CENTRAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE 2009 RULES (6-1-2009)
These rules are final and approved. All amendments and changes will take place at CFL Meetings.  

INTRODUCTION  

SECTION 1. The name of the league will be "Central Football League". The Central Football League shall be called the "CFL".  

SECTION 2. The CFL was organized by member organizations on August 12, 1995.  

PURPOSE  

SECTION 3. The purpose of the CFL shall be to govern, coordinate and enforce the rules for all league events among the participating organizations. The CFL shall govern only the issues that affect the flow of the league. The CFL is separate of all organizations, schools and associations.  

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ARTICLE I-  MEMBERSHIP  

SECTION 1. The CFL is formed by it's members. Membership in this League shall consist of organizations, schools and associations.

1A. 2009 teams are: Beggs, Drumright, Kellyville, Liberty, Lincoln, Mounds, Stroud, Summit, Verdigris and Victory.  

SECTION 2. The annual dues of all members shall be determined annually by a majority vote of the membership. All dues shall be paid by each member prior to the start of the pre-season scrimmage. A $10.00 per day late fee will be assessed on any member who is not current. Exceptions must have prior approval by the committee. The dues will be used for: trophies, Referee coordinators fee and cost for league play. 2009 League Fees are $125.00 per team.

SECTION 3. Organizations asking to be admitted as members must detail in writing the structure of their organizations, the officers of the organizations with phone numbers and how many teams they wish to enter in the league. An organization wishing admittance must have a 3rd and 4th grade team and a 5th and 6th grade team. No teams 3A and larger will be accepted. Teams in the league who meet these requirements must be “Grandfathered in”.  

SECTION 4. Organizations asking admittance must have two-thirds vote of approval by the league member organizations.  

SECTION 5. Newly admitted organizations will be automatically put on a 2 year probation. No privileges shall be admitted to these teams (pre-season or post-season tournaments, etc..).  

SECTION 6. 1 full year in the CFL is as follows: Starts- Pre-season tournament, Ends- After Championship games are over. This is considered one full CFL season. The CFL season is composed of three elements (Pre-season, regular season and post-season).  

SECTION 7. There are three main meetings in the CFL.

#1. Post-Season Meeting- January.

#2. Summer Rules Meeting- Summer.

#3. Pre-Season Meeting- July or August. 

SECTION 8. Expulsion of member organizations during the probation period will require only a majority vote of the remaining members. The Expulsion of an organization not on probation will require two-thirds vote of the remaining league member organizations.   

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ARTICLE II:  LEAGUE SET-UP  The structure of the league will be as follows:

SECTION 1. League organization members- organizations, schools and associations.  

SECTION 2. All town associations, organization and school representatives are volunteers.

2A. Each town associations, organization and school will have a “Representative” represent them in meetings and areas involving league issues. They will have a vote that will represent their town associations, organizations and schools.  

SECTION 3. The representatives (League Reps.) will decide all issues concerning league play and the enforcement of the rules. Issues that due not involve league play but concern organizations, schools and associations will not be addressed. Each organization, school and association will be responsible for their own business.  

SECTION 4. All protest will be resolved by majority vote (every representative will be notified). Teams who are involved are excluded.   

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ARTICLE III:  PARTICIPATION AND ORGANIZATION OF PLAYERS AND TEAMS.  

SECTION 1. The CFL promotes the active participation of all players. Unless on disciplinary probation as dictated by individual organizations, and duly noted on the weigh-in roster.

1A. All players will be required to play five plays (including special teams) in every game (1/2 grade players will play 10 plays).

1B. Any player on disciplinary action who attends a game can not be suited out for play. The player may wear his team jersey.

1C. Any player who refuses to participate in play must be brought to the attention of the opposing coach and so noted on the weigh-in roster, with the player's name and number.  

SECTION 2. "Age" Proven by “Birth Certificate”.

