WPAC 6 YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF PARTICIPATION

WPAC 6 YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF PARTICIPATION Page # Topic 1 Index 2 Rules and Regulations of Participation adoption and revision dates 2 Article I - - Name 2 Article II - - Purpose and Mission 2 Article III - - WPAC-6 Supervision 2-3 Article IV - - League Officers and Rules Interpretation Responsibilities 3 Article V - - League Organization 3-5 Article VI - - Individual Team Requirements 5-7 Article VII - - Weigh-in Requirements 8-10 Article VIII - - League Games 10-12 Article IX - - Additional Guidelines for Developmental Game Play 12-13 Article X - - Grievances/Protests 13 Article XI - - Rules and Regulations of Participation Revisions 13 Article XII - - Disqualified Coach or Player 13 13 14 Article XIII - - Special Circumstances Article XIV - - Enforcement of Rules and Regulations of Participation 14 Article XV - - 9 Player Games 15 Coaches sign-off 1

WPAC 6 YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF PARTICIPATION Last revised: July 2015 The following rules and regulations were adopted on June 4, 1978, at Latrobe and revised on June 19, 1988 at Latrobe. Revisions have occurred in 1989, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016. Article I - - Name The name of this organization shall be WPAC-6, denoting the Western Pennsylvania Athletic Conference. Article II - - Purpose and Mission The primary purpose of this league and its Board is to promote and encourage a safe and positive learning environment for the youth members which it serves. Special emphasis shall be placed on sound sportsmanship, character building and positive experiences as they relate to all aspects of the game of football. Article III - - League Supervision The league is under the direct supervision of the League Board. The Board will consist of representatives from each organization with one vote per organization on all motions before the Board. The Board, at a minimum, will meet annually in the month of May. Any member of the Board may call a meeting at any time. A week s notice is recommended. The Board will consist of two (2) sub-committees, nominated and elected by the Board: 1. Officers President, Vice President, and Secretary 2. Rules Interpretation 1 member from the League Board, with 2 members not affiliated with any organization in the PAC-6 The Board will operate meetings as well as league business under the auspices of Roberts Rules of Order. Article IV - - League Officers and Rules Interpretation Responsibilities Should their be a concern for a violation of the WPAC-6 Rules and Regulation of Participation, any member of the League Board may request the matter be reviewed by the Officers and Rules Interpretation Committees. At the discretion of the members of the 2

two (2) sub-committees, League organization members, along with their designated organizations member of the Board, may be requested to attend a fact-finding meeting. Once all necessary information is obtained, a recommendation(s) will be prepared and brought before the League Board for a vote. Article V - - League Organization 1. The league will operate as (1) one league consisting of not more than (12) twelve organizations. 2. A new organization may be accepted into this league with the majority vote of board members. 3. Each organization will field (3) three teams. One (1) team of (6) six, (7) seven and (8) year olds. Child MUST turn 6 on or before May 1st of the current year. One (1) team of (9) nine and (10) year olds, and One (1) team of (11) eleven and (12) twelve year olds. 4. Organizations may petition the league to field two (2) teams in each age group. 5. Each organization will be assessed annually for operating expenses if deemed necessary by the board. 6. The Boards Secretary will maintain operating money. A record of all expenses will be maintained. 7. Each organization will be required to share equally all other expenses including trophy costs. Article VI - - Individual Team Requirements 1. Player s ages are determined by their age on May 1 st of the current year. 1. Developmental Team: Six (6), seven (7), and eight (8) year old development team: Child MUST turn 6 on or before May 1st of the current year. A developmental team player may play in the (9) nine and (10) year old game if necessary. 2. Junior Varsity Team: Nine (9) and ten (10) year old junior varsity team: 3

A nine (9) or ten (10) year-old may play in the eleven (11) and twelve (12) year-old game if necessary. 3. Varsity Team: Eleven (11) and twelve (12) year-old varsity teams: 2. First full contact practice for each team will be determined annually. 3. Any player for this league may not be a member of any other organized football team. When a player joins a team in the league he/she must finish his/her youth football career with the same team while playing in the WPAC-6. 4. In a situation where an existing organizations player requests to move to another organization within the WPAC-6, the organization the player wishes to join must receive a written release from the organization the player played for the previous season. The player s new organization is to maintain this release for the duration of the time the player remains on one of their organizations rosters. 5. Organizations receiving a new player via a written release from another WPAC-6 organization are responsible for ensuring that the new player resides within their defined boundaries if the new organization has defined their boundaries. In the event the player s movement violates the new organizations boundaries. The new organization must petition the League Board with a copy of the written release from player s previous organization. 6. The following are existing boundaries for the teams in the WPAC-6: Greensburg - - Greensburg-Salem School District. Hempfield - - Hempfield Area School District. Jeanette - - Jeanette School District Latrobe - - Greater Latrobe School District Pitcairn - -The area from east to west of Sandy Hill Road/ PA turnpike to tri-boro expressway, and north to south business route 22 east to route 30 South Greensburg - - Greensburg-Salem and Hempfield Area School District Unity Township- - Greater Latrobe School District 7. The basic jersey colors are as follows: Greensburg - - Brown Hempfield - - Blue and White Jeanette - - Red and Blue Latrobe - - Orange and Black Pitcairn - - Maroon South Greensburg - - White, Blue and Black Unity Township - - Blue and Silver 4

