Community Youth Football League
Rules and Procedures

Weigh-in Procedures

Weight Limits:

1st grade - 90 lbs.

2nd grade - 95 lbs.

3rd grade- 105 lbs.

4th grade - 115 lbs.

5th grade- 125 lbs.

6th grade - 140 lbs.

Game shoes, socks, pants, knee and thigh pads, girdles and shells with required pads and game jersey.

Each member of each team will be weighed no later than thirty (30) minutes prior to their scheduled playing time. The weighing will be conducted by a C.Y.F.L. Official if present. One representative from each team will be allowed to observe the weigh-ins. If no C.Y.F.L. Official is present, the weigh-in of a team will be conducted by a representative from the opposing team.

Any player who arrives after the weigh-in for his/her team has been conducted, will be subject to a weigh-in before he/she is eligible. His/her head coach or designate must notify the C.Y.F.L. Official and the head coach of the opposing team. It is then the perogative of the opposing coach to wave a weigh-in for the latecomer. This rule applies anytime during the entire game.

The minimum equipment required for weigh-ins well be: game shoes, socks, pants, knee and thigh pads, girdles and shells with required pads, and game jersey. Anyone not in minimal equipment while on the scale will be ineligible to play.

Each organization will purchase a scale recommended by the C.Y.F.L. and have the scale available at game times at their home field dates. In the event of scale failure, the game will be played without weighing.

The scale furnished by the home field team is the final authority. If the scale pegs at the top, that player is overweight and is ineligible to play in that game. A waivering scale does not constitute an overweight player. If there is doubt, the C.Y.F.L. Official (or representative from the opposing team, if no official is present) shall make the final decision while the player is standing on the scale.

If a player is overweight, he/she may weigh-in twice, but he/she shall not leave the weigh-in area for any reason prior to the second weigh-in.

Players may put on accessories such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatbands and protectors after they have weighed in. Players must play in the equipment that they used when weighing in (i.e.: if the player weighed in with a pair of athletic shoes other than his normal cleats, he will have to wear that pair of shoes during the game). Under no conditions will a player be allowed to play if the player is overweight.

C.Y.F.L. Rules and Regulations

1st grade: Maximum 7 years old before November 16th.
90 lbs. maximum weight with no helmet or shoulder pads.

2nd grade: Maximum 8 years old before November 16th.
95 lbs. maximum weight with no helmet or shoulder pads.

3rd grade: Maximum 9 years old before November 16th.
105 lbs. maximum weight with no helmet or shoulder pads.

4th grade: Maximum 10 years old before November 16th.
115 lbs. maximum weight with no helmet or shoulder pads.

5th grade: Maximum 11 years old before November 16th.
125 lbs. maximum weight with no helmet or shoulder pads.

6th grade: Maximum 12 years old before November 16th.
140 lbs. maximum weight with no helmet or shoulder pads.

No player playing on any other organized football team may play on a C.Y.F.L. team. Exceptions may be granted by the Executive Board.

Should a player leave a team during the season for any reason, he/she is ineligible to play for any other Member team in the C.Y.F.L. for the remainder of the season. A player becomes a member of a team when he/she submits a signed C.Y.F.L. contract. Exceptions may be granted by the Executive Board.

Uniform contracts will be distributed by the C.Y.F.L. requiring the following information: date of birth, place of birth, name of school, present grade, social security number, and the boy's signature. Both parents must sign the contract attesting that the information listed thereon is correct. A copy of his/her birth certificate and a recent photograph must accompany the contract. Any birth certificate copy turned in with any alterations will not be accepted and that boy in ineligible to play until proof of age is verified. Violation of this rule could mean team expulsion from the C.Y.F.L. Decision of the Executive Board will be final.

Contracts are to be submitted to the C.Y.F.L. at Preview. Contract books for each team are due at this time. Contract books are to be organized according to the C.Y.F.L. Contract Book Instructions. No contracts will be accepted after the second Monday in September.

A. Ohio High School Federation Rules shall govern play, except as noted below.

B. Quarters shall be eight (8) minutes long, clock stopping. The 5th and 6th grade will have 35 seconds to put the ball in play.

C. In the event of clock or watch failure, a running time of fifteen (15) minutes per quarter will be used.

D. Free substitution will be allowed.

E. Half-time intermission shall be ten (10) minutes long. Referees will notify each team two minutes before the second half begins.

F. All ties are final, except in division games, championships and/or play-off games for the championship. In the event of a tie in these cases, the game will be played according to High School Rules pertaining to ties.

G. All other High School Rules that are not consistent with the purpose of the C.Y.F.L. shall be ruled by the C.Y.F.L. Official at the time of question regarding the rule.

