Rules and Regulations for 2012 ORGANIZATION The Mid Coast Youth Football League was formed on April 4, 2012, to promote the principals of good sportsmanship and fair play while taking an interest in the physical and moral development of youth football. All Towns shall agree to any changes to the League Rules and Regulations. Teams and Town Representatives The Mid Coast Youth Football League will consist of the following Towns and Representatives: 1. Auburn Rec Football Joseph Toner 2. Bath Rec Football Jason Darling 3. Brunswick - BAYFL Jeff Girardin 4. Lewiston Melissa Jackson 5. Topsham MSAD 75 - BAYFL Mark Waltz 6. Turner - TAA David Whitcomb Eligibility: All kids in grades 3, 4, 5, and 6 are eligible to participate. Teams must be able to show proof of a player s age if so requested by the League. The date for the age limit is August 1 st 1. VARSITY TEAMS are made up of 5th and 6th grade players aging from 10 13 years 2. JUNIOR TEAMS are made up of 3rd and 4th grade players aging from 8 11 years Team Rosters 1. Submit the team rosters to the League by September 1 st. 2. Teams may add players to the rosters after September 1 st but the player shall practice according to High School Regulations before participating in full contact 3. Rosters must include: NAME, GRADE, TOWN, AGE, WEIGHT, & JERSEY # League Fee 1. There will be an annual fee for each team in the League 2. The fee will be determined every year and shall be the total cost for the Post Season Tournaments to pay for referees and awards. 3. Make the check payable to MCYFL and send payment to the League Representative Scheduled Meetings 1. JUNE - Organization Meeting: A meeting of the Team Representatives will be held on June 6 th at the Brunswick Public Library to review any changes in the league, review rules and regulations, and coordinate the schedule for the upcoming season 2. AUGUST - Coaches Meeting: A meeting of the Coaches will be held in August at a time and place TBD to review the league rules and the schedule for the upcoming season 3. OCTOBER - Post Season Tournament Meeting: A meeting of the Coaches or Team Representatives will be held in October at a time and place TBD to set up the Post Season Tournament
LEAGUE RULES and REGULATIONS Maine High School Rules apply with the following exceptions Practice Regulations 1. Team practices may not start earlier than August 1st 2. League camps are not considered as Team Practice 3. Pre-season practices shall be limited to four (4) per week; double sessions are not allowed 4. Once school starts, practices shall be limited to no more than three (3) per week 5. Practices should be limited to a maximum of two (2) hours including warm-ups 6. Players should participate in four (4) full practices before participating in full contact General League Rules 1. Every player listed on a team s roster, present, suited up, and physically capable of playing must play in every game. This does not apply to players undergoing game suspension due to disciplinary or academic reasons 2. Teams should be formed using a fair and equitable draft procedure 3. Each league is responsible for weighing the players for weight restrictions at the beginning of the season. Players shall be weighed with equipment except for the helmet. 4. Any team, who is found to allow a position restricted player to intentionally play an illegal position, may have their head coach suspended for the remainder of the season 5. Any team may appeal a decision by the League. The appeals process will include a meeting with all the League Representatives and the teams involved 6. Head coaches are responsible for the actions of his coaches, parents, and players 7. No game shall start prior to the scheduled game time unless both coaches agree 8. Scouting is not permitted 9. Games that are postponed due to weather of field conditions should be rescheduled as soon as possible by the home team 10. There are no league standings during the regular season 11. All game will consist of four 8-minute quarters regular stop time 12. Each team will get three (3) timeouts per half Home Team Responsibilities 1. Provide a minimum of (2) game officials 2. Provide field equipment, chains, and down markers 3. Field must be legal size and safe for play 4. Reschedule any postponed games 5. Contact teams and officials if games are cancelled Equipment Regulations 1. Screw-on cleats no longer than ½-inch are permitted no metal showing 2. Position players are not required to wear a jersey number assigned to their position 3. Nothing may be worn that restricts the ability to see a player s eyes 4. Proper equipment, which has been properly fitted, must be worn at all times