8. Play time - - All players must play a minimum of four (4) plays per game including special teams. More playing time is strongly recommended. 9. Each team in the league will be responsible to see that their players do not use a crossbody block in the open field. 10. Individual teams may determine how many players they accept on their team for any given age group provided all players are within their boundaries, or have received the appropriate approvals to receive players from outside their boundaries. 11. Teams who have defined their boundaries, and have less than sixteen (16) players for any age group may petition the league board on or after the third (3 rd ) Sunday in June, up to the day prior to the leagues official weigh in date, for the upcoming season to retain players from outside their defined boundaries to obtain a roster of (16) players. Article VII - - Weigh-In Requirements Weigh-ins will be held annually before the regular season begins, and will be under the direct control of the board. a. Developmental Teams maximum weight is 115 pounds, b. Junior Varsity maximum weight is 135 pounds, c. Varsity maximum weight is 155 pounds The format of the weigh-ins will be as follows, with special arrangements made in the event a girl joins the league: 1. The league will hire a Physician, LPN or EMT, not from the area where the weigh-ins are being conducted, to conduct the weigh-ins and collect birth certificates. There will be 3 (three) League Representatives at weigh ins and verify each players weight and Birth Certificate. With the exception of these individual s the team that is being weighed-in must have only one coach present in the facility for supervision. The league and its member organizations will bear the cost of this weigh-in procedure. No other coaches, team board members or parents are permitted in the locker room. 2. Individual team rosters will be prepared and presented by each team prior to weigh-ins with players listed in numerical order by jersey number. Information contained on the rosters will include player name, number, date of birth, and school they attend. Enough roster copies will be brought to the weigh-ins for distribution to each organization of the league. (Minimum of (1) copy for each opponent team). 5

a. Players must wear their game jerseys to weigh-ins. b. Birth Certificate or Baptismal Certificate will present proof of age for each player at weigh-ins with the team s roster. c. No player will be accepted by any team after weigh-ins. Rosters with jersey numbers are final at the conclusion of weigh-ins and cannot be changed without league board approval. 3. No player may exceed the maximum of 115 pounds for ages six (6), seven (7), or eight (8) year old teams, 135 pounds for ages nine (9) and ten (10) year old teams, and 155 pounds for eleven (11) and twelve (12) year old teams at any point during the season and continue to play in league games. 4. Players exceeding their designated age weight limit, up to a maximum of ten (10) pounds, during either the opening weekend or the mid season weigh in, may continue to practice with their team. These players may not participate in any league game until they are at or below the designated age weight limit. These players may either move up one age level, or weigh in on a weekly basis the day of the game. Should they meet the weight requirement on a designated game day they are permitted to play that week. 5. Any player weighing in greater than eleven (11) pounds over their designated weight limit for his/her age groups weight limit, during the opening weekend must move up to the next age group that their weight is appropriate for. Varsity players who weigh in greater than eleven (11) pounds over their designated weight limit are not permitted to participate in any practice or league approved game. 6. Any player who weights-in at mid-season and is found to be greater than eleven (11) pounds over their designated age groups weight limit is prohibited from participate in any practice or league approved game for the remainder of the season. 7. Developmental and Junior Varsity players found over the weight limit for their age group are permitted to play up to the next level provided they do not exceed the next age groups weight limit. 8. Players that move up to Junior Varsity or Varsity age group, due to being over their original teams weight limit, must be removed from their original age group roster and must finish the season on their new roster. A. Players that move up to play J.V or Varsity, FOR NUMBER REASONS, are not permitted to be starters, if necessary. B. These players are not permitted to participate in more plays them starters. 9. Early weigh-in may be arranged if players will not be available for the opening weekend of the season. Player s not present for their teams assigned weigh-in time, will be ineligible to play until weighing in prior to their teams scheduled game. Player s weighing-in prior to the League approved weigh-in date (the day 6

