GSFL Coaches' Corner
Open to all youth football players and teams originating from a community-based league.
Association info
Association Transparancy
- A fundamental principle of the GSFL is that participating associations do not impose restrictions on participation in excess of GSFL eligibility requirements that follow in this GSFL Handbook. Associations that enroll teams into GSFL are required to provide the League (upon request) with information to prove that the association is following Best Practices and Team Eligibility Guidelines.
- Regardless of the system/policy an association adopts, transparency is essential. Associations should publicly post formal policies on their association website or otherwise make them available for review.
- Each participating team must submit player/coach rosters, including school attendance, player weights (if applicable), and player jersey numbers through the League Office no later than 48 hours prior to the teams first scheduled game. After the deadline, players can be added only after first notifying the League Office and obtaining approval. GSFL recognizes that there will be some legitimate late roster additions.
- Associations are responsible for collecting and retaining documentation that proves what grade each athlete is in and which school they attend. This information must be made available to the League Office upon request.
Association Eligibility
- GSFL recognizes associations that promote and implement programs for teams at multiple grade levels.
- GSFL does not recognize single teams formulated by any individual(s) not affiliated with or recognized by a bona fide association.
- An association must be perpetual – organized with the intent to exist from year to year.
Player Eligibility
Documentation to verify current grade
- School Attendance: the following forms of verification are accepted (copies are accepted)
- Any school issued ID or document that lists the player’s name and school that they attend.
- Residency: the following forms of verification are accepted (copies are accepted)
- To prove residency, we will refer to the address that the player’s school has on file.
Note: Coaches and Directors must be prepared to provide this documentation if requested by GSFL staff.
Organizational Standards
- Associations must establish a code of conduct that each player and parent/guardian acknowledge, prior to the start of the season.
- The GSFL recognizes organizations that promote and implement programs for multiple grade levels. We do not recognize single teams formulated by any individual(s) not affiliated with, or recognized by a recognized organization, as described in the Team & Eligibility Guidelines. The sponsoring organization must be of perpetual nature (i.e. intend to be in existence from year to year). The sponsoring organization must have a democratic posture, meaning that the administrative structure of the organization must allow for open election of officers and open forums for parents and participants to voice their concerns.
- Associations must have a minimum of 2 teams.
Team Eligibility
Eligible Teams:
- Community-based teams and school teams are eligible.
- Community-based teams are defined as teams that are comprised of players who are from the community in which their parent or legal guardian resides or in which they attend school.
- GSFL will recognize a team if it is derived from a bona fide association (an association organized as an ongoing perpetual entity consisting of multiple teams) or a school program within their boundaries as defined by the association’s bylaws. Generally, association boundaries are based on a city’s limits or a high school district attendance area and are deemed as a “Reasonable Drawing Area.” GSFL recognizes that certain associations may permissibly draw from multiple communities where participant numbers are historically low. These situations will be evaluated by the Managing Directors on a case-by-case basis to assure the association is operating in conformance with GFSL philosophies.
Ineligible Teams:
- GSFL will not allow Open/All-Star and Independent teams to participate in the league.
- An “Open/All-Star” team is defined as any team that is comprised of players from multiple communities where recognized youth associations exist.
- An “Independent” team is defined as any team that is comprised of players who all reside in the same community or attend the same school, but who have chosen to bypass the local association.
Roster Info
Roster Size Guidelines
These guidelines have been created with a focus on balancing player safety, meaningful playing time, and player development. “Convenience” should not be a significant consideration when an association is determining roster size.
Below are the maximum recommended roster sizes:
| Grade Level | Game Format | Maximum Recommended Roster Size |
| 2nd Grade | 9-Man | 18 Players |
| 3rd-6th Grade | 11-Man | 22 Players |
| 7th-8th Grade | 11-Man | 33 Players |
Final Rosters
Each participating team must submit player/coach rosters, including school attendance, player weights (if applicable), and player jersey numbers through MYAS RegisterPlay no later than 48 hours prior to their first scheduled game. GSFL recognizes that there will be some legitimate late roster additions.
