STOP — READ BEFORE REGISTERING

Please read all information before registering. Registration is a contract with N Zone Sports—not a specific coach, team, teammate, schedule, or request. By registering, you accept the eligibility, team-balancing, age-verification, request, schedule, practice, and refund policies below.

Eligibility & Divisions

• 1st–3rd Grade — PeeWee
• 4th–5th Grade — Junior

Enter the player’s true date of birth and correct grade. School retention, advancement, homeschool status, team preference, or coach preference does not change placement.

Guaranteed Fair Play Time

FAIR PLAY TIME RULES WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED IN THESE DIVISIONS. Increased play-time rules are designed to guarantee ample playing time for all PeeWee and Junior players. Meaningful participation and player development take priority over winning.

Premium Program — Lower Registration Price

Flag Football is returning at a lower registration price while maintaining premium program standards. Experienced league management, committed oversight, and experienced referees support a game that requires advanced knowledge to enforce and oversee. We are committed to protecting the quality of flag football and a culture that rejects the “win at all costs” mentality that discourages youth participation.

Season Schedule & Location

Games will be played at Soldado Park in Las Cruces, New Mexico, during March, April, and May 2027. Games are planned for Saturdays, typically late mornings into the afternoon.

• The league will strive to avoid holiday weekends; however, families should prepare for holiday-weekend games when field availability requires them.
• Dates, times, venues, and game days may change because of weather, field availability controlled by Las Cruces Parks & Recreation, unforeseen circumstances, or league needs.
• Families must bring their own seating.

Game Format & Rules

• Teams have 9–12 players and play 6 v 6, unless final registration numbers require adjustment to 5 v 5.
• Teams have three downs to reach midfield for the only first down, then three more downs to score.
• Games have four 10-minute quarters with a 5-minute halftime.
• All players are eligible to receive a pass. Experienced game officials are assigned to every game.
• Defenders may rush the quarterback only if they start from the cone placed 7 yards back from the line of scrimmage. We’re in New Mexico—we don’t count “Mississippis” around here!
• Once the quarterback passes or hands off the ball, it’s game on: any defender may rush across the line of scrimmage.
• Inside the 5-yard line, teams may only pass to score.

What Registration Includes

• Guaranteed team placement and ample playing time—no tryouts—in a certified recreational league, with strictly enforced fair-play-time rules for PeeWee and Junior.
• Official league jersey and flags.
• Optional matching shorts available as an add-on during checkout.
• Experienced referees assigned to each game, supported by experienced league management and committed season oversight.
• Character Value Medals promoting Sportsmanship, Leadership, Teamwork, and Effort.
• End-of-season recognition for every player.
• Assigned game-day fields and league equipment.
• Team Picture Day on a game day; date TBD.
• Weekly standings updates for league-play divisions in Happening Now or Standings when available, typically Tuesdays.

Registration is complete only after payment is finalized. An unpaid or incomplete registration does not secure a spot.

Required Mouth Guard & Family Seating

Every player must wear a mouth guard to play. Mouth guards are sold at the venue if needed. Bring water and your own seating for Soldado Park.

Age Verification & Fair Play

• N Zone Sports may verify every player and require a birth certificate or ParentVUE school record showing the player’s DOB.
• Submitting a false or inaccurate DOB undermines fair placement and is considered cheating.
• The registering parent is responsible for accurate information. N Zone Sports is not responsible for correcting information before registration closes.
• A player whose age cannot be verified, or whose information is false or inaccurate, may be removed. If registration has ended, removal may occur without a refund.
• No playing up or down unless expressly approved under published league placement rules.

Player, Coach & Team Requests

• Enter every Coach Request, Buddy/Player Request, or Team Request in the Special Requests box during registration. First and last names are required.
• Requests are optional, considered only as space and team balance allow, and are never guaranteed.
• Requests for five or more players should not be expected to be granted.
• No team signups are permitted. Every player registers individually, and the league builds and balances all rosters.
• Refunds are not issued because a request is not granted.

Request Deadline

Requests may be added, removed, or changed only before registration ends. Requests are not accepted and cannot be changed after registration ends, because team building, balancing, and uniform ordering begin immediately. No exceptions should be expected once that work has started.

How to Enter a Request (Illustrative Example)

After reading and reviewing this event description, continue to the next registration screen. You will be directed to a Special Requests box. Enter every request exactly, using the person’s FIRST & LAST NAME.

