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| Rules & Regulations |
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| Coaches |
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| " All coaches are expected to know the rules of football and teach fair play and sportsmanship to their players through good example and conduct while on the practice and game fields at all times. The League will assign all coaches. |
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| " The head coach shall be present at all practices and games unless arrangements have been made with league approved assistant coaches assigned to each respective team. |
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| " Each head coach and any assistant coaches must have completed, signed and submitted the Coaches’ Creed form for league review and approval prior to any involvement, in any capacity, with a League team. |
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| " Head Coaches will adhere to practice schedules and team compliance with respect to established practice policies and league mandated practice restrictions. |
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| " Coaches shall serve from season to season, subject to review and renewal each season by the League Board. |
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| " All coaches will be familiar with and responsible for the administration of the League disciplinary policy as outlined in the Coaches Code of Conduct. Head Coaches are responsible for the care, maintenance and return of all League equipment issued to their respective team. |
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| " All Head Coaches will submit a team roster to League Board prior to their first game. The roster will include, in order from left to right, the player’s jersey number, name, grade level, and weight. Likewise, the roster will be arranged from the lowest jersey number to the highest. |
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| " Head Coaches must notify League Board of any and all roster changes and/or players that are no longer active in League participation, or have quit, as soon as possible. |
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Officials
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| " There will be three (3) IHSAA certified officials will be utilized for each game. Only those officials that are eligible and certified to referee Iowa High School games will be allowed to officiate league games. No coach, team official or other league member will be allowed to officiate a league game unless mutually agreeable to both participating teams. If only two officials are present to officiate, the game will still be played. The League will provide all contracted officials for all regular season games. |
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| Practice Schedules |
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| " he season officially starts on a date designated by the League Board on a yearly basis. No practice may occur prior to that date and no conditioning sessions or ‘clinics’ are allowed prior to that date other than the official League Clinic put on by JYF. Equipment handout and other administrative matters and meetings may occur prior to the designated league start date. |
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| " A practice is defined as any organized team activity relating to practice or games. No additional “chalk-talks” and “film review” sessions are allowed. |
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| " The first four (4) hours of practice shall be devoted entirely and exclusively to conditioning and fundamental drill work. No pads will be allowed, however, helmets may be included after the first two (2) hours. First practice will be with no helmet or pads. Second practice will be with helmet and mouthpiece. Third practice will be with helmet and shoulder pads only. And the fourth practice will be with full pads. No player to player contact will be allowed until after the third practice is completed. |
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| " No player shall be permitted to participate in any practice, conditioning or other activity until all the necessary paperwork has been received in conjunction with established League registration policies. |
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| " A two (2) hour maximum per day (5th/6th) total practice time limitation will be adhered to (1.5 hours for 3rd/4th). During the first 2 weeks, 3rd/4th may practice (2) hours per day. At least one 10-minute break per hour will be provided with this time. During extreme heat, 15-minute breaks, or on demand, will be encouraged. |
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| " Practice sessions will be limited to three (3) per week prior to the first League regular season game. Practices will then be limited to two (2) sessions per week during League play. Practices will be conducted on Tuesdays and Thursdays during League play at an approved JYF location. |
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" Practice dates and times will be established by the League Board in accordance with these guidelines. All practices where contact occurs will be conducted with full
protective gear utilized. During the season, 3rd/4th grade practices from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM, 5th/6th practices from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. |
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| " Team parties and other similar activities will occur after the regular season has completed. |
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| " No pre-game warm-up is allowed prior to 45 minutes of the start of the game. |
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| " A practice attendance log will be maintained for future reference and that parents notify a designated member of the coaching staff concerning an absence by a player prior to the start of a scheduled practice session. |
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| Equipment |
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| " All team equipment will be inventoried at the beginning and the end of each season. The head coach will be solely responsible for this equipment. Equipment is not to be altered or defaced in any way. This includes swapping facemasks, altering jerseys, attaching patches or writing on helmets. The NOCSAE Seal of Certification and Warning Label will not be removed from the helmet for any reason. Individual player names will not be permitted on league jerseys in any form. |
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| " Only league issued equipment will be permitted in all league sanctioned activities. Chin straps, commercially manufactured forearm and elbow pads approved for football use, gloves, and/or a protective cup will be the only allowable additions to the issued equipment. The only exceptions to this rule involve situations were a player might be required to utilize additional equipment in order to protect an injury, i.e., a knee brace, additional padding to protect a deep bruise, etc. Such exceptions shall be brought to the attention of league administrators for a ruling on acceptability. |
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| " Shoes of the molded cleat variety are encouraged. Maximum size of the cleat is one and one-half (1 ½) inches measured from the tip of the cleat to the base of the shoe. No all or primarily metal or metal tipped cleats may be worn. |
