Atlantic Coast Football League - FAQ (Frequently Asked ACFL League Football Questions

ACFL FAQ Page

If you don't see the answer to a question you might have, please submit it here. We'll answer it promptly and if it is commonly asked, we'll add it to our list.

Are games ever cancelled for weather?
Not to be misleading, but the strict answer to your question is: no. Games have never been "cancelled" in the ACFL for weather. They are merely postponed to a later mutual date. We do have weather postponements. Here's why: The first reason is safety. As league coordinators, we are obligated to provide some "rationality" and general concern for players when it comes to letting people play during our permitted times. We can only allow play in the safest conditions and we must make a responsible decision regarding the playing fields before every set of games.

We have to respect the fields on which we play. They are not just for us during the hours in which we play but also for everyone at all other hours. Therefore we feel obligated to keep them in good shape. Moreover, we are permitted to play on fields when they are in good condition. We have no agreement that allows us to use the field during conditions that might cause the field to be ripped up, like in sopping wet conditions from rain. That permit does not exist. Use in such would actually void our permits in most cases.

What could cause a postponement?
Aside from rain, there are three other primary weather-related events that could cause a cancellation. If we experience a heavy snow that melts in a short amount of time, that could theoretically have the same effects as a heavy rainfall. Also, we do play in snow. In nearly all cases. But playing on it causes it to be packed down underneath, which actually turns it to ice. Occassionally a good rain will remove the snow layer and reveal a solid sheet of ice spread across the field. The ice will only exist on the playing field and not where the snow wasn't compacted! This is why we ban vehicles from flattening the snow in cases of heavy snowfall (Darylle!). The only other time for possible postponement is when it snows heavily the night/morning before and there hasn't been sufficient time for clearing the streets. No one needs to play THAT badly! In the case of a postponement, it will be posted both on our Message Board and on our League Office line at 201-767-6054 by 6:30 a.m. on gameday. No notification means games are on.

Do I need jerseys?
Every team needs to wear football jerseys. Every team member must wear the team color or he cannot play that game. Coaches are advised to keep some extra jerseys on hand just in case. Individual players: don't buy anything until your coach tells you what color your team jerseys are. Also, if you need jerseys, call the league. We can get you our group rate on jerseys for your team. We'll soon be unveiling our the ACFL Official Winter and Official Spring/Summer jerseys. They are not mandatory, but they will be customed designed (by you) to ACFL specification and will bear the official ACFL insignia.

How do I register?
Easy. You can print out the forms you need to register as a team here or as an individual here. You cannot register by credit card online, but you can print out the page and mail it in with your league fee (check or money order) to the address on the form. As a team, all that is required to reserve your space is to submit the Team Registration form with your payment. You will need to have your players fill out the Player Waiver and the league must have it in possession before they can play. You can print them out from this link. On game day your team will need to fill out the Game Day Waiver. You can print them from here as well. That's it!
If you have questions, call us at 201-384-2110.

What happens when you sign up as an individual?
Several possibilities. We can place you on a team. We'll look for one nearby where you live so as to minimize your travel time. Or, we may create a team of individual signups if there is enough. Please indicate on your form if you would consider coaching such a team. There's another option. You can place your name on our Free Agent List. Here, teams can call you. A team in your area can contact you and you can find a team that way. You do not have to register in order to be placed on the Free Agent list unless the season has gotten underway. Keep in mind all rosters freeze at the midway point of the regular season.

Also whether you get selected on the Free Agent List or not, we suggest you register. Everyone who signs up will be placed on a team. Just like team registration, fill out the form and mail it in with the appropriate fee. If for any reason you are not placed, we will refund your fee in full. However once you are placed, there are no refunds.

What if a team picks me up after I mailed in my payment?
Your payment will go towards the payment of that teams fee. For example, if you paid your $75 and the League fee is $695, that team has a credit of $75 and is then responsible for $620. Keep in mind though your coach may ask each player, including you, to pitch in a fair share for the referees each week. This is not included in the $75.

Please keep in mind this is strictly for teams who want to add players, not who want to save money on their league fee. If it is determined that players were aquired and not played, that team will be fined. The league views this as a serious offense. There are teams out there which truly need players and these players must be available for those teams.

How far will I have to travel?
Actually, that is completely up to you. If you secure a home field in your area. You tell us how far it is from your house and we'll tell you how far you have to travel! Teams with fields get first choice when it comes to scheduling. You also save $100 off the league fee. And if you get a field, we can get more teams in your area as a result and that will mean virtually all of your games will be right in your area. If you don't have a field we will still work with you to get you as close as possible as often as possible but please understand that the teams with fields get first dibs. If you see a field on our Field List page, request it and we promise to do what we can.

Fine, but how do I go about getting a field?
Glad you asked! It's so easy and no one even realizes it! It's basically a matter of calling your town, getting the forms faxed to you and filling them out. For details, visit the Field Usage page. Want a good example? Dumont obtained 4 FIELDS! Why? They asked! And you can bet they do little traveling as a result! Same can happen for any team in our league.

What's the biggest difference between flag and 2-hand touch?
Wow, where do we start? There is less of a running game in touch theoretically because touching is easier than grabbing the flag. With ineligible linemen in flag, the line is also sometimes tougher in flag. Flag also tends to be a little more aggressive. For this reason 2-Hand Touch seems to be more popular in the winter with the frozen grounds. But you can check out the flag and two-hand touch rules here and get a feel for yourself.

What are the basic responsibilities of a coach?
First and foremost, to make sure your team is there to play on Sunday. And that each player has signed and submitted the Player Waiver and that all players sign the Game Day Waiver.

- It is the coach's responsibility to make sure each player has read a copy of the rules without exception. As new rules may be added or altered during the season, the coach is responsible for alerting the team then too.
- During game, only one allowed to request a ruling from an official, unless a prior-designated captain is on the field.
- You don't have to call your team in case of postponements because they are always posted on the Message Board. Just alert your team that it will be there.
- The coach is the only one recognized as one who can question the call of an official to get a clarification on the ruling. The coach may designate a captain to do so when not on the field. Anyone else may be ejected based on the discretion of the official.
- If you're not going to be there you are still responsible for making sure your team will. You should also designate someone to run the team in your place and give that person access to the team's phone list.
- Also, the coach is resonsible for making sure his team takes all their belongs, including empties, after the game.

We're there as a support base for whatever you need. Please feel free to keep in contact with us during the season if you have a problem or questions related to coaching your team or any other issues. You are not alone!

Who keeps score?
The referees do. But it is the responsibility of the winning team's coach to get the correct score from the referee and call it in to 201-767-6054 or post it on the Message Board.

What happens if we have a scheduling conflict?
Tell us right away. We will do what we can for you. We can't make promises, but we'll try to make sure you don't get a forfeit loss. However the sooner you inform us, the more likely we are to reschedule.

What happens if two players fight on the field?
Gone. Period. It's not tolerated in our league. We have strict rules regarding conduct which you can view here. We encourage enthusiastic play and competitive football. But it is a recreational league and we insist on only welcoming those who's primary interest is to play fun, competitive football. Our referees are experienced and will do what they can to nip, let's say, potentially-heated confrontations in the bud. But each player is considered responsible for his own actions.

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