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RULES OF THE GAME

1. Flag Division is for children who are 5 or 6 years old as of July 31. A child who is 7 but under 50 pounds as weighed by a board member may play in the flag division.

 

2. All flag division games will be played on a 40 yard field. All teams start possessions on the 40 yard line.  Any turnovers are dead at the spot        and possession begins at the 40.

 

3. Two (2) authorized coaches are allowed on the field behind his/her team.  The coaches on the field shall not move from their position after        the snap of the ball except to avoid interfering with the play. Intentional violation of this rule will result in a n unsportsmanlike conduct              penalty.

 

4.  9 or 11 players on the field depending on league participation.

 

5.  When the ball hits the ground, the play is dead.

 

6.  Linemen are not required to wear number 50-79

 

7.  If the ball carrier is intentionally tackled, 10 yards is added onto the end of the run. Intentionally pushing a player out of  bounds is                     considered a tackle.

 

8.  75 pound weight limit for ball carriers.

 

9.  No quarterback sneaks behind the center. (Cannot run behid the center - however,  a ball carrier may run through the gaps between the           center and guard).  Officials should be mindful that a QB may be forced into the area by contact, which is legal.

 

10.  No blitzing from any position (rush by DT and DE not considered a blitz).  On defense, no more than 6 players are allowed on the line of             scrimmage.  All other defensive players may be no closer than 3 yards of the line of scrimmage.  LB or DBs lined up within three yards of           line of scrimmage at snap shall be penalized for encroachment after one warning.  Officials should berbally advise players who are lined           up too close before a snap.

 

11.  Each team will begin on their own 20 yard line, as there are no kickoffs.

 

12.  Dead Punt rule: When a team wishes to punt, a 30 yard punt is awarded if the punt is taken from the teams own side of the 50; 15 yards is         on the other teams side of the 50.

 

13.  20  minute halves - continuous clock till 2 min.

 

14.  20 yards required for a first down.

 

15.  Center cannot advance the ball.

 

16.  Conversions are: 1 point from the 3 yard line: 2 points from the 10 yard line.

 

17.  If a flag is pulled by the defense, and it does not come off, the officall will call the ball dead.

 

18.  If a player holds a flag on or flag guards the officail will call the ball dead.  Repeat violations will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct                penalty.

 

19.  Flags are to be clipped on only.  Any tying, wrapping or tucking in of a flag or any part of it is prohitbited and will result in an                                   unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.  Repeat violations will result in ejection and porential coaching sanction.

 

20.  Ball carrier jerseys must be tucked in when a play begins or the play will be whistled dead.

 

21.  If a player without a flag gains possession of a ball, the play begins or the play will be whistled dead at the site he/she gains possession.  If         the player gains possession in the end zone, possessions shall result in a scoring play.

 

22.  Stiff arms are prohibited.

 

23.  Down marker is to be used by regeree.

 

24.  All players must wear a mouth guard

 

25.  No one is allowed to line up over the center or make contact with the center until the snap is completed.

 

26.  Each player shall play no less than six (6) plays per game, including special teams plays.  If a player has an unexcused absence during the           week's practice, that number may be reduced to three (3) plays.  An unexcused absence includes, but not limited to, failure to contact the         coach with an acceptable excuse (illness, injury, funeral, etc), which is up the coach's discretion.

26. Overtime:

  • Home team will call the coin flip. Winner of the coin flip decides offense or defense. A complete series will be played, with 4 downs to score from the 10 yard line. There will also be a conversion attempt from the 3 yard line for one point, or 2 points from the 7.

  • If a tie remains after the first series, the teams will reverse order or possession and play an additional series.

  • If a tie remains after the second series, a second coin flip will take place, with the visiting team making the call.

  • Each team will have a series to score. This time, the conversion must be attempted from the 7 yard line for the remainder of the overtime.

  • If a tie remains after the third period, the process repeats itself, alternating coin toss calls.  The game will not end in a tie.

 

27. Mercy Rule

  • Flag division will used regular game format (flip sides - ball back to 40 yard line) except the leading team will use bank points rule with continuous clock.

 

28. Sideline / Coaches Warning

  • A coach, or coaches on his or her sideline, will receive one warning from the officials for any behavior that is deemed unsportmanlike.

  • there will be no second warning. Any additional unsportsmanlike behavior will result in a 15 yeard penality, and

    • If it is a particular coaches second infraction in the game: Ejection

    • If it is a coaching staff's second infraction, and although a different coach, the Head Coach will be ejected.

  • It is the responsibility of the Head Coach to maintain discipline of their staff.

 

29. Season End Tie Breaker System

  • 1st Tie Breaker: Head to head regular season game

  • 2nd Tie Breaker: Coin Flip

 

30. Non-Support for Games

  • The home team is required to supply 2 people for the chain gang. The visitor will supply one person for the down marker. The chain gang and down marker will be for their team's game.

  • Each team is required to supply concession and gate workers on their designated support day at the designated time. Refer to the schedule for times. (The quantity required is subject to change.) If a team does not supply its required workers on time it is subject to a mandaroty three (3) point penalty in the playoffs.  IF a team fails to supply workers entirely it is subject to a mandatory ten (10) point penalty in the playoffs and a coaching sanction.