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| " Jewelry of any kind is strictly prohibited under any circumstances. |
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| " Glasses should preferably be athletically approved construction with non-shattering glass (safety glass) or contact lenses. |
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| " The use of stars or emblems on helmets signifying individual accomplishment is prohibited. |
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| " All players MUST wear a mouthpiece at all times during practices where any form of contact is initiated. The mouthpiece will be worn at all times during league play and must be attached to the helmet. |
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| " The regulation size football for all league play is the Youth size for 5th/6th grade and PeeWee size for 3rd/4th grade. |
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| League Weight Restrictions |
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| " There shall be no maximum weight limitations for league participation, however, there shall be weight limitations pertaining to the ball carrier position only. |
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| " The term “ball carrier” shall mean: any offensive player touching the ball behind the line of scrimmage after the snap, on the first or any subsequent hand off, or by receipt of any forward pass or legal lateral. By definition, this would include all personnel in the backfield or receiving positions. These positions include: quarterback, running back, wide receiver, flanker and tight end. |
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| " The weight limitation for ball carriers is 110 pounds for 5th/6th grade and 85 pounds for 3rd/4th grade. |
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| " Players exceeding the specified weight limits may advance the ball only in the cases of a pass interception or fumble recovery advancement, provided the restricted player initiated the interception or recovery. The restricted player initiated provision prevents a fumble recovery or interception by an approved weight player, who subsequently gives the ball to the restricted player for advancement. |
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| " A player’s official weight will be recorded at a date, time and location to be determined by League Board prior to the League Draft. There will be one official weigh in and only one. |
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| League Playing Rules |
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| " Except as provided herein, the League will adhere to all rules and regulations as outlined in the current, official National Federation of State High School Associations Rule Book. In the event one of the listed League rules is in direct conflict with the current published NFHS rules, League rules shall have preference. |
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| " All games will be played on regulation-size high school fields. |
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| " All participants must be enrolled in the 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th grade within the Johnston Community School District or reside within the Johnston Community School District . |
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| " League age and grade will be established as of August 31st of that year. |
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| " Draft procedures and team placement will be reviewed and implemented by League Board on a yearly basis. The JYF is not intended to promote dominance by one team and draft procedures will be utilized to address and facilitate an equitable distribution of players within the league. |
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| " The team listed first on the league schedule is considered the Home team. As such, the home team must provide three (3) capable individuals (preferably adults or older youths) to act as the chain crew. The visiting team must provide one (1) individual to act as scoreboard operator. These individuals should be ready to work at least fifteen (15) minutes prior to the scheduled game time. |
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| " There will be four (4) quarters of play in each game, consisting of twelve (12) minutes of continuous running time in each quarter. Halftime will be ten minutes in duration. During the last two (2) minutes before halftime and the end of the game, standard regulation time will be in effect. The Scoreboard clock will be the official clock, provided that an adult timekeeper operates the clock. Timeouts and change of possession will stop the play clock. |
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| " Clocks stop for the following reason; team time outs, officials time outs, injury, PAT (point after touchdown) and punt. |
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| " There will be one overtime session for the 5th/6th grade league only. Games that end in a tie for 3rd/4th grade will remain a tie. During the overtime session the ball will be placed on the 10 yard, each team will get 4 downs to score, once a team scores and the extra point is attempted, their overtime session is complete. If the game is still tied after each team’s overtime session the game will end in a tie. A coin flip will be used to determine who gets the ball first in overtime. |
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| " Each team is allowed three (3) time outs per half, the duration of which will be (1) minute each. During a charged time out, two (2) coaches [and one (1) non-adult, i.e., a water person] may be on the field and approach the huddle. |
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| " The scoring values for games are as follows: touchdown-6 points; point after touchdown (run or pass)-1 point; point after touchdown (kick)-1 point (5th/6th grade only); safety-2 points. If kicking for the PAT, there will be one (1) untimed, dead ball down. The ball will be placed at the 3 yard line; it will be snapped to the 10 yard line and kicked. The defense can not rush the kicker. A tee can be used up to 2 inches. |
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| Each team may have one (1) coach on the field during play at all times. The designated coach must be ten yards removed from the deepest participant in any offensive or defensive formation. The coach is permitted to direct all activities in huddles, either offensive or defensive, but is required to cease any verbal or nonverbal communication subsequent to the quarterback initiating his cadence. A coach who is declared by an official as interfering with a play in progress will be penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. In the event a coach interferes with the offense causing what is determined by the official to be a probable score, the score will be awarded and the penalty assessment given on the next possession. |
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| Each team is allowed to have no more than four (4) League approved coaches on the sidelines during a scheduled League game. |
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| The following League Specific Rules will apply to all games: |
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| Auto Punt & Auto Kick: |
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| " Based on participant safety considerations, the League has no kickoff or kickoff returns, but will have punts for 5th/6th grade. |