H. There shall be no kickoffs at any age level. The ball will be placed on the offense's forty (40) yard line.

I. Points after touchdowns will be two (2) points for either run or kick.

J. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade will have the option to move the ball down field twenty (20) yards on fourth down only, instead of punting. Position on fourth down must be on the 50 yard line or outside the 50 yard line.

K. No tackling above the shoulders will be permitted!

L. No walkie-talkies, cell phones, or any device capable of providing communication to the coaches from outside the designated team area by non- team players, shall be permitted to be used if it is used to direct, support, or help coach the game. Coaches are not permitted to use such devices and communicate with others in a coaching manner outside of the coaches and team area (designated area on the sideline between the 25 and 25 and at least 5 yards wide). Use of communication devices by a coach and his/her players is covered in the Ohio High School Federation Rules.

M. 1st and 2nd grade will have restricted blitzing by defensive players that are within the offensive tackles and 3 yards off the ball. Anyone in this area will be required to be in a down position. Any defensive player outside this area can be standing up and blitz, i.e. rush forward, when the ball is snapped.

N.18 POINT RULE: If a team goes up by 18 points, the game will be stopped after the extra point and an official time-out will be taken for the purpose of substituting key position. During the time-out, seven key positions/players will be removed from the game, namely: center, ends, quarterback and backfield on offense; nose tackle, defensive ends, two linebackers and two corners on defense. (The substitutions are based on total players per team. Please see sheets marked "Offensive Rotation for 18 Point Rule" and "Defensive Rotation for 18 Point Rule") or click here for 18 Point PDF Form.

Player sheets will be filled out and handed to the opposing head coach before each game. The total number of players on the team must be shown on the sheet in the upper right hand corner. These sheets will be provided by the C.Y.F.L.

After players are removed from the game, they can't return on offense or defense until the 18 point lead is reduced (less than 18 points).

Any organization caught manipulating or deviating (such as starting second units, etc.) will be dealt with by the C.Y.F.L. Possible penalties are but not limited to:

1st Infractiov: Suspension of head coach for one game.

2nd infraction - Head coach will be suspended for all remaining games of the current season and the organization will be fined $200.00.

An infraction is defined as:

During a game, if a team plays any player listed on an 18 point sheet in a position that is not allowed, or if a team plays any player listed on an 18 point sheet when the player is not allowed on the field at all, when the 18-point rule is in effect for that team, and a violation of this rule was previously brought to the attention of the head coach whose team has an 18-point rule in effect for them.

A 2nd infraction will not be accredited within the same game as the 1st infraction. A minimum of two games will be required to reach this level of violation.

It is the head coach's responsibility to report an infraction to the CYFL if one occurs.

An official's time out is provided to substitute 18 point players. Play then resumes with the 18 point substitutions (players or positions). After play resumes if a head coach believes a player is not suppose to be on the field or not playing a certain position then the head coach can call a time out to question the opposing head coach. The time out is charged to the head coach that calls it, but if the opposing head coach does indeed have a player or players on the field or in a position that they are not suppose to be in, the time out will be charged to the opposing coach with the 18 point rule in effect.

The 18-point rule is a CYFL exclusive rule. Officials may or may not be aware of this rule. Head coaches are advised to keep a copy of these rules present at all games.

A C.Y.F.L. Official shall be designated by the home field team organization, if one is not present. He/she may act as an interpreter/mediator for C.Y.F.L. rules and regulations. He/she shall be present for weigh-ins and late weigh-ins. The designated C.Y.F.L. Official cannot weigh-in their own team or act as a C.Y.F.L Official while coaching their team.

Each member of each team will be weighed no later than thirty (30) minutes prior to their scheduled playing time. The weighing will be conducted by a C.Y.F.L. Official. One representative from each team will be allowed to observe the weigh-ins. If no C.Y.F.L. Official is present, the weigh-in of a team will be conducted by a representative from the opposing team.

Any player who arrives after the weigh-in for his/her team has been conducted, will be subject to a weigh-in before he/she is eligible to play. His/her head coach or designate must notify the C.Y.F.L. Official and the head coach of the opposing team. It is then the perogative of the opposing coach to wave a weigh-in for the latecomer. This rule applies during the entire game.

The minimum equipment required for weigh-ins well be: game shoes, socks, pants, knee and thigh pads, girdles and shells with required pads, and game jersey. Anyone not in minimal equipment while on the scale will be ineligible to play.

Each organization will purchase a scale recommended by the C.Y.F.L. and have the scale available at game times at their home field dates. In the event of scale failure, the game will be played without weighing.

