Rules and Regulations
Phenix City Youth Football League
Rule Book
2009
A hundred years from now……
It will not matter what my bank account was,
The sort of house I lived in,
Or the kind of car I drove……
But the world may be a better place
Because I made a difference in the life of a
CHILD
“Teaching the Game of Football and Much More”
PURPOSE
- The purpose of the Phenix City Youth Football League is to encourage and promote interest and participation in youth recreational football.
- To inspire youth, regardless of race, creed, or national origin, in the ideals of sportsmanship and physical fitness. The end result being the fullest possible development of health, patriotism, character, and good citizenship.
3. Also, to familiarize all players with the fundamentals of football, to provide an opportunity to play the game in a supervised, organized and safety oriented manner and to keep the welfare of participants free of any adult ambition and personal glory.
4. To confine all the league activities to the promotion of amateur football, where participation must be solely for the pleasure, enjoyment, and social benefits delivered from the activity.
GOAL
Our goal is to provide the youth of Phenix City with a positive experience with little league football. Winning and losing are not our primary concern and should not be yours. We stress teaching the fundamentals of the game of football through fun, fun and more fun. Every child will be given an opportunity to succeed in our program no matter what their talent level.
PHILOSOPHY
This tackle football and cheerleading league will be regulated by a board. It will be for children ages 7 to 12 with three divisions: 7-8 year olds (6 year olds with a waiver), 9-10 year olds, and 11-12 year olds. In this league, the game of football will be taught by coaches who have strong faith-based values to teach the players proper technique and fundamentals of football, as well as, ensuring the experience is fun and enjoyable. With facilities available through the Phenix City Parks and Recreation Department and the Phenix City School System, teams will have ample playing fields for meaningful practices that are safe and accommodating. The most important part of this league will be the lessons learned about how to lead a life with strong convictions and faith taught by coaches whose actions will demonstrate those values and beliefs.
PLAYING RULES
Governing Rules for Play- The Alabama High School Athletic Association Officials Rule Book shall prevail for play determination except where PCYFL rules apply.
Age requirement for all leagues: Age of player on September 1st
10 Founding Principles for the PCYFL
- Fundamentally sound coaching techniques to ensure players are safely and appropriately developed.
- Emphasis on faith based values at every game and practice.
- Coaches who demonstrate those same faith based values that are being taught through their actions and words.
- Availability of fields for practice and games that will be in good condition conducive for safety and fun play.
- Coaches who ensure the players participating have a rewarding experience that is enjoyable, challenging and rewarding.
- An environment of sportsmanship demonstrated by players, coaches, parents and fans at all times.
- A board that will ensure equity and consistency is adhered to in all aspects of decisions pertinent to the PCYFL.
- Involvement of community leaders, churches, previous and current renowned athletes/coaches with ethics consistent with those this league is founded upon.
- Fun filled experiences for the players, coaches and parents involved that will create memories, friendships and life-learned lessons that will last a life time.
- Utilization of the game of football to teach players the principles that make it such a great sport: perseverance, teamwork, dedication and hard work.
CONDUCT OF COACHES
1. The Head Coach of any team in the program is at all times responsible for the conduct of any assistant coach or player.
2. Any coach or player who displays questionable conduct is subject to immediate suspension.
3. Any coach or team affiliate found to be recruiting will be suspended for a minimum of 1 year.
4. ALL PLAYERS AND COACHES SHALL REFRAIN FROM UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT, INCLUDING THE USE OF PROFANITY.
5. The Head Coach will hold a parent meeting prior to the start of the season to go over policies outline in the aforementioned pages and expectations how parents should act during practices and games.
CODE OF ETHICS FOR COACHES
1. I will treat each player, opposing coach, official, parent and administrator with respect and dignity.
2. I will become familiar with the rules of my sport.
3. I will become familiar with the objectives of the youth sports program with which I am participating.
4. I will uphold the authority of officials who are assigned to the program in which I coach and I will assist them in every way to conduct fair and impartial competitive play.
5. I will learn the strengths and weakness of my players so that I might place them into a situation where they have maximum opportunity to improve their skill level through active participation.
6. I will conduct my practices and games so that all players have an opportunity to improve their skill level through active participation.
7. I will cooperate with the program staff in enforcement of rules and regulations.
8. I will protect the safety and health of my players by insisting that all the activities under my control be conducted for their mental and physical welfare, rather than for the vicarious interests of adults.
9. I WILL NOT SMOKE, DIP, OR CHEW TOBBACCO PRODUCTS AT PRACTICE, GAMES, OR IN THE PRESENCE OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS.
