The LYFA boundaries cover the lakeway area of East Tennessee. The jurisdiction of each squad is determined by the elementary schools in the lakeway area. Participants will play for the team in the jurisdiction of the school they attend. Free agent schools within the LYFA boundaries are all lakeway area christian, private and home schools. Once a free agent joins a team he or she will only be allowed to participate wih the teams in that jurisdiction. If any free agent participant transfers to a school jurisdiction other than a private or christian school he or she must participate for the team in the jurisdiction they transferred to.
A. Middle school participants must participate with the team in the last school jurisdiction they attended or would have attended. A participants address must correspond to the middle school he or she attends and a notorized statement must be provided.
B. If a participant changes school jurisdiction prior to the 4th week not the 4th game of the regular season, said participant must participate with the team in the jurisdiction he or she attends. If a participant changes school jurisdiction after the 4th week not the 4th game of the regular season, said participant has the option to participate with the team in the jurisdiction he or she attended, or participate with the team in the jurisdiction that he or she attends.
C. Only Head Coaches may take their children with them if they become a head coach in a jurisdiction other than the one their child attends school.
D. In the event a head coach leaves a team, and the child of said head coach does not attend a school in that jurisdiction, the child of said head coach has the option to stay with said team, or to join the team in the jurisdiction he or she attends. Once said child joins a team he or she will only be allowed to participate with the teams in that jurisdiction.
E. Assistant Coaches must be a coach in a school jurisdiction for (1) season before their child can transfer into the jurisdiction they coach in.
F. If a participant's school jurisdiction is changed by school officials, the participant has the option to participate with the team in the jurisdiction in which he or she was forced out of, or the participant may participate with the team in the jurisdiction he was forced into.
ARTICLE II: RESTRICTIONS AGAINST DUAL MEMBERSHIP
No coach, team, or participant on an LYFA roster may be a member of another football program or football program.
A. ROSTERS CERTIFIED WITH SQUADS: The LYFA will make a record of each team's players on a team roster form. This is a certified roster in that the LYFA has accepted the information from pre-season registration based upon in formation submitted. The teams are restricted to these players for the balance of the season. (Except for allowed "Drops and Adds" see Article III-D).
B. ROSTER SIZE: No more than (30) participants shall be certified onto a team roster. A team with less than 11 players will not be permited to play.
C. MINIMUM ROSTER: A minimum of (14) players must be on a roster to certify a team. In the event that a team does not have (14) players by July 23rd, said team will be combined with other team or teams as determined by the lyfa.
D. DROPS AND ADDS: A team may add players to its certified roster as long as said roster was certified below the maximum number permitted or to replace those originally certified and no longer on the team for any valid reason. The cut off date to drop or add players is two weeks from the first day of school.
ARTICLE IV: REGISTRATION
A player candidate cannot begin practice with a team until he or she has signed up. To register he or she must sign a standard LYFA registration form. The sign up fee must be collected at this time. The player must also furnish the following:
A. PARENTAL /GUARDIAN CONSENT: A consent form must be signed by a parent or legal guardian giving the candidate permission to play.
B. MEDICAL EXAMINATION: A Signed statement from an examining physician that the player candidate is physically fit and there are no observable conditions which would contraindicate him or her from playing football.
C. PROOF OF AGE: A certified copy of the birth certificate on file bearing the seal of the issuing office of the state of birth is the best guarantee of reliability of claimed birth date [NO MOTHERS COPIES]. Passports, Military ID cards, certified adoption papers, certified wallet certificates issued by a state or commonwealth are acceptable.
D. PARENTAL/GUARDIAN FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: A financial responsibility form must be signed to cover the cost of football helmets, shoulder pads and jerseys that are lost or damaged due to negligence or abuse.
ARTICLE V: COACHES REQUIREMENTS
A team's coaching staff is in complete charge of the team whenever it is together on the practice or playing field, traveling as a group to and from practice sessions and games, or together for any team function, such as a banquet. The coaching staff is under the direction of the head coach. All other coaches are assistants.
A. Head Coaches must be a least 21 years of age.
B. Assistant Coaches must be at least 18 years of age.
C. A team may have a maximum of (4) assistant coaches.
D. All coaches must follow rules established by the LYFA.
E. Coaches are to be selected by methods approved by the LYFA rules and bylaws.
F. Once approved for coaching, a coach is automatically terminated at the close of each season. To coach the following year, the same LYFA approval is required. The LYFA board of directors will hear any violation of the rules committed by a coach during the season..
G. It is mandatory that [ALL FOOTBALL COACHES] be certified by the National Youth Sports Coaching Association. Coaches that have fullfilled their seminar requirements must keep their annual dues paid to be covered by the NYSCA.
