1. NAME: The organization shall be known as the SUBURBAN YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE.
2. PURPOSE: The purpose of this organization shall be to promote and supervise competition among league members.
3. OFFICERS: The organization shall consist of the following elected officers, who will also comprise the EXECUTIVE BOARD: President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.
A. Officer nominations shall occur at the October league meeting.
B. Elections for new officers will take place at the November meeting.
4. MEMBERS
A. Any organization desiring membership in the league must, upon acceptance, submit a non-refundable entry fee set per league Operating Rules.
B. Each year, each organization already in the league, shall submit a non-refundable entry fee at the January meeting set per league Operating Rules.
C. If the league entrance fee is not paid at the January meeting, it increases fifty dollars ($50.00) per month until paid.
D. All members must participate in league functions as provided for in the by-laws. Failure to do so subjects a team to revocation of membership.
E. Any new organization desiring membership must be voted on by the league membership and will be decided by a simple majority.
1. All new teams will be on probation for a period of three (3) years.
2. New teams must field all levels of play from Flags up to and including 125lb. teams.
3. Probationary teams have no vote in matters involving other probationary teams.
F. All organizations are responsible for the actions of all players, coaches, and fans of their Organization. Any team or organization acting in an unruly or unsportsmanlike manner may be placed on probation for a period of time designated by the membership.
G. Any organization that does not field three (3) teams (95, 105, 125) for two (2) consecutive years must face a league vote to stay in the league.
H. All complaints will be directed to the Advisory Committee for investigation. Findings and recommendations will then be presented to the Executive Board for a final decision. Any appeal of the ruling must be submitted within twenty-four hours and will be heard by the Executive Board within forty-eight hours.
I. Each organization’s president and league representative must sign the Organizational Code of Conduct and Expectations form on a yearly basis. This signed form is due by the July meeting.
5. OPERATING RULES
A. These Bylaws have a section at the end labeled as “Operating Rules”. The Operating Rules are intended to govern the day to day operations of the league, via the league executive board, and as such do not require an official league board vote to make adjustments to their content. The executive board, however, shall seek input and communicate potential changes during regular league meetings or via email to all team representatives.
6. MEETINGS
A. Regular monthly meetings will be held on the fourth Wednesday of the month from January through November with the following exceptions: the August meeting will be on the third Wednesday of the month and the October meeting will be on the Sunday night that the regular season ends. The July meeting will be the coaches’ picnic.
B. The league secretary shall contact the league representatives of the date, time, and location of the next meeting at least five (5) days prior to the date of each league meeting. Meetings will usually start at 8:30PM, but the Executive Board can change monthly meeting dates or start times.
C. A fine of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be assessed to any member organization that misses a league meeting. The fine shall be increased to seventy-five dollars ($75.00) for any missed voting meeting. If this fine is not paid at or before the next regularly scheduled meeting, the organization will lose its right to vote on all league business until such fines are paid.
D. To be considered present for a league meeting, the organizational representative must be there for roll call and stay until the meeting is complete.
E. Any organization missing two (2) consecutive meetings shall be automatically dropped from the league.
1. When any organization has missed a meeting, the league secretary shall promptly forward a letter to the listed team representative and to the president of the teams sponsoring organization advising them, that if they are not present at the next league meeting (on date, time, place), they will automatically be dropped from the league membership.
F. The League President shall be in charge of the league meetings at all times. In the President's absence, the Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President.
1. Only the organization representative will have the power to make a motion or to vote.
2. The President shall have the tie breaking vote.
G. A fifty percent (50%) quorum of the sponsoring organizations is required to transact business at all league meetings.
H. A centrally located meeting place shall be used for all league meetings.
I. Team information sheets for each organization in the league shall be submitted to the league secretary at the June meeting of the current year. Failure to do so will result in a monthly fine of $10.00 until it's completed.
J. Any fine must be paid at the next month’s league meeting. The fine will be doubled each month until paid in full.
K. Amendments to the by-laws may be made when 1/3 of the organizations present in writing, propose the change. The proposed change will be accepted if a majority of organizations approve them at two (2) consecutive meetings. (If a proposed by-law change does not receive a majority vote at the first meeting, then it is considered to be voted down.)
L. Any by-law change to the age and weight structure must remain in effect for a minimum of two years.
7. ELIGIBILITY
A. All teams participating in league competition must select from within the state of Pennsylvania.
B. No player competing in the Suburban Youth Football League may play for a middle school team or any other football team.
