League Rules and Guidelines
 

Guidelines

Butler County Youth Football General Rules

(Revised 03/16/2008)

Section 1- Official Rules:

  1. The rules adopted by the Ohio High School Athletic Association shall Govern play in the football games, except in situations specified by these general rules or in the league rules.
  2. The League Board shall consist of thirteen(13) members, one from each community involved.
  3. The member shall be elected in February of each year to serve one-year terms.  The thirteen(13) members are :  President, Vice President, League Director, and ten(10) Board Members.
  4. An official League meeting cannot be held with less than five(5) members, or their approved substitutes present.
  5. All League rules and changes must be voted on by a majority of the members of the Board.
  6. A player can play for any district in which he/she chooses as long as he/she does not live in a participating district in the Butler County Youth Football League. If a team is found to have a player playing for them that does not abide by this rule, that team will forfeit its entire season.
  7. a. At the beginning of the 2007 football season, once rosters have been established, no child may leave Lakota Stallions or West Chester Outlaws to go to the other organization without sitting out one season.  This will be looked at by the organization on a case by case basis.
    b. Out of district players that participate in the BCYFL and have moved from their original program are permitted to play at the program from which they came providing it is on a continual basis.  At the point the child misses a season, he must return to the program that he lives in the district of (this does not include injured players that have to sit out for a year.  However, they must be on the roster and weigh-in for that season.)  The Board must be notified of all players and this will be done on a case-by-case basis.  If the Board is not notified this child will be considered an ineligible player.
  8. No child shall wear a visor of any sort, being clear or tinted, without a doctor’s statement.  This statement must be dated for every week that that child plays in the Butler County Youth Football League.  One statement for the year will not be sufficient

Section II-Coach, Player, Spectator, and Parent Behavior:

  1. Obnoxious Behavior:  The Butler County Youth Football League encourages players and coaches to bring families and friends to be fans and spectators.  This is a family oriented program.  Therefore, if a player, coach or spectator becomes unruly or obnoxious in his or her behavior and harasses, intimidates or ridicules the coaches, players or referees, he or she will be warned once by the referee or coach.  If he or she persists in such offensive behavior, the offender will be removed from the game or the referee may reward the game to the offended team by forfeiture.  All parents will be required to sign a sportsmanship form that each association will keep on file,  This will help enforce the policies of this league.
  2. Good Sportsmanship:  All coaches, players and referees are expected to uphold the principles of good sportsmanship while associated in activities of the League program.  Each head coach is expected to follow these principles and to respect each team he plays by not running the score up on his opponent.  Per High School Rules, anyone working the chains will not do any coaching, yelling or talking from the sidelines while working the chains.  It is the home teams responsibility to put together a chain crew.  We want all communities to respect each other and compete in a sportsman-like manner.  No one may use profane language, drink alcohol, use tobacco or fight while on any team’s home game property.  Coaches will be responsible for the behavior of their team players.  A player may not show disrespect for his coaches, other players, the officials, workers in the concession stand or the League.  A warning may or may not be issued first, depending on the nature of the offense.  Violations of this rule will be reported to the Board who will take appropriate disciplinary action.  This includes coaches, players, spectators and parents.  Actions may include suspension.  First time suspensions will be for the remainder of the game, and the next League or League play-off game.  Second time suspensions will be for the rest of the current league season and play-off season.  The President of the League can request the Board to review the case of anyone under suspension.
  3. Probation and Rules Infractions:  If it is determined that an association has broken the rules of eligibility as determined by the League, that association will be placed on probation for a period of three years.  If it is found that the same association has broken the rules in that three-year period, it will be removed from the League immediately.  If a team is new to the League and automatically on a three-year probation and they break the rules, they will be removed on the first violation.
  4. Coaching Staff on Sidelines and Team Uniforms:  Each team may have only seven(7) adults on the sidelines.  One(1) head coach and six(6) assistant coaches (including trainers).  The water boy should be a student or a player.  These persons must be indicated on the Official Team Roster.  No player associated with any team shall be on the field or bench unless wearing the team jersey.  Coaches should have a Hat or team shirt and an I.D. pass on their outerwear to signify that they are on the coaching staff.  Failure to limit the coaches to seven(7) will result in an unsportsman-like penalty of 15 yards.
  5. Coolers:  No coolers are allowed to be carried into games by fans.  No outside food or drinks are to be brought into a complex, except for team snacks brought in by team mom.  THIS INCLUDES CUPS OF COFFEE!!!!!!!!!!!
  6. Admission:
    • Regular games $3.00 adult, $1.00 students, children 6 and under free
    • Play-Off games $3.00 adult, $1.00 students, children 6 and under free
    • Superbowl games  $4.00 adult, $2.00 students, children 6 and under free
    • Make-up games: Free admission after ½ time of the 6th grade game

Section III-Preview Games, Procedures, Protests, Time Limits:

