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OUR MISSION
STATEMENT and RULES
The goal of this league is to teach our kids the fundamentals of football.
We will teach them how to block, tackle, run, throw, & catch,
as well as the basic rules of the game. We will work equally as hard to
teach them the value of teamwork, fair play, hard work, and above all,
good sportsmanship. We want to instill the necessary skills to make each
child successful in Jr. High and High School football. We will strive to
keep the rosters at a level that will allow optimum playing time for all
players.
We believe that any child who wants to play football should be given the
opportunity to play. We will do our best to encourage as many kids as
possible to become involved in this league and make it a fun, affordable
learning experience for the kids and their families.
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-- click to view/print a pdf of
11 Player Rules -- |
-- click to view/print a pdf of
8 Player Rules -- |
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LEAGUE RULES:
1. Game Rules and Format
2. Rosters
3. Offensive and Defensive Guidelines
4. Equipment
5. Practices
6. Weigh Ins
7. Competitive Adjustment
8. Team Sign Up Deadline
9. Coaches, Parents, and Spectator Conduct |
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1.
Game Rules and Format
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A. |
I.H.S.A.A.
rules will be used. (Special Rules will be used and are
listed below.) |
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B. |
The gate
fee will be $5.00 for adults and students are free. |
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C. |
Game Ball -
TDJ/Junior Size football. Each coach will supply game
ball when on offense. |
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D. |
Four
coaches are allowed in the coach's box during the game.
Equipment manages, medical staff,
and photographers must remain outside of the coach's box
during the game. The head coach will
be responsible for these people. |
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E. |
Each game
will have 4 quarters with a 15 minute continuous clock
per quarter. The clock will stop for coach's timeouts,
official's timeouts, and injury timeouts. |
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F. |
Each team
will have 3 timeouts per half. |
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G. |
There will
be a 5 minute half time. |
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H. |
There will
be no kickoff. The ball will be spotted at the offense's
own 35 yard line to begin each half
and after each score. The clock does not stop after the
touchdown or for punts. Penalties will be assessed on
kickoffs. |
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I. |
There will
be no punting. When a team elects to punt the official
will walk off 35 yards. The ball cannot be marked any
deeper than the 20 yard line of receiving team. The
clock does not stop for a punt. |
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J. |
PAT - two
points will be awarded for a passing score. One point
will be awarded for a running score.
Two points will be awarded for a kick. The defense can
rush as soon as the ball is snapped. You can
fake extra points and field goals. The holder and/or
kicker may not advance the ball if they are over the
skilled player weight limit. The clock does not stop for
the PAT. |
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K. |
Safety - The
Team who scored the safety will get the ball at their
own 35 yard line. |
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L. |
Overtime - I.H.S.A.A.
rules will apply with these exceptions. The team who
lost the opening coin toss will have choice of ball
possession or end zone in the 1st overtime. High School
rules will apply in
the first overtime. IF a second
overtime is needed, the team who won the opening coin
toss will have choice of ball possession or end zone in
the 2nd overtime. The ball will be spotted at the 20
yard line and each team will have one play. If there is
no score or a tie still exists, the team who advanced
the ball the furthest will be declared the winner. For
championship weekend seeding, the winning team will be
awarded one point and the team losing will lose one
point in the tie breaker system. (17 point rule) |
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M. |
Penalties - The official will verify the captain's
decision with the head coach. |
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N. |
Game
Sites - All game sites will provide a Site Coordinator
who will be responsible for all game day activities. The
Site Coordinator will have authority to make all
necessary decisions to ensure a safe environment for
everyone. All game sites will provide a scoreboard with
operator, concession stand, PA system
with announcer and
spotter, four certified officials, and an EMT unit. The
team opposite the press box will supply three adults to
run the chains. The hosting team will pay four certified
officials a minimum
of $40.00 each per game. |
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O. |
Championship Weekend - Seedings will be decided by the I.H.S.A.A.
