2018 AAU FOOTBALL NATIONAL RULES NEW YORK METROPOLITAN / NEW JERSEY DISTRICT

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1 2018 AAU FOOTBALL NATIONAL RULES NEW YORK METROPOLITAN / NEW JERSEY DISTRICT

2 2018 AAU Football NATIONAL QUALIFIER RULES and NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT PLAYING RULES REV 4/2017 REV 1/2018 NO HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY, JUNIOR VARSITY OR FRESHMAN PLAYERS ARE PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2016 AAU FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. IF SUCH A PLAYER(S) IS FOUND IN POOL PLAY, HE WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM THE TOURNAMENT. IF SUCH A PLAYER IS FOUND IN BRACKET PLAY THE ENTIRE TEAM WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. Section I: Equipment 1.1 Required equipment: Helmet with chinstrap Shoulder pads Pants Hip pads Tail pads Thigh pads Knee pads Jersey Mouthpiece with keeper strap Athletic Supporter (cup or compression short) - males only Hip and tail pads must be secured by either a belt, girdle or by snap in pads. 1.2 All players must wear protective equipment at all times. 1.3 Face Shields (May only be used if written physicians request is on file with AAU.) ONLY clear shields that are of a snap on nature can be used No tinted shields are permitted. 1.4 Helmets Award stickers are allowed if, and only, they are given out fairly and equally amongst the players on the teams Only helmets with the NOCSAE Seal of Certification shall be worn All helmets must have either a double bar or full cage face guard and chin strap An authorized NOCSAE inspection company must inspect all helmets, at least once every four (4) years.

3 1.4.5 AAU helmet stickers may be provided by your local league and at the National Championship. If they are provided the stickers must be affixed to each participant s helmet. 1.5 All shoulder, hip, kidney, tailbone, thigh and knee pads shall meet the standards of the National Federation of State High School Associations and shall not be altered by players or team staff in any way. 1.6 Game jerseys shall be numbered with 6 to 10 inch numbers on the front and back. AAU uniform patches may be provided by your locally licensed league, if they are provided, the patches must be affixed to the upper left or right chest of each participant s jersey. Patches may also be placed on jerseys through sublimation. 1.7 Sponsor s names or players names may appear on the game jersey. 1.8 Mouth guards must have a keeper strap attached to the face guard in all divisions. 1.9 All males must wear an athletic supporter (cup or compression shorts) Shoes can be either tennis shoes or rubber molded cleats Removable cleats are permitted, but must be of rubber or graphite composite material Cleats may be no longer than ½ in length No metal cleats will be allowed Prohibited Equipment: No jewelry of any kind including but not limited to such things as necklaces, earrings, bracelets and watches Medical alert bracelets or necklaces are permitted but must be taped to the person and are considered a danger during performances or practice No electronic equipment is to be used by any team on or off the field No head coverings with any type of knots in them are permitted A player will be removed from the game for wearing illegal, altered or modified equipment and cannot return until the condition is corrected. Section 2: Variances from NFHS Football Rule Book 2.1 Unless specifically modified by the AAU Football Committee, all games in each Age Division whether regular season, preseason or postseason shall be played under the rules of NFHS FOOTBALL. 2.2 Minimum Number of Players The minimum number of players for a team to be eligible for game play shall be seventeen (17) at the start of the AAU Championship or locally licensed league play. The AAU Football Committee can allow the participation of a team without the minimum

4 number of players at its discretion. Locally the AAU Football Director/Chairman may make this decision If a team does not meet the minimum number of players, the AAU representative has the OPTION to call for a forfeit In the event that a forfeit is called by the AAU representative, a controlled scrimmage may be held if both teams agree to participate. 2.3 Timeouts Each team is permitted a maximum of two (2) timeouts per half for pool play and three (3) for bracket play games All injury timeouts shall be charged to the officials and not to the teams. 2.4 Injuries Minor cuts or abrasions shall not be considered an injury for the purpose of this rule A referee can call a time out for a cut or abrasion The player can return to the game after the injury is taken care of In the event that a player needs assistance off the playing field by an adult or team member, that player may not re-enter the game until cleared by the EMT/Athletic Trainer. 2.5 Game Ball For local qualifier league play, each team must provide its own game balls. Game balls are to be approved by the officials. The AAU will furnish the game ball. Spalding is the official ball of the AAU Football National Championships Ball Size per Age Division U shall use a Pee Wee ball. 8U shall use Pee Wee ball. 10U shall use a Junior ball. 12U shall use a Junior ball. 14U shall use an Intermediate ball. 2.6 Time between Quarters For local qualifier league play, between the first and second half of games there will be one 10 minute intermission. At the National Championships, between the first and second half of the shortened games, there will be one (5) minute intermission.

