In 2008 STYFL implemented an instructional quarter to give meaningful repetitions to historical “minimum play” players where these players were not allowed to play meaningful positions. The objective was to allow all players game time with similarly skilled opponents and afford less experienced players the opportunity to learn and grow without having to compete with the more experienced players.
Instructional game play is, in fact, a greater commitment to coach and teach these players. Our objective is to allow them to enjoy football against similarly skilled opponents. Below is an open letter sent to STYFL regarding a personal experience with instructional play. We encourage all feedback as we strive to continue improving the STYFL experience.
Subject: Fifth Quarter
From: [Parent]
Date: Tue, February 24, 2009 11:12 pm
To: san tan youth football
The fifth quarter – what does it mean to you?
I would like to express to you what the fifth quarter has meant to me and my son. First I would like to take this time to tell you a little bit about my son and our trial and errors with the attempt to play tackle football. When my son turned seven in March of 2005 we could hardly wait for football sign ups. The day came and we walked hand and hand into the gym for sign-ups. We filled out all the forms and then we got on to the scale and it was then explained to us that my son would not be allowed to play due to fact he weighed 121 lbs. The weight limits for Mighty Might where 85 lbs and the next division up was Junior Pee Wee and its limit was 110 and for the safety of the other kids he would not be able to play. So after some bagging and pleading with no gains, we left with a goal to return next year and be able to play.
2006 football sign-ups, we once again returned to the gym and again we did not make weight for Mighty Might or Junior Pee Wee Divisions. As we where leaving the gym I pleaded our case one more time to Mike Till. Mike Till and I came to an agreement that my son could sign up for the Pee Wee Division due to the fact that there weight limit was 125 lbs but to keep in mind that my son was only eight and the other boys would be 11 and 12. We agreed he would play for Mike Till and Brent Guida and that after the three week conditioning we would evaluate the situation.
My son played his minimum of four downs per half that season, keep in mind he was only eight, he learned that hard work and determination pays off. The next season we had the pleasure to play for Brent Guida and once again my son worked hard and gained more skills and ability, but still not good enough to get more then his minimum of four downs per half. During this season we meet Coach Adam Neville and it was determined that he would be coaching my son in 2008. 2008 season came with a lot of changes to the STYFL one being the fifth quarter.
The fifth quarter, what it means to me and my son. I was able to watch my son play several downs on offense and defense side of the ball every weekend. I was able to watch with tears in my eyes my son catch his first pass and score his first touchdown( thank god for sunglasses ). I watched the very next weekend my son rush up the middle for a 6 yard touch down. Yes I know this is my experience but I also watched kids that usually played linemen position get to play Quarterback, Fullback, Wide Receiver and other star positions. These things would have never been with only 8 downs per game.
Yes there are some people who didn’t agree with this program but like all great things it is the right idea and just might need to be tweaked a little. Please remember that all the coaches and staff members of STYFL are volunteers and dedicate their personal time and money to help our kids become better people not just better players. I thank you on behalf of all the proud parents! I look forward to the 2009 football season and to the EXTRA QUARTER that our kids will get to play and expand there skills.
Thank You!
From [a] proud parent