2012 Football Season Rules and Regulations

Transcription

1 2012 Football Season Rules and Regulations Rule 1: Grade Based / Age Protected SECTION I: ELIGIBILITY Players/participants in the Pueblo Police Activities League (PPAL)/Pueblo Unified Youth Football League (PUYFL) will be based upon the following four (4) grade based / age protected (as of August 1) divisions: 2 nd 4 th Grade (age range of 7-10 years old) 5 th / 6 th Grade (age range of years old) 7 th /8 th Grade (JV) (age range of years old) 7 th /8 th Grade (Varsity) (age range of years old) Division of play will be based on grade unless special circumstances exist (i.e, the player: is older than the max age cutoff, has repeated a grade and/or advanced a grade OR is at a substantially smaller/larger weight/size advantage), at which time the player/participant will be evaluated by the PPAL/PUYFL Board (or its designated representative) to determine whether or not there is a need to place him/her in the next upper division. Every player/participant in all age divisions will be required to maintain academic eligibility throughout the season, including playoffs. Coaches will be required to obtain weekly grade checks from the schools each player/participant attends. Any player/participant who determined to be ineligible based upon academic performance (i.e, failing any class) WILL NOT BE PERMITTED to play in the next regularly scheduled league game. Rule 2: Leagues and/or Divisions Teams will be grouped into the four (4) divisions as shown in Rule 1 (above). Dependent upon the number of teams enrolled in each division, the PPAL/PUYFL Board (or its designated representative) may create leagues within those divisions (i.e, Mountain League, Plains League) to insure equal game scheduling and participation. Players/participants are required to play for the division/league to which they are registered and/or subsequently assigned (noting the 7 th /8 th grade players/participants can be assigned to both or either a JV and/or Varsity league/division). Any player/participant who participates in the PPAL/PUYFL will not be allowed to participate during that season in any other league. Players/participants found to be concurrently rostered on a PPAL/PUYFL team and participating in another football program shall be deemed illegal. No player/participant shall be eligible to play or practice until an official registration/liability waiver for the current year has been received, the appropriate fee has been collected and a Parent Code of Conduct has been signed by the player/participant s parent or legal guardian.

2 Rule 3: Rosters Rosters listing the player/participants name, complete addresses, telephone number and school grade will be generated by the registrations as accepted by the PPAL/PUYFL through a date specified by the PPAL/PUYFL Board. Rosters will be filled based upon the school the player/participant is officially enrolled in AND teams may/will be created based upon the combination of 2 or more schools within close proximity to one another. Teams will consist of at least 15 players and no more than 30 players in all divisions (NOTE: the 7 th /8 th Grade division is exempt from mandatory numbers). The PPAL/PUYFL (or its designated representative) has prime responsibility to roster players on teams and to do so within the association rules, verifying the following: A. The player/participant s residence is within the designated school boundaries and school enrollment is verified. (NOTE: When a player/participant s is attending a school in an area other than their home area and the school does not have a designated team (i.e. charter schools/home schooling) they are required to play football for which would be their home school. Submission of an Application to Participate for Pueblo City Schools MUST accompany an official registration/ liability waiver for the current year). B. Players/participants in the 6 th grade will play for the team assigned to the elementary school previously attended UNLESS said school was a charter/home school, then the same requirement as stated in A. above applies. C. An official registration/liability waiver for the current year releasing the League and PPAL/PUYFL from liability for injury has been received. D. A Parent Code of Conduct, signed by the player/participant s parent or legal guardian has been received E. Payment of fees. Rosters will become official and be considered closed at the conclusion of the second season game. All teams will be required to submit an Official Roster complete with player/participant names and uniform numbers to the PPAL/PUYFL Board (or its designated representative) no later than the conclusion of the third season game. Teams shall maintain a current team roster to document a player/participant s registration and eligibility. Should a team fail to maintain a current team roster and be able to provide it when requested by the PPAL/PUYFL Board (or its designated representative) then the game is forfeited and counted as a loss by the team unable to or refusing to present their current team roster. In the case that neither team has their current team roster, the game will be counted as a loss for both teams. Rule 1: Official Rules SECTION II: GENERAL RULES Where applicable and with notable changes and/or additions listed herein, the official rules the Pueblo Police Activities League (PPAL)/Pueblo Unified Youth Football League (PUYFL) will be the rules of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA).

