2012 FO1 TACKLE FOOTBALL RULES

2012 FO1 TACKLE FOOTBALL RULES FO1 FOOTBALL uses NCAA Rules with UIL Exceptions • The 6th Grade Division will utilize NCAA rules with University Inte...
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2012 FO1 TACKLE FOOTBALL RULES

FO1 FOOTBALL uses NCAA Rules with UIL Exceptions • The 6th Grade Division will utilize NCAA rules with University Interscholastic League (UIL)exceptions (The same as Katy ISD Junior High Football rules with a few league exceptions.) • Younger Divisions are subject to exceptions listed below. • FO1 FOOTBALL reserves the right to alter any league specific rules, at anytime, for any reason during the season 1) FO1 FOOTBALL COACHES - We believe that volunteer youth coaches are our community’s greatest youth sports asset. We want our coaches to be the best they can be so we are requiring some training in order to help achieve that goal. a) There will be a maximum of four (4) registered coaches per team. b) There will be one head coach and a maximum of three assistant coaches. c) Coach ID Tag: Each Coach will be expected to wear a league-supplied coach’s tag giving them access to the player/coaches sideline area. d) Coach Qualification Requirements: All FO1 FOOTBALL head and assistant coaches must complete the following: i) Complete the Leagues On-line registration and pay the registration fee. This registration includes: (1) A coaching application (2) Registering with the National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI) (a) League will access the NCSI database and approve/disapprove the coaching application based on the results returned. (3) Agreeing and accepting the Coaches Code of Conduct and league liability waiver. (4) Coach Training: Complete the volunteer coach education curriculum through USA Football. (a) There is a nominal fee for this training, which will be born by the coach. (b) All FO1 FOOTBALL head and assistant coaches will be required to complete the online certified education program with an overall score of 80% or higher. League board members will monitor status of online training. (c) Only coaches who have successfully completed an application and passed the background check are eligible for coach education training. ii) In addition to football training, all coaches will be required to teach life lessons and skills such as teamwork, sacrifice, proper rest, and good eating habits. These weekly lesson are posted at the League website and will also be e-mailed to coaches/parents each week of the season. 2) UNIFORMS a) All players must be completely uniformed for contact practice and games. A uniform consists of helmet, mouthpiece, jersey, shoulder pads, pants with hip pads, thigh pads, knee pads, tail pad, athletic supporter, socks and shoes. Shoes may be baseball or football shoes with canvass or leather tops, but must have molded, rubber cleats not over 1/2” long. No metal cleats are permitted. Jewelry of any kind is prohibited. b) All players must use mouthpieces on the field of play and during practice at all times c) It is recommended that all coaches inspect players’ equipment to be sure it is of sufficient quality to be safe and protective. d) For the football players, game jersey, game pants, and helmet decals will be furnished by FO1Sports. e) No refund will be given once Uniforms are ordered unless no team can be formed. f) Coaches, referees and league officials are responsible for ensuring adherence to NCAA standards of conduct. The officials will enforce conduct on the field as per NCAA rules and the League Codes of Conduct. 3) PLAY TIME MINIMUM (2ND, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, AND 6TH GRADE) a) Each player will play a minimum of 12 plays (a minimum of 6 plays each half). b) Special team snaps count toward this number. c) Plays in which a penalty is called count toward the overall play count for a player. d) The head coach is responsible for ensuring each player will play at least the minimum number of plays during each game. All exceptions to the minimum play rule must be discussed and agreed to by the head coach and communicated to the opposing team’s head coach PRIOR to the game. Absent communication prior to the game or any failure to play all players the required number of plays will result in the forfeiture of the game in question. e) A Game Monitor Play Sheet must be signed by both head coaches following the game and delivered to the referee at the conclusion of the game. f) Acceptable exceptions to the minimum play rule include disciplinary action as determined by the Head Coach. Disciplinary action can include not starting individuals, withholding play for several downs, a series of downs or

(Edited 05/05/12)

