MIDWEST YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION II RULES (Revised 7-26-2015) SECTION A - PURPOSE OF THE MIDWEST YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE To provide an environment in which youth will be able to develop basic concepts of good sportsmanship. To provide experiences for youth that are fun and help them develop positive attitudes. To assist young people to develop physically, emotionally, and skill wise. To teach basic fundamentals of the game of football. To provide a safe and healthful environment in which youth may experience the fun of playing football. To provide a forum in which youth, through the experience of the game, can apply and demonstrate the skills they have learned through practice. To provide leagues made up of teams that are as equal in age, size, and skill as much as possible. To involve adults in helping achieve the above purposes, whether as coaches, advisors, officials, fans, concession workers, timekeepers, etc. SECTION B - LEAGUE STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION I. The league shall be divisional by age and weight, with four divisions, structured as follows: Flag Division Instructional Division Division I Division II for eleven (11) and twelve (12) year olds; one hundred twenty (120) pounds max for skilled positions, one hundred twenty-one (121) pounds to one hundred fifty (150) pounds for non skilled positions, no weight limitations for offensive and defensive line tackle to tackle. - No player over the weight of 150 pounds will be allowed to play from an up position; they must play on the offensive or defensive line from a down position and must be lined up inside the offensive tackle. - No Player having a Double Stripe on his helmet will be allowed to pull from and offensive line or defensive line position. - Double Striped Players will be required to make contact at the line of Scrimmage. The league shall have coordinated sign up periods for the youth. The dates for sign ups will be properly publicized for both football players and cheerleaders. The dates for sign ups will be determined, keeping in mind attempts to avoid conflicts with baseball and other scheduled events. 1
At the time of sign ups, the football players must be within five (5) pounds of the maximum weight limit set for their respective division. In the event the participant does not make his weight, he will not be allowed to sign up. I Games shall be played between each team in a conference. A maximum of ten (10) regular season games shall be played. There shall be a Kickoff Classic prior to the regular season and a Chili Bowl at the end of the regular season. The Director or his representative shall determine the interconference schedules, and place of finish in the conference will determine opponents for the Chili Bowl. Scrimmages outside of the league shall be prohibited. A two game suspension will be given to the head coach for such a scrimmage on the first offense; season suspension for a subsequent violation. V. A) The League will not participate in the presentation of trophies or awards to teams winning conferences, the league, etc. B) There will be no team fund raisers or solicitation of funds from player s parents, of any type, in this league. All teams and players are EQUAL. V VI The Director or their designated representative will be present at all games. Each team in the league shall have a head coach and three official assistant coaches. During games, only the head coach and the three assistant coaches, as designated by the head coach, are permitted in the bench areas. Special weekends as defined by the MYFL Board shall be used as a fundraiser for the host site by charging admission of $2 per adult and free admission for children. SECTION C - COACHES CONDUCT I. Each head coach shall be required to attend one pre-season league meeting and any and all other meetings deemed necessary by the league. Failure to attend the meetings without proper request for a representative to attend on the head coach s behalf may result in that coach losing his privilege to coach for the season. I No coach is allowed to pull his team off of the field and stop play for any reason whatsoever. Coaches removing their teams from the field shall have the game forfeited, shall be suspended for the remainder of the season, and any other penalty as sanctioned by the Midwest Youth Football League. All coaches and players will, in the interest of GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP, shake hands with the opposing team and coaching staff at the end of each game. Coaches conduct shall be governed by the following: 1) Coaches shall not engage in any extensive physical contact with players. 2) Coaches shall not use foul or abusive language. 3) Coaches shall not give players instructions that are contrary to the rules. 2
