Olentangy Youth Football League Rules & Regulations Last Updated: January 2017

SECTION 1 – COACHING CRITERIA ITEM 1: Coach Selection Coach selection is a subjective process that occurs during the off-season every year. Some of the criteria considered are, but are not limited to; tenure in the league, current OYAA participation, performance/competence as a coach, participation in events, participation on committees. Head coaches will then be considered and approved by the OYAA Football Commissioner & respective High School Coordinators.

ITEM 2: Coach Certification All OYAA Football coaches and parent assistance that will be on the field or bench coaching must be certified by an accepted source in concussion awareness as required by the State of Ohio. This certification is valid for three (3) years and is applicable for all sports. The certification must be provided to OYAA prior to the draft (email to [email protected])

ITEM 3: Coach Attendance Each OYAA Football Head Coach or his authorized representative must attend scheduled meetings and clinics, or contact the League Commissioner to be excused prior to the meeting. If the Head Coach or authorized representative misses a mandatory meeting, the Head Coach may be suspended from all football activities until the requirements are met for reinstatement.

ITEM 4: Coach Conduct and Ethics Be a positive leader of your team. Assistant coaches, players, and parents will follow your lead. Please show good sportsmanship at all times. This includes no profanity, negative yelling, and use of tobacco or alcohol during practice or games. All coaches must hold a preseason meeting with the player’s parents to walk through rules, practice expectations, coach and parent conduct expectations. Coaches are prohibited from using game film or video taping competitor’s games for scouting purposes. An immediate suspension from the OYAA football program will result - regardless if it was the head coach, assistant coach or parent of a player.

ITEM 5: Coaches on the field 3rd grade:

Two (2) coaches are permitted on the field* for both offense and defense.

4th grade:

One (1) coach is permitted on the field* for both offense and defense.

5th / 6th grade: NO coaches are permitted on the field with exception of injuries & timeouts. *Coaches on the field in 3rd & 4th grade may help with alignment/formation of their players after the huddle breaks ONLY if the player is aligned improperly according to the rules. The on-field coaches CANNOT give direction / provide insight on the play (basically the coaches on the field cannot ‘talk’ once the huddle breaks unless correcting for an alignment issue). Additionally the coaches must be 20 yards back at the snap of the ball. Violation of these rules will result in a 10 yard penalty and either a loss of down (offensive violation) or automatic 1 st down (defensive violation).

SECTION 2 – PARTICIPATION & CONDUCT

ITEM 1: Player Eligibility Eligible players participating in the OYAA Football League are considered those living in the Olentangy School District and are in 1st through 6th grade. All players must play at their respective grade level. Team selection is exclusively based on a draft administered by all coaches’ of that particular grade level. ‘Friend’ playing preferences/requests are not accepted or granted.

ITEM 2: Conduct There shall be no improper language, conduct, or actions on the part of the coaches, officials, spectators, or players in the process of conducting games, pre-game activities, or practice sessions.

ITEM 3: Player Equipment All players must wear protective gear at all times when engaged in contact play, including practice sessions. This shall include helmet, shoulder pads, hip pads, mouth guard, and football pants with proper knee and thigh pads. Metal cleats are not permitted. Athletic supporters with cup are strongly recommended.

ITEM 4: Playing Time Each player must have a starting position on either offense or defense. Additionally, each player must experience playing time on either side of the ball throughout the majority of the game. This should result in a minimum playing time of 50% of the game. Note, equal playing time is not required – some players may play 100% of the game and some players may play 50% of the game. Additionally please note it is not required that all players get to ‘touch’ the ball. Exceptions to the playing time rule includes an injured player or a player that misses more than 50% of the team’s practices that particular week. If a team is up by 21 points at any point during a game, that team must no longer allow their ‘typical’ skilled position players handle the ball. Players that normally are not in a skilled offensive position should have the opportunity to touch the ball (except players that are over the ball advancing weight). The starting QB may remain in the game but only to facilitate the execution of play. Any violation results in a dead ball and loss of down.

ITEM 5: Weight Limits and Positions Official weight will be determined by the player’s weight the week prior to the first game. Below is the maximum weight to advance the ball / maximum league playing weight by grade level. If a player exceeds the ball carrying weight, the player is not permitted to advance the ball on offense. In addition, the player cannot line up in a position to advance the ball (QB, RB, WR or WB). Tight End is acceptable, as long as not being thrown to. If an overweight limit player attempts to receive the ball, it will be considered an attempt throw to an ineligible receiver. Any violation results in a dead ball and loss of down. Ball Carry Limit / Max Playing Weight: 3rd Grade: 85 lb / 225 lb

5th Grade: 120 lb / 300 lb

4th Grade: 100 lb / 250 lb

6th Grade: 130 lb / 325 lb

A participant’s official weight is determined the week before the first game when announced by the commissioner. If a player has not been weighed and advances the ball during the game, his weight may be challenged by the opposing coach. If it is determined by the commissioner that he is over the ball carrying weight, that team will forfeit the game. Once a player’s weight is established, it is locked in for the season.