5 2.7 Length of Periods The length of periods of play for local qualifier league play will be four twelve (12) minute quarters for 10U, 12U and 14U age divisions. Each team will be allowed three (3) timeouts per half. 8U will play four ten (10) minute quarters. 6U will play four ten (10) quarters with a running clock, stopped for timeouts and change of possession. The length of periods of play for all National Championship pool and bracket play games will be ten (10) minute halves. Each team will be allowed three (3) timeouts per half The National Championship Game will have four ten (10) minute quarters, and each team will be allowed three (3) timeouts per half. 2.8 Game Violations Spearing, butt blocking, face and head tackling are prohibited In all age divisions, any deliberate blow delivered to the knees with shoulder pads or helmet in the free blocking zone is prohibited An illegal blocking foul with a ten (10) yard penalty will be assessed to the offending team If this is determined to be a flagrant, the referee may call a personal foul with a fifteen (15) yard penalty Any coach instructing their athletes to use these methods shall be guilty of a major violation and ejected from the game, and possibly suspended from the tournament. The coach may also be brought before the National AAU Football infractions committee. 2.9 Timing Device The game officials will provide the timing device, except for occasions when officials agree to coordinate with field scoreboard operator Scoring Touchdown - 6 Points Point after touchdown When kicked -1 point. When run or pass 2 points Safety 2 points Field Goal - 3 points / Drop Kick - 3 points When playing on a field without goal posts, no kicking will be permitted.

6 When playing with one goal post, each team can use the upright after scoring a touchdown for the point after touchdown, or for a field goal try There will be a running clock if a team is winning by 42 points or more Forfeited Games All forfeits will result in a score of 21-0 for the purpose of standings and seeding Tie Games In locally licensed qualifier league play and the National Championship Tournament ties shall be broken in the following manner: In the event of a tiebreaker each team will take the ball to the 10-yard line for four downs and continue until a winner is declared either by score or by penetration yardage Ties in National Championship Pool Play If there is a two way tie, head to head record will determine placement If there is a three way tie, then points allowed will be used to determine placement. The team that allows the most points will be third, the second most allowed will be second, and the least points allowed will be first Game Rules All NFHS Football 2016 Rule Book rules will be used for licensed local qualifier league play as well as the AAU National Championships Exceptions: The AAU National Committee may modify or pass additional rules for the National Championships which would be provided to the teams at the National Championship Coaches Meetings. Section 3: Eligibility 3.1 A youth member may elect to participate in his or her District of bona fide residence or a District that geographically adjoins that District. Exception: In team events the National Sports Committee shall determine the number of youth members permitted to participate on a team from an adjoining District. 3.2 Club Attachment. A youth member becomes attached to a club member when he/she competes with that club in any AAU authorized event (practice not included). A youth member may be attached to only one club with the following exceptions: An athlete may attach to additional clubs (one in each sport) if he/she participates in additional sports.

