PLAYING RULES SOUTHWESTERN BUCKEYE PEEWEE FOOTBALL LEAGUE REVISED: 2017 THE SWBL LEAGUE HEREBY ABIDES BY OHSAA RULES WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS:

Transcription

1 PLAYING RULES SOUTHWESTERN BUCKEYE PEEWEE FOOTBALL LEAGUE REVISED: 2017 THE SWBL LEAGUE HEREBY ABIDES BY OHSAA RULES WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS: ARTICLE I: TEAM DESCRIPTIONS SENIOR TEAMS: The Senior Teams will be composed of players which conform to the eligibility requirements specified in the SWBL Rules. Senior team members may consist of 5th or 6th grade boys and/or girls cannot exceed age 13 before Aug.1 st. MAJOR TEAMS: The Major Teams will be composed of players which conform to the eligibility requirements specified in the SWBL Rules. Major team members may consist of 4th and 5th grade boys and/or girls and cannot exceed age 12 before Aug.1 st. JUNIOR TEAMS: The Junior Teams will be composed of players which conform to the eligibility requirements specified in the SWBL Rules. Junior team members may only consist of 3rd and/or 4th grade boys and/or girls and cannot exceed age 11 before Aug.1 st. MINOR TEAMS: The Minor teams will be composed of players which conform to the eligibility requirements specified in the SWBL Rules. Minor team members may only consist of "eligible 2nd grade", 3rd grade boys and/or girls and cannot exceed age 9 before Aug. 1 st. ARTICLE II: SWBL RESPONSIBILITIES INSURANCE: All SWBL teams must carry their own liability insurance. Only teams who comply with the SWBL Constitution By-Laws, Rules, and insurance policies will be eligible to compete in the league. No Medical Insurance will be provided by the SWBL. The SWBL may, upon the decision of the membership, contract for officials for all SWBL games. 1. The SWBL Executive Committee will designate the League Champions, Division Champions, and runners-up for the Senior, Major, Junior, and Minor Teams in the SWBL. 2. League Champion designations will be based on a Championship Game of Division Champions. a. The Playoff games will be played the weekend immediate following the last regular season games. b. The organization with the largest combined points of the Senior, Major, Junior, and Minor teams will have first chance at hosting the championship games or playoff games. If they decline one or both, the organization with the next highest number of points shall have the option of hosting the championship games or playoff games round one or two. Upon their decline the option will move to the next team. No organization can host more than one weekend unless everyone else declines in turn until the option returns to the top. In case of ties, rule Article II-C-3 will be used.

2 c. The hosting organization shall pay no fee to the league for hosting the championship games. They are responsible for payment of referees and may keep all net profits for their own organization. 3. Determination of Playing Teams shall be based on points awarded as follows: a. 3 points for each division win, b. 2 points for each non-division win, c. 1.5 point for each division tie, d. 1 point for each non-division tie, e. 1/2 point for each league overtime loss, f. 0 for each non-overtime loss. g. Any association, as a whole may opt out of the points and playoff prior to the June SWBL meeting. This action must be by resolution of the association. A certified copy must be delivered to the SWBL secretary prior the June SWBL meeting. Any Association not opting out and not playing a playoff game shall pay a $300 fine. h. In the event of an odd number of games being played by member schools, a secret draw by the executive board shall be made to decide which game(s) shall not count on the records of the team that play an extra game. The games which do not count will be published at the end of the regular season. i. Tie breakers for Hosting shall be same as current tiebreakers. No point(s) will be given if any fines are unpaid to the SWBL. Or monies owed to any other SWBL organization. Most points decides Play-Off teams. Ties in a division will be decided by the following: a. Head-to-Head results. b. Most division points. c. Fewest points scored allowed in division. d. Fewest points scored allowed overall e. Most points scored in division (max 30 points per game) f. Most points scored overall (max 30 points per game) 4.The SWBL League is made up of 2 divisions North and South. Teams will play 7 regular season games. Playoffs comprised of the top 4 teams in each division. Round 1 will be paired 4 vs.1,3 vs. 2 in each division. Round 1 winner's will meet in Round 2 for Division Championship Division winners will advance to the Championship Game. Playoff games times may be adjusted to allow time for travel for organizations that may have multiple teams in the playoffs however venue change for seeded teams will NOT. 5. The SWBL will recognize the League Champion of the Senior, Major, Junior, and Minor teams and each Division Champion in an appropriate manner. 6. Play-off games should be played on the hosting organizations high school field if at all possible. 7. During Play-off games the higher seed will be the home team and sit on the home side, lower seed be the visiting team and will sit on the visitor s side. If the host team of the play-off game is the seed then they must conform to the seeding set forth by the SWBL. Home team shall be place on the designated home section of the stadium. 8. Super Bowl trophies must be paid for the day of the championship game. If payment is not made, then the host team has the option to not allow the team(s) to acquire their trophies that they are to be awarded. Once payment is made, then arrangements can be made for drop-off or pick-up of the trophies set by the Super Bowl host team.