rules. (17 point rule)
(alphabetical order)
Check out
www.iahsaa.org for more details. Mascot name,
then team color,
then town name will be used for
the first letter of the alphabet. Only district games
will be counted
for seedings. |
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P. |
There will be a 15 yard penalty when a
defensive player tackles using the head or helmet of an
offensive player. |
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Q. |
All
Coaches and Parents will read, sign, and obey the
Conduct Code and follow any penalties for violating it. |
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R. |
30 second
play clock will be used. |
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S. |
1 coach
will be allowed on the field for the Offense and Defense
during the Junior games. The coach will be allowed in
the huddle only. The coach will move back 20 yards or to
the back of the End Zone if inside the 20 yard line once
the players have broken the huddle. The coach will make
a reasonable attempt to stay out of the play. Once the
huddle has been broken, the coach is no longer allowed
to talk on the field until the play has been whistled
dead. The coach will not talk to the referees unless
they initiate a conversation. Each team’s coach on the
field will be given 1 warning for talking outside of the
huddle. After the warning, a 15 yard unsportsmanlike
penalty will be given. The third time is another 15 yard
unsportsmanlike penalty. The fourth time the team will
no longer be allowed to have a coach on the field for
the rest of the game. The coach on the field will
conduct themselves as if they were a player. Be a good
role model for the kids. |
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2. Rosters
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A. |
Each team
roster (JR's and SR's) will consist of up to a maximum
of 44 players. If you have more than 35 players (JR's
and SR's), you will pay for two teams. The junior squad
will play first followed by the senior squad, each squad
playing a full game. Teams will be split with a minimum
of 45 percent of the roster on one of the squads. It is
advised that you field a roster of 30 total kids to
maximize playing time. |
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B. |
The junior
squad will be made up of all 4th graders and smaller,
less skillful 5th graders. The senior squad will be made
up of larger, more skillful 5th graders and all 6th
graders. It's up to the head coach to make the final
decision as to which squad a 5th grader will play on.
5th graders may be forced up to the SR squad by numbers,
not ability. NO player may be over 12 years of age. |
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C. |
Your
roster must first be filled by students from your own
school district. If you do not have enough students, you
may then go outside of your district to fill your
roster, providing that the player's school district's
team is full, is not in our league, or does not have a
team. Smaller school districts (Class A
or eight man teams) may share a program. |
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D. |
No 6th
grader will play on the junior squad. No 4th grader will
play on the senior squad without the League
Commissioner's permission. The 5th graders playing on
the Junior or Senior squads will be decided before the
game. Once the 5th grader has been assigned to the squad
on game day, said player will remain on that squad for
that day. It may be necessary to move a 5th grader from
one squad to the other from week to week because of
increasing or decreasing skills throughout the session
or injuries, illness, discipline issues. |
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E. |
A minimum
of 20 percent of the roster (JR's and SR's) must be 4th
graders. You cannot have all 5th graders on your junior
squad and all 6th graders on your Senior squad. If a
team has two or less 5th graders on their SR squad, they
must consult with the League Commissioner. Any team
found to be doing so may face penalties or expulsion
from the league. |
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F. |
If you are
forced to move players from one squad to the other
because you are short players, you must use 5th graders
first, then 4th graders, do not use 6th graders. Do not
play replacement players until you fall below your
original 11 players. A player may only play in one
quarter in the second game. One play equals one quarter,
this only applies to players who are playing in their
5th quarter in one day or weekend. You must bring up
four players to replace one missing player. A player may
play a 6th quarter in an emergency situation. |
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G. |
You must
be able to fill a roster of 24 to be eligible to field a
team. Exceptions may be made on game day in order to
insure that a game will be played. |
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H. |
All
players will play at least half of the game. If you fail
to play all players a minimum of half of the game
without good reason, you will forfeit the game. The
coach will decide which players will play the entire
game. Then the coach will decide which players will pay
half of the game. You will designate the half time
players by offense or defense, or you may designate them
by quarter. You must designate all players by one of the
options, not both. Choose O and D or by quarter. You
must give the opposing coach a roster before the game
stating which kids are playing all of the game and which
ones are playing half of the game. You will also state
on the roster, how the half time players will be played
in the game. If you do not exchange rosters with the
other coach, you will receive one warning and then
forfeit the next game you fail to provide a roster. You
will use the roster provided by the League and follow
it, or forfeit the game without question. If players are
injured during the game, you will have to alter your
plans. You must still play everyone half of the game. If
a player is done participating in the game, have the
player take off their shoulder pads. The formula for
half time player distribution will be followed.