3 Rule 2a: Player Equipment, Cleats and Mouthpieces The PPAL/PUYFL provides helmets and shoulder pads to all players/participants. If in the event, a player/participant chooses to use their own equipment, then a waiver of liability must be submitted to the PPAL/PUYFL Board (or its designated representative) in conjunction with the official registration/liability waiver for the current year PRIOR to use. Players/participants will be allowed to wear any type of glove provided the gloves do not have any metallic or protruding surfaces. Game officials shall have the right to inspect player's gloves and rule whether or not a player's gloves are suitable. Detachable cleats of up to ¾ inch as defined by the NFHS rules are allowed for Middle School division teams ONLY. Metal cleats are PROHIBITED. Each player/participant must wear a protective mouthpiece other than white or clear as referenced within the latest revision of CHSAA Rules. Rule 2b: Player Uniforms Practice uniforms are the responsibility of the player/participant. Game jerseys will be provided by PPAL/PUYFL (if necessary). Teams are permitted to provide their own game jerseys/uniforms provided every player/participant on a specific team is suited the same. Those teams which have home (dark in color) and away (light in color) jerseys must wear them accordingly. Head coaches are encouraged to communicate the color of the jersey to insure there is not conflict prior to the scheduled game. All players must wear an official jersey with number corresponding to their individual roster number. When two teams meet from the same area, contrasting jerseys will then be permitted with emphasis on matching numbers as much as possible for the visiting team. If a jersey is damaged during a game and the official deems the damage capable of causing a potential injury or a number is no longer distinguishable, the official may assign another jersey to that player for that game only. The official will discuss this with both coaches, and the name of the player and both jersey numbers will be provided to the PPAL/PUYFL official (or its designated representative) attending the game. If there is a damaged jersey requiring a change of jersey, the player's number must remain the same. If a number change is required, the PPAL/PUYFL Board (or its designated representative) must be notified to change the official roster prior to the use of a jersey in a game. Rule 3: Field/Game/Practice Equipment Field equipment (i.e., down markers, yard markers, etc.) will be provided by the PPAL/PUYFL. Teams will be responsible for providing their own equipment (i.e., blocking dummies, pads, etc.) and practice balls. The PPAL/PUYFL has designated the following type of balls to be used: A. TDJ for the elementary school divisions (2 nd - 4 th grade AND 5 th /6 th grade) B. TDY for the middle school divisions (7 th /8 th Grade) noting that all game balls MUST have the NFHS shield printed thereon.

4 Rule 4: Electronic Devices The use of any electronic devices (i.e, headsets, i-pads, laptops, etc) by any player, coach or chain crewmember during a league game is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Cell phones will be permitted but shall be limited to use in emergency situation ONLY during all games. Violation of this rule will result in the ejection of the Head Coach as well as the individual responsible for the use of the device from the game. Rule 5: Code of Conduct for Players, Coaches, Spectators and/or Parents All players, coaches, spectators and/or parents shall conduct themselves in an orderly manner and within the guidelines as listed in the Code of Conduct and Ethics. Each team shall be responsible for keeping the spectators orderly and off the playing field and behind the spectator's boundary. Shouting abusive language at a player, officials, or spectators is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. At the immediate time of any incident or physical abuse of an official by a spectator, the officials will meet with the head coaches of both teams in order that every effort is made to identify the assailant. Physical abuse of an official by a coach will result in suspension of the coach from all PPAL/PUYFL activities for the entire calendar year or 365 days, commencing with the date of the infraction. The suspended coach can reapply the next season only through an official meeting of PPAL/PUYFL Board. Officials will enforce official high school rules pertaining to coaches, boundaries and conduct, except that coaching from the sidelines by the team coaches will be permitted. Only the head coach may ask for a rule interpretation or clarification of a penalty from a game official provided the coach does so in a professional manner. Any player/participant or any coach who is ejected from a game by the officials, or causes a game to be forfeited due to unsportsmanlike conduct will automatically be suspended for the next game (scheduled or playoff ) on the first offense. A second such offense will cause such player/participant or coach to be automatically suspended for the remainder of the season (playoff games included). The suspended coach can reapply the next season only through an official meeting of PPAL/PUYFL Board. Rule 6: Weigh-Ins The PPAL/PUYFL Board (or its designated representative) will conduct a MANDATORY weigh-in for the 2 nd - 4 th grade AND 5 th /6 th grade teams one week prior to the start of the official season game. No player/participant will be able to participate in any league game until such time as he/she has weighed in. Rule 7: Weight Limits Backfield limitations shall be as follows: 2 nd - 4 th Grade division, maximum weight of 100 pounds for backs (i.e., QB s; RB s; Offensive backs and Receivers) 5 th /6 th Grade division, maximum weight of 120 pounds for backs (i.e., QB s; RB s; Offensive backs and Receivers) JV/Varsity (7 th /8 th Grade division) have no backfield weight limitations

