Much Lower Special Cost — Champions Registration

• Early registration - $129 ⬇️
• Standard $159 ⬇️
• Late registration $199

These special registration prices apply to the Champions division.

Read Before Registering

Registration is an agreement with N Zone Sports for season participation, subject to the competitive placement and roster rules below—not a guarantee of a particular coach, roster, practice schedule, or game schedule. Please read the eligibility, team, request, practice, schedule, and refund policies before payment.

Competitive Teams & Free Agents

• What makes a team? At least 6 players must be registered, paid, and have requested the team by the end of standard registration.
• Maximum team size: 12 players.
• EACH TEAM MAY ONLY HAVE 1 5TH GRADER PLAY-UP—no exceptions to this team limit.
• ALL TEAMS WITH 12 OR FEWER PLAYERS MUST ACCEPT AND GIVE PLAYING TIME TO REGISTERED FREE AGENTS—NO EXCEPTIONS. Free agents are players without a team or request. League assignments remain subject to the 12-player roster maximum.
• No team may have more than 5 seventh-grade players assigned.
• Every team must have at least 2 female players, unless overall registration numbers do not allow it.
• Team sign-ups do not exempt teams from roster limits, free-agent assignments, or participation requirements. Competitive play does not excuse a “win at all costs” culture.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

League grades are determined by the player’s date of birth (DOB), NOT the grade the player actually attends in school. The following chart uses the existing 2026/2027 eligibility cutoff. School retention, advancement, and homeschool status do not change league placement. DOB ranges include both listed dates.

ONLY ONE eligible fifth-grade play-up player according to this DOB chart is permitted per team—NO EXCEPTIONS. Fifth-grade play-up is limited to advanced players with an email request and league approval; attending fifth grade in school does not establish eligibility. Submit the request to lascruces@nzonesports.com no later than 5 days before standard registration ends.

Boys & girls in grades 6th–7th are eligible. Enter the player’s true date of birth and correct grade. School retention, advancement, homeschool status, or team preference does not change placement.

Only advanced fifth-grade players may play up in this particular division by email request and league approval. Submit the play-up request no later than 5 days before the end of STANDARD REGISTRATION to lascruces@nzonesports.com. A request does not guarantee approval. EACH TEAM MAY ONLY HAVE 1 5TH GRADER PLAY-UP—no exceptions to this team limit. Approval is subject to this limit. This is a division-specific exception to the general no-playing-up policy.

How to Register & Enter Your Request

In the Special Requests box, enter the team name or the first and last name of the Head Coach. If you do not have a requested team or coach, enter FREE AGENT. Each player must complete registration and payment. To qualify as a team, the minimum six paid registrations and team requests must be completed by the end of standard registration.

Adult Flag Football Rules — Champions Game Format

• Teams have 4 downs to reach the midfield first-down marker, then 4 more downs to score.
• On fourth down, teams may elect to “punt” or “play.” If they play and fail to gain the first down, the opposing team starts its offensive possession at that spot. If they elect to punt, the opposing team starts its offensive possession at its own 5-yard line.
• The quarterback may run for yards when rushed by the opposing defense.
• Downfield backward laterals are permitted.
• Play is 6 v 6, with 5 v 5 possible if final registration numbers require adjustment.
• Games have four 10-minute quarters and a 5-minute halftime.
• All players are eligible to receive a pass, with experienced officials assigned to every game.
• Defenders may rush the quarterback only from the cone 7 yards back from the line of scrimmage. Once the quarterback passes or hands off the ball, any defender may rush across the line of scrimmage.
• Inside the 5-yard line, teams may only pass to score.

What Registration Includes

• Guaranteed playing opportunities, including playing time for league-assigned free agents.
• Official league jersey and flags.
• Optional matching shorts as a checkout add-on.
• Experienced referees, experienced league management, and committed season oversight.
• Character Value Medals for 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 in Happening Now or Standings when available, typically Tuesdays.

Payment must be finalized to complete registration and secure a place.

Season Schedule, Location & Required Equipment

Games will be played at Soldado Park in Las Cruces, New Mexico, during March, April, and May 2027, on Saturdays, typically late mornings into the afternoon. The league strives to avoid holiday weekends, but field availability may require games then. Dates, times, venues, and game days may change because of weather, field availability controlled by Las Cruces Parks & Recreation, unforeseen circumstances, or league needs.

A mouth guard is required to play and is sold at the venue if needed. Families must bring their own seating.

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.

Age Verification & Request Changes

N Zone Sports may require a birth certificate or ParentVUE record showing DOB. False, inaccurate, or unverifiable information may result in removal; after registration ends, removal may occur without a refund. Parents are responsible for accurate registration information. Other than approved advanced fifth-grade play-up, no playing up or down is permitted unless expressly approved under published placement rules. Requests may be added, removed, or changed only before registration ends; the earlier standard-registration deadline still applies to team qualification and the five-day advance deadline applies to play-up requests. No refund is issued because a request is not granted.

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 the competitive division’s team-qualification deadline, 12-player maximum, free-agent acceptance and playing-time requirement, seventh-grade cap, female-player minimum and registration-number exception, and advanced fifth-grade play-up approval process, including the firm limit of one fifth-grade play-up player per team. The parent also accepts age verification, request deadlines, practice expectations, schedule flexibility, sportsmanship standards, and the refund policy.

GET N’ THE ZONE!