CCYFL 2015 TACKLE FOOTBALL RULES Season Format The season format is subject to change on a yearly basis, based on the numbered of registered players to the league. The number of regular season games may vary year to year per league level and possible travel games may occur. At the conclusion of the season, there will be a championship game of 1 st place vs. 2 nd place teams in the B and C Divisions with Winchester & Front Royal Inter-League play. The A Division with Front Royal, Winchester & Jefferson Inter-League play will be determined by agreement. Inclement Weather Policy 1.) Any game or practice must be suspended immediately at first sight of lightning or sound of thunder. Practices or games may resume 30 minutes after there has been no thunder or lightning observed. 2.) In the event of weather related cancellations, makeup games will be played on the Sunday immediately following the cancellation date if possible and if field conditions allow. Makeup games will be played as close to time of day as the originally scheduled game. The season may be extended for some or all make up games. Registration and Draft Procedures 1.) Dual participation between sports is allowed in the CCYFL. However, any injury incurred outside of the league must be reported to the head coach who will then notify head of safety. All safety procedures will then follow rules set forth by the board in order for player to be eligible to return to practices and games. 2.) When eligible by league-age, players will return to their previous team except if they did not register by the day of the draft. A parent may also request their child, who has played one year in flag, be moved up to C league if they feel the child is ready. Board must approve said request for child to be eligible for this move and notify parents of decision. 3.) Returning players who do not register by the day of the draft will be entered into the league draft and are eligible to be picked by any team in their league. 4.) All players who are participating in CCYFL must run 40 yard dash and weigh in. All new players to the league or moving up a level must attend a full tryout.
Page 1 of 9 5.) In the event that late registrations are allowed to come in after the draft, the Board will make every effort to make those players available for all coaches to evaluate and select from. 6.) Children of Head Coaches will be automatically assigned to that coach s team and will be assigned as their last draft pick in the applicable segment of the draft (lineman or backs) based on their weight. 7.) Siblings with the same league-age eligibility will be assigned to the same team per the example below: a.) Both Players are in Draft sibling B will be assigned to draft round that immediately follows the round in which sibling A was chosen. b.) 1 Player is Returning and the other is in Draft the sibling that is a new player will be assigned to a round in the draft based on agreement of the coaches involved in that draft. 8.) A Head Coach may protect 1 (one) draft eligible player who s father MUST be an approved and fully active assistant coach for the team. Protected players will be assigned as the 3 rd round draft pick in the applicable segment of the draft based on their weight. 9.) Any attempt by a coach to influence returning players to re-enter the draft so that they would be selected by that coach s team, or to re-enter the draft so that they can immediately protect that player is a violation of CCYFL s Code of Conduct. Any coach who violates this policy will be subject to suspension by the Board. 10.) The draft format will follow NFL drafting guidelines, with the team with the worst record picking first and continuing in that order for all rounds in both segments of the draft. Expansion draft guidelines will be incorporated as applicable. 11.) In the B and C Divisions, catch up picks will be provided as needed during the lineman portion of the draft. Based on the total # of lineman eligible for each team, those teams with fewer returning lineman weight players will pick ahead of teams with a greater number of those players to the point where each team has the same # of lineman whenever possible. At that point the teams will all pick in each subsequent round. The league may also incorporate catchup picks in the A Division draft if it s deemed appropriate to maintain competitive balance in the Division. Example: 4 teams, with 5 weight-eligible linemen available per team. Team 1 has one returning lineman; Team 2 has two: Team 3 has three: Team 4 has four. Team 1 Team 2 Team 3 Team 4 Round 1 Pick Skip Skip Skip Round 2 Pick Pick Skip Skip Round 3 Pick Pick Pick Skip Round 4 Pick Pick Pick Pick
