The Highland Park Little Giants Feeder Football program is a co-op with the Deerfield Young Warrior Football Program. Our kids and communities are working together to ensure the game of football thrives in our historically great communities. Together they are the Warrior-Giants.

  The Highland Park/Deerfield co-op feeder football program is a Volunteer program. We appreciate all of the time and energy that is donated to this program. Please respect that commitment as we all work towards providing opportunities for our youth to have positive experiences. The program is open to interested children who will be in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th grades.   

OUR MISSION 

The Warrior-Giant Football program is dedicated to teaching basic football skills to all children meeting the medical and registration requirements. Games will be against teams from other communities, the emphasis of the league and Warrior-Giant Football is on the instruction and football fundamentals.

Our Commitment to Safety

Our program is committed to providing a fun and safe environment for kids to enjoy our beloved sport. 

True change in the game of football must begin at the youth level.  We understand and embrace that responsibility because it is in the best interest of our kids.

We are proud to be one of the many youth football programs actively engaged in taking steps for a smarter and safer youth football environment.  Organizations like USA Football are providing a lot of resources and information to help us on this journey.

ATHLETIC TRAINER 

TCYFL requires that a professionally certified athletic trained be present for all games.  That individual is responsible for assessing and in some cases treating a possible injury. No coach, player, official or league representative may overrule an athletic trainer when they declare that an athlete can no longer participate in a competition.  

Player Safety

Nothing is more important than the work we do to protect every young athlete involved with Warrior-Giants.

Baseline Concussion Testing - This begins with our required Baseline Concussion Testing.  The key to protecting athletes from the dangers of a concussion are identifying the injury and allowing it to fully heal. For proper diagnosis, every athlete, 10 years of age and older, must have a Baseline Concussion Test (a baseline cannot be established on children under the age of 10).

These tests help physicians diagnose a concussion and identify when the injury has fully healed.  We know that the greatest danger is when a concussion occurs before another has healed.  It is our goal to never allow this to happen. Baseline Testing may be completed through Illinois Bone and Joint, NorthShore  Health or other health providers.

For more detailed player safety and concussion information, visit this TCYFL website. 

Practice Rules

Every season we begin with five days of practice without pads or contact.  These practices are designed to acclimate our athletes to the rigors of practice and heat.

During this time, we teach fundamentals and take small steps towards practices in full pads and with full contact.

Once we enter our regular practice schedules, our teams are limited to eight total hours of practice. Only four of those hours may include full contact. 

On very hot days, Warrior-Giants follows strict guidelines regarding limited or canceled practices.  Our coaches are taught to identify heat illnesses and they are instructed to always provide water breaks when needed, erring on the side of caution.

Coaches Training

Our coaches are offered training in First Aid and CPR.  Every team is required to have at least one coach who is certified in this training.  

Also, all of our coaches must complete USA Football’s training on heat, hydration, recognizing a concussion and properly fitting football equipment on an annual basis. 

Equipment Standards

Although the League only requires that helmets are re-certified ever two years, Warrior-Giants helmets are professionally re-certified annually.  They are currently inspected, cleaned and repaired by Shutt Sports, an outside company, specially trained for this work. 

Additionally, any piece of equipment that does not meet rigorous safety standards is disposed of and replaced. 

Call anytime and leave a message at (847) 712-1858. Calls will be returned after 4:30pm.

The Director will also be available in person during the season at the field during practice. 

Please feel free to stop by and ask any questions you might have.

 REGISTRATION 

Registration will take place on-line with in person dates published on registration site. Registration will always be held in the spring. After that, registration will be on a space available basis only and will be dependent upon availability of equipment.  

FEES

The basic fee of $500 will cover registration, league fees, accident and medical insurance and a game jersey the player can keep after the season.  

REFUND POLICY 

Prior to the start of practice, the Warrior-Giant Football program pays league fees, insurance fees, trainers, and officials that cover all participants.  Participants who experience injuries during preseason practice or season games will not receive a refund. NO REFUND OF REGISTRATION FEES WILL BE GIVEN AFTER AUGUST 1, 2019.  

MEDICAL

Before any child will be allowed to participate in ANY PRACTICE OR GAME, the Warrior-Giants Football Program must have a completed medical form signed by a licensed physician on file. As in prior years, we plan on having a certified athletic trainer at each of the league games. This assures that athletes receive speedy and top quality medical attention for any on field injury.

EQUIPMENT

The Warrior-Giants will furnish excellent helmets, shoulder pads and game jersey. Helmets and shoulder pads are to be returned upon completion of the season. All other personal equipment (shoes, other pads and pants) will be the responsibility of the parents. Returning players will be able to use last year's hip, knee and thigh pads, pants, socks, and belts.  

The Warrior-Giants have negotiated special discount for personal equipment through K&M Team Outfitters. We will be able to fit and supply all personal equipment (with the exception of shoes) at the time of registration.

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

If the registration will not be attended, personal equipment may be purchased at K&M Team Outfitters located at: 3150 Skokie Valley Rd. #10, Highland Park, IL 60035 (Between Old Elm and Rt. 22). Please contact 847-432-9889 for more information.

INSURANCE

The Warrior-Giants will carry accident and medical insurance for each participant. This coverage is designed to supplement individual medical coverage. You must complete the liability waiver, emergency service permission, and insurance waiver. Prior to a child participating in ANY PRACTICE OR GAME, this form must be on file with the Warrior-Giants   
 

DEERFIELD AND HIGHLAND PARK HIGH SCHOOLS' SUPPORT

The entire athletic staff of both high schools have been most supportive of the WARRIOR-GIANTS. Coaching clinics will be under the direction of DHS and HPHS Football Staffs. Techniques will be taught to prepare players to play at the next level. All Warrior-Giants are encouraged to attend the high school football games in of the communities in which they reside.

SCHEDULES

Practice will begin in early August. Practice will alternate between Deerfield and HP locations.  Helmet, mouthguard, t-shirt, shorts, and football shoes required. Generally, the first two weeks will be five practices per week. When school starts we will go to a three practices per week schedule. Our games will be held on Sundays from the beginning of September through the end of October. We are scheduled to play teams from Evanston, Glenview, Kenilworth, Lake Forest, Northbrook, Niles West, Norridge, WInnetka, and Vernon Hills.

TEAM CLASSIFICATIONS

Teams will be formed based on school grade and weight. 5th and 6th graders will play on either flyweight or mid-weight. 7th and 8th grade light weight and heavyweight teams. 3rd and 4th graders will play on Pee-Wee's. To ensure the safety of all players, teams will be formed based on striper league rules. Players over classified weights will not be allowed to carry the ball. All teams will be formed based on player weight at the beginning of the season weigh-in.

PLAYING TIME

Football is not like most other youth team sports. 80% of the football is spent on the practice fields. To get the most out of playing football, players must attend all the practices they can. Our coaches make every effort to be fair to all players in deciding upon on-field playing time. On-field playing time for all levels will be determined by many factors including attendance and participation in practices and games, attitude, and skill level.

COACHING ASSISTANCE

We are always looking for interested volunteers for coaching or other assistance. If you can help, please give us a call or visit with us during the May registration.

EQUIPMENT PICKUP

Helmets and Shoulder Pads will be fitted in early August