1. Livermore Junior Football League 2019
8U, 10U, 11U Divisions

2. League Information
LJFL was founded in 2007 on the tenant “Everyone Plays, Everyone Cheers”
We are not a comp league. Comp leagues often cut players following tryouts and have a very low “minimum play” requirement (4 plays).
LJFL does not cut players.
Every player is assigned a “starting” position and is guaranteed a minimum of 50% of the snaps at that position.
Focus is on player safety, proper instruction of latest techniques, and positive player experience
Partnership with USA Football
Founded in 2002 by former NFL players and coaches with the goal of evolving and growing the sport of football by setting standards and best practices to advance coach and player development.
At the forefront of player safety advancements
All LJFL coaches are USA football certified in latest techniques and safety measures
EBYFA – East Bay Youth Football Association
LJFL
PJFL
FFL
2020 – Future additions

3. League Information Minimum 4 teams per division across leagues
Division Structure
8U (6-7-8 YO) Rookie Tackle
Xman: None
Older/Lighter: None
10U (8-9-10)
Xman: 95 lbs
Older/Lighter: 11YO 85 lbs
11U ( )
Xman: 110 lbs
Older/Lighter: 12YO 100 lbs
12U ( )
Xman: 130 lbs
Older/Lighter: 13YO 115 lbs
14U
Xman: 165 lbs
Xman definition
Can only play on the line. Offense – Tackle to Tackle. Defense – End to End.
Focus is on player safety
Minimum 4 teams per division across leagues

4. League Information Player Evaluation and Team formation
June 8th & 15th – Evaluation Days
Combine Style event.
Players are evaluated in an effort to create balanced teams.
All players are expected to attend. All ages.
14U – If you do not attend you will be ranked “higher” when it comes to team formation
Joint evaluation with PJFL (and possibly FFL)
2-week camp – 12U and below
All players for the divisions mentioned will participate in a joint camp.
All coaches from each division will work with all the players.
Focus on conditioning, heat-acclimatization, and fundamentals.
USA Football Heat-acclimatization guidelines
No two-a-day practices
Practice days 1 and 2 – Helmets only. No full-contact drills.
Practice days 3 and 4 – Only Helmets and Shoulder pads. No full-contact drills.
Practice days 5 and 6 – Full pads. Full-contact allowed
Team Formation/Draft
14U Draft – July (Date – TBD)
8U, 10U, 11U, 12U – Following 2 week camp
Process
All players are ranked.
Teams are formed using a “snake” draft of ranked players.
Coaches pull a team out of a hat
Swap for coach’s kids

5. League Information Team Practices Jamboree – August 24 Games All Stars
Tues, Wed, Thurs – 2 hours (time slots will vary)
14U – Start July 23rd or July 30th
12U, 11U, 10U, 8U - Start August 6th
Locations: Independence Park, Max Baer Park, Livermore High School
Jamboree – August 24
Opening Day Ceremonies
Scrimmages
Fundraisers
Location: Robertson Park
Games
Saturdays starting September 7th
Regular season runs through October (7-8 regular season games)
Playoffs start late October and run into November
All Stars
Teams are formed by age group
One week of practice following championship game
Games the following Saturday

6. LJFL Football Camp Sunday June 2nd 5:00 – 8:00pm $25 registration fee
Free T-shirt at end of event
Refer a new player (First year LJFL player) and get a free LJFL hat)
Player must register and list you as a referral
Great preparation for upcoming season and for Evaluation day
Great Introduction to Football for new players
Group Conditioning, Position Work, Skills Combine
Get exposure to LJFL coaches
Featuring Cooper Sports Performance
Founded by former NFL Defensive Lineman Chris Cooper

7. Cooper Sports Performance
Training, nutrition, and fitness programs for athletes of all ages.
Specialized training to help competitive athletes reach the next level.
Personal training to help you visualize your success and accomplish your goals
Methodically designed programs for athletes with disabilities
Programs for all sports
Chris Cooper
Nine Season NFL veteran Defensive Linemen with Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, and Arizona Cardinals.
Certified in PICP, Charles Poliquin Levels, I, II, and III Sports Performance, Poliquin BioSignature II and Poliquin Program Design.

8. 2019 Changes New Division Structure Rookie Tackle
Divide 8U and 10U
Older/Lighter Rules
Age specific
Rookie Tackle
Joint Evaluations – PJFL (possibly FFL)
Joint Evaluation committee
Composed of members from LJFL and PJFL
Will sign off on all rosters
Interleague roster approval
New Coaching selection process
New player evaluation and team selection process
Partnership with StatMed to provide imPACT baseline testing

9. 8U Rookie Tackle Developed by USA Football in 2017
Serves as a bridge game between flag football and full-field tackle.
Smaller rosters (6, 7, or 8 variations)
Provides greater coach-to-player ratio to foster individual attention and skill development
Rules modifications
Increase activity and learning
Players rotate positions
Participants rotate and learn multiple positions and skills on both offense and defense.

