TVYFL RULES / POLICIES REMINDERS

As a coach, it is your responsibility to understand and comply with all of the Bylaws, rules and policies that govern the TVYFL.  These guidelines can be found in the following documents.  You must know, understand, comply with, and teach from the:

NFHS Rule Book 2012

TVYFL Bylaws

In addition to the above named documents, there are other tools to reference for TVYFL policies and expectations:

TVYFL Coaching Contract

TVYFL Weigh Guidelines

TVYFL Differences in Grade Level Rules of Play

RULES, POLICIES AND BYLAWS FREQUENTLY VISITED

• Level 3/4 Only- No more than 6 defenders are allowed on the line of scrimmage, with other defensemen at least 3 yards off line at snap, unless your opponent is inside your 10 yard line (goal line defense is allowed inside 10 yard line with no limit to number of defenders on line of scrimmage).  For the purpose of counting defensive players on the line of scrimmage, the line of scrimmage extends to the sidelines, the “box” does not matter, and it does not matter what position a defensive player is playing.
• Filming/scouting is allowed at every grade level.
• Player registration for each association will remain open through June 15.
• On any play designated a punt, neither the defense nor the offense can move to a new formation until after the ball is kicked.
• A 15-yard unsportsman-like penalty will be assessed for the disregard of TVYFL Bylaws, policies or sportsmanship rules.  First violation in a game will be brought to the attention of the head official, the second violation of the same rule will result in a 15-yard penalty, and the third violation will result in the ejection of the head coach.
• Association that neglects to provide a knowledgeable, responsible field greeter at their home site may be subject to a sanction or fine to be determined by the Division co-Presidents.
• Each association will arrange a coaches meeting with a Division President for the purpose of reviewing Bylaws, rules and policies.  This meeting must take place after Bylaw changes are approved and before the first officiated contest (includes jamborees) each year.
• Disrupting or attempting to disrupt the offensive team’s cadence is prohibited.
• Spectators, players and coaches are prohibited from using artificial noise makers.
• Players that line up in the backfield or on either end of the offensive line must be eligible ball carriers.  Jersey numbers have no correlation to positions.
• All ineligible ball carriers will wear a 1 inch wide horizontal stripe of a contrasting color on the front and back of their helmet.

Bylaw-6.1.1.3 – A head coach may select up to two assistant coaches with a child/relative to play on his/her team, prior to team formation.

Bylaw-6.2.2 – Waivers will be used to accommodate players wishing to play up a level.  No player is allowed to waiver down to the 3/4 or 5/6 level.  No waiver is needed for an 8^th grader to play on a JV team.

Bylaw-6.28.4 – Optional equipment that is to be worn in the game must be worn at weigh-in, including but not limited to items such as socks, arm pads, cowboy collars, gloves, undergarments, knee braces, elbow pads, kidney pads and rib protectors.  Exception: Shoe designed for kicking.

Bylaw-6.18 – Once a player is removed from the game due to a serious injury or any injury involving the head, neck, or spine, that player shall not re-enter the game nor shall they be allowed to practice or play in a subsequent game, scrimmage, or practice session unless specifically cleared for such activities by a licensed physician or Nurse Practitioner in writing. At no time may the player, or the player’s parent or guardian, or the player’s coaches (this includes all coaches even those who are licensed physicians or nurse practitioners or any other person on site) make the decision for the player to return to play without such written consent. The written consent to return will be kept on file by the player’s local association for a period of three years or for a period that the law or insurance may require, whichever is greater. A copy of the written medical consent will be placed in the player’s team book for the duration of that season.

Bylaw-6.30 – RUNNING UP THE SCORE; BEING AHEAD BY MORE THAN 35 POINTS AT ANY TIME DURING THE GAME.  Both head coaches involved in a game where a team leads by a differential of more than 35 points at any point in the game must submit a letter to the Co-Presidents and be postmarked no later than the Monday following the game in which this occurred. Coaches and Teams not adhering to this rule are in violation of this rule and subject to fines, forfeits and other sanctions issued by the Co-Presidents. Any occurrence of running up the score must be emailed or postmarked to the Co-Presidents of the Division by 9:00 p.m. on the Monday following the game. The minimum mandatory sanctions for a point differential of more than 35 points are as follows: First violation: forfeiture of the game in question, $100 fine and one week suspension for the head coach; Second violation: forfeiture of the game in question, $200 fine, and two weeks suspension for the head coach. Third violation: forfeiture of the game in question, head coach is banned from the League, and team forfeits any right to post-season play. Sanctions above these may be issued. These are the minimum mandatory sanctions.

