RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Transcription

1 RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS Updated August,

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Article I: Article II: Article III: Article IV: Article V: Article VI: Article VII: Article VIII: Article IX: Article X: Article XI: Name Definitions Purpose Membership A. Eligibility B. Acceptance of Membership C. Maintenance of Membership D. Loss of Membership Board of Directors Section 1: Duties Section 2: Constituency Section 3: Fees Established Section 4: Commissioner Role Board Officers and their Duties Section 1: President Section 2: Vice-President Section 3: Secretary Section 4: Treasurer Section 5: Functions of the Board Nominations, Elections, and Vacancies Section 1: Nominating Committee Section 2: Vacancy of Office Meetings Committees Disciplinary Actions and Appeals Eligibility A. Player Initial Eligibility Registration Section 3. Age Requirements Section 4. Weight Limits Section 5. Transfers Section 6. Player Progression B. Coaches Initial Eligibility Transfers 2

3 Article XII: Article XIII: Article XIV: Article XV: Article XVI: Article XVII: Article XVIII: Article XIX: Article XX: Article XXI: Article XXII: Article XXIII: Article XXIV: Article XXV: Article XXVI: Article XXVII: Article XXVIII: C. Teams Practice Allotments Official Weigh-in Section 3: Official Rosters Forfeits and Coaching Penalties Officials Play Policy Game Day Cancellation Policy Rule of Play: VHSL is the accepted rule book except for the following amendments regarding: A. Jersey assignment B. Kick-off C. Punts D. Field Goals E. Knee Blocking F. Head Tackling G. Questioning Officials H. Point After I. Tie-Breaker J. Use of hand-held devices K. Quarter Playtimes L. Mercy Rule M. Coaches on the Field Playing Field Game Ball Uniform and Player Equipment Medical Provision Terms of Scouting Determination of League Standings Removal and Rejection Superbowl Section 1: Seeding for Play-off Schedule Section 2: Tie- Breakers for Seeding Section 3: Gate Fees Insurance Rules of Order Permanent Ban Amendments 3

4 ARTICLE I: NAME The name of this organization shall be "The Rappahannock River Youth Football League. ARTICLE II: DEFINITIONS Section 3. Section 4. Section 5. Section 6. Section 7. Section 8. Section 9. Section 10. Section 11. Section 12. Section 13. The Name, "The Rappahannock River Youth Football League" will be hereinafter referred to as the League. The Board of Directors constitutes the Elected Board Officers and each member association's Commissioner and Alternate Commissioner. The Board of Directors will be hereinafter be referred to as the Board. This constitution and by-laws pertains to the Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Flag football teams, which hereinafter will be referred to as the Team. The oldest team (10-12) will be hereinafter referred to as the Varsity Team. The middle team (7-9) hereinafter will be referred to as the Junior Varsity Team. The youngest team (5-6) hereinafter will be referred to as the Flag Team. Each child participating on any Team or Squad hereinafter will be referred to as the Child. The "season" will start no later than the Last Saturday of August unless otherwise re-determined by the Board. The Season includes regular season games, playoff games, and the Superbowl. An Association is an organized group of people who share the common interest of Youth Football programs. Each association will be composed of a board of officers, registered members or volunteers including coaching staff, and parents or legal guardians and the child participating on a team or squad. The Commissioner is one of the member association's Directors or members. The Alternate Commissioner is one of the member association s Directors or Members. An approved roster shall be the final roster of a team or squad that has been approved by the Board after completion of the official weigh-ins. Participation for a child will be deemed to include appearing in uniform with the team during warm up. Playing for a child will be deemed as being on the field for an offensive/ Defensive/special teams play. Participation for a coach will be deemed to include involvement in practice the 4

