Broomfield Youth Football Rules of Play
Broomfield Youth Football Association Rules of Play
BYFA
GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS
2011 SEASON
I. MISSION STATEMENT
The principle objective of this football program shall be to teach the fundamentals of the game, enhance the physical conditioning of all players, and to promote teamwork, personal character, and sportsmanship. Winning ball games is secondary to ensuring that all players of every skill level will have the chance to play.
II. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
Any player who qualifies by age, weight, grade, and physical ability may join the Broomfield Youth Football Association (BYFA) program. Through attendance at practice, games, and general participation and attitude, he/she shall earn a chance to play in every game, no matter what their athletic ability. Each player eligible to participate shall be given the opportunity to play a reasonable amount of playing time per half. Nothing in this section shall be interpreted as a reason to prevent a coach from keeping a player out of a game as a disciplinary measure.
III. CODE OF CONDUCT
For the purposes of the following Rules, the following term is defined:
“Participant” may be a board member, coach, assistant coach, player, and the parent of a player, official, or a BYFA spectator.
1. No Participant during a BYFA activity shall demonstrate or engage in unsportsmanlike conduct or engage in or be involved in any conduct that is detrimental to the high conduct expected of all participants.
Conduct during a BYFA activity which shall be considered to be unsportsmanlike and detrimental to the sport include, but is not limited to the following:
a. Abusive or profane language, actions, or conduct directed against any participant
b. Fighting or engaging in assault by hitting, pushing or shoving;
c. Conduct or actions which may be immoral, illegal or offend a reasonable person, or conduct or actions which reflect unfavorably or which discredit the BYFA.
Violations of the above will subject the Participant to appropriate action by the Board or by an official overseeing a football game sponsored by the BYFA. Such action may include a warning, ejection of the Participant from the game or if such conduct constitutes gross misconduct detrimental to the sport of football, the Participant is subject to dismissal by the Board.
IV. COACHES
For the purposes of the following Rules, the following terms are defined:
“Board” and “governing board” means collectively the group of individuals who have been elected as board members for the given year and are in good standing.
“Head coach” mean an individual, approved by majority vote of the board and who has signed a Coaches Code of Conduct and passed a mandatory Background check.
“Assistant coach” mean all those individuals who have been approved by the head coach to assist with the team and who have signed a Coaches Code of Conduct and passed a mandatory Background check. The board reserves the right to disapprove of any assistant coach appointed by the head coach.
1. Each team will have a head coach, and at least one assistant coach.
2. All coaches in BYFA will sign a BYFA Coaches Code of Conduct. This includes the head coach, all assistant coaches, and those individuals who occupy the coaches’ box during BYFA games. The definition of a coach or assistant coach is one who has signed a BYFA Coaches Code of Conduct and passed a mandatory Background check.
3. The head coach and all assistant coaches shall be responsible for:
a. The conduct, eligibility and safety of the players only while conducting practice or during a scheduled game;
b. The conduct of spectators on their sidelines. If there is a problem with a spectator(s), the coach may request an uncharged 3-minute time out to resolve the problem. The coach may request that the spectator(s) leave the field;
c. All sideline activities within the coaches’ box during a game
d. For all BYFA equipment issued to them
4. In accordance with the standing rules of the BYFA bylaws, if a coach causes a game to be forfeited, he will be subject to a two-week suspension from all BYFA activities.
5. In the event a head coach is absent from either a game or scrimmage game, only the assistant coaches or a Board appointed individual may take over the head coaching responsibilities.
6. The league reserves the right to disallow unfair coaching tandems that may skew team splits based on the coaches assigned or designated players.
V. PRACTICE
Prior to first game
1. Daily practices sessions are permitted. Two practice sessions may not be held in the same day, this includes practice or league games.
2. Practice sessions may last not more than two hours for Minis, and two and one-half hours for Minors and Majors.
3. No more than five practice sessions in a week. A missed session in one week may not be carried over to another week.
4. There shall be NO contact the first day of PAC.
Following the first game
5. Practices are limited to no more than three practices of two-hour duration, and a one-hour warm-up immediately preceding the scheduled game of the week.
Week prior to the Super Bowl
6. Super Bowl Teams may practice a maximum of five (5) two-hour practices and a one-hour warm-up immediately preceding the Super Bowl. This does not include any non-contact team meetings or meals.