Formula for Half Time Distribution:
11 players=11 play full time & play 0 half time
12 players=10 play full time & play 2 halftime
13 players= 9 play full time & play 4 halftime
14 players= 8 play full time & play 6 halftime
15 players= 7 play full time & play 8 halftime
16 players= 6 play full time & play 10 halftime
17 players= 5 play full time & play 12 halftime
18 players= 4 play full time & play 14 halftime
19 players= 3 play full time & play 16 halftime
20 players= 2 play full time & play 18 halftime
21 players= 1 play full time & play 20 halftime
22 players= 0 play full time & play 22 halftime
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I. |
Weight
Limits - Junior squad players may be no more than 150
pounds. The junior squad skilled players may be no more
than 90 pounds. Senior squad players may be no more than
200 pounds.
The senior squad skilled players may be no more than 120
pounds. |
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J. |
Skilled vs
Unskilled positions - The unskilled positions are all of
the defensive positions and the offensive line
positions, including the tight end. Skilled positions
include; QB,
HB, FB, WB, SE, or
Flanker. The TE's may only block or
pass receive beyond the line of scrimmage, they may not
take hand-offs or shuffle pass. |
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K. |
A
finalized roster must be submitted to the league
officials two weeks before the first game. Before each
game the coaches will exchange rosters, and discuss any
players on the roster that will not be playing or who
has forfeited playing time. Required information on
rosters...players' name, jersey number, grade, and
weight. Coaches must also provide the game announcer
with a team roster in numerical order. |
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3.
Offensive and
Defensive Guidelines
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A. |
Offense -
All offenses will consist of a standard set. TE LT LG C
RG RT TE all on the line of scrimmage max splits of one
yard. You must have two TEs on the line of scrimmage,
they must each be next to a QT. They may stand up or be
in a 3 point stance. The QB under center or in shotgun
formation. If you only have 1 RB in the backfield, the
RB must be a minimum of 5 yards deep and between the
outside shoulders of the offensive guards. If you have 2
or 3 RB’s in the backfield, 1 of them must be lined up
behind the QB. One
exception to this would be a pro set (a back behind each
OG/OT). The remaining two backs positions (non-standard
set) may line up anywhere in the offensive formation
providing they are not lined up on the line of scrimmage
to the same side. If the remaining two backs are both
line up outside of the TE on the same side (Wing
Formation), the inside receiver must be five yards
outside of the last man on the formation (WB). If there
is not a WB, the inside receiver is five yards outside
of the TE, the outside receiver is five yards outside of
the inside receiver. If receivers are stacked, they must
line up a minimum of 10 yards outside of the TE. No unbalanced lines. TE's are
eligible pass receivers beyond the line of scrimmage and
cannot take a hand off or shuffle pass.
