Charles County Independent

Youth SportsLEAGUE (CCIYSL)

2014 Governing Rules

& Regulations

TABLE OF CONTENT

  1. THE LEAGUE3
  2. REGISTRATION AND CERTICICATION4
  3. LEAGUE PRESIDENTS AND COACHES5
  4. TEAM MEMBERSHIP7
  5. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY8
  6. PLAYER RECRUITMENT9
  7. WEIGH-IN PROCEDURES10
  8. TACKLE-2-TACKLE PLAYERS11
  9. EQUIPMENT/UNIFORM13
  10. PRACTICE REGULATIONS15
  11. REGULAR SEASON GAMES15
  12. SEASONAL STANDINGS (Tie Break Procedures)20
  13. POST-SEASON/SUPER BOWL21
  14. AWARDS22
  15. MINIMUM PLAY RULE22
  16. PLAYER/COACH CONDUCT24
  17. SCOUTING25
  18. PROTESTS25
  19. DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS26
  20. CODE OF CONDUCT27
  21. INCREMENT WEATHER INFORMATION27

APPENDIX A. 2014 CCIYSL COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT29

APPENDIX B. 2014 CCIYSL PARENTS CODE OF CONDUCT29

APPENDIX C. 2014 CCIYSLOFFICIAL GAME ROSTER29

APPENDIX D. 2014 CCIYSLOFFICIAL TEAM ROSTER29

APPENDIX E. 2014 CCIYSL MINIMUM PLAY RULE SPOTTER ROSTER29

APPENDIX E. 2014 CCIYSLMEMBER ORGANIZATIONS CONTACT INFORMATION30

  1. THE LEAGUE
  1. Philosophy – The purpose of the Charles County Independent Youth SportsLeague (CCIYSL) is to provide the youth of the Southern Maryland community an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of football andcheerleading while, under competent leadership, enjoy participation and competition in an organized league that provide fun and safe environments.CCIYSL primary objectives include:promoting sportsmanship, teamwork, self-discipline, physical fitness, and character for use on & off the field. It is a goal of this league to instill the will to win and the courage to accept defeat or disappointment.
  1. Board of Directors – The Charles County Independent Youth Sports League (CCIYSL)Board of Directors shall consist of member organization’s presidents. The Board of Directors does have an Executive Body, which consists of Chairman, Vice Chairman of Football, Director of Cheerleading, Treasurer, and Secretary. TheCCIYSL Board shall serve as the governing body on all rules and regulations pertaining to league play. CCIYSLBoard of Directors meetings shall be scheduled monthly. Attendees shall be limited to organization’s presidents, vice presidents and/or football directors. A maximum of two (2) representatives per organization will be permitted to attend meetings. Each organization shall have only one vote. Changes to the existing policy and/or rules must pass with a minimum of 2/3 of all of the Board of Directors voting in favor of it. All other issues will require a majority vote of those Board members in attendance. Only the organization Presidents or his/her designated representative shall vote on matters placed before the Board.

Attendance at the CCIYSLBoard of Directors meetings is mandatory for each President or his/her designated representative. Failure to comply with this rule could result in the organization’s forfeiture of its voting privileges for the remainder of the season.

