NCYFLGAME NCYFL & MVYFL RULES

The NCYFL will comply with National Federation of High School (NFHS) rules with the following additions or exceptions (a copy of the current NFHS rules will be provided to each organization):

1) All players MUST play a minimum of SIX (6) plays per game, unless there is a disciplinary reason, injury or an “at risk” situation. Any roster player not playing must be listed as such on the official score sheet. Parent’s of players who are deemed to be “at risk” MUST be made aware of the situation regarding their child as soon as it is decided by that teams coaching staff that the player is “at risk” – NOT ON GAMEDAY!

2) The games will consist of four (4) 10 minute quarters for all divisions. (See additional Pee Wee rules)

3) The offensive team reserves the right to use their own ball. See attachment titled Division Ball Size in this handbook for further information

4) Footwear will conform to High School Federation specifications and guidelines.

5) Mouthpieces are MANDATORY! The umbilical cord will not to be removed and must remain attached to the face mask unless a specific and noted medical release is provided to the official

6) During Midget and Pee Wee Division games, offensive teams are required to declare their intention to either run a play or punt/kick the ball on 4th down to the Head Official. The Head Official will ensure the opposing team is notified of the offensive teams intention

7) During Midget and Pee Wee Division games, teams are not allowed to rush the opposing team or have player movement during punts or extra point attempts until the ball is away. The official will used his discretion to ensure the kicking team gets the ball away in a timely fashion. Using unnecessary time to punt/kick the ball is not allowed.

8) Extra points may be either kicked (when at least 1 goal post is present), ran or passed for an award of points. A successful kicked conversion attempt is worth two (2) points while a run/ pass conversion is worth one (1) point.

9) Only one coach will be allowed on the field during any time out

10) All game fields must be regulation size with clearly marked boundaries

11) If only one (1) goal post is present, teams may move to it for kicking

12) Extra points may be either kicked when goal posts are present, or run or passed in. A successful kicked conversion attempt is worth two (2) points. A run/ pass conversion is worth one (1) point.

13) If a game is tied at the end of regulation play, there will be overtime. Each team will get four (4) downs from the opposing teams 10 yard line. This will continue until there is a winner. We don’t have “tie” games in this league. L

st Revised – 01 August 2008 9   ADDITIONAL PEE WEE DIVISION RULES

PEE WEE

The Pee Wee Division will comply with the Midget Division rules with the following exceptions: Prior to the snap of the ball, only 5 defensive players will be allowed at the line of scrimmage. All other defensive positions must be at least 3 yards off the line of scrimmage at the time of the offensive snap of the ball. Once the ball is snapped, play is same as all other divisions unless otherwise stated elsewhere in this handbook. One coach will be allowed on the field. Coaches will position themselves so not to interrupt the flow of the game  MERCY RULE

MERCY RULE

There is no mercy rule for the Junior and Senior Division. During Midget and Pee Wee games, at the point the margin of difference in score reaches 24 points or more, the losing team will have the following options directly after any score that lead to the 24+ margin: • Receiving a kick-off that is icked from the opposing teams 20 yard line • Declining the Mercy Rule and play game with normal rules  Once the losing team chooses an option and play begins, normal playing rules will immediately be in effect. If the losing team is unsuccessful in the offensive series, a change of possession will occur as it would in normal play Sc Note: At no time will the losing team be awarded consecutive possessions When or if the winning team does score on the next or subsequent series’, the losing team will again be given the options outlined above

The Mercy Rule will not be applied during NCYFL playoff and championship games

2009 NFHS Football Rules Changes

1-2-3b NOTE 2 (NEW): All required field markings must be clearly visible.

1-3-1c: Stripes located on the football must be adjacent to and perpendicular to the seam upon which the laces are stitched.

2-14-2; 7-2-5: The definition of a scrimmage-kick formation was clarified to differentiate formations that have been used traditionally for attempting a field goal or kick try from those used for a punt. The circumstances under which the numbering exception can be used have been changed to clarify what can be done on first, second, third and fourth downs.

Table 3-1; 9-8-1g: The mandatory three-minute warm-up period begins immediately following the conclusion of the halftime intermission. The head coach of each team is responsible for his team being on the field for the warm-up period.

3-3-4b5 (NEW): If a penalty resulting in a safety occurs on the last timed down of a period, the period is not extended.

8-2-2; 8-2-3; 8-2-4 (NEW); 10-5-1f: Three rules were refined and a new article created regarding penalty enforcement for dead-ball, non-player or unsportsmanlike fouls that occur during or after a touchdown scoring play. Now, the scoring team, in most situations, has the option of enforcing the penalty on the subsequent kickoff.

9-4-3h: It is now illegal to grasp the opponent's chin strap.

9-4-3k (NEW): The horse-collar tackle has been added to the list of illegal personal contact fouls, regardless of where it occurs on the field. It is illegal to grasp the inside back or side opening of the collar of the jersey or shoulder pads of the runner and subsequently pull the runner to the ground.

9-7-2 EXCEPTION: The kicking team cannot bat a scrimmage kick that has not yet been grounded unless it is toward its own goal line. Scrimmage kicks may only be batted by the kicking team towards its own goal line.