10. High School Preparation
LHS and GHS Coaches agree: “The players starting in our Freshman program are the kids who played Youth Football. First year players are getting minutes in the 5th quarter.”
5th Quarter Program – After the game is over, an extra period is played that does not count towards the score or outcome of the game. It is in place to provide valuable playing time to non-starters.
EBAL has eliminated the 5th Quarter program!!
For players intending to play high school football participation in youth football is more important than ever.
A 2018 study by the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy concluded that three days of training in new head’s up tackling techniques reduced the number of impacts to the head by over 50% and the number of impacts above a threshold by over 73%”
At the youth level the amount of force and momentum is considerably less
Momentum p = mv
Force F = ma
The Youth level is a safer environment for athletes to learn techniques and how to protect themselves

11. Player Safety
The most common concern parents have related to youth football is concerns over injury
Player Safety is the primary focus of LJFL
Partnership with USA Football is about safety
Founded in 2002 by former NFL players and coaches with the goal of evolving and growing the sport of football by setting standards and best practices to advance coach and player development.
At the forefront of player safety advancement.
Football is a physical sport
Physical does not mean unsafe
At the youth level the amount of force and momentum is considerably less
Momentum p = mv
Force F = ma
The Youth level is a safer environment for athletes to learn techniques and how to protect themselves
Evolution of football – Substantial changes in the game related to safety over the past 15 years (not the same game)
Football has been extremely proactive in making changes related to safety, more so than any other sport.
Concussion awareness, testing, and protocols
Changes to how the game is taught
Changes to rules
Changes to equipment

12. Youth Sports Statistics
Poll – What sports do your children play?
Which youth sport has the highest rate of concussions?
Girls Soccer
A 2017 study by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons found that girls have a significantly higher concussion rate than boys, with female soccer players suffering the most concussions – even compared to football players.
According to a 2009 study by the CDC how much greater was the rate of injury for children ages 5-14 in football vs baseball?
10% 3%
Among athletes ages 5 to 14, 28% of football players and 25% of baseball players were injured while playing their respective sports
Which youth sport has the highest rate of fatalities?
Baseball
A study by Stanford Children’s Health based on statistics from 2009 from the Consumer Product Safety Commission show baseball has the highest fatality rate among sports for children ages 5-14, with three to four children dying from baseball injuries every year
Which sport has made the most changes to improve player safety in the past 10 years?
Football
In 2018, NFL player concussions dropped 29% during the 2018 season
15%
Baseball was higher

13. Football Safety Advancements Over the Past Decade
Concussion awareness, testing, and protocols
Changes to practice structure to accommodate heat acclimazation and prevent injury
Changes to how the game is taught and played
Changes to rules to enforce new techniques and limit injuries
Changes to equipment

14. Concussion Awareness Concussion Awareness
A solid understanding of concussions and their impact on the brain was developed in the decade between
Concussion, a type of traumatic brain injury, is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Concussions can also occur from a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth.
Most athletes with a concussion will recover quickly and fully if the concussion is treated properly. Some athletes need longer to heal.
If an athlete has a concussion, his or her brain needs time to heal. A repeat concussion that occurs before the brain recovers from the first can slow recovery or increase the chances for long term problems
Prior to this understanding, athletes would often treat a concussion as “getting their bell rung” and would “shake off” a concussion and return to play immediately. This is the worst thing they could have done.
It is this knowledge that has led to all sports implementing new concussion awareness and treatment protocols over the past decade.
All youth sports have evolved as a result of concussion education and awareness.

15. Advances in Concussion Recognition and Treatement
Concussion Awareness & Recognition
All LJFL Coaches are certified in the CDC Heads Up Concussion Training and USA Football Concussion Training
LJFL Coaches and personnel are trained in how to recognize a potential concussion.
Always err on the side of caution and remove a player from play.
Treatment & Return to play
LJFL requires a medical release for a player to return to play after a suspected concussion.
Concussion Baseline Testing
Neurocognitive testing that provides a baseline result. If an athlete sustains a head injury they can retake the test and compare the results to the baseline to determine if they are recovered and ready to return to play.
imPACT Test
Previously only available to pro athletes.
Approved by FDA in 2016
LJFL is partnering with StatMed to provide heavily discounted concussion baseline testing.
Dr. Mooney – Concussion Medical Director, StatMed
If you have already done a baseline test for another sport you do not need to do another.

16. Football Safety Advancements Over the Past Decade
Concussion awareness, testing, and protocols
Changes to practice structure to accommodate heat acclimazation and prevent injury
Changes to how the game is taught and played
Changes to rules to enforce new techniques and limit injuries
Changes to equipment

17. Changes to Practice Structure
USA Football Guidelines for Heat Acclimatization
Goal: Eliminate exertional heat stroke (EHS)
No two-a-day practices
Practice days 1 and 2 – Helmets only. No full-contact drills.
Practice days 3 and 4 – Only Helmets and Shoulder pads. No full-contact drills.
Practice days 5 and 6 – Full pads. Full-contact allowed.
No more than 2 hours of practice time a day.
Cool-down periods and rehydration periods are scheduled into the practice plan an are adjusted based on environmental conditions.