  1. League Format – The CCIYSL is comprised of various football and cheerleading organizations located in Southern Maryland and surroundingcounties. There are eight (8) weight divisions, which include ten (10) different age groups. There will be a projected eight to ten game regular season schedule. The format for post season play will be determined by the Board of Directors prior to the CCIYSL May meeting.
  1. Administration – The league will operate under the administration of the CCIYSL Board of Directors. Any questions or discrepancies should be directed to the Board. Contact information for the CCIYSLBoard members is contained in “APPENDIX F” of this document.
  1. League Fees – All specified fees for each club shall be paid to the CCIYSL Treasurer by the due date specified at the pre-season meeting. All other fines or debts must be paid within one month of notice from the CCIYSL Board of Directors. Non-payment will result in the organization’s suspension and voting rights being revoked until the debt is paid.
  2. Expansion – These guidelines must be followed when establishing new organizations within the CCIYSL.
  1. New organizations must apply in writing to the CCIYSLBoard of Directors for approval. Consideration will be given to a new club’s geographic location and potential impact on neighboring clubs that already exist in the league. All applications must be received no later than March 1stof the current year with the following stipulations:
  1. Proof of Establishment (Tax ID number, charter, by-laws, established Board)
  2. Established and startup organizations must consist of a minimum of 3 teams, each in separate age/weight divisions (not including Flag).
  3. $250.00 non-refundable deposit (if selected will be credited toward league fees for the current year)
  4. Identification of Uniform Colors
  5. May not accept any players from other clubs during the 1st year unless a waiver is granted from the subject club.
  1. Organization must agree to adhere to all current League Rules/Regulations established by theCharles County Independent Youth Sports League (CCIYSL) Board of Directors.
  1. The CCIYSL recognizes three seasons in the calendar year:
  1. Preseason: The “preseason” period begins on the last Saturday in July and continues until the Sunday before the first day that Charles County schoolsreopen.
  1. Season: The “season” is the period between the first Monday in the first week of school until the CCIYSL Super Bowl game. This also includes additional post-season tournaments (outside of CCIYSL boundaries) that teams may qualify and enter in.
  1. Offseason: The “offseason” period begins at the end of the last CCIYSL Super Bowl / Post-season game and continues until the official preseason start date (last Saturday in July).
  1. REGISTRATION AND CERTIFICATION
  1. The CCIYSL Board shall determine team certification dates and locations, and provide to member organizations for football each year. Dates of cheerleading certification will be determined by CCIYSL Director of Cheerleading.
  1. Each Football Player must be certified by CCIYSL each year to be eligible to participate in official league play. Certification will take place prior to the start of the regular season.
  2. Certification will consist of verification of age by date of birth (Birth Certificate) and certification of weight (weigh-in) for the division of play the player will be participating during the season.
  1. Age verification will be accomplished by presenting to CCIYSL officials at the certification a current Maryland MVA picture ID. An out-of-state ID card is permitted for any player who currently resides out of state (i.e., Washington, D.C., or Virginia). A Military Dependent ID card (United States Uniformed Services Identification Card) is NOTan acceptable form of certification. The participant shall obtain a State of Maryland ID card issued by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). In special situations, CCIYSL my create ID cards for those participants that are unable to obtain one. Team Head Coaches will maintain these ID cards throughout the season. Each ID will be returned to the participant after the team’s final game.