FINAL ROSTER FREEZE DATE: SEPTEMBER 7, 2026
Any changes following roster freeze date must be communicated via email to football@myas.org with Association Director
Waiver Process
GSFL does not look favorably at players participating for associations not affiliated with the community where the player either resides or attends school. However, GSFL does recognize that there are other situations that granting a Waiver allowing a player to participate with an outside association is in the best interests of all.
The Waiver process is as follows:
- The Waiver must be initiated by the player’s parents or legal guardians, and the Waiver request must be communicated in writing to both the association where the player should be participating and the association where the player desires to participate. The Waiver request must clearly articulate the reasons for requesting a Waiver
- The Waiver must next be approved in writing by all associations involved with the Waiver.
- All Waiver requests that are approved by involved associations are subject to final review and approval by the GSFL League Office. The decision is final and not subject to appeal.
To initiate a waiver, contact football@myas.org
Coaches Screening and training
A minimum of two coaches per team are strongly encouraged to complete necessary safety training to foster a safe playing environment. Trusted Coaches is the preferred platform of the GSFL, offering a comprehensive delivery method for the minimum training requirements listed below:
- Concussion Training – Required every three (3) years in accordance with the MN Concussion Law – Minnesota Statutes sec. 121A.38
- Nationwide Background Check – Recommended Annually
- Child Safety/Abuse Prevention Training – In accordance with the SafeSport Act of 2017
The full coaching staff of each team is encouraged to complete football-specific training via USA Football, the GSFL in-person coaches’ clinic presented by the Minnesota Football Coaches’ Association annually in late July, or a coaches’ clinic hosted by the association’s local high school football program and sponsored by the association.
Season Format
Grade 2:
- 9-Man
- Four – 10-minute stop-time quarters
- Eight total games (7 league games + 1 bowl game)
Grades 3-4:
- 11-man format
- Four 10-minute stop-time quarters (modified timing)
- Eight (8 ) total games (7 league games + 1 bowl game)
Grades 5-6:
- 11-man format
- Four 10-minute stop-time quarters (modified timing)
- Nine (9) total games (7 league games + 2 playoff games)
Grades 7-8:
- 11-man format
- Four 10-minute stop-time quarters (modified timing)
- Nine (9) total games (7 league games + 2 playoff games)
Season Play Dates
The GSFL regular season for grades 5-8 will begin August 28th-30th. The season will conclude on October 10th and 11th, with teams participating in the GSFL Championship Weekend.
- August 28th-30th – Opening Weekend (5th-8th Grade)
- September 1st-3rd – Week 2 (Weeknight)
- September 8th-10th (Weeknight) + 12th/13th – Week 3
- September 19th/20th – Week 4
- September 22nd-24th (2nd-4th weeknight)
- September 26th/27th – Week 5
- September 29th-October 1st – Week 6 (weeknight game)
- October 3rd/4th – Week 7 (Final Regular Season Weekend)
- October 6th-8th – First Round of Playoffs (5th-8th)
- October 10th/11th – GSFL Championship Weekend
- Grades 2-4 Bowl Game
- Grades 5-8 Final Playoff Game
- October 12th/13th – Makeup date if needed
- If scheduling allows, all teams will play a mix of weekend and weeknight games:
- Grades 2-4: 8 total games (six weekend games and two weeknight games).
- Grades 5-8: 9 total games (six weekend games and three weeknight games).
- Teams can also opt to play additional non-league games, which can be arranged through the League Director and Operations Manager.
League System
GSFL will maintain current standings, schedules, and all pertinent league information online. League information will be accessible on the GSFL portion of the website at www.gopherstatefootball.org as well as on your individual team’s profile/site on RegisterPlay at www.myasrp.com. Both coaches involved in a game must submit/input their completed game scores online via RegisterPlay. All that is required is to input scores within 24 hours after each game is completed. This system helps ensure an accurate score for each completed game. Teams will be contacted if scores are not reported and will be assessed a $50.00 fine if non-reporting occurs more than once. Both coaches must report their scores within 24 hours of the completion of each game.
