Herndon Optimist Youth Flag Football (HOYFF) is a sports program organized under the Optimist Club of Herndon, Virginia. We are a recreational, developmental youth flag football program run entirely by volunteers. The HOYFF management team are people in your community who share a commitment to giving back to their community and improving the lives of children in our community. Skills development, equitable player participation, teamwork, and good sportsmanship are our priorities. 

Player Eligibility

All boys and girls in grades K thru 8 are eligible to play in the program; there are no geographic or school attendance boundaries.

Players are grouped into divisions based on their grade (e.g., K-2, 3-5, 6-8). The final decision on divisions will be based on the number of players in each grade that register. The only team placement requests that will be accepted are for siblings in the same division to play on the same team.

Coach and Team Assistant Eligibility

Coaching and assisting a team are volunteer positions. For grade K-8 teams, Head Coaches must be at least 19 years old and Assistant Coaches and Team Assistants must be at least 14 years old.

The team Head Coach receives one free registration for his child on the team (game jersey fee is still required), coaching supplies, team training materials, and game plays.

All adult team staff members/volunteers must complete a background check and a youth abuse prevention online training course and exam before leading or assisting in any youth sports program activity. 

Coaches may be required to attend a coaches clinic at the beginning of the season. 

Referee Eligibility

Players are eligible to also be a referee which is a paid position.  Youth referees must be at least 12 years of age and in grade 7 or higher. 

Referees are expected to provide their availability information weekly by the deadline specified by the Commissioner.

Referees are expected to know the game rules, be on time for their assigned games, and dress appropriately. Referees are provided one game official shirt and whistle. Referees must provide their own black shorts/sweatpants and athletic shoes, all of which must be in good condition. 

Both new and returning referees must complete the mandatory training and pass an evaluation before they will be paid to referee a game. The training is held 1-2 weeks before the first games and varies from 1-3 sessions depending on whether you are a new or returning referee. The evaluation will be held during a team scrimmage and will be used to set your pay grade based on referee skill rating level: Candidate $15/game; Junior $25/game; Senior $35/game; Director $45/game.

Season Schedule

Player Skills Evaluation (Combine): Players perform throwing, catching, and speed drills to evaluate their skill level. All players who attend the combine and complete payment of registration and game jersey fees are placed on a team. Players who do not attend the combine will be wait-listed and may be evaluated and assigned to a team by the Commissioner if there is room on a team.

Team Practices: Start the week after coaches complete team draft; Practices for the Grade K-2 Division are held for 30 minutes Saturday morning before their game. Practices for the Grade 3-5 and 6-8 Divisions are held one night a week for 1.5 hours (specify available practice nights during the registration process). Coaches contact families with team practice information after the team draft completes.

Games: The game schedule is posted after the team draft completes and consists of seven to nine games per season, depending on how many teams are in a division and weather conditions. Makeup and Playoff/Championship games may be held on Sundays.

Fees

• Registration Fee: $100; Includes flag belt and one mouthguard (additional mouthguards available for $1 each)
• Game Jersey Fee: $30; Returning HOYFF participants do not need a new game jersey unless a new size or replacement is needed (indicate need for a game jersey during the registration process); Game jerseys will be distributed prior to the first game to players who have fully paid their fees.

Equipment Needed

Player must provide own shorts, socks, athletic shoes (cleats are recommended but not required), and water bottle.

Payment Options

• Credit/Debit Card
• Electronic Check/Funds Transfer (ACH)

Discounts / Financial Aid

• Family Multi-Participant Discount: Each additional family member receives a $10 discount.
• Athletic Scholarship: Fairfax County residents only; Request financial aid and provide supporting documentation during the registration process; Payment for game jersey is still required.
• Head Coach Discount: Registration fee waived for one child per Head Coach; Request head coach discount during the registration process; Payment for game jersey is still required.

Refunds

• If a participant withdraws and notifies the Commissioner at least 5 days before the first game day of the season, Registration Fee will be refunded. Game Jersey Fee will be refunded if jersey is promptly returned and is clean and in good condition.
• If a participant is waitlisted and not placed on a team prior to the first game day of the season, Registration and Game Jersey Fees will be refunded.
• If a participant or family is removed from the program for refusing to follow HOYFF Code of Conduct Rules or Fairfax County/HOYFF health and safety rules/protocols, no fees will be refunded.
• If Fairfax County or Town of Herndon cancels our access to field space, the amount of fees refunded, if any, will depend on the costs already incurred by the program.

 

Registration for the Spring 2025 season is open.

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Player skills evaluation (combine) is Saturday March 22nd at the Herndon Middle School (HMS) grass field:

9am - Grade K-2 Division

10am - Grade 3-5 Division

11am - Grade 6-8 Division

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Referee training is Saturday March 29th at 12noon at the HMS grass field.

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Team practices start the week of March 31st at the HMS grass field provided there are a sufficient number of adults who volunteer to coach in your child's division. Practices are optional during FCPS Spring Break week.

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Regular season games are tentatively scheduled to start Saturday April 5th at the HMS grass field.

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No games FCPS Spring Break or Memorial Day weekends. 

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Playoff and championship games are tentatively scheduled for Saturday-Sunday June 14th-15th at the HMS grass field.