5 week before the game and/or coaching in a game. Section 14. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall be the President of the League. Likewise, the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors shall be the Vice- President of the League. The Secretary of the Board of Directors shall be the Secretary of the League. The Treasurer of the Board of Directors shall be the Treasurer of the League and act as the Assistant Secretary of the Board. ARTICLE III: MISSION Purpose of the League is as follows: A. The purpose of this League shall be civic service through an organized effort of all individuals to train and develop, both mentally and physically, today's youth through organized football. B. The mission of the League is also to develop high character and moral standards; to develop a sense of competitiveness and fair play; teach the value of team work; to develop a respect for authority; to help one's fellow man; and to develop a love of country. ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP A. Eligibility Section 3. Any formal or informal group, civic organization, church organization or individual within the Rappahannock River region that desire to enter the League and abide by its Constitution and By-Laws, is eligible for active membership to the League. All applicants to the League must be recommended in writing by two (2) member associations. All applicants to the League must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Board. Members of the league must furnish at a minimum one team in either the Flag, Junior Varsity, or Varsity division. B. Acceptance of Membership 5

6 Section 3. Request or application for membership must be submitted by March 1 st for the next active season (e.g., March 1 st, 2010 for the 2011 season). The applicant s request will be heard at the next regularly scheduled March meeting, and all localities must be present to have an official vote. The applicant must receive a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote by the Board of Commissioners in favor of acceptance to be awarded membership into the League. Upon acceptance, the new member s voting rights will be suspended until the next November meeting. (e.g., accepted 09/2009, may vote 09/2010) C. Maintenance of Membership Section 3. Section 4. To maintain membership in the League, each association shall pay membership and officials dues, and booking fees in full to the Treasury on the week before the opening game day of each season. If an association fails to pay in full by this date, that association shall lose its membership at the end of the season, unless the Board rules otherwise. Further, member associations must maintain a high standard of conduct and integrity in order to keep its membership. No member association shall cause any harm to the League be its own conduct. To maintain membership in the League, each association shall pay all fees for the Playoffs by the date set by the Board of Directors. If an association fails to pay in full by this date, that association shall lose its membership at the end of the season, unless the Board rules otherwise. In order for an association to be eligible to vote, their Commissioner or Alternate Commissioner shall: Not miss two (2) or more consecutive regular meetings. Not miss three (3) or more regular meetings during any calendar year. Voting privileges, once lost, cannot be regained until attendance is recorded at four (4) consecutive regular and/or special meetings and shall be reinstated under the following conditions: A. Association is on probation and may not miss one (1) of the next six (6) regular meetings and/or special meetings; B. The League's Secretary roll book shall be used to determine an association's voting privileges. Section 5. If a member organization is going to miss a regular scheduled meeting, notification must be made to the League President no less than four hours in advance before the meeting unless an emergency situation should occur. It is the discretion of the league to decide what may constitute an emergency situation. C. Loss of Membership If an association fails to pay all fees in full by the designated times, that 6

7 association shall lose its membership at the end of the current season unless the Board rules otherwise. If, during the season, two (2) or more games are forfeited by a team of an association, that association shall lose its membership at the end of the season unless the Board rules otherwise. Section 3. If an association has been placed on probation (see Article IV, Item C, Section 4) and fails to comply with the outlined stipulation to regain voting rights. Section 4. Section 5. If an association is found guilty of two (2) violations of Article XII, Section 1 or Article XII, Section 2, that association shall be dismissed from the League unless the Board rules otherwise. Re-Application for Membership A. If the Board fails to rule favorably pertaining to an association retaining its membership, that association must pursue membership as a new applicant. B. In order to be accepted for membership for the following year, that association must make application at or before the December meeting of the year in which the violations occurred in accordance with the constitution. C. Commissioner Attendance At Games: The Commissioner/Alternate Commissioner or his representative (not a member of the coaching staff) must be present at all games. Any designated representative other than the Alternate Commissioner must report to the home team s commissioner prior to the start of the game. ARTICLE V: BOARD OF DIRECTORS Duties of the Board A. The Board shall be the governing body of the League and shall approve, establish, and administer all policies of the League. B. The Board shall be the Supreme Court of the League. They will hear all disciplinary cases, impose disciplinary actions and hear all appeals of same. C. The Board has authority to grant an exception to any article and/or section by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote. Constituency of the Board A. The Board shall have a President of the Board. 7