5 Any player/participant under the maximum weight limits and designated as an eligible ball carrier must have a stripe on their helmet to advance the ball. Any player over the maximum weight limits can punt the ball with no attempt to advance the ball. Any player over 135 pounds (2 nd - 4 th Grade division) AND 165 pounds (5 th /6 th Grade division) will be able to play as an interior offensive or defensive line position. Participation on special teams is prohibited. Failure to comply with this rule will result in a penalty of unsportsmanlike conduct and be considered playing an illegal or ineligible player (refere to Rule 8). In the 2 nd - 4 th Grade division ONLY: No chop blocking, No blitzing, No rush punt, No fake punts once the head coach announces punt. Defense must maintain their defensive position until the punt is made. Rule 8: Ineligible or Illegal Player The head coach of the team is directly responsible for his/her players. If an ineligible and/or illegal player/participant is discovered to be playing or has played on a team then both the coach and player will be disciplined. A disciplinary hearing shall be called by the PPAL/PUYFL Board (or its designated representative), done in a timely manner, is comprehensive and be prior to the team s next scheduled game to hear the facts of the case and render a decision concerning eligibility and determine disciplinary action for the head coach and/or player/participant. The disciplinary actions are intended to be imposed on both the head coach and the player/participant (as deemed necessary) and are as follows: First Offense: Suspended for the next scheduled game (post-season play included) and any games the player had previously played in may be forfeited. Second Offense: Three (3) game suspension and warning of dismissal from the program as a whole. Third Offense: Dismissal from the program. (NOTE: Reinstatement of the Head Coach for the next season can only be approved by the PPAL/PUYFL Board (or its designated representative)). The above rule and hearing, e.g., the coach and the player are both disciplined, and one is not exclusive of the other, if the PPAL/PUYFL board finds sufficient proof to direct disciplinary action. An area should remain free to hear and discipline their own individual cases prior to them reaching the PPAL/PUYFL level. Rule 1: Practice and/or Playing Periods SECTION III: PRACTICE, PLAY AND GAME RULES Teams in the 5 th /6 th Grade division and JV/Varsity (7 th /8 th Grade division) are limited to ten (10) days of coach/player contact commencing June 18, 2012 to July 28, 2012 exclusive of team fundraising events. Contact is EXCLUSIVE of pads and includes (but is not limited to): weight lifting, conditioning, position drills, etc. School based summer fitness workouts shall NOT be considered coach/player contact PROVIDED no football related equipment is present at said workouts. Organized team participation in full contact football camps is PROHIBITED within the allotted coach/player contact dates (June 18, 2012 to July 28, 2012) and designated no contact weeks. Individual participation in those same football camps is strongly encouraged.

