Montrose Youth Football League

Rules, Policies, and Regulations

 

MYFL Representative:

Mike Sella:  Home:  970-249-8051

 

Coaches

The greatest influence for positive attitudes of sportsmanship and conduct is the coach.  With a simple word, motion, or attitude, he/she can direct the feelings of the players and spectators.  Both groups look to the coach for leadership.  If the coach has a sound philosophy of athletics in the lives of children, he/she will exhibit the proper attitude regardless of the decisions which may seem to go against his/her team, and thereby control his/her players and spectators.  A coach who cannot accept this does a disservice by remaining in the program.

The MYFL has implemented a “zero tolerance rule” for coaches who engage in fighting, arguing, and use of foul language, verbal or physical abuse toward any player, official, referee, spectator or coach.  Any coach dismissed under the” zero tolerance” rule will be banned from coaching and the MYFL for a minimum of two years.  The “zero tolerance” rule also applies to spectators.  Coaches are responsible for their spectators.  A fifteen yard penalty will be applied at referee’s discretion for unruly, aggressive, or use of profanity by a spectator on your side line.

Coaches should NOT:

1.     Teach techniques that are illegal.

2.     Try to motivate players to the point that they seek to hurt an opponent.

3.     Encourage physical punishment of opposing players.

4.     Allow his/her players to practice or compete after serious injury without written clearance from the player’s parents.

5.     Harass game officials.

6.     Incite the crowd against the officials.

7.     Teach, “Hate” of an opponent.

8.     Seek ways to circumvent the rules:  the “spirit” of the rules should not be violated.

9.     Intentionally humiliate, tease, or embarrass any player.

 

 

Coaches SHOULD:

A.     Readily accept changes in the rules that have the objective of making the game safer and/or better.

B.     Recommend rule changes he/she believes will eliminate or reduce the chance of injury.

C.     Repeatedly warn players against spearing, piling on, clipping, slugging, and all other illegal tactics.

D.    Refrain from using terms which involve violence.  Terms such as:  “kill him”, “rip his head off”, etc., may get the point across, however, on the playing field, they are damaging.  Violent references and objectives should be eliminated entirely.

E.      Remember that parents entrust their child to the care of the coach.  The coach should treat each player as he/she would treat his or her own child.

F.      Remember each player must play at least ten plays per game.  It is very important that each child gets play time experience for building growth and confidence.

The MYFL Board of Directors will make all head coaching appointments.  Veteran coaches in good standing will be offered first choice to return.  New coaches will be chosen by lottery.  The Board may dismiss coaches for conduct that is not keeping with the purpose of the MYFL and the policies established for its operation. Please refer to the “zero tolerance” rule.

Assistant coaches can be chosen by the head coach with MYFL approval.  Both the head and assistant coaches are allowed 1 child per team.  In the event that a coach has 2 or more children on a team, the assistant must forfeit his/her right to their child on that team.  Once the lottery for teams is closed, a head coach may choose an assistant coach from the parents on his team.  (This allows for multi-child parents to coach their own kids).

Protests will be considered only when based on the violation, application or interpretation of the policies of the MYFL.  Game rule application, interpretation, and referee judgment shall not be protested to the referee.  Protests will be handled as follows:

A.     The protesting coach shall immediately notify the Commissioner of the protest, indicating the policy the protest includes.  Should the protest allege a violation against an opposing team, the protest must be filed before the end of the game with the team that has allegedly violated a policy.

 

B.     The Board of Directors shall resolve the protest.

C.     In the resolution of any protest, responsibility to the players must be considered first and foremost.  In most cases, responsibility for violation of the policies should be assumed by coaches.

 

 

General Rules & Policies

·        Coaches may hold five practices the week immediately following registration. Afterward there will be no more than three practices per week, with a maximum of 2 hours per practice.  Practice fields will be assigned at the first coaches’ meeting.  Flag teams may hold 3 - 90 minute practices per week until the season starts.  After league play begins, only 2 - 90 minute practices per week are allowed.

 

·        Game schedules will be assigned after the close of registration.  Best efforts will be made to keep all game play on Saturdays.

 

·        On game days the first scheduled “home team” will be responsible for the setting up of the field for play on game day (cones, markers, etc.).  The last scheduled “home team” will be responsible for taking down all field equipment and returning equipment to an MYFL official at the end of game day.  “Home Team” coaches are to oversee these duties.

 

·        A 10’ buffer will be required around the playing field to allow space for coaching and the players’ bench area.  If the field has grand stands all spectators must use them. Only coaches, players, and officials will be allowed inside the 10’ buffer.  A 5 yard penalty may be assessed if spectators enter this area during scheduled play.

 

·        On game day, coaches shall rotate all players to ensure each child has an opportunity to participate.  Exceptions would be for sick or injured players or for disciplinary action.

 

·        Next season, 5^th graders may advance with their coach/team into the 6^th grade season. Coaches will draw the remainder of that team from the registration lottery.

 

·        Scheduled games cannot be called for weather in the first half, except when lightning is present.  If game is called for lightning, it can be rescheduled during the week as long as both coaches agree.  If a game is called for lightning and not rescheduled, the team that is ahead at the end of the play is considered the winner.

 

 

 

MYFL Tackle Rules  (revised 8/30/23)

Weight classes are as follows: 0-75 lbs., 76-105 lbs., 108+ lbs. Weight classes are for determining the lottery and ensuring evenly matched teams. 

Football games in the league shall be governed by the official rules of the National Federation of State High School Athletic Association, unless by proper action by the Board of Directors, other rules are specifically approved and made part of these policies:

 

   Legal Footballs: Must Be "TDY" Youth Footballs, Pee Wee footballs are NOT allowed.