  1. If a participant’s parent does not allow the coach to maintain their child’s ID card, then the parent shall be responsible for ensuring that the ID card is present at each and every game for player check-in. If a player or parent can not present a CCIYSL approved ID card at team check-in, the child will not be able to participate in that particular game.
  1. Official Team Roster Forms must accompany each team at Certification. All rosters must be submitted electronically two weeks prior to the certification date. Rosters must be on the official CCIYSLTeam Roster Form(see APPENDIX D).
  1. The following will constitute an Official Team Roster: All players on the roster must meet the age and weight standard for the specific team, all information must be completed on the form, all forms must be typed and emailed to CCIYSL, and finally it must be approved and stampedby the CCIYSL official on site.
  1. All rosters are due at the designated certification dates; players may be added to rosters at weigh-in and prior to the 2nd regular season game.
  1. CCIYSL may impose a fee for late/make-up weigh-ins.
  1. Players are only able to move from one certified roster to another up until Game 1. As long as that player does not play for the team he is rostered on for Game 1, he will be able to move. If he plays even one play for the first team, he will remain on that roster for the entire season.
  1. LEAGUE PRESIDENTS AND COACHES
  1. The League Presidents and Coaches shall represent their perspective organizations and be responsible for the following:
  1. Being the Liaison between the CCIYSLBoard of Directors, organization, teams and cheerleading squads.
  1. Attending all League Presidents and Coaches meetings.
  1. Informing players and parents of information pertaining to the league.
  1. Responsible for the conduct of team players, cheerleading squads, and spectators.
  1. Having photo identification cards at each game.
  1. Distribute schedules and all other league materials.
  1. Responsible for all emergency procedures and phone numbers while playing outside of theCCIYSLboundaries.
  1. Responsible for the safety and well-being of football players and cheerleaders. Presidents and Coaches are reminded that administering any type of drugs to players is absolutely prohibited and is in violation of the National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA), Coaches Code of Ethics, National FederationRules for Youth Football, and CCIYSL Board of Directors. Violators will be subject to possible expulsion from all aspects of the CCIYSL.
  1. Head Coaches –All Head Coaches must be 21 years of age or older before August 1st of the season. It is required by the CCIYSLBoard that all coaches be certified by the NYSCA and/or USA Football. The coach’s fees for NYSCA ( USA Football are the responsibility of the coaches or their member organization. Background checks are required for any club member having physical contact with children including but not limited to ALL coaches and trainers. All clubs will include NYSCA and/or USA Football member number(s) or proof of course completion with submittal of background check forms. All coaches must be certified prior to participating in any practice or game. The Board will track NYSCA and/or USA Football certifications for all clubs. Organizations who allow a non-certified or background checked Head Coach to participate in practices or games will be removed from team and is not eligible to participate until he/she is certified.
  1. The consumption and/or use of alcohol products in county parks and school grounds are prohibited. The Club Presidents or his/her designee is responsible for enforcing this rule. Consumption and/or use of tobacco products are prohibited in the immediate area of practices, games, or other club activities. Use of tobacco products (smoking or chew) is prohibited entirely on school grounds at all times. Failure to comply with these county procedures will result in ejection from the area.
  1. TEAM MEMBERSHIP
  1. The CCIYSL will be composed of teams from its Board member organizations who compete in several different weight classes with maximum age and weight restrictions; described later in this document. The CCIYSL is divided into the following weight groups:

