The Community House

League Info

Welcome to The Community House Flag Football League! This page is your go-to resource for general league information, including team formation, practices, games, schedules, equipment requirements, and other important season details. We encourage all families and coaches to review this information before the start of the season to help ensure a fun, safe, and successful experience for everyone. Our league is designed to provide a positive and competitive environment for players of all experience levels while emphasizing skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship, and a love of the game.

The information below provides an overview of our most commonly asked questions and league procedures. For specific gameplay rules, policies, penalties, or anything not addressed on this page, please refer to the official TCH Flag Football League Rule Book or our Frequently Asked Questions.

Games & Practices

Estimated League Timeline

The following timeline is provided as a general guide and may vary slightly each season:

March: League registration opens
August 1: Registration fee increases for late registrations
Late August: Team rosters and game schedules are posted
Late August / Early September: Team practices begin
After Labor Day: Games begin, typically the second weekend of September
Mid/Late September: League Picture Day
Late October / Early November: Regular season and playoffs conclude

Please note: Families should plan for the season to potentially extend into mid-November. While we make every effort to complete the season as scheduled, weather cancellations, field conditions, make-up games, and other schedule changes may require games or playoffs to be moved into November.

Practices

Practices typically begin in late August or early September.

Practice days, times, and locations are selected by each team's volunteer coach based on available practice space and the coach's schedule.

Before games begin: Teams may practice up to two times per week.
Once games begin: Teams may practice up to one time per week.

We do not know individual team practice days or times before rosters are created and coaches select their practice schedules. For this reason, we cannot accommodate team placement requests based on preferred practice days or times.

Games

Game Days & Times

Games begin after Labor Day weekend and are played on Saturdays and Sundays.

Teams are generally scheduled for one game per weekend.
Games may be scheduled anytime between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
Game times rotate throughout the season to create as fair a schedule as possible.
Families should expect to play at a variety of times throughout the season rather than having the same game time each week.
Additional or make-up games may be scheduled when necessary due to cancellations or other schedule adjustments.

Game Locations

League games are played in Hinsdale at:

Robbins Park, located directly east of The Community House
Katherine Legge Memorial Park (KLM)

Games may be scheduled at either location on Saturdays or Sundays. Teams should expect to play at both locations throughout the season.

Schedules are subject to change due to weather, field availability, cancellations, or other circumstances affecting league operations.

Team Formation

Our goal is to create balanced teams that provide a positive and competitive experience for all players. With hundreds of participants across the league, team formation is based on consistent criteria designed to create fair and balanced rosters.

While we understand that players may want to be placed with specific friends, teammates, or coaches, we do not guarantee team placement requests. Whenever possible, we will make an effort to place players with some children from their school.

How Teams Are Created

Teams are constructed using the following criteria:

School attended
Grade level
Number of years participating in the league
Overall roster balance

The Recreation Supervisor is responsible for creating all team rosters and has final authority over team placement decisions.

Combined Grade Divisions

The league combines grade levels as follows (subject to change based on enrollment):

1st & 2nd Grade
3rd & 4th Grade
5th & 6th Grade
7th & 8th Grade

Within combined divisions, we make every effort to distribute players from each grade evenly among teams. Teams will not intentionally be created entirely from one grade when the division includes multiple grade levels.

What We Do Not Consider When Creating Teams

To keep the team formation process as fair and consistent as possible:

We do not recreate teams from previous seasons.
We do not accept preferred-player lists or pre-selected rosters from coaches.
We cannot guarantee placement with a specific coach, friend, or group of players.
We do not intentionally create “stacked” teams.
We do not evaluate or make placement decisions based on personal relationships between individual players or families.
We maintain established roster limits and do not add additional players to a team simply to accommodate placement requests.

We understand that team placement is an important part of the experience for families. Every roster is created thoughtfully with the overall league experience, competitive balance, and best interests of all participants in mind.

Our ultimate goal is simple: give every player the opportunity to learn, compete, make connections, and have a fun season.

Player Equipment & Uniform Requirements

For the safety of all participants and to ensure consistent gameplay, players must follow the equipment and uniform requirements below.
Coaches and league staff may require a player to correct an equipment or uniform issue before entering or returning to play.

Flag Belts

All players must wear the official flag belt provided by The Community House.
Alternative or personal flag belts may not be used during games.
Flags must remain fully accessible and unobstructed throughout play.

Mouth Guards

Mouth guards are required for all players.
Players must wear a mouth guard at all times while participating in a game.
A player without a mouth guard will not be permitted to play until they have one.
There are no exceptions to the mouth guard requirement.
Please refer to the League Rule Book for penalties related to mouth guards.

Cleats & Footwear

Cleats with soft, rounded, non-metal spikes are permitted for outdoor play.
Metal spikes are not permitted.
Players may also wear appropriate athletic shoes.

Jerseys & Uniforms

Players receive a reversible league jersey and should wear it for all games.

Home Team: Dark-colored side
Visiting Team: Light-colored side
Jerseys and shirts must be tucked in so they do not interfere with access to the player's flags.
Players may not wear clothing or equipment that obstructs an opponent's ability to remove their flags.
Shorts and pants may not have pockets or zippers.
Pads, dangerous equipment, or apparel that could create a safety concern are not permitted.

Football sizes

K- 2nd Grade : Pee Wee
3rd & 4th Grade: Pee Wee
5th & 6th Grade :Junior
7th & 8th Grade: Youth

League Communications

Throughout the season, The Community House will communicate important league information through email, coaches, and our league websites. Families are responsible for keeping their contact information current and regularly reviewing league communications. Families should check their team's schedule regularly throughout the season, as schedules may change due to weather, field availability, or other circumstances.