Travel
7. BYFA teams may travel outside the city limits for practice or scrimmage games
8. Travel is limited to fifteen miles from the Broomfield Community Center
9. Travel in excess of 15 miles from the Broomfield Community Center is permissible only with the approval of the Director. All safety factors will be considered along with the time leaving and returning.
10. Teams outside of Broomfield City limits may travel to Broomfield for scrimmage or practice games.
Practice Environment
11. Practices may not be held under conditions that are unsafe for the players.
VI. LEAGUE GAMES
The season shall be made up of league games, both regular season and playoff games. Schedules shall be made up and distributed as soon as possible. When a schedule is published it shall be adhered to and may not be changed unless there are extenuating circumstances, and then only by the Director’s approval.
VII. LEAGUE RULES
For the purposes of these Rules, the following terms are defined;
(1) “Credited coach” means a coach approved by the board.
(2) “Assigned player” means a credited coach’s or assistant coach’s child or relative.
(3) “Designated child” means a non-relative of credited coach or assistant coach claimed prior to the PAC (with written permission from the parent(s)).
Claimed Players
· A credited coach and assistant coach may each claim one (1) assigned player, assuming that the selections do not create an unfair advantage based on PAC Rankings and Team Split criteria.
· If both coaches do not have a relative on their team, they can only claim one (1) designated player prior to PAC.
· If only one coach has a relative on the team, they can claim an assigned player and one designated player prior to PAC.
Game Rules
The BYFA rules shall consist of the National Federation of State High School Athletic Association and additional or modified rules as described in the remainder of this Section and Section VIII.
Weight Limits
Mini Division: 8-9 years old; 120-pound weight limit.
Ball carrier weight limit will be determined by a 70/30 split, allowing 70% of the division to carry the ball.
Minor Division: 10-11 years old; 150-pound weight limit
Ball carrier weight limit will be determined by a 70/30 split, allowing 70% of the division to carry the ball.
Major Division: 12-14 years old, not to include 9th graders or above.
· Weight limit 200 lbs
· Ball carrier weight limit to be 140 lbs. At the BYFA board discretion; this weight limit can be adjusted to 70%-30% split if the player numbers do not support the set weight limit.
Team Splits
The BYFA Board forms teams based on data gathered from the Player Assessment Combine (PAC) and BYFA Registrations. The data includes, speed, agility, football score, age, weight and experience.
The BYFA uses the following formula to ensure the top talent is spread evenly across teams. This example is for an 8 team division.
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Team #
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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6
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7
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8
|
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Over Rank
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1 & 16
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2 & 15
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3 & 14
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4 & 13
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5 & 12
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6 & 11
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7 & 10
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8 & 9
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Under Rank
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8 & 9
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7 & 10
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6 & 11
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5 & 12
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4 & 13
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3 & 14
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2 & 15
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1 & 16
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EG. Team 1 will receive the #1 and #16 ranked over and the #8 and #9 ranked under. The top 32 players will be distributed across the 8 teams.
Distributions:
6 team division Top 24 players
8 team division Top 32 players
10 team division Top 40 players
12 team division Top 48 players
The remainder of the players are assigned by PAC score in a round robin fashion. After all have been assigned, the Board will look at average PAC, Age, Speed and designated players, make adjustments if needed, to even the teams.
EG. The coach will receive the team that his son is assigned to. If a coach’s son is the #5 ranked Under, that coach will receive team 4.
After all team assignments based on designated players are complete, the remaining teams will be assigned based on experience, with the most experienced coach receiving the lowest remaining team number, and so on.
Coaching Tandems that create unfair advantages will not be allowed.
BYFA Board will make all trades prior to team draw.
The coaches will all agree the teams are even to the criteria given. At this point, the team split is complete and coaches can then contact the players on their team.
Speed, weight, age, experience, and any other data we deem necessary will be used to add kids on teams after the team draw. Kids will not be added to a team only because they are short of kids.
The deadline for a player to join BYFA and be assigned to a team is prior to the second game of the season. No child will be allowed to join BYFA after the second game.
At the Boards discretion any player may be evaluated, on a case by case basis, for eligibility.