1-2-3g; 9-8-3: A restricted area has been defined where a maximum of three coaches may communicate with players and substitutes during dead-ball situations. The coaches must move into the team box before the ball becomes live. There will no longer be an allowance for three coaches to remain in an area adjacent to the sideline during play.

Editorial and Other Changes

1-2-1; 1-2-3d; 1-3-1f; 1-5-1c(5b, 6b); 1-5-1i; 1-5-3a, b, c; 1-5-3k, l, n, o (NEW); 2-11; 2-16-2h; 2-35; 2-41-1, 9; 3-3-4b; 3-3-4b NOTE; 3-4-3j (NEW); 3-5-10c; 6-2-1; 7-5-2; 7-5-6a; 8-2-2, 3; 8-5-2a EXCEPTION; 9-4 PENALTY; 9-8-1; 9-9 PENALTY NOTE; 10-2-2b; 10-2-3; 10-4-2c; 10-5-1f; 10-6; FUNDAMENTALS: II-5, II-6 (NEW), IV-6, IX-3, X-4; OFFICIAL FOOTBALL SIGNALS – 15, 25 (NEW)

Points of Emphasis
1. NFHS Guidelines on Handling Contests During Lightning Disturbances
2. Illegal Personal Contact
3. Blocking and Illegal Blocks
4. Helmet and Face Mask
5. Uniforms
6. Sportsmanship

Horse-collar Tackle To Be Penalized in High School Football  INDIANAPOLIS, IN (February 13, 2009)

The horse-collar tackle has been added to the list of illegal personal contact fouls in high school football.

This addition to Rule 9-4-3 was one of 10 rules changes approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Football Rules Committee at its January 24-25 meeting in Indianapolis. The rules changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

Effective with the 2009 season, it will be illegal to grab the inside back or side collar of the runner's shoulder pads or jersey and subsequently pull the runner to the ground. The penalty will be 15 yards from the succeeding spot.

Julian Tackett, assistant commissioner of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association and chair of the NFHS Football Rules Committee, said the committee felt the need to continue to address risk minimization issues for the runner.

"Risk minimization continues to be one of the most important fundamentals to the rules-writing process of the NFHS," Tackett said. "Though this play does not happen often, we must ensure that our coaches and officials understand the importance of penalizing this act."

Another risk-minimization change in Rule 9-4-3 will make it illegal to grasp an opponent's chin strap, in addition to the opponent's face mask or edge of a helmet opening.

The committee made a significant change in Rule 9-8-3 in an effort to reduce the risk of injury along the sidelines. A maximum of three coaches may be in the restricted area to communicate with players during dead-ball situations. Before the ball becomes live, however, the coaches must retreat into the team box.

Bob Colgate, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the Football Rules Committee, said this rule change results in a 2-yard belt that is clear of team personnel and helps eliminate sideline congestion while helping to minimize the risk for participating players, coaches and officials during live-ball situations.

"There no longer will be an allowance for three coaches to remain in an area adjacent to the sideline when the ball is live," Colgate said. "The results of a three-year experiment were favorable, which led to the committee's support for this rule change in 2009."

A change in Rule 9-8-1g clarifies that the mandatory three-minute warm-up period begins immediately following the conclusion of the halftime intermission. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty will be assessed to the head coach if the team is not back on the field prior to the start of the warm-up period.

Changes in Rules 7-2-5 and 2-14-2 clarify the numbering-exception rule from when it was originally approved in 1982.

"The definition of a scrimmage-kick formation was clarified to differentiate formations that have been used traditionally for attempting a field goal or kick try from those used for a punt," Colgate said. "In addition, the circumstances under which the numbering exception can be utilized have been changed to clarify what can be done on first, second, third and fourth downs."

Two changes were made in Rule 1 - The Game, Field, Players and Equipment. The committee clarified Rule 1-3-1c regarding the stripes on the football. The change states that the stripes located on the football must be adjacent to and perpendicular to the seam upon which the laces are stitched. In Rule 1-2-3b, a note was added stating that all required field markings must be clearly visible. Further, when other markings such as logos are placed on the field, the required markings shall remain visible.

Other changes approved by the Football Rules Committee:

· Rule 3-3-4b5 - If a penalty resulting in a safety occurs on the last timed down of a period, the period is not extended. The teams will change goals to start the next period.

· Rules 8-2-2, 8-2-3, 8-2-4 (new), 10-5-1f - Three rules were revised and a new article was created regarding penalty enforcement for dead-ball, non-player or unsportsmanlike fouls that occur during or after a touchdown-scoring play. The revisions now allow the offended team, in most situations, the option of enforcing the penalty on the subsequent kickoff. Fouls committed after the initial ready-for-play signal following the touchdown are not affected by this change.

· Rule 9-7-2 Exception: A foul will now occur for illegal batting by the kicking team if it bats a scrimmage kick that has not yet been grounded unless it is batted by the kicking team toward its own goal line.

"Though many of the changes in the rules were subtle clarifications, each of this year's changes ensures that the sound traditions of the game are protected and that student-athlete safety remains our top priority," Tackett said.

In addition, the committee identified six points of emphasis for the 2009 season: Illegal Personal Contact, Blocking and Illegal Blocks, Helmet and Face Mask, Uniforms, Sportsmanship and NFHS Guidelines on Handling Contests During Lightning Disturbances.