VARSITY DIVISION (5 TH and 6 th Grade) Game Regulations 1. If a game is tied at the end of regulation time, we will play one (1) series of overtime using Maine High School Football Rules 2. Teams may provide their own game ball 3. Football size is TDJ or equivalent 4. Only one coach is allowed on the field during a timeout Player Restrictions 1. No player weighing more than 135 pounds may be in the offensive backfield or run the football 2. An end/receiver weighing more than 135 pounds may receive a pass that crossed the line of scrimmage 3. Players weighing more than the restricted weight limit may advance the ball on turnovers and kick-offs 4. Players weighing over 135 pounds must line up on the front line or the middle line on the kick off receiving team; the player should not line up as one of the deep receivers Punting and Kicking 1. Field Goals and PAT If a team declares to kick a field goal or a PAT, the place holder shall be seven (7) yards behind the LOS. The holder will hold the ball in the air and say Ready, Set, HUT at which time the ball is live and the defense may rush. Faking the kick is not permitted 2. No player may line up over the center/snapper during a punt, a field goal, or PAT kick 3. If a team declares to PUNT, the defense cannot rush the punter. The offense and the defense can t cross the LOS until the punt is kicked. If the ball is fumbled before it is kicked, the kicker can pick up the ball and kick it without penalty 4. A team can punt the ball without declaring to punt in which case the punt is played using High School Rules and Regulations. Defensive and Offensive Alignment 1. No more than four (4) defensive linemen can be on the LOS between the tackles. No more than a total of (6) players on the LOS including defensive ends. 2. Linebackers lined up between the tackles shall be a minimum of three (3) yards behind the LOS when the ball is snapped 3. When the offensive is inside the opponents 5-yard line, the defense is no longer restricted to lineup according to the rules above 4. NOSEGUARD: The nose guard shall be lined up at least ½ yard off the center for the safety of the center. It is the League s intention to allow the center to snap the ball cleanly without getting injured
JUNIOR DIVISION (3 rd and 4 th Grade) Gamer Regulations 1. If a game ends in a tie; there is no overtime during the regular season 2. Teams may provide their own game ball 3. Football size is PeeWee, TDJ, K2, or equivalent 4. Play Clock The offense has 40 seconds between plays 5. Coaches on the Field Only one (1) coach is allowed on the field during play which should be 15 yards behind the LOS when the ball is snapped Player Restrictions 1. No one weighing more than 115 pounds may be in the offensive backfield or run the football 2. An end/receiver weighing more than 115 pounds may receive a pass that crossed the line of scrimmage 3. Players weighing more than 115 pounds may advance the ball on turnovers and kick-offs 4. Players weighing over 115 pounds must line up on the front line or the middle line on the kick off receiving team; the player should not line up as one of the deep receivers Punting and Kicking 1. Field Goals and PAT If a team declares to kick a field goal or a PAT, the place holder shall be seven (7) yards behind the LOS. The holder will hold the ball in the air and say Ready, Set, HUT at which time the ball is live and the defense may rush. Faking the kick is not permitted 2. No player may line up over the center/snapper during a punt, a field goal, or PAT kick 3. If a team declares to PUNT, the defense cannot rush the punter. The offense and the defense can t cross the LOS until the punt is kicked. If the ball is fumbled before it is kicked, the kicker can pick up the ball and kick it without penalty 4. Kick-off - The ball will be kicked from the 40 yard line Defensive and Offensive Alignment 1. No more than four (4) defensive linemen can be on the LOS between the tackles. No more than a total of (6) players on the LOS including defensive ends 2. Defensive linemen must be lined up head to head on the offensive linemen; they cannot line up in the gaps 3. Linebackers lined up between the tackles shall be a minimum of three (3) yards behind the LOS when the ball is snapped 4. When the offensive is inside the opponents 5-yard line, the defense is no longer restricted to lineup according to the rules above 5. NOSEGUARD: The nose guard shall be lined up at least ½ yard off the center for the safety of the center. It is the League s intention to allow the center to snap the ball cleanly without getting injured 6. Offensive Line Splits Offensive linemen must be lined up no more than fingertips to fingertips from tackle to tackle 7. No blitzing
POST SEASON TOURNAMENTS General League Rules 1. The League will pay for the officials for the Post Season Tournament only 2. Any awards or t-shirts given to the teams will be paid for by the League 3. If more money is needed to help with the cost of the trophies or officials, a fee may have to be charged for each team to participate in the tournament 4. Locations of all games will be determined at the meeting in October Hosting the Tournament 1. Every team in the league will be given a chance to host the tournament 2. The team hosting the tournament is responsible for coordinating with the league president and treasurer to schedule and pay the officials 3. The host teams are responsible for all field requirements 4. The host team will keep any money raised from concessions, raffles, 50/50, etc. 5. The host team is not allowed to charge admission Varsity Tournament The Post Season Playoffs TBD Playoff teams will include all teams in a single elimination format Opponents for the first round will be determined by a blind draw at a league meeting Teams from the same town will not play each other in the first round All games will consist of four 8-minute quarters A tie will result in overtime according to Maine High School Regulations Junior Tournament Round robin at a place TBD No wins or losses Sportsmanship award