prior to the start of the season) will be provided one (1) opportunity to make weight. 10. In addition to a player s team scheduled weigh-in, players will be afforded up to three (3) additional opportunities the day of the Leagues Official weigh-in to make their assigned weigh limit. Players are provided an early weigh-in, an open weigh-in typically during the middle of the day s schedule, and at the conclusion of the day s schedule. 11. All players will have their weight reported on their team s roster as registered at the conclusion of weigh-ins 12. A second weigh-in will be conducted fifth (5 th ) week of the season. Each home team this week of the second weigh-in must have a scale, a certified 5-pound weight available, and provide a secure private area for the players to weigh-in should he/she desire to strip down to less than their girdle and game pants. Note that any scale can be used if it properly records the 5-pound weight. In the case of a girl joining the league, special arrangements will be made for all required weigh-ins. 13. Players may not be weighted at this second weigh-in without representation from both teams being present. This would the League Representative from both teams playing that day and may include a member of his/her coaching staff. 14. Players reporting to this game late, will not be permitted to play until after being weighed at an agreed upon time by both organizations. This weigh-in should be completed as soon as possible, but no later than the end of half time of that particular player s game. 15. All over the limit players must be reported to the League Board. 16. No player will be permitted to play until his/her weight is officially recorded by both team representatives 17. Official weigh-in will be to the pound ONLY. Article VIII - - League Games 1. The playing time of each age group will be as follows: a. Developmental teams will play two (2) twenty-five (25) minute halves using a running clock with a reasonable half time. The clock may be stopped only for timeouts, injuries, and the two (2) minute warning. Each team is allowed three (3) time outs per half. All six (6) time outs may not be used in one half of the game. PAC 6 RULES CONTINUED 7

b. In the final four minutes, of either half, for Developmental games, the clock shall be stopped when the ball goes out of bounds or when there has been a penalty called by the officials, unless in the official's judgment a rules infraction is an intentional act to provide an unfair advantage by way of clock stoppage. When the clock has been stopped by one of the aforementioned conditions, the clock will not start until the football is next snapped. c. Junior Varsity teams consisting of nine (9) and ten (10) year olds will play four (4) nine (9) minute quarters with a reasonable half time. d. Varsity teams consisting of eleven (11) and twelve (12) year olds will play (4) four (10) ten-minute quarters with a reasonable half time. 2. The first regular season games will start the Saturday/Sunday of, but no later than the Saturday/Sunday after Labor Day and the last regular season game must be completed on or before the first Sunday in November. 3. At the first game of the day the visiting coach is to take rosters for all age groups and hand deliver them to the home team for announcements. 4. All games are to be played as noted on the league schedule. League games will follow this format, or as designated on the league schedule by the home team: 12:00 noon start - - Developmental Game 1:30 PM start - - Junior Varsity Game 3:00 PM - - Varsity Game 5. Starting times may be changed with a reasonable notice given to the visiting team. It is the home teams responsibility to reschedule any cancellations to be replayed within ten (10) days of the original play date. If the home team properly reschedules the game and the visiting team does not show, it is a forfeit to the home team. If the home team does not properly reschedule the game, it is a forfeit to the visiting team. 6. Home team organization will email results of games and player(s) weight issues ASAP, but no later than Tuesday after the completion of the games to the league secretary. 7. All league games will be operated under P.I.A.A. rules with three (3) certified P.I.A.A. officials obtained for each league game. 8. A new ball is to be supplied by the home team for each game. Game balls are to be leather Wilson Footballs: K2 or TDJ for Developmental, TDJ for Junior 8

Varsity and TDY for Varsity. Visiting teams may use their own regulation game ball for their offensive plays. 9. No decals are permitted on helmets such as stars, etc. Team or sponsor logo is acceptable. 10. Anyone on the sidelines must be identifiable as a member of the organizations staff. 11. Spearing by any player should be cause for their removal from the game. 12. Any players swearing are to be benched by their coach after being notified of the players actions by the officials assigned to work that game. Coaches using profanities may be removed from the sideline by the officials assigned to work that game. Failure of the coach to comply will result in a forfeit. 13. The shoe to be used must be a rubber cleat or tennis shoe. Metal or replaceable cleats are not permitted. 14. Mouthpieces must be a readily visible color other than white or clear and must be affixed to all players helmets. 15. Mercy Rule: If a team is up by eighteen (18) or more points at any time in the second half, an official time out is to be called. Both teams Head Coaches and League Representatives are to meet in the middle of the field and the coach of the team losing may chose up to two (2) players to be taken out of the game. Should the lead drop below the eighteen (18) point lead, the leading team may substitute the players removed from the game back into the game. Any team refusing to remove the chosen player(s) from the game will forfeit the game. 16. If a regular season game ends in a tie, PIAA Overtime Rules will be used to determine the winning team. League Championship will be determined annually. 17. Tie breakers, to be used in scheduling Trophy position Bowl Games Only if teams have tie records at the end of the regular season: a. In the event of a tie, the first tiebreaker will be head to head play. Should this game have ended in a tie, b. The second tiebreaker will be head to head records against like opponents, 9