ITEM 6: Injured Player An injured player must be removed from the playing field for at least one (1) down. The Officials will make the determination if a player is injured. No exceptions will be made to this rule. DO NOT MOVE A PLAYER OR REMOVE HIS HELMET UNTIL THE INJURY IS DETERMINED. A player must be removed from participating (practice or game) if a coach or official observes signs or symptoms of a concussion. The player may not participate again until a licensed health care provider has provided written clearance for the player to participate again. This is a state law.

ITEM 7: Quitting Players Quitting players must be promptly reported to the OYAA Football Commissioner or area coordinator. Any player who quits will be contacted by the commissioner as to the reason. Coaches are responsible for returning the quitting player’s helmet and should pads. The child may keep his jersey.

ITEM 8: Protected Players / Assigned Players The son of the Head Coach and one named Assistant Coach will be on the team roster automatically – considered ‘protected players’. Siblings in the same grade level will be placed on the same team and a draft pick will be withheld based on the Commissioner’s assessment of the combined protected players.

SECTION 3 – GENERAL ITEM 1: Number of Players per Team Each team will consist of no less than 15 players, to be determined by the OYAA Football Commissioner following the conclusion of signups. Exceptions to this rule (less than 15 players) will be coordinated with the head coaches prior to this determination.

ITEM 2: Field of Play The only people permitted within the gates of the playing field (including the track) are coaches, referees, chain crew, and parents assisting with refreshments/gear/stats/etc. General spectators (including parents & relatives) are strictly prohibited from entering the gates of the playing field (i.e. watching the game from the sideline, field, end zone area or track). Flagrant abuse of this rule will result in a penalty to the team of 10 yards and loss of down.

ITEM 3: Official Football Size The ball size for each grade is as such: 3rd & 4th Grade: K2 / Pee Wee 5th & 6th Grade: TDJ / Junior An official game ball will be distributed to each coach before the season starts. You must use the ball provided by OYAA as your game ball - synthetic footballs or any football other than what was provided by OYAA is prohibited. Violation will result in a forfeit of that particular game. Each team may provide the officials their OYAA issued game ball for their respective offensive series.

ITEM 4: Game Schedule The Season will consist of a minimum of six (6) games and maximum eight (8) games plus coach selected scrimmages. Games are played on Sunday. Scrimmages are limited to 3 in a season. Scrimmages will be organized by the coaches and must be in the same age/grade bracket.

ITEM 5: Practice Schedule & Contact Rules All practices are a maximum of 90 minutes. Practice schedules & locations shall be determined by the individual coach and limited to four (4) per week prior to the 1st game and three (3) practices per week once the season starts. One practice per week must be considered a No Contact Practice / helmet only practice.

Contact Limitations: 

The beginning of a season must start with 4 full practice days of non-contact to get acclimated to practice and wearing protective gear. It is mandatory to follow the schedule as noted: Day 1: No pads / no helment / no contact Day 2: Helmet Only / No Contact Day 3: Helmet + Football Pants / No Contact Day 4: Full Football Gear / no Contract Day 5: Full Football Gear / Contact

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Full speed head-on blocking or tackling drills in which the players line up more than 3 yards apart is prohibited.

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The amount of contact at each practice is limited to a maximum of 40 minutes. In this context, ‘contact’ is defined as any full-speed drill where the main objective is tackling a ball carrier. Blocking drills where the linemen are immediately across the line of scrimmage or drills utilizing practice shields or dummies do not represent contact in this limitation. Scrimmages are also excluded from this rule.

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For the entire season - ONE practice per week must be considered a No Contact Practice.

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A maximum of 3 scrimmages are allowed per season.

ITEM 6: Yard Markers The home team will be responsible for the yard and down markers. If your game is the first of the day, please pick up the field markers, yardage numbers and end zone pylons at the designated location and return field equipment if you are the last game on the field to the same location. The chain crew will work from the home team sideline.

ITEM 7: Trade Request Trade requests are completed on draft day – prior to the close of the draft. Trade requests post the draft are typically not permitted – extreme circumstances must be presented to and approved by the OYAA Football Commissioner.

ITEM 8: Weather Games must be halted once any lightning or thunder occurs. Games may not resume until 30 minutes after the last occurrence of lightning or thunder. It is the referee’s responsibility to determine whether lightning or thunder is present. Coaches must ensure that all members of their team are removed from the field and taken to a safe area during any storm. Players may not remain on the field for any reason during such delays. If lightning or thunder occurs from any time after the 2nd quarter ends, the game becomes official and the team who is leading at that point will be determined the winner.