X X
X X X
X X
O O O O O O O
O
O
Wing Formation:
x x x
x x
x
O O O O O O O
O O
Slot Formation:
x x x
x x
x x
O O O O O O O
O O |
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B. |
Defense -
All defenses will consist of a standard set. DE LT N RT,
all playing straight up. The DE
must line up straight up or a max of three years outside
of the TE. Two LB's playing at least three
yards back from the line of scrimmage across from the
OG's. The remaining four players will consist
of strong/wide side LB playing at least three yards back
from the line of scrimmage on the strong side/wide side
(straight up from the wingback ore outside of the TE) of
the formation. The strong side/wide side linebacker must
be five yards deep if inside of the TE's. Two CB's
playing outside of
the TE's and at least four yards back from the line of
scrimmage. One safety playing minimum of five yards deep
anywhere on the defensive formation. You may play two
safeties by replacing the strong side linebacker with a
safety. When an offense splits out more than one
receiver to the same of the formation, the strong/wide
side linebacker may line up straight up and a minimum of
one yard back from the inside receiver and the CB lines
up straight up and a minimum of one yard back from the
outside receiver. If only one receiver splits out, the
CB may line up straight up and a minimum of one yard
back.. A 6-2 defense will be allowed inside of your own
20 yard line. DE DT DG DG DT DE, two LB's behind the
OG's three yards back, two CB's four yards back, one
safety five yards back. |
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C. |
No bizarre
or unconventional plays to exploit the weaknesses of the
offensive and defensive guidelines. Reverses and half
back pass are legal. If you have a play in mind and are
not sure
if it is legal, contact the League Commissioner. |
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D. |
No
blitzing before the snap. No forward movement
(resembling a blitz) toward the line of scrimmage before
the snap except for player adjustments. |
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E. |
The
offensive and defensive standard sets are in place to
simply blocking schemes and help players recognize
offensive and defensive formations. |
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4. Equipment
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A. |
The
players will wear all protective equipment required by
the I.H.S.A.A. Helmets must have the NOCSAE seal and
must be up to date on their certifications. This will be
the responsibility of the
head coach. Any equipment not in good condition should
be thrown away. No metal or screw in cleats. No hard
casts will be allowed. Player's safety is your most
important concern. |
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5. Practices
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A. |
Practices
may begin three weeks prior to your first game. The
first week you may practice four times for one and a
half hours, the first two practices with helmets and
the third and fourth with helmets and shoulder pads.
The second and third weeks you are allowed four
practices of one and a half hours each with full
equipment. All following weeks of practices you are
allowed three practices of one and a half hours each.
You may use game films to teach but not to scout an
upcoming opponent; this time does count against your
practice time. You may scrimmage once a week, but this
does count as a practice. You may offer football camps
as long as you are not teaching anything specific to
your program. Any team found violating these guidelines
may face expulsion from the league. |
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6. Weigh Ins
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A. |
These weights will
be used for the whole season.
Kids grow over a two month period so there will be no
future weigh-ins during the season. Any coach found
falsifying weights will be dismissed from the league.
Predetermined weigh in sites, dates, and times will be
used for weigh ins supervised by an approved League
official. Any player not at one of these weigh ins must
make arrangements to be weighed in by a League official. |
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7.
Competitive Adjustment
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A. |
When a
team is leading by 25 points, said team will make
adjustments. Said team must move starting backs out of
the backfield and insert players who do not exceed the
weight restrictions. When a team is leading by 35
points, said team will remove the starting backs from
offense still allowing 11 players on the field. When one
team is far superior, the coaches should work together
to keep the score of the game respectable. |
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8.
Team Sign Up Deadline
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A. |
All teams
will have their sign ups completed by May 1st. They will
then inform the League office how many teams they will
be fielding in the League for the next season. Small
additions and subtractions will be allowed. |
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9.
Coaches,
Parents, and Spectator Conduct
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A. |
We are all
role models for the children at the games and practices.
No adults will argue or criticize
any referee's decisions or calls. The players must learn
that they must accept the referee's decision. Show good
sportsmanship at all times. |
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B. |
No
alcohol, smoking swearing, or gambling are permitted at
practices or games. This pertains to coaches, players,
parents, and observers. |
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C. |
Coaches
and parents should treat the players kindly and
respectfully, remember they are children. |
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D. |
The head
coach is responsible for the actions of his coaches,
players, and fans. If the head coach
feels it's necessary
to gain control of the situation, or remove someone from
the premises, he may
confer with the official and stop the game until the
problem is resolved. The coach should resolve
any problems discretely to save any embarrassment to
players. The Head Official will also remove anyone from
the game site who is violating the Conduct Code. |
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E. |
Post the
conduct code around the game field to remind everyone of
what is acceptable behavior. |
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