McKinney Sports Connection K 2nd Football Rules K through 2nd Grade Updated April McKinney Sports Connection K 2nd Football Rules Updated August 1st, 2017
I. McKinney Sports Connection (MSC) General Operations a. Mission Statement: i. To provide the youth of McKinney and the surrounding areas the opportunity to play football in an environment where teamwork and sportsmanship is the focal point of success. MSC insists on coaches who represent themselves as role models to the community both on and off the field. b. General football rules i. MSC shall follow the State of Texas UIL football rules and procedures which are generally governed by the official NCAA football rulebook. Links to both rulebooks are as follows: https://www.uiltexas.org/football/manual, http://www.uiltexas.org/files/athletics/manuals/16-17the_football_manual.pdf http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/fr17.pdf ii. All officiating crews for MSC scheduled and sanctioned games shall follow the above general governance only with noted MSC exceptions noted later in this document. c. Sportsmanship i. Coaches: All MSC coaches are required to demonstrate positive sportsmanship on and off the field in respect to their players, parents, opposing team players, parents, coaches, and the game officials. Coaches who are unable to demonstrate the proper sportsmanship will be subject to disciplinary action from the MSC Board of Directors. Any coach who is ejected from a game for unsportsmanlike conduct will be required to leave the field of play and will be unable to coach in the next scheduled game. This includes postseason play. The continued demonstration of improper sportsmanship may result in suspension or permanent removal from MSC. All Coaches must be registered before season begins. ii. Participants: Sportsmanship is a priority in the development of MSC athletes. All participants must demonstrate positive sportsmanship at all times. Those who cannot will be dismissed from the game. Any player/participant receiving two (2) unsportsmanlike conduct or personal foul penalties during a game shall be automatically ejected from the game. Any player/participant ejected from any game shall automatically be suspended from the next scheduled game including playoff games. The continued demonstration of improper sportsmanship will result in a disciplinary hearing by the MSC Board of Directors resulting in a minimum 2 game suspension and potential permanent ejection from MSC. iii. Spectators: All spectators will be expected to demonstrate positive sportsmanship while observing MSC sanctioned activities. MSC sanctioned activities include games, practices, and team gatherings. Spectators who cannot maintain generally acceptable behavior will be required to leave the game site (as determined by the head official during that game) and will be suspended for the next scheduled game including the playoffs. If a spectator incident results in the summoning of the local authorities, the spectator responsible for the actions shall be suspended for the next two scheduled games including the playoffs. If a spectator has the authorities called on them more than once during a season, the spectator and the player will be permanently removed from the MSC. The continued demonstration of improper sportsmanship by a spectator may constitute suspension from any number of games. II. MSC Structure and League Rules a. MSC Board of Directors (Board)
i. The MSC Board is the governing body for the MSC football program. The Council will consist of representatives from each division of play, the Administrative Director as well as the League Director. The Administrative Director and the League Director, jointly, have the authority to make decisions independent of the MSC Board for the good of the league. The MSC Advisory Board reserves the right to modify, change, or create any rule that is in the best interest of the MSC Football programs and/or its participants. All coaches will be provided Board member contact information for their respective division. Coaches are expected to contact their division director with any questions, comments or clarifications needed prior to contacting the league or administrative director of MSC. All members of the MSC Board are volunteers providing their time and experience to facilitate structure to football activities and season. b. MSC Board Members i. League Director John Wesloski ii. League Administrator Michelle Pittman iii. 7 on 7 Commissioner David McWhirter c. League Division Structure i. MSC intends to create a balanced schedule for all teams to enjoy varied levels of competition. The schedule when released is final with no changes considered. ii. Grade and age limitations. Each individual player shall go by grade first then age. d. Player Eligibility i. A player will be allowed to play in the current grade he is registered in for that school year. A player may request to participate in a higher grade/age group but may not play in a lower grade/age group. In order for a child to be considered registered, he or she must have a completed registration form. i. Grade and age limitations. Each individual player shall go by grade first then age. 1. Kindergarten Player must be registered in their respective school in kindergarten and prior to August 1, 2017 have not reached the age of 7 2. Division 1 Player must be registered in their respective school in the 1 st grade and prior to August 1, 2017 have not reached the age of 8 3. Division 2 Player must be registered in their respective school in the 2 nd grade and prior to August 1, 2017 have not reached the age of 9 4. Division 3 Player must be registered in their respective school in the 3 rd grade and prior to August 1, 2017 have not reached the age of 10 5. Division 4 Player must be registered in their respective school in the 4th grade and prior to August 1, 2017 have not reached the age of 11 6. Division 5 Player must be registered in their respective school in the 5th grade and prior to August 1, 2017 have not reached the age of 12 7. Division 6 Player must be registered in their respective school in the 6th grade and prior to ii. iii. August 1, 2017 have not reached the age of 13 All coaches must inform their families that, upon request, MSC may need to view a copy of all of their players birth certificates to validate ages if there are any questions regarding a players age and/or eligibility. The family or families for such a request will have 5 calendar days to comply. If the coach, player, or parent will not supply a birth certificate upon request, that player will be immediately and permanently dismissed from McKinney Sports Connection. No refunds will be considered. Additionally, a player may only participate with their team if all league dues (registration fee) are paid in full. Any player who has not paid their registration fee by the deadlines set by MSC, will be ineligible to participate in any activity with their respective team. Communication to the head coach will be sent via email. If a
