ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF
RECREATION & PARKS
YOUTH
FOOTBALL
2004 RULES OF PLAY
It shall be the policy that the rules of play of this league shall be the National Federation of State High Schools, unless amended or modified herein, and are governed by the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks’ Organized Sports Manual and the Youth Football Association Guidelines.
II. LEAGUE CLASSIFICATIONS
The Association will be comprised of the following league classifications. No changes to the age or weight qualifications can be made for the current football season. Revisions, if any, must be made six months prior to the year it is to go into effect.
A. 65
lb. League
Ages
6-7: - Players must be 6 years-old
to be eligible to play. For example, if a player turns 6 years old in October,
that player will not be eligible to play any September or October games until
his/her 6th birthday. Any player turning 8 years old on/before
December 31st 2004, is not eligible to play in this weight class.
(Born in 1997, 1998)
Weight: 65 lbs. to start the season
This
is a true instructional league, with no standings and playoffs.
Every player will play (1/2) one-half of every game.
Ages 6-8 - Players must be 6 years old to be eligible to play. Any player turning 9 years old on/before December 31st 2004, is not eligible to play in this weight class. (Born in 1996, 1997, 1998)
Weight: 75 lbs. to start the season.
C. 85
lb. League
Ages
7-9: Players must turn 7 years old by December 31st 2004 to be
eligible to play. Any player turning 10 years old on/before December 31st 2004,
is not eligible to play in this weight class. (Born in 1995, 1996, 1997)
Maximum Weight: 85 lbs. to start the season
D. 95
lb. League
Ages
8-10: Players must turn 8 years old by December 31st 2004 to be
eligible to play. Any player turning 11 years old on/before December 31st 2004,
is not eligible to play in this weight class. (Born in 1994, 1995, 1996)
Maximum Weight: 95 lbs. to start the season.
Ages
9-11: Players must turn 9 years old by December 31st 2004 to be
eligible to play. Any player turning 12 years old on/before December 31st 2004,
is not eligible to play in this weight class. (Born in 1993, 1994, 1995)
Maximum Weight: 105 lbs. to start the season.
Ages
10-12: Players must turn 10 years old by December 31st 2004 to be
eligible to play. Any player turning 13 years old on/before December 31st 2004,
is not eligible to play in this weight class.
(Born in 1992, 1993, 1994)
Maximum Weight: 115 lbs. to start the season.
G. 130
lb. League
Ages
11-13: Players must turn 11 years old by December 31st 2004 to be
eligible to play. Any player turning 14 years old on/before December 31st 2004,
is not eligible to play in this weight class.
(Born in 1991, 1992, 1993)
Maximum Weight: 130 lbs. to start the season.
H.
200
lb. League
Ages 12-15: Players must turn 12 years old by December 31st 2004 to be eligible to play. Any player turning 16 years old on/before December 31st 2004, is not eligible to play in this weight class. (Born in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992)
Maximum Weight: 200 lbs. to start of season.
Ages 12, 13 & 14: Can weigh
up to 200 lbs to start the season.
Age 15: Can weigh up to 140 lbs to start the season.
All players weighing over 160 lbs must be 14 years of age or under and currently enrolled in Middle School. A 14-year-old high school child cannot exceed 160 pounds. All players over 160 pounds will only be permitted to play on the offensive line from tackle-to-tackle and/or on the defensive line as a down lineman – meaning they must line up from tackle-to-tackle in a 3 or 4 point stance. Unlimited players can play on special teams but will not be allowed to advance the ball. All players over 160 pounds must be recognizable by a sticker or red stripe on the helmet.
III. PLAYING RULES
A. Special Rules for 65, 75, 85 lb. league.
1. Major penalties will be ten (10) yards, except unsportsmanlike on any coach, is 15 yards.
2. 65 Lb. – Declared punts. Official will mark off 20 yards from the line of scrimmage, unless this places the ball inside the 20 yard line.
3. 65 Lb. - Two coaches are allowed on the field during the game for the entire season.
4. 75 Lb. – One coach is allowed on the field during the game for the entire season.
5. 85 Lb. - One coach is allowed on the field for the first four games of the season only.