H. Deadline for coaches application will be (2) weeks before the LYFA Jamboree. An extended application deadline will be considered for teams without head coaches.
A. Any candidate that registers with a team in which all (30) slots are filled will automatically be cut from that team, but he or she will be assigned to another team starting with the team that has the smallest roster.
B. Any player who is absent for (3) or more team functions without notifying the head coach and providing a good excuse for each function missed, may be cut from the team at the discretion of the head coach. (And then only with the concurrence of the LYFA board of directors).
C. Any player that is an extreme disciplinary problem. (And then only with the concurrence of the LYFA board of directors).
A. Certification is that process whereby each team will file with the LYFA a complete roster of players for the current season.
B. Certification must be completed (1 week prior to the LYFA Jamboree of the current year). The procedures for accomplishing certification are discussed in Rule 1 and Article I.
The only football players required to weigh in are the designated ball carriers, designated ball carriers must comply with Rule 1-C.
A. Designated ball carriers are players who play the following positions: OFFENSIVE BACKS, OFFENSIVE ENDS, DEFENSIVE BACKS, PUNT RETURNERS, and any player not on the line of scrimmage on the KICKOFF RECEIVING TEAM. (Only football players who meet set weight limits will be allowed to play these positions).
B. Players weighing in must wear their: *ASSIGNED GAME JERSEY*
C. All designated ball carriers must be photographed in their: *ASSIGNED GAME JERSEY*
D. Players other than designated ball carriers have an unlimited weight limit, and will be identified by a stripe on the back of his or her helmet.
E. Only players with signed doctors notes will be allowed to miss the weigh in. (The note must be on stationary with the doctors letterhead). In case of death in the family the head coach must notify the weigh in committee for a ruling.
F. A weigh in will be held for any player who is on a team with less than eight ball carriers, providing that player was not a member of the team on the official weigh in day.
ARTICLE IX: HOT WEATHER PRECAUTIONS
Teams must guard against serious heat problems. The training regimen of any team practicing under high heat and or humidity conditions must:
A. Limit or eliminate laps entirely. Do not assign laps for disciplinary reasons.
B. Schedule practices for early evening, after the sun is low.
C. Practice shall start no earlier than 6:30 P.M. until otherwise notified by the LYFA.
D. Give the players all the water they want to drink any time they want it. Do not substitute soft drinks for water. Drinks with electrolytes are permissible.
E. Each coach must keep an eye on all players and his fellow coaches for the slightest sign of heat exhaustion or fatigue.
F. A fifteen minute break is mandatory in the middle of each practice, not to be counted against practice.
A. Practice may not begin until the LYFA releases the league to do so.
B. In the LYFA the first week of practice shall be devoted to conditioning, not wearing pads; however, helmets may be worn beginning the first day of practice. On the third day of practice shoulder pads may be worn, and person to dummy contact will be allowed.
C. A team may have no more than (5) practices per week.
D. Practice on school property is prohibited on Wednesday and Sunday.
E. Each practice will last no more than (3) hours with at least a 10 minute break after each hour.
F. At all practices where person to person contact takes place each player must be dressed in the full compliment of protective equipment described in RULE 3.
G. Each team may have (2) preseason scrimmages. Said scrimmages will not be allowed until a team has had at least twelve (12) practices. All scrimmages must be pre-approved by the LYFA.
H. Parents are not allowed on the practice field, and are not to interfere with practice. Parents must observe practice from a distance of (50) yards. If there is a problem they are to talk with the coach after practice away from the children on the team.
I. No player or team is permitted at any time to engage in a controlled scrimmage or any form of contact drills involving a player, players, or team from a different age/weight division of play.
J. Bull rings are prohibited.
K. At least one coach must accompany players waiting to be picked up after practice.
A. The game is to be governed by National Federation of High Schools rules with the LYFA having the highest authority.
B. Only the LYFA can cancel a game due to weather. In case of inclement weather all games will be called on the field.
C. A grace period of (5) minutes will be allowed if a team does not have the minimum number of players and at least one coach present at the official start of each game. If a team is not on the field and does not have enough players on the field (5) minutes after the official start of the game, a delay of game penalty will be enforced. If the same team is not on the field and or does not have enough players on the field (10) minutes after the official start of the game, said team will lose the game by forfeiture.
D. No teams will play back to back, regular season, playoff or post season.
E. PEE WEE DIVISION:
1. One coach may be on the field to direct his team during every play of the game.
2. A maximum number of (4) and a minimum of (2) officials shall be required for each game.
3. There will be an additional quarter of regulation length to allow reserve players an opportunity to participate. The results of this quarter will not effect the score of the first four quarters. The clock will run continuously during this additional quarter.