2A. To Participate in the fifth and sixth grade league, a player must be in the fifth or sixth grade and cannot be 13 prior to September 1st.

2B. To participate in the Third and fourth grade league, a player must be in the Third and Fourth grade and cannot be 11 prior to September 1st.

2C. To participate in the First and Second grade league, a player must be in the 1st and second grade and cannot be 9 prior to September 1st.

2D. Players who wish to play up a grade level must have parental approval and team organization approval to do so.

2E. Players will not play down a grade level. If a player is too small to play and does not want to play at his grade/age level he must opt to set out a year. The league will not risk injuries that might occur either way.     

SECTION 3. "Birth Certificates"- The head coach will carry copies of his player's birth certificates on him at all times. He may at anytime be asked by a representative or another head coach to produce his birth certificates for verification. Failure to do so is an automatic forfeit. If certain players cannot produce their birth certificates those players are suspended from play until this demand is met. Games those players played in may result in a forfeit. Any exceptions are subject to representative approval. No new players will be added once rosters are turned in.  

SECTION 4. "Team Roster Form"- A team roster will be turned in at the "Roster Meeting". Team roster forms are available in the handout section on this website (www.eteamz.com/cfootball/). An official CFL Team Roster including a waiver release signature will be submitted to the League Treasurer and representative members. Coaches should make enough copies for every representative. A CFL Team Roster form will have these items listed.

#1. Team Name and Grade
#2. Head Coaches Information.
#3. Player's full name.
#4. Date-of-Birth.
#5. Age and grade level.
#6. School the player attends.
#7. Parent's Signature.  

SECTION 5. Only players listed on this form will be eligible for play in the CFL. Players who are not listed cannot participate in the CFL. If they do that game or games could result in a forfeit.   

SECTION 6. Any head coach or representative may request another team's roster form for verification at anytime. *Note: This can be done by calling the league and it will be faxed to you. This will be helpful before a game to match up team roster with a weigh-in roster. These two items must match up. Only the player's number might be different (note all the numbers of that player on the weigh-in form).  

SECTION 7. Failure not to turn in your teams official CFL Team Roster Form at the meeting will result in forfeiture of any and all games until the roster form has been turned in (if there are problems please contact the league Treasurer or Representative).  

SECTION 8. Players must be selected from the School they attend and are playing for and not from outside the School.

8A. A team may petition the representatives if more players are needed to field a team. If approved to do so a team must get players from a School that does not offer football. All players must be listed on the Team Roster Form.

SECTION 9. A player, having signed with a particular member organization, is the exclusive property of that organization and as such cannot be recruited by acts of persuasion by another member organization and/or its members prior to the end of the CFL season. Once a player is on a roster that player must stay on that same roster.  

SECTION 10. The CFL does not require coaches to be certified. Team organizations and associations may do so on their own.

SECTION 11. A CFL Team must split if the number of players on that team reaches 36. Only Representatives can veto this ruling. The split must be equal (same number of 6th graders on both teams or close). Two teams that will both compete in league play. There cannot be an "A" team and a "B" team. 11A. A blind draft will be the used to split these teams. Example: First 6th graders will be pulled from a hat and then 5th graders. A committee member must be present at the draft. A committee member will be assigned by the head chairman.  

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ARTICLE IV: FOOTBALL RULES  

SECTION 1. Oklahoma High School football rules will be utilized in CFL play with the exception of those noted below: *Note: These rules will apply to 1st and 2nd grade with the exceptions listed in Article X.  

OFFICIALS  

SECTION 2. Three licensed officials will be required. Teams may play with two officials if both coaches agree to do so. Licensed officials must be a minimum of 18 years of age. 2A. 2009 Referee fees will be $35.00 per Ref per Game. 

SECTION 3.Teams in the CFL will use our referee coordinator. Games will be scheduled by the Ref-Coordinator. Teams may call to confirm their referees on the Thursday before their game. Listed below will be the procedures concerning issues that might arise during a season: All games will be played as scheduled, if at all possible.