6. The coach on the field can only talk during the time when the ball is dead with no cheerleading or coaching while the ball is in play and will be at least ten (10) yards behind the deepest player while the play is in progress.
B. For any rules not specifically covered in this manual the
High School Federation Rules will apply.
C. No organized practices or drills may begin prior to July 26.
D. Two (2) points will be awarded for a successful kick on an extra point and one (1) point will be awarded for a successful run or pass.
E. The High School Federation's mandatory numbering system rule
is waived.
F. Quarters will be 10 minutes of controlled time. The game clock will be governed by Federation rules with the following exception: the clock will stop on change of possession. The referee will start the clock when the down marker is set and the ready for play whistle is blown. This follows the pre-1996 Federation timing rules.
G. All ties will be played as per High School Federation overtime procedure, but limited to two overtime tries during regular season.
H. One coach will be allowed on field with captain during coin toss.
I. If a team is winning by 35 or more points at the end of the third quarter or any time thereafter, the fourth quarter will be played with a running clock (this includes time-outs), even if the score difference becomes less than 35 points. This applies to regular season only.
This rule has become necessary in order to add a degree of
scoring control in games that are between teams that are not matched in talent, experience, size, etc. It is highly encouraged, and shall be required, that winning coaches take all necessary steps available to control the high level of scoring in unmatched games.
J. 200 Lb. – For safety and security reasons, all Saturday games must begin by 2:30pm and all Sunday games must begin by 3:30pm.
IV. FIELDS
A. Playing fields must be at least 100 yards from goal line to goal line and 53 yards from sideline to sideline. Sidelines, goal lines, end zone lines, inbounds lines, and yard lines every ten (10) yards must be marked clearly. (Check NHSF)
B. Securing a home field for games is a responsibility of the organization sponsoring the team. If possible, the Department will assist a team in locating a field, but at the
present time, the Department cannot guarantee a field for any team. It is also the responsibility of the home team to see that fields are properly marked and that conditions are playable.
C. In order to allow the coaches and officials to properly perform their duties, it is the responsibility of the home team to provide a barrier, preferably rope, along each sideline to keep spectators away from the playing area. The barrier should be at least 15 to 20 feet from each sideline and should run from goal line to goal line. The penalty for the first offense will be a $100 fine. A Second offense will result in loss of home games.
D. The Recreation & Parks Department may cancel games due to weather or field conditions prior to the scheduled starting time. The home team may also cancel games prior to the scheduled starting time, due to weather or field conditions. Once the game begins, only the officials may cancel games due to inclement weather. Game officials and the officials of each team must be continually aware of the safety of the participants and the condition of the field. Lightning, high water conditions, high winds, etc. must be considered before a game is started or continued. Any game not played because of unsafe playing conditions shall be rescheduled.
E. If a regularly scheduled game is cancelled it will be rescheduled on the next available day, and if the home team is unable to host the game it shall be moved to a neutral field.
V. REGISTRATION AND ELIGIBILITY OF PLAYERS
A. The Anne Arundel County Recreation Advisory Board has determined that anyone can participate in any adult or youth athletic program as long as the sponsoring organization is located in Anne Arundel County. A minimum of 75% of the participants must reside in Anne Arundel County. The Director of Recreation & Parks may grant special exemptions.
B. All players must be registered on an official contract to participate. League players must also submit a photocopy of their Birth Certificate. The Department will maintain a file on all contracts and releases according to leagues and teams.
C. A contract shall be invalid unless the player, the coach, and a parent or guardian has signed it. Failure to comply with this may result in forfeiture of games.
D. Players will be eligible to participate in football only after their contract and a photocopy of their Birth Certificate have been received.
E. No players may be added to the roster after the third week of the season. No player may be added to the roster after the “Make-up” weigh in.
F. High School Varsity, Junior Varsity and Freshmen players who participate with their school football team during the current scholastic year are not eligible to sign a Department contract while playing. This includes players from public, private and parochial schools. This restriction is lifted if subject player is cut or quits and is no longer associated with that team and his contract is registered with the Department of Recreation & Parks prior to the cut-off date. A letter of release from the player's school coach or the Anne Arundel County Player Release Form must be presented prior to the player being registered. The County cannot force any player or team outside of the County league to sign a player release form, but the effort must be made to obtain the release.
