2015 Southwest Indiana Youth Football League (SWIYFL) Eastern Greene, North Central, North Daviess, North Knox, Sullivan, Vincennes, & Washington

Guidelines for Seasonal and Tournament Play

Article I: Team Levels/Age or Grade Requirements

pg. 3

Section 1. Team Levels

pg. 3

Section 2. Age or Grade Requirements

pg. 3

Article II: Weight Requirements/Restrictions

pg. 4

Section 1. Weight Limits for ball carrying positions

pg. 4

Section 2. Jamboree/Official Weigh-Ins

pg. 4

Section 3. Weight Restrictions

pg. 4

Article III: Seasonal/Tournament Play

pg. 5

Section 1. Seasonal Play

pg. 5

Section 2. Tournament Play

pg. 5

Article IV: Grievances

pg. 5

Section 1. Submission/Process

pg. 5

Article V: Rules

pg. 6

Section 1. Playing Rules

pg. 6

Section 2. Exceptions to the playing rules for team levels

pg. 6

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Article I: Team Levels/Age or Grade Requirements

Section 1 Team Levels: A. 3rd/4th grade (10 or under as of July. 1st) B. 5th/6th grade (12 or under as of July. 1st) Section 2 Age Requirements: A. All players on a team roster must be of age or under as of July 1st for the team level that they are playing on.

B. Official rosters will be recorded for each team prior to seasonal play. Roster will state players name, age or grade and weight. 1. Copies of all participating team rosters will be given to each Youth Football League (SWIYFL) representative for dissemination to their respective leagues. 2. Rosters will be disseminated to each (SWIYFL) representative prior to regular season play. 3. Deadline for Roster Additions will be prior to the 2nd game of the season.

NOTE: If allowed by their league a player may play up in team levels.

NOTE: Age or Grade verification may be requested at any time during league play.

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Article II: Weight Requirements/Restrictions

Section 1 Weight Limits for ball carrying positions: A. 3rd/4th grade: 100 lbs. * All others will be striped B. 5th/6th grade: 125 lbs. * All others will be striped C. Stripers cannot advance the football in any situation. Offensively Stripers may line up as a blocking back. Section 2 Official Weigh-Ins: A. Jamboree- will be held annually on two separate rotation sites. B. Weigh-ins will be required for all team levels prior to seasonal play at the Jamboree sites. 1. A (SWIYFL) representative and a players league representative will be present for their respective leagues weigh-ins. (i.e. head coach) 2. A player will get one chance to be weighed on the scales. 3. Any player missing official weigh-ins will be weighed prior to the start of seasonal play by both head coaches. Rosters will then be updated and disseminated to each (SWIYFL) representative. Section 3 Weight Restrictions: A. A player who exceeds more than the weight limit for the team level being played cannot carry the ball or play in a ball carrying position. NOTE: This does not include the punter. B. A player who exceeds more than the weight limit for the team level being played will have their helmet marked with a stripe of contrasting color. 1. The stripe will run over the top of the helmet from front to rear. C. A player that has been striped will remain ineligible as a ball carrier throughout seasonal/tournament play.

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D. If a player who exceeds more than the weight limit for the team level being played participates in a game without proper helmet markings, the game will be declared a forfeit. NOTE: It is the responsibility of the player’s league to ensure proper helmet markings. E. A player who exceeds more than the weight limit for the team level being played may not return a kick, punt, be the recipient of a lateral, or an offensive fumble. 1. If a player who exceeds more than the weight limit for the team level being played comes into possession of the ball, the ball will be downed at the point of recovery.

Article III: Seasonal/Tournament Play Section 1 Seasonal Play: A. Seasonal schedules will be given to each (SWIYFL) representative for dissemination to their respective leagues. 1. In the event of game cancellation, it is the responsibility of the two respective leagues to reschedule if desired.

Section 2 Tournament Play: A. Tournament schedules will be given to each (SWIYFL) representative for dissemination to their respective leagues. 1. Tournament brackets will be based on a blind draw/single elimination format on a date to be determined later. Article IV: Grievances Section 1 Submission/Process: A. Any youth football program participating in the (SWIYFL) with a grievance shall submit it in writing to the (SWIYFL) Board via their league representative. All grievances must be signed and dated by the program submitting the grievance. B. Any member of the (SWIYFL) Board of Directors who is the subject of a grievance shall not serve or vote at their hearing.