player does participate without paying their dues, the player will be suspended for the first two (2) games of the season and be charged a late fee. e. Coaches Eligibility i. The Football Commissioner will approve all coaching applicants and a background investigation process will be utilized. The selection of all Coaches (including all assistant coaches) will be at the discretion of the Football Commissioner. If approved by the commissioner, returning coaches will be able to move up each year with their previous year s team. An individual may be denied coaching privileges for past violation of MSC code of ethics, coaches contract, conduct code, or improper on-thefield or off-the-field conduct. No coach or assistant coach may participate in any team meetings, workouts, or games until he or she is registered and officially assigned to a team and has signed an MSC football coach contract. ii. Only coaches who have not had their coaching privileges revoked in any MSC sport and are in good standing with the league will be considered for coaching opportunities. All Head Coaches must be at least 21 years of age. iii. All coaches must be officially registered through MSC utilizing the registration process via the MSC website (www.mckinneysportsconnection.org ) iv. All coaches must submit and pay for a general background check prior to engaging with any player or team activity. This is part of the registration process v. Coaches conduct 1. All coaches associated with MSC are expected to conduct themselves with integrity, sportsmanship and as an exemplary member of the community both on and off the field of play. 2. Coaches must not engage in public displays of aggressive or heated arguments with other coaches. 3. Coaches must not engage in public displays of aggressive or heated exchanges with game or league officials. 4. Coaches must not engage in behavior to disrupt league organization and/or harmony as this leads to general discord of the league as a whole. 5. Any coach associated with MSC who displays a pattern of behavior which is disruptive or disparaging towards the league, directors, teams or the board will be suspended for four (4) games for the first incident and dismissed from the league on the second incident 6. Use of social media. Coaches are encouraged to utilize social media to provide a platform of positivity for their teams and the league. Social media must be used responsibly and not to be disruptive or disparaging towards the league, directors, other teams, families, players or the board. MSC prohibits the use of social media by the coaches, players, families or associates to disparage, insult, intimidate or disrupt the general spirit of competition and/or organization of the league. All social media whether considered private or public in nature is subject to review. If a person is caught violating the MSC social media policy, the head coach of the associated team shall be suspended for two (2) games for the first offense (including playoffs) and four (4) games for the second and subsequent offense(s) (including playoffs). III. Season and game-day regulations / logistics a. MSC OFFICE NUMBER: 972.832.9256 b. MSC Football Commissioner: 972.832.2500
c. MSC Communications i. In addition, the MSC communicates through e-mail. This helps keep everyone informed and updated about the program. MSC staff can also be reached via the web site at www.mckinneysportsconnection.org, office@mckinneysportsconnection.org, michelle@mckinneysportsconnection.org, or football@mckinneysportsconnection.org. d. Liability i. The McKinney Sports Connection shall not be held liable for any Coach, Player or Cheerleader injury incurred during practice or game play. It is the responsibility of the individual Team, Coach, Player and Cheerleader to observe all safety precautions during football activities ii. Any and all medical related expenses due to any injury incurred by the Coach, Player or Cheerleader will be the sole responsibility of that participant and their family. The McKinney Sports Connection will not be responsible for any personal expenses related to injury, lost wages or any other monetary loss. iii. Any injury incurred must be reported to the McKinney Sports Connection via the Head Coach of the team or cheer squad within 24 hours by utilizing the contact information contained herein. iv. In choosing to join a team associated with the McKinney Sports Connection, the individual Coach, Player and Cheerleader is completely indemnifying the McKinney Sports Connection, all board members, league directors, grade directors and administrators of any responsibility due to injury. e. Inclement weather i. Coaches should first check their email and/or the MSC website for a notice of cancellation before calling the MSC number if there is a question of cancellation due to dangerous weather or unplayable field conditions Inclement weather decisions are usually made after 4:00 pm on weekdays and 7:00 am on weekends. ii. On game day, or during a game, the lead official will determine if conditions are unsafe and inform both head coaches of the decision to delay or cancel the game. If a game is canceled, MSC will make every attempt to reschedule. f. Team uniforms i. Jerseys are ordered as part of the registration fee. Teams do have the option to wear optional jerseys purchased by their team, but cannot be mesh jerseys like those worn in tackle season. g. Player equipment i. All players must acquire their own equipment. ii. Athletic shoes: Those designed for grass play are recommended (NO METAL CLEATS ARE ALLOWED). iii. Mouthpieces are mandatory for each player. No clear or red mouthpieces are allowed for safety reasons. iv. Football Size for Kindergarten through 2 nd Grade: K2 or equal (Pee Wee) or larger v. The league will supply the flags and they are the only authorized flags. Flags cut or changed in any way will result in forfeit. vi. All players must wear solid black or dark blue shorts/pants without pockets. Any player in a different color will not be eligible to play. h. Practices i. Only registered players can participate in a practice (a player must be on an official roster on MSC website).