H. Team coaches are responsible for the registration of players, releasing of players and all eligibility requirements of their team.
I. Birth certificates or verification from the Board of Education are acceptable evidence for proof of age.
J. An
ineligible player and the coach who signed him are liable for suspension and disciplinary action.
K. When a case of ineligibility is brought to the attention of the referee, any player or coach who refuses to sign their signatures or cooperate with the official when requested to do so is liable for suspension. The official may forfeit the game immediately if the request in not fulfilled.
L. No child may play football in the County league if they are not attending school, public or private, or home schooled.
VI. ROSTER LIMIT
A. Teams will be allowed to carry 30 players under contract; therefore, not more than 30 players may be in uniform for a league game.
B. It is the responsibility of the coach to see that a valid contract has been submitted for each player on the roster.
VII. RELEASES
A. Release will be granted upon presentation of the Anne Arundel County Player Release Form. This form must be properly filled out and signed by the coach.
B. A coach who refuses to release a player must show cause for such action within 48 hours after the player or his parents have presented a request for release in writing.
C. A released player will be eligible to sign a new contract after his release form has been date stamped, provided it is submitted before the cut-off date, but will not be eligible to play until a new card is issued.
D. The Recreation & Parks Department shall decide all disputes concerning releases.
VIII. OFFICIAL GAMES
A. All games shall be played as originally scheduled. Only the Department of Recreation & Parks will make any changes to the schedule. No games will be scheduled before 1:00 p.m. on Sundays.
B. There must be at least one official present for 65 and 75 lb. games, two officials present for 85, 95, 105, 115 and 130 lb. games, and three (3) officials present at 200 lb. games. No games may be played with less than the amount of officials noted above. If any team refuses to play any game when the minimum number of officials is present, they will forfeit the game.
A. Permanent conference/division structure:
CHESAPEAKE BAY
CONFERENCE
Patapsco Division Severn Division
Apaches Fort Meade
Pasadena Millersville Rebels Maryland City
EGBAC Severn
Bucs Brooklyn Park
Panthers
PATUXENT CONFERENCE
Magothy Division South River Division
Crofton PAL
Cape St. Claire Chesapeake Bay
Crusaders South River
Severna Park Edgewater
GORC Southern Athletic Association
Centreville Lions
B. A “B” League will be organized if four or more teams in a weight class choose to play in this league. There will be play-off and championship games, to be held on the field of the highest seed of the respective weight class. Trophies will be presented.
X. STANDINGS & PLAY-OFFS
A. Standings will be determined by awarding two points for each win and one point for a tie.
B. If a Conference has 11 or more teams in a weight class, there will be two divisions. The champion and runner-up of each division will be determined by total points. All conference games will count towards the playoffs. Any points earned playing an opponent from the other conference will not count towards the playoff standings.
C. If a Conference has 10 or less teams in a weight class, there will be no divisions. The top 4 finishers will make the play-offs. If there are less than 10 teams in a conference, teams will either play a conference opponent a second time or an opponent from the other conference, with points earned in these games not counting towards the playoff standings.
D. In the event of a tie for first or second place, the tie will broken by the first of the below procedures, which will break the tie.
a. Best total points within the conference.
b. If the teams are in
the same division, best total points within the division
c.
Best head to head total points
between the teams tied.
d. If the teams are still tied for (1) first, (2) second, or (3) third place (playoff seeding/positions), a coin toss will be done for seeding purposes.
e. In the event of a two teams tie for (4) fourth (playoffs seeding), a single elimination playoff game will be played to determine the final seed.
f. In event of three more teams tie for (4) fourth (playoff seeding), a single elimination playoff game will be played to determine the final seed. The tie between the three or more teams will broken by the first of the below procedures.
1. The two teams left after the tie breakers will play the play-in game for the (4) fourth seed:
1). Best total points within the conference
2). If two or more of the remaining teams are in the same division, best total points within the division
3). Best head to head points between the teams tied
E. WILDCARD:
a. In each division the two non-conference winners with the most total points will be wild card teams.
b. In the opening round of the playoff within each conference, the wild card team with the fewest points will play the division winner with the most points, and the wild card team with the most points will play the conference winner with the least points. Division winners will be home teams.