C. All Organizations must first field a team at the lowest competitive level before fielding a team at the instructional level.
D. Players must make weight during one of the first three weeks of the season in order to be eligible to play for the remainder of that season.
1. There will be no exchanging of players that do no meet the designated weight. Should this issue become known, it will be investigated by the Advisory Committee.
2. Opposing coaches at all levels will be responsible for reporting players that did not make weight to the league officers so that honesty can be maintained throughout the league.
3. The league representative must fax weigh-in sheets (must be on the downloaded form from the website) to the League President by the Wednesday after the third game. The weigh-in sheets must be signed by the first three weeks’ opposing coaches, who are required to write the numbers of the overweight or absent players next to his signature.
E. If a player does not make weight, he/she must remove their shoulder pads immediately and throughout the game. If that player is put into the game, it will result in an automatic forfeit of the game. The Advisory Committee will then meet to determine a suspension for the coach of that team.
F. No more than two (2) sanctioned league games may be played in one seven (7) day period under any circumstances.
G. A copy of each player’s birth certificate must be maintained at the league level. Birth certificates copies must be available if needed. Only one (1) copy should be needed for the player’s duration in the Suburban Youth Football League. All Birth Certificates are due by the August meeting. No player may play until the birth certificate is turned into the League President. 'Pending' players cannot play in any games.
8. WEIGH-INS
A. Every player must weigh in before each game, EXCEPT, if a player makes weight to play at a lower level and is double rostered. The coaches should make a note of those players at the time of weigh-ins. The home team shall supply a balanced scale for weigh-ins. The visiting team may bring a scale along for comparison. If there is a great difference then a neutral scale will be used.
B. Each team shall have only two (2) representatives at the weigh-ins. The home team shall provide a suitable and enclosed building to have the weigh-ins.
C. A player may only undress down to their underwear.
D. In the case of a FEMALE player having to strip, a woman representative should be the only person, other than the parent or guardian, to be allowed in the weigh-in room.
E. At NO TIME should a female and a male player be undressing in a weigh-in area at the same time.
F. All weigh-ins shall occur between the start of the previous game and half-time of that same game at the earliest convenience of both teams. Anyone overweight or not present at the "scheduled" weigh-in shall be permitted to weigh-in up until the start of the game.
G. The weigh-in for the first game of the day shall be one (1) hour before game time.
H. All players must present an ID card complete with a current picture at each weigh-in.
I. Picture cards will be displayed in a photo album and put in numerical order the way the players will be weighed. If a player plays on two teams then he will have two picture cards. Any team not having the picture cards at the time of weigh-in will forfeit that game. The game can still be played but it will not count. Any individual not having a picture card will not be allowed to play in that game.
J. Weigh-ins can only occur on the day of actual game. There will be no weighing in of players if a game is postponed. Players can be weighed in the event of a forfeit (the league representative of the forfeiting organization should be present to verify the weigh-ins).
K. All scales must be calibrated annually. A sticker or paperwork must be available upon request.
L. All organizations must have a digital scale for weigh-ins.
9. ROSTERS
A. All Teams must have rosters signed by the opposing coach for the first three (3) games of the season to verify which players made weight and which did not. Any player that is not there at weigh in will be considered overweight. Each roster will be marked to verify which players were present. Any player that is injured must weigh in at one of the first three (3) games in order to be eligible to play later that year.
B. Players must be rostered for the Flag, 80lb., 95lb., 105lb. or 125lb. team in order to be eligible to play.
C. Any player who is double-rostered must be listed on both team rosters and have a picture card in both team picture books. If a player is not listed on the second roster, then they are ineligible to play for that team.
D. At the August meeting, all organizations must turn in a copy of all completed rosters for that season. All rosters must be entered into the website prior to the August meeting. Any rosters not turned in by this roster night will result in forfeit of all games played until those rosters are turned in.
E. Every player must sign a team contract form or agreement to play with a team. He/she must secure a written release from that team’s head coach to play on another team that same season. A duplicate copy of the release must be presented to the League President before that player is eligible.
F. All organizations are encouraged to have a team at the flag level and must commit to having a team at each of the competitive weight levels (95,105,125). There will be a one hundred dollar ($100.00) fine for an organization that does not have a competitive level team at each of these weight classes.
10. GAME TIMES
A. Each organization can decide the game order for their home games. All competitive level games must be played one after another. The 80lb. game must start or end the day when that day’s regular opponent does not have an 80lb. team.