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VIII. BYFA SPECIAL RULES
All leagues shall follow the rules and regulations of the National Federation of State High School Athletic Association (NFSHSAA), except for the following BYFA Special Rules adopted by the BYFA and described under the subheadings below:
Field
1. The field for the Mini Division shall be eighty yards long plus end zone, and 160 feet wide with lateral marks every ten yards. The playing field for the Minor Division shall be eighty yards long, plus end zone, and 160 feet wide with lateral marks every ten yards. The playing field for the Major Division shall be one hundred yards long, plus end zone, and 160 feet wide with lateral marks every ten yards.
2. On the field the coaching staff and team will occupy the space between the twenty yard lines. This applies to all divisions. Penalty for not observing this rule will be stated in the high school rulebook. The penalty for a ‘coach-on-the-field’ infraction is a time out charged plus 12 yards (15 yards in the Major Division).
3. The home team shall take the west or north side of the field.
4. Parents are to stay behind the parent line; 5 yards back from the sidelines. Spectators are to stay out of the end zone.
5. NO Tobacco Products or Alcohol allowed on any designated BYFA playing or practice field.
6. NO Sunflower seeds allowed on the Commons or Broomfield High School turf fields.
7. In the event of rain or snow, the games will only be canceled by the Director. The games will be made up as soon as possible. The dates of the make up games will be determined by the BYFA Board.
Officials
8. A minimum of two officials shall be assigned to each league game; each official shall identify himself/herself to each bench.
9. The Chain Crew shall work under the direction of the game official. Two people will keep the yard chain for each game and one shall keep the down marker. BYFA Board Members are restricted from working the Chains or Box for any BYFA Games.
Time
10. The length of the game shall be as follows:
All Divisions – 18 minute running clock per quarter, except the last 4 minutes of the 2nd and 4th quarters. The final four minutes of the 2nd and 4th quarters shall be regulation clock.
Benches will be notified when there are four minutes remaining in the second and fourth quarters. Official time will be kept by one of the officials. Half-time will be twelve (12) minutes.
11. All leagues will be given a maximum of three (3) time outs per half. Time outs shall be limited to sixty (60) seconds, except in the case of injury or referees judgement. If there is a problem with a spectator on his sideline, that Coach may call an uncharged 3-minute time out to resolve the problem. During this uncharged time out, neither coaching staff may converse with their players for coaching purposes.
12. All teams will conform to the thirty (30) second rule, huddling and placing the ball in play. In the Mini Division ONLY one coach from each team may be on the field for the first game ONLY. Once the ball is snapped, coaches may not instruct players. The coach must be ten (10) yards behind the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped.
Penalties
13. Penalties shall be as follows:
Mini Division – 4 yards, 8 yards, and 12 yards
Minor Division – 4 yards, 8 yards, and 12 yards
Major Division – 5 yards, 10 yards, and 15 yards
Kickoff Rule (created to eliminate 4/8/12 yard penalties on kickoffs and the confusion they cause when on side kicks are attempted from non major field stripes).
“Any situation/penalty on a free kick that causes a re-kick will result in a 5 yard penalty. All on sides kicks (all divisions) must travel 10 yards. All kick off alignments will have 10 yards between the kicking and receiving team. (Not 8 yards).”
Ball Placement
14. Kick-off to start the game or after a score shall be placed as follows:
Mini Division – 30 yard line
Minor Division – 30 yard line
Major Division – 40 yard line
A dead ball in the end zone (touch back) and safeties will be brought out and placed as follows:
Mini Division – 15 yard line
Minor Division – 15 yard line
Major Division – 20 yard line
Extra Points and Field Goals
15. For the try for extra point, the ball must be placed on the two (2) yard line in the Mini and Minor Divisions and on the three (3) yard line in the Major Division. On all extra points, one point shall be given for a successful running play; two points for a successful pass or kick play. An extra point kick may be attempted in the Major and Minor Division. (see 17a for additional restrictions). If a kick is attempted in the minor Division it will be from the 2 yd line of a 100 yard field. The Play will be live.