4) Coaches will address officials in a properly courteous manner. (Officials will address coaches in a properly courteous manner also.) 5) Due to the nature of this league (youth football) and what we are trying to teach our youth (good sportsmanship, on and off the field), we will practice ZERO TOLERANCE; that is, a coach or assistant coach ejected from a game will be suspended from coaching for the remainder of the season and the entire next season. They must sit out the entire next season before they are eligible to apply for reinstatement. After this period, the following procedure will apply for reinstating a banned coached. Any program which is a member of the Midwest Youth Football League that makes a decision to reinstate a suspended coach under this rule, must write a letter of recommendation to the MYFL Mini Board, which must approve the reinstatement. If the Board does not approve reinstatement, the individual will not be allowed to coach, but may continue to reapply for reinstatement each year thereafter. The letter requesting reinstatement must contain the following A detailed description of the incident which resulted in the suspension. Reason why the program feels the offending coach should be reinstated. No contact with the team will be allowed during this period. Coaches ejected from a game shall have the situation reviewed by the Mini-Board. A coach under suspension for any reason shall have no contact with his team, either at practice or at league games All suspensions under this rule are subject to review by the MYFL Mini Board. Due to the nature of this league (youth football) and what we are trying to teach our youth (good sportsmanship, on and off the field), we will practice ZERO TOLERANCE. Any individual convicted of a crime against the state or humanity shall be banned from participation in the MYFL for life. (Subject to review of the MYFL Mini Board.) Any individual accused or indicted of a crime against the state or humanity shall be suspended from the MYFL, until which time as the charges are found to be without merit. (Subject to review of the MYFL Mini Board.) Any individual involved in a physical altercation shall be banned from participation in the MYFL for life. (Subject to review of the MYFL Mini Board.) 6) Coaches shall not give any player instructions to fake an injury to allow a substitution or delay a game. This will be considered a flagrant violation of the coach s code of conduct. V. All teams are to attend all league functions. 1) Coach of teams not attending league functions are subject to league suspension! No member of the coaching staff shall be permitted to videotape the opposing team s games, for the purposes of scouting. SECTION D - PARTICIPATION AND CONDUCT I. Residency The league shall be made up of residents of Fairbanks, Madison Plains, Plain City, London, and West Jefferson. 3
I All players must have on file with the Program Director, a signed permission slip to play, proof of age, and registration payment receipt prior to any practice or game. Hardship cases may be considered and approved wherein the League will waive payment for any player or players. The decision shall rest with the Program Director and will be decided on a case-by-case basis as to qualification. Any child will be eligible to participate if he/she has attained his/her eleventh (11) birthday prior to August 1 st of the current year, and not attained his/her thirteenth (13) birthday prior to August 1 st of the current year. 1) Provisions have been made for participation of 13 year olds in Div II on a limited basis, as follows: A 13 year old is defined as a player who is 13 years of age prior to August 1 st of the current year. This includes 12 year olds who are 12 years of age prior to the start of the season, and who will be 13 years of age prior to August 1 st of the current year. A player who is 13 years of age must not attain his 14 th birthday prior to August 1 st of the current year. To be eligible to participate in this league, a 13-year-old as defined above must weigh in at the official weigh in at 95 lbs. or under. At which time he will be X d (not eligible to play in a skilled position). All 13 year olds not returning to a team will be put into a special 13 year old BLIND DRAFT and drafted accordingly. Any team with a returning 13 year old will not be eligible to participate in this draft, unless they are the only team available. 2) No participant in this league can be in the eighth grade. Birth certificates will be required to be on record with the participant s application. The league Director and Commissioners reserve the right to determine the division in which a child shall be placed. Generally, seven (7) and eight (8) year olds shall play in the Instructional Division, nine (9) and ten (10) year olds shall play in Division I, eleven (11) and twelve (12) year olds shall play in Division Division I players cannot be eleven (11) years old before August 1 st of the current year. If the participant is eleven (11) years old and under seventy (65) pounds before August 1 st, it will be at the Commissioners discretion as to which division the participant will play in, however the player must be X d if playing down a division due to weight and age. Note- A ten (10) year old player is defined as a participant that is not eleven (11) years of age prior to August 1 st of the current year; an eleven (11) year old player is defined as a participant who is eleven (11) years of age prior to August 1 st of the current year, etc. V. Any player missing two (2) of the three (3) practices unexcused, in any week, will, at the coach s discretion not play the following game. However, under no circumstances, shall a child be penalized for missing practice due to a school related issue. A player ejected from a game, for any reason, will not be allowed to practice the following week and will be suspended for the next league game. SECTION E - EQUIPMENT I. All players MUST wear protective gear at all times while actually engaged in contact play, including practice sessions. This shall include HELMET, SHOULDER PADS, HIP PADS, FOOTBALL PANTS WITH PROPER KNEE AND THIGH PADS, AND A MOUTH GUARD. ATHLETIC SUPPORTERS ARE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. 4