Enter Scores
- To enter scores in RegisterPlay – go to:
- Dashboard > My Teams > Click Your Team > Games Tab > 3-Lined Button To The Left Of Each Game > Score Entry.
Additional Help
For a step-by-step tutorial, review the PDF below.
To access the AI Help Desk and instructional videos, go to Help | Minnesota Youth Athletic Services
Field/Game Management
- Association administrators and coaches are responsible for the behavior of their parents and fans, as well as ensuring their teams clean up the sideline area immediately following each game. Remind your teams and their fans to pick up their garbage.
- Where fields have restraining fences or stadium seating, spectators are required to remain in the stands or behind the fence at all times.
- Teams must be on opposite sidelines, with fans positioned on the same sideline as their team. If a field setup makes this impossible, the association administrator is required to notify the GSFL League Office in advance.
- Association administrators are responsible for monitoring and managing the conduct of their association’s coaches, players, parents, and other fans.
- If an issue arises with an official during a game, it must not be addressed on the field. Instead, the association administrator of the affected team should contact the Supervisor of Officials after the game to report and discuss the concern/issue. Several officials have been removed in recent years for various reasons including lack of effort, chronic lateness to games, and unprofessional behavior.
MYAS Code of Conduct
The MYAS Code of Conduct applies to all participants involved in GSFL games, including players, coaches, parents, fans, and game officials, and sets the standard of behavior for the season.
All individuals are expected to:
- Demonstrate good sportsmanship, respect, and positive support at all times.
- Refrain from profanity, abusive language, or negative behavior toward others.
- Prioritize the emotional and physical well-being of youth athletes.
- Respect the game, the officials, and all participants, regardless of background or ability.
- Use appropriate channels to express concerns in a constructive and respectful manner.
Game officials, coaches, and site administrators are empowered to enforce the Code of Conduct, and violations by an individual may result in temporary or permanent removal from both GSFL and other MYAS sports and events.
Disciplinary Action
GSFL reserves the right to permanently ban any player, coach, parent, or fan for acts of unsportsmanlike or abusive behavior, including single incidents. Unfortunately, such behavior has increased in recent years and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Disciplinary actions for players, coaches, and parents/fans include, but are not limited to:
- Any ejection results in a minimum automatic suspension for the next full game. It is the responsibility of both the coach and the association administrator connected to the ejected person to report an ejection to the Supervisor of Officials within 24 hours following the ejection.
- A second ejection in the same season will result in suspension for the remainder of the season.
- These penalties provide a basic disciplinary framework, and each incident will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and evaluated on its own particular facts or circumstances.
Re-Scheduling Procedure
Non-Weather Related Schedule Changes
All reschedule requests (regardless of who initiates the request) must be simultaneously submitted in writing to the following:
- The coach and association administrator for the affected opponents (including other teams scheduled at the same site and the same date); the League Office (football@myas.org) the Supervisor of Officials; and the Assigner. Verbal notifications (including to the Assigner) do not count as official requests.
- Games will become officially rescheduled only after the League Office and Supervisor of Officials have approved the reschedule AND the rescheduled game(s) have been posted online.
Inclement Weather Cancellations and Re-Scheduling
Inclement weather is the primary cause of cancellations. GSFL will make every effort to reschedule games that were cancelled because of inclement weather. Due to the short seven-week time period that regular season games are scheduled, there is no absolute guarantee that games that have been cancelled because of inclement weather can be rescheduled, especially for games cancelled after October 1.
In-Game Weather Issues:
- Once a game has started, only officials can suspend a game due to inclement weather.
- Any games that are suspended after having reached halftime are considered complete games.
