Upward Flag Football

In Upward Flag Football, Every Child is a Winner.

This flag football season, you will participate in a league that will redefine the word winner.

Today’s sports culture has created a “win at all cost” mentality.  However, in Upward, success is not based on wins and losses.  Coaches are trained that success is determined by how they convey salvation, character, and self-esteem to each child.  Upward defines winning as learning and/or teaching lessons in the game of life.

Be a Winning Parent!

As a parent, you play a very important role in building the self-esteem and character of your child and every child in this league.  Players will look to their parents, coaches, and referees as models for sportsmanship, respect for authority, and positive attitudes.  Through your positive participation in this league, you can provide a lasting effect in these children that will live well beyond the end of the season.

What you can do to ensure a meaningful experience for your child:

  • Make sure the child arrives on time to practices and games.
  • During games, let the coach correct player mistakes.  A player should learn to listen and respond to the coach during play.  Instructions coming from the spectators cause confusion to the players.
  • Cheer for both teams.  This gives each player twice the affirmation.
  • Support the volunteer referee with positive comments only.  They are giving their time to your child.
  • After the game, join your child’s team and cheer for each player as they receive their game day stars.
  • After each practice, ask your child about the practice, devotion and Scripture that was shared with him/her.
  • Find positive actions that took place during practices and games that you can praise your child for.

About Practices

  • Players will receive their player items at practice (jersey; flag belt and flags; play calling wristbands; etc.). They will be passed out by his/her coach at one of the first practices.
  • There will be a one-hour practice per week. Some leagues will practice twice a week before the first game.
  • During each practice, a coach will deliver a short devotion to the players.
  • Teams will have the opportunity to learn Scripture verses together.

About Games

  • Every team will play one game a week. Each game lasts about one hour.
  • Following each game, teams and parents gather together as each player is awarded a star.
    • The blue star represents Best Effort.
    • The orange star represents Best Leadership.
    • The gold star represents Best Sportsmanship.
    • The gray star represents Best Offense.
    • The red star represents Best Defense.
    • The white star represents Christlikeness.

Rules Unique to Upward Flag Football

You will receive a complete list of rules in the Parent’s Guide to Upward Flag Football which you will receive with your child’s player items.

Game Format

A unique element of this league is the game format:

  • Referees lead both teams in prayer at midfield before every game.
  • Scores are kept for all grade divisions, but no division standings are maintained.  Such standings add unnecessary pressure and intensity.
  • This is a non-contact league.  Any intentional contact will be penalized.
  • Each team will have six players on the field at a time.
  • All coaches will adhere to the substitution rules.

Substitutions

This substitution system is designed to provide every player equal opportunity for improvement.  The substitution system ensures that:

  • No child will sit out more than one possession at a time.
  • Every child will play offense and defense in each game.
  • Every child will start on either offense or defense in each game.
  • In most cases, each child will play against someone of equal ability.
  • Coaches are not open to making unfair substitutions or being accused of such.
  • Coaches are free from monitoring playing time for each player.
  • Playing time for all players is virtually even over the course of the season.

If you have any questions about Upward Cheerleading or any of our other Upward sports programs, please contact Harrison Clark at 302-366-8539 or email.

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