6U, 7U, 8U, 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, and 13/14U

  1. Each organization sponsoring a team shall appoint a Director of Football and as many assistant coordinators as deemed necessary to direct its football program.
  1. Team selection will be conducted by each organization. Teams should be comprised of players who meet the weight and age requirements established by the league. If a team is found to be in violation of this policy, penalties will be imposed on the team, coach, or club in accordance with the rules.
  1. There is no minimum amount of players required to fill a single team in each division. Once a team has reached 30 players on the roster, CCIYSL recommends the club make 2 teams. A club must have a minimum of 15 players on each team.
  1. If a club has 3 teams in a weight class, the split will be 1 senior team and 2 junior teams. If 4 teams in a weight class the split will be 2 senior teams and 2 junior teams.
  1. Official Team Rosters (see APPENDIX D) with complete names, phone numbers, ages, addresses, and date of birth are due to the CCIYSLBoard of Directors by the 2nd Friday in August.
  1. No additions will be made to the team rosters after the second game. Cheerleaders may be added wherever deemed necessary.
  1. Each organization will designate the capacity (players per team) for each of their teams prior to the first game. Vacant positions on the roster must be filled prior to the second game. Team capacities should be determined by financial and equipment restraints and adequate registration.
  1. Any Coach who knowingly plays a non-roster or illegal player, upon realization of this violation by the CCIYSLBoard of Directors, will be released of his duties as Coach, and each game that the illegal player participated in will be ruled a forfeit. (Note: the respective organization will be responsible for replacing any coach that is released).
  1. CCIYSL players (at any weight division) that participate in other leagues will not be permitted to play in theCCIYSLpreseason,regular and post-season games. Any organization that enters teams into another league will supply the CCIYSLBoard of Directors with copies of all their outside organizations’ rosters. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in the offending team being prohibited from participating in CCIYSL competition.
  1. Each participant will need to play in 50% of their regular season scheduled games to be eligible for post-season games. EXCEPTION: Injured players will require a doctor’s note authorizing their return to participate.
  1. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
  1. Only youth between the ages of 5and 14 may participate in the CCIYSL tackle football program. A child may turn 5 or 14 years old at any point during a calendar year. However, for 5 year olds, clubs do maintain the discretion for whether they will accept a child that turns 5 years old after August 1st. No player can reach the age of 15 during the calendar year and participate in the CCIYSL. For safety reasons, it is recommended that players play in the lowest age/weight division they are eligible to play in. There will be no waivers for age/weight. Each organization is responsible to check birth dates and weights at club registration and the official CCIYSL weigh-in. The 13/14U Division is for Middle School Students only. High School students (9th through 12th grades) are not eligible to play in the CCIYSL.
  1. Players cannot change rosters once the season begins (exceptions may be granted with prior approval of the Board of Directors).
  1. Each player must have a Player Identification Card, a Maryland ID card preferably issued by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) or acceptable ID, see Section II.D. The card will be required at the official weigh-in for the Board representative to certify upon compliance with the prescribed weight guidelines. Each player’s ID card and CCIYSL Official Team Roster will be available at all league games for verification of that child’s age and weight. Either the coach or club official shall have custody of the ID cards. It is the responsibility of the home team to ensure ID cards are checked.
  1. At any time during the season, if a protest is filed against a player regarding their weight/age eligibility, the club official and/or Head Coach of the player against whom the protest has been lodged shall attend a meeting or weigh-in, as specified, with the Player Identification Card and birth certificate. If during this period the player in question plays in a game and is found to be illegal, the team will forfeit any wins during the period the player participated.
  1. No youth may participate who is a member of an inter-scholastic football squad (on any middle or high school team). PENALTY: Forfeiture of all games in which the player participated and any other such penalties as the Board of Directors may determine.
  1. PLAYER RECRUITMENT
  1. Active recruitment of players, cheerleaders or coaches from another CCIYSLorganization’s current or previous year’s roster is prohibited and will be deemed a rules violation which will be subject to a CCIYSL Board Committee review which could result in suspension, game forfeiture, playoff ineligibility, and expulsion for all involved parties.
  1. Recruitment violations are described as:
  1. Telephone calls, personal home visits or meetings with the individual player, coach, or family member to discuss the benefits of joining your program.
  1. Emails or letters to the individual player, coach, or family member to discuss the benefits of joining your program.
  1. Giving unsolicited cards or contact information to individual players, coaches, or family member to discuss the benefits of joining your program.
  1. Extending targeted invitation via email, mail or personal handout to a player, coach, or family member for a program’s sponsored event at which the benefits of joining your program will be discussed or promoted.
  1. Public announcements via newspaper advertisement, signs, or posted fliers will not be deemed as recruiting, however the sending of these items to a targeted individual player, coach, or family member will be deemed as recruiting.
  1. If a head coach and/or assistant coach changes organizations within the CCIYSLhe/she may do so without making any official request from the CCIYSL Board. CCIYSL does recommend that the coach be considerate and inform the former organization of his intentions. However, the coach or coaches shall be held responsible for adhering to the “Player Recruitment” rules outlined above.
  1. WEIGH-IN PROCEDURES
  1. Age/Weight Divisions (Approved thru 2014 Season).

YEAR OF BIRTH
(PLAYING AGE)
2009 / 2008 / 2007 / 2006 / 2005 / 2004 / 2003 / 2002 / 2001 / 2000
Weight Division / (5) / (6) / (7) / (8) / (9) / (10) / (11) / (12) / (13) / (14)
6U Division*
(Max age 6) / UNL / Up to 65lbs
7U Division** / 65lbs / 75lbs
8U Division** / 85lbs
9U Division** / 95lbs
10U Division** / 105lbs
11U Division** / 125lbs
12U Division** / 140lbs
13/14U Division
(No High School Players) / Maximum age is 14 years old, no weight maximum.

* With the exception of 6U (calendar year) and no 15 year olds, all ages are as of August 1, 2014.