F. In the event of a tie to qualify for the play-offs, elimination play-off game(s) will be played to determine the final seed(s).
G. Home team for County championship will be the Chesapeake Bay Conference in even years and the Patuxent River Conference in odd years.
XI. COACHES
RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Coaches are responsible for the registration and releasing
of players, and all other eligibility requirements of their teams.
B. A coach who signs an ineligible player is liable for
suspension and other disciplinary action.
C. If a home coach calls off a game at least two (2) hours prior to game time because of weather conditions, he must notify the opposing coach and the Commissioner of his league.
D.
The coach is responsible for the conduct of any
person connected with his team at all times.
This includes conduct towards the officials. The coach is responsible
for the behavior of his players and all team attendants. He is also responsible insofar as can be
reasonably expected to control his spectators.
Abuse to an official or an opposing player by a fan with no attempt by
the management of the team to eliminate it will be dealt with by the Department of Recreation and Parks.
E. If a coach feels that a problem spectator(s) is not a
supporter he should request the official to remove the spectator from the vicinity. If the problem persists, the referee will require the home team management to call the police.
F. All head coaches must report the final score of their football game to his organizational representative. Organizational representatives must contact their division representative. Each conference representative shall contact the President of the A.A. Co. Youth Football organization and the Sports Supervisor for the County to report all scores.
G. The home team is responsible for contrasting jerseys. The
home team coach shall call the visiting coach to ensure that both teams do no show up in the same color jersey. It will be the responsibility of the home team to change.
XII. PLAYING EQUIPMENT
A. All protective equipment must be of high caliber for safety
reasons. At any time an official of the Association or the Department may disapprove equipment and declare it unsafe for contact. As a result, the team can be barred from competition until the situation is corrected.
B. Mandatory Equipment:
1. Helmet (NOCSAE approved) with face guard
2. Mouth piece
3. Shoulder pads
4. Football jersey
5. Protective hip and spinal pads
6. Thigh pads
7. Knee pads
8. Regulation football pants
9. Socks
10. Cleats or other approved football shoe
All other descriptions not covered above must meet High School Federation requirements.
C. Balls -- one ball is to be used during the game. This ball
to be new or in new condition and supplied by the home team. If the home team ball for some reason is in bad condition and the visiting team has a ball in better condition, the official may use this ball.
65 lb. K2
75 lb. K2
85 lb. K2
95 lb. K2
105 lb. K2
115 lb. TDJ
125 lb. TDJ
160 lb. TDY
XIII.
ALCOHOL POLICY
A. Organization Policy (“ZERO” TOLERANCE)
It is the responsibility of each organization to police their coaches, fans, parents and players to assure that there is no consumption of alcohol during County sponsored games. Consumption of alcohol at games cannot and will not be tolerated. While such behavior sets a poor example for our youth, it is also against the law to consume alcoholic beverages on properties operated by the County Department of Recreation and Parks or the Board of Education.
1. Anyone consuming alcohol at a County sponsored game will
be suspended from participation for a minimum of one (1)
year.
2. An Organization Representative must be on duty at all
times working the crowd confirming that no alcohol
consumption is occurring at the facility.
3. Each year Organizations must send a letter to parents
notifying them of these policies.
B. County Youth Football Policy
If a County Youth Football organization fails to comply with the above procedures the following step or steps will be taken:
1. Written warning to Organization
2. Elimination of night games
3. Elimination of home games
4. Elimination from County leagues
XIV. DISCIPLINARY ACTION FOR UNSPORTSMANLIKE
CONDUCT
A.
An ejected coach will receive an automatic
two game suspension and probation for remainder of season. This punitive action
may not be appealed.
B. An ejected coach must leave the immediate playing area and may not participate in the game in any manner.
XV. REFEREES
A. The Sports Supervisor who is responsible for liaison with the Official's Associations shall insure that agreements are negotiated which will enable all games to be properly officiated.
B. At the discretion of the above Athletic Supervisor, additional officials may be requested to cover playoff or championship games.
C. Referees are to insure that all games start as scheduled. Any team not at the playing site within 15 minutes after the scheduled starting time shall forfeit the contest.
D. An ejected player must turn his jersey inside out or take it off. Officials shall