8 B. The other board members will be comprised from a Commissioner and an alternate from each member association. 1. No member of the board shall hold a current, active head coaching position with their association. If a commissioner occupies the role of an assistant coach, the commissioner may not act as a commissioner and coach and must provide an Assistant Commissioner to cover their original duties. 2. Commissioners will be listed on the final roster at the beginning of the season. 3. An Alternate Commissioner may be allowed to act as an Assistant Coach for their member association, however may not Head Coach. C. Each member association is entitled to one (1) vote only. D. If a commissioner steps down from their duties, the Associate the commissioner represented must identify and have a replacement submitted to the board upon the receipt of resignation. Section 3. Fees A. The Board shall determine, each year, the membership dues, booking fees, League administrative fees and the insurance fees. B. These dues and fees shall be consistent with the basic needs and/or operating expenses of the League. Section 4. Requirements of Commissioners A. There shall be a Commissioner and/or Alternative Commissioner from each association that must be represented at all League meetings and League designated functions. B. Commissioner and/or Alternative Commissioner must be present on game day to represent their association and to act as a representative of the League. Officials regulate game play. C. The home team Commissioner will have the responsibility of calling the President with Game Scores and any Player Ejections. This information is to be reported by the following Monday of Saturday s games. This information is needed to maintain the standings of all teams in the League for determining playoff positions in the Superbowl and for determining player eligibility. D. Commissioners from each locality must be present to serve during the Superbowl. 8

9 ARTICLE VI: OFFICERS of the BOARD and their DUTIES All officers under the President of the Board will be held by an association and not an individual. Duties outlined herein will be the responsibility of the nominated association and to be performed by the representative member of that association. President A. There shall be a President of the Board who shall preside at all meetings of the League. B. The President shall determine, with the Board's approval any committees necessary to carry out the work of the League, and shall appoint the chairman and committee members of all standing and special committees now already provided for in this constitution. C. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all Board committees, except the nominating committee. D. The President shall be responsible for all purchases and co-sign checks. Vice-President A. The Vice-President will fulfill the duties of the President when he is incapacitated. B. The Vice-President shall perform other duties as designated by the President. Section 3. Secretary A. There shall be a Secretary of the Board who shall keep a record of all proceedings of the meetings of the League and any other records as may be determined by the Board. B. There shall be an Assistant Secretary of the Board who shall fulfill the duties of the Secretary when he/she is unable to perform and also responsible for updating changes made to the By-laws. This position shall be performed by the elected Treasurer if vacant. Section 4. Treasurer A. There shall be a Treasurer of the Board who shall receive and disburse all League funds as approved by the Board. B. The Treasurer shall co-sign all checks and present a written budget report to all members at each meeting. 9

10 Section 5. C. The Treasurer will act as Assistant Secretary in the absence of the Secretary. Functions of the Board A. There shall be a Board of Directors who shall direct the administrative functions of the League. B. The Board of Directors shall direct the enforcement functions of the League. The President of the Board shall appoint a committee to investigate all alleged violations of the Constitution by individuals and/or associations. The Board of Directors shall determine the disciplinary action, if any is warranted, which shall include any detrimental actions by the respective associations. C. The Board has the authority to investigate and act upon any infraction of League rules they may become aware of without written notification from member associations. The Board shall hear all complaints from member associations within seven (7) days after receiving written notification. The Board shall make every just and feasible effort to settle amicably. During the playoffs and championship games, the seven (7) day period may be waived (for a speedy decision) in order to get the games played at their scheduled times. D. The Board shall notify, in writing, all individuals and/or associations of their decisions concerning a complaint or appeal. ARTICLE VII: NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS AND VACANCIES Nominating Committee A. The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee for Board officers as needed. The President may not serve on the Nominating Committee. B. The Nominating Committee shall present a slate of nominees to the Board no later than the next possible meeting. C. All board officer nominees shall be a member of the Board. D. The election by ballot shall be held at the next meeting at which time additional nominations will be accepted from the floor. A majority vote of the Board present shall constitute an election for all Board officers. E. Elections should be held as needed to fill applicable vacancies. Vacancy of Office A. In the event of a vacancy in a Board office, the office shall be filled at the 10