3A. Home team must give a 24-hour notice of cancellation. If this was done- two weeks to reschedule at home-team’s field. A weather cancellation only requires a 5 hour notice.

3B. No referees show up at the game- Two weeks to reschedule the game (home team's field).

3C. Referees and visiting team show, but home team has cancelled the game for some reason and no call was made in the time needed to cancel stated by the rules- Home team must pay the referees who showed up with no games. Reschedule the game at visiting team’s home field, two weeks to reschedule.  

3D. Only 2 referees show up at the game- Play the game with a minimum of 2 licensed officials.

3E. No coach, team official or other organizational member will be allowed to referee a league game unless mutually agreeable to both participating teams (Head Coaches or Reps). It is then official! 

SECTION 4. If a game is rescheduled, the league, referees and treasurer need to be notified in enough time to coordinate this event.  

SECTION 5. IMPORTANT!! Head coaches will call the opposing coach sometime before Wednesday or on Wednesday to confirm game time, date and team colors for the game on Saturday. This is vital for the flow of the league. If this was not done and visiting team shows up at the wrong time or place- Reschedule the game at visiting team’s home field (two weeks to reschedule).  

ADMINISTRATION OF GAMES AND PRACTICES  

SECTION 6. Practices will be limited to maximum of four per week (pads or otherwise), lasting a maximum of two hours per practice.

6A. All non-scheduled games or scrimmages will be counted as a practice.

6B. Practices will not start prior to August 1st.   

SECTION 7. Eight minute quarters will be utilized for all games.

SECTION 8.There will be no running clock (exception: If a team is winning by a large margin, both coaches may agree to keep clock running, notify the officials and the press-box).  

SECTION 9. The half-time period will last no more than 10 minutes for all grades.

9A. Half-time Procedure: Guest cheerleaders and/or drill team. The guest drill team may be excluded from half-time participation by the home team if all performances take longer than 10 minutes combined.

9B. Half-time may be shortened due to weather if both coaches agree to do so. 

SECTION 10. Tie games/overtime: Each team will have 4 downs to score starting from the 10 yard line until a winner is determined. There will be a flip to see who goes first. Teams will stay in the same order in the 2nd O.T. and so on.  

SECTION 11. The admission fee may be revised annually by the League. The following admissions fees will be charged (including pre-season scrimmage and post-season tournament) ADULTS $3.00, STUDENTS $2.00, UNDER 6 FREE, Sr. Citizens (65) Free.  

SECTION 12. The CFL will issue 5 game passes per team each year. Each member organization may use at their own discretion. With the exception of players, cheerleaders, pep squad members, drill team members, EVERYONE, including coaches and sponsors, will be required to pay admission or furnish a game pass.  

12A. Any club or person caught in an attempt to gain entry with a false or reproduced pass or a coach trying to gain entry without a pass or paying will be subject to a suspension or fine to $50.00.   

SECTION 13. Weather: Games may be called off due to bad weather. A 5 hour notice will be required. Games may be moved to your opponent’s field if both teams agree.  

SECTION 14. Any team that does not arrive at a scheduled game within thirty minutes after scheduled game time will forfeit that game.

SECTION 15. The winning team is required to report the results of Saturday's game to the league Tresurer/Secrtary by the following Monday before midnight.   

SECTION 16. No alcoholic beverages or the consumption of alcoholic beverages will not be allowed by a coach, board member or anybody during a league event.    

WIEGH-IN PROCEDURE FOR GAMES  

SECTION 17. All Players will weigh on home team scales. The home team must supply an adequate scale. Weighing in will determine who is able to handle the ball.Note: A ball handler is defined as any offensive player who is an intended ball handler or in a ball handler position (excluding the center). All other players are called strippers.

17A. First and Second grade ball handlers must not weigh in excess of 75 lbs. 17B. Third and Fourth grade ball handlers may not weigh in excess of 100 lbs. 17C. Fifth and Sixth grade handlers may not weigh in excess of 125 lbs.  

