L.A.F.A. FAQs
- What is LAFA?
- How do I register for football or cheerleading?
- How much does LAFA cost?
- What equipment will I need to buy?
- When does the season begin?
- How often do teams practice?
- What if I can only practice on certain days?
- How are players selected for teams?
- I would like to carpool with another player. Can I be placed on the same team?
- How is the league structured?
- Do all players play in games?
- What if I am interested in coaching?
- Where can I find more information?
What is LAFA?
In the late summer of 1958, Al Kelly had a great idea to try to help the kids of West Chester in the fundamentals of football. His main goal was to take youngsters from playing backyard football, with no equipment and no supervision and establish a supervised program for their benefit.
With the help of a group of determined and willing men plus an ad in the local newspaper producing eighty young boys wanting to learn the fundamentals of football, thus the beginning of the Little All-American Football Association.
Now, fifty years later and with LAFA still going strong, Kelly's dream has benefited thousands of young men in our community.
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How do I register for football?
- Online registration will be available on this site during the registration period.
- Returning players and will have a registration form mailed to them in late April/early May. In order to ensure all returning veterans a spot on the team roster, we are asking them to please register by mail. If you choose not to pre-register, the League cannot guarantee a roster spot. Teams will be limited to 20 players.
- New players can obtain a registration form from Kelly's Sports or from this website on or about June 1st.
- We usually fill up during the July registrations. Players can send a registration form in any time, but every tackle football player must be weighed in at one of the walk-in registrations. Also, new players must show birth certificates or send a copy with their registration form.
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Registration for a tackle or flag football player is $150. Registration for a cheerleader is also $150 per child. Maximum registration is $400 per family. To help keep these costs this low LAFA conducts a fundraiser each year. It is everyone's efforts in this fundraiser that ensures that LAFA will continue to benefit children of this community.
What football equipment will I need to buy?
LAFA supply's all equipment (pads and uniforms) for tackle football with a few exceptions. You will need to provide the following:
- White helmet
- Cup and athletic supporter
- Girdle
- Cleats
- Mouthguard
For cheerleading, all equipment is supplied.
For flag football, a mouthguard is required, cleats are optional.
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When does the season begin?
Practices will begin the week beforeLabor Day weekend. Games will begin during the fourth week of practice. Each Junior and Senior team plays a total of 9 games, one per week. Peewee division plays a total of 6 games.
How often do teams practice?
Prior to the beginning of game play, teams practice 3 times a week. After games begin, practices are reduced to twice per week. Practices are held during the week from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Prior to game play, some teams may practice on Saturday morning.
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What if I can only practice on certain days?
LAFA will make every effort possible (within reason) to accommodate families' needs regarding practice. Teams practice either Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday. During the first 3 weeks of practice, teams will also conduct practice on either Friday night or Saturday morning. If you have special requirements regarding practice nights, clearly indicate this on your registration form. LAFA will ask for documentation at registration to support the request.
How are players selected for teams?
After the registration period, LAFA conducts a blind draft to fill out teams that have lost players from the previous year. Every effort is made to keep teams balanced in terms of the age of players.
I would like to carpool with another player. Can I be placed on the same team?
Players from different immediate families will not be placed on the same team for carpooling purposes.
How is the league structured?
LAFA consists of 26 teams, 6 in the Senior division, 8 in the Juniors, 6 in Peewees and 6 in flag. The Junior division consist of two conferences. Play consists of 6 regular season games, once per week. Following the regular season, each Junior and Senior team will play 3 playoffs games to determine a Junior and Senior division champion. Regardless of the results of playoff games, Junior and Senior teams will play a total of 9 games and Peewee teams will play 5.
Do all players play during games?
Each head coach is required to play each player a minimum number of plays per per game depending on the size of the team roster. This number is determined prior to the season (the minimum number for 2013 was 4 plays per half for teams of 20 or more and 6 plays per half for teams of 19 or less).
What if I am interested in coaching?
- A head coach may select a parent of a player who has been drafted by his team
- A head coach may select any person who has no players in that division.