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C. If an individual member is the subject of the grievance, that member has the right to be present at any meeting or hearing, and shall have the right to present a written or oral rebuttal to the grievance. D. The (SWIYFL) Board of Directors, by two-thirds vote, shall determine what, if any action will be taken. E. To ensure confidentiality, grievance hearings will not be open to the league, unless approved by the person grieved. Article V: Rules Section 1 Playing Rules: A. (SWIYFL) will follow Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) Football Rules for all seasonal and tournament play. 1. Exceptions to the IHSAA standard football rules can be made at varies grade levels being played in the (SWIYFL). 2. (SWIYFL) Board of Directors, by two-thirds vote, shall determine what, if any exceptions to the rules will be taken. Section 2 Exceptions to the playing rules for team levels: A. 3rd/4th Grade Specific Rules and Regulations a. Each Team may have 1 coach on the field. b. The coach on the field must maintain silence after the snap count has started. c. A violation of this rule will result in a fifteen yard penalty d. A second violation will result in the coach being removed from the field. e. The coaches are not considered part of the play and must make every attempt to avoid the action. f. If a coach interferes with the action it may result in a down over, or replay NOTE: This judgment is at the discretion of the game officials. g. Any field participating coach must be 5 yards deeper than the deepest man on his team. h. There can be no defensive linemen aligned over the center (0 Technique). B. 5th/6th Grade Specific Rules and Regulations a. There may be no coach on the field during game play. C. General Rules and Regulations for All Levels

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1. Punts. a. When a team wishes to punt the ball, they must inform the game officials who will then notify the defense that a punt has been declared. b. Once a punt has been declared, the offensive team must punt. Fake punts are not allowed and will result in an illegal procedure penalty. c. To start the punt, the official will place the ball on the ground seven yards behind the line of scrimmage. d. The punter may take any position they wish, but is not allowed to touch the ball until the play is started. e. The punting play is started in the following manner. The official will ask if both teams are ready. Once the teams are aligned, the play will commence on the whistle of the official, not a snap count. After the whistle is blown, the punter may pick up the ball and punt the ball. f. There will be a live rush after the whistle has started the play.

g. Once the punting play is started, all other standard rules governing punts will be in effect, such as roughing the kicker, offensive lineman leaving to soon, and any rule pertaining to fair catch. 2. Extra Points: a. When a team wishes to kick the extra point, they must inform the game officials who will then notify the defense that a kicking extra point has been declared. b. Once a kicking extra point has been declared, the offensive team must kick. Fake kicking extra points are not allowed and will result in an illegal procedure penalty. c. To start the kicking extra point, the official will place the kicking tee (optional) and the ball will be placed flat on the ground seven yards behind the line of scrimmage. d. The holder and kicker may be positioned anywhere they wish, but the ball cannot be touched before the play is started. e. The kicking extra point play is started in the following manner. The official will ask if both teams are ready. Once the teams are aligned, the play will commence on the whistle of the official, not a snap count. After

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the whistle is blown, the holder may pick up the ball and the kicker may kick the ball. f. There will be a live rush after the whistle has started the play. g. Once the kicking extra point play is started, all other standard rules governing extra points will be in effect, such as roughing the kicker. h. Kicking extra point shall be worth 2 points. (LOS is the 3 yard line) i. Running extra point shall be worth 1 point. (LOS is the 3 yard line) j. Passing extra point from the 2 points. (LOS is the 3 yard line) k. Field Goals: a. The same procedures as for the punt and kicking extra point will be used. l. Defensive lineman from tackle to tackle must in 3 or 4-point stance. (i.e.… NO standing up on line) m. Kickoffs will be live n. Half times will be 8 minutes o. If once team leads by 25 points or higher at halftime, the second half will have a running clock

D. All Team Levels 1. Jersey numbering system will be followed (i.e. offensive line (centers, guards, and tackles) that play in Ineligible positions (those that may not receive forward passes) must wear numbers between 50-79.) 2. Only the head coach can dispute any call on the field, this will be done in a professional manner and to the head official only. a. Any violation of this rule will result in a fifteen-yard penalty (UNSPORTSMAN LIKE CONDUCT) for the first offense. b. The second violation shall result in the offending coach being removed from the field of play.

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NOTE: THE FIELD OF PLAY CONSISTS OF THE PLAYING FIELD AND SIDELINES. 3. All teams are required to play with an appropriate size ball per the team level being played. 3rd/4th use Peewee size ball 5th/6th use Junior size ball a. Teams are allowed to play-up in size of ball but not down. 4. Seasonal games tied after regulation there will be a maximum of 2 overtimes. If the game is tied at the end of the second overtime, the game will end in a tie. 5. Overtime Format will be 4 attempts to score from the 10 yard line 6. Tournament games will continue with overtimes until a one team has more points after an overtime session.

6. Game Clock Times: All grade levels will play (4) 8-minute quarters with regular Clock stoppage. 3 timeouts per half, 1 timeout will be award to each team in overtime All penalties will be as per high school rules Entry fee for Jamboree and Tournament will be as follows: $3 per person 18 and over Free: under 18. Regular season and Championship: $3 per person 18 and over Free: under 18 3 coaches from each team will be allowed to enter free. A list of coaches will be sent out prior to the beginning of the season. 2 cheer coaches per team will be allowed free entry to the game.

Officials: We will use 3 IHSAA officials for all age groups. Pay is $40 per game per official.

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