Frequently Asked Questions

THE FOLLOWING IS INTENDED TO ADDRESS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING THE EYFA FOOTBALL SEASON. MORE INFORMATION AND DETAIL WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE PARENT’S MEETING WHEN THE SEASON STARTS (MEETING DATE TO BE PROVIDED LATER) AND VIA EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

1.      What is Eastlake Youth Football (EYFA)?
Eastlake Youth Football is a competitive, full contact football organization. The league plays by the Washington State High School Football rules with local rules implemented to assist in fair play and safety. EYFA is a member of USA Football for safer football and a proven record of reduced injuries by employing the safest tackling and practice techniques. All coaches are certified for safety via USA Football.

2.      What should you expect in regards to practice times and dates?
August (Pre-Season): The first practice of the season will be Monday, August 12, 2024. During the first 3 weeks of the season, we expect to practice Monday – Friday from 5:30pm-7:15pm or 7:15pm-9pm.

We practice on the Eastlake High School Community fields (located east of the stadium). Due to scheduling, it is possible that some teams may have a practice and/or scrimmage on Saturday’s as well. Currently, we do not have specific information about practice days or times and don’t expect to get that information from the City of Sammamish until mid summer 2024. In general, the time commitment during the first 3 weeks of the season can be intense. Expect some sort of football activity 5 out of 7 days during the week – including Saturdays.

September/October/November (Regular Season and Post Season): Starting the week of September 2, 2024, practices will be 3 days per week from 5:30pm-7:15pm or 7:15pm-9pm. on the Eastlake High School Community fields. The exact days of your practices will be made available the month of August. The first game for the 2024 season is September 7th. 

3.      What if a player misses a practice?
Practices are an essential part of the football experience – not only for game purposes, but for safety reasons as well. It is during these practice sessions that the kids are taught proper and safe techniques as well as team assignments.

August (Pre-Season): We ask that you make any and every effort possible to plan vacations, camps, family outings, Mariners games, etc. around the Practice/Scrimmage/Jamboree schedule. We also realize that things come up and are planned well in advance of football practice. In the event your child misses practice, we will do what is best for his safety as well as the safety of his teammates. The Coach in consultation with the Coaches Coordinator may determine to exclude them from certain activities until they are both comfortable that it is safe for him to continue. We highly encourage players to attend all practices.

Players may not engage in collision contact activities until they have participated in two (2) non-collision contact practices. Players must participate in fifteen (15) practices prior to participating in a league game. Once the fifteen practices are achieved the EYFA Player Discipline Policy takes effect. 

4.      Can I watch practices?
Due to insurance and safety concerns, parents, siblings, relatives and friends are not allowed inside the practice facilities/locations, which include the ECF Baseball Field, ECF Soccer Fields, the Eastlake High School Stadium or any alternate sites during football practices. Parents can watch from outside the ECF facilities and fences, or in the EHS Bleachers. Kingco, GEJFA and EHS rules apply for games and jamborees.

5.      When do the games begin and when will we know our schedule?
Games will be held on Saturday’s at various times beginning on September 7, 2024.  Game times will start as early as 9 am and could start as late as 7pm. Games will be played at various league fields throughout the Greater Eastside. See the GEJFA website for league fields and locations. Regular season games will run through October 26th. Playoffs will begin on November 2nd and could last until November 16th (the Championship game). Each team is guaranteed a minimum of 8 to 9 total games (regular season, playoffs and/or consolation games), which means the teams will have games scheduled through at least Saturday, November 16th, 2024. Schedules are subject to change.

7.      When is the Equipment Handout?
Equipment will be distributed in early June when we receive helmets back from reconditioning.

8.      Parent Volunteers.
As with all youth sports, parent volunteers are an essential component of the overall player experience. If you are interested in volunteering to coach, please contact the coaching coordinator. During the season you will be asked to volunteer for various roles with respect to your player’s team.

If you have any additional questions please contact our President by email, or any current board member.