SECTION 4 – RULES OF PLAY ITEM 1: Length of Game & Timeouts Each quarter is 8 minutes. The game clock will stop when a ball carrier runs out of bounds, with an incomplete pass, a penalty, measurement for first down, change of possession and official time out. Thirty-Five seconds is permitted between plays from the time the referee sets the ball. Violation will result in a 5 yard delay of game penalty. Each team is permitted 2 timeouts per half with no carry over to the next half. Each timeout will be one (1) minute in length. Injury Timeouts - There will be no coaching or giving instructions during an injury time out. The Offensive or Defensive teams cannot leave the field. They must take a knee.

ITEM 2: Penalties National Federation of State High School (NFHS) Rules apply. A flagrant act of violence that is not related to the play (fighting, punching, kicking, or any kind of contact that is intended as a vicious attack on another player) will not be tolerated and will be assessed a 15 yard penalty and automatic first down. Additionally the player(s) involved will be removed from remainder of the game – with potential future game penalties as determined by the OYAA Football Commissioner. Late hits not considered a deliberate act of violence are excluded from this rule and are considered unnecessary roughness.

ITEM 3: Scoring Touchdown = 6 pts Extra Point RUN = 1 pt / Extra Point PASS = 2 pts Safety* = 2 pts *After a safety there will be no free kick, the ball will be placed on the 50-yard line.

ITEM 4: Ties The ball will be placed on the 5 yard line with the ability to run two (2) consecutive plays to score. Scoring is the same as an extra point (1 pt for run – 2 pts for pass). This will continue until a winner is determined. A fumble or interception can be returned by the defense for 2 points – if this occurs on the first series that team wins the game as they would have possession of the ball in the second series.

ITEM 5: Kickoffs & Punting No Kickoffs - play will start at 35 yard line after a touchdown or to start the game/half. 3rd & 4th grade punting is not permitted. The ball will be placed 30 yards from the line of scrimmage not to be placed within the opposing team’s 20 yard line. The referee will run 10 seconds off the clock. 5th & 6th grade punting is not permitted. The ball will be placed 30 yards from the line of scrimmage not to be placed within the opposing team’s 10 yard line. The referee will run 10 seconds off the clock.

ITEM 6: Quarterback Counts No Silent Counts – Double and quick counts are permitted. The offensive line must not move throughout the count.

ITEM 7: Fumbles & Interceptions A fumble or interception is a live ball and may be advanced at any age/grade level.

ITEM 8: Blitzing No blitzing is allowed by any player. Blitzing is defined as a defensive player who is more than one (1) yard off the line of scrimmage before the snap and charging forward in anticipation or penetrating the line of scrimmage simultaneously with the snap. A defensive player who has established a position within one yard of the line of scrimmage, irrespective of whether he is in a down position or in an upright position, will not be classified as a blitzer. Once the ball is snapped all defensive players can move as desired.

ITEM 9: Defense & The Line of Scrimmage

3rd & 4th Grade Rules: Defensive alignment must be a 4-3 configuration (4 linemen / 3 linebackers). 

Linebackers: The middle linebacker must be head up on the center at least 4 yards off the ball. The outside linebackers must be head up over the offensive tackles at least 4 yards off the ball.

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Defensive Tackles (Guards): On the line of scrimmage head up on the offensive guard in a three or four point stance. GAP ALIGNMENT/SHADING IS PROHIBITED.

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Defensive Ends: On the line of scrimmage head up on tight end or in either a two, three or four point stance. GAP ALIGNMENT/SHADING IS PROHIBITED.

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If no tight end is lined up, the defensive end must stay on the outside shoulder of the tackle – maintaining the same position as if a tight end is present. If a wingback is set up with a tight end, the defensive end still must maintain a head up position on the tight end. If there is a wingback and no tight end, the defensive end must line head up on wingback.

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Cornerbacks: Must be at least 2 yards off the line of scrimmage and 4 yards outside of the last lineman on the line of scrimmage with one on each side of the ball/field.

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Safeties: At least one player (strong safety) must be at least 6 yards off the ball positioned anywhere on the field. At least one player (free safety) must be at least 10 yards off the ball positioned anywhere on the field.

All defensive players must be set as noted above at the snap of the ball with the exception of the following: 1.

An offensive player in motion – a defensive back position player may move with the player in motion if desired.

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If an offense has an ‘exotic’ formation (trips or twins are considered exotic) the defense may deviate from the rules above to help cover the formation (specifically - moving both corners to one side of the field).

