Thinking about starting or restarting an IYFL team in your area? Welcome! This guide walks you through every step — from your first inquiry to kickoff — so you know exactly what to expect, what it costs, and what's required of you as a coach.

Program Basics

Item	Details
Where we play	Fields and stadiums in Ada, Canyon, Twin Falls, and Bannock counties — including Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, Kuna, and Twin Falls
Divisions	Age is determined as of July 1 (Tackle: 8U–14U; Flag: 6U & 8U Fall)
Regular registration	March 26 – May 31, 2027
Registration cost	$275 per player tackle; $175 per player flag
Registration includes	Minimum of 6 games tackle, 5 games flag; custom hom and away game jerseys
Jersey numbers	First come, first served
Helmet try-ons	June 5 & 12, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. only — NO other pickup times.
Practice starts	First week of July
Games begin	Week of August 15, 2027
Program duration	July 1, 2026 – October 25, 2027 (Regionals TBD, Finals TBD)
League provides	Helmet and home & away game jersey and game pants (helmets must be returned at season's end)
Players provide	Cleats, shoulder pads, practice pants, mouth guard

If IYFL doesn't already have a team in your area, start by contacting the league through the Contact/New & Returning Teams page. Let them know your city and the age group you're interested in — a league co-founder will follow up with next steps.

Contact / New & Returning Teams: https://idahoyouthfootballleague.com/new-returningteams/

Every adult who will be on the field with players must meet these requirements before the season starts:

• Be at least 21 years old to serve as Head Coach (assistant coaches, trainers, and team parents must still meet all applicable qualifications).
• Pass a background check. Screening is run through NCSI and focuses on criminal history (with particular attention to crimes against children), a sex-offender registry cross-check, and identity verification.
• Hold a current USA Football Coach ID / certification. Cost is $54.50/year — the league reimburses this for you at the end of registration in May. Purchase it directly through USA Football's membership page.
• Have at least one certified CPR/First Aid coach on staff — required at every practice.
• Volunteers and parents may help out informally at practices without certification, but any coach who is actually coaching on the field must be certified.

USA Football Coach ID: https://usafootball.com/membership-id (scroll to "Coach ID")

Once you're ready, complete IYFL's team registration form. Registration opens in March and closes May 31 — there is no exception, so plan to register early.

Team Registration Form: https://idahoyouthfootballleague.com/new-returningteams/

A few roster rules to keep in mind as you build your team:

• Teams need a minimum of 16 rostered players (maximum 36) to be considered official.
• A minimum of 11 eligible players must be available at the start of every game, or the game is recorded as a forfeit.
• New players can be added after the season starts, but an updated roster must be submitted before that player takes the field — and no additions are allowed after the Friday before Labor Day.

IYFL operates under the AYF Desert Mountain Region and its own governing bylaws. As a coach, you're expected to be familiar with the sections that affect you directly, including:

• Practice limits: up to 10 hours/week before Labor Day (2-hour max/day, with mandatory 10-minute breaks each hour); 8 hours/week max after Labor Day.
• Sideline rules: up to six coaches on the sideline per team; only official staff and players are allowed in that area.
• The AYF Code of Conduct, which every coach, volunteer, and parent is expected to follow (good sportsmanship, no criticizing officials or opposing teams, proper handling of player safety, etc.).
• Violations of the bylaws or Code of Conduct carry real consequences — starting at a minimum one-game suspension for a first offense.

Full IYFL Bylaws (PDF): https://idahoyouthfootballleague.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Complete_with_Docusign_IYFL_BYLAWS_2026.pdf

Once the season kicks off, there are two coach responsibilities that keep the whole league — and your team's families — connected.

Live-stream every home game

All games are live-streamed by the home team using Sporfie, so grandparents, family, and friends who can't make it in person can watch from anywhere by visiting the IYFL website.

Live Stream Page: https://idahoyouthfootballleague.com/live-stream/

Report your team's stats after every game

IYFL's Stats & Scores platform is live for the 9U, 10U, and 11U divisions, showing standings, schedules and scores, weekly team totals, and individual player game logs and highlight cards. It's a great way for players and families to follow along and see standout performances recognized.

Schedules, Scores & Stats: https://idahoyouthfootballleague.com/schedules-and-scores/

To keep the page current, email your stats to info@idahoyouthfootballleague.com within 48 hours of each game. Include:

• Team name and week / opponent
• Each player who recorded a stat, with their stat line for the game

You don't need every category — just report what actually happened. Any of the following count: passing (attempts/completions/yards/TDs/INTs), rushing (carries/yards/TDs), receiving (catches/yards/TDs), defense (tackles, TFL, sacks, INTs, pass breakups, forced/recovered fumbles, safeties), returns (kick/punt return yards and TDs), and kicking (PATs, field goals).

Example of an easy-to-enter format (a real Week 1 report):

• QB Ollie Swenson — Passing: 6/9, 100 yards, 2 TD (1 rushing, 1 passing TD)
• RB Grayson Landucci — 7 carries, 46 yards
• WR Drake Thueson — 3 catches, 76 yards, 1 TD; 4 tackles
• LB Jackson Rundell — 8 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble

Quick Reference: Key Links

Contact / Start a Team: https://idahoyouthfootballleague.com/new-returningteams/

Full Bylaws (PDF): https://idahoyouthfootballleague.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Complete_with_Docusign_IYFL_BYLAWS_2026.pdf

Live Stream: https://idahoyouthfootballleague.com/live-stream/

Schedules, Scores & Stats: https://idahoyouthfootballleague.com/schedules-and-scores/

USA Football Coach ID: https://usafootball.com/membership-id