The YFL focuses its programs toward Houston area youth from ages 4 to 12 years old. Participation in the two main programs also brings access to many other competitive and social opportunities.

Youth Tackle Football

The YFL's tackle football program is designed as a "competitive" sports activity, which operates under the guidance of the Amateur Athletic Union. The members/teams within the League hold practice sessions geared toward teaching the fundamentals of the game and incorporate various strategies in preparation for competitive game play. The League offers 4 divisions of competition:

Unlike other local youth football organizations, the YFL plays all of its games on regulation football fields (100x50 yards). We accomplish this through productive relationships with the local school districts and we take ownership in helping to keep the facilities in good working order.

Also unlike some other youth football organizations, the YFL desires to avoid any conflicts with school football programs. We worked with various school district personnel to accomplish our goals and facilitate the personal growth of our participants. The YFL strictly enforces its rules regarding kids who qualify to participate in 8th grade (middle school) football. We act as a feeder program for the school districts in which we have participating teams and players.

Youth Cheerleading

The YFL's youth cheerleading program includes many opportunities for development, and also provides a chance to compete in events around the country including the Jr. Olympic Games. The League provides a training camp for all participants and an end-of-year cheer competition, called "CheerXcite" during Super Bowl Weekend.   

Academic Excellence

The YFL encourages all of its member organizations to emphasize academic excellence during their time spent with the participating youngsters. It is our desire that all the kids not only make progress and grow on the field of play, but to also excel in the classroom. The league does  not currently enforce a "no-pass, no-play" rule, but it is highly recommended for each organization to develop its own method of applying the concept among its athletes.

Scholastic Excellence Award

The YFL sponsors the "YFL Academic Excellence Award". This award is intended to recognize all YFL youth participants for excellence in the classroom. Qualified participants will be recognized by being listed on the League's website and will receive a certificate recognizing their accomplishment. Qualified participants must be current participants in good standing with the League, and maintain an "A" grade point average (greater than 90%) as depicted on their report cards issued by their schools.

NFL Junior Player Development (JPD) Camps

The YFL works with the National Football League to host a NFL/JPD Camp during the summer. This NFL-sponsored Junior Player Development camp is structured to teach the basics by NFL-standards to youth football players between the ages of 11 and 14. The camp concludes with a Jamboree Game to be played at the Texans Bubble, Thorne Stadium, or other available field.

The National Football League has developed an introductory/ developmental youth tackle football program for boys 12-14. The program is designed to teach every participant, every position, through a step-by-step progression of skill instruction packaged in a re-adaptive, fun and entertaining manner. All participants receive instruction from NFL selected coaches from the local market. All participants receive counseling through a life skills/character development curriculum to be incorporated throughout all on-field activities. Every week a different life skill message is designated as a theme for that particular week. Each theme is addressed through the context of football. Instructors will make connections between life skills as they are applied in football as well as other areas of life, especially school, at home and in the community.