7 3.2.2 Participation in an AAU authorized league does not create club attachment. 3.3 Transfers. Athletes who transfer under this section are subject to National Championship eligibility restrictions as adopted by National Sport Committees. After a youth member becomes attached to a club, he/she may only transfer to another club in the same sport as follows: If the youth member has not competed in any AAU authorized events in that Sport for a period of sixty (60) days no permission is necessary If the representative of the club to which an athlete is attached signs a release form permitting an immediate transfer. (Athletes who transfer under this section are subject to National Championship eligibility restrictions as adopted by National Sport Committees.) [Added 10/07] When the transfer is for the purpose of competing with a team which has qualified for a National Championship as provided by National Sport Committee rules If the Registrar determines there is good cause to believe that the transfer is due to events outside the control of the athlete or that the transfer serves the best interest of the AAU. 3.4 Age Verification For locally licensed league play, players will be certified by original birth certificate or high definition color photocopy of an original birth certificate. Parents must provide their own state issued driver s license or state issued identification card. This parent s name must appear on the player s birth certificate. A signed and notarized league-issued Age Affirmation form must accompany each player s certification. Legal guardians must provide appropriate documentation to that effect Returning players may use the previous year s card for certification and will be issued a new card bi-annually For National Championship, players must present a color copy of their original birth certificate and locally licensed league identification card at registration Player s age as of August 1 st shall be the player s age for the season. 3.5 Team Roster Final team rosters must be submitted no later than 11:59pm on October 1 st to be eligible for National Championship play. Players may no longer be added after October 1 st. Rosters must be submitted by supplied spreadsheet/excel document.

8 3.5.2 Team rosters will be made available to all organizations and will contain player s jersey number, name, AAU member ID number and birthdate. 3.6 Pregame Certifications Staff members of the locally licensed league, a member of the AAU Football staff or a game official will conduct pregame card check/certification, in which player s will temporarily possess their individual cards for presentation to this party. Personnel performing card check will verify each player No opposing coaches or staff are to ever participate in, or be on the opposing sideline, during before or after the pregame certification process. Violation of this policy will result in a one (1) game suspension For locally licensed League play, players must present their league issued identification card that displays their photo, name, birthdate, AAU club number and AAU Member identification number Players not in possession of an ID card will not be permitted to compete until a league official verifies them as a legal player Lost, stolen or damaged cards MUST be replaced before the next scheduled game. A charge of $20 will be assessed for replacement identification cards. 3.7 Field Inspections Game fields must be approved by locally licensed league officials or AAU District Director prior to the beginning of the season. This date may be determined by officials of the AAU licensed local league. 3.8 Conduct Violations As the integrity of the game is paramount to AAU Football and the locally licensed league, any coach/member cursing, drinking alcohol or liquor, smoking of any kind, or engaging in a physical altercation in the presence of the players or at any locally licensed league or National Championship event will be suspended immediately. This suspension will be two (2) games and may or may not be accompanied by a fine assessed at the discretion of the locally licensed AAU league Suspended parties may request a formal hearing before a board appointed by the locally licensed league. The AAU Football District Director will be present for said hearing. Suspensions may be vacated or reduced at this hearing but not increased Suspended parties may not be seated in the bleachers, sideline or endzone of any locally licensed league event or contest.

9 3.8.3 If a previously suspended party commits a second infraction, the offender shall face complete expulsion from the locally licensed AAU Football league. This second infraction must be committed during the same season to be considered a second infraction. An infraction committed during the offseason shall be attributed to the upcoming season. 3.9 Sideline Personnel ONLY AAU Member coaches and players will be allowed on the sideline Team mothers and parents are prohibited from being on the sideline prior to or during the game. Violation of this policy may result in the suspension of the head coach and/or the involved party A maximum of five (5) coaches are allowed on the sideline during games, unless otherwise granted in writing from locally-licensed league staff or AAU Football District Director/Chair Medical personnel may be on the sideline, outside of the coaching box or in the endzones Coaches must display their league ID/AAU member identification cards while on the sidelines or inside the player/coach zones ONLY coaches for the competing age division are allowed on the sidelines Organization Presidents or Vice Presidents are NOT allowed on the sideline before or during the game without the express consent of a staff member of the locally licensed league or an AAU Football representative. 4.0 Fees AAU Member/Club fees must be satisfied for members to receive insurance coverage. Athletes participating without valid AAU memberships are not covered by AAU insurance coverage Locally licensed league fees are due upon date specified by said league and solely at the league s discretion. 4.1 Organization Eligibility Organizations must secure an AAU Club membership of Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 to be eligible to compete in locally licensed National Championship qualifying league play Organizations that encompass three (3) or more age divisions MUST commit a minimum of three (3) age divisions to the locally licensed AAU league to be accepted into said league.