11 next regular or special Board meeting by nominations from the floor, except in the office of the President, where the Vice-President shall automatically become the President and vacate their current office. B. In the event of a vacancy of an association s Commissioner, the Alternate Commissioner shall become the Commissioner. In the event there is no Alternate Commissioner, the President of the Board shall assume the duties of Commissioner for that member association until that member association appoints or elects a replacement. Every effort shall be made by a member association to appoint or elect a new Commissioner as soon as possible. C. All nominations and elections to fill any vacancy must be in accordance with this constitution. ARTICLE VIII: MEETINGS Meeting discussion and voting shall be closed to the public. If an individual wishes to address the board, the following steps must be taken: A. The individual must present their intentions to their respective commissioner. B. The respective commissioner must present the request at the next regularly scheduled board meeting. C. With a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote, the individual may be granted time to address the board as New Business on the agenda during the next regularly scheduled meeting. The board shall hold regular meetings in accordance to the following schedule: A. Off-season (March through September) Meetings shall be held on the first Monday of each month. B. Meetings shall be held bi-monthly after start of season to discuss immediate business. Section 3. Section 4. Section 5. Special meetings of the Board may be called only by the President of the Board. A quorum of two-thirds (2/3) of the Board members who are present at a regular or special meeting shall constitute a quorum. Unless otherwise stated in this constitution, all actions of the Board at a regular or special Board meeting are binding on the membership, provided a quorum is present. Section 6. Agenda items requested by member association commissioners shall be stated in writing and presented to the President of the Board before they will be included in 11

12 a regular meeting agenda. The President shall determine if a special meeting will be required in lieu of including the item in a regular meeting agenda. Section 7. At certain times, a situation may arise or decision may be necessary in such a manner that the board may not have adequate time to formally meet. In this situation, proxy voting may take place, called by the President of the League, and members may have until a designated time declared by the President to respond. Any member that does not respond by this deadline will be considered abstained from voting. If the member cannot respond in time, it is their duty to give their vote by telephone to the President of the League by the deadline established. ARTICLE IX: COMMITTEES Section 3. There shall be the following standing committees: Sportsmanship & Ethics Committee, Scheduling Committee, and Superbowl Committee A Nominating Committee shall be assembled as a needed and consists of no more than three (3) commissioners that will be appointed by the President of the Board. It shall be the duty of this committee to submit a slate of candidates to the Board at the December meeting. The President of the Board will appoint the Chairman of the Nominating Committee. Standing committees shall consist of no more than three (3) commissioners that will be appointed by the President of the Board. ARTICLE X: DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS AND APPEALS Disciplinary action shall be taken by the League against any individual and/or member association found guilty of violating this Constitution. It shall be the responsibility of the Board to investigate the alleged violations and determine the disciplinary action, if any, warranted. The Board shall, in their investigation, obtain written statements from the complainant and respondent, including written statements from all witnesses named by the parties. The Board shall summarize in writing their findings of fact. Once the investigation has been concluded, no additional evidence shall be allowed by any affected party, including all party's witnesses. Based on the evidence or lack of evidence obtained during the investigation, the Board shall make a written determination of reasonable or no reasonable cause exists to believe that a violation of the League's Constitution has occurred. Based upon the Board's review of all evidence, they shall determine the type and/or extent of disciplinary action to be taken. This disciplinary action shall not exceed suspension of the team or individual being duly found in violation of the League's Constitution. In the case of a member association, a Board member shall recommend suspension of the member association, subject to the approval of the Board. Individuals and/or member associations will be notified in writing by the President of the Board of the action taken, their right of appeal, and by reference, appeal procedures. 12