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| " “Auto Punt” is automatic for 3rd/4th grader. |
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| " Punts are dead ball downs and neither team may cross the line of scrimmage. No physical contact is allowed by opposing players. During an offensive possession, on any down, the offensive team may declare an “Auto Punt”. Upon doing so, the referee will notify the defensive team that an Auto Punt has been elected by the offense. The referee will advance the ball thirty (30) yards, or half the distance to the goal line if the ball is on or inside the defensive teams own thirty (30) yard line. No punt will be placed inside the (10) yard line of the opponent. |
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| " During a punt, the front line will not engage at the line of scrimmage. There will be no rushing of the punter. There will be no fake punts. All 5/6 grade teams must attempt to punt. |
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| " The punter will stand ten (10) yards behind the line of scrimmage. If the ball is snapped over the punter, the punter may pick up the ball, return to the spot ten (10) yards behind the line of scrimmage and then punt the ball. |
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| " The ball will be spotted at the place the receiving team stops the ball. If a put does not exceed twenty (20) yards beyond the line of scrimmage then the ball will be spotted twenty (20) yards from the punting team’s line of scrimmage. No ball will be placed/punted inside the (10) yard line of the opponent. |
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| " Defensive teams are not allowed to block a punt. |
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| " Possessions at the start of each half and after scores by the opposition will be accomplished instead by the ball being spotted by the referee at the offensive team’s own forty (40) yard line. |
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| Center Protected: |
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| " The defense will not be allowed to line “head up” on the center in any defensive formation. |
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| Defensive Alignment: |
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| " Except for defensive ends, all players on the line must be in a three point or four point stance prior to when the ball is about to become live. Linebackers must line up and maintain a position at least three (3) yards behind the line of scrimmage. Defensive backs must line up at least (5) yards behind the line of scrimmage. All defensive alignments will be a standard 4-3 or 4-4. |
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| " When the ball is on or inside the defenders own five (5) yard line, a “goal line” defense may be employed, with the mandatory yardage depth restrictions being reduced to two (2) yards for linebackers and three (3) yards for defensive backs. |
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| " Only defensive formations from the JYF playbook are allowed. |
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| No Blitzing or Stunting: |
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| " No Blitzing or Stunting: No blitzing is permitted by linebackers or secondary players unless the quarterback moves outside a position occupied by the offensive tackles at the start of the play. Once players “read” this movement, they may react accordingly. Defensive “stunts” are prohibited. Linebackers must be at least three (3) yards off the line of scrimmage and must play “read and react” to the flow of the play. Linebackers need to be instructed that they may not immediately rush the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball with no regard for the flow of the play. |
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| No Motion: |
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| " There is no motion or shifting allowed during any offensive formation and/or play, by any player. |
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| Offensive Alignment: |
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| " Offense formations are limited to the formations listed in the JYF playbook. No formations will be allowed that deviate from this playbook. 100% of all offensive plays must come from a formation in the playbook.Note: The offensive and defensive restrictions imposed should be viewed as a means of providing a semi-controlled environment for the purpose of enhancing instruction of the players and developing their understanding for the fundamentals of the game. These restrictions should NOT be viewed as an opportunity to use bizarre and unconventional defensive and offensive schemes in an attempt to exploit the restrictions. |
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| Minimum Play: |
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| " The League strongly promotes the active participation of all players. Unless on disciplinary probation as dictated in the Leagues Code of Conduct, all players will be required to play at least twenty (20) plays in every game. All players are required to start on offense or defense at the start of the game and at the start of the third (3) quarter. Head Coaches will be held accountable and responsible for this provision. Free substitution of players is in effect at all times. |
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| Fumbles: |
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| " Standard NFHS rules apply. |
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| Competitive Adjustment: |
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| " This rule becomes effective when a team is twenty-four (24) points ahead of an opposing team. When in effect, the winning team must run the ball exclusively between the tackles and may not pass. |
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| Injuries |
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| " In no event shall a league coach or representative treat injuries sustained by a participant unless of an extremely minor nature which necessitates very basic first aid applications; or, he/she is a licensed medical practitioner. |
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| " Any participant injured in a game must be withdrawn for at least one (1) play. Any player sustaining a head and/or neck injury must be withdrawn for the remainder of the game. |
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| " Any injury in practice or game situations that results in the injured player missing a subsequent game must be reported to League Board by a member of the team coaching staff within twenty-four 24 hours. The participant’s name, date and time the injury was sustained, any involved players names, nature of the injury and the circumstances involved, must be reported. This provision also applies to injuries deemed serious enough to require medical attention. In this case, the injury should be reported as soon after the occurrence as possible. |
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| Administrative Review |
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| " Any situation or circumstance not covered by League Bylaws or League Rules and Regulations, or the official and binding interpretation thereof, shall be referred to League Board for a final determination. |
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