ii. All players must attend scheduled team practices. Coaches may limit playing time of players who do not attend practices. On game day, if necessary, coaches must inform game officials and opposing coaches of any player restriction prior to the coin toss. In addition, this should be communicated to the player s parents. IV. Game Day Rules: (UIL rules will govern play, with the following league modifications) a. Field Dimensions: 40 yards by 80 yards i. Fields will be marked off in 10 yard increments either by cones or painted lines. b. Players/Game Schedules i. Teams must attempt to field a minimum of (7) players if they have more than seven on their official roster. Teams may start 6 players due to conflicts or injury. All players must play at least ½ the game. All players must play either all of the defensive plays for their team or all of the offensive plays for their team. Players could also play all the offensive plays in the first half and all defensive plays in the second half. Injuries are the only exception for not playing at least half the game. c. Coin Toss/Captains Meeting i. Winner of the coin toss will receive the ball the 1 st half and will be on defense starting the 2 nd half. The loser of the coin toss will determine direction. Teams will change direction at half. d. Timing/Overtime i. Games are played to 40 minutes; (2) twenty minute halves with a 5-minute half time. (No overtime games will be played in regular season) ii. Play off overtime (Teams will each have 3 possessions at the 15-yard line to score, see U.I.L. rules) iii. Each time the ball is spotted a team has 30 seconds to snap the ball. Teams will receive one warning before a delay of game penalty is enforced. iv. Each team has (3) thirty-second time outs per game. v. Officials can stop the clock at their own discretion. e. Start of Game/Game Play i. The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 10-yard line and has (3) downs to get a first down. Teams may have multiple first downs to get to mid field and beyond. If the offense fails to get a first down on their first 3 possessions, then the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over on its 10-yard line. ii. If an offensive team gets to the 10-yard line, 1 st and goal, then they will receive 4 downs to score. iii. There is a pass only rule from 5 yards at mid field and from 5 yards from goal. iv. Possession changes occur on a 3 and out on the first set of downs, or any 3 and out during offensive possession. If a 3 rd down takes place in the pass only zone, then team must pass. Interceptions are live and will be spotted where flag is pulled or at the spot which a player s flag falls off if applicable. f. Scoring i. Touchdown: 6 points ii. Extra Point: 2 point from 5-yard line pass only or 1 points from 10-yard line run/pass
iii. iv. Safety: 2 points (Defensive team receives ball at own 15-yard line) An interception returned on a PAT is good for the 1 or 2 points determined after offensive touchdown. g. Running i. Kindergarten only: Every player must run the ball at least once before they may run a second time. An attempted pass reception is considered a carry. ii. All plays must start with a center snap (The snap does not have to be between the legs but is strongly encouraged). The quarterback cannot run the ball. Hand-offs behind the line of scrimmage are permitted. Offense may use multiple hand-offs. v. One (1) lateral or pitch will be permitted per play. iii. iv. vi. The player who takes a hand-off can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage. vii. Once the ball has been handed off, all defensive players are eligible to rush. viii. Once the ball is handed off, offensive players must stop running to avoid any kind of blocking. ix. An offensive player must avoid making contact to a defensive player during route running or double cuts. x. Spinning is allowed, but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive player (no diving). Flag guarding will be called. xi. The ball is spotted where the ball carrier s feet are when the flag is pulled, not where the ball is. h. Receiving i. All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage). ii. Only one player is allowed in motion at a time. iii. Player must have at least one foot inbound when making a catch. I. PASSING i. All passes must be forward. (Shovel or Lateral) ii. Intentional ground will NOT be called at any point in the game. j. BLOCKING i. Blocking is not allowed down field. A penalty of 10 yards will be assessed. ii. Offensive teams may have blockers in the back field who may only move side to side with hands behind their back to protect the quarter back from a blitz. The blocker cannot for any circumstance move forward and engage contact. A blocking penalty will be enforced. k. DEAD BALLS: Play is ruled dead when: i. If the exchange from center to the quarterback fails (ball touches the ground and/or dropped) ii. Ball carrier s flag is pulled. iii. Ball carrier steps out of bounds iv. Touchdown or safety is scored v. Ball carrier s knee hits the ground vi. Ball carrier s flag falls out NOTE: There are no fumbles. The ball is spotted where the ball hits the ground.