13 Any action taken by one association questioning a constitutional violation of another association and/or individual shall be submitted to the President of the Board in writing before the alleged violation is investigated by the Board. The complaint must be submitted in writing, within seventy-two (72) hours of the alleged violation. Section 3. The appeal of the Board's decision must be submitted, in writing, within ten (10) days to the President of the Board. The President of the Board will notify the individual and/or association in writing of the Board s decision after hearing an appeal. ARTICLE XI: ELIGIBILITY A. PLAYER In order to be eligible to participate: A. A child and parent or guardian must sign a League Code of Ethics. This Code of Ethics is an agreement to abide by the Rappahannock River Youth Football League's Constitution. B. A child must be attending an accredited or recognized public or private school, or enrolled in an approved home schooling program. Registration A. In order for each team within an association to be eligible, the Commissioner or Alternate Commissioner of each association is to verify upon registration birth dates of all participants using a state approved document, to verify the birth dates from previous year playing rosters for those returning to the same association teams, and to verify each child has a properly signed code of ethics. At the discretion of the Board, verified proof of birthdates must be produced if the eligibility of any participant is questioned. B. Verified Final Team Rosters shall be submitted to the President of the Board by each member association's Commissioner on the date assigned by the President of the Board Section 3. Age Requirements Flag Division ages 5-6; Junior Varsity ages 7-9; Varsity ages A. The minimum age for participation in the League will be six (5) years of age as of October 1. B. A Varsity player cannot reach fourteen (13) years of age by October 1. 13

14 C. Junior Varsity player cannot reach eleven (10) years of age by October 1, therefore a Junior Varsity player must be between the ages of 7 and 9 as of October 1 and abide by the leagues weight limits. D. Flag player cannot reach 7 years of age by October 1. Section 4. Weight Limits A. Varsity Player Weight Limits: The maximum weight of Varsity players at official weigh-in is 155 pounds. B. Junior Varsity Weight Limits: The maximum weight of Junior Varsity players at official weigh-in is 135 pounds. c. There is no weight limit for Flag League players. Section 5. Transfers A. After registration with any association, a player may transfer to another association during the season for which the child has registered, only if the child and their parents or guardian change residence which necessitates the child's transfer to another school. Final approval shall be granted the Board. Section 6. Player Progression B. COACHES A. Once a player moves or progresses to a higher team, including to that of a roster for the VHSL, the said player may not return to a lower team during the current season. A move is from one level to the next higher level. B. Once a player is placed on a Virginia High School League (VHSL) Roster, that player may not play with a team that is a member of any association within the Rappahannock River Youth Football League since this would forfeit the player progression rule established for all age groups within the league. C. If a child plays participates in tryouts for a VHSL sanctioned sport and is cut prior to the start of League play then, he/she can be eligible for League play if said player also meets the League requirements for each age level. League official rosters must not have been formed otherwise the Association must meet the established requirements for adding players after the official roster has been formed. To be eligible to coach, all football coaches must sign a Code of Ethics. All head coaches and one assistant coach from each team/squad must be certified through the National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA) 14

