General Football Information
In PAL Football/Cheerleading, everyone participates. The program is structured to benefit all players by
establishing the following guidelines:
COACHES
Many of our coaches have been coaching football for a number of years and most have played at various
levels. All coaches must undergo a security background check to be a part of our organization. Each team has
at least 4 coaches and have gone through Concussion Awareness training. In our efforts to maintain the
highest standards, additionally all coaches will be required to take and pass the Heads Up Coaching Courses to
be allowed on the field.
AGE and WEIGHT CLASSIFICATIONS
Players and cheerleaders are split into teams and squads based upon age and weight (age only for
cheerleaders). This makes competition safer and fairer for all involved. PAL uses July 31st as its cut-off date
for age determination. Each football participant is required to weigh in before each game. A player that doesn’t
make weight will not be allowed to participate in that day’s game. Cheerleaders do not have a weight
requirement.
CONDITIONING
Players must have 10 hours of conditioning before they can have contact on the field.
PARTICIPATION
We expect your child to be FULLY involved. This is a Highly Competitive, Well Disciplined and TEAM
oriented sport. Please be aware of the time commitment at the beginning of the season and throughout the
regular season when planning vacations. WE STRONGLY discourage children from participating in more than
one sport during the season. Your participant may be dropped upon 3 unexcused absences. This is at the
coach’s discretion. In addition parent participation is mandatory, (eg. snack bar, mpr, chain gang, announcing,
etc.) more info available in Volunteering Hours section
EQUIPMENT
Equipment will be issued to your child on an individual basis. You must agree to be responsible for any lost or
damaged equipment. Football players will be provided with helmets, shoulder pads, and game uniforms.
Cheerleaders will be required to purchase uniforms and accessories. Parents will need to provide Football
players with cleats and socks, athletic supporter, cup, mouth piece, practice jersey to fit over pads and practice
pants with pads as well as any other optional equipment. Parents will need to provide cheerleaders with
additional equipment, such as: kick pants, tennis shoes, socks, poms, hair bow/tie and turtleneck.
Equipment is to be returned at the final game of the season. Equipment is not to be modified in anyway unless
done so by a Berryessa Cougars board member or Coach. Failure to comply with this may result in monetary
charges for equipment
PHYSICALS
Each participant is required to have a physical examination before they can begin practice. To reduce the
financial burden, we will have our doctor on site to issue physicals first day of practice Thursday July 24 th for
those in need at a nominal cost. Once again, no one will be allowed to start practice in July without a valid
physical and all other required paperwork. (No Exceptions)
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INSURANCE
Police Athletic League (PAL) provides secondary insurance in the event of a medical emergency. This
insurance is SECONDARY to any insurance that you may carry.
PRACTICE
Practice is five days per week Monday Tuesday, Thursday Friday and Saturday until Labor Day. After Labor
Day, practice will be held three days a week. Specific days will be determined by individual coach and Board
discretion but are currently scheduled for Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Teams will practice 5:30 to
7:30. Practice begins promptly, it is parent’s responsibility to be prompt.
All practices and home games will be held at field TBD.
A participant cannot begin practice with a team until all fees and required paperwork have been completed.
Each participant is required to furnish:
1. A signed and dated contract by parent
2. A signed medical release from an examining physician. This release must include the physician’s address,
phone number, signature with date.
3. 1 Original and 1 Copy of Birth Certificate
4. Current wallet size 2 x 3 school picture. No Polaroid’s, No Sunglasses No Hats.
5. Copy of the Players most recent report card or a Teachers report for each class (signed by Teachers)
Disciplinary Action
Fighting, intimidation, or disrespect for authority will result in
• removal from game for first offense
• one week suspension from team for
second offense
• suspension from team for remainder of season for third offense.
REFUND POLICY
We have a NO REFUND POLICY, with one exception:
1. Participant does not pass a physical.
Returned Checks
There will be a charge of $50.00 on all returned checks to cover bank-processing fees.
VOLUNTEER HOURS
There will be a charge of $80.00 payable by check on the first day of practice. This is to cover Volunteer
hours. Once the 8 hours of minimal volunteerism has been met the check will be returned to issuer. After
game #7 if any hours are unmet and not scheduled for the remaining balance will be deducted from check and
a new check minus the unmet hours will be issued. Parents can choose to “buy out” and will not get their
checks returned but will not be responsible for hours.
GENERAL SAFETY INFORMATION
From pre-season physicals to in-season injuries, safety is of interest to all. It is important to note the Consumer
Products Safety Commission, among others, has developed information showing many activities of youth:
soccer, swimming, biking, skate boarding and others, produce more injuries, and more serious injuries “per
exposure”, than does PAL football.
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