B. All games will consist of four (4) ten (10) minute quarters with a ten (10) minute break at half-time.
C. The 80 lb. game will run the clock just like a regular 95/105/125 lb. game.
D. The first tackle game must start at the designated time. If it is not started on time the Officials will start the game clock and penalize the home team for delay of game.
11. FIELD CONDITIONS AND POSTPONEMENTS
A. Field conditions are up to the home team. Home team coaches must advise visiting teams coaches at least two hours before the game in regards to postponements. If the visiting team is not so advised, they shall assume the game is to be played. The home team shall also advise the officials accordingly. Make-up games must be rescheduled within a two (2) week period.
B. The Executive Board will have the sole discretion for postponements of playoff games due to weather conditions.
12. AGE & WEIGHT STRUCTURE
A. Team weight classifications and specific regulations:
1. Flag, 80lbs., 95lbs., 105lbs., 125lbs. (The 80lb. team is optional)
2. The Flag and 80lbs. teams will be known as instructional level play.
3. The 95lbs., 105lbs. and 125lbs. teams will be known as competitive level play.
B. There will be no weight increase/allowance for any tackle level teams throughout the season.
C. No Player at the flag level may attain his 8th birthday prior to September 1st of that year.
D. No Player on the 80lb. team may attain his 9th birthday prior to September 1st of that year. All 80lb. players are automatically eligible for the 95lb. team, as long as they made that weight in one of the first three weeks.
E. No Player on the 95lb. team may attain his 10th birthday prior to September 1st of that year.
F. No Player on the 105lb. team may attain his 11th birthday prior to June 1st of that year.
G. No Player on the 125lb. team may attain his 13th birthday prior to September 1st of that year.
H. Any by-law changes to the age and weight structure must remain in effect for a minimum of two years.
13. RULES FOR THE 95LB. DIVISION
A. During the 95 lb. game, the following will apply:
1. For the first four (4) weeks of the season two coaches from each team will be allowed on the field. For the remainder of the season they will coach from the sidelines.
2. The "on field" coaches must be at least five (5) yards behind the deepest player.
3. Defenses will be limited to either 5-4 or 6-3 (5&6 meaning lineman and 4&3 meaning LB’s and CB’s) and no blitzing will be permitted. During the 95 lb. game all linebackers and cornerbacks must be at least 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage and safeties must be 6 yards off the line.
4. Inside the 10 yard line, a goal line defense can be used but there is still no blitzing.
5. On-Side Kicks will not be permitted. The ball will belong to the receiving team regardless of who recovers the kick.
6. Punting will occur in the 95lb. game. If the offensive team chooses to punt on 4th down, the offensive and defensive teams will not be allowed to cross the line of scrimmage until the football is punted. If either team crosses the line of scrimmage it will result in a 5 yard penalty. The offensive team can then re-choose the option of punting. A fumbled snap will be punted from the point of recovery. If the snap goes past the punter it shall also be punted from the point of recovery, with no crossing of the line of scrimmage by either team. Defenses must maintain the 6-3 or 5-4 formation on punt plays. There will be no fake punts allowed. If the punt does not go past the line of scrimmage, then it is an automatic dead ball situation. The football will be placed at the original line of scrimmage and will become the defensive (receiving) team’s possession.
7. During the 95 lb. game, any team that blitzes will be penalized (5) five yards for illegal procedure. This penalty will be from the line of scrimmage.
8. During the 95 lb. game, a 45 second play clock will be utilized in order to keep the game moving.
9. Overtime for the 95lb. games will be only one overtime period. If both teams fail to score or score and make or miss the point after try, the game will end in a tie.
10. A two-point kicking conversion may be attempted during the 95lb. game. For this level only, a holder and kicker will go onto the field and a free kick will occur from the eight (8) yard line. A kicking block must be used for this kick.
14. RULES FOR THE 80LB. DIVISION
A. The 80lb. games will have the same rules as 95lb. games except for the following:
1. Two coaches from each team are allowed on the field at all times for the entire season.
2. On-Side kicks will not be permitted. The ball will belong to the receiving team regardless of who recovers the kick. Once possession is gained by the receiving team, a fumble can occur during the return.
3. The offensive team will have the option, on 4th down, to have the official advance the line of scrimmage 20 yards and turn the possession of the ball over to the other team, except when possession is inside the 30 yard line. In that situation, the ball will be advanced only HALF the distance to the goal.
4. Since the 80lb. division is instructional in purpose, no score is to be kept and therefore no overtime period shall be allowed.