3 The SWBL will provide scheduled games for each of its member teams. SECTION E: The SWBL will provide uniform playing rules to be complied with by each category of SWBL teams. SECTION F: The SWBL will provide registration/release Forms for all participants. If the registration /release forms are not received by the SWBL Board before/at the second weigh-in that child will be considered ineligible for scheduled league events to include and not limited to practice, games etc. SECTION G: At each calendar year copies of the current Constitution, By-Laws and Playing Rules will be distributed by the SWBL to member organizations. SECTION H: The SWBL league reps will determine the make-up of the divisions by majority vote. ARTICLE III: MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES League Representatives of SWBL teams are responsible to obtain releases of liability from parents or guardians for the SWBL and the sponsor organization from the participants participating in the SWBL sanctioned games. SWBL Forms will be returned to the SWBL before the first scheduled game. The home team will be responsible for having a person with first aid training in attendance at games and to administer first aid if necessary. It is the home team's responsibility to assure that playing fields are ready for SWBL games as specified in the Playing Rules. All organizations are responsible to insure any player participating in the SWBL has undergone and passed a medical examination prior to playing in a SWBL scheduled game. SECTION E: Home team representatives are responsible to call scores to report scores by or text by 9:00pm. All league members are responsible to send a representative to all league meetings. Members missing a meeting will also be fined. The fine for missing meetings and failure to report scores will be $30.00 for the first offense, $75.00 for the second offense, $ and possible suspension for the third offense. SECTION F: DONATIONS AT REGULAR SEASON GAMES - signs posted must read "Donation Only" and suggested donations, if posted, cannot exceed $3.00 or $7 per family. There will be a maximum of 5 people for family members for regular season admission. This also is for the start of post season play admission becomes mandatory. SECTION G: Recognizing some teams are stronger than others, in the interest of good sportsmanship, team with an excessive advantage 30 points SHALL MAKE AN EFFORT TO CONTROL SCORING. Examples: Running weaker players, or by playing players in different positions. This DOES NOT necessarily mean running plays between the tackles. When a team obtains a 30 point advantage. Clock shall become continuous stopping only on time outs and injuries. Remaining quarters shall remain at 10 minutes.

