"Getting YOUR big guys on the field!"

**Please NOTE: There have been some minor rules changes. They will be posted as soon as we receive the revised rules set.**

SHORELINE YOUTH FOOTBALL CONFERENCE

RULES AND REGULATIONS

I. Major Goal: To provide the largest number of pre-high school aged youth with a positive experience in the game of football.

A. Objectives

1. The participants must have FUN.
2. The participants should learn the values of Team Sports and discipline.
3. The participants should learn the Fundamentals of the game of football.

II. Governing Structure:

A. The Board will consist of a Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, recording Secretary, Treasurer, Officials Liaison, and a Representative from each town. An Executive board will consist of a Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, recording Secretary, Treasurer and Officials Liaison.

1. Commissioner: Has the responsibility to facilitate and coordinate all official functions of the Conference. The Commissioner will have the power to vote only in the case of a tie.

2. Assistant Commissioner: Will assume the duties of the Commissioner when the Commissioner is unavailable.

3. Recording Secretary: Will be responsible for the disbursement of meeting minutes.

4. Treasurer: Will be responsible for the disbursement of funds. Will also be required at every regular scheduled meeting of the SYFC, to present a written and formalized treasures report that includes all transactions and an updated balance.

5. Officials Liaison: Responsibilities will include handling of all publicity for the Conference and coordinate assignments of officials.

6. Each community will have one Representative and one Alternate, with one vote per community.

7. No Executive board member can also hold a town Representative position.

B. Fiscal Year: January l to December 31.

C. Elections: January - Nominations, February - Voting

D. Voting Procedure: Quorum - 2/3 majority is necessary for an official meeting to take place (a simple majority is needed to adopt policy once a quorum is established). Failure to attend any board meeting will result in loss of vote at the next meeting. Missing two meetings in one fiscal year will result in town suspension pending board review.

E. In the event of any proposed change in playing rules, said change will be tabled for the next meeting, in order that respective towns have time to discuss proposals with their town membership and coaches.

F. SYFC Rules & Regulations to be amended every two years. Next vote 2004.

III. Membership: Communities will be obligated to the Conference on an annual basis.

A. Charter Members: The communities of Amity, Branford, Cheshire, Clinton, East Haven, Guilford, Madison, North Branford, Old Saybrook, Tri-Town and North Haven.

1. Team Colors: Each Community will be assigned an official color combination for their jersey to be worn by all divisions from their community.

a. Amity Black/Black
b. Branford Red/White/Silver
c. Cheshire Red/Black/White
d. Clinton Navy/Navy
e. East Haven Gold/Navy
f. Guilford Green/Gold
g. North Branford Purple/Black
h. Old Saybrook White/Royal Blue/Purple
i. Madison Black/Gold
j. Tri-Town Black/Red
k. North Haven Maroon/Silver
l. Milford Powder Blue/Gold

B. League Dues: A fee will be determined each year by the membership, payable the February meeting.

IV. Expansion:

1. Written Petitions received by the April Meeting
2. Presentations: Verbal presentation must be made at the meeting immediately following receipt of written request for entry into the league.
3. Vote: (Voting will take place immediately following the verbal presentation.) 2/3 majority form the current membership is required in order to accept a new member.

V. League Organization: Three divisions (towns' option on number of teams)

Shoreline Youth Football Conference Divisional ages and weights: (Minimum weight is 65 Ibs. Maximum Weight is l70 lbs for Youth & Junior divisions; Maximum weight for Senior division is 190 lbs.):

Senior:

Age 13

Age 14

Junior:

Age 11

Age 12

 

Youth:

Age 9

Age 10

In order to participate a boy must have reached his 9th birthday on/or before December 31th of the current year and cannot reach his 15th birthday on/or before December 31th of the current year, and cannot be enrolled in 9th grade.

VI. Player Discipline: If a player is ejected from a game by an official, that player is suspended for the next game. A player ejected from more than one game in a season will be suspended for the remainder of the seasons.

If said coach does not enforce this discipline, said coach will be suspended for the following game.