15. FLAG RULES
A. Use PIAA rules except as modified below.
B. As an important safety factor it is mandatory for flag players to wear a soft shell (karate type) head gear for their own protection.
C. KICK-OFF: The receiving team always gets the ball at the point where it becomes a dead ball. The kicking team kicks from their 40 yardline. The receiving team can move up to the 50 yardline.
D. A first down is 10 yards from the line of scrimmage.
E. FUMBLE: QB/ Center exchange; if the QB can recover quickly, there is no fumble. If not, loss of down. All other fumbles are loss of down and the ball is spotted at the point of fumble.
F. If a ball carriers flag falls off at anytime, the play is dead. The ball is then spotted at the point where the flag fell.
G. Penalty - No distance, no loss of down, except; Blatant off sides is 5 yards. Unnecessary roughness; tackling, leaving feet on the block, forearming, stiff arming, blocks below the waist, etc. is 5 yards.
H. No slapping the hands from defenders by the ball carrier, no pushing out of bounds, must be attempting to grab the flags, one warning per half per team. A second violation will result in penalty as follows:
Upon Defense - 1st down at the point of infraction.
Upon Offense - loss of down and loss of yardage on that play.
I. PUNT: Automatic punt at the option of the coach - 30 yards from the line of scrimmage. If the line of scrimmage is at or inside the 40 yard line, then half the distance to the goal.
J. CLOCK: Two 25 minute halves per game with continuous running clock, except each team shall be allowed one time-out each half. The clock will be stopped for a downed injured player. There will be a 10 minute break at half-time.
K. SCORING: Touchdowns are seven (7) points with no P.A.T. attempt. A safety is two (2) points and then the kick-off is from the twenty (20) yard line.
L. DEFENSIVE SET BACK: No defensive player shall set up closer than 2 yards away from the line of scrimmage. It is the offensive coach's responsibility to NOT start a play if the defense is not properly set back. No more than 6 players on the line of scrimmage.
M. DEFENSES: Defenses will be limited to either 5-4 or a 6-3 and no blitzing will be permitted.
N. Inside the 10 yard line you can use a goal line defense but still no blitzing.
O. On-sides kicks will not be permitted. The ball will belong to the receiving team regardless of who recovers the kick.
P. DOUBLE ROSTER: No player that plays on a tackle team of any weight class may play on the flag team.
Q. EQUIPMENT: All Flags shall be at least 14 inches long and be of a bright color that is contrasting to the pants that the player is wearing. The flag will be unobstructed from view and touch, and be attached by velcro only.
R. COACHES/REFS: Not more than 3 coaches from each team shall be on the field at any time during the game. At least 1 coach must remain with the bench at all times. The head coach shall appoint a fourth coach to act as a referee during the game if a ref is not available. The ref/coaches shall agree on all infractions. The coaches and ref/coaches shall remain at least 10 yards away from the players in all directions and shall move away from the ball as the play progresses.
S. PLAYERS: No player may attain his 8th birthday prior to September 1st of that year. Although weight is not critical, to avoid injury, players who are larger than 85 pounds should be encouraged to play tackle.
T. In order to maintain parity, the team that is ahead at any point in the game cannot allow a player who has already scored to carry or catch the ball beyond the line of scrimmage. These players will also not be permitted to return kick-offs. If such a player does carry the ball beyond the line of scrimmage, the team will be penalized the yardage gained and will suffer loss of down.
16. PROTESTS
A. If any violation of the league by-laws is suspected, a protest may be submitted to the League President, along with a ten dollar ($10.00) protest fee to be refunded if the protest is upheld. This protest must be submitted in writing within seventy-two (72) hours of the infraction by the league representative or the head coach. In addition, the following penalties shall be imposed...
1. For violation which affects a single game, loss of the game.
2. For violation which affects more than one game, loss of each game in which the violation occurred. For example: ineligible players, incomplete rosters, etc.
17. POST SEASON INFORMATION
A. Eight teams will make the playoffs for each competitive level. The first and second place team in each division, based on division record, will be included. The teams with the next two best overall records will round out the field as 'wild card' entries.
Tie-Breaker Criteria:
1. Head to Head winner
2. Overall Record
3. Number of wins of the teams they played that season.
4. A one game playoff would be the last option. This would only occur if three teams are tied and the third place team would not qualify as a 'wildcard' entry.
B. Each of the eight teams will be seeded from #1 to#8. The division winners will be seeded #1, #2 and #3. The division runner-ups will be seeded #4, #5 and #6. The 'wild card' entries will be #7 and #8.
