Tualatin Valley Youth Football - General Rules

 

1.    General overview of rules

2.    Team Selection

3.    Waivers

4.    Practice

5.    Weight Limits for ball carriers

6.    Minimum Play Rule

7.    Grade Specific Rules - Varsity/Junior Varsity

8.    Grade Specific Rules - 5th/6th Grade

9.    Grade Specific Rules - 3rd/4th Grade

10.  Equipment Issues

11.  Weigh-In Process

12.  Scoring Values

13.  Blocking below the waist

14.  Running up the score

15.  Kansas Plan rule for games ending in a tie

 

 

#1.  General overview of rules

 The Tualatin Valley Youth Football League will adhere to all rules and regulations as outlined in the current, official National Federation of State High School Associations rule. In the event one of the listed rules in these Bylaws is in direct conflict with the current published N.F.H.S. rules, these Bylaws shall have preference.

 

#2. Team Selection

 If there is more than one team in at any given level, the teams shall be equitably and equally balanced. No stacked teams, A/B teams, or competitive vs. developmental teams are allowed.

 Each team will be equal, within one, of participants from each grade level.  If a team has 15 5th graders, then the other teams must have 14, 15, or 16 5th graders as well.

 No tryouts are allowed, as relates to acceptance of that player within the member association.  In other words, no cuts.

 Tryouts may be used to assist in placement on a team, so long as this results in a equitable and equal split of talent among all teams.

 

#3. Waivers

 If any student wishes to participate for a Member other than where the student resides the student shall be required to have a waiver. The waiver must be approved and signed by both the president of the association where he lives and the president of the association he wishes to play for.

 Students shall play at their grade level.  However, a student may play up or down if the following criteria are met:

n     The parent or guardian so requests in writing before August 1st;

n     The coaches determine it would be in the best interest of the player;

n     The Co-Presidents of the Division approve such a waiver.

No waiver is required for 8th graders to play at the Junior Varsity level.

Click here for a copy of the WAIVER FORM

 

#4. Practice

 No Player shall be permitted to participate in any practice, conditioning session, or other league activity until the following paperwork has been signed and submitted to the association:  Player Contract, Grade Verification form, and signed Medical Consent form

 The first 10 hours of practice shall be devoted entirely and exclusively to conditioning.  No contact is allowed until this requirement has been fulfilled.  If the player has attended the league sanctioned clinic held be Steve Coury at the high school, that will fulfill 8 of the 10 hours required.

 Practice is limited to 2 hours per day, not including break periods.

10 hours of practice are allowed prior to Labor Day.

 6 hours of practice are allowed after Labor Day.

 Any gathering of players for team related activity, including film study, counts against the weekly practice allotment.

 

#5. Weight Limits for ball carriers

 For the safety of all players, maximum weight limits have been established for those players eligible to carry the ball.  These rules apply to any player who lines up in an eligible position, regardless of whether they receive the ball or not.  This includes tackle eligible positions, and forbids the use of a "blocking back."  Any player on the end of the line of scrimmage or in the backfield must be under weight.

 Weight Limits by level:

  • 3rd/4th Grade: 100 pounds

  • 5th/6th Grade: 120 pounds

  • Junior Varsity: 140 pounds

  • Varsity:            170 pounds

 If a defensive player makes an interception or picks up a fumble AND is over the weight restriction, the ball will be considered dead at that spot.

 The only exceptions to the ball-carrier rule are the position of punter and place kicker.  Overweight players are allowed in these positions, but only for the purpose of kicking the ball.  They cannot advance the ball past the line of scrimmage, either by running with the ball or throwing it.  If an overweight player runs with the ball or passes the ball, the play is dead at that spot.

 

#6. Minimum Play Rules

 The minimum mandatory play rule for all teams within the League shall be 10 regardless of team size.  Only active plays count toward this requirement.  Kicking extra points or field goals at the 3rd/4th level are not considered active plays, since there is no rush.  Also, having the quarterback spike the ball or take a knee immediately after receiving the snap are not considered active plays.

 

#7. Grade Specific Rules - Varsity/Junior Varsity

 The Varsity and Junior Varsity levels are designed to prepare the athlete for the transition to high school football.  Teams are split to accommodate the ability, experience, size and maturity of players.  Thus the Varsity level is not exclusive only to 8th graders and the Junior Varsity level is not exclusive only to 7th graders.

 However, any team with eight or more 8th graders on the roster must play at the Varsity level, and any 8th grade player weighing more than 170 pounds must play at the Varsity level, regardless of experience or ability.

  • Use the Intermediate size football.

  • Have 10 minute quarters in games.