Advance Cancellations
There are situations where the weather is bad enough over an extended period of time that advance cancellations are required and advisable. In these situations, it is imperative that the individuals involved with the decision-making process (association administrator, coaches, League Office, and the Supervisor of Officials) maintain constant communication.
Guidelines for advance cancellations are as follows:
- Weekday advance cancellations must be made by 4:00pm.
- Weekend advance cancellations must be made by 9:00am.
- Any league-wide advance cancellation must be approved by the League Office.
- A site-specific (one site only) cancellation is made by the host association’s administrator or designated director. We occasionally receive directives from the host park and recreation department or school district that the game must be cancelled.
At-Field/On-Site Cancellations
- If the advance cancellation deadline has passed (after 4:00pm on weekdays and 9:00am on weekends), only the host association’s administrator or designated director can cancel at the field if conditions are unsafe. Note that occasionally the host’s park and recreation department or school district will instruct the host administrator to cancel the games.
- Follow the established Communication Protocol (outlined below) to ensure timely and accurate reporting of cancellations.
Communication Protocol
- The host association/team is responsible for contacting all affected teams/associations, the Supervisor of Officials and the League Office.
- Email should be the primary method of communication for record-keeping purposes.
- Website updates will be made only after confirmation of the cancellation.
Definition of "Host Team"
A “host team” is defined as a team at whose fields a game is scheduled on a particular date. The host team is responsible for items listed below:
- Properly marking the field
- Supplying the chains
- Lights for all fields (if applicable)
Example: Three games, scheduled at 4:30, 6:00 and 7:30 on a Sunday at Andover Prairie Knoll Park, Andover is responsible for having the field ready at 4:15, properly marked, chains out, and lights on if needed. This responsibility continues for all of the games scheduled on that date. Our goal is to minimize “neutral site” games, which is a game between two teams where neither is the host. Occasionally, however, a neutral site game makes logistical sense from a team travel standpoint.
Definition of "HOME TEAM"
The “home team” is the host team (or the team listed as “Team 2” on the schedule for a neutral site game), and is responsible for providing the chain gang. (Remember that the “host team” provides the chains.) DO NOT SWITCH CHAIN GANGS AT HALFTIME.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have a question about my team. Who should I contact?
All communication should first go to your association director/administrators. If they are not able to answer your questions, they can reach out to football@myas.org for clarification.
Why do we have to rate our teams?
Divisions will be formed based on three factors:
- Team Ratings
- Number of teams from an association at a grade level
- Geography
Playoff Note: In an effort to offer competitive matchups to end the Season, a tiered playoff structure will be implemented for Grades 5-8.
How should I rate my team?
Teams should be rated using a 3 point scale. 1 being a developmental team, with mostly new and inexperienced players. 2 being average, with moderate experience and skill level. 3 being highly competitive, skilled and experienced.
When will my team be playing?
Every team will be scheduled for each weekend of the season, along with select weeknights. Please see the season schedule tab for a season outline.
I am not finding my team online, where do I go?
First, ensure you are on myasrp.com. From there, go to your dashboard, then to “My Teams”. If you do not see it there, please contact your association director/admin to get you added to your team.
Coaches
We recommend you have a copy of the GSFL Rules – Quick Guide with you at all times as it includes all the pertinent information and rules games should be played by and can be shared with the officials during pre-game activities.
We want to create a partnership between officials and coaches and the quick guide is one way to start that partnership each game.
GSFL Rule Downloads
- GSFL Rules - 2026 - 2nd Grade
- GSFL Rules - 2026 - 3rd Grade
- GSFL Rules - 2026 - 4th Grade
- GSFL Rules - 2026 - 5th & 6th Grade
- GSFL Rules - 2026 - 7th & 8th Grade
- GSFL Rules - 2026 - Defensive Alignments (All Grades)
- GSFL - Defensive Alignment - 2nd Grade
- GSFL - Defensive Alignment - 3rd & 4th Grade
- GSFL - Defensive Alignment - 5th & 6th Grade
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