Page 2 of 9 Expansion Draft Procedures if applicable 1.) Expansion team(s) will be provided with 1 compensation/expansion pick in each segment of the draft (lineman and ballcarriers). 2.) An expansion team will be assigned the first pick for all rounds in both segments of the draft. In the event of there being more than 1 expansion team, their pick assignments will be based on a random coin flip or draw of team names and their draft position will alternate each round. Coaches Responsibilities 1.) Coaches will discuss the League Code of Conduct with their players and parents, and communicate to their team s parents that unsportsmanlike behavior from the sidelines will not be permitted and may result in their player being removed from play. Every parent registering their child on line has to agree to the code of conduct for parents and players. 2.) Coaches are responsible for collecting Proof of Physical Forms for all players, and turn them in to the League the week before the first game of the season. No player may participate in a game without a proof of physical form on file. Coaches will also review the parent code of conduct during their first parents meeting and the player code of conduct at their first practice. 3.) Coaches are responsible to insure their team s concession assignments are adequately staffed. Failure to meet concession responsibilities may result in forfeiture of that day s game at the discretion of the Board. 4.) Verbal abuse by any player, head coach, or assistant coach directed towards an official, opposing coach or player will not be tolerated. The referee or board member on duty will warn violators or eject them from the game. If such action continues; ejection may be turned into suspension upon review from the board. 5.) Teams may be penalized at the referee s discretion for excessive disruptive conduct from their fans. 6.) A player/coach ejected from the game may be suspended for one or more of the following games. The penalty will be decided by the board, and submitted to the player or coach in writing. During the suspension the player/coach will not be allowed at the field or the bleacher areas. Board may review any and all incidences. 7.) Coaches are responsible for returning all league equipment by the turn-in deadline that their team is assigned by the league. Failure to do so may result in suspension of coaching eligibility. Parent and Spectator Responsibilities 1.) All parents and players agree to abide by the League Rules and Code of Conduct as a condition of participating in CCYFL activities. 2.) Parents are responsible for submitting Proof of Physical Forms to their head coach for all players. No player may participate in a game without a proof of physical form on file.
Page 3 of 9 3.) Parents are required to support their team s concession assignments. Failure to meet concession responsibilities may result in forfeiture of that day s game at the discretion of the Board, or your player may be subject to a game suspension the following week. 4.) Spectators should watch their games from the bleachers or behind the fence on their team s sideline. 5.) Verbal abuse by any spectator directed towards an official, opposing coach or player will not be tolerated. The referee or board member on duty will warn violators or eject them from the game. If such action continues; ejection may be turned into suspension upon review from the board. 6.) Teams may be penalized at the referee s discretion for excessive disruptive conduct from their fans. 7.) A parent ejected from the game will be suspended for one or more of the following games. The penalty will be decided by the board, and submitted to the parent in writing. During the suspension the parent will not be allowed at the field or the bleacher areas. Practices and Participation 1.) Any player missing camp week due to vacation, illness or other unforeseen reasons will attend make up sessions in accordance with the time they missed. Once the missed time has been made up, they may return to their regular team practice sessions. 2,) Practices may be held 4 days per week, from the end of conditioning camp until Clarke County Schools are in session. When Clarke County Schools are in session until CCYFL opening game day, the B and C Divisions may practice twice during the weekday and once on Saturday. The A Division may practice three times during the weekday and once on Saturday. Upon the CCYFL opening game day, B and C Divisions WILL practice twice during the weekday and the A Division will practice three times during weekday. All Divisions may practice on a Saturday during the regular season if they have a Bye Week. One additional team film session is allowed per week for the A Division only. Players are not required to attend film sessions, and cannot be subject to reduced playing time due to lack of attendance for those sessions. Any coach found to be in violation of this rule is subject to suspension, and the team may be required to forfeit the upcoming game. 3.) Scouting of an opposing team s practices by any coach, parent, or player is strictly prohibited. Violators will be subject to suspension by the Board. Game Day Details 1.) Game times will be as follows for each league: A Division: 10 minute quarters, B Division: 8 minute quarters and C Division: 8 minute quarters