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entire quarters of play or, conditions warranting suspending the individual from play for the entire game. Again, this disciplinary action must be conveyed to and discussed with the opposing team’s head coach PRIOR to the game. 4) PRACTICE a) Practice may not begin until the Monday following the parents & Coaches meeting each Season (or as determined by the FO1Sports Executive Board ) b) Practice by definition: i) Any gathering of one team coach or assistant in which three players from the same team are present, during which football related skills, techniques, language, plays or other activities and subjects that are used to promote the effectiveness of on-field play are enacted. This includes private coaching sessions paid or bartered for by and between coaches or parents with an athletic or sports trainer in which three or more players from the same team are present. ii) This further includes practices and film sessions that are held under the guise of team building activities. It is the policy of the league that though these activities are invited and encouraged, abuses of the loose nature of this definition will not be tolerated. Coaches found to be using these activities to discuss and otherwise promote onfield effectiveness will be subject to disciplinary action. c) No contact practice shall be held until a player possessing a physical handicap or illness is given a release by their physician with proof on file in the league office. d) Practice Time Limit: Each player will be limited to a maximum of six hours of practice, meetings and play per calendar week. The FO1 Sports Executive Board must approve any exception in advance. i) Games equal two hours. ii) No contact practice shall exceed a two-hour time limit and may not be held on the same day as a scheduled game. iii) No practice session or combination of sessions shall exceed a two-hour time limit in one day. iv) Sunday practice or play is prohibited. v) Players will not be called upon to be present more than one hour prior to game time. e) Practice Violation Penalty i) Coaches found to be in violation of the practice limits outlined above and/or practice start date will be subject to disciplinary action with the minimum penalty to be not less than the forfeiture of the first two (2) games of the regular season and concurrent suspension of the head coach. f) Blocking: Coaches shall not teach below-the-waist blocking (i.e., crawl block, roll block, side block). Penalty for an illegal block below the waist is 15-yards. g) Multi Team Participation: No player will practice or play with any other FO1 FOOTBALL team other than his own official team. i) Under no condition shall any player practice or play with two separate football teams. 5) GAMES a) 6th Grade Division will utilize NCAA rules with University Interscholastic League (UIL) and Texas Junior High exceptions (The same rules as Junior High Football). Following are rules specific to Texas Junior High Schools. The 6th Grade Division will follow these rules: b) 6th Grade Offensive Guidelines i) Unbalanced line or unusual formations can be used if communicated with opposing coach. ii) Teams can run motion. No tight end trade allowed. (1) No motion allowed into or out of Triple Receiver Formations. iii) Empty backfields are legal, but defense is now allowed to blitz one interior linebacker c) 6th Grade Defensive Guidelines i) There will be no stunting of linemen, linebackers, or defensive backs. ii) Outside linebackers can rush outside the “C” gap on a sprint out pass. iii) Defense is allowed to blitz one interior linebacker if Offence has an Empty backfield d) Goal line defenses can be used when i) There are two tight ends and a full backfield, or ii) in fourth down situations, or iii) inside the 10-yard line. e) 6th Grade Kicking Game Guidelines i) Extra Point (1) 1 point for run/pass play (2) 2 points for kick (3) Defense is allowed to score on extra point or field goal. (Edited 05/05/12)

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2012 FO1 TACKLE FOOTBALL RULES

f) g) h)

i)

j) k)

l) m)

n) o) p) q)

r) s)