4 SECTION H: All organizations are responsible to assure that every eligible player is to participate in every regular season game. Players under suspension or being disciplined are not considered eligible. Penalties for non-compliance can be fines, coach s suspensions, and/or forfeiture. ARTICLE IV: PLAYER ELIGIBILITY Team boundaries shall be Member High School Districts, or an adjoining High School District not offering ANY Pee Wee Football program. Player MUST meet the boundary requirements at time of registration. 1. No team may register a player from another SWBL District. Exception shall be granted if the other SWBL team releases the player in writing. 2. Any team registering a player from outside their District may only roster 22 players for Senior or Major teams, or 33 players for Junior Team. a. All teams must register 75% of their players from within their own district. (i.e.: 15 rosters- 12 from district, 16-12, 17-13, 18-14, 20-15, 21-16, 22-17) 3. Any outside SWBL District player registered in a SWBL District will be considered in District for all consecutive subsequent years. 4. Any outside SWBL District player considered in district by any SWBL Team, will be ineligible in another SWBL District for the following season. 5. Any outside SWBL District player moving to a SWBL District will be eligible in that District at the start of a new season will be eligible in that a District in accordance with the local organizations by-laws and after being enrolled in the SWBL Districts School and completing the required 7 days od conditioning. 6. Any player who attends the local school district is considered eligible to play with that district s organization. 7. Must attend St. Charles, Incarnation or St. Albert and Bishop Liebold and must be able to provide proof of attendance when requested by the SWBL Board. Team/Players must also conform to Section A: 1. SWBL Board will review any and all requests made by other SWBL members on rule violation. A player who moves, may finish the season with a team regardless of residence provided he or she: 1. Met the residency and enrollment requirements within the team's district at the time of registration. 2. Met the team's requirements through the first scheduled conference game. 3. Continues to meet the team's requirements regarding practice, etc., through the season. The subscribed date shall be August 1 Age limits will be 12 years of age. Any boy or girl 13 before the subscribed date will not be eligible to play in that season.

5 Only 2nd graders (who are age 8 by subscribed date), 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grade boys or girls are eligible for play in this conference. SECTION E: SWBL WEIGHT LIMITS FOR OFFENSIVE BALL CARRIERS 1. Players lined up as receiver that do not make the prescribed weight MUST receive a pass downfield/pass the line of scrimmage. Such player will not be allowed to be in the backfield for blocking purposes. Such player also will not be permitted to move to the other side of the field. 2. The SWBL will determine the site for weigh-ins. Each site will have ONE scale that will be used for all players in attendance. The scale will be set to the prescribed weight before any players step onto the scale. 3. Weight will be without equipment. Players will not be weighed naked. 4. At time of weigh in all players to be weighed will sign their name. A record will be kept by both SWBL and team. Each Association will have an authorized person present at each weigh in to sign off the official weigh-in sheets. This sign off will be final, no appeals will be considered by the executive committee thereafter. a. At the time of weigh in all players must have jersey numbers. Player's numbers must be recorded on the weigh-in sheets b. A player is only permitted to attend one weigh in and will be allowed to step on the scale one time. 5. MINOR TEAM: Any offensive ball carrier must weigh no more than 85 pounds for the weigh in at the beginning of the season. 6. JUNIOR TEAM: Any offensive ball carrier must weigh no more than 95 pounds for the weigh in at the beginning of the season. 7. MAJOR TEAM: Any offensive ball carrier must weight no more than 110 pounds for the weigh in at the beginning of the season. 8. SENIOR TEAMS: Any offensive ball carrier must weigh no more than 130 pounds for the weigh in at the beginning of season. 9. OFFENSIVE BACKS: All offensive backs must weigh within the weight limit regardless if they carry the ball or not. 10. Fumbles, interceptions, muffs, passes beyond the line of scrimmage are not restricted by weight. SECTION F: The age, grade and weight limit will be strictly enforced. Each team is responsible to see that their players are eligible, and if a player is found not to be eligible, the team responsible will forfeit all previous games the player participated in, and will be subject to disciplinary action. SECTION G: The SWBL may conduct random audits of any member team s player s eligibility records. Such audits may be initiated by the SWBL Executive Committee or a SWBL member who believes that an infraction of eligibility rules has occurred. Proof of eligibility rests with the player s member team or sponsor organization. SECTION H: A player may not play more than six (6) quarters per week. The six quarters must be in consecutive games. A player cannot start in another team division. A player cannot play in another team division if