VII. Conference Rules: Federation Rules apply except for noted changes:

A. Length of season: From July 29 to Conclusion of Championship Game.
Season to include 9 regular season games (Year 2002 only). First game to be played on 8/25/02/ Last regular season game to be played 10/27/02. Playoffs 11/3/02 & 11/10/02, Championship game to be played 11/17/02.

1. Each team must have at least 4 sessions of non-contact practice. During non-contact practice a maximum of four sessions per week will be allowed - "no contact" is defined as no live blocking (physical contact).
2. A practice is any organized gathering of team members for the purpose of enhancing their skills in the game of football.
3. Before School begins, all four practices can be held during the week. After school begins, three (3) practices maximum per week. The practices can be held two school nights per week and Saturday. (Friday is not considered a school night). Total time not to exceed 8.5 hrs. per week.
4. Playoffs and Championship will be played after seasons completed.

All Divisions with 12 or more Teams: Top 8 teams make playoffs.
All Divisions with less than 12 Teams: Top 6 teams make playoffs.
Top seed is Home team

5. The highest seed will host the playoff game, if the highest seed is unable to accommodate, their opponent will then host the playoff game. If neither team can accommodate, the league will provide a neutral site. Home team will set the starting time.
6. All 3-championship games will be played at the same neutral site on the same day, to be determined by the league.
7. If all Divisions with an even number of teams, shorten the season one week by eliminating the Bye week.

Tie Breakers

1. Head to Head
2. Common Opponents
3. Strength of Schedule
a. Opponents played, total points win & tie only, higher number of points wins.

4. Flip of coin
A. For 1, 2, 3 seed; if 4, 5 tie one play-off game. If three tie - once a team is eliminated, they automatically are seeded third.

B. Game Length: All Divisions will play ten-minute quarters.

C. Squad Size: A team must have at least seventeen players listed on the official roster at the beginning of the season in order to participate. When team rosters reach 36 players, the rooster must be split into two teams.

D. Mandatory Playing Time: For all divisions, mandatory playing time will be:

20 or less players - 12 plays
21 to 30 players - 10 plays
31 players and over - 8 plays

(Based on the roster of eligible players presented at game time)

Each team will have one spotter on sideline working with the opposing teams spotter to ensure minimum-playing time is enforced. Any team not providing a spotter will relinquish the right to challenge the minimum play rule.

E. Standard Defenses:

1. Youth, Junior & Senior divisions will play federation rules, except NO Blitzing. Blitzing will be defined as foreword motion prior to the snap of the ball. This definition will be explained to the Officials and head Coaches by the on site commissioner prior to the start of all games.

F. Standard Offense: Teams may use any offense they wish, excluding an unbalanced line.

1. Youth Division will not be allowed to trap block. (Trap block - any cross block over an open area).

2. Youth Division will be allowed two coaches on the field with each team, but must be ten yards behind deepest player; mutual consent for more than one. (Voted 5/8/90)

3. Senior & Junior Divisions are allowed to play an unbalanced line.

G. Kicking Game:

1. All teams excluding the Youth Division will have kickoffs and returns.

2. Youth Division must announce punts and no rush will be allowed. Punts using standard line. Receiving team must have 9 players within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage. (Youth Division only)
3. Formation must be 1 yd. splits.
4. Youth - Federation Rules will apply to field goals and PATs.
5. Seniors & Junior - Federation Rules will apply to the kicking game.
6. Youth Division will start play on the 35-yard line.
7. PATs will be 1 point for run or pass; 2 points for kick, in all divisions.

H. Time Outs: Federation Rules apply. One coach may go out onto the field.

I. Officials: The conference will adapt a chapter for its officials. The minimum number of officials needed to work a game shall be two. If less than two officials, the game will be postponed.

J. Appeals Process: The ruling of the on-site game commissioner will be final. The ruling can be subject to review by the Shoreline Youth Football League Board. The on site game commissioner shall be present at any review by the Shoreline Youth Football Board

K. Point Spread Rule:
A. If the win-loss margin is 37 points or greater, the winning Head Coach will receive an automatic one game suspension. Second violators of the Point Spread Rule in the same season will result in said coaches suspension from all league activities for the remainder of the season.