1.     7 man line on offense. Line can be unbalanced, but lineman must report to the official.

2.     No more than 7 man line on defense.  This includes cornerbacks. This means 5 men in the box only.

 

3.     No more than 6 down lineman on offense.

 

4.     No one can move forward until the ball is snapped.  Defensive lineman inside the defensive end must be in a 3 or 4 point stance.  Defensive ends can stand if they choose.  Linebackers & safeties must line up at least 3 yards from the line of scrimmage, except when covering a wide receiver who is split out from the formation. The corner may line up closer than 3 yards if they choose.

 

5.     Teams shall change goals only at half time.

 

6.     Each team is allowed three (3) - (60) second time-outs per half.  Time-outs do not accumulate.  Clock will stop for time outs.

 

7.     Coaches cannot meet with players during injury time-outs.  Players should take a knee during injury time-outs.

 

8.     All players must wear mouthpieces and have chinstraps fastened when on the field.  (10 yard penalty, after 1 warning).

 

9.     No head tackles (15 yard penalty, after 1 warning or no warning at referee’s discretion).

 

10.   No player can intentionally make contact with the top of his helmet.

 

11.   Center cannot pick up the ball off the ground.

 

12.   The following blocks are NOT ALLOWED:

• Roll:   No player shall roll on the ground into any other player(s)
• Submarine:  No player shall dive sideways into an opponent’s legs
• Cut/Chop:  No combination block by 2 or more teammates against an opponent other than a runner, with or without delay where one block is at the knee or below and one of the blocks is above the knee.
• Blocks below the waist:  Blocks below the waist are not allowed at any time except by down interior lineman, if the block is immediate without any delay at the snap.

 

13.   Punts are to be announced.  Neither team can move down field until the ball is kicked.

 

14.   Points after touchdowns will be 1 point for running the ball in and 2 points for passing the ball in.  A pass caught behind the line of scrimmage is considered a run, therefore 1 point. Turnover is dead ball.

 

15.   Any player over 112 lbs. will wear a red patch on their helmet.  Red patch players cannot run the ball or take a pass and the ball across the line of scrimmage.  This includes the quarterback.  On punt and kickoff returns any player can run and return the ball.  The penalty for running with a red patch is 15 yards.

 

16.   All games shall be four (4) 15 minute quarters with 60 second time-out at change of quarter. Fifteen (15) minute running clock will include extra points and dead ball penalties.  Should a team score on the last play of the half, the extra point attempt shall be permitted.  Clock will stop for time-outs (60 seconds).  There will be a five (5) minute halftime.  The only time the clock can be stopped during the last 2 minutes Of both 2nd and 4th quarters is for time-outs, out of bounds, penalties, incomplete pass, injuries and change of possession.  The Referee will keep time.  

 

     

 28-point rule-if a team is winning by 28 points or more the following will occur:

          a. At the end of the quarter the clock will be set to 8 minutes for remainder of game.

b. Winning team will only be allowed to run the ball (no passing).  This includes trys. 

c. If the score becomes less than a 28 point difference the running clock will still be in effect. 

 

c. On defense the winning team will not blitz.

d. There will be a running clock with the exception of timeouts and injuries.

e. Every attempt should be made by the winning team to play as many players as possible.

 

 

17.   Tie breakers: coin toss will determine which team gets the ball first. (Home team calls the toss).  Winner of the coin toss gets the ball on the 10-yard line and is given 4 downs to score.  If either team is ahead at this point, that team wins.  If score remains tied, repeat from the 10 yard line.  If after 3 attempts by both sides game is still tied, the game ends in a tie.  Note: If the defensive team intercepts a pass or recovers a fumble during tiebreaker and returns it for a touchdown, that team wins.  Extra appoints must be attempted during tiebreaker.

 

18.   A 15-yard penalty will be called for ANY unsportsmanlike conduct. This includes conduct by all players, coaches, and spectators. Coaches are responsible to warn spectators and players if their actions become questionable. Please refer to the “zero tolerance rule”.

 

19.   Weight of child is important as per rules. Weight must be accurate and coaches and parents should not deviate from this rule.  Player’s weight will be documented at the time of registration.  This will be his weight on record.  Do not deviate from this rule.

 

20.   If a coach and/or player has a major infraction of the rules, which he does not correct after brought to his attention, the coach and/or player at fault shall be terminated.

 

21.   There will be no taunting, growling, yelling, or trash talking during snap count.  (15-Yard Penalty).

 

22.   Maximum age limit for the MYFL is 12 years old.  True 5^th and 6^th graders only.  Player may only play two years of tackle in the league.  This age must be true at sign ups.

 

23.   High School rules will be used in all league play.  Only these selected rules will supersede the High School rules.  Before a coach can challenge a referee on any rule, that coach must first know the rules.  It is your job as a coach to learn these.

 

24.   There shall be 2 referees at all MYFL games.  These referees shall have complete knowledge of both High School and MYFL rules.  The home team shall supply parents to run the chains. NO family member of either team shall be used to referee a game.  If no referees show up for the game, then the game will be postponed until a future date.  (Game may be officiated by only 1 referee as long as both coaches agree).

 

25.   Tiebreaker for playoff standing shall be done in this manner:

 

1. Head to Head
2. Common opponent
3. Coin flip

Amount of points scored will not be counted.

 

 

26.   No more than 4 coaches may be on the field during league play.  Only head coach may discuss rules or penalties with referee.

 

27.   No coach shall be on the field during play time, excluding time outs and injuries. (15 yard penalty after 1 warning).