Question 1

Fall: When does registration open?

Accepted Answer

Registration opens around April 15th (early registration). Spots fill fast — watch the home page and our Instagram.

Question 2

Fall: When does the season start?

Accepted Answer

Opening night is in late August. Each team plays a minimum of 9 games and up to 15 over roughly three months (August to late November / early December). Kindergarten teams do not play in the playoffs and have 8 games total.

Question 3

Fall: When and where are games?

Accepted Answer

Games are primarily Friday evenings (with a small chance of a Thursday) in Carlsbad — Poinsettia Park (6600 Hidden Valley Rd) and Alga Norte Park (6565 Alicante Rd) are the most common venues, with an occasional game at Carlsbad HS or another local park. Kickoffs run from 4:20pm to 8:30pm, scheduled youngest-to-oldest when possible (5/6 and 7/8 can expect 8:30pm). Games are played on their assigned date — rescheduling and make-up games are not available.

Question 4

Fall: What equipment do I need?

Accepted Answer

Cleats (no metal cleats), a mouth guard, and solid-colored team shorts with no pockets.

Question 5

Fall: How many players per team?

Accepted Answer

Nine players minimum; a coach may carry 10–11 (discouraged).

Question 6

Fall: How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Approximately $390 plus a $50 uniform fee (jerseys + shorts). Teams that secure a business sponsor are reimbursed the uniform fee.

Question 7

Fall: Can I get a refund?

Accepted Answer

Refunds of $200 are available until August 1st; no refunds after that date.

Question 8

Fall: Are there playoffs?

Accepted Answer

Every division except Kindergarten finishes with a single-elimination playoff tournament.

Question 9

Winter: When does registration open?

Accepted Answer

Registration opens around October 1st.

Question 10

Winter: When does the season start?

Accepted Answer

The Winter season runs January through mid-February — 4 games over 3–4 weeks, followed by playoffs.

Question 11

Winter: Where are games?

Accepted Answer

Games are in Carlsbad, primarily at Poinsettia Park (6600 Hidden Valley Rd).

Question 12

Winter: What equipment do I need?

Accepted Answer

Cleats, a mouth guard, and black shorts with no pockets.

Question 13

Winter: How many players per team?

Accepted Answer

Ten players, with free substitutions (no need to wait for the end of a quarter to sub).

Question 14

Winter: How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Approximately $225.

Question 15

Winter: Can I get a refund?

Accepted Answer

Refunds of $145 are available until December 15th; no refunds after.

Question 16

Winter: Is the uniform provided?

Accepted Answer

Jerseys and flags are included in registration. Black shorts are not included and are purchased separately.

Question 17

Winter: Are there playoffs?

Accepted Answer

Yes — all divisions except Kindergarten, typically about two weeks of sudden-elimination play.

Question 18

Spring: When does registration open?

Accepted Answer

Registration opens around November 1st.

Question 19

Spring: When does the season start?

Accepted Answer

The Spring season starts in mid-February. Each team plays a minimum of 9 games and up to 15 over roughly three months (February to May). All teams make the playoffs except Kindergarten. The season runs through Spring Break — with five school districts to coordinate, we can't accommodate individual break requests.

Question 20

Spring: Where are games?

Accepted Answer

Venues include Poinsettia Park, Alga Norte, Carlsbad High School, Poinsettia Elementary, Pacific Rim Elementary, La Costa Canyon High School, and Cardiff Sports Park, with some games at Cal State San Marcos.

Question 21

Spring: When do games take place?

Accepted Answer

Most games are on Fridays, but your team may have a game or two midweek (usually Thursday) or on a Saturday.

Question 22

Spring: What equipment do I need?

Accepted Answer

Cleats and a mouth guard. Uniforms and flags are provided.

Question 23

Spring: What size football does my player use?

Accepted Answer

Kindergarten–2nd grade use a small (3 oz) ball, 3rd–6th a medium (5 oz) ball, and 7th–8th a large (7 oz) ball.

Question 24

Spring: How many players per team?

Accepted Answer

Nine players.

Question 25

Summer: When does registration open?

Accepted Answer

Registration opens around March 18th (early registration).

Question 26

Summer: When does the season start?

Accepted Answer

Four regular-season games plus playoffs, running from mid-June to mid/late July.

Question 27

Summer: Where are games?

Accepted Answer

Games are in Carlsbad — Poinsettia Park (6600 Hidden Valley Rd) and Alga Norte Park (6565 Alicante Rd), with a small chance of Carlsbad HS or another local park.

Question 28

Summer: What equipment do I need?

Accepted Answer

Cleats, a mouth guard, and black shorts with no pockets or side stripes.

Question 29

Summer: How many players per team?

Accepted Answer

Nine to ten players (a coach may carry 11–12 if players will miss time for travel).

Question 30

Summer: How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Approximately $235.

Question 31

Summer: Can I get a refund?

Accepted Answer

Refunds of $175 are available until June 1st; no refunds after.

Question 32

Summer: Is the uniform provided?

Accepted Answer

Jerseys are included in registration.

Question 33

What grades and divisions do you offer?

Accepted Answer

Boys divisions for grades K, 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8, plus dedicated Girls divisions for grades K through 7/8. Athletes play in their grade bracket; brackets may combine grades depending on registration numbers. Co-Ed and All-Girls each have their own registration link.

Question 34

Can my child play on multiple teams?

Accepted Answer

No — each player is on one team. With a waitlist most seasons, we want to give as many kids as possible the chance to play.

Question 35

Can I request a friend?

Accepted Answer

We try our best to honor requests, but it's not guaranteed. Groups of 3 or more friends are placed together only if a parent volunteers to be the head coach.

Question 36

How can I volunteer to coach?

Accepted Answer

Fill out the coach volunteer form for the boys/co-ed or girls league when registration is open, or email nccfnl.services@gmail.com. No experience required.

Question 37

How do I follow scores and standings?

Accepted Answer

Live scores and standings update in real time on the Flag50 app — every field, every game. Download it from the App Store or Google Play.

Question 38

Is flag football a no-contact sport?

Accepted Answer

Flag football is a non-tackle format — players pull flags instead of tackling. Refs officiate every field to keep play safe, fair, and fun.

Question 39

What is your concussion protocol?

Accepted Answer

Any player showing signs of a head injury — confusion, slurred speech, repeated nausea, unequal pupils, drowsiness, or loss of coordination — is removed from play immediately and may not return until cleared by a licensed medical professional. Coaches and refs are instructed to err on the side of caution.

Question 40

What is the chaperone policy?

Accepted Answer

Every athlete must have a parent, guardian, or designated chaperone present or reachable at games and events.

Question 41

Are dogs allowed at the fields?

Accepted Answer

For the safety of everyone, dogs are not permitted at games.

FAQ

By Season

Registration & Team Placement

Game Day & Player Safety