6 that team has 15 or more players. ARTICLE V: EQUIPMENT The SWBL will not establish player equipment standards with the exception of shoes to be worn [helmets, etc., covered under National Federal Rules]. The SWBL encourages all member teams to provide the highest quality of player equipment that the member teams can afford. The safety of the players is the utmost concern of the SWBL and as such, discourages the use substandard or inferior quality player equipment. Players may wear football shoes. Only rubber or molded plastic cleats/spikes football shoes may be worn by players participating in SWBL games. Cleats / spikes containing metal of any kind will not be permitted. Players may not wear street shoes while participating in a SWBL game. Soccer shoes may be worn if they meet the above descriptions. The SWBL game ball will be a league approved ball. Senior and Major Teams shall use composite junior size football. Junior and Minor Teams shall use composite pee wee size football. Switching of footballs will be permitted. Game equipment such as 10-yard chains, down markers, and qualified personnel to operate them will be furnished by the home team for all SWBL games. ARTICLE VI: PLAYING FIELDS SWBL games may be played on field of the following sizes: 1. Regulation 120 yards by 53 1/3 yards yards by 40 yards. Playing fields for SWBL games will be marked as follows: 1. Yard indicators each 10 yards [minimum]. 2. Lined or painted lines at right angles with the side line, and the entire width of the playing field every 5 yards. 3. The end zone will be clearly marked by any safe device, which may be include but not be limited: [a] flags at goal line, [b] diagonal striping of the end zone, [c] goal post, [d] other means which appropriately identify the end zone, [e] current required sideline markings to field. Member teams are encouraged to provide appropriate spectator facilities such as parking area, concession stands, seating and restrooms at their home sites. ARTICLE VII: PLAYING RULES The "OHSAA", as amended by these playing rules, will be the basic playing used by the SWBL. SENIOR and MAJOR TEAMS will play the identical rules. Other sections supersede this section.

7 JUNIOR and MINOR TEAMS rules exceptions will be set forth in a section these playing rules. Timing will be four timed ten [10] minute quarters with 3 time outs per team per half. Timing is not running clock, but a timed clock under OHSAA. Fed. Rules (except III-G). Official game time is to be kept on the field. There will be a 10-minute half. Half time may be extended for Homecoming or special half-time show. For regular season games, if the score is tied at the end of regulation time, one overtime will be played as established by OHSAA rules. If after one overtime the score is still tied, the game will end in a tie. Championship and Play-Off games will be played to conclusion. SECTION E: 1. Each game date will include 3 or 4 games. If applicable, the Minor game, then the Junior game, the Major game and the Senior games. Each succeeding game will begin 15 minutes after the end of the preceding game. The starting times of all afternoon games will be 1:00 pm and all evening games will start at 4:00 pm. 2. Changes to start times for games may be accomplished by mutual agreement of the head coaches of the organizations involved. The home team league rep. is responsible to notify the Executive Board of any time changes. 3. If a team is unable to host at the assigned date and time (or mutual agreed time & date) the visiting team shall have the option to host the game at the same time and date. If the original host team refuses to play at visitors on the assigned time and date, the original host team will forfeit. If neither team can host at the assigned time and date, the SWBL executive board shall assign the time and place to play the game 4. The scheduled game officials must be notified of changes in starting times. The home team will make such notification. SECTION F: 1. The First day of conditioning and the first day of contact (no less than 9 days after first day of conditioning) shall be set by the SWBL executive board. 2. Conditioning: First 7 days of practice will be conditioning only, no contact. Helmets may be worn at this time. Contact to be defined as any deliberate physical contact between a player and any other player, coach, or playing equipment, with the exception of hand-held dummies held by coaches. 3. Each member organization is permitted to have 10 days of camp starting from June1 - July start -up date. Provided that each day is open to all team in said organization. Purpose is to provide and develop football fundamentals/skills. Teaching or running any organized offense or defense is NOT permitted in these 10 days. SECTION G: Major penalties on an 80-yard field will not exceed 10 yards. SECTION H: Coaches are prohibited from being on the field during a game, with the exception of Junior and Minor teams (rules covered in section covering Junior teams.) One coach will be allowed on the field during time out. 2 coaches will be allowed on the field during a Junior or Minor game time out. SECTION I: 1. Following the scoring of a Safety. The ball will be set on the 45 yard line. The play will begin at this point, unless the Major or Senior team opts to punt the ball from the 20 yard line. Time will begin with the snap or kick of the ball.