SECTION 18. The whole team will be present for the weigh-in. All ball handlers will be weighed in full uniform, excluding helmet, before every game in which they may participate. Strippers may not weigh in but will show the opposing coach their stripes and jersey number. All backs or ball position players must meet the weight limit, even blocking backs. Example: A stripper cannot be in the backfield to block. All strippers must be on the line of scrimmage as down-linemen (offence only).

SECTION 19. All players in excess of the weight limit will wear stripes as identification marks on their helmets. The identifying mark shall be a stripe at the front and the rear base of the helmet. The stripe shall be black or a contrasting color and be not less than 3" x 1". Once again: "These players will not be able to line up in a position of a possible ball carrier" (receiver or back).  

SECTION 20. All players who meet the weight limit are allowed to recover and advance the ball on fumbles, interceptions, kickoffs, etc. For players in excess of weight limit, the ball will be blown dead at the point of reception or recovery.  

SECTION 21. Coaches will exchange a Weigh-in Roster Form and will witness and verify weigh-ins before game time. A weigh-in roster form will consist of the following items:

#1. Team Name

#2. Head Coach: Name and Phone Numbers

#3. Jersey Number(s), list all numbers of that player

#4. Player’s Name, Grade and Date of Birth **Numerical order according to the jersey #'s.  

SECTION 22. If for any reason a player(s) misses weigh-in and the game has not started: These player(s) may play with the approval of the other "Head Coach".  

22A. Once the game has started: player(s) must wait until half-time to weigh in. All players including strippers. Player(s) must be checked in from the weigh-in roster or they are illegal. NOTE: Illegal participation by a player could result in suspensions and a possible forfeiture.  

SECTION 23. Strippers must down the ball on on-side kicks. Ball handlers may return the ball, even on-side kicks.  

SECTION 24. The weigh-in time for a CFL game will take place 15 minutes before the scheduled start time of that game.


SCORING  

SECTION 25. Extra points:

5/6 grade- Kick= 2 points, Run or Pass= 1 point.

1/2 grade, 3/4 grade- Kick or Pass= 2 points, Run= 1 point.  

UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT  

SECTION 26. If the opposing teams have the same colored jerseys target vests will be worn. Both teams will be required to take turns wearing the target vests (1st half or 2nd half). The home team is responsible for providing target vests and will decide which half they want to wear them.  

26A. If a visiting team has two jerseys (different colors) they must go opposite of the home team's colors. The home team has the right to wear their colored jersey. To avoid confusion the home team should call the opposing team to confirm colors, date and time for the game (call before Wednesday). But, if both teams at game-time have the same colored jerseys and nobody wants to switch, Article IV- Section 26 would apply.  

SECTION 27. Rules and restrictions regarding player jersey numbers will not be enforced. However the numbers 0 and 00 are not allowed.

27A. No team players shall participate at the same time with identical numbers (use tape to make adjustment).  

27B. Jerseys can not be changed during a game unless the opposing team’s coach is made aware of the change and number.  

27C. A change of a jersey number of a player anytime during the season must be noted on the Weigh-in Roster. All numbers of a certain player must be listed (even if it is for one game) on the weigh-in roster.

Example: Joey started off with #12. He lost his jersey and is wearing #32. Joey for one game cannot find his jersey and coach gives him #45 for that game. On the team’s weigh-in roster he will be listed like this- #12, #32, #45 Joey Redmond. The number he wears for that game will be circled.  

27D. Towels used on the field must have no Lettering or Logos on them and are white. 

SECTION 28. OFFICIAL FOOTBALLS FOR THE CFL. **Wilson or Nike" (K2/Pee-Wee or TDJ/Junior). These balls can be Composite or Leather. These will be the only balls allowed during games.

1/2 Grade may use a K2/Pee-Wee ball.