Type of Stoppage a.) Official Timeouts (injuries, etc.) b.) Team Timeouts timeout) c.) After PAT d.) Out of Bounds e.) Incomplete Pass f.) Change of Possession Page 4 of 9 Clock Restarts Referee Discretion Referee Discretion (max. of 1 minute allowed for After kickoff is received When ball is replaced on the field When ball is replaced on the field When ball is replaced on the field Final 2 Minutes of Each Half A, B, C from above remain. For D, E, and F, the clock restarts when play begins (e.g. snap of the ball). 2.) If second quarter rules become necessary, each team will be required to submit the league s official game day roster form to the press box and opposing coach. 3.) A team unable to field 11 players may play with less. The opposing team must play with a like number of players. A team may elect to forfeit should they not have an adequate number of players on hand to conduct a competitive game. 4.) During the first game of the day, both the Home and Visiting teams will warm up on the CCYFL game field. The Home team will warm up on the Score Board side of the field and the Visiting team will warm up on the Tennis Court side of the field. Subsequent games the Visiting teams will warm up in the area near the School Library entrance and will be introduced from the Tennis Court side end zone. The Home teams will warm up in the open field adjacent to the scoreboard and will be introduced from the scoreboard side end zone. 5.) Every player shall have a reasonable warm-up period before the game. 6.) In the B and C Divisions each player s minimum game participation will be playing time equal to one quarter in every game, unless a written waiver is on file with the board from the child s parent. Any player that has an unexcused absence could face a one game suspension at the discretion of the Head Coach. The A Division is exempt from the above rule but will make reasonable efforts to meet the above standards as a goal. 7.) In the B and C Divisions there will be a maximum of 1 head coach, 4 assistant coaches, and 2 water helpers per team allowed on the sidelines in any game. In the A Division, there will be a maximum of 1 head coach, 5 assistant coaches, and 2 water helpers per team allowed on the sidelines in any game. No unauthorized parents or unconfirmed assistant coaches are allowed on the sideline/field at any time. 8.) On Field Coaches: A Division: No coaches will be permitted on the field for A League games. B Division: No coaches will be permitted on the field for B League games. C Division: One coach will be allowed on the field during play during the first half of the season. Starting the first game of the second half of the season there will be no coaches allowed on the field during play.
Page 5 of 9 9.) The use of electronic communications devices during games by coaches (cell phones, radios, recording equipment camcorder, cell phone video) or any other electronic signaling method is prohibited. Coaches who are board members or members of the safety committee may possess a league-issued radio for official league business use. 10.) The game ball will be provided by the Referee Staff. Game balls will be picked up at the Concession Stand. The visiting team is responsible for providing 3 volunteers to work the yardage markers. The 3 volunteers must remain NEUTRAL and QUIET during the game. 11.) Overtime: Games resulting in a tie at the end of regulation will carry over into overtime. Each team will be allowed 1 timeout during an overtime period. Overtime will consist of a single series of downs, with each team being given 4 downs to attempt to score from the opponent s 10 yard line (followed by an extra point conversion attempt if the team scores). Should both teams be unsuccessful in their attempts to score in overtime or both team s score an equal number of points in overtime, the game will be recorded as a tie. The A Division will be regulated by NFHS / VHSL Freshman football rules for ties. 12.) On the last game of the day, the CCYFL team is responsible for cleaning their sideline and the bathrooms. The Visiting team (Front Royal) is responsible for cleaning their sideline Officiating 1.) The referees will have the final say on the call of the games, and there will be no appeals after a game concerning the outcome of the game. 2.) Verbal abuse by any player, head coach, assistant coach, or spectator directed towards an official will not be tolerated. The referee and/or board member on duty will warn violators or eject them from the game and field premises. If such action continues; ejection may be turned into suspension upon review by the board. Safety 1.) All players are required to wear a mouthpiece that is attached to their facemask. Mouthpieces may not be clear or white in color. 2.) The use of energy drinks (redbull, monster, etc.) by any player is highly discouraged. 3.) When an official sees that a player is visibly injured, he or she will call time out and direct the coach to have that child sit out at least one play or until fully recovered as determined by Safety personnel. All children on your team should go to one knee while the player is being examined. 4.) A member of the Safety Committee will be attendance at each game, and they will attend to injured players on the field. The Head Coach may enter the field in the event of an injury, but may not interfere with the Safety Committee member while they are tending to the injured player.