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If the offense is inside the 10 yard line of the defensive team the 4-3 defense must be maintained but the linebackers are permitted to move up to within 2 yards of the line of scrimmage.

5th & 6th Grade Rules: No limitations on type of defense alignment – other than below. Tackle Box definition: The tackle box starts 1 yard left of the offensive left tackle and ends 1 yard right of right offensive tackle.

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A maximum 6 players can be on the defensive line of scrimmage within the tackle box – Limitations are only that the down linemen cannot (1) line up in gaps or (2) head up over center. Shifting within the tackle box prior to the snap with intent to confuse the offense is also not permitted.

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Defensive tackles and guards line up in a down position on the line of scrimmage over the corresponding offensive lineman inside the tackle box.

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Defensive ends line up over the tight end or where the tight end would be aligned.

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Defensive players within the width the tackle box but off the line of scrimmage must be at least 4 yards from the line of scrimmage (typically refers to the linebackers and possibly safeties).

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Defensive players outside the width of the tackle box must be 2 yards off the line of scrimmage and 2 yards outside of the tackle box (typically refers to the cornerbacks an possibly safeties).

All defensive players must be set as noted above at the snap of the ball with the exception of the following: If the offense is inside the 10 yard line of the defensive team – at that time players within the tack box width that are not on the line of scrimmage may move from the 4 yard limitation up to within 2 yards from the line of scrimmage (typically refers to the linebackers).

ITEM 10: Offense & The Line of Scrimmage 3rd & 4th Grade Rules: The offense must have five (5) linemen plus at least one tight end as the basic set - no exceptions. No splits greater than 18 inches from the base of one lineman’s foot to the next lineman’s foot. The linemen must be aligned in the typical formation with a guard and tackle on each side of the center (no unbalanced line formation). Additionally an end (whether tight or split) must be represented on each side of the ball (ends are not permitted on the same side of the field) but a running back/flanker may split on either side – but not lined up on the line of scrimmage. A quarterback and running back must be in the backfield (within the tackle box) at the snap in a set position (no empty backfield is permitted). A wing back may be positioned one (1) yard behind the line and one (1) yard outside of the last lineman. All other backs may be placed wherever the coach decides. Shotgun is permitted. Formation examples include: o

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NFHS rules do apply to formations – such as 7 players on the line of scrimmage and motion limitations. Crack back blocks are not permitted – this an offensive player aligned outside of a wingback position (any player more than one yard outside of the tight end position - such as a slot receiver or split end) that blocks inside to a linemen or linebacker aligned within the tackle box and extends 5 yards deep. This creates a possibly dangerous and blind collision of two players and will be penalized as unnecessary roughness.

Additionally there are new rules on blindside blocking prohibiting a blindside block. The definition of a blindside block is “a block against an opponent other than the runner, who does not see the blocker approaching,” and now results in a 15-yard penalty. The blindside block “involves contact by a blocker against an opponent who, because of physical positioning and focus of concentration, is vulnerable to injury. Unless initiated with open hands, it is a foul for excessive and unnecessary contact when the block is forceful and outside of the freeblocking zone.”

5th & 6th Grade Rules: The only restriction is the formation must include five (5) linemen as the basic set - no exceptions. No splits greater than 18 inches from the base of one lineman’s foot to the next lineman’s foot. The linemen must be aligned in the typical formation with a guard and tackle on each side of the center (an unbalanced line formation is not permitted). This should be the standard basis of each offense: o

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(This is the only requirement - along with an end must be represented on each side of the ball - either tight or split)

NFHS rules do apply to formations – such as 7 players on the line of scrimmage and motion limitations. Crack back blocks are not permitted – this an offensive player aligned outside of a wingback position (any player more than one yard outside of the tight end position - such as a slot receiver or split end) that blocks inside to a linemen or linebacker aligned within the tackle box and extends 5 yards deep. This creates a possibly dangerous and blind collision of two players and will be penalized as unnecessary roughness. Additionally there are new rules on blindside blocking prohibiting a blindside block. The definition of a blindside block is “a block against an opponent other than the runner, who does not see the blocker approaching,” and now results in a 15-yard penalty. The blindside block “involves contact by a blocker against an opponent who, because of physical positioning and focus of concentration, is vulnerable to injury. Unless initiated with open hands, it is a foul for excessive and unnecessary contact when the block is forceful and outside of the freeblocking zone.”

ITEM 11: Official Football Rules The Official Football Rules published by the National Federation of State High School Athletic Associations (NFHS) shall govern all games, unless a rule is otherwise modified by the OYAA in the above listed RULES OF PLAY section. Referees will remember that OYAA Football is an instructional league and they are encouraged to educate players rather than penalize them. This is assuming that the infraction does not provide an advantage to the player’s team.