FAUQUIER YOUTH FOOTBALL, INCORPORATED

2011Game Rules

August 1, 2011

GENERAL GAME RULES

The following special exceptions aside, all Fauquier Youth Football games will conform to the current version of the Virginia State High School Football Rules.

EXCEPTIONS TO VA HS FOOTBALL RULES – (aka FYF RULES)

  1. All FYF 8U, 10U and 12U Division games shall consist of four 10 minute quarters and a 15 minute halftime.
  2. Games that end in a tie after regulation play will be decided per “the Miami Rule” as defined by Virginia State High School Football Rules. There will be a modified “Miami Rule” for the 6U Division. After the 3rd OT period, teams will attempt an extra point play from the 2 yard line. Successful extra point plays will count as 1 point (Run or Pass). This will continue until the tie is broken.
  3. Place kicks (FGs and PATs) may only be attempted on game fields with regulation goal posts.
  4. Point After Touchdown (PAT)
  5. Ball is placed on the two yard line.
  6. Successful passes or kicks are worth two points
  7. Successful runs are worth one point
  8. Special 6U Division Rules:
  9. 6U games will be played on a field that is 40 yards long (ie - from goal line to the 40 yard line.)
  10. 6U Division games will consist of four 15 minute quarters and a 10 minute halftime.
  11. Quarters will run for 15 NON-STOP minutes. There will be a 3 minute break between the first and second and between the third and fourth quarters.
  12. Each team will play one full quarter of offense followed by one full quarter of defense per half.
  13. Each team is allowed TWO timeouts per half.
  14. A pregame coin toss will determine which team begins on offense. Team with the lead at halftime must start on offense in the second half.
  15. Play will begin with the ball placed on the 40 yard line.
  16. The offensive team will be given four opportunities (downs) to gain ten yards. If successful, the next series of downs will begin where the ball has been spotted subsequent to the offense making a first down.
  17. If the offensive team fails to make a first down in four tries the ball will be placed on the 40 yard line and a new set of downs will begin for the offensive team.
  18. If the goal line is crossed during an offensive possession the ball will be returned to the 40 yard line but will remain in the offensive team’s possession until the quarter expires.
  19. Offenses must employ a BALANCED LINE with two Tight Ends.
  20. Defenses must employ a SIX MAN LINE with the four interior linemen in a 3 or 4 point stance.
  21. The four interior defensive linemen must be aligned directly over (head up) their offensive counterpart. This rule prevents DL from lining up in gaps between OL where they can quickly penetrate the LOS without allowing the OL an opportunity to make contact.
  22. Defensive ends MAYbe in a 2 point upright stance if so desired
  23. Defensive ends must be aligned on the line of scrimmage where the DE’s inside shoulder is within one yard of the outside shoulder of the nearest offensive lineman. This rule is intended to prevent the DE from having unblocked access to the offensive backfield.
  24. Interior defensive linemen are prohibited from lining up over the center or in the “A” gaps to the center’s left or right.Gap between Guard and Center not to exceed 1 foot.This rule is intended to prevent DL from running over the center or shooting the A gaps so quickly as to not allow a proper C-QB exchange.
  25. The remaining five players on defense (non DL or DE) must begin play at least THREE YARDS away from the line of scrimmage. They may not advance toward the line of scrimmage until AFTER the ball is put in play (snapped.) This rule is intended to prevent blitzing and/or to discourage linebackers or defensive backs from using a running start to penetrate gaps in the offensive line
  26. If the defense intercepts a pass or recovers a fumble the ball will be returned to the offensive team’s 40 yard line. The intent of the rule is to allow the offense to retain possession but with a penalty to reward the defense.
  27. If a loss of yardage occurs that would place the ball farther from the goal line than the 40 yard line the ball is placed at the 40 yard line and the offensive team retains possession.
  28. Score will be kept on the basis of one point scored for each Touchdown.
  29. Point after Touchdowns will not be attempted except in OT as stated in rule 2.
  1. Special 8U Division Rules (7 and 8 year olds)
  2. Interior defensive linemen are prohibited from lining up over the center or in the “A” gaps to the center’s left or right.Gap between Guard and Center not to exceed 1 foot. This rule is intended to prevent DL from running over the center or shooting the A gaps so quickly as to not allow a proper C-QB exchange.

FIELD RULES

  1. The home team (as designated by the game schedule) must supply two adult volunteers to serve as members of the sideline crew (chain gang.)
  2. The visiting team (as designated by the game schedule) must supply one adult volunteer to serve as a member of the sideline crew (chain gang.)
  3. The sideline crew is considered part of the official’s crew and will operate under the direction of the game officials.
  4. Games will not begin until both teams have met their obligation to supply a sideline crew.
  5. Paid officials who are a parents or guardian of an FYF player(s) may not officiate in games involving teams from their child’s division.
  6. Access to the “Coaches Box” is limited to team members (players, coaches) and game officials.
  7. Non-participants (fans and others not involved in the game in progress) must remain at least FIVE YARDS FROM THE GAME FIELD BOUNDARIES (sidelines, end line, etc.) or behind any barrier(s) designated as a point separating team members from non-participants.

