Welcome to Indy Football.
Joining the program as a freshman or transfer family is a big step — new people, new rhythms, a whole new calendar. This page walks you through what to expect, what to do first, and what questions other parents have already asked.
Register Your Player
Before anything else in this guide: fill out the annual player registration. Takes 5 minutes!
What to Expect, Month by Month
The season runs longer than you think — and it's not just Friday nights. Here's the rhythm of a typical freshman year.
Spring Orientation & Paperwork
TSSAA physical, athletic paperwork (FinalForms), and the spring parent meeting. Summer Sessions start May 26.
Summer Strength & Conditioning
Mandatory sessions for 9th through 12th graders — morning practices, typically Monday through Thursday. This is where we build the endurance for the season.
TSSAA Dead Period
Mandatory no-contact period — this is your window for high school summer vacations.
Summer Practice
Time to get on the pads. There's an acclimation process over the first few weeks after the dead period, and the boys start working toward pre-season mode.
First Games & Parent Meeting
Freshman games typically Thursday nights at 5:30 PM. The parent kickoff meeting happens in mid-August — make this one a priority. It's where the season actually starts for families.
Full Season Rhythm
Practice most weekdays, games Thursday (freshman) and Friday (varsity). You'll start figuring out carpools, which games are home, and which concessions shifts you signed up for.
Varsity Homecoming & District Play
The stretch that matters for varsity district standings; and Homecoming brings the biggest crowd of the year.
Freshman and JV Season Wraps Up
After the Brentwood game, JV will focus solely on Varsity and some Freshmen may get the opportunity to dress out and practice.
Varsity Regular Season Ends, Playoffs Begin
Last regular-season game, then TSSAA playoffs if varsity qualifies. Season can extend into late November or even December depending on how far the team advances.
Banquet & Season Close
Annual football banquet — the big moment for families. Your player gets recognized, we eat too much, and the season officially closes.
Winter Workouts Begin
Offseason doesn't mean off. Winter workouts start in January — the foundation for next season gets built here. Strength, conditioning, and team culture carry straight through to spring.
What You're Signing Up For
No surprises. Here's an honest look at what participation in the program asks of your family — time, money, and community.
Your Player's Time
Freshmen practice four days a week during the summer (mostly mornings), in the fall they play on Monday nights and practice after school Tue-Thur.
Your Family's Time
The Indy Football program is heavily reliant on parent volunteers. Every family is asked to serve on at least one volunteer crew, and for the truly committed, there are opportunities to serve on the TDC Board.
Your Family's Investment
TDC membership, participation in fundraising, and amplifying our program with business sponsorships. The school provides the basics; the TDC covers the rest — and we're transparent about where every dollar goes.
Want the full picture? The Family Commitment page walks through membership tiers, fundraising options, and the financial side in detail — no guesswork.
See Family CommitmentYour First Season Checklist
Don't try to absorb everything at once. Work through these in order — most take 10 minutes or less.
Get the Physical Done
TSSAA-required sports physical (Must be dated after April 15th, 2026)
Complete Athletic Paperwork
Submit the required Final Forms (including the Physical and ImPACT Test). See Parent Resources
Join the Freshman GroupMe
This is where real-time communication occurs, questions can be asked, and parent logistics happen - carpools, last-minute changes, etc. Join here.
Subscribe to the Email List
Weekly TDC newsletter — the official source for what's happening on a week-to-week basis. Don't skip it.
Download the Indy App
Coach communication, schedule changes, weather delays. Turn notifications on — this is how you'll hear about last-minute shifts.
Sign Up for a Volunteer Team
Pick a team that fits your schedule. Every family contributes — and the sooner you plug in, the sooner you'll know other parents. Browse teams.
Complete Your Family Commitment
TDC membership dues + volunteer signup + fundraising participation. See the details — it's how the program runs.
Attend the Pre-Season Kickoff Meeting
Late-July, before the season starts. This is where we re-connect after the summer and align for the fall! Block the calendar now for July 27.
Show Up to the First Varisty Game
Even if your player isn't dressing out for Varsity (which is typical), come watch. It's the fastest way to understand the culture and meet the community.
Ask Questions
Can't find something or unsure what's expected? Email info@ihstdc.com. Nobody on the board thinks your question is dumb.
What New Families Ask Most
If you're wondering it, other families have wondered it too. Click any question to expand.
When does football season actually start?
It depends on what you mean by "start." Summer workouts begin end of May and continue until the start of the school season. Our first scrimmage is August 7.
Does my freshman make the varsity team?
Most freshmen play on the freshman team their first year. A few may get called up to JV or varsity depending on position, size, and readiness — that's a coaching call, not a TDC decision.
If you have questions about your player's path, reach out to the coaching staff directly.
How much time does this take each week?
During the season, expect practice most weekdays after school plus a game on Mondays (freshman/JV) or Friday (varsity). Total player commitment is 12–18 hours per week during the season.
Parent time is up to you — many families contribute a few hours per month through volunteer shifts.
What's this going to cost us?
Full breakdown is on the Family Commitment page. Short version: TDC membership, family fundraising participation, and some out-of-pocket costs for gear. We're transparent about all of it — no surprise bills mid-season.
What equipment do we need to buy?
The school provides helmets, shoulder pads, and game jerseys. Families typically buy cleats, practice gear, and mouth guards.
Do I have to volunteer?
Every player family is asked to participate. That said, we build flexibility into the volunteer system — 11+ crews across game day, operations, and community, so you can pick what fits your schedule.
The program runs on parent volunteers. If nobody shows up, the program doesn't run. It's that simple.
What if my player doesn't have football experience?
Plenty of freshmen show up with limited or no experience. The freshman team is specifically designed to develop players from wherever they're starting — fundamentals, positions, conditioning.
What matters most is showing up, working hard, and being coachable. The rest is taught.
How do I know when games and practices change?
Three channels handle different things:
Indy App — official coach communications, practice changes, weather delays. GroupMe — real-time parent chat, carpools, last-minute logistics. Email newsletter — the weekly rollup of what's ahead. All details on the Communications page.
What happens at the parent kickoff meetings?
Late-April is all about the upcoming summer sessions, what to expect for the fall, meet the coach, and how to plug-in etc. Late-July is a virtual connect run by the TDC to make sure everyone's aligned and informed on the coming season.
These are important meetings, especially for new families. Plan on attending both.
What if something comes up and I can't volunteer a shift?
Life happens. The volunteer coordinator builds flexibility in — most teams have a shift-swap system, and the GroupMe is a good place to find someone to cover. Just don't ghost a commitment — give the team lead a heads-up.
How do I meet other parents?
The fastest way: volunteer for a game-day shift. You'll meet 10–15 parents in a single evening and come home knowing who's who. The second fastest: engage on GroupMe.
Don't wait for people to introduce themselves. Most football parents are easy to talk to — they're all navigating the same calendar.
Who do I contact if I have a question that isn't here?
Email info@ihstdc.com — that inbox goes to the TDC board. We try to answer within a day or two during the season, and we'll loop in the coaching staff if your question is about on-field matters.
Start With the Basics
The fastest way to stop feeling new is to get connected. Join our communication channels — it's 30 seconds and it changes everything.