Page 6 of 9 5.) In the event of a practice or game related injury requiring medical attention, the coach will prepare a written injury report. The report will be given to the league president within 48 hours for insurance and liability reasons. If the player is examined or treated by a physician as a result of the injury, that player is not eligible to return to additional games/practices until the safety coordinator is provided with a doctor s note clearing that player to participate. 6.) If a player takes a blow to the head, the Head Coach and Safety Committee member on duty will evaluate the player per concussion awareness guidelines distributed by the league. If there is sufficient concern that the player may have been concussed, that player is required to be removed from participation for the remainder of the game or practice. That player is not eligible to return to additional games/practices until the Safety Coordinator is provided with a doctor s note clearing that player to participate. 7.) If at any time, a player s helmet comes off during play, that player must miss a minimum of one down in order for the safety personnel to examine said player and helmet is checked for proper fit. Equipment 1.) League issued equipment, to include uniforms, shall not be altered in any way unless approved by the CCYFL board. Equipment that is found to be damaged or altered must be replaced at full league cost by the parent. Any abuse of equipment by a player or coach (e.g. throwing of helmets) will result in an immediate suspension from the game and possible add l disciplinary action by the league board. 2.) Parents are responsible for turning in equipment to their head coach. Parents will be charged full league cost for any missing equipment. Ball Carrying Weight 1.) Ball carrying weights for 2014 are as follows: A Division N/A B Division 130lbs Offensive side. N/A Defensive side. C Division 90lbs both Offensive side and Defensive side. 2.) Players will be weighed in shorts, socks and t-shirt. 3.) All players over ball carrying weight will have their helmets marked with a colored dot and must play on the line of scrimmage in a 3 or 4 point stance. Dot marked players can be Defensive Ends but not Offensive Ends. A maximum of 5 dot-marked linemen is allowed on offense. Players with a dot cannot advance the football except if on defense and they recover a fumble or have an interception. Offensive dot players cannot advance the ball at any time. B Division defensive positions are not regulated by weight. 4.) Dot players over the ball carrying weight may kick field goals, extra points, punts, or kickoffs. All Dot players will wear 4 dots on helmet.
Slaughter Rule Page 7 of 9 1.) B and C Divisions have a slaughter rule will be in effect after the 3rd quarter kick off. If a team is winning by 21 points the trailing team will get the ball on the leading team s 40 yard line. Placement on the leading team s 40 yard line will continue so long as there is a 21 point or more deficit. A Division has no slaughter rule. Additional Game and Season Rules Adjustments Any rule not listed below will be governed by NFHS / VHSL football rules. 1.) In the C League, punts and placekicks are considered dead ball plays. The offensive and defensive lines are to go to one knee, and no attempt to block the kick is allowed by any defenders. On punts, the kicking team may send up to 2 coverage players down the field to recover and down the football but contact with the kick returner is prohibited. 2.) During punts, placekicks (All Divisions), or if a team is in a shotgun formation ( B & C Divisions), the defending team s lineman cannot lineup directly over the center. 3.) Fumbles or interceptions can be advanced by eligible players on offense only ( B & C Divisions). However, any defensive player regardless of size may advance the ball. If a noneligible player recovers or catches the ball on offense ( B & C Division), the ball will be dead where caught (that player may not lateral the ball to an eligible player). 4.) Extra points after a touchdown for B and C Divisions will be 1 point for running or 2 points for passing or kicking the ball (PAT). A Division will be regulated under NFHS / VHSL football rules for 1 point for a PAT, 2 points for running or passing into the end zone. 5.) B and C Divisions, any defensive player not lined up on the line of scrimmage must lineup 3 yards off of the line of scrimmage. Only non-dot players may line up in a 2 point stance (Offense both B & C Divisions, Defense C Division only). Only the two outermost players on the defensive line of scrimmage (one on each side) are permitted to be in an upright position ( B & C Divisions only / C Division must be non-dot player) all players lined up inside of them on the defensive line of scrimmage must be in a 3 or 4 point stance regardless of weight. Players lined up 3 yards off the line of scrimmage may take any path of pursuit upon the snap of the ball. Page 8 of 9
Example Shaded TRIANGLE is defender in 3 pt. stance. Clear TRIANGLE is defender in 2 pt. stance. Allowed: LOS -------------------------------------> Allowed: Not Allowed: 7.) Illegal hits, shots or techniques used to intentionally cause injury to another player will result in ejection from the game. Ejection may be turned into suspension upon review of the board. 8.) Regular season standings will be determined by the won-loss totals for each team. Ties will be settled in the order of head-to-head record, then record against common opponents. Any additional tiebreakers will be determined by the league board of directors. 9.) All coaches and board members will receive a copy of the National Federation of High School rules. For the A Division no modification in the rules except as applied to the VHS league & CCYFL rule adjustments. B and C Divisions will play by NFHS league rules with 9 minute and 8 minute quarters and CCYFL rule adjustments. Page 9 of 9