Expectations & Guidelines

Building Strong Athletes. Building Stronger Character.

Program Overview

The AZ Vikings are dedicated to teaching the game of football while developing discipline, teamwork, and respect. We want every parent and player to clearly understand what is expected when joining our program.

• 8U Team – Focused on fundamentals, learning the game, and building a love for football.
  
  

• 9U Team – Advanced development with higher expectations for execution, effort, and accountability.
  
  

• 10U/11U Team – Advanced competition, preparing athletes for middle school and high school football.
  
  

Financial Expectations

• Uniform Package Fee: $321 per player (includes jersey, pants, practice gear, and required team apparel).
  
  

• Field Fee: There is a $100 field fee per player to help with the cost of covering the field during the season for games and practice
  
  

• Payments: Must be made in full prior to receiving uniforms and equipment. No player will be permitted to play without full payment.
  
  

• Additional Costs: Families are responsible for personal items such as cleats, helmets, shoulder pads, knee pads & thigh pads,  mouthguards, and water bottles.
  
  

Practice Expectations

• Players must arrive 15 minutes before practice dressed and ready.
  
  

• Practices are designed to build discipline and improve performance; players are expected to give 110% effort every session.
  
  

• Attendance is critical. Excessive absences may result in reduced playing time.
  
  

• Parents are expected to have players dropped off and picked up on time.
  
  

Game Day Expectations

• Players must arrive at the designated call time with full gear.
  
  

• Coaches determine playing time based on effort, attendance, discipline, and performance.
  
  

• Players represent the AZ Vikings both on and off the field respect, sportsmanship, and composure are mandatory.
  
  

Player Guidelines

1. Be coachable and give maximum effort.
   
   

2. Treat teammates, coaches, opponents, and officials with respect.
   
   

3. No horseplay, fighting, or disrespect on sidelines, in practice, or in games.
   
   

4. Maintain good grades and be a positive role model in the community.
   
   

5. Follow team rules: missing practices, poor behavior, or lack of effort will affect playing time and leadership opportunities.
   
   

Parent Guidelines

1. Support your child and the team positively no negative comments toward players, coaches, or officials.
   
   

2. Sideline coaching from parents is not allowed; trust the coaches.
   
   

3. Communicate respectfully with staff. Concerns should be addressed after practice or via scheduled meeting, never during games.
   
   

4. Ensure your child is at practice and games on time and prepared.
   
   

5. Understand that this is competitive football playing time is earned.
   
   

6. This team is not pay to play, playing time is earned and not handed out. This is indicated by attendance, effort, attitude
   
   

7. All  fundraising raised will stay with the program regardless of exit from The AZ Vikings
   
   

Program Standards

• The AZ Vikings will uphold a high standard of accountability, respect, and discipline.
  
  

• Captains and leaders will be held to an even higher standard of conduct.
  
  

• Failure to meet expectations may result in reduced playing time, suspension, or removal from the program.

Weather Guidelines

• Heat index and wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) will be monitored prior to and during practices/games; modifications (shortened practices, additional water breaks, no pads, or cancellation) will follow AIA heat-safety thresholds.
  
  

• Cold weather guidelines will be observed by ensuring players have proper layered gear; practices may be shortened or canceled if conditions pose safety risks (freezing temps, icy fields, or wind chill dangers).
  
  

• The AZ Vikings will fully comply with AIA’s game management protocols, deferring to officials and AIA policy for stoppage, delay, or cancellation decisions when extreme weather conditions threaten athlete safety.

• Practices and games will immediately pause and all athletes will be moved to safe shelter if lightning is detected within a 10-mile radius, following AIA’s lightning safety rule. Play will not resume until 30 minutes after the last strike within that range.

Acknowledgment

By joining the AZ Vikings, parents and players agree to uphold these expectations and guidelines.