N.Y.F.L LEAGUE RULES

Article I. Age/District Player Eligibility

2013 Football Divisions

Mighty Mites - 3rd/4th Grade –Can NOT turn 10 before June 1st of 2013

Peewees - 5th Grade – Can NOT turn 11 before June 1st of 2013

Bantams - 6th Grade – Can NOT turn 12 before June 1st of 2013

Juniors - 7th Grade – Can NOT turn 13 before June 1st of 2013

Cruisers - 8th Grade – Can NOT turn 14 before June 1st of 2013

Players must play in a division in which they are ageeligible. Waivers for players who do not meet the age cut need to provide a birth certificate and proof of grade to be eligible to play with their own grade by making a formal written request to the NYFL Board prior to the start of the season.These waivers will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Article II. Roster Size

1. All teams are limited to 36 players. The rosters size for teams that are the minimum a team can have to play a game is 15. Any requests for exceptions must be submitted to the NYFL league office for approval.

2. Players may be added until the completion of a team’s second regular season game on a roster add form if roster falls below 36players for independent teams, an official revised roster must be submitted to the league office before those players can compete in a contest.

3. Each team will fully determine their own criteria on how they create their 36 player rosters. “Tryouts” are discouraged.

Article III. NYFL Team Eligibility

  1. Any teams playing in the NYFL tackle football program must adhere to all NYFL rules, policies, zero tolerance, and the coach’s code of conduct. A failure to do so will result in removal from the tackle league.
  2. All players are required to supply a birth certificate and a doctor signed physical stating that contact sports are allowed.
  1. All teams must participate in only NYFL-sanctioned events unless given permission by NYFL staff.
  2. Prior to the NYFL Jamboree, All teams are required to provide, for each game, a roster card, provided by NYFL, showing each players name, jersey number, and photo of the player.

Article IV. NYFL Tackle Football League Specific Rules

  1. Mighty Mites and Pee Wee divisions use the junior size ball. Bantams, juniors, and Cruisers use the youth size ball.
  1. Each game will consist of four (4) 9 minute quarters and will be played under NFHSA rules except for league-specific rules detailed in this section. All games will be “stop clock.”
  1. “Mercy Rule:” When any team has a 25 point or more advantage this rule is in effect. Atthis point the team that is ahead is the official winner of the game. The clock and scoreboard will still remain on. There is NO RUNNING CLOCK.
  1. Run or pass conversions after a touchdown will count as 1 point, point-after kicks will count as 2 points.
  1. In kicking situations, the defense can rush the kicker. However, the center snapping the ball cannot be engaged.
  1. There is no weight limit for players at any position.
  1. In an overtime situation, the WIAA “Kansas Plan” format will be used with alternating possessions beginning at the 15-yard line to progressively moving closer at the event of no score (10, 5, 3). If the game has 15 minutes over the 2-hour scheduled limit and is still tied after each team has had equal chances with the ball, the game will be officially over and declared a tie.
  1. Each team will have six (6) identification badges for coaches. Only those individuals with the badges will be allowed on the sidelines. Identification badges will only be issued to coaches, cheer coaches and/or trainers with a current NYFL certification. The sideline is for coaches, players, and trainers only. These coaches MUST bring their league ID badges to be on the sideline. One additional sideline badge will be provided to a "First Aid/CPR" trained person.
  1. The HOME team must provide THREE (3) volunteers to operate the down marker and yardage chain. The down marker and yardage chain shall be placed on the home side of the field.
  1. Two Western WA Football Association officials will be used for each game at the Mighty Mite and Pee Wee level and 3 officials for the Bantam, Junior and Cruiser levels. A regular season game can be officially played with two referees only if both head coaches agree to play at the Bantam, Junior and Cruiser levels.
  1. The NFHSA rules will be in effect except for league specific revisions/additions.
  1. FOR Mighty Mites division only: ONE COACH from each team is permitted on the field during play. This Coach must not interfere with play and may only instruct players BEFORE the ball is snapped.
  1. No team may practice for more than 2.5 hours in a 24 hour period.
  1. No team may begin practicing in pads before the first official practice on the week of August 1, 2013. Conditioning sessions are allowed.
  1. The NYFL tackle football season will consist of a seven (6) week season for all Divisions. Post season play and league championship scenarios will be determined annually based on several factors including the number of teams in each league, facility availability, etc.

Article V. Pre-Season Play/Scrimmages

1. Practice games may only be played during the pre-season during a normal scheduled practice slot or during a bye week. They count against your weekly practices.

Article VI. Sportsmanship Standards

  1. All Players present and fit to play at game time should participate in the game. While no official participation rules will be enforced during the game, NYFL staff will be monitoring player participation and substitution. Coaches who consistently deny players participation time will be subject to NYFL League Disciplinary action.
  1. Each coach should look after the best interest of all youth involved in the program. Any intentional attempt to harm, embarrass or degrade another team or opposing player will not be tolerated.
  1. Each coach is a role model for his players and should conduct himself in a mature, reasonable, and responsible manner. Profanity, racial slurs or abusive language to officials, players or opposing coaches will not be tolerated.
  1. Each team and coach should be prepared to shake hands after every contest. We want to teach youth the value of competing with class and sportsmanship. Refusal to shake hands will result in a 1 (one) game suspension.
  1. Excessive celebration, taunting, or intentional late hits will result in a player being disqualified from a contest and possibly suspended from the next contest.
  1. Games may be taped when possible and that tape will be used as evidence in the case of rules or conduct infractions.
  1. Each coach should avoid “running up” the score on opponents. At the point the game is clearly in hand, conservative play-calling, no blitzing, and mass substitutions should be expected.
  1. Each coach is responsible for the behavior of his team’s players, fans and parents. Each team will receive six (6) identification badges. Any unauthorized person on a team’s sideline will result in continual unsportsmanlike conduct penalties until that person is removed.