1. Division winners, runner-ups and 'wild cards' will then be seeded based upon their overall record.
2. If teams in any of the three classifications are still tied, head-to-head would be the first tiebreaker criteria. The second tiebreaker would be the total number of wins of the teams they played that season. Should a tie still exist, the league representative of each organization would pick a number out of a hat.
C. For the first round, the games will be as follows: 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, 3 vs. 6, and 4 vs. 5.
D. For the semi-finals, the winners of the 1-8 and 4-5 games will play each other. The winners of the 2-7 and 3-6 games will play each other.
E. Playoff host teams are eligible to play a playoff game on their home field as long as they are the higher seeded team in that match-up.
F. As much as possible, the playoff committee will have the highest seeded team play at the closest host field.
G. Playoff sites will be determined by the following list and will be rotated every year (first four teams host first round, next two teams host semi-finals, last team hosts championship games):
2007: A's, Bulldogs, Lower Nazareth, Salisbury, Hokey, L.C.Y.A, Alton Park
2008: Saucon Valley, Catty, Saints, Raiders, South Parkland, Northampton, Steelers
2009: North Parkland, Lower Macungie, Emmaus, Mountainville, A's, Bulldogs, Lower Nazareth
2010: Northampton, L.C.Y.A, Alton Park, Saucon Valley, Catty, Saints, Raiders
2011: South Parkland, Hokey, Steelers, North Parkland, Lower Macungie, Emmaus, Mountainville
2012: A's, Bulldogs, Lower Nazareth, Northampton, L.C.Y.A, Alton Park, Saucon Valley
2013: Catty, Saints, Raiders, South Parkland, Hokey, Steelers, North Parkland
H. Overtime / Sudden Death Rules
1. In the event that a regular season, elimination, play-off, or championship game should end in a tie, the tie will be resolved by a method approved by the state high school association. This method is known as the 10 yard line over-time procedure. This by-law applies to the competitive levels only.
2. Overtime for the 95lb. games will be only one overtime period for regular season games. If both teams fail to score or score and make or miss the point after try, the game will end in a tie. All 95lb. elimination and playoff games cannot end in a tie.
18. TROPHIES
A. Trophies will be given to all playoff teams.
B. Trophies will be presented at the November meeting.
C. Trophies for league champions and runner-ups will be presented at the conclusion of the championship game.
19. NOTES
A. Any rules not covered by these by-laws shall be played according to P.I.A.A. playing rules.
B. The Mercy Rule, as it is known by the PIAA, in this league will take effect when there is 28 point difference in the score, everything else will follow the PIAA guidelines.
C. All players must wear colored mouth pieces to play in the games.
D. Teams must wear contrasting jersey colors. The home team wears the dark colored jersey.
E. P.A.T. Conversion Change - Two (2) points will be awarded to the team kicking a P.A.T. Running or passing for the conversion will still result in a one (1) point score. The intention of this is to stimulate interest in kicking and to award a team more points for a more difficult conversion.
F. Any player, coach or assistant coach being ejected from a game for any reason.
1. First offense will be the removal of the offending player, coach or assistant coach for the remainder of that game plus a suspension from the next scheduled game.
2. Second offense will be the removal of the offending player, coach or assistant coach for the remainder of that game and a suspension from the next two games.
a. Judgment committee will consist of the Executive Board members and the officials’ assignor.
b. Committee meeting on any dispute must be held and settled within the week prior to the next scheduled game.
c. The officials making the protest and the coach or coaches must attend. Two (2) witnesses from each side will be heard.
d. A "no-show" on the part of either party will result in the following decisions by the committee:
1. Official "no-show" accused will not be suspended nor will the team be fined.
2. Accused "no-show" will be suspended from the next two (2) games and the team will be fined fifty dollars ($50.00).
G. All players and coaches should meet in the middle of the field to shake hands at the conclusion of the game to show good sportsmanship.
H. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at any game by any team.
I. Any rules not covered here will be ruled upon by the Executive Board.
J. Team personnel consists of the head coach and his assistants listed on that team’s roster and/or anyone the head coach permits.
K. Goal Posts must be padded according to P.I.A.A. requirements.
20. DISBANDMENT
A. Should the league ever disband, all money and property accumulated by the league, until that time, shall be held for a period of one year. If the league is not reorganized, this money and property shall be divided among the member organizations during the last year of operation.
Operating Rules
1. ENTRY FEES: Entry fees will be set by the Executive Board on an annual basis. For the 2009 season the fee is three hundred dollars ($300.00).