  1. Forfeit Time: Forfeit time for all Leagues is fifteen(15) minutes after scheduled game time. Forfeit shall be declared when there are less than the minimum of eleven(11) players of a coach's team present to play. Officials shall not permit coaches to hold up the start of the game while waiting for additional players when at least eleven(11) are present for play.
    1. If a game cannot continue due to weather or darkness, it will be completed the next day (Sunday). If a Sunday game is canceled, the make-up day and time will be decided by the Board
    2. A game will resume where it ended: clock, down, distance, spot of ball, score and quarter.
  2. Warm up Period: The officials may shorten or completely eliminate the warm ups by teams if such practice delays a game beyond it's normal starting time. If the first game of the day extends beyond its normal time period, the official may proceed into the second game immediately upon completion of the first game with no warm ups or field practice. In such cases, coaches should be prepared to warm up their teams on the sidelines, but not in the vicinity of the game still in progress.
  3. Protests: Official's decisions are final in all judgment calls. Correct procedure for placing a game under protest for a non-judgment call consists of:
    1. At the time of the infraction, “Time-Out” must be requested.
    2. Notify officials and a Board member that a protest is being lodged.
    3. Protest fee of $25.00 is given to a Board Member or head coach. Fee is refunded if protest is won, forfeited if protest is lost and goes to the team that was challenged.
    4. After a protest has been lodged with the officials and Board member, both head coaches will be brought to center of field and informed that the game is being played under protest. Excessive delays in the game by either team will be cause by forfeiture by the offending team.
    5. Protest will be written and given to the Board within five(5) days of the infraction.
    6. Information such as an ineligible player does not require a protest. Pointing out the infraction to the Board members and verification of the same, is an automatic forfeiture. However, the Board will hold a meeting to decide a protest or an ineligible player.
  4. Time outs: A player on the field must ask the officials for the time out when the coach wants to confer on an interpretation of the rules. No one may call time out in such a way as to interfere or influence the play on the field. Only the officials may call time out. Only the head coach or team captain may ask officials for clarification of the rules. During any discussion, all members of both benches shall remain in their respective positions.
  5. Game Length:
    • 1st and 2nd Grades Eight(8) minute quarters
    • 3rd Grade Eight(8) minute quarters
    • 4th Grade Eight(8) minute quarters
    • 5th Grade Eight(8) minute quarters
    • 6th Grade Eight(8) minute quarters
  6. Official Game: Pre-season games will not count in the official standings of the League. They are played to give game experience to the players and to get the community involved.
  7. Ties: There shall be no ties. Ball will be placed on the 20-yard line. Officials will explain the procedure. On the second attempt to break the tie, the ball will be put on the 10-yard line and game will continue until there is a winner.
  8. League Rules Exempt Kickoffs in Games: For Kindergarten through sixth grade the ball will be spotted on a team's own 35 yard line to start play and after each score.
  9. No Punting Inside Opponent's 30 Yard Line: Grades 1-4 cannot punt from inside the 25 yard line. Grades 5 & 6 cannot punt the ball inside the 30 yard line.
  10. Safety: After a safety, ball is placed at opponent's 45-yard line.
  11. No Coaches Allowed Past the 25 Yard Line: Also no fans along sidelines if at all possible.
  12. Ball Sizes: Game ball must be Wilson Ball (Leather or Composite)
    • 1st and 2nd Grade K-2
    • 3rd Grade K-2
    • 4th Grade K-2
    • 5th Grade TDJ
    • 6th Grade TDJ
  13. Forty (40) Point Rule: There cannot be more than a 40 point differential during a game. These points include defensive points. Once a team has incurred a greater than 40 point differential both coaches will be called in front of the League Board for review. The coach that incurred the greater than 40 point differential can be suspended for one game. If a second occurrence happens by that coach he/she will automatically be suspended for the remainder of the season with no review from the League Board.
    1. Once a team is up by 25 points the clock becomes a running clock for the remainder of the game.
  14. Punting: Grades K-4 When the offensive team declares a punt the clock will stop running. The referee will then step 25 yards and the clock will run off 15 seconds. The 15 seconds will elapse regardless of the time it takes to walk off the 25 yards. The clock will not begin again until the offense has snapped the ball.
  15. Punting:
    • Grade 5 No rushing the punter, absolutely no contact with the center, and the kicking team will not be allowed to release down-field until the ball is kicked. There will be no fake punts at this level. The penalty is a 15-yard advancement of the ball and an automatic first down. If in the opinion of the officials the contact with the center or punter is a flagrant violation of this rule, whether or not they will punt before the 4th down play begins. It will be the responsibility of the 5th grade coaches to be sure the officials are versed in the application of this rule before the game begins. There will be absolutely no quick kicks.
    • Grade 6 The play is live except that there will be no contact with the center. The penalty will be the same as listed above.
  16. Field Goals and Extra Points: Field Goals will be treated the same as a punt. The play is live except that there will be no contact with the center. The penalty will be the same as that listed for punting. If the ball is thrown over head wherever the ball is picked up is where the field goal is punted from. In Grade 6 the holder can have his knee on the ground and the ball still be considered a live ball. In Grade 5, players cannot move until the ball is kicked.

