Coaching
Coach a team.
Head coaches are volunteers. No prior coaching experience is required, and the league gives you what you need to run a team.
Who can coach
- Head coaching is a volunteer role, and no prior coaching experience is required.
- You do not need a child in the division you coach.
- Head coaches sign up for 1st / 2nd grade and up, including the all-girls divisions. Kindergarten is led by AFL staff coaches.
- You can sign up for more than one division.
What a head coach does
- Leads the team on Friday game nights.
- Runs practices, which are optional.
- Keeps playing time fair for every player.
- Attends the required coaches meeting on league rules and expectations, team logistics, equipment, practice guidance and scheduling, with a Q&A with AFL staff.
- Reaches out to families once rosters are final and released.
What the league provides
- Practice plans and scripts
- Footballs, flags, wristbands and playbooks
- Ongoing staff support
- Your family's clinic fee covered once you are assigned a team
How to sign up
- Sign in or create an account.
- Choose your divisions, and link your child or choose no child in that division.
- Fill out a freeze form.
- The league reviews your form and forms the teams, then you see your roster in the coach portal.
Signing up for someone else? Name them as head coach on the form and we will email them to accept.
The freeze form, in plain words
A freeze form tells the league who you want on your team before teams are formed.
- Frozen players are guaranteed on your team once they complete registration and pay. You can freeze up to 4 players, or 5 in an all-girls division, and your own child takes the first spot.
- Requested players are extra names, up to 4, or 5 in an all-girls division. We do our best to honor them, but they are not guaranteed.
- Team names are three picks from college teams. Custom names are welcome for all-girls teams.
- Forms have a deadline. After it, contact the league to make changes.
Freeze forms for Spring 2027 are due December 15.
Other ways to help
- Parents are always welcome to volunteer and help on the field at Kindergarten.
Questions about coaching or helping out? Email info@ylafl.com.