Frequently Asked Questions

Tackle Football FAQ

Who do CCFA teams play against? 

CCFA plays in the Southwest Metro League (SWML - www.swmlfootball.org), which consists of teams from local communities (Eden Prairie, Waconia, Prior Lake, Orono, New Prague, and two more cities to be announced). Each CCFA team will play approximately 50% of their games at a "home" field location in Chaska, Chanhassen, Carver, or Victoria and 50% of their games "away" at one of the other community's fields. The game schedule will be determined before the first games are played in late August. 

How are teams formed?  

Per SWML policy, each community forms equally balanced teams across each grade level to create fair and competitive games, i.e. there are no A, B, C or "stacked" teams. In turn, there are also no "buddy requests" but siblings are always placed on the same team. 4th and 5th graders play as a combined Chaska and Chanhassen whereas 6th - 8th graders play in separate Chaska and Chanhassen teams. Players are aligned with their declared, but non-binding, high school choice. Players who are not planning to attend Chaska or Chanhassen High School may be given a choice of which team/program or be placed on a team based on their home address or to help balance numbers. 

Can 3rd graders play?

Yes, 3rd graders may register to play in the 4th grade program. After that first year, they will play in the 4th grade program again to stay with their graduating class. Rarely are players allowed to play up a grade level. 

What equipment is provided?

Included in the program fee, CCFA provides: Helmet, shoulder pads, padded football pants, jersey

Player provides football cleats (required), football gloves (optional)

How do I pick up equipment?

CCFA will hold several Equipment Pickup dates at CCFA facility (2431 Galpin Court in Chanhassen). Communications will be sent regarding specific times. 

2026 dates: 

Sunday, May 31

Sunday, June 14

Sunday, June 28

Wednesday, July 15

Sunday, July 19

Sunday, August 2

How do I return equipment?

CCFA will hold several Equipment Return dates at CCFA facility (2431 Galpin Court in Chanhassen). If equipment is returned outside one of these dates/time slots, players will be charged a $50 fee. If equipment is not returned at all, players will be charged a $350 equipment fee.  Communications will be sent regarding specific times.

2026 dates:

Sunday, October 18

Sunday, October 25

Monday, October 26

Tuesday, October 27

What is the volunteer fee? 

Like most local youth sports organizations, CCFA does require parent volunteer time. For 2026, the volunteer requirement is 2 hours per player. There will be many opportunities to fulfill these hours before and during the season. Parents may opt out of the volunteer hours by paying the $200 buyout fee. If a player's hours are not fulfilled, parents will be charged the $200 fee after the season on their original form of payment for registration. 

What is a striper? 

Player safety is the top priority for CCFA. Per SWML policy, while every player can play tackle football no matter their size, there are restrictions on players above a certain weight at each level to ensure the safety of all players on the field. Players that are at or above this weight line are called "stripers". A striper is restricted from carrying the ball and playing the role of running back or running the ball as a quarterback. A "Striper" is indicated by wearing a stripe sticker on their helmet. By grade level, these restrictions are:

4th grade: Players weighing 90 pounds or more

5th grade: Players weighing 100 pounds or more

6th grade: Players weighing 120 pounds or more

7th grade: Players weighing 140 pounds or more

8th grade: Players weighing 155 pounds or more

Questions or want to get more involved in CCFA? Please contact:

4th Grade Commissioner (combined Chaska and Chanhassen): Charlie Arnfelt

5th Grade Commissioner (combined Chaska and Chanhassen): Sean Flaherty

6th Grade Commissioner (Chanhassen): Mike Bemis

6th Grade Commissioner (Chaska): Ross Garberich

7th Grade Commissioner (Chanhassen): Derek Gunderson

7th Grade Commissioner (Chaska): Lucas Tollefson

8th Grade Commissioner (Chanhassen): Bob Biesterfeld

8th Grade Commissioner (Chaska): Jason Callin

Schedule and Availability:

Q: When do the different CCFA seasons start and end?

A: Fall Tackle Registers in the Spring and begins seasonal play as early as Aug. 1 and will conclude all events before MEA break.

A: Fall Flag Registers in the Spring and begins seasonal play in mid-August and concludes in early Oct.  

A: Spring Flag Registers in early March and begins seasonal play mid-April and concludes in early June.

Q: Does CCFA take Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends off  

A: YES. There are no CCFA events scheduled leading up to or involving the holiday weekends.

Q: Does my player need to be there to get his equipment?

A: YES. Equipment only goes out after it has been fitted properly on a player and each player MUST weigh in on a CCFA scale with an Executive Board Member

Q: What is the deal with the weight restrictions I have heard about?

A: Tackle: For player safety, all grades are subject to a weigh-in.  SWML and CCFA positionally restrict the larger players from carrying the ball in certain situations. Players "restricted" weight limit found on SWML rules **A Post-July 15 weigh-in will be required for any player within 5lbs of a restricted weight (per SWML-2024 rule) **

A: Flag:  There are no weight restrictions for any position or play

Q: What if we miss our grade's equipment pick-up night?

A: A family can come to any other grade night they can make it. Please refer to your email and/or the CCFA calendar for specific available dates and times. Our location is 2431 Galpin Ct. Chan

Q: Will our teams play any out-of-town teams?

A:  Tackle: YES. All grades play the majority of their games against other area SWML teams. Grades 3/4 through 8 play Eden Prairie, Prior Lake, New Prague, Waconia and Orono.

A: Flag: NO. At this time all flag programs are run "in-house" and held at one site within the district boundaries.

Extra Equipment and Costs

Q: What equipment does CCFA provide?

A: Tackle: Players will be provided fitted: NOCSAE helmet, shoulder pads and pants for the season. 

A: Flag: Players will be provided gameplay belt and flags.

ALL PLAYERS get to keep their jerseys

Q: What player equipment should I buy?

A: Football cleats, compression shorts / athletic girdle (cup is optional). Play It Again Sports in Chaska carries used cleats

Q: Am I required to use a CCFA helmet?

A: NO. However, all players must be equipped with a NOCSAE Certified Helmet that is properly fitted to conform to CCFA policy and SWML regulations. Players may purchase an equivalent or higher-rated helmet and have it inspected and fit by a USAFB Coach. 

Q: How safe is a recertified NOCSAE helmet?

A: Equally as safe, Here is the standard of helmet Certification and Reconditioning process. Each CCFA helmet passes annual inspections, is recertified every other year. CCFA follows industry guidelines and replaces helmets after 10 years of service.

Team Roster Allocations

Q: I want my player to play with a certain buddy or on a certain coach's team, can you do that?

A: Fall Tackle: NO, The SWM League that CCFA belongs to prohibits unequally distributed roster talent and it is CCFA's goal when putting the teams together is to make all teams equal and balanced (the reason for evaluations). For the coaches and commissioners to accomplish that goal, we cannot honor anyone's request to be with a particular buddy or on a coach's team.

A: Spring & Fall Flag/Passing Leagues:

Traditional flag football (PK/K through 3rd grade), CCFA attempts to honor, but will not guarantee, at least one friend request. That said, CCFA strives to create teams that are balanced in terms of experience level and intentionally places players from several schools on each team to foster stronger community engagement across the different cities and schools we serve. 

Passing League flag football (4th-8th grade), teams are formed based on coach input and then a combination of friend requests and player experience level across both CCFA flag and tackle football in order to create more competitive and balanced teams.  

Volunteerism and Support

Q. How can I get involved with the Chaska Chanhassen Football Association?

A: The CCFA is always looking for volunteers. Check out our Volunteer Here page for information. We encourage interested parties to attend a monthly board meeting or contact any of the officers listed on our Board page.