 

#8. Grade Specific Rules - 5th/6th Grade

  • No rushing by the defense allowed on punts.  Teams must announce if they are going to punt.

  • Rushing is allowed on field goals and kicked extra points.

  • On a punt, the defensive team must be in a typical punt return formation, with at least five men on the line of scrimmage when the ball is kicked.

  • One coach is allowed on the field with the players for the first three games of the season.  This coach must be away from the action at the snap of the ball.

  • Use the Junior size football.

  • Have 10 minute quarters in games.

#9.  Grade Specific Rules - 3rd/4th Grade

  • No rushing is allowed by the defense on any punt, field goal, or kicked extra point.  Teams must announce if they are going to attempt any kick.

  • Kicking a field goal or extra point does not count toward the mandatory minimum play rule.

  • One coach is allowed on the field with the players during all games throughout the season. This coach must be away from the action at the snap of the ball.

  • On a punt, the defensive team must be in a typical punt return formation, with at least five men on the line of scrimmage when the ball is kicked.

  • Defensive Alignment - Only six defenders are allowed on the line of scrimmage or within one yard of the LOS at the snap of the ball.

  • Use the Junior size football.

  • Have 10 minute quarters in games.

#10.  Equipment Issues

 Shoes must be molded cleats or internally threaded shoes, where no post is extending from the shoe (instead, the cleat post screws internally into the shoe). Maximum size of cleat is ½ inch (measured from tip of cleat to base of shoe.) No all or primarily metal or metal tipped cleats may be worn.

 Jewelry of any kind is strictly prohibited, under all circumstances.

 Glasses should preferably be athletically approved construction with non-shattering glass (safety glass) or contact lenses. 

 

#11.  Weigh-In Process

 All players must be weighed 30 minutes prior to each game to determine ball carrier eligibility.   

 A player arriving late after the weigh-in has closed is not eligible to play unless a prior waiver has been approved by the Division President the Thursday before game day.

 Following is the minimum equipment that must be worn at weigh-in: Girdle w/ pads, pants w/ pads, game shoes, game shoulder pads, and Jersey.  These items may not be changed after weigh-in.  Any violation will result in a fine, suspension, or expulsion. Provided, however, games shoes may be changed if the weather or field conditions reasonably so require. In such instance, the opposing coach shall be informed of such change prior to the opening kick-off.

 Weigh-in remains open for both teams until the home team's book is signed.  The Home team's book shall not be signed until every player present at the field has been weighed.

 A player will be allowed to weigh in only one time.  There will be no exceptions.

 All overweight players must have a stripe of a contrasting color, clearly visible, placed on the front and back of their helmet.

 

#12.  Scoring Values

  • Touchdown 6 points

  • Point after (run) 1 point

  • Point after (kick) 2 points

  • Safety 2 points

  • Field Goal 3 points

#13.  Blocking below the waist

 All Associations and Coaches shall strictly abide by all blocking and tackling rules in accordance with the N.F.H.S rulebook.

 Amendment: on March of 2003, the members of the TVYFL voted to make ALL blocking (initial contact) to be above the waist.  This applies to all offensive players, including submarine blocks on the line of scrimmage, or cut blocks by receivers and backs.  The rule may also apply to defensive players who are judged to intentionally and deliberately dive at a blockers legs, such as linemen who cut the blockers legs so a linebacker can blitz through that gap.

 The penalty for hitting below the waist is Unsportsmanlike Conduct and carries at 15 yard penalty. A second offense will result in the coach being ejected from the game.  Additional sanctions may occur when the Division Presidents review these infractions and finds them to be deliberate. This section of the bylaws is a required item in all coach team books.

 

#14.  Running up the score

 If a score ends in a differential of more than 35 points, both head coaches involved must submit a letter to the Division Presidents postmarked no later than the Monday following the game in which this occurred. The letter must explain the game situation and how the score came to be so lopsided.  The Division Presidents will make a ruling, which can include the following penalties:

  •  First violation by a coach/team: $100 fine and one week suspension;

  •  Second violation by a team/coach: $200 fine and two weeks suspension;

  •  Third violation by a team/coach: Coach is banned from the League and team forfeits any right to post-season play.

 These are minimum mandatory sanctions, and further sanctions may be issued against the coach and/or the association at the discretion of the Division Presidents.

 

#15.  Kansas Plan rule for games ending in a tie

When a regulation game ends in a tie, a 10 yard version of the Kansas Plan is played.  Each team gets one possession, starting at the 10 yard line. They get four downs to score a touchdown or field goal.

During the regular season, if after the Kansas Plan the game remains a tie, it stays a tie.  During Playoffs and Championships games will follow the N.F.H.S. High School rules.