Flag football registration ends Sunday

San Benito Flag Football registration runs until Sunday for the spring session.

San Benito Flag Football is “dedicated to providing the children of San Benito County with the best NFL FLAG program in the area since 2018,” according to the organization’s website. The group runs three seasons per year in the fall, winter and spring at Rancho San Justo Middle School.

The flag football league is holding a Player Combine on Sunday to evaluate skills of the players as well.

According to the organization:

The cost to play in the San Benito Flag Football League is $85. This fee covers 12 games plus practices, website, action photos, NFL Logo jersey and flag belt, league T-shirt, shorts, socks, trophy and 1st mouthpiece. Complete information on our current season can be found by clicking on the link here.

San Benito Flag Football is operated by the Morgan Hill Youth Sports Alliance, Inc., a non-profit organization promoting youth sports.

According to an email sent out in advance of the Player Combine:

Player Combine

The first activity of each season is a league practice where we evaluate the skill level of our players. We call it a “Player Combine” to make more fun. It takes place March 25^th from 12pm to 4pm.Groups will be run by brackets in 40 minute increments. The Combine is run by SBFFL staff as well as coaches and parents. We will need helpers for this activity! Please plan to assist even if you do not plan to coach.

The Combine will run in two different sessions:

• Noon to 12:40pm        Ages 4-7
• 12:40pm to 1:20pm     Ages 8-9
• 1:20pm to 2pm            Ages 10-11
• 2pm to 2:30pm            Ages 12-14

The Player Combine includes a series of skill evaluations that assist us with balancing teams. We will use the data we collect when settings teams and schedules. Each child will be tested for the following skills:

• 40 Yard Dash (20 Yard Dash for 4-5, 6-7 brackets)
• Passing
• Hiking
• Catching
• Agility

While the players are participating in the skills evaluation, parents are asked to go to the Director’s Tent to turn in a signed waiver, complete the registration process by making payment then verify their equipment size selection. Samples will be on site for first hand looks. New families are asked to bring your child’s birth certificate to verify age.

Age Brackets

Children are allowed to play in older brackets if the league and their parents agree. No one can play younger. Age Brackets for this season are:

• 4-5
• 6-7
• 8-9
• 10-11
• 12-14

Please note brackets may be altered to meeting playing needs.

We won’t finalize brackets until we are further along in the registration process.

4-5 Bracket

The 4-5 Bracket runs differently than the others with 30 minutes of instruction, 30 minutes of practice and then a 30 minute game. This will enable us to focus on learning skills and then using them in a game situation. Teams are encouraged to get as many parents involved as possible. We probably need a 2:1, kids: adult ratio to maintain control. J These parents will not be required to coach, but rather to herd the kids around. lol

Season Schedule

Here are the general dates for this season:

• March 25^th       Player Combine (2)
• March 28^th      Practice Schedule Announced
• April 1^st           League Practice (Optional)
• April 8^th           League/Team Practice
• April 12^th         Initial Team Rosters Completed
• April 15^th         Team Practice
• April 20^th           Game Day Schedule Published
• April 22^nd         First Game and Jersey Distribution
• May 13^th         Mother’s Day – No Games (Be good to Mom!)
• May 20^th         Regular Season Games
• May 27^th         Memorial Day Weekend – No Games
• June 3^rd           Final Regular Season Game  
• June 10^th          End of Season Jamboree