6 The week before the official start of the season there will be no contact (July 29 August 7, 2012). An EXCEPTION to the no contact week will be given to those team(s) participating in the Bronco Bowl. Those team(s) shall be permitted to commence official practice on August 2-8, 2012 with the designated no contact week being August 11-19, 2012 Prior to the first regular season game, teams of all levels can have 5 playing periods per week. After the first game the 2 nd - 4 th Grade division AND 5 th /6 th Grade division is limited to four (4) playing periods a week, none of which cannot exceed two (2) hours in duration. The JV/Varsity (7 th /8 th Grade division) is limited to a maximum of six (6) playing periods per week which cannot exceed a maximum of 12 hours total. A playing period is hereby defined as a practice or a game in which one or more players/participants are engaged in organized instruction or play or practice of play. The 2 nd - 4 th Grade division AND 5 th /6 th Grade division shall have no more than three (3) contact practices, plus one (1) game per week. The JV/Varsity (7 th /8 th Grade division) shall have no more than five (5) contact practices, plus one game a week. A week is defined as Monday through Sunday. NO TEAM SHALL PRACTICE PRIOR TO THE FIRST DAY OF OFFICIAL PRACTICE. The first day of official practice shall be August 8, Regardless of the start dates as identified above, the first three (3) days of practice for all players/participants, regardless of date of entry to the PPAL/PUYFL program, shall consist of conditioning and non-contact practice. Non-contact is defined as no physical contact: player to player, player to coach, or player to dummies and/or bags. For the first three (3) days of practice players/participants are to wear helmets, cleats, t-shirts, and shorts only, no shoulder pads or leg pads. Contact practice shall begin after the non contact days. All players/participants, regardless of date of entry to the PPAL/PUYFL program, must participate in at least three (3) non-contact practice sessions and at least six (6) contact practices sessions before participating in any regular season game. Rule 2: Game Officials Three (3) paid officials will be supplied for the 2 nd - 4 th Grade division AND 5 th /6 th Grade division AND four (4) paid officials will be supplied for the JV/Varsity (7 th /8 th Grade division). The PPAL/PUYFL Board shall make every effort to meet this expectation, however the number of available officials is beyond the control of the association and as such some fields may have only the minimum number of officials. Rule 3: Length of Games/Minimum Plays Required Each game regardless of age division shall consist of four (4) quarters. Each quarter for the 2 nd - 4 th Grade division shall consist of 16 plays per quarters EXCLUDING special team plays. The 5 th /6 th Grade division shall consist of 18 plays per quarter EXCLUDING special team plays. Games for the JV/Varsity (7 th /8 th Grade division) shall consist of four (4) 8-minute quarters. Each player/participant who attends all designated practices throughout the week preceding the regularly scheduled game MUST play at a minimum six (6) plays per game. Playing time for 2 nd graders is up to the discretion of the head coach. (NOTE: The minimum number of plays per game DOES NOT APPLY in the JV/Varsity (7 th /8 th Grade division)).

7 The mercy rule will become effective at any point in the game when the disparity in the score is 30 points or greater at which time: a. every play will count toward the allowable number of plays (for the elementary school division); OR b. the clock will become a running clock stopping only for injuries, time-outs and following a touchdown (in order to allow substitution of players ONLY) for the JV/Varsity (7 th /8 th Grade division). Three (3) time-outs per half will be permitted for all age divisions. Rule 4: Position of Ball /Start of Play For the games on 50-yard fields; Kickoff - 10-yard line; safety and touchbacks - 10 yard line; try for points - 3 yard line. You can attempt a 2 point conversion from the 10 yard line. For the 80/100-yard fields, official high school rules apply. Rule 5: Points for Scoring For all elementary grade divisions: six (6) points for a touchdown, one (1) point for a run or throw from the 3 yard and two (2) points for a run or throw from the 10 yard line. For JV/Varsity (7 th /8 th Grade division): six (6) points for a touchdown, one (1) point shall be scored for a successful kick or drop kick after touchdown, two (2) points shall be scored for any other successful play after touchdown. If there is a tie at the end of a scheduled game (including regular season, playoff and championship games), the tie will be resolved by the 10-yard overtime procedure used in high school. An overtime procedure will consist of the following: A. Each team having an offensive possession of the ball from the ten (10) yard line. B. A coin flip will determine which team is to receive the first possession. C. Each team will have four downs to score. Scoring will follow regulation games rules, including extra points. D. At the conclusion of an overtime round if the game is still tied, another overtime round will be played. E. During the regular season the game will end in a tie if the score is still tied after the completion of two (2) overtimes. F. During the playoffs, overtime rounds will continue to be played until an overtime round does not end in a tie. Rule 6: Penalties For 2 nd - 4 th Grade division, all penalties in the official high school rules shall be reduced to half of their stated value. 5 th /6 th Grade division and JV/Varsity (7 th /8 th Grade division) will use penalties set forth in official high school rules. With this exception: Any player, coach (head or assistant) who is ejected from a game by the officials, or causes a game to be forfeited due to unsportsmanlike conduct, will automatically be suspended for the next game (including regular season, playoff and championship games) on the first offense. A second offense will cause such player or coach to be automatically suspended for the remainder of the season including post season play.