Section IV-Players and Practice:

  1. Roster Limits;  If an organization is splitting, they must have enough players to split at each grade level (15 kids per team).  If they do not have enough players to split (maximum of one  team per organization), they should have the number by the next year.  If they do not, then this would be reviewed by the Board after the first year to decide what action to take.  This is on a case-by-case basis.  A player can only be rostered on one (1) roster.  A player can move up a grade if there are less than thirteen (13) players on a roster.  Each coach must notify the opposing coach prior to the game starting.  Failure to do so will mean that you have ineligible players on your squad and you will forfeit the game.
  2. Eligibility:  Players will be placed on a team according to their grade in school subject to the following age restrictions:
    • No child on the 1st grade team can turn 8 before October 1st
    • No child on the 2nd grade team can turn 9 before October 1st
    • No child on the 3rd grade team can turn 10 before October 1st
    • No child on the 4th grade team can turn 11 before October 1st
    • No child on the 5th grade team can turn 12 before October 1st
    • No child on the 6th grade team can turn 13 before October 1st
    • No 7th grade players

    Players may play up in grade level.  No player may play down a grade level even though they are not restricted from that by age.  The penalty for using an ineligible player will be forfeiture of the games played with said player.  The player will be removed from the team for the remainder of the season and suspended from the following season.  The player will not be allowed to continue the season playing for the correct grade level.  Each child shall have a copy of his report card or a statement from the school that he/she attends verifying the grade he/she is in.
  3. Practice:  Each organization may participate in or hold a camp for up to ten(10) days prior to the Monday in the last week of July.  There must be five(5) days of conditioning and the first day of contact shall be no sooner than the following Monday.  Any violation of this rule will result in the forfeiture of the 1st regular season game by the violating team.
  4. Sign-ups:  All teams (1st through 6th) must require copies of birth certificates and pictures in game jerseys for all players which must be presented along with the official rosters at the official weigh-in.  These copies must be with the coaches at every game.  Each community shall set their own sign-up times.  Sign-ups will be cutoff at the date of the 1st weigh-in.  If a team’s roster falls below a reasonable number (15) of players the Board will meet at the team’s request and decide what steps are to be taken to resolve the problems.  This will be done a case-by-case basis.
  5. Official Roster:  An official roster listing the child’s name, jersey number, grade and school must be turned into the League’s President before the 1st official weigh-in, he/she will not be able to carry the ball and cannot play until 2 head-coaches have signed off on the roster verifying the child with game jersey before the 1st regular season game.  Any child who does not have a birth certificate turned in cannot play or dress with the team.  The roster must also list the assistant coaches.
  6. Weight Limits:
    • 1st grade 65 lbs. in the backfield
    • 2nd grade 80 lbs. in the backfield
    • 3rd grade 95 lbs. in the backfield
    • 4th grade 110 lbs. in the backfield
    • 5th grade 125 lbs. in the backfield
    • 6th grade No weight limit

    Child will have one opportunity to step on the scales and will not receive a second opportunity. All players must be present at the official weigh-ins. (see Section IV, #5).  A player that does not meet the above weight requirements may line up on the line of scrimmage and catch a pass down field.  He may not line up in the backfield and be eligible.  That player may line up as a tight end only, not a split end or wide out.
  7. Record Ties:  All League ties will be determined by the League Directors at the next League meeting and based on the following criteria:
    1. Overall record
    2. Head to head record
    3. Draw numbers to determine seed
  8. Coaches on the Playing Field:  1st and 2nd grade may have two(2) coaches on the field from each team.  Coaches must be at five(5) yards deeper than the deepest man behind the offensive and defensive lines after the quarterback is under center.  There will be no talking once the center touches the ball from the defensive or offensive coaches.  3rd and 4th grades may have one(1) coach on the field from each team.  Coaches must be at five(5) yards deeper than the deepest man behind the offensive and defensive lines after the quarterback is under center.  There will be no talking after the center touches that ball from either the defensive or offensive coaches. 5th and 6th grades will not have any coaches on the field.
  9. Officials:  There will be two(2) officials for the 1st grade game.  There will be three(3) officials for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grade games.  Note:  Game can proceed with two(2) officials if necessary.
  10. Thirty(30) minutes prior to the game a representative from each team has the opportunity to go to where the other team is practicing and look at their book and the kids as they are warming up.  There must be a copy of the roster in the front of each book.

Section V-Rules Changes and New League Members:

  1. The Board may add, delete or alter any rule at anytime.  All coaches affected by the changes will be notified of those changes by the President before they become effective.
  2. Any new member community who joins the Butler County Youth Football League, must have a regular size football field, bathrooms and scoreboard with clock.
  3. In case of emergencies, an alternate location may be used, and/or the time and score may be kept by the officials on the field.
  4. All home fields must have men’s and women’s bathrooms.
  5. New teams will be put on a three(3) year probation period.

Section VI-Trophies:

  1. The team that hosts the Superbowl will supply a winner’s trophy for the winner of each grade level.  The trophy will be at least 31 inches in height.

These rules have been reviewed and approved by all members of the Butler County Youth Football League.  Last revision date is March 16, 2008.

Superbowl rotations:

2007 Finneytown
2008 Lakota Blue
2009 Miami Valley
2010 Hamilton Blue
2011 Hamilton White
2012 Lakota White