I League players shall be allowed to wear molded soccer or multi-purpose style shoes that do not contain metal within the mold. Tennis style shoes are permitted, but not recommended. No steel or replaceable cleats are allowed. Other protection, such as rib pads and arm pads are permissible. (A) Team uniforms shall not vary from the league uniform. Players shall be required to wear the furnished game jersey and the player furnished white pants. Pants can be any color as long as whole community is the same (i.e All PC teams would need to wear the same color) (B) Teams may decorate their helmets uniformly, however all logos and decals must be approved by the league. The league shall furnish an approved mouthpiece for each player. They are designed to be attached to the helmet via the facemask. All players will be required to attach their mouthpiece to their facemask as they were designed. Failure to do so will result in a five-yard dead ball penalty and the player will be declared ineligible until he is fitted with the proper equipment. Players with a special mouthpiece shall be reported to the referee prior to the start of the game. V. From time to time games will be scheduled between teams with like colored jerseys, in these cases cover-ups, furnished by the league, will be worn by the home team. The use of cover-ups will be decided by the referees. Please remember to return the cover-ups at the end of the game. With difference to the High School rule players shall be allowed to wear face paint and eye markers during games as long as they are in good taste. Good taste shall be decided by league officials. SECTION F - DRAFT OF PLAYERS I. Any player who has not been evaluated will go into the blind draft; all thirteen year olds will be entered into a special 13 year old blind draft. I Players will return to the same team that they played on the previous year unless they move up into a different division or if a request, honored by the Director, for a player not to return to the same team, is made. Reasons for the request must be stated and that player will go into the draft. If a player, who is eligible to return to a team on which he played the previous year, fails to sign up prior to the draft, that player will be treated as a new sign-up and awarded to the team next in line for a player, subsequent to the draft. Division I, sign-ups will be cut off on the date of the Kickoff Bowl. The Division II draft shall be conducted at a special drafting session from a roster of draftees. The draft shall be conducted for all locations at a time and place designated by the Director of the MYFL. Players are NOT permitted to be present during the draft. Sons of head coaches may be withheld from the draft and assigned to their father s team if so desired (limit - 2 withholds per team). No assistant coaches will be assigned to teams due to player s talent. V. Expansion team coaches may pick an assistant coach, with player, but loses his first round draft pick. Any player not returning to the team that he previously played for will go into the blind draft. 5
V In Division II, the draft will be structured such that each team contains a balance of age groups, same as Division I. To accomplish this, 11 year olds will be drafted first, 12 year olds will be drafted second, and 13 year olds will be drafted last. For draft purposes teams will be ranked by the number of returning players from the previous year. Round I; every team gets a pick of their choice, regardless of age group. Starting with Round II and continuing, teams with the fewest returning players in the respective age group starting with the 11 year olds will draft first and continue drafting until the eleven year olds are used up or the team has reached its maximum (number to be determined by the Division Commissioner & the Draft Master). Once that age group is used up, we will move to the next age group until all players of that age group are drafted and then on to the next age group. For the purpose of the draft the age group of a player is his age on August 1 st of the current year. Players assigned to the blind draft, will be assigned and grouped according to age. (Note: For the purpose of the draft the 11 year olds include ten (10) year old players as defined as a participant that is eleven (11) years of age prior to August 1 st of the current year.) SECTION G - WEIGH-INS/WEIGHTS I. Official weigh-ins will be conducted on the day of the Kickoff Bowl (If a child cannot be present for the Kickoff Bowl, then the official weigh-in shall be the weigh-in conducted during the first game that the child plays).. Thereafter, weigh-ins will be conducted approximately 