YMCA of Middle Tennessee Sports

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

YMCA YOUTH SPORTS

Q: HOW DO I REGISTER?

A: All of our registrations are taken online at ymcamidtn.org or in the YMCA location where you wish to participate.

Q: HOW DOES THE REFUND POLICY WORK?

A: Cancellations received before the first practice are eligible for a full refund. Once practice has begun, but before the first game has been played, we will offer a full system credit. After the first game has been played we are unable to give any refunds or system credits.

Q: WHO CAN PLAY?

A: YMCA sports leagues are open to boys and girls of all skill levels. Participants do not need a YMCA membership to participate. Ages do vary based on location due to field and/or gym access.

Q: HOW ARE INDIVIDUAL PLAYERS PLACED ON TEAMS?

A: Participants are placed on teams based on their age and skill level. The information you provide on the registration form plays a large role in how teams are drafted.

Q: WHAT IF I HAVE A SPECIFIC REQUEST?

A: We try to accommodate requests, but we cannot guarantee requests will be honored. Refunds are not provided due to an unfulfilled request. For teammate or coach requests, you must indicate who you are requesting on the registration form.

Q: DO YOU ACCEPT TEAM REGISTRATIONS?

A: Yes, but all participants must register prior to the season registration deadline and must indicate the friend/coach you are requesting on the registration form. Teams must also have a coach secured prior to registering as a team. Since our league is based on individual registrations, a team may have additional players added to their team if the team does not meet the maximum number of players allotted per team.

Q: HOW MANY PLAYERS ARE ON A TEAM?

A: The number of players on a team varies based on the age group and number of participants on the field/court. The minimum number of players is based on the number of players required on the field/court, +2-3 additional players. The maximum number of players on a team is usually based on doubling the participants required on the field/court. For example, if an age group plays 5v5, the minimum on a roster is 8 with a maximum of 10.

Q: HOW MUCH PLAYING TIME CAN MY CHILD EXPECT?

A: All participants play a minimum of 50% of the time.

Q: WHEN ARE THE PRACTICES AND GAMES?

A: Teams will practice once a week, Monday – Friday, typically in the afternoon or evenings for about an hour. Games are generally held on Saturdays and range from morning until later afternoon times.

Q: WHERE ARE PRACTICES AND GAMES HELD?

A: All practices will be held near the YMCA location that hosts the program for which you registered. Some games may require you to travel to other Ys in the YMCA of Middle Tennessee association.

Q: HOW ARE PRACTICE TIMES DETERMINED?

A: Practice times and locations are scheduled by volunteer coaches, not by YMCA Youth Sports Directors. Your volunteer coach will inform you of your child’s practice time and location about one to two weeks before the first game.

Q: WHAT SHOULD I DO IF THE PRACTICE TIME THAT MY TEAM HAS DOESN’T WORK FOR ME?

A: You may talk with your coach to see if the team has availability to change to a different day or time. If the team is able to, the coach will contact the youth sports office to determine if another practice day or time is available. If another day or time is not available, you may then request to be placed on a different team by contacting the youth sports office directly. However, a change to another team is not guaranteed.

Q: HOW MANY GAMES WILL WE PLAY?

A: We provide a minimum of eight games during the season. If there is an odd number of teams in a division, some divisions could have double headers or bye weeks. Some age groups and leagues will have the opportunity for an end of the season tournament at an additional cost.

Q: WHAT IS DYNAMIC SCHEDULING?

A: In flag football, the first three games act as preseason for certain divisions. The coaches, referees and facilitators write down the score of the game and how each team matched up against the other (weaker, stronger or same). Then the teams will be placed in a beginner, intermediate or advanced division within their grade division. Beginner teams will only play other beginner teams and some intermediate teams. Advanced teams will only play advanced and some intermediate teams. And Intermediate teams will play all three levels. We do this to provide a positive sports experience for all ability levels. Dynamic scheduling is only available for some age groups and is based on the total number of teams in that division.

Q: I’M INTERESTED IN BEING A COACH. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?

A: Let either the area coordinator or sports director know your willingness to volunteer. We will then forward you documentation for a background check, a link for a 15 minute online training and the date and time for a required preseason coach meeting.

Q: WHAT WILL THE YMCA PROVIDE COACHES?

A: Prior to the season starting, we hold a coaches meeting and clinic that is available for all coaches. Coaches receive practice plans, rules of play, field/court expectations, etc. They will also receive access to our league management platform, PlayerSpace. PlayerSpace provides you with your team rosters and includes tools (email/text) to communicate with your team.

Q: WHEN WILL I HEAR FROM THE COACH?

A: You will hear from the coach after our coaches meeting, which is about one to two weeks prior to the start of the season. Your coach will receive the team roster at this time and is encouraged to get in contact with you as soon as possible either by phone or email with details on the upcoming season.

Q: WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM MY COACH?

A: Contact the area coordinator at your location or the association youth sports office. In many of these cases, we have found the contact information we have for you on file is incorrect so we will need to update your contact information.

Q: WHAT IS PLAYERSPACE?

A: PlayerSpace is our league management system that manages team schedules and rosters. Prior to the season starting, you will receive an email inviting you to create a log-in. Once you log in, you will receive communication from the YMCA and your coach through this system. You will also be able to view your team’s schedule for the upcoming season.

Q: HOW WILL I BE NOTIFIED ABOUT WEATHER CANCELLATIONS?

A: If the YMCA cancels for weather, the YMCA is responsible for notifying the guardian and coaches. The guardian and coaches will receive an email or text message through PlayerSpace. If the coach decides to cancel, it is the coach’s responsibility to notify the team.

Q: DOES THE LEAGUE SUPPLY UNIFORMS?

A: For soccer and basketball: Returning players are encouraged to bring back their prior season jersey. If a player does not have a uniform from prior season or would like a new one, a jersey may be purchased during the first week of practice.

SOCCER: Full kits (jersey, shorts and socks) may be purchased for $20. Jersey top may be purchased for $15. BASKETBALL: Jersey top may be purchased for $15. FLAG FOOTBALL: Every player in our program receives an NFL team jersey and a flag belt to keep. The cost for these items is included in your registration fee.

Q: WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?

A: Soccer: A soccer ball with name on it and water bottle should be brought to all practices and games. Cleats are highly recommended, but not required (no cleats with toe stud). Shin guards must be worn during all games.

BASKETBALL: A basketball with name on it, water bottle and tennis shoes with non-marking sole should be brought to all practices and games. FLAG FOOTBALL: Water bottle, athletic shorts (no pockets) and mouth guard must be worn for all practices and games. Cleats are highly recommended, but not required.

Q: WHAT TYPES OF AWARDS ARE GIVEN?

A: Each player will receive an individual participation award.