c. Should there still be a tie that affects a Trophy Bowl Game, the teams that are tied will meet on Tuesday after the conclusion of the season, preferably at a neutral site, and use the following format. Should there be more than a two-way tie, all affected teams will play in a round robin format playoff to determine what Bowl Game each team will play in. d. There will be a coin toss to establish who has possession first. Each team will start at the opponent s 25-yard line. First downs and 2-point conversions will be used. After each team has their possession, if one team is ahead they will be declared the winner. In the event the score remains tied, the team that started on offense will be on defense and the 25-yard line will again be the starting yard line. e. If, after each team has completed their second possession the game remains tied, teams will switch possession and start from the 10-yard line for their third attempt to score. f. Should the score remain tied after each team has had their attempt from the 10-yard line, possession will be placed on the 3-yard line and continue until one team is declared the winner after both teams have had the same number of possessions. g. Four-play requirement is waived in the event of tiebreaker play as outlined in letters c through f above. h. None Trophy Bowl Game teams, who remain tied after the first two tiebreakers, will be resolved by a flip of the coin. i. Bowl games will be held at the end of the season to determine league championships. Bowl games will be held on a rotating basis according to availability of facilities. 18. All visiting teams are to supply the home team with a list to include all football and cheerleading participants and coaches prior to the beginning of the first game of the day. 19. Coaches must read all rules and regulations of participation and sign-off on the attached sheet that they have read, understand, and agree to abide by the rules and regulations of participation. All signed statements must be turned in to the League Secretary no later than the conclusion of the League s Official weigh-ins prior to the beginning of the season. 20. All members of a stick crew are to behave in a professional manner including parents of the visiting team working the sticks. 10

Article IX - - Additional Guidelines For Developmental Game Play The goal of the developmental level is to teach our younger players the basics of contact football while still teaching them teamwork and good sportsmanship. For this reason we ask that all coaches set the right example with their actions on and off the field. 1. Each Head Coach must meet with officiating crew before each game to review these guidelines to ensure game consistency on a weekly basis. 2. Game will start with normal game coin toss. 3. Offense starts at their own 40-yard line at start of first and second half, and after opposing team scores. 4. Before each play, the offensive team must get in an offensive huddle before running a play. In the event a penalty is called prior to the start of the play, the play must be run from the line of scrimmage without the offensive team huddling, but only after ensuring that the defensive team is set. 5. Only the officiating crew calls penalties. 6. When a penalty is called, the offensive team will replay the down with no loss of yards, with the exception of delay of game (see bullet point 11 below) 7. The opposing team may decline the repeat of down and accept the original play if they wish. 8. All personal foul, delay of game, and pre-snap penalties are to be assessed as required by PIAA rule. A team being penalized for a pre-snap penalty will be required to run the play from the line of scrimmage. Should the coaching staff opt to huddle after a pre-snap penalty, they will be required to use a time-out, if available. If all time-outs are used, and they still opt to huddle, the clock will be stopped and the team will be assessed a 5-yard delay of game penalty. 9. Should the offensive team be called for three (3) consecutive penalties, regardless of the player being called for the infraction, the team will be assessed a loss of down. Three (3) consecutive penalties against the defense will result in an automatic first down for the offense at the existing line of scrimmage. 11