16. A field goal may be attempted in the Major Division only. (see 17a for additional restrictions)
Punting and Kicking
17. In the Mini and Minor Divisions, a team may declare a punt. If a team declares a punt, the defense shall not rush the kicker or attempt to block the punt until the ball is kicked. Both kicking and receiving teams must use conventional punting and receiving formations. The receiving team cannot try to block the punt by raising their hands above their heads. Neither team may move across the line of scrimmage until the ball has been kicked. As soon as the ball has been kicked, play shall resume. A punt is not officially declared unless the kicking team and/or coach personally notify one official. In the event no declaration is made, the opposing team is free to rush the kicker as in normal play. This rule applies to Mini and Minor Divisions ONLY. In the event of a declared punt, the punt must occur within 15 seconds of the snap or have a loss of down. In the Mini and Minor Divisions, when a punt is declared, the clock will start when the ball is punted, not at the snap.
17a. Patch Players are allowed to punt and kick. However, if a Major or Minor Division Patch Player is a punter or a kicker, in any kicking situation, declared or otherwise, no fake punt or fake kick of any kind can be executed. The ball must be punted or kicked. Play is whistled dead if the snap is muffed or fumbled. Ball will be placed at original line of scrimmage. Only one Patch Player (the punter or kicker) may violate the provisions of the Patch Player section below (i.e. no Patch Player blocking back(s)). Patch Players cannot be the holder or personal protector.
Overtime
18. In case of a tie game, the tie breaking procedure will be as defined by the NFSHSAA rules. The first two overtime periods are for scores. If the game is still tied after two overtime periods, additional overtimes will be played according to NFSHSAA rules except as follows:
Each team will be allotted four downs and the winner will be determined by deepest positive penetration (+) yards after any of the four (4) downs have been played in that period. Losing yards during the series of four plays does not affect the deepest penetration. The ball will be placed on the ten-yard line for all Divisions with no 1st down chains in use. Both teams will play on the same end of the field. A five-minute break between each overtime period will be granted and one time out will be allotted for each overtime period. It is recommended that a BYFA Board Member be present to monitor all overtime games.
Patch Players
19. Any offensive player designated as a Patch Player may not carry the ball and must line up on the line of scrimmage and within four (4) yards of the center. A Patch Player is not allowed to be in motion at the snap of the football. Any team in violation of this rule shall receive a major penalty (twelve (12) yards for the Mini and Minor Divisions and fifteen (15) yards for the Major Division), for unsportsmanlike conduct against the Head Coach.
If a Patch Player attempts to line up on the line of scrimmage but is penalized under the High School rules for not being close enough to the line of scrimmage, then the referee may, at his discretion, only penalize the team for illegal procedure.
20. A player can be a Patch Player and occupy the Tight End position and is allowed to catch a forward pass (across the line of scrimmage, no screen passes) and advance the ball. All Patch Players will be designated by a three-inch contrasting stripe on the helmet.
21. Linebackers – all players playing the position of the linebacker or defensive back that are striped must line up within five (5) yards of the line of scrimmage and cannot line up more than two (2) yards outside the nearest offensive lineman. Any team in violation of this rule shall receive a major penalty (twelve (12) yards for the Mini and Minor Divisions and fifteen (15) yards for the Major Division), for unsportsmanlike conduct against the Head Coach. In the event the offensive team places three (3) or more wide-outs the offensive team gives up the benefit of this rule.
22. A Defensive Patch Player will be allowed to recover the ball and run it back as long as that player initially has possession of the ball and it remained in his possession through a fumble, interception, or blocked punt.
23. A Patch Player must be on the front line of the kick off team and may not advance a kick-off. An offensive Patch Player may recover a fumble but CANNOT ADVANCE THE BALL UNDER ANY CONDITION.
League Tie Breaker
24. Tie breakers for league standings are as follows:
a. By the record;
b. Head to head*;
c. Coin Toss;
d. Draw Cards.
* Head to head tie breaker will only be used if all head to head tied teams have played each other.
Medical and Legal Requirements
25. Registrations: Before a player can be placed on a team, they must have paid the fee, had a birth certificate verified, be weighed in, and have the medical release signed by a Parent or Guardian. Physical examinations will be turned in to the coach before the first game. Players will not play in games until they have turned in their physical to the coach and the coach has turned in all physicals to the league. Physicals must have been performed within the calendar year.
26. Minimum weight to play tackle football is 45 pounds.
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