2. COMMITTEES:
A. PLAY-OFF COMMITTEE. All teams shall be members. Failure to do so subjects a team to loss of its forfeit bond and/or revocation of membership.
1. A schedule of team’s responsibilities will be prepared by the executive board, and these teams are expected to be present. Failure to do so will result in loss of fine forfeit bond and/or revocation of membership.
B. BY-LAW COMMITTEE. A committee shall be appointed by the President as needed to review the proposed by-law changes prior to the January meeting. Any new by-law change proposals must be presented to the Executive Board or a by-law committee member at the November meeting. Proposed bylaw changes should be submitted by teams and read to the whole body prior to submission as set forth herein.
C. SCHEDULING COMMITTEE. A committee shall be appointed by the President at the March meeting. They are responsible to submit a schedule by the May meeting.
1. Schedules shall be prepared on a home and away basis whenever possible. For example, the team you played at home this year you will play away next year.
D. AUDITING COMMITTEE. A committee shall be appointed by the President at the November meeting. This committee shall meet for the sole purpose of auditing the treasurer’s books and give a final report at the March meeting.
F. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. This committee shall be appointed by the Executive Board in a time of need. This committee shall be made up of five (5) people whom the Executive Board feels will take the best interest of the league and the youth into consideration when making a decision. These members can be for example, past coaches, past officers, teachers, or other people in the community who are interested and involved with the youth in some way.
3. GAME OFFICIALS
A. The league shall appoint an assignor, who shall assign three (3) P.I.A.A. officials to the 95lb., 105lb. and 125lb. games. At least two (2) officials must be present before a game can start. No other officials are allowed.
B. The league assignor will be paid a scheduling fee of $35.00 per organization by the League at the July meeting.
C. The league assignor shall assign three (3) officials for an 80 lb. game. Two officials will be allowed to work.
D. The league assignor shall assign four (4) officials for all Elimination and Play-off games.
E. Referee fees for the playoffs will be added into the yearly membership fee. This exact amount will be determined at the March meeting and must be paid by the August meeting. If this is not paid by the August meeting, the fee increases fifty dollars ($50.00) per month until paid. This means referee fees for the playoffs will be paid by the league. The Treasurer will give the required money to each playoff host team at the October league meeting.
F. The Officials fees for 2009 will be $45.00 per game per official.
G. In the case of an official showing up to work a game and the game being canceled and he not be notified in time, the said official will get paid half of the regular pay. If this is the case of a no show and/or forfeit by one of the teams, then that team will have to pay the officials. This will be done either through the host team or the league.
4. REGULATION FOOTBALLS
A. The following footballs can be used for the Flag and 80lb. games – Wilson K-2, Nike Pee-Wee or Spalding Baden of the same dimensions.
B. The following footballs can be used for the 95lb. and 105lb. games - Wilson TDJ, Spalding J5J, Baden 500JR, Nike 1000J or 2000J.
C. The following footballs can be used for the 125lb. game - Wilson TDY, Spalding J5Y, Baden 500Y, Nike 100Y or 200Y.
5. FIELD MARKINGS AND SHOES
A. A regulation football field shall be used, with goal line flags at each goal line. Goal line flags must have flexible shafts. Yards are marked every ten (10) yards. Goal posts must be installed at each end of the playing field for field goal attempts. Lining of the field is the responsibility of the home team.
B. The playing field on both sides should be roped off from goal line to goal line, ten (10) yards from the sidelines. The exception being any school or other field having the perimeter of the playing field enclosed. Only team personnel are allowed within this confined area.
C. A restricted area (coaches' box) must be painted from the 25 yard line to the 25 yard line on each side of the field. This restricted area should be a minimum of two (2) yards in depth.
1. Only three coaches are allowed in the restricted area to communicate with players and substitutes during dead-ball situations. These three coaches must move into the team box before the play becomes live.
D. All cheerleaders must be a minimum of two (2) yards away from the sideline while the game is being played.
E. All teams are required to have a yard marking clip attached to the first down chains. It will be the responsibility of the referee who is closest to the chains to reset the clip after each first down and prior to play resuming.
F. Only specified knee-hi football shoes, with cleats molded into the soles and sneakers are allowed to be used. No metal or removable cleats are allowed.
6. COACHES
A. Every head coach must be certified by the National Youth Sports Coaches Association. Assistant coaches are encouraged to be certified. There will be a twenty-five dollar ($25.00) fine for each head coach in an organization that is not certified.
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