(4) No one is allowed to hit the deep snapper until he heads up field (punts, pat’s, and field goal attempts) ii) Punt (1) On 4th down the offensive team must punt the ball away when the ball is inside the offensive team’s own 35 yard line, unless the game is in the 4th quarter. (2) No one is allowed to hit the deep snapper until he heads up field (same for punts and extra points) iii) Fake Kicks: Kicking team can fake an extra point, field goal, or punt. (1) Exception: The punting team cannot fake punt if the ball is inside their own 35-yard line unless it is the 4th quarter. iv) Punt/Field Goal Rush: Only down-linemen (no more than six) can rush a field goal or punt. All down linemen must be in a 3 or 4-point stance. Linebackers or secondary backs are not allowed to rush. All divisions younger than 6th grade will be played using NCAA rules with University Interscholastic League (UIL) exceptions, except as noted herein. Rule Interpretations: Game officials shall have the authority to make all rule interpretations not covered in league rules. All rulings by the officials are final. Player Readiness: It is the responsibility of the coach to ensure that all players are properly equipped prior to each game. An official will ask the head coach if all players are equipped according to rule before the game starts. If the answer is anything but yes, the game will not be played until such time as the offending players are properly equipped. If the player is not properly equipped in a timely manner (as judged by the referee) the game can be canceled by the referee. Ball Size i) 2nd and 3rd Grade Divisions will use a Wilson K2 size football ii) 4th and 5th grade Divisions will use a Wilson TDJ size football iii) 6th grade Division will use a Wilson TDY football. iv) Offensive teams can use their own ball on each possession. The referee shall inspect such ball and deem it acceptable for play. The ball can either be a composite ball or leather ball, at each team’s choosing. Game Time (Applies to all divisions including 6th Grade) i) All teams will play 10-minute quarters with a halftime of 10 minutes. No game shall exceed 90 minutes in duration unless there is an overtime situation. Coaches on the Field i) 2nd Grade and 3rd Grade Divisions- During game play; the offensive and defensive team shall be permitted to have one coach on the field. Once the huddle breaks, all coaches must retreat to 30 yards behind the line of scrimmage and must not interfere with the play. (1) If the referee observes a field coach continually interfering with the play, such coach will be removed from the field and will have to remain on the sideline for the remainder of the game. ii) 4th, 5th and 6th Grade Division– No Coaches are allowed on the field during the game. Minimum Player Count: Any team failing to field 11 players within 10 minutes of scheduled game time will forfeit such game and the game will be recorded as a game of record. Running Clock: A running clock will be used when the point spread is equal to or more than 18 points at the end of the third quarter. i) If a team leads by 18 or more points, it is highly recommended that reserve players play the majority of the remainder of the game or until the opposing team is within the 18-point range. Clock Stoppage: When the point spread is less than 18 points and/or the game is in the first three quarters, the clock will stop for out of bounds, changes of possession, incomplete passes, first downs and touchdowns. Barring Acts of God, or national or international tragedy, all scheduled and rescheduled games must be played. Rainouts will be rescheduled by FO1 Sports office. All teams are required to play each game to conclusion unless the FO1 Sports Executive Board authorizes an exception. Weather or other Game Stoppage: Referees, coaches or league officials may end a game upon mutual agreement due to weather or other circumstances. If games already in progress are stopped due to weather, those games will be rescheduled by the FO1 Sports office and played to conclusion later in the season, if the game has impact on playoff participation/seeding. If this situation exists, the game will be restarted at the point from which it was halted previously, with scores and field position reestablished according to the monitor sheets for each team, as marked by the referees. Teams will not play more than one game in a week, unless approved by the FO1 Sports Executive Board (likely exception may be caused by a partial game weather stoppage). Officials i) At least two officials will be used in all league games.

(Edited 05/05/12)

