WELCOME
Welcome to the Lake Zurich Flames Football and Cheer. Below you will find information on each of our programs that we offer. As a non profit organization through the tireless effort of our volunteers we are able to maintain a competative yet fun enviornment for all things football and cheer.
If you are new to the Flames take some time to read the below section that pertains to you. You will find contact information in each section if you have any further questions. Also note that we have an FAQ page for each program which will hopefully answer any of your questions.
TACKLE FOOTBALL (1st through 8th grade)
Playing Levels / Teams
There are 5 different levels players will be put into these different levels based on age and weight.
- Bantam
- Featherweight
- Middleweight
- Lightweight
- Varsity
· Bantam through Middle have the opportunity to have two different levels: Pac 10 (developmental) and Big 10 (highly competitive). Lightweight and Varsity are only Big 10.
· Your child will be put into the proper division based on his ability, team requests are not considered.
· Age & Weight Rules can be found here.
Equipment/Gear
- Flames will supply helmets, shoulder pads, rib guards, practice pants, game pants with pads and belts, and socks
- The last few years Moore Orthodontics has supplied one complimentary mouth guard
- Flames will sell practice jerseys and duffle bags via our online spirit wear shop
- You will need to purchase football cleats, athletic girdles, and a cup
- Please make sure your child has a sturdy, insulated, leak proof water jug with their name on it. It’s critical they have cold water to drink at all practices
Timing
- Registration will begin on March 1
- Equipment hand out is typically mid-late May
- There is an optional mini camp run by the High School in mid-late July
- Practices will start the last week of July and go Monday through Friday (Potential makeups on Saturday)
- We scale down to 3 nights a week when school starts or when we get to opening weekend
- Games start late August and we do play the weekends of Labor Day, Columbus Day and on Halloween (if it falls on Sat/Sun)
- Games can be played on Saturday or Sunday
Our League
We are part of the TCYFL (The Chicagoland Youth Football League). There are 50 member communities in our league.
- Home games will be played at Knox Park
- Road games will be played at the other towns fields
- For a list of towns involved in the TCYFL go to their site at www.tcyfl.net
For more information on tackle football or if you have specific questions please contact Kyle Lappin (kylelappin@lzflames.org), Flames President.
SPARKS FLAG FOOTBALL (Kindergarten through 2nd grade)
Participants will have fun in this developmental program that encourages team unity, sportsmanship and fun.
- Players will compete in a safe environment and will wear all safety equipment that is provided by the league
- Good sportsmanship will be maintained and emphasized
- All players will have playing time at all positions through out the season
- Games start mid-August
- Games are held at Knox Park on Sunday mornings
- Jerseys are provided and players get to keep them at the end of the season
- Pants are provided and expected to be returned at the end of the season in good condition
- Moore Orthodontics has provided one complimentary mouth guard for the season, but you may want a backup
- Coaches stress patience and are there for the purpose of teaching the fundamentals of the game in a positive manner and will be held to the Coaches Code of Conduct
- Seven regular season games, plus a championship tournament called "The Shootout"
As an organization with the goal of teaching football so that players and families alike learn to love the game of football, here's what we expect from the families of players:
- Demonstrate good sportsmanship on and off the field by all
- Provide a positive environment for the participants to learn and play the game of football
- Each designated "home" team is required to have three volunteer chain workers for their game
- Players are ready for games and practices at designated times provided by the Head Coach
- Protective cup, water jug and cleats will need to be purchased (gym shoes are acceptable)
IN-HOUSE CHEER
We strive to teach our cheerleaders the fundamentals of cheer and the love for the sport.
We expect our cheerleaders to:
- Exercise good sportsmanship at practices, games, competitions, and any additional events.
- Cheer at all home games for the level of football equivalent to the squad age through the Championship Games in November
- Coaches are there for the purpose of teaching the fundamentals of cheerleading
- Respect for the coaches and teammates are necessary at all times
As the organization teaches our daughters to love cheerleading we expect the same from the families of cheerleaders:
- Good sportsmanship on and off the field by all
- Provide a positive environment for the cheerleaders and families
- Open and respectful communication of ideas that may improve the program
- Cheerleaders are ready for games and practices at times designated by the program