4. The pee wee division may kickoff and punt or take the option or both.
5. On the point after touchdown (PAT) a run will count as 1 point and a forward pass will count as 2 points. A forward pass must be a pass thrown beyond the line of scrimmage. No shuttle, swing or belly passes.
F. JUNIOR DIVISION:
1. A maximum number of (4) and a minimum of (2) officials shall be required for each game.
2. The junior division will be allowed to punt or take the option on fourth down, but must kickoff and receive.
G. SENIOR DIVISION:
1. A maximum number of (4) and a minimum of (2) officials shall be required for each game.
H. The team in each division with the best won lost record shall be declared league champion.
I. Time will be kept in the press box.
A. In the event of a tie ball game at the end of regulation play, NFHS rules will be applied. Each team will have an offensive series with the ball placed on the 10 yard line. The team with the highest score after each team has had the ball will be declared the winner. If after the fourth overtime period the score is still tied, an additional overtime period will be played and the team who produces the most positive yardage will be declared the winner.
B. Although each team is given four downs, the ball will go over to the defensive team if the defensive team intercepts the ball or recovers a fumble.
Teams who are tied for first, second or third place after head to head competition has been factored in will be determined by the difference between points scored and points forced.
The super bowl tournament will be a single elimination tournament. Each team will have an opportunity to reach the title game. The Brackets will be determined by each teams won loss record. The highest seed will be team that finished first during regular season.
A. All post season bowl games must be approval from the board of directors.
B. Teams who qualify or teams permitted will be allowed to participate in (2) post season bowl games away and (1) at home.
C. No LYFA team will be allowed to compete against another LYFA team in post season bowl games.
D. The pee wee division will play (5) quarters in all LYFA post season bowl games.
A. Only protest involving the eligibility of a player shall be considered.
B. Protest shall be brought to the attention of the board of directors present when an infraction has thought to have occurred. Lack of prompt notification may result in denial of the protest.
A. If a player is ejected from a ball game he or she will be required to sit out the first quarter of the next ball game. If the same player is ejected from a second ball game he or he will be required to sit out of the first and second quarter of the next ball game. If the same player is ejected form a third ball game he or she will sit out the next ball game entirely and will be reviewed by the board of directors.
B. If a coach is ejected from a ball game in the first or second quarter of a ball game he or she must sit out the first quarter of the next ball game. If a coach is ejected from a ball game in the third of fourth quarter of a ball game he or she must sit out the first and second quarter of the next ball game. Any further ejections and said coach will be reviewed by the board of directors.
C. Profanity from either coaches or players will not be tolerated. Violators will be reviewed by the LYFA.
D. Fighting results in automatic suspension from the game and action from the LYFA.
E. Excessive abuse by any spectator will result in eviction from the premises.
F. Any use of an intoxicant or illegal drugs is strictly prohibited at any organized function of the LYFA. It will result in automatic suspension from the league indefinitely.
G. At no time is any coach to physically jerk a player by the body, equipment or face mask even if said player is the son or daughter of said coach.
H. Any person arrested and convicted at any LYFA event will be restrained from all league events for the term of that conviction. The restraining order will be entered in the court that the person is convicted in. Violation of that court order will result in further prosecution.
I. No pets are allowed at any LYFA function. The only exception will be for the blind.
J. Use of tobacco an any LYFA junction is prohibited.
Football Players selected for All LYFA Teams will be selected according to their performance, coaches nominations, and standards set by the LYFA.
Group transportation to activities other than local in nature will be by car, bus or van. Any other means must be approved by the LYFA board of directors on an individual basis. Tennessee law prohibits children under 12 years of age from riding in the bed of a pick-up truck.
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A. OCTOBER 20 CUTOFF "LEAGUE AGE": A players LEAGUE AGE is his or her age BEFORE OCTOBER 20th of the current year.(Exception: Age 6)
B. MINIMUM and MAXIMUM AGE:
PEE-WEE DIVISION: Players must be 6 years of age on or before August 1st, but cannot be 9 years of age before October 20th.
JUNIOR DIVISION: Players must be 9 years of age on or before October 20th, but cannot be 11 years of age before October 20th.
SENIOR DIVISION: Players must be 11 years of age on or before October 20th, but cannot be 13 years of age before October 20th.
C. WEIGHT LIMITS: (Applies to designated ball carriers only).
PEE WEE DIVISION: 85 lbs. max.
JUNIOR DIVISION: 105 lbs. max.
SENIOR DIVISION: 130 lbs. max.
A. The 80 yard field will be used during the regular season. The 100 yard field can be used during preseason and post season play.
B. The bench area is reserved for players and coaches. The side line areas are reserved for cheerleaders, chain crews, medical and law enforcement personnel and authorized members of the press.