The scale furnished by the home field team is the final authority. If the scale pegs at the top, that player is overweight and is ineligible to play in that game. A waivering scale does not constitute an overweight player. If there is doubt, the C.Y.F.L. Official (or representative from the opposing team, if no official is present) shall make the final decision while the player is standing on the scale.

If a player is overweight, he/she may weigh-in twice, but he/she shall not leave the weigh-in area for any reason prior to the second weigh-in.

FOOTWEAR: Rubber or plastic molded cleats ONLY, either high or low. No screw on cleats of any type, metal tips, metal coverings, or metal in any form is permissible. (Tennis shoes are optional.)

MOUTH GUARDS: Rubber plastic (not clear - must be colored) mouth guards must be worn at all times during games.

UNIFORMS: Each player must wear the following to be eligible to play in any game: approved type shoes; athletic (sweat) socks; football pants with substantial tail, and knee pads, kidney and/or hip pads; substantial shoulder pads; jersey; and substantial helmet with face guard.

NOTE: Those items described above as "substantial" will be decided upon prior to game time by the C.Y.F.L. Official. His judgement in this matter is final.

If any team official or player knowingly and willfully violates or attempts to violate any of the C.Y.F.L. rules and regulations, the team may forfeit membership in the C.Y.F.L. and all its games may be declared losses, including those already played. The decision will be made by the Executive and Executive Advisory Board and their decision will be final.

A team may be expelled from the C.Y.F.L. with no refunds for any of the following:

A. Playing a player who weighed out.

B. Playing a player who has not turned in a legible and valid contract and birth certificate.

C. Playing a player who has not weighed-in.

D. Playing a player who is ineligible for any reason.

All fields shall be regulation size, flat, playable and lined.

The host team shall provide down-markers, ten (10) yard chains and sideline markers. Those teams that don't have fenced area around the field must supply a roped-off area 20 feet from side lines from goal line to goal line.

The home team will designate which side of the field they will occupy, and they will remain on that side the entire game.

Postponements and cancellations of games as well as schedule changes are the responsibility of the host team, with the approval of the President. As much prior notice as possible shall be given to all teams. The Executive Board reserves the right to determine whether a cancellation or postponement of a game is to be ruled a forfeit or non-forfeit. All Executive Board rulings are final.

Each member organization of the C.Y.F.L. shall serve a specific school district by being a feeder system for its high school athletics and by providing opportunities for that district's children to participate in youth football. Each community organization shall name the (1) one school district it serves and the high school into which it feeds. All members of that organization's teams must reside in, or attend a private or parochial school in that school district.

The C.Y.F.L. prohibits try-outs of any kind for acceptance onto a team.

No football conditioning or practice will be permitted prior to 4 weeks before preview. All exceptions must be approved by the C.Y.F.L. Executive Board.

Sign-up for the fall season shall be conducted by March 31st. Completed C.Y.F.L. contracts are to turned in at preview. No additional contracts will be accepted after the second Monday of September, at which time a final roster must be submitted.

The League standings shall be determined by cumulative points earned by each team. Three (3) points will be awarded for each division game won; no (0) points for non-division games; and no (0) points for a loss.

If there are two divisions within a league, only division games will count for division standings. No points will be given for games played outside of division. There will be no ties for division games - OHSAA Rules will apply. Any ties for first place within a division will be broken based on head to head competition. In case of a 3 way or more tie for first place, OHSAA overtime rules will be used to determine the winner. These overtime games will be scheduled midweek of the week before the league championship games.

Each player's jersey shall be individually and distinctively marked. If two or more jerseys have the same numerals, some easily identifiable marking tape (tape, paint, dye, etc.) shall be added to each one.

13. CONDUCT OF COACHES:

The Head Coach of each team is responsible for the behavior of his assistant coaches, players and spectators. All coaches, staff and players shall conduct themselves in a gentlemanly manner and stay within the thirty (30) yard lines.

Arguing with the officials is prohibited and could result in expulsion from the area. Bad sportsmanship must first be handled at each team level. If it persists, the C.Y.F.L. will rule on the severity with a maximum penalty of team expulsion. The C.Y.F.L. Executive Board's decision will be final.

14. SPECTATOR ADMISSION CHARGE:

15. PREVIEW:

A preview will be held each year. Each team shall play a full game.

For the preview the charge will be $1.00 per person or $2.00 per family, as is usual for regular season games. The C.Y.F.L. shall retain the full amount collected at the gate. The host team shall retain the concession profits.

There will be weigh-ins at the preview.

The C.Y.F.L. shall furnish a new ball to each community to be used during their home dates, including the preview.