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ii) Whenever possible, 3 Officials will be used in the 6th Grade Division games Player Water Breaks: Coaches are allowed to have water on the field for the players, as long as it does not slow down or interfere with normal play. i) Water from the sidelines cannot be brought out between plays unless a time-out has been called or the referees have stopped play specifically for that reason. u) Blitzing /Linebacker Alignment i) Blitzing is strictly prohibited in all divisions (see 6th Grade Empty Backfield Exception) and will result in a 10-yard penalty. (1) Blitzing being defined as a direct move to or across the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball by any player(s) not positioned on the defensive line in a 3 or 4 point stance. ii) Linebacker/D-Back Alignment: Linebackers and defensive backs must be a minimum of three yards off the line of scrimmage at the snap. (1) If a defensive player is lined up outside the last offensive lineman (defined herein as an offensive tackle or tight end), he must be three yards off the line of scrimmage. (2) If such defensive player, after a warning does not line up 3 yards off the line of scrimmage, the referee will call a delay of game penalty (5 yards from previous spot and replay the down). Therefore, any activity that occurred on the play is voided unless the offense opts to decline the penalty. v) In Game UIL Rule Exceptions (Divisions below 6th Grade) i) At least two players (QB and one running back) shall be positioned in the offensive backfield between the tackles at each snap. ii) Defensive Lineman (Divisions below 6th Grade) (1) Gap Play: No Division below 6th grade is allowed to line up defensive players in the gaps. (a) They shall position themselves either head up or slightly shaded (between opponents number and shoulder) on or over their offensive line counterparts. iii) Nose Guard: 2nd and 3rd Grade Division CAN NOT utilize a nose guard. Therefore, the maximum number of defensive lineman is 1 less than the number of offensive lineman. iv) Exception to 2nd/3rd Grade Maximum D-Lineman: Maximum number of players on the defensive line shall always be 1 player less than the number of offensive linemen except: (1) short yardage situations of one yard or less, (2) fourth down situations in which the offense has elected not to punt, and (3) any down inside the 10-yard line. v) D-Lineman Stance: All Defensive linemen, from tackle to tackle, must be in either a 3 or 4-point stance vi) Kickoffs shall occur 10 yards from mid-field. vii) Extra Points are awarded as follows: (1) 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Division: RUN=1, PASS=2, KICK=2 (2) Pass must be caught beyond the line of scrimmage to earn 2 Points viii) PAT Kick attempts (1) Line of Scrimmage shall be the 3-yard line, unless moved due to a penalty. (2) The defense cannot rush but they can try to distract the offense as long as it does not simulate a snap count. (3) If the snap does not reach the holder cleanly, the holder has one attempt to set the ball up for the kicker. (4) If the ball is snapped over the holder’s head, then the play is dead once the ball hits the ground. (5) No Fake PAT: Once it is clear a PAT kick is to be attempted, then it must be kicked. No fake kicks allowed. (6) Once the ball is snapped, there will be 5 seconds allowed to kick the ball. If a kick attempt is not made within 5 seconds of the snap, the play will be whistled dead. (7) Kicking Stand: A PAT kicking block is allowed or the kicker can kick the PAT off the grass. (8) There is no restriction as to where the holder places the ball for the kick. ix) Punting (Divisions below 6th Grade) (1) When a team intends to punt, it must declare its intention to the defense and officials. (a) No rushing (b) Fake punts are NOT allowed. (c) Rushing by the defense is not allowed on a punt. (d) If the snap is bobbled or dropped by the punter, the punter shall simply pick up the ball from where ever they gain control of it and punt from that location (Example: if the snap is over the punters head and rolls back 15 yards, the punter must pick up the ball and punt from that location). (e) The punt return team must have at least seven players at the line of scrimmage. (i) No player may release from the line of scrimmage until the ball is kicked. t)

(Edited 05/05/12)

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(f) 4th-5th Grade Teams must punt on fourth down when inside their own 30-yard line during the first three quarters of play, unless the offensive team is in a short yardage situation (1 yard or less). (g) 2nd and 3rd Grade Division teams may declare a “No-Punt” on 4th down. (i) No Punt: The ball will be turned over to the opposing team 35 yards from the line of scrimmage. (h) Punt Minimum Travel: Due to the defense not being allowed to rush (i) If the punted ball hits a defensive player, the punted ball must travel minimally 10 yards past the line of scrimmage for it to become a live ball. If such punt does not travel 10 yards the ball shall be called dead and the punt receiving team shall take possession at the spot the ball hit such defensive player. w) Overtime (Applies to all divisions including 6th Grade) i) Regular season games ending in a tie after the 4th quarter will play one overtime period as described by NCAA rules. (1) Each team is allowed one possession from 20-yard line. If after such overtime period, the game is still a tie, then the game shall be recorded as such. ii) Playoff games ending in a tie after the 4th quarter will play one overtime period as described by NCAA rules. (1) Each team is allowed one possession from 20-yard line. If after the first overtime period, the game is still a tie, then the teams will be required to attempt a 2-point conversion for the remaining overtime periods, until a winner is declared. x) Timeouts will be limited to two (2) - 60 second time-outs per half (All Divisions). y) Communication Devices: Use of cellular phones, hand-held radios, walkie-talkies, or any other personal or portable communications devices, with the intent to communicate with coaches or individuals either on the field, on the sidelines or in the stands is prohibited. 6) Playoffs: a) At the conclusion of the regular season, FO1 Sports will conduct a post-season Championship playoff for each grade level, for the top ranking teams, based on their regular season records. b) Playoff rankings (and tiebreakers) will be based on the following: (NOTE: Games and scores played with NonFO1Sports teams will not be included in the team rankings and tie breakers.) i) Highest winning percentage (2 pts for a win, 1 pt for a tie, and 0 pts for a loss) ii) Head-to-Head winner iii) Defensive points allowed (entire regular season) iv) Offensive points scored (entire regular season) c) The number of playoff teams for each grade level is based on the number teams participating in that grade level’s regular season: i) 8 or fewer teams in the grade level – Top 4 teams make the playoffs ii) 9 to 11 teams in the grade level – Top 6 teams make the playoffs (#1 & #2 seed bye) iii) 12 or more teams in the grade level – Top 8 teams make the playoffs (no byes) 7) Weight Limits a) 2nd or 3rd Weight Limit: Because 2nd/3rd grade are typically the first year players are exposed to tackle football, the league has implemented an eighty five pound (85 lb) maximum weight for a Quarterbacks, Running Backs, and Kick Returners in 2nd and 3rd grade only. This weight limit does not pertain to tight ends and receivers. i) Players in these divisions wishing to run the ball will be weighed prior to the season. At that time a “No Run” list will be established and distributed to all coaches. Players will not be weighed after the start of the season. b) 4th, 5th, and 6th grade does not have restrictions for weight limits: It is the intent of FO1 Sports to have players develop skills for the positions that they will most likely play in Junior High School. Therefore, it should only be by exception that a player who is >30 pounds above the team average weight be allowed to run the ball. i) The FO1 Sports Board reserves the right to amend this rule at anytime during the season if it determines a coach is not following the spirit of this rule. 8) JUDGEMENT CALLS, PROTESTS, INFRACTIONS AND MIS-CONDUCT PENALTIES a) Referees shall be the final determiner of all actions and behavior on the field of play. All judgment calls i) Shall reside totally with the referees and are not subject to league review. ii) Referees assigned to a game or FO1 Board Members may cause the removal or ejection of any person from the premises for violation of any of these codes of behavior. Upon removal or ejection, that person must leave the field and premises immediately, may not remain in the proximity of the playing field, nor return for the following game.