18. Changes to Practice Structure
USA Football Guidelines for Contact
Goal: Reduce injuries
“Full contact” consists of both Thud and Live Action drills.
Preseason - Coaches are limited to no more than 30 minutes of full-contact per day and no more than 120 minutes per week.
Regular Season – Coaches are limited to no more than 30 minutes of full-contact per day and no more than 90 minutes per week.
Game plans should be designed with the level of contact for each drill specified.

19. Football Safety Advancements Over the Past Decade
Concussion awareness, testing, and protocols
Changes to practice structure to accommodate heat acclimazation and prevent injury
Changes to how the game is taught and played
Changes to rules to enforce new techniques and limit injuries
Changes to equipment

20. Player Safety
Several changes to how the game is taught and played have been made to make the game of football safer and to “take the head out of the game”
New Tackling Techniques
Rugby style tackling (Hawk tackling)
Old technique – Head in front on angle tackle
New technique –Head behind (cheek-to-cheek), lead foot focus, wrap and roll.

21. Player Safety New Tackling Techniques Head’s up tackling
Old technique – Put helmet in opponents chest. Lead with the crown of the helmet.
New technique – head up, to the side, shoulder/chest is first point of contact.

22. Player Safety New Tackling Techniques Head’s up tackling
A 2018 study by the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy concluded “Training in a head up tackling style decreased the number of head accelerations experienced by tacklers”.
Furthermore, the same study showed that three days of training in head’s up techniques reduced the number of impacts to the head by over 50% and the number of impacts above a threshold by over 73%”

23. Player Safety New Blocking Techniques
BLAST – Base, Long, Ascend, Square, Triangulate
Old technique – Three points of contact: each hand/arm and the face/head
New technique – Strike with hands, uncoil hips

24. Football Safety Advancements Over the Past Decade
Concussion awareness, testing, and protocols
Changes to practice structure to accommodate heat acclimazation and prevent injury
Changes to how the game is taught and played
Changes to rules to enforce new techniques and limit injuries
Changes to equipment

25. Player Safety
Hits to the head are also being removed from the game through new rules
Targeting Rules at all levels of football
Targeting – “The act of taking aim and initiating contact with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow, or shoulders to an opponent above the shoulders with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow, or shoulders.” NFHS Rule 2-43
Rule – Targeting and making forcible contact with the crown of the helmet
NFHS adopted rule 2-43 in 2014
NCAA Penalty - Immediate ejection and 15 yard penalty
Use of Helmet Rule (NFL)
Lowering the helmet
Initiating contact with the helmet to any part of an opponent.
Penalty – 15 yards and possible ejection

26. Player Safety Dangerous hits are being removed from the game
Defenseless Player Rule
Rule : A Defenseless Player
A player in the act of or just after throwing a pass
A receiver attempting to catch a forward pass … or one who has completed a catch and has not hade time to protect himself …
A player on the ground
A player obviously out of play
A player who receives a blind side block
A ball carrier in the grasp of an opponent and whose forward progress has been stopped.
A quarterback after a change of possession
A ball carrier who has obviously given himself up and is sliding feet first.
Rule – Targeting and making forcible contact to Head or Neck area of a defenseless player
Conclusion: By teaching newer, safer techniques, and making older, unsafe techniques illegal, football is forcing players to change how they play the game, which is making the sport safer.
Evidence: In 2018, NFL player concussions dropped 29% during the 2018 season. Players are playing into their 40’s.
We haven’t even fully seen the effects of these changes

27. Football Safety Advancements Over the Past Decade
Concussion awareness, testing, and protocols
Changes to practice structure to accommodate heat acclimazation and prevent injury
Changes to how the game is taught and played
Changes to rules to enforce new techniques and limit injuries
Changes to equipment

28. Player Safety Equipment Advancements New Helmet companies
VICIS – Founded in 2013
Xenith – Released first helmet in 2009
New helmet technologies
Helmet testing and verification

29. Fundraisers Snap Raise Official League Gear Sponsorships
Goal – New Riddell Speedflex helmets for 14U division.
Official League Gear
LJFL branded merchandise
Team Specific Merchandise
Orders will be processed in August
Sponsorships

30. 2019 Season Important Dates
May 15 – Late registration deadline
June 2nd – LJFL Football Camp with Cooper Performance Sports
June 8 & June 15th – Evaluation Day
July 23 – Start of 2 week camp
July 30 – 14U practices start
August 6 – Team practices start for lower divisions
August 24 – Jamboree
September 7 – First games

31. Appendix