  • During the playoffs: The first place finishers from each division (flag, junior, senior) will be required to provide concession and gate workers according to a schedule that will be supplied once the playoff schedule is set.  If a team does not supply its required workers on time it is subject to a mandatory three (3)  point penalty in the Super Bowl.  If a team fails to supply workers entirely it is subject to a mandatory ten (10) point penalty in the Super Bowl and a coaching sanction.

 

31. Unsportsmanlike Conduct From Fans

  • Should any team's fan base display unsportmanlike conduct (i.e., threatening officials; obscene gestures; verbal abuse directed to officials, coaches, players, other fans; excessively disruptive conduct of any kind; etc.); the appropriate team will receive one warning (as well as the fan base). After the warning, the appropriate team will be penalized 15 yards for each instance of unsportsmanlike conduct.

  • There will be no warnings for any fan who steps onto the field.

  • If necessary, the game will be delayed while individuals are removed from the playing area.

 

32. Communication Devices Not Permitted

  • No team at any level may use any type of audio, written, typed or any other type of communication device during their game.  This includes but is not limited to: walkie talkies, headsets, cell phones (including to text message) or any other handheld electronic device.

  • Any knowing violation of this rule may lead to dismissal from the league for the Head Coach and other violators at teh discretion of the MCYFL Board.

 

33. Coaches Must Be on the Sidelines

  • All team coaches must be on the sideline except in Flag and Junior division where a coach or coaches who have completed a volunteer application and background check is/are allowed on the field.

  • No coach is permitted to watch/scout/call plays/make adjustments from the stands, or any area on the field except their sidelines.

 

34. Horse Collar Tackles

  • Tackling from behind by grabbing the shoulder pads or inside the jersey directly behind the neck is not permitted. A horse collar tackle results in a 15 yard Personal Foul penalty.

 

35. Misconduct Penalties

  • This applies to Parents, Coaches, Players, Fans and Players

  • The MCYFL shall review all conduct violations and at its sole discretion may issue a warning or suspend or expel and individual or individuals from the MCYFL.

  • Coaches may be responsible for failure to control their coaching staffs, family members and members of household.

  • If any individual is ejected from an MCYFL event for any reason, and refuses to timely leave the premises, or does so in a disorderly manner, that individual will be subject to permanent expulsion from the MCYFL at the discretion of the MCYFL Board.

 

36. Noise Makers

  • Noise makers are banned from the MCYFL events including but not limited to the following:

    • Cow Bells

    • Whistles

    • Air Horns

    • Vuvuzelas

    • Shakers

    • Musical Instrument

  • If a coach or team is having an issue with a noise maker not listed above, he/she has the authority to ask the officail to address the crowd and have the noise maker silenced.

  • One warning  will be given, and then an unsportsmanlike penalty will be issued to the violating team.

 

37. Home and Away

  • The Home team will be on the side fo the field with the hill. Away team will be on the scoreboard side. Refer to schedule.

  • Fans may sit where they like, but it is recommended that the Home team fans sit on the left side (when facing the field) and Visitors on the Right Side.

  • Teams may film or take pictures from either side of the field to compensate for sunlight issues.

  • The Highest seeded playoff team has their choice of which sideline they would like. Refer to tiebreaker.

 

38. Filming and Practice Observation Restrictions

  • Filming other teams' games or scrimmages in which your team is not involved is prohibited. Filming another team's practice is also prohibited. Teams shall not intentionally "spy" on another team's practice.

  • Violators may be permanently banned from MCYFL without issuance of a warning.

 

39. Trick Plays

  • Trick plays involving deceit unnatural to the game are not permitted. This includes: "wrong ball" plays, hidden receiver plays, false snaps, or any other play involving deceit leading players to believe a play is not taking place or a player is not in the game.

  • Football plays in which possession of the ball is concealed remain legal: reverses, flea flickers, statue of liberty, bootlegs, direct snaps, etc.

 

40. Snap Procedure

  • All snaps must be between the center's legs.

  • Once the center addresses the ball, he may not release it until it is snapped or it shall constitute a false start.

  • The ball must remain parallel to the sidelines until it is snapped.  IF the ball is turned before it is snapped it shall constitute a false start.

 

41. Unnecessary Roughness

  • Player safety is of utmost importance.

  • Sportsmanship is a core value of MCYFL.

  • Players who punch, pinch, bite, hit, kick or otherwise seek to intentionally cause harm to other players shall be subject to an unnecessary roughness penalty and, at the officials' discretion, may be ejected.

  • Hits made behind plays that clearly serve no benefit to the team are illegal - particulary blind side hits. Players who seek out opponents to intentionally hurt players shall be assessed an unnecessary roughness penalty and may, if the play is clearly egregious, be ejected.

  • Repeated violations may result in league expulsion at the discretion of the MCYFL Board.

  • Coaches whose teams engage in the above noted conduct are subject to expulsion from the league at MCYFL discretion.

 

42. Low Blocking

  • Low blocks are permitted only within the tackle box.

  • All low blocks must be initiated above the knee.

  • When a player is being low blocked, no other player may block that same plalyer, high or low, or it shall be considered a chop block.

 

43. Consequences or Ejection

  • Any player ejected from a game shall not play in the team's following game and will be subject to review by the MCYFL board for further action.

  • Any coach ejected from a game shall be subject to MCYFL board to review whether further action is warranted.

 

 

 

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