8 SECTION J: KICKOFF: 100-yard field, the ball will be set on the 35-yard line. 80-yard field, the ball will be set on the 30-yard line. The play will begin at this point, and there will be no kickoff. Time will begin with the snap of the ball. SECTION K: PUNTING: 1. The ball is to be moved 25 yards on the punt. There will be no punting in the Minor, Junior or Major divisions. If a senior team opts to punt then there will be no limitations to where the ball will be placed at the end of the plays. Once a team opts to punt, they must punt for the entire remainder of the game. (They can not opt for a simulated punt for the reminder of the game). If a team opts to punt, the play shall be a live play, meaning both rushing of the punt and faking the punt are legal: however, all players on kicking team that line up in backfield including the punter must be of legal weight. 2. No punt shall put a team inside the 15-yard line. Simulated punts shall not put a team inside the 15-yard line. 3. The clock will stop on simulated punting downs. Tens seconds shall be ran off the clock. The clock will the snap of the ball in accordance with OHSAA rules. The try for kicking extra point after TD and/or field goal is legal but the kicker and all other players in the backfield must be of certified ball carrying weight. There shall be no rushing or fake attempts in the Junior or Major divisions. SECTION L: Three licensed officials should be present to officiate before a game is to start. If less that 3 officials are present the game must still be played and the home teams to notify the SWBL as to why three officials were not present. The home team is responsible for paying the officials. 1. Four licensed officials shall be present beginning with play-off games. SECTION M: No cameras or photographic equipment on the field of play. (The field of play is in between the sidelines where the game is actually played out). SECTION N: No team may play more than eleven regular games per year, plus 3 scrimmages. A scrimmage is a game that does not use a clock for time. More than one scrimmage may be played in a week but all scrimmage games must end prior to the first scheduled game. A premier game is considered a scrimmage. SECTION O: SCOUTING LIMITATIONS: 1. It is illegal to scout any team practice sessions. SECTION P: 2. Filming of game is legal only when you are playing an opponent. It is illegal to film an opponent who you will be competing against at a later date. 3. Scouting governed by OHSA. Person(s) must have school logo and colors on most outer garment. 4. Infractions of these rules are unsportsmanlike conduct, and if proven results in forfeit of game in which acts occurred.

9 1. One coach will be allowed on the field with his team on both the offense and defense. The coach after giving out play or signal must move to a position behind his team, and he must not yell, direct, or interfere with the play after once giving it. He is not permitted to re-align his team himself, although the players can without the direction of the coach. Failure to abide by this rule will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Field coaches on offense or defense ARE NOT permitted to talk to or realign players after the huddle is broken. Coaching from that point must come from sideline coaches. SECTION Q. 1.) ONLY Minor and Junior teams may snap the ball sideways. ARTICLE VIII: PROTEST The coach will make protest to the head official at the time of infraction (except player eligibility) not at end of game or at conference meetings. 1. Protest will be considered official only if they are submitted in writing to the Executive Committee and either postmarked or placed in the hands of an Executive Committee member no later than 48 hours following the conclusion of the game at which such protest was made. A $25.00 fee must accompany all protest. $25.00 will be returned if the protest is upheld. If the protest is disallowed the protesting team forfeits the fee. The SWBL President will be notified if the protest is by mail. 2. The SWBL Board will rule on protest and the decision will be final. 3. A team may protest a ball carrier as to eligibility or certification, but a protest fee $25 must be put up. If the ball carrier is ruled legal the protesting team forfeits the fee. ARTICLE IX: FORFEITURES 1. Violation of player eligibility rules of the SWBL will automatically cause the forfeiture of all games in which the ineligible player or players participate. 2. Refusal to play a regular season conference scheduled division or interdivision game at the scheduled site on the scheduled date will result in forfeiture, and a fine may be levied on the team. 3. If either teams more than 30 minutes late for JUNIOR, or 15 minutes late for a MAJOR or SENIOR SWBL scheduled game, the inconvenienced team may request the Executive Committee for forfeiture. Teams may be later if agreed upon by both head coaches of the teams scheduled to play. 4. Violation of the SWBL Constitution, By-Laws, Rules, may result in forfeiture of all games, all previous games, single games, or selected games decided by the SWBL. ARTICLE X: POSTPONEMENT 1. Games postponed by the SWBL Executive Committee will be rescheduled by the SWBL Executive Committee in consultation with the head coaches of the teams involved. 2. Games may be postponed by agreement of the head coaches of the teams involved. Such games postponements must be made known to the President of the SWBL within 48 hours of decisions to postpone to include the reason for postponement and the new time, date and site of the rescheduled