PLEASE NOTE: Requests with incomplete names or missing details may not be considered. Requests must be submitted before registration ends, are not guaranteed, and cannot be added or changed after registration closes.

Team Size & Competitive Balance

Rosters are typically 9–12 players, depending on final registration totals. The league determines final roster sizes and grade distribution to support balanced play, meaningful participation, and player development.

This is a recreational youth flag football league committed to FUN, character building, and development over winning. The League Director or League Manager may adjust rules, scoring, schedules, formats, or competitive structures during the season when necessary to protect that culture and eliminate unhealthy “win at all costs” behavior.

Practices

Coaches set practice days, locations, and times based on team needs and availability. Families should prepare for either weekday practice after 5:30 PM or practice at the game venue before games.

• Coaches are encouraged to practice weekly 1–2 times either during the week or before a game.
• Weekday practice is not mandatory; however, teams should be offered at least one one-hour practice opportunity weekly, either on a weekday or before a game, unless canceled or rescheduled.
• N Zone Sports cannot guarantee that a coach’s practice schedule or location will fit every family.
• Coaches may occasionally cancel or reschedule practices.
• Refunds are not granted when a player cannot attend practices or when a coach cancels or reschedules practice.

Interested in Coaching?

When registering your player, select YES for Assistant Coach or Head Coach. Head Coaches are needed most. If additional coaches are needed, the league generally reaches out within 1–2 weeks after registration ends during team building.

Head Coach Requirements

• Must be selected by N Zone Sports.
• Must pass a youth background screening.
• Must attend the mandatory preseason coaches meeting, planned for 1–2 weeks before the Meet N’ Greet; date TBD.
• Must complete the full season in good standing and follow league rules, safety standards, and culture.

Head Coach Benefits

• 50% registration discount or 50% registration refund after successfully fulfilling the full Head Coach commitment.
• Official N Zone Head Coach season shirt.
• End-of-season thank-you plaque.
• Assignment to an official team, subject to league selection and balancing.

Only the selected Head Coach qualifies for the coaching discount or refund. Volunteering or requesting to coach does not guarantee selection.

After Registration: What Happens Next?

1. After payment is finalized, you will receive an automatic confirmation email. Keep it as proof of registration.
2. Immediately after registration closes, the league organizes coaches, reviews eligible requests, balances teams, and submits team-specific uniform orders.
3. Official rosters are normally released to coaches 1–2 weeks after registration ends.
4. After receiving a roster, a coach may contact families and begin non-mandatory practices.
5. Parents typically hear from a coach 1–2 weeks before the Meet N’ Greet, approximately 2–3 weeks after registration ends, or meet the coach at the Meet N’ Greet.

League Communication & Weekly Standings — Parent Guide

Whether you register shortly before the season or months in advance, save this guide and refer to it as the season approaches.

1. Check Happening Now first. Meet N’ Greet details, schedules, and important league information are posted in the Happening Now section of the N Zone Sports website before league-wide emails or text messages are sent.
2. Watch for league messages. We typically email and text important information league-wide, but messages can still be missed. Please do not rely solely on receiving an email or text; check Happening Now as the season approaches and throughout the season.
3. Two weeks before Meet N’ Greet: Communication about your program’s Meet N’ Greet is typically sent approximately two weeks before the event. If you have not received an email or text by that point, check Happening Now, where the event information will be posted. If the date has not yet been announced, continue checking Happening Now as the season approaches.
4. During the season: Weekly season standings updates for league-play divisions are included and will appear in Happening Now or the Standings section when available, typically on Tuesdays. Standings apply only to divisions with league standings.

League Culture & Sportsmanship

Every game day highlights a Core Value: Sportsmanship, Leadership, Teamwork, or Effort. Coaches may award Character Value Medals to players who demonstrate those values. Adults are expected to model positive conduct and support a learning environment where development and fun come before the scoreboard.

Parent Acknowledgment

By registering, the parent or guardian accepts that this agreement is with N Zone Sports for placement and guaranteed playing time on a season team—not for a specific coach, teammate, roster, practice schedule, game schedule, or approved request. The parent confirms acceptance of the eligibility chart, age-verification requirements, recreational culture, balancing process, request deadline, practice expectations, schedule flexibility, and refund policy.

GET N’ THE ZONE!