vii. Ball is spotted where the feet are and not the ball. If an athletes flag is pulled with feet at the 1yard line, but ball is crossing the plain, then it is not a touch down. viii. Athletes can not dive or leave their feet with possession of the ball. Defensive players may dive to retrieve flag, but cannot tackle the offensive player. l. RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK i. All players who rush the passer must be a minimum of 7 yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. ii. Any number of players can rush the quarterback. iii. Players not rushing the quarterback may defend on the line of scrimmage. iv. Once the ball is handed off, the 7-yard rule is no longer in effect and all defenders may cross the line of scrimmage. v. A special marker, or the referee, will designate 7 yards from the line of scrimmage. (The player does not have to stand on this marker, but must not pass the yardage where the marker is placed). m. SPORTSMANSHIP/ROUGHING i. If the field monitor or referee witnesses any acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking, or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player will be ejected from the game. FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! ii. Trash talking is illegal. Officials have the right to determine offensive language. (Trash talk is talk that may be offensive to officials, opposing players, teams, or spectators). If trash talking occurs, the referee will give one warning. If it continues, the player will be ejected from the game. iii. UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AT ANY TIME! Two official options: REMOVAL: The referee has the right to remove a coach or player from the game for minor infractions (REFEREE S DISCRETION), but the coach or player does not have to leave the facility/park. There is no team penalty, and the coach or player is not suspended for a game. However, if the coach or player does not comply with the referee s decision, the action IS SUBJECT TO EJECTION AND SUSPENSION (see next option). EJECTION: Any player, coach, team manager or fan who displays any unsportsmanlike conduct, such as profane language or abusive language while playing, sitting in the stands, or coaching will be dealt with in the following manner: a) Any player, coach, team manager or fan ejected from a regular or post season scheduled game due to verbal abuse toward any assigned game official, player, or fan will draw a minimum of one (1) game suspension. PLAYER, COACH, OR FAN MUST LEAVE THE PARK! A second ejection from a regularly scheduled league game will result in a minimum one (1) year suspension. b) Any player, coach, team manager or fan ejected from a regular or post season scheduled game for fighting or threatening violence with any assigned game official, player, or fan will draw a minimum one (1) year suspension.
n. COACHING i. Kindergarten only: 2 coaches are allowed on the field ii. 1 st and 2 nd : only 1 coach on offense and 1 on defense o. PENALTIES: The referee will call all penalties. i. Defense: Offsides 5 yards. Interference/illegal flag pull 10 yards and automatic 1 st down. Illegal contact (holding, blocking etc.) 10 yards. Illegal rushing (starting rush from inside 7-yard marker) 10 yards Mouthpiece 5 yards. ii. Offense: Illegal motion (more than 1 person moving, false start, etc.) 5 yards Offensive pass interference (illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender) 10 yds. Flag guarding- 10 yards (from infraction) and loss of down Delay of game clock stops, 10 yards, and loss of down Mouthpiece 5 yards iii. Referees determine incidental contact, which may result from normal run of play. iv. Only the team coach may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations. Players/coaches cannot question judgment calls. v. Games cannot end of a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines the penalty. V. END OF SEASON TOURNAMENT i. Tournament games may NOT end in a tie. Tie breaking rules are as follows: Tie Breaker a. After coin flip to determine first possession, teams will alternate 3 down series from the 20-yard line to get to the 10 yard line. A first down is possible and from there they will have 4 downs to score. b. A winner is determined when one team scores during its possession and the other does not. (Federation rules). c. If a second overtime period is necessary, each team must then go for two points on the conversion attempts.