Ball furnished will be: K-2 Wilson ball for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades; TDJ Wilson ball for the 5th and 6th grades- or similar substitutes, as determined by the C.Y.F.L. Board.

The team has the option of using their own ball on offense only, providing the ball is of legal size and weight and it meets with approval of both the C.Y.F.L. Official and the opponent.

Game starting times will not start ahead of the scheduled times. The only exception will be the Cinergy Bowl.

B. No alcoholic beverages will be permitted within 1,000 yards of the playing field.

C. Only team coolers with water and/or Gatorade and ice will be permitted in the gate and only when identified by a head coach. The host team will be responsible for inspecting team coolers. No other coolers will be permitted in the gate. The C.Y.F.L. encourages home teams to offer team discounts on soda to visiting teams.

D. The C.Y.F.L. suggests that the host team alert their local Life Squad in case there is an emergency on game days.

E. The C.Y.F.L. President shall have discretionary power in enforcing the Rules and Regulations of the C.Y.F.L.

F. There will be weigh-ins at the Cinergy Bowl.

G. One player from a higher grade means that team is a higher grade team. For example, if there is one fourth grader on a 3rd grade team, that team must play a fourth grade schedule. Kids can play up to the next grade, but not down to the schedule of the previous grade.

H. No player wearing a cast or metal brace of any kind will be permitted to participate in any league play.

I. After a safety is scored, instead of kicking the ball from the twenty yard line, the official shall move the ball an additional 20 yards to the 40 yard line and play shall resume from there.

J. All tiebreakers shall start at the twenty yard line for the first series. If neither or both teams score during the first series, all additional series shall start at the 10 yard line.

COMMUNITY YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE

October 13, 1992

Addendum to Rules and Regulations, Section 3, rule L - 18 Point Rule:

There are 14 key positions/players that are to be listed on the player sheets and given to the opposing coach before each game. Those 14 key positions, seven on offense and seven on defense, must be listed as your regular starters, whether they start the game or not and those 14 key positions/players are not allowed in the game after your team is up by 18 points.

If you have less than 18 players, refer to the Offensive Rotation For 18 Point Rule and the Defensive Rotation For 18 Point Rule.

The seven key positions/players on offensive cannot play on defense if your team is up by 18 points.

If you have 7 or more players that are not listed on the player sheet, those players must be used for the 7 key positions on offense and defense.

The seven key positions on offense are right and left ends, right and left running backs, fullback, center and quarterback.

The seven key positions on defense are right and left ends, right and left cornerbacks, right and left inside linebackers and noseman.

Offensive Rotation for 18 point rule:

12 Players - Remove Q.B. from game, move running backs, fullback, and right end to guard and tackle positions.

13 Players - Remove Q.B. and center from the game, move running backs, fullback and right end to guard and tackle positions.

14 Players - Remove Q.B., center and fullback from the game, move remaining running backs and both ends to guard and tackle positions.

15 Players - Remove Q.B., center, fullback and right running back from the game, move remaining running back and both ends to guard and tackle positions.

16 Players - Remove Q.B., center, fullback, both running backs from the game, move both ends to the guard positions.

17 Players - Remove Q.B., center, fullback, both running backs and the right end from the game, move left end to left guard position.

18 Players and more - Remove the seven designated players from the game.

ATTENTION: Any players removed or moved due to the 18 point lead con not return to their position until the 18 points have been reduced below those 18 points.

Designated players are: Right and left ends, right and left running backs, fullback, center and quarterback.

Defensive Rotation for 18 point rule:

12 Players - Remove left inside linebacker from the game, move left and right ends to tackle positions, and left and right cornerbacks to safety positions.

13 Players - Remove left and right inside linebackers from the game, move left and right ends to tackle positions, and left and right cornerbacks to safety positions.

14 Players - Remove left and right inside linebackers, and noseman from the game, move left and right ends to tackle positions, and left and right cornerbacks to safety positions.

15 Players - Remove left and right inside linebackers, noseman, and left cornerback from the game, move left and right ends to tackle positions, and right cornerback to safety position.

16 Players - Remove left and right inside linebackers, noseman, left and right cornerbacks from the game, move left and right ends to tackle positions.

17 Players - Remove left and right inside linebackers, noseman, left and right cornerbacks and left end from the game, move right end to right tackle.

18 Players and more - Remove the seven designated players from the game.

ATTENTION: Any players removed or moved due to the 18 point lead con not return to their position until the 18 points have been reduced below those 18 points.

Designated players are: Right and left ends, right and left cornerbacks, right and left inside linebackers and noseman.