(Edited 05/05/12)

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iii) Protests can be made only on rules violations or improper enforcement of a penalty. iv) No protest will be considered which is submitted over a referee’s judgment call. Protests will be reviewed for future reference and consideration. A protest will not affect the outcome of the game in which it was played. v) All protests must be submitted in writing to the league office within 48 hours from game’s end. Each point of protest and corresponding rule must be cited in the written protest. vi) A review board consisting of 7 board members shall render the final decision on the validity of the protest. Affected board members shall recuse themselves b) Recruitment Violation: Any Team (coach, player or supporter of the team) found to be deliberately attempting to circumvent the Leagues Team Formation Guidelines is subject to Permanent suspension of it’s Head Coach and the player(s) involved. This ruling will be made at the discretion of the FO1 Sports board. c) Unsportsmanlike Conduct: A coach, player or cheerleader found in violation of Codes of Conduct as deemed by the referee or league official, during a game which results in the person being ejected from the game is subject to a minimum 1/2 game suspension (in addition to the time lost from the ejected game). i) In the event a person is ejected from a 2nd game, they will be suspended for the rest of the season and playoffs. d) Coach or Spectator Misconduct i) The referee will warn anyone on the sideline that displays unsportsmanlike conduct and the head coach will be informed of the warning at the first incident. If the conduct does not improve or if the conduct continues, the referee will eject the person(s) from the sideline. (1) Refusal to leave the game area will result in a team forfeit (2) A 2nd ejection of the same person will result in a permanent ban from FO1 Sports activities (a) Refusal to abide by this ban will result in forfeiture of games where the offender is in attendance. e) Personal Fouls: Any Player who is charged with two (2) Personal Fouls during a game will be ejected from that game. At the discretion of the Board, this player may be subject to further disciplinary actions. i) A Personal Foul is a conduct- or safety-related infraction. (1) Including unnecessary roughness, such as hitting a ball, carrier after he is already out of bounds, "piling on" a ball carrier that is already down, or violent contact with an opponent who is away from and out of the play. (2) A flagrant illegal act that is generally deemed to unnecessarily risk the health of other players. 9) COACH, PLAYER, AND SPECTATOR PLACEMENT (ALL DIVISIONS) a) It is the responsibility of the coach to see that all players, coaches, and team spectators (parents and friends of players) remain within designated areas of the sidelines. No coach, player, spectator, or anyone associated with a team can be inside the 25-yard line or behind an end zone. All spectators are to be no closer than five yards from any sideline. All video tapping of games must happen within the designated spectator area. END OF RULES

(Edited 05/05/12)

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