Proposals for May 25th, 2017 SPFL Meeting
1)Deadline for programs to declare status
The SPFL recognizes that youth tackle football is in a state of flux and that enrollment numbers in the sport are decreasing not only in the SPFL, but in leagues everywhere. It can no longer be taken for granted that large enrollment numbers at a school will translate into robust numbers on the football field. In response, member programs are taking actions and beginning or expanding outreach to their RE programs and/or local schools.
Even with these efforts, it is likely that programs will continue to struggle to field a team at one or both levels. All programs within the league have a responsibility to all the other programs to report if they do not have the numbers to field a team by a reasonable deadline. It should be agreed upon by all member programs what the definition is of a ‘reasonable deadline’ for member programs to honestly take stock of their situation and relay that information to the league.
It is suggested that a deadline be set for programs to fully commit to the teams it will field for the coming season and this deadline be before schedules are approved. The best outcome for a schedule and conference assignments, if applicable, can only be achieved if there is a true representation of the number of teams at each level. Prior to schedules being set, any schools fielding teams at one level can be accommodated on the schedule. Then based on that approved schedule, programs can secure fields and begin to make arrangements for any openings in their schedule.
2)If the league adopts a deadline for declaring teams, should there be any penalties for a program that drops a team after the deadline? If so, what should they be?
If the league decides sanctions for late withdrawals of teams are appropriate, then options should be discussed and voted on in the absence of any specific case.
If the league decides that no sanctions are appropriate, all programs should be prepared to accept that schedules approved in May may not be what programs endup playing in the fall as there will be no penalty for programs reporting whether or not they can field teams, regardless of any possible set deadline. Most likely the league will continue to experience instances where programs will drop a team at or near the start of the season. (One year a team reported the day before the first game that they would not have a team.)
3)Extra time out per quarter w/o coaches in huddle for games when one team is playing with 15 or less players.
In consideration of possible fatigue/player safety for teams with low numbers, an extra time-out per quarter w/o coaches on the huddle will be allowed for games when one team has 15 or fewer eligible players. If teams start with more than 15 players, but due to injury or other circumstance, the number of players drops to 15 or below, then the additional time out will be implemented during the quarter in which the player number drops to 15 or below.
4)Can a game be played with less than 11 players?
As team margins for some programs appear to be razor thin for the coming season, we could find ourselves in instances where teams do not have 11 players ready for a Sunday game. What is the minimum number of players needed to start a game and have it counted in the standings? Is it 11? Can a team play with 10 or less and have the game count? What if a team starts with 11 or more players, but player number drops to less than 11 during the course of the game?
5)In addition to 5thQtr and full B games, consider adding B games with a running clock as a third option
For teams that have too many players for a 5th quarter, but not enough to play a full B game, a B game with a running clock might be a good option
6)Incremental increase in Striper weights to allow for player growth
In consideration that players will experience growth over the season, incremental increases in striper weight limit shall be implemented over the course of the season
1st weigh in limits: 105 lbs JV/ 135 lbs Varsity (90-105 JV & 110-135 V need to report to weigh-in)
2nd weigh-in limits: 108 lbs JV/ 138 lbs Varsity (≥ 98lbs JV &≥ 123 lbs V need to report to weigh-in)
3rd weigh-in limits: 110 lbs JV/ 140 lbs Varsity (≥ 103 lbs≥ 130 lbs V need to report to weigh-in)
7)Minimum percentage/number of players from parent program
The 50% rule (half the rostered players must be from the parent organization) was removed from the by-laws in the 2016 revision. With programs pulling players from multiple organizations it is likely that half the players may not be coming from the parent program. Should there be a minimum player percentage/number requirement for parent programs? Should the parent program be represented in the same proportion as the number of programs pooled? i.e 33% of the players rostered from the parent organization if team comprised of 3 different organizations, 25% if the teams is comprised of 4 different organizations, etc.? Or a straight 10% rule (i.e. 2 players of 20 rostered players must come from the parent organization) or 5%--1 player out of 20? Or no guideline at all—parent organization does not need to roster any individuals from their school?
8)Formation of permanent Sub-committees
As is done for many other area leagues, suggest considering forming standing sub-committees to aid in managing league business. The standing sub-committees would hold regular meetings comprised of sub-committee members and include any other league members wishing to attend and provide regular reports to the league along with any recommendations to take up for vote at either the February or May meeting.
- Scheduling/Play-off Sub-committee
- To continue addressing the changing numbers of teams in the league and proposing best scheduling/play-off options based on available team numbers
- By-laws Sub-committee
- Annual review of by-laws to ensure they are reflective of league practices
- Rules Sub-committee
- Review rules to ensure properly enforced
- Suggest changes/amendments to rules as appropriate
- Keep league up to date on any IHSA changes affecting the SPFL
- Satellite Sub-committee
- Responsible for collecting and tracking paperwork for member schools utilizing satellite organizations
- Flag football Sub-committee
- To report options for initiating a flag football league for 3th-4th graders
- Goal is to drive up interest in the tackle football program
- Organize and implement game schedules