8 Rule 7: Play Recorders and Timekeepers Officials will count the plays designating the quarters of the games assigned to their fields as well as keeping score. For 2 nd - 4 th Grade division AND 5 th /6 th Grade division: It is the responsibility of the coaching staff to provide a play log of the play which their players participated in. The log will be turned into the PPAL/PUYFL Board (or its designated representative) at the end of each game by the head coach. Rule 8: Forfeited Game A scheduled game is automatically forfeited by any team that cannot field 10 eligible players within 30 minutes of the schedule game time, unless the game is officially postponed. Rule 9: Postponement of Games In general, the League tries to discourage the postponement of games due to inclement weather. Games may be postponed by the PPAL/PUYFL Board (or its designated representative). A game may be postponed or suspended by an official if he or she deems the playing surface or conditions to be potentially hazardous to the players. If a game is suspended during play, the PPAL/PUYFL Board (or its designated representative) will have the final determination as to whether the game will be resumed from that point or if the results are to be final. If the game is ¾ done it is final. Rule 10: Rescheduling of Games Rescheduling of games will be done as soon as possible by the PPAL/PUYFL Board (or its designated representative) with mutual agreement of the head coaches. Rule 1: Size of Field SECTION IV: PLAYING FIELDS The playing field for 2 nd - 4 th Grade division shall be: 50 yards long and 50 yards wide, plus end zone 10 yards behind the goal lines, making the total area within the lines 70 yards by 50 yards (can t go past the 10 yard line). The playing field for 5 th /6 th Grade division will be 80 yards long and 50 yards wide, plus end zone 10 yards behind the goal lines, making the total area within the lines 100 yards by 50 yards. JV/Varsity (7 th /8 th Grade division) will be the official high school size, marked in accordance with the high school rules. Rule 2: Marking of Field The 50/80 yard field will be properly marked and designated at 5-yard intervals and also with 25-yard lines. There shall be inbound marks 40 feet in from each sideline. The 100-yard fields will be marked in accordance with official high school rules.

9 Colored flags or sideline markers will be used as corner markers, sideline markers will be used every 10 yards on at least one side of the playing field. All side-line and corner markers shall conform to PPAL/PUYFL requirements. The players box shall be at least three yards deep (if there is not reasonable room to accomplish this the area will determine the depth of the box) and be clearly marked on both sides of the fields. On the 50/80 yard fields the box will extend from the 10-yard lines in. On the 100-yard field the box will extend from the 25- yard lines in. Spectator boundaries shall be provided on all fields. It is the responsibility of the Coaches (or a designated representative) to advise all spectators of the boundary. Members of the PPAL/PUYFL Board (or its designated representative) will be at all playing fields. NO parent, cheerleaders, or spectators are allowed on the field during games (including regular season, playoff and championship games). Rule 3: Sidelines The home team shall have a choice of sideline. During the playoffs, if there is not a designated home team, the team with the best overall record shall have a choice of sidelines. During the playoffs, if both teams have the same record, choice of sideline shall be determined by coin flip. No more than four (4) coaches shall be permitted on the teams sideline at any given time for the 2 nd - 4 th Grade division AND 5 th /6 th Grade division AND no more than eight (8) coaches shall be permitted for the JV/Varsity (7 th /8 th Grade division). Rule 4: Conduct There is no tobacco or alcohol use of any kind allowed on PPAL/PUYFL fields or surrounding areas. Spectators shall remain behind or within the spectator boundary at all times. Berating or verbally abusing officials, players, coaches or spectators is unacceptable and will result in ejection from the facility and suspension the following week pursuant to NFHS Official Rules, PPAL/PUYFL Coaches Code of Ethics and Parents Code of Ethics. ************************************************************************************* Adopted as to form and content this day of, 2012 by the Pueblo Police Activities League Board of Directors. James Martin, President Pueblo Police Activities League Robert Rainey, Football Commissioner Pueblo Police Activities League