1/2 hour prior to the kickoff of games. The weigh-in will be conducted by the head coaches of the teams and the commissioners or their representative. I Each player must meet weight at weigh-in prior to the Kickoff Bowl. This weigh-in will establish those players eligible to be ball carriers. All players exceeding the established maximum ball carrier weight for their respective division will have one stripe ---- placed on the back of their helmets for non skilled positioned players, and two stripes ---- for offensive and defensive lineman. However, in the event that a player exceeds the weight for a running back at any time during the season, that player will be given a stripe on his helmet and be prohibited from playing running back.if a striped player is able to weigh in under the maximum weight for a running back, a commissioner and only a commissioner, will be permitted to remove the lineman designation. At weigh in time, the weight will be adjusted back to the previous full pound. Ball carriers, Offensive ends, and eligible receivers cannot weigh more than 120 pounds in Division II at the beginning of the season at the official Kickoff Bowl weigh in, players exceeding these weight limits are not permitted to be a ball carrier or eligible pass receiver. There is no Maximum weight for this Division. If at any time during the season the player exceeds the weight for ball carriers, he will have a stripe placed on his helmet for that game. The player will continue to be a striped player until such time as they meet the weight requirement for the league. If a striped player is able to weigh in under the maximum weight for a running back, a commissioner and only a commissioner, will be permitted to remove the lineman designation. V. Players must be attired in football pants with pads, socks and a shirt for weigh ins. No player, parent nor coach should request a child be weighed with less than the required attire. There will be a two pound allowance for the required clothing. Ex. 120 pound limit now tops out at 122.9 pounds. The player must not weigh 123 pounds. SECTION H - SCHEDULED GAMES AND PRACTICES 6
I. No outside league scrimmages will be allowed. Scrimmages may be arranged by the respective coaches only between teams within the league; scrimmages will count as one practice with pads for each team involved. I Each team must complete the schedule of league games. Practice schedules prior to the start of school shall be determined by the commissioners. After school starts, practice shall be limited to three (3) practices per week (one no contact and no pads) unless otherwise approved by the Mini-Board. Exception to this rule is if a team has a bye for the week they may conduct a third practice in pads. The no pads, no contact practice shall be held only on Saturday. THERE ARE TO BE NO SATURDAY OR SUNDAY PRACTICES UNTIL AFTER SCHOOL STARTS AND THOSE ARE ONLY TO BE NO PADS, NO CONTACT PRACTICES!!!! The length of the practice sessions shall be at the coach s discretion as long as they do not exceed two (2) hours in length per day. Once school starts, practice must be over by 8:30 PM. SECTION I - GAME RULES I. (A) In Divisions II, the playing time of the regular season games shall be four eight (8) minute quarters with eight (8) minute half times and two (2) minutes between quarters. Time is to be kept according to NFHS rules. (B) In the event of a tie, a single untimed overtime period will be played under NFHS RULES. Each team will be given the ball at the 10 yd. Line and given four (4) downs to score. The team that goes first will be determined by a flip of the coin; the winner will be given the option to choose the first attempt or select the direction. If at the end of the overtime period, if the score is still tied, the game will be declared a tie. (C) There must be a minimum of two (2) carded OHSAA officials present for a game to be played, if only one official shows up the game cannot be played and will be rescheduled. (D) The home team is expected to provide a time keeper and the Visiting team is expected to provide a chain crew. Parents working chains must remain neutral. Crew members that cannot remain neutral will risk the visiting team receiving and unsportsmanlike penalty. Continued violations will result in the crew member being asked to leave the game. I Games in Division II shall be played on the standard football field as defined under NFHS rules. At the time the referee signals the ball ready for play, the team has twenty five (25) seconds to put the ball in play by a snap of the ball. The penalty for delay in putting the ball in play is five (5) yards. a. Note-- During the first three games, it will, at times, take longer for young players to get organized and get the ball into play. The twenty-five second rule is intended to speed up play. There is normally no intent to delay play by these young players. If, in the opinion of the game officials, delay is intended, the officials may stop the clock until the ball is snapped. All active players on a team shall start on offense or defense and will play 50% of each game. Any participant who, for any reason, will not be participating in any game shall be reported to the officials prior to the kickoff. Any intentional misuse of this rule can result in the head coach being 7