10 game. 3. If agreement to reschedule a postponed game cannot be reached by the head coaches involved, the Executive Board will reschedule the game and advise the head coaches involved of the new game and site. ARTICLE XI: COACH'S RESPONSIBILITIES Head coaches are responsible for the sportsmanlike conduct of himself, his assistants and his players. Unsportsmanlike conduct from coaches or players or conduct unbecoming of a coach will result in SWBL disciplinary action to be administered by the Executive Committee. 1. Any coach or player ejected from a game shall serve a one week game suspension. Then coach/player under suspension may not be on the sidelines or have any particapate in parctice during that week and may not be on the sidelines or have any communications with the sidelines during the game. Additionally a coach/player that receives a second ejection during a season will be suspended for the remainder of the season and must meet with the Executive Board (in case of a player, a legal guardian must also be present). The coach/player will remain under suspension even during the next season until this meeting takes place. Finally, any coach/player that is ejected for a third time during their career with the SWBL Pee Wee Football League, will receive a lifetime suspension from participation in the League. All appeals of any suspensions must be made directly to an Executive Board member by the coach/player's local organization. Specified action for unsportsmanlike penalties is defined as follows: 1. Two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on a coach in a given season may result in a written reprimand from the conference, a written explanation to the SWBL by the coach and probationary status for the coach. 2. Two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on a coach in a given game will result in ejection of the coach. 3. Three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on a coach in a given season may result in immediate suspension of the coach, and forfeiture of the game in which the penalty is called. 4. Any organization that has an ejection conduct penalty on one of their teams is fined $25.00 if the organization doesn't write a letter of explanation to the SWBL President within one week from the time of infraction. 5. Home team head coaches are responsible to render reasonable assistance to visiting teams and/or SWBL Auditors. 6. Ejections report night of game both teams. ARTICLE XII: SUSPENSION Suspension from SWBL activities maybe invoked by the SWBL membership or the Executive Committee on teams, head Coaches, assistant coaches or players as a result of violation of the SWBL Constitution, By-Laws or Rules. 1. Any coach or player ejected from a game shall serve a one week game suspension. The coach/player may not participate in practice during that week and may not be on the sidelines or have any communications with the sidelines during the game. Additionally, a coach/player that receives a second ejection during a season will be suspended for the remainder of the season and must meet with the Executive Board (in the case of a player, a legal guardian must also be present). The coach/player will remain under suspension even during the next season until this meeting

11 takes place. Finally, any coach/player that is ejected for a third time during their career with the SWBL Pee Wee football league will receive a lifetime suspension from participation in the league. All appeals of any suspensions must be made directly to an Executive Board member by the coach/player s local organization. The Executive Committee will take the following action when teams, coaches or players are suspended from the SWBL: 1. Notify the team, coach or players sponsor organization of the action to include the reason and duration for the action. 2. Notify the individual involved. 3. Recommend a date, a time and a place within two of the date of notification that an appeal to the action may be made. ARTICLE XIII: SPECIAL AMENDMENTS If a team decides leave the organization a notice of one year must be given or a fine of $1500 will be charged to that organization. Also, everyone should have picked up the two sheets that explain proposed regulations in regards to Announcing of games and Football Camps Announcing according to OHSAA Rules No motions maybe put forth or passed that changes rules in the middle of the season. ( The season is from the first official day of practice to the day of the Superbowl.)