening. As a rule there will be no games or practices on Wednesdays.
Where are games played?
The field locations are available in the "Field Locations" section of the EFA website at www.edinafootball.org.
When does the season end?
The regular season and playoffs should be concluded by the end of October. In addition, we are working with the EBA and EHA to minimize conflicts with basketball and hockey tryouts.
Normally football is played with 11 players. Why does the EFA play "9 Man Football"?
In 11 man football, as a rule, there are 4 offensive players who rarely, if ever, touch the football: the guards and tackles. By eliminating one of those positions, more players are eligible to touch the ball, thereby making the game more fun for more players. The game also tends to be more wide-open. In addition, our games are played on an 80-yard field, because the regulation 100-yard field is a lot of real estate for little players. The smaller teams fit very nicely on the 80-yard field.
What is a football parent’s role?
Players will learn the value of working together as a unit despite differences in neighborhoods, religious backgrounds, size, skill, etc;. They will develop self-esteem as they hone their individual and team skills, and they will learn to cope with losing and winning. Parents should be part of the fun, not the #1 problem in youth sports. Too often parents do not differentiate between developmental and professional sports. They hold their children to the same standards they hold the Vikings. This is not only wrong, it is potentially dangerous. In the book, "Sports and Your Child", sports psychologist, Ronald Smith says "unfortunately, there are too many cases similar to the business executive who told us, ‘If it hadn’t been for sports, I wouldn’t have grown up hating my father’. Smith adds, "Parents and coaches send powerful messages to a child and those messages shouldn’t be in conflict. All the good work of a skilled coach during the week can be undone in five minutes by an uninformed parent".

Parents are welcome to attend all practices and games. They are also welcome to communicate with the coaches. We ask that you be patient and supportive of your young player and his coaches. Be quick to praise and slow to criticize.
What is a football player’s role?
Football is a team sport. There is no "I" in the word team. Teams learn together, play together, win together and lose together. A good football player: helps and encourages his teammates, pays attention to his coach (even if he is teaching one of your teammates), is always a good sport, never complains to the officials and never qives up. If you and your teammates follow these simple rules you will become good football players and you will have a successful season.
What if a parent has a concern or complaint about the EFA?
Parents are encouraged to communicate with your child’s coaches; however, if you are uncomfortable with this, feel free to talk to the respective grade coordinator. Beyond that, the EFA has a Grievance Committee that is there to assure that the mission of the EFA is being carried out to the letter. You need not be concerned about recrimination and your inquiry or report will be treated confidentially. To contact the EFA Grievance Committee, leave your name and a phone number where you can be reached with the Edina Parks & Recreation Department, 952-927-8861.

This Website is a product of Mystify Your Web, Inc.