permanently removed from coaching duties in any program. A player that starts on offense must play the entire game on offense. A player that starts on defense must play the entire game on defense. V. Division II coaches shall not be permitted on the field except for an injury time out or a called time out. Coaches will coach their teams from the sidelines between the 30-yard markers. Division II coaches will be allowed to relay the offensive play to the huddle by means of an un-helmeted player. V VI Each team shall consist of no more than X number of players to be determined by the Commissioners following sign-ups. All penalties will be assessed according to the National Federation of High School Association Rules. (A) Each team in Division II will be allowed three (3) time outs per half. Time outs not used in the first half cannot be carried forward to the second half. Time outs will be one minute in length. During a game, the clock will stop in accordance with the National Federation of State High School Associations Rule Book. This will include, but is not necessarily limited to the following: 1) Following an injury, 2) Following a penalty, 3) Following an incomplete forward pass, 4) Ball out of bounds, 5) Following a score, 6) An official s time out, 7) At the end of each period, 8) A charged time out. (B) During a timeout on the field, and between quarters, the teams must remain on the field, and not go to the sidelines; coaches and water may be brought to the teams; the exception of course is at half time. (C) During a timeout on the field in Division II, only one (1) coach, the Head Coach or their representative, and one (1) water boy are allowed on the field. IX. An injured player must be removed from the playing field for at least one down. The officials will make the determination if a player is injured. No exceptions will be allowed to this rule. NOTE: There are no substitutions in this league. A player that starts on offense stays on offense. A 2-way player must remain a 2-way player throughout the entire game, except when the game is played under the blow out rule. A player that starts on defense stays on defense. One exception to this rule is to replace an injured player. Once the injured player is able to return to the game, that player must go back in to the game for the substitute player. X. In Division II, any player is allowed to punt the ball. If necessary, one (1) player may leave the huddle. There shall be no rush on punt plays. The Offensive Head Coach MUST notify the officials of their intention to punt prior to breaking their team s huddle. Penalty for violation is 10 yards and loss of possession. The punter has five (5) seconds, once they have possession, to punt the ball. Note: If the center snap is fumbled or sails over the punter s head, the punter is allowed to gain possession of the ball. However, the spot where the punt must be made is the spot where the possession is regained. The five-second clock should not begin until the punter has possession of the ball. The intent is that if the ball goes 15 yards over the punter s head, the punter is penalized by having to begin the punt from the spot where the possession is made. XI. In Division II, any player is allowed to attempt a point after touchdown by kicking the ball. If necessary, one (1) player may leave the huddle. The Offensive Head Coach MUST notify 8
the officials of their intention to kick the ball prior to breaking their team s huddle. The defense is not allowed to rush. A rush is defined as any defensive player crossing the line of scrimmage. If the place holder must leave their position to gain possession of the ball, the play will be ruled dead. Fake point after touchdown kicks will NOT be allowed. X There shall be no kickoffs in any division. The ball will be put into play on the thirty (30) yard line except after a safety, at which time; the ball will be placed at the forty (40) yard line. Note: Time will start on the snap rather than on the ready for play signal. XI X There shall be no kicking game in this league other than the punt and point after touchdown in Division No kickoffs, no field goals, and no quick kicks. A point after touchdown may be scored in Division II as follows: 1) A successful running play for a point after 1 point. 2) A successful passing play for a point after 2 points. 3) A successful kicking play for a point after 2 points. XV. (A) An intercepted fumble, pass, or lateral may not be advanced by a striped player. It is downed at the spot. An intercepted fumble (one that has not touched the ground), pass or lateral may be advanced by an eligible (non-striped) player. (B) A defensive player may advance a fumble, only if the player is an eligible ball carrier (not a striped player); a fumble recovered by a striped player cannot be advanced, and is blown dead at the spot of recovery. X XV The official league football shall be furnished by the league to each team. The Official Football Rules, published by the National Federation of State High School Athletic Associations and such changes authorized by them shall govern all games. If a rule is not specifically modified by the league, in writing, by the official league rules