3/4 Grade may use a K2/Pee-Wee or TDJ/Junior ball.

5/6 Grade may use a TDJ/Junior.

NOTE: Each team may choose their own ball size according to the rules but cannot change ball size during the game. You must start, play and finish with the same size ball.  

SECTION 29. Coaches on the field of play.

1/2  Grade- Two coaches are allowed.

3/4 Grade- One Coach is allowed up to the fourth game. After the fourth game no coaches on the field.

.5/6 Grade- No Coaches are allowed on the field.

29A. Coaches on the field must remain silent once the ball is put in play. There will be a 10 yard penalty if this rule is violated.  

SECTION 30. The use of two-way radios will be permitted. Radios will not however be used on the field of play. Sidelines are okay (sideline to press box or sideline to stands).  

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ARTICLE V: 2009 PLAYOFF FROMAT (3/4 and 5/6).

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ARTICLE VI: PROTEST PROCEDURES  

SECTION 1. The referee and the opposing head coach must be notified at the time of infraction that the game is being played under protest.  

SECTION 2. The head coach or acting head coach will notify his repetitive that his game was played under protest. The league will need to be notified within 48 hours that a protest is being filed.  

SETION 3. A protest fee of $50.00 cash will be given to a representative member and the protest will be official. If the protest is won, the protest fee will be refunded. If the protest is lost the protest fee will be forfeited and be placed in the league treasury.

SECTION 4. All protests involving tournament play will be settled by the CFL Representatives.

SECTION 5. Judgment calls by officials cannot be protested.  

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ARTICLE VII: TROPHIES-

SECTION 1. Trophies are funded by the dues collected from each team.

1A. All 1/2 Grade players will receive a participating award.

1B. Regular Season Champions or Division Champions will receive awards.

1C. 1^st place Champions in the playoffs will receive team trophy, player trophies, Tee-Shirts.

1D. 2^nd place Runner-up in the playoffs will receive team trophy and Tee Shirt. 

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ARTICLE VIII: ATTITUDE AND CONDUCT 

SECTION 1. No Food or Beverages allowed inside the stadium. Player water must come from a water cooler. No Snacks, No Drinks, No Ice Chest inside the stadium. If a team has snacks, they must be distributed outside the stadium. A "Gift Basket" for the cheerleaders is allowed.  

SECTION 2. Press Box Procedure: Rude remarks, bad behavior, or biased announcing will not be permitted at a game. If a board member is in attendance at a game determines that a violation of this rule exists and/or the clock person is not maintaining accurate precision, he may immediately ask for the removal of that person from his duties for the remainder of the game. The board will meet to determine by a vote if future action is necessary. The Penalty will be the decision of the board and can be up to a lifetime suspension from entering any press box. A referee noted protest will be addressed by the CFL Representatives.  

SECTION 3. Any assault or verbal abuse, or display of poor sportsmanship by a coach, parent, participation club official or guest at a game will not be tolerated.  

3A. Any player ejected from a game will automatically be suspended from the following game. The league representatives will be notified by the officials.  

3B. Any coach may be subject to banishment if found to have engaged actively or passively in the violation of the rules embraced by the CFL. Any coach who commits an act of violence against an official, another coach, any player, parent or guardian of any player, or any spectator will be banned from coaching in the CFL for life.  

3C. The league will not tolerate any coach talking back or down to the opposing players. This coach (if proven guilty) will be asked to remove himself from the sidelines (by the official) and will be banned from coaching in the CFL. This act must however be proven!  

SECTION 4. The penalty for an infraction of the Section 1 or 2 rules will be subject to one or more of the following:

1. Suspension from a game or games

2. Lifetime suspension from any conference event

3. Probation

4. An action deemed appropriate by unanimous vote.   

ARTICLE IX: 

SECTION 1. The above may rules may be amended, adopted or repealed once a year at the annual CFL Meetings. Rules that are voted in will apply for the whole season and not be subject to change. Only majority vote can do so.