15 before the season begins. A coach may not transfer from one association to another during the season if he has participated in any practice sessions or games unless the association from which the coach is transferring agrees, in writing, to the transfer, and the League Board approves it. C. TEAMS Practice Allotments A. Teams may begin practicing the last week July B. All teams shall be limited to a maximum of six (6) practice hours per week during the pre-season. C. Four (4) hours per week during season. All associations will be required to have an official league weigh-in in order to complete their final roster. A. The first game will be designated as weigh-in day. Any player who is not in attendance on the designated, official weigh-in date set by the league must weigh-in at the 2 nd week of games. Any exceptions will be done at the discretion of the Board. B. A player can weigh-in once, and only once, during official weigh-in time. This is to eliminate numerous attempts to lose weight. C. The official weigh-in will be taken in shorts and t-shirt. Any additional clothing will be included in the weight (i.e. no compensation may be taken for any equipment or clothing a player chooses to wear at the official weigh-in). D. Any player that does not make their designated weight and is within five pounds of their division s designated weight during the Official Weigh-in, may have an opportunity to weight in again prior to their team s game at the 2 nd week of league play. Section 3. Official Rosters A. Only at the Board's discretion will a child be deemed eligible to Participate; if the child s name is not included on the official team roster prior to the league s 2 nd week of games that child will not be eligible to participate in the league. 15

16 B. No players will be allowed to sign-up after the official team rosters have been submitted to the Board the 2 nd week of the league s scheduled games, without permission being granted by the Board. E. Additional players may be added to official team roster after the official team roster has been submitted to the Board if all of the following conditions are met: (1) the member association s active team roster has dropped below seventeen (17) players (Deadline October 1) (2) the new players being added will not violate any other part of the League s by-laws (3) written request is made from the commissioner of affected association to the President of the Board who will in turn notify other commissioners (4) and that the commissioner of said association has received approval from the Board prior to the participant playing, scrimmaging, or playing with an association s team. ARTICLE XII: FORFEITS and COACHING PENALTIES A team will forfeit a game if: A. There are insufficient (less than 11) players to field a team by the accepted starting time for the game, or there are insufficient (less than 11) players to continue a game. B. A child or association who has falsified or in any way misrepresented himself or herself in regards to any eligibility requirements set forth by the League participates in a game. C. A child who has not been verified on the official roster participates in a game. D. A child who has participated in a higher team division participates in a game with a lower team division. E. A child who has registered with one association participates in a game with another association and that child has not changed schools. F. A coach who has not signed a Code of Ethics participates in a game. G. A coach who has transferred from one association to another without written permission and League approval participates in a game. H. A child plays school sanctioned football during the current year and is on the official team roster of a Rappahannock River Youth Football League Association. 16

17 I. A child who is ejected from a game one week and plays the following week (ejected game plus one). The Commissioner maintaining game scores for the league must be notified of all ejections when the scores are called in. The visiting team will also notify the Commissioner maintaining game scores for the league of ejections on game day. A coach who receives a bench penalty during the season: A. First Offense - The Commissioner shall at a minimum assess a warning on the affected association and coach. B. Second Offense - The Commissioner shall at a minimum assess a one (1) game suspension with no participation in practice that week for affected coach. C. Third Offense - The Board shall at a minimum suspend the affected coach for 12 calendar months. ARTICLE XIII: OFFICIALS There will be a minimum of two (2), and no more than four (4), Virginia High School League approved officials per game for all games. ARTICLE XIV: PLAY POLICY Play Policy A. Coaches are encouraged to play all players at least four (4) plays per half of each game; this includes regular season, the play-offs, and the championship games. B. Playing time can be restricted due to injury, absenteeism or disciplinary situations. C. Playing time can only be restricted if the reason is documented and discussed with the parents or guardian of the child being restricted. D. This rule MUST be presented to all participants and their parent or guardian and MUST NOT be contradicted by any association s policies, forms or verbiage. E. It is the responsibility of the commissioner and assistant commissioner to enforce this rule on their association and only their association. It is NOT the responsibility of any association member to enforce this rule on another association member. F. The Board will take disciplinary action on an association if and only if: 1. The Board determines that an association is not giving its best 17