COACHES

  1. Questions directed to game officials regarding rule explanations are limited to each team’s head coach.
  2. Members of the coaching staff will wear an item of clothing, such as a cap or jacket in team colors, to make them easily identifiable by game officials.
  3. A maximum of SIX APPROVED football coaches will be permitted on a team’s sideline during a game.All coaches must have submitted an application to FYF and been previously approved by both the Football Director and the head coach of the team.
  4. Coaches must remain in the “Coaches Box” during the game except for the 6U Division. 10U coaches will be allowed onto the field but must remain within 10 yards of the sideline.
  5. Head coaches may lodge a formal protest concerning an official’s misinterpretation of a VA HS or FYF rule.
  1. Protests must be submitted to the Football Director no later then 48 hours after the conclusion of the protested game.
  2. Protests must be written and include the official’s name along with a summary of both the official and the head coach’s interpretation of the rule in question.
  3. A valid protest MAY result in the FYF Board of Directors scheduling the game to be replayed.
  1. Communication between coaches (or players) are limited to face to face verbal instructions Use of two-way radios, cell phones, etc. are prohibited.
  2. Reviewing video tape during the course of a game is prohibited for coaches and players.

EQUIPMENT

  1. FYF will maintain an inventory of game balls and provide the game officials with an appropriate game ball before each game. The designated game ball is to be used by both teams at all times.
  2. 6U, 8U, 10U Nike Spiraltech 1000 Pee-Wee footballs or equivalent from Riddell.
  3. 12U Division teams will use Nike Spiraltech 1000 Youth footballs or equivalent from Riddell.
  4. All players must wear the game uniform designated by FYF for their team.
  1. FYF has designated black game pants and white helmets for use by all teams in 2008.
  2. All players must provide and use a colored (not clear) mouthpiece that attaches to the helmet’s facemask and a protective cup.
  1. Players are permitted to wear shoes with rubber or nylon cleats only. No metal or baseball style cleats will be allowed.
  2. Players may wear sneakers in lieu of shoes with cleats.
  3. Bandanas, knit (skull) caps or any other headwear worn under a helmet is prohibited.
  4. Except in the case of players who wear vision correction (glasses or contact lenses) face shields are prohibited.

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

1.All players on a team’s roster must participate in games unless they are injured or have been suspended for disciplinary reasons.

2.Teams are required to report all injured players to the Football Director as soon as possible.

3.Teams that wish to suspend a player(s) for disciplinary reasons must receive the consent of the Football Director before the suspension is allowed.

4.Each team must assign players (“starters”) to the starting offensive and defensive platoons using the following parameters:

A team with 20 or more players on the roster must designate a total of 16 starters.

A team with 19 players on the roster must designate a total of 15 starters.

A team with 17 or18 players on the roster must designate a total of 14 starters.

A team with 16 players on the roster must designate a total of 13 starters.

A team with 15 or less players on the roster must designate a total of 12 starters.

5.Rosters are defined as the official FYF team roster minus players that are injured or being disciplined as defined in sections 5.2 and 5.3 respectively. Absent players (or late arriving players) are NOT excluded from the roster total.

6.All starters must appear on their respective platoons for at least the first play of each offensive or defensive series. This is the minimum requirement for starting players. After meeting the first play of each series requirement they may remain on the field at the discretion of the team’s head coach.

7.All players, including non-starters, must appear on the field a minimum of ten plays.

8.Appearances on special teams (kick off, kick return, etc.) DO NOT count toward the ten play minimum.

9.Player positions are NOT considered permanent assignments and may be changed each week at the discretion of the head coach.

10.Teams must submit a team roster designating starters and non-starters to the opposing head coach prior to the start of each game to ensure adherence to this rule. Injured, suspended or absent players must also be noted on this roster.

11.Any coach who fails to ensure each player participates as a starter will be subject to disciplinary action by the FYF Board of Directors.

FORFEITS and POSTPONEMENTS

  1. Game officials will declare a forfeit if:
  2. A team fails to field a minimum of eleven players ready to participate by the scheduled start time of the game.
  • In the event a team is unable to field an eleven man team at any time during the game the head official will offer both teams the option of continuing by fielding an equal number of players on each team. This option will only be allowed if both head coaches agree AND each team is still able to field at least nine players.
  • If after assessing TWO unsportsmanlike conduct penalties to a team, the head official decides an unsafe or unsavory condition exists he will declare a forfeit and award a victory to the opposing team.
  1. Forfeited games will not be replayed.
  2. Games that are postponed or suspended due to weather or conditions that are deemed unsafe for players and/or spectators will be rescheduled if possible.

SPORTMANSHIP

  1. All coaches, officials, parents, players, cheerleaders and spectators are required to adhere to the principles of good sportsmanship as defined in the FYF Code of Conduct. Head coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players, cheerleaders, and assistant coaches.
  2. Game officials are responsible for enforcing sportsmanship rules for game participants.
  3. Person’s in violation of the FYF Code of Conduct may be removed from the area and referred to the Board of Directors for additional actions as deemed necessary.
  4. When a team takes a lead of 24 points or greater, it will no longer kick off after scoring a touchdown. Instead the ball will be awarded to the trailing team on the opposition’s 40 yard line. This rule is unofficially known as “The Mercy Rule.”

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