The following items shall be worn by players in all divisions beginning with physical contact in practicer sessions.
1. HELMET: Only helmets bearing the NOCSAE Seal of Certification may be worn. All helmets must bear the current NOCSAE approved "Warning label" in a visible position on the outside of the helmet. This "Warning Label " is the same label that is furnished by all helmet manufactures and quality reconditioners.
2. SHOULDER PADS
3. FOOTBALL PANTS
4. HIP AND BUTT PADS
5. THIGH PADS
6. KNEE PADS
7. JERSEY
8. MOUTH GUARD(MUST BE COLORED AND A KEEPER STRAP IS REQUIRED)
9. ATHLETIC SUPPORTER(MALE PLAYERS)
10. SISSY PADS(MANDATORY FOR FEMALE PLAYERS)
11. SHOES: SNEAKERS OR DETACHABLE OR NON DETACHABLE MOLDED RUBBER CLEATS ARE PERMITTED.
12. EYEGLASSES: WHEN WORN, SHALL BE OF ** ATHLETICALLY APPROVED CONSTRUCTION WITH NON-SHATTERING SAFETY GLASS OR CONTACT LENS.
13. ANY ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT WORN BY PLAYERS SHALL BE APPROVED BY THE LYFA.
RULE 4: BLOCKING AND TACKLING RESTRICTIONS
It is the responsibility of every LYFA coach to be fully informed of and abide by NFHS rules on blocking and tackling. In addition to other specific prohibitions by the NFHS rule book, no chop blocking, face tackling or spearing techniques shall be permitted. if such techniques or any others forbidden by the NFHS rule book are taught by LYFA coaches, said coaches shall be dismissed from the league, upon being found guilty following a hearing.
RULE 5: MANAGERS
Each football team may have one manager. the manager must comply with Article 1 and Rule 1 excluding Rule 1-C. The manager must be identified on the roster and may wear a team jersey if available. The managers fee will be the same as the football players.
RULE 6: LENGTH OF PERIODS
Maximum length of periods for all divisions are 8 minutes.
RULE 7: INTERMISSION LENGTH
Between 1st & 2nd; 3rd & 4th quarters: 2 minutes.
Between 2nd and 3rd quarters (half-time): 8 minutes.
RULE 8: TIME CLOCK
The referee shall decide where the clock will be kept. In any event, the referee has final authority to have the clock kept on the field, if in his judgement the clock opeerator is not qualified. The clock will run continuously during the Fifth Quarter of the PEE WEE Division ball games.
RULE 9: TIME-OUTS
A team shall be permitted no more than (3) time-outs per half (does not include officials' time-outs). If a team calls a time-out and that team does not have any time-outs left. A (12) yard penalty will be assessed.
RULE 10: PLAYERS
A. It is STRICTLY PROHIBITED for a player or group of players to participate in any practice session or game with players from another division of play (i.e. JUNIOR vs SENIOR).
B. An injured player must be removed from the game at least one play before they may return to play. The exception is that if the injured player's team calls a time-out, the injured player will be allowed to remain in the game.
RULE 11: REGARDING INELIGIBLE PLAYERS
A. There (5) unequivocal definitions of an ineligible player, from which there are no appeals:
1. Overweight designated ball carriers.
2. Overage or underage players.
3. Players residing outside of legal boundaries.
4. Falsification of data concerning any of the above.
5. Participation in any organized or school football teams and LYFA football in the same season.
RULE 12: SCORING VALUES
TOUCHDOWN..........6 points
POINT AFTER TOUCHDOWN (KICK)..........2 points
POINT AFTER TOUCHDOWN (RUN or PASS)..........1 points
PEE WEE DIVISION: POINT AFTER TOUCHDOWN (FORWARD PASS)..........2points
SAFETY..........2 points
FIELD GOAL..........3 points
RULE 13: LOPSIDED SCORE
If at the end of the 3rd quarter Team A is ahead of Team B by (35) or more points the ball game is over. In the Pee Wee Division the fifth quarter then becomes the fourth quarter and will be played.
RULE 14: INJURED PLAYER
Any participant that is suspected to have an injury to the HEAD, NECK, or SPINE shall not be moved until professional medical attention is rendered.
A. In the event a team has only eleven participants and one player is injured, a two minute time-out will be called by the officials. The team of the injured player will be charged a time-out. If said team has no time-outs left they will be awarded an injury time-out, but a twelve yard penalty will be assessed to said team.
B. If said injured player cannot return to the game after the (2) minute time-out the the game will continue with (10) players.
C. If said team loses a second player the game will continue with (9) players.
D. If said team loses a third player the game is over and the team that is ahead wins the ball game.
***THE LYFA ENCOURAGES ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE***
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