18 effort to abide by the Play Policy as defined in (A.) of Section The Board determines that an association is violating (D) of Section 8. ARTICLE XV: GAME CANCELLATION Game Cancellations: The home team Commissioner is responsible for canceling a game by 6:15 am. The home Commissioner must call Vice President of the League. The Vice President will then contact the President who will inform the other Commissioners. Each commissioner is responsible for contacting their coaching staff. ARTICLE XVI: RULE of PLAY The Virginia High School League rule book will be the accepted rule book for Junior Varsity and Varsity games with the following Board approved exceptions: This Quick Fact section will be an addendum that can be copied and distributed. A. Jerseys do not have to be assigned by positions as specified by VHSL, but will be assigned to only one player for the playing season. B. Kick-Off: 1. Varsity Division is allowed to kick-off and it will be at the 50-yard line while the receiving team is lined up on the 40-yard line. 2. There is no kick-off for the Flag and JV division. The line of scrimmage for the start of each half will be the 35 yard line. C. Punts: 1. All Divisions, except flag, are allowed literally to punt. The Junior Varsity punting procedure upon the coach s request is a 25 yds. walk off by the official from the line of scrimmage. 2. There will be no rushing by the defense during a punt attempt. 3. The officials must first be notified if a team decides to punt. D. Field Goal: 1. Junior Varsity Division is not allowed to attempt field goals 2. Varsity Division is allowed to attempt field goals a. Field Goals will be worth 3 points b. Head Coach must notify officials if a field goal attempt is to be made E. No blocking below the knees. An automatic 15-yard penalty will be assessed with a loss of down. (Formerly known as chop blocking but defined 18

19 differently from VHSL.) F. No head tackling. An automatic 15-yard penalty will be assessed with a loss of down. G. The head coach of a team may request an official time-out to question a referee about a call on the previous play, but will be charged with using a time-out. H. Point After: 1. Junior Varsity Divisions: The ball shall be placed on the three (3) yard line for extra point attempts and shall count as: a. Running: Two point for a run b. Passing: Two points for a pass c. Kicking: No extra points will be scored from the kicking method. 2. Varsity Division: The ball shall be placed on the three (3) yard line for extra point attempts and shall count as: a. Running: Two points for a run b. Passing: Two points for a pass c. Kicking: One point. I. Tie-Breakers: 1. No games shall end in a tie all games will go into equal opportunity overtime. J. The use of radios, phone, walkie-talkies and head-sets at games by coaches is not permitted. K. Quarter Playtimes: 1. The Pee Wee and J.V. Divisions will be comprised of four eight (8) minute quarters. 2. The Varsity Division will be four ten (10) minute quarters. L. Slaughter Rule: Once a team is up by 28 points or more after the first half, the clock becomes continuous except on injuries, time-outs, and outof-bounds, and change of possessions. On all out-of-bounds and incomplete passes the clock continues to run, however the officials will continue to use standard mechanics. Only the official has the authority to stop the clock outside of these situations. When the deficit becomes less than 28 points, the clock reverts back to a regular clock. M. Junior Varsity and Varsity Divisions are not allowed to have a coach on the field during games. ARTICLE XVII: PLAYING FIELD 19

20 Playing field sizes shall be as follows: A. All fields shall be marked in accordance with the Virginia High School League rule book and both sides roped off the entire length of the field, goal line to goal line. Board approved variations are acceptable. 20

21 B. Only team coaches, team players, water boys, team managers, commissioners, and EMT personnel are allowed within the player s area or across established lines on the field. Coaches Box A. In addition to a team's players, coaches (minimum of two (2), maximum of four(4) if roster is under thirty (30) players) there may be two (2) water boys, a team manager and commissioners in the coaches box during the game. (If the roster is over 30 players, 5 coaches are allowed) Coaches in the coaches box shall be visibly identifiable (i.e. caps, shirts, jackets, armbands, etc). If there is a need you may also have an Emergency Medical Technician in the coaches box. B. Any coach on the Commissioner's roster will be allowed to be in the coaches box during any regular season game. To be allowed in the coaches box during the post season play, the coach must have been on the Commissioner's roster during the regular season. C. The balance of the playing rules are to be those set forth in the current edition of the National Alliance of Football Rules as published and distributed by the National Federation of State High School Athletic Associations and are to be adopted and enforced by the League with the exception of any conflicting rules set forth in this Constitution. In such a case, this Constitution will have precedence. ARTICLE XVIII: GAME BALL The official game football shall be a youth football model sanctioned by the Board. The home team is responsible for providing a league s sanctioned football for play. Unless the official determines the football to be unfit for play that football will be used the duration of the game. Sanctioned Balls: A. Must be of leather or composite leather material B. Sizes 1. Varsity: Nike V-Touch 2. Junior Varsity: Nike V-Touch 3. Pee Wee size; Nike-V-Touch 21