Email

Email is the primary form of communication for the Flag Football League. Important announcements, schedule updates, weather information, and other league communications will be sent electronically.

Please make sure the email address associated with your child's The Community House account is accurate and up to date.
League emails are sent using the contact information associated with your registration account.
Families are encouraged to regularly check their inbox, spam, and junk folders throughout the season.

Coaches

Once teams are formed, your team's volunteer coach will be your primary contact for team-specific communication.

Coaches will communicate information such as:

Practice days, times, and locations
Team reminders and updates
Game information
Schedule changes
Weather-related updates when applicable

League-wide announcements and official decisions will continue to come directly from The Community House.

League Websites

Families and coaches are encouraged to regularly check the league websites throughout the season. These sites will contain the most current information available, particularly when weather or schedule changes occur.

The Community House Teamsideline Website

The Community House website is the main resource for general league information, including:

League announcements and updates
Rules and policies
Weather cancellations and delays
Important dates and season information
Registration information
Links and instructions for accessing team information
Game Schedules, Rosters, Coach information, and Schedule changes

weather & Game Cancellations

Flag football is an outdoor sport, and games will be played in a variety of weather conditions throughout the season. Families should plan accordingly and dress players appropriately for the day's conditions. Never assume a game is cancelled because of the forecast. Unless a cancellation has been communicated by League Administration, families should continue to monitor the league website for the latest updates.

When We Play

Games will generally continue during:

Light rain or sprinkles
Cold temperatures
Light snow
Other conditions that are considered safe for play

At times, games may need to be played in less-than-ideal weather to avoid cancellations and extending the season further into November.

Weather Cancellations

Games may be delayed, suspended, or cancelled due to:

Lightning or thunder
Heavy rain
Unsafe or unplayable field conditions
Severe weather
Other conditions determined unsafe by League Administration

League Administration will make all final decisions regarding weather delays and cancellations.

The Flag Football League website will have the most up-to-date information regarding field conditions, delays, and cancellations. Families should check the website before leaving for their game whenever weather is questionable.

ThorGuard Lightning Detection System

Robbins Park and KLM are equipped with a ThorGuard Lightning Detection System, located near the large field on top of the restroom building.

If lightning is detected in the area:

An alarm will sound and an orange warning light will begin flashing.
Everyone must immediately leave the fields and seek appropriate shelter. Participants and spectators should return to their vehicles or enter The Community House when available.
No games or practices may resume while the orange warning light is flashing.
Once conditions are determined safe, the flashing light will stop and three loud sirens will sound, indicating that the fields may be re-entered.
Games may resume at the direction of League Administration and officials.

League Philosophy & Sportsmanship

The Community House Flag Football League is built around participation, sportsmanship, skill development, and creating an environment where every young athlete has the opportunity to succeed.

We encourage healthy competition while recognizing that youth sports are about much more than wins and losses. Our league is designed to help players learn the fundamentals of the game, develop confidence, experience teamwork, and build a lifelong appreciation for sports.

The Community House reserves the right to determine appropriate disciplinary action based on the circumstances and severity of each situation.

Our League Philosophy

The Community House believes:

Everyone plays.
Players receive equal playing time to the best of the coaches ability and practice attendance.
Players are given opportunities to learn and rotate positions.
Players are not cut from the program based on skill or ability.
Players of all experience and skill levels are welcome.
Development, effort, teamwork, and sportsmanship are valued above the final score.

The adults involved in our youth sports programs have an important responsibility. Coaches, parents, spectators, officials, and league staff serve as examples for our young athletes. Decisions and behavior should always reflect what is in the best interest of the children participating in the league.

Parent, Coach & Spectator Code of Conduct

By participating in or attending The Community House Flag Football League, parents, coaches, players, and spectators are expected to contribute to a safe, respectful, and positive environment.

All participants and spectators are expected to:

Treat players, coaches, officials, league staff, and fellow spectators with respect.
Demonstrate and encourage good sportsmanship at games and practices.
Provide positive support and encouragement to all young athletes.
Refrain from foul or abusive language, inappropriate gestures, taunting, booing, or other unsportsmanlike behavior.
Never engage in behavior that threatens the physical or emotional safety of a player, coach, official, staff member, or spectator.
Never verbally threaten, intimidate, or physically confront another individual.
Respect officials and their authority during games. Disagreements with calls do not justify yelling at, confronting, or disrespecting an official.
Respect volunteer coaches and recognize the time and commitment they provide to our players and league.
Remember that youth sports are ultimately for the kids. Adult behavior should never take away from a child's opportunity to learn, compete, and have fun.

Expectations for Coaches

In addition to the expectations above, volunteer coaches are responsible for creating a positive and inclusive team environment.

Coaches are expected to:

Treat all players fairly and respectfully.
Provide equal playing opportunities consistent with league rules.
Rotate players and provide opportunities to learn different positions.
Focus on teaching fundamentals, teamwork, effort, and sportsmanship.
Encourage players regardless of skill level or game outcome.
Never make a player feel defeated, embarrassed, or unwelcome because of their performance.
Model appropriate behavior toward officials, opposing teams, parents, and spectators.

Disciplinary Action

The Community House reserves the right to take disciplinary action when an individual's behavior does not meet league expectations or creates an unsafe, disrespectful, or disruptive environment.

Depending on the nature, frequency, and severity of the behavior, disciplinary action may include:

Verbal or written warning
Immediate removal or ejection from a game or league activity
Suspension from one or multiple games
Removal from a coaching role
Removal from attending league games or activities
Removal from the league

Serious incidents may result in immediate suspension or removal without prior warning. Disciplinary actions may also carry over between programs, leagues, or seasons when determined appropriate by The Community House.

Flag Football League General Info

Registration