10. There will be a 45-second play clock that will be monitored and maintained by the officiating crew. Should it occur on (3) three consecutive plays, the infraction will result in the additional penalty of a loss of down as outlined in #9 above. 11. Each team will have (3) three timeouts per half. (6) six timeouts may not be used during (1) one half. 12. Each team may have two (2) coaches on the field with the players (more than two (2) must be approved by opposing team). 13. Coaches must be at least ten (10) yards behind their own line of scrimmage and cannot have any contact with a player during a play. If a coach interferes with a play, by getting in the way or by physically aiding a player, the officiating crew may ask that the coach leave the field and assess their team with their remaining timeout(s) if it still has timeouts available. 14. Kick-offs and kick-returns are permissible during the game but require the agreement of both coaches, and notification of the officiating crew, prior to the start of the game. 15. If the offensive team decides to punt the ball, the officiating crew will mark off 25 yards from the original line of scrimmage where the punt teams opponents will take possession of the ball. Article X - - Grievances/Protests Grievances or protests must be filed, and resolved, at the game field and are to be filed with the opponents League Representative. If he/she is not available, grievances are to be filed with your opponents Head Coach or designated member of your opponent s organization in presence of the Officials if necessary. Grievances or protests that cannot be resolved at the game field may be brought to the League Board for resolution. Grievances or protests that are not addressed at the game field may not be addressed before the League Board. In the event a grievance or protest is directly related to a member of the coaching staff, regardless of the place of resolution, the Head Coach for the team the grievance or protest was lodged against, is required to appear before the League Board to explain their personal actions or the actions of their coaching staff. In the event the grievance or protest is specific towards a member of the coaching staff, that member will be provided the opportunity to speak on their own behalf. 12

Should the League Board be required to hear a grievance, both affected teams will state their point after the specific individual involved has stated their point. Involved teams are required to abstain from the League Board vote. The League Board decision will be final and may consist of, game forfeiture, individual player/coach suspension or any action deemed necessary due to the violation/situation involved for an unspecified period of time. All League Board decisions will be based on a majority vote for those present provided member organizations have been given advanced notice. In the event of a tie vote, the Officers Committee consisting of the President, Vice President, and Secretary will make the final decision. Article XI - - Rules and Regulations of Participation Revisions These rules and regulations of participation may be amended, repealed, or altered in whole or in part by a (2/3) two-thirds favorable vote at any duly organized meeting of the League Board provided notice of the proposed change is included in the notice of such meeting. Rules prepared and maintained by Greensburg Recreation Department. Article XII - - Disqualified Coach or Player Should any coach or player be disqualified (ejected) from a game, that individual will be required to sit out the next scheduled game. Article XIII - - Special Circumstances Any special circumstance may be petitioned to the League Board for consideration and possible exception to existing rules and regulations of participation. Exceptions may be limited to the specific season the circumstance affects, or be considered for a permanent change to the rules and regulations of participation. Article XIV Enforcement of Rules and Regulations of Participation In order to ensure all teams are properly represented and knowledgeable of all changes and actions approved by the League Board, as defined in Article III - - League Supervision, all teams are responsible for ensuring representation at every meeting conducted. Should an organization fail to have a representative present at any meeting they are duly notified is being held, the organization faces the following progressive penalties: 13

First offense - $50.00 fine Second offense - $100.00 fine Third offense Removal from the WPAC-6 Article XIV will be enforced on an annual basis and all fines must be paid by the first meeting of the preceding season. Teams that refuse to paid a fine will be removed from the WPAC6. Any monies obtained through organizations being fined will offset the non-fined organizations annual shared cost for Doc Lenard Bowl Game trophies. Article XV - 9 Player Games Should a team in the WPAC 6 have ten (10) or eleven (11) players available for a scheduled game, the organization with the low number of players must notify the opposing organization as early in the week as possible. If not know until the day of the game additional players are to be added to their roster from their organizations team one age level below the level of the game that will be affected. If no additional players are available, and the team adversely affected by the roster number has a minimum of ten (10) players, the game is to be played utilizing 9 players per team. Should a game be played under 9 man rules, the team with larger numbers should play all of their players as many plays as possible, but if unable to meet the minimum play rule as outlined under Article VI section 8 located on page 5 it is agreed, provided every effort was made to get these players their minimum number of plays, a grievance will not be considered by the League. In the event a team is unable to field a minimum of 10 players, the game will be deemed a forfeit. If this is known early in the week the team affected is responsible for notifying the opposing team and the WPAC 6 League Board as early as possible during the week. 14

WPAC 6 Youth Football League Coach Sign Off Form I, as a coach for the following organization have read the WPAC 6 Youth Football Rules and agree to abide by these rules in all WPAC 6 Youth Football games and activities. I also understand that if I should not follow, or break, one of these rules I am subject to suspension from the league either by my home organization and/or the WPAC 6 Youth Football League. COACH NAME (print) AGE GROUP COACHED COACH SIGNATURE ORGANIZATION OFFICIAL ORGANIZATION OFFICIAL DATE LEAGUE SECRETARY NAME (print) DATE RECEIVED BY LEGUE SECRETARY 15