10. I WILL NOT USE ABUSIVE LANGUAGE TO INCLUDE: SCREAMING, YELLING, NEGATIVE OR EMBARASSING COMMENTS.
11. I will exercise self control in the face of adversity or success – not arguing calls with the officials, no excessive celebration after a victory or lack of sportsmanship after defeat.
GAME EJECTION
1. Any player or coach ejected from a game will be suspended for the next scheduled game.
2. 2 ejections during the season will result in suspension for the rest of the season.
3. Any coach or player suspended from a game or the season will also be banned from Parks & Rec. facilities for the duration of the suspension.
4. All ejections of coaches will be reviewed by the board to determine if the coach is allowed back the next season.
11 & 12 Year Old Age Division
* Time: 4 quarters consisting of 10 minutes each
* 40 second clock
* Football size: Wilson TDY
* Field Size: 100 yds by 50 yds
* Extra Point: No field goals
3yd line attempt 1 point
5 yd line attempt 2 points
* *ALL PLAY RULE- Each player must start on offense or defense. Special teams play will not count.
* Offensive formations: Guards, Tackles, and TE must be in a 3 point stance. No unbalanced line.
* Defensive formation: No more than 6 linemen on the line of scrimmage with the center uncovered and must be down in a 3 point or 4 point stance on a player – not in a gap. No bull rushing the center. Linebacker must be 3 yards off the ball except when on the end of line & for short yardage or goal line defense. There is no blitzing.
*Short Yardage Defense
1. Goal line defenses are permitted between the five (5) yard line (including the 5 yd line) and the goal line or when it is two yards or less for a first down then a defense can play anywhere.
2. The linebackers must be at least three yards from the line of scrimmage until the ball is snapped; there is no blitzing of linebackers.
3. Only six (6) players are allowed on the defensive line of scrimmage. All other players must be at least 3 yards back at the snap.
(Exception Corners)
* Punting: Each team must declare on 4th down if they are going to punt. Ball will be placed on ground in front of the punter and play begins on
snap count when the ball is picked up by the punter to be punted. No rushing the punter.
* Kickoff: 40 yd line. (H.S. rules apply)
* There will be a one time tie breaker from the 10 yard line where each team will have 4 downs to score. Teams can go for one from the 3 yard line or 2 from the 5 yard line one PAT.
9 & 10 Year Old Age Division
* Time: 4 quarters consisting of 10 minutes each
* 40 second clock between plays
* Football Size: Wilson K-2
* Field Size: 100 yds long X 50 yds wide.
* All rules from 11 & 12 Year Old Age Division Apply
7 & 8 Year Old Age Division
(6 Year Old with a Waiver)
- Time: 4 quarters consisting of 8 minutes each
- Football size: Wilson K-2
- Field size: 80 yds long x 33 yds wide.
* ALL PLAY RULE: Each player must start on offense or defense.*
* Weight Restrictions- Any player that weighs 85 plus pounds is restricted to playing on the line. Tackle to tackle on offensive and defensive applies. Once a player is declared restricted he will remain restricted the entire season - to be determined at weigh in. Any team in violation will result in the coach being ejected from the game and suspended from coaching for 1 year. A 15 yd penalty will apply.
* Offensive formations: All guards, tackles, and TEs must be in a 3 point stance when the ball is snapped. No unbalanced line will be permitted.
* Defensive formation: No more than 6 linemen on the line of scrimmage with the center uncovered and must be down in a 3 point or 4 point stance on a player – not in a gap.
*Short Yardage Defense
1. Goal line defenses are permitted between the five (5) yard line (including the 5 yd line) and the goal line or when it is two yards or less for a first down then a defense can play anywhere.
2. The linebackers must be at least three yards from the line of scrimmage until the ball is snapped; there is no blitzing of linebackers.
3. Only six (6) players are allowed on the defensive line of scrimmage. All other players must be at least 3 yards back at the snap.
(Exception Corners)
* There will be no kickoffs or punts in this age division. Coin toss at the beginning of the game will decide who will get the ball first.
1. Punting – the coach will inform the officials on fourth (4th) down if he is going to go for it or punt. If elected to punt the official will mark off 20 yards.
* There will be a one time tie breaker from the 10 yard line where each team will have 4 downs to score. Teams can go for one from the 3 yard line or 2 from the 5 yard line one PAT.
**Right To Reconsider Rule**
The Phenix City Youth Football League in conjunction with the Phenix City Parks and Recreation has the authority to reconsider playing eligibility of all program participants.
- If a participant is found to be in danger of getting physically and/or mentally harmed, the Phenix City Youth Football League Board has the right to refund the participant’s money and he will no longer be allowed to participate.
- If a participant is found to be disruptive or too physical for the program, the Phenix City Youth Football League Board has the right to refund the participant’s money and he will no longer be allowed to participate.
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