Bylaw-6.10 – Minimum Play Rule. Every player must play a minimum of 10 plays.  This includes special teams play except for kicking extra points & field goals at the 3/4 level.  Any play ending in a penalty does not count towards the MPR.  Be advised to fill out your MPR sheets for every game. They are for your protection as a coach.

Bylaw 6.12 – No player will be allowed to wear any type of head covering under their helmets including bandanas, scarves, & skull caps.

Bylaw-6.3 – All players playing in ball carrier and receiver position must be under the league weight limits for that grade level.  On an unbalanced line, the uncovered lineman needs to be underweight regardless if you throw to him. Tight ends and / or tackles who are eligible receivers must be below the weight limits for that grade level.  As soon as a player over the weight limit touches the ball the play is dead with the exception of the punter, kicker or placeholder for punts, extra points & field goals.

Bylaw 6.28 – Weigh in – Weigh in takes place 30 minutes prior to the game with the visitors weighing in first. Weigh in remains open for both teams until the home book is signed. A player arriving late after the weigh-in has closed is not eligible to play unless a prior waiver has been approved by the Division President the Thursday before game day. Players can only weigh in ONCE.  Players over the weight limit must have their helmet marked with contrasting color tape on both front and back.  Following is the minimum equipment that must be worn at weigh-in: girdle with pads (hip and tailbone), pants with pads (thigh and knee), game shoes, game shoulder pads and jersey. None of these items may be changed after weigh in. Any violation will result in a fine, suspension or expulsion.  However, game shoes may be changed if: (1) field conditions reasonably require or (2) kicker chooses to use kicking cleat. In such instance, the opposing coach shall be informed of such change prior to the opening kick-off.  No Coaches are allowed within 50 feet of the weigh in area during the weigh in process.

Bylaw 6.12.2 – Shoes must be of the molded cleat or internally threaded shoes where no post is extending from the shoe (instead, the cleat post screws internally into the shoe).  Maximum size of cleat is ½ inch (measured from tip of cleat to base of shoe. No all or primarily metal or metal tipped cleats may be worn. Metal rivets in the sole of the shoe, which are part of the original manufacturer’s design, should not be considered illegal for play.

Bylaw 6.13 – All Associations and Coaches shall strictly abide by all blocking and tackling rules in accordance with the N.F.H.S rulebook. A player shall not make initial contact with an opponent below the waist except to tackle a ball carrier or player pretending to be a ball carrier. This includes all techniques which can be reasonably considered to cause initial contact below the waist such as “bear crawling” and “crab blocking”, whether deliberate or unintentional. The penalty when this is called is for unsportsmanlike conduct as this is a bylaw infraction; the first instance shall be a warning, the second carries at 15 yard penalty. A third offense for the same action will result in the coach being ejected from the game and additional sanctions may occur when the Division Presidents review these infractions and finds them to be deliberate.

Bylaw 7.7 – No more that three coaches in the coaches’ box.  Per NFHS rules, the Coaches Area is a rectangle extending from the 25-yard line to the 25-yard line, and from side line to at least 2 yards back from the side line.

The run by Oregon’s team in the inagural FBU national tournament , comprised of TVYFL and CYO players, was a wondeful memory of youth football played by the best in our land. We are all thankful for the Coaches and Players who participated in this journey.

Oregon’s youth football players showed class, teamwork and great sportsmanship along the way. America now knows Oregon can play with anyone and we never quit. Watch the game highlights and click on the link provided (http://youtu.be/2a432d0oHOQ) to see what the FBU thought of the Oregon team. We are all very proud of our young men and look forward to seeing them play in the coming years.

Regards,
JP
TVYFL