22 ARTICLE XIX: UNIFORM and PLAYER EQUIPMENT Uniform and Player Equipment A. Each team will have matching uniforms and shall not change their colors without approval of the Board. B. The child's equipment shall consist of the following: 1. A mouthpiece - any color other than white. Any child losing his mouthpiece must leave the field and must sit out for one play. The player may return after a mouthpiece has been located for said player. 2. A "NOCSAE" approved helmet and face mask and VHSL warning label. 3. Shoulder pads. 4. Official football pants containing knee, thigh, hip and spine pads. 5. All types of athletic footwear, except shoes with metal cleats or detachable cleats are approved. ARTICLE XX: MEDICAL PROVISION Each member association will provide a first aid kit for their respective teams. Home Field will have available a cellular phone and/or an Emergency Medical Technician ARTICLE XXI: TERMS of SCOUTING Section 3. Section 4. Section 5. Scouting is allowed only at scheduled games. The only acceptable scouting tools are paper/pen/or pencil. There shall be no scouting at practice sessions or controlled scrimmages. Filming of games by an association member, in which his/her team is playing is permissible. There shall be no swapping or giving of film between member associations for any reason unless the Board of Directors has given approval. 22

23 ARTICLE XXII: DETERMINATION of LEAGUE STANDINGS Section 2 The team that has the highest number of overall wins shall be the regular season champion. Tie for a seed/seeding will be based on the following tie-breakers (in order): A. Head-to-Head competition during the regular season B. Inner-Division Record (Points Against if no divisional play) C. Out-of-Division Record (excluded if no divisional play) D. Pre-season Draw ARTICLE XXIII: REMOVAL and EJECTION Section 1 Section 2 If a player, coach, or spectator is removed from the game by disciplinary action of an official or Rappahannock River Youth Football League Board Member, said person must leave the field. He or she may not sit on the team bench, in the stands or in any vicinity near the field. Any player or coach ejected from a game will be suspended from the next scheduled game. Further ejections will result in further suspension or terminations. ARTICLE XXIV: SUPERBOWL The methods of seeding for Superbowl/playoffs are: A. The league regular season team with the most wins shall be seeded first (1). B. The league regular season team with the second-most wins shall be seeded second (2). C. The league regular season team with the third-most wins shall be seeded third (3) and this will continue until all teams are seeded in each division. 23

24 Tie for a seed/seeding will be based on the following tie breakers: A. Head to head competition during the regular season. B. Pre-season number draw Section 3. Gate Fees A. A gate fee will be charged for each spectator to enter the Superbowl facility. B. The fee will be determined by the Board. C. One half (1/2) of the gate proceeds will go to the Rappahannock River Youth Football League Treasury and one half (1/2) of the proceeds will go to the association hosting the Superbowl. ARTICLE XXV: INSURANCE A group insurance contract covering the League shall be negotiated by a Board member appointed by the Chairman of the Board, with approval by the members of the Board. The League will purchase Directors and Officials Liability Insurance each year. Checks are to be sent by each member Association to the Rappahannock River Youth Football League Treasurer. The League will purchase the Directors and Officials insurance for the League. Each member Association will be responsible for their own Medical and Liability Insurance to cover Players and Cheerleaders. ARTICLE XXVI: RULES OF ORDER Roberts Rules of Order - newly revised shall govern the proceedings of all meetings of the League. 24