or addendum therein, the above listed rulebook shall be followed. XVI (A) Offensive formations will be limited to the standard seven-man line. Unbalanced lines are allowed, however, to be an eligible receiver, the uncovered tackle or guard must be a non striped player and the referee must be notified. (B) In Division II, the tight end may be a one striped player; however, he is not an eligible receiver. If the ball is thrown to him, the offensive will be assessed an ineligible receiver down field penalty. XIX. XX. XXI. XX There is no free blocking zone in this league; there is no blocking below the waist. The center is protected on a long snap or in a shotgun formation during the initial line charge. In this league a shotgun formation is defined as any formation in which the quarterback is not directly under the center at the snap of the ball. Coaches shall submit, prior to each game, at the weigh-ins, a starting lineup of skilled players (backfield and ends) to the opposing coach. These are the players to be subbed-out if the blowout rule comes into effect. 1) If a team in Division II at any time during the game gains an 18-point lead, the Blowout Rule goes into effect. During this time, the substitution rule shall be waived for the purposes of 9
allowing the coaches to play their less experienced players in the backfield only. The officials shall require the team with the Eighteen-point lead to change their offensive backfield; including offensive ends to less experienced players (these players shall be drawn from a pool of players comprised of the offensive line and the defense). At this time, the substituted offensive player shall become an offensive lineman or a defensive player. The entire offensive backfield will be substituted at this time, as the roster permits. If a team does not have the required number of eligible less experienced players to substitute in the backfield, tight ends or split ends may not be substituted, but cannot run or receive the ball after the Blowout Rule has gone into effect. If necessary, first string quarterbacks may not be substituted, but cannot run or pass the ball once the Blowout Rule has gone into effect. If the lead falls below 18 points, the starting backfield can return during the next offensive set. Note: If the 18 point lead is a result of a touchdown the backfield shall be changed after the point after to avoid the delay in the game caused by the confusion of changing the backfield. 2) If a team gains a 30 point lead at any time during the game, the head official will inform both head coaches that the remainder of the quarter will be played under a running clock. The clock will stop only for time outs and injuries. Following quarters shall be played under a running clock as required. 3) If the lead exceeds 40 Points the score board will be reset to read 0-1 and the game will continue under a running clock, with the substitution rule relaxed, so as not to demoralize the losing team. Note: Every attempt should be made by the coach of the team, which is leading to play his least experienced players. Pass plays and plays utilizing the teams better players should be minimized. XXI Amendment to substitution rule for D2 ONLY. Substitutions will be allowed in D2 for COACHING OPPORTUNITES ONLY! Substitutions will not be allowed to gain any advantage during a game 1) Substitutions will only be allowed during the first 3 quarters 2) Substitutions will only be allowed 1 time per game for a maximum of 3 plays 3) Substitutions will only be allowed for the first 3 games 4) Games will be forfeited if rule is violated 5) Head Coach will also be suspended 1 game for rule violation Suspension will be for the entire week with no contact being allowed with players at practice or games XX Chili Bowl Tie Breakers 1) Team Record 2) Head to Head 3) Points Allowed 4) Coin Toss THE INTENT IS NOT TO DEMORALIZE THE LOSING TEAM. SECTION J - FIELD EQUIPMENT AND CLEAN UP I. The home team for the first game of the day shall see that the yard markers and chains are on the field. 10
I The visiting team for all games shall be responsible for supplying personnel for the down markers and the home team shall be responsible for supply personnel for running the clock for the game immediately following theirs. The home team for the last game shall see that the yard markers and chains are properly put away immediately following their game. Both teams playing the last game on the respective fields shall be responsible for the cleanup of that field and surrounding area. V. Because of the adverse effect on income from the Concession Stands, tailgating is banned as a practice in this League. Firearms whether legal or otherwise shall not be permitted at any function of the Midwest Youth Football League, be it practice, games, or other official functions. The only exception to this rule shall be dually sworn local law enforcement officials in the performance of their duties. Any person, be they officials, coaches, participates, or spectators found to be carrying, displaying or otherwise having in their possession a firearm, whether legal or otherwise shall be banned from participating in the MYFL, and were appropriate, legal action shall be brought against said person by the League. 11