1. Both towns involved in point spread scoring game will not have a vote in coaches review.
2. If a team scores and is still behind by 17 points or more, it will receive the ball instead of kicking off.
3. If, at the start of the second half, a team is behind by 17 points or more, it will automatically receive the kick-off.
4. This rule will not apply during playoff and Championship Games.

L. No communication device may be used in any league game for the benefit of coaching. Any violation will result in forfeiture of the game by the offending team and said teams head coach will face review by the executive board.

VIII. Equipment: The Spalding J5-Y is the official Junior and Senior Division ball. The Spalding J5-J is the official Youth Division ball. Equivalent size football manufactured by Baiden or Wilson are permitted. Home team is responsible for providing the minimum of two game balls.
Rules - Regulations - Page 6

IX. Registration:

A. Standardized form will be required. All towns are required to include the official shoreline league registration form. The form shall state the basic shoreline football League requirements including but not limited to: Age, Date of birth, weight and minimum playing time requirements. (to Begin 2002)
B. Registration dates, sites and fees to be set by each town
C. Each child must submit proof of a physical, or a medical release by August 1 or first day of practice

X. Weigh-ins:

A. Official weigh-ins will be held on Wednesday prior to first game.

1. Attire for weigh-ins will be shorts.
2. Make-up weigh-ins for all towns will be held on the first Friday after weigh-in day at a site to be determined.
3. Copy of each Players Birth Certificates will be mandatory at time of weigh in.
4. Commissioner and minimum of other league representatives to monitor make-up weigh-ins.
5. There will be two central weighing; East and West.

EAST WEST
Clinton Amity
Guilford Branford
Madison Cheshire
Old Saybrook East Haven
Tri-Town North Branford
North Haven
Milford

6. Standard form approved by and provided by the Board. Form to include: Name; Date of Birth; Ages as of December 31st; Grade; and Division. Form to be in triplicate, and completed on the day of weigh in. Scale is to be certified. Any Individual Knowingly Falsifying this form will be suspended from the league.

B. There will be one special weigh-in prior to the official and make-up weigh-in. The special weigh-in will take place the 1st Wednesday in August. Any player weighed will not be allowed to weigh-in at any future weigh-in

Rules - Regulations - Page 7

XI. Rosters:

1. No additions to rosters after turn-in date (exception: any recent move from out of town). Any additions must be sanctioned by the Commissioner.
2. Number of teams must be submitted to Board by July meeting.
3.Rosters will be submitted to the town representative by the League. The representative will be responsible to distribute to his coaches.

Rosters must contain: Jersey number, name, age, grade, weight, in that order and numerically.

4. Any roster player inactive or ineligible due to injury or discipline will require notification be made to the opposing coach and on site commissioner prior to the start of the game. Disciplinary action during a game must be reported to the on site commissioner.

XII. Trophies: The Shoreline Youth Football Conference will provide a first and second place trophy for each division, which will travel from town to town with each year's winners.

1. Individual trophies will be presented by the Conference to members of the first and second place teams in each division.

XIII. Town Responsibilities: Towns will be responsible for:

1. Providing game sites
2. Payment of officials
3. Chains and chain crews
4. On-site medical aid, medical personnel at game should be EMT status or above and properly equipped. They must be introduced to officials and coaches prior to the start of the game. If medical coverage is not provided within one half hour after scheduled start time, the Home Team will forfeit. No game is to be played without medical coverage.
5. On-site Commissioner will be introduced to coaches and game officials prior to game.
6. Home team shall report scores to Sports Info. Director.
7. On-site Commissioner shall be a member of the host town's organization appointed for all home games and have rules in hand. All violations will be reviewed by the Board with the possibility of game forfeit.
8. Town Geographic Boundaries for Players

 
Each town will submit a roster of their Governing Board/Officers and a copy of the town by-laws, due by the February meeting.