10 4.1.3 Age Divisions for locally licensed league play are unlimited weight: 6U, 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U and for National Championship play Age Divisions are: 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U. ( U is defined as and Under. Ex: 8U = 8 and Under) Exception; Organizations made up of only one, two or three age divisions will be accepted into the league, as long as ALL age divisions that the organization possesses commit to the locally licensed AAU Football league Organizations MUST identify one (1) representative to sit on the locally licensed league s Advisory Board. This representative will attend the meetings of the locally licensed AAU league unless this responsibility is transferred to another individual within said organization. Coaches will NOT attend Advisory Board meetings. 5.1 Playoffs and Championship (National League) The locally licensed AAU league is to be divided into two conferences: the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC) Each conference is to have an equal number of teams, where possible. These conferences may be chosen randomly, geographically or by other means chosen by the locally licensed AAU league. When number of teams allows, each conference shall be further divided into divisions of four teams each In instances of two conferences with only one division each, the playoff brackets are to be made up of three (3) teams from each of the league's two conferences, following the end of the regular season. (Below scenarios will apply when multiple divisions exist) Qualification into the playoffs works as follows: Each of the Conferences or, if number of teams allows, division winners is seeded 1 2 based on their overall records. The two wild-card teams, one from each conference, (labeled Wild Card) are seeded third (3 rd ) or fifth (5 th ) (based on the number of divisions) regardless of their records compared to the division winners. This shall only be in effect upon the creation of more than one division in each conference The division champions from each conference (the team in each division with the best overall record), shall be seeded 1 through 4 based on their overall won-lost-tied record One wild-card qualifier from each conference (the two teams with the best overall records of all remaining teams in their conference), will be seeded 3, if only on division in the conference, and 5 if two divisions exist in the conference The wild-card. In this round, the 2-seeded division winner hosts the 3rd seed wild card, or the fourth seed hosts the fifth. There are no restrictions regarding teams from the same division matching up in any round.

11 5.1.8 The 1 seeds from each conference receive home field throughout the playoffs, as well as a bye in the first round, which entitles these teams to automatic advancement to the second round, the divisional playoffs, where they face the wild-card winner In multiple division, locally licensed AAU football leagues, the number 1 seed will host the worst surviving seed from the first round (seed 4 or 5), while the number 2 seed will play the other team (seed 3) The two surviving teams from each conference's divisional playoff games then meet in the respective AFC and NFC Conference Championship games (hosted by the higher seed), with the winners of those contests going on to face one another in the Super Bowl If teams are tied (having the same regular season won-lost-tied record), the playoff seeding is determined by points allowed The Super Bowl Champions from each age division, except for 6U, will be qualified to represent the District of the locally licensed AAU Football league at the AAU Leaguebased National Championships in Florida during the 2 nd week of December annually. 6.1 AMPLIFIED SOUND DEVICES AMPLIFIED AUDIO DEVICES, SUCH AS BULL HORNS, MEGAPHONES, PA SYSTEMS MUST BE SILENCED ONCE THE OFFENSIVE TEAM BREAKS THE HUDDLE. These devices may be used after the play is whistled down and until the subsequent offensive huddle is broken. These devices must be used for positive cheering only. Fans/supporters found to be making offensive statements, profanity, encouraging unsportsmanlike behavior, or calling for the injury of a child will be escorted from the facility and not allowed to return PENALTY: Supporter's team will be penalized 15 yards each occurrence, upon issuance of 2nd penalty, offender will be removed from the facility. 7.1 UNIFORMS (Amended 1/1/2018) AAU Football Club players MUST all be uniform ALL shirts (short sleeve, long sleeve and compressions) worn under uniforms must be the same color as their respective team AAU Football Club players MUST wear the same color socks as their respective team ALL Coaches MUST be uniform AAU Players will be prohibited from participating until their uniform violation is resolved. Players will be allowed to remedy this violation on the sideline and then be immediately eligible to play with no further consequence. Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Football Rules 2018 New York Metropolitan District / New Jersey District