XIV. Insurance: Each town must subscribe to insurance (medical and liability) policy recommended by Executive Board.

XV. Rules Violations: Any rules violation under sections V, VI, VII, IX, X and XI is punishable by forfeit of the game and eligibility for the playoffs will be suspended pending review of the Executive Board.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

To promote the importance of sports in the Shoreline Youth Football Conference. To pledge our cooperation with others in the field of education and sports and to administer a program that will always stress the best interest to the youths who participate in the Conference activities. To provide the largest number of pre-high school aged youth with a positive experience in the game of football.

No members, director or officer, or any other private individual shall receive at any time, the net earnings or pecuniary profit from the operations of the corporation provided that this shall not prevent the payment to any such person of such reasonable compensation for services rendered to or for the corporation in effecting any of its purposes as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors and no such person or persons shall be entitled to share in the distribution of the corporation. All members of the corporation shall be deemed to have expressly consented and agreed that upon such dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the corporation whether voluntary or involuntary the assets of the corporation, after all debts have been satisfied, and the remaining in the hands of the Board of Director shall be distributed, transferred, conveyed, delivered and paid over in such amounts as the Board of Directors may determine or as may be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction upon application of literary or educational organizations which would then qualify under the provisions of Section 501 (C) of the Internal Revenue Code and its regulations as they now exist or as they hereafter be amended.

SHORELINE YOUTH FOOTBALL CONFERENCE CODE OF ETHICS

The Shoreline Youth Football Conference depends upon mature, respected, dependable volunteers to work as managers, coaches, and in other leadership capacity for the good of the youngsters and the organization itself.

TREATMENT OF THE PARTICIPANTS

ALL CONFERENCE OFFICIALS AND COACHES MUST:

1. Be alert to the physical safety of participants and spectators.
2. Be consistent in handling players and problems so that standards of conduct may be established.
3. Be willing to encourage rather than humiliate players in front of their teammates.
4. Properly condition the players to the extent that they can safely and adequately meet the physical demand of the sport.
5. Be constantly alert to the opportunities which they have to help the players develop desirable habits and attitudes such as promptness, cooperation, self-discipline, sportsmanship
and fair play.

BEHAVIOR OF THE COACHES

ALL CONFERENCE OFFICIALS AND COACHES MUST:

1. Be conscious that they set a personal example for youth, both on and off the field.
2. Insist that sportsmanship be a major emphasis in the game.
3. Create an atmosphere of respect for authority, rules game officials, etc.
4. Be dependable to the youth and the Conference.
5. Become familiar with and adhere to Conference rules as well as those of the game.

RESPONSIBILITY TO CONFERENCE

1. Notify the insurance representative or the delegated officer if injuries requiring medical attention sustained by player, cheerleader, or other personnel within 24 hours of such accident.
2. Properly protect all Conference equipment and promptly return same when asked to.
3. Speedily comply with all rulings and regulations of the Conference.

UNDER POSSIBLE PENALTY OF LEAGUE SUSPENSION,
PLAYERS AND ALL COACHES SHALL NOT:

1. Argue or fight with any spectator; or Conference member, official, opposing player, manager, or coach.
2. Conduct themselves in any other manner which may bring discredit on the Conference.

RULES FOR EJECTION FROM CONFERENCE

If any coach, or other representative of the Shoreline Youth Football Conference is ejected from a ball game or reported, in writing, by other members of the Conference or officials for behavior unfitting to a member during the current season, he shall be automatically suspended until said party has a hearing before the Executive Board. This meeting will be called form the time of the suspension prior to the next game. The Executive Board shall determine the extent of the infraction and shall either:

1. Exonerate the person
2. Warn the person and extend provisional reinstatement
3. Expel the person from the Conference participation

Any coach, or other representative of the Shoreline Youth Football Conference willfully striking another person during any Conference function shall be expelled from the Shoreline Youth Football Conference contingent upon a hearing.

Items for Executive Board to consider when reviewing a coach who has violated the Point Spread Rule:

1. Substitution of skilled players (point scoring player)
2. How much playing time of substitutes above minimum time
3. Type of play selection inside the 20 yard line