Coming soon - VWYF Constitution & By-laws and the new association Rules, Regulations & Guidelines.

The League Rules:
Northwest Ohio Youth Football Association

Rules, Regulations & Guidelines
These rules, as amended April 2008 by majority vote, will serve as the governing body of rules for this association. These rules may only be changed or amended by the procedures set forth herein. They will be reviewed on a periodic basis for possible changes.

Section 1: Rule Guidelines for This Association
A. All rules of football set forth by the Ohio High School Athletic Association will prevail except as otherwise amended by the following sections.
B. All teams of this Association will play by the rules set forth within this document.

Section 2: League Structure
A. The North-West Ohio Youth Football Association (NWOYFA) will be composed of seven teams.

Section 3: League Governing Structure
A. President
B. Vice President
C. Secretary/Treasurer
D. 7 Coaches
E. Cheerleading Advisors
F. Head Official
G. See Section 4-D for Voting Members

Section 4: Voting, membership and Organization
A. The official name shall be North-West Ohio Youth Football Association
B. Association of officers shall be elected annually by a majority vote of attending members, although the President office shall be based on the tournament host city and rotate through the association each year. The elected official shall consist of Vice President, League Representatives and serve a term from January 1st through December 31st of each designated year. This election will take place at the first meeting after each session. Usually in November or December.
C. It is agreed that any head coach, or coach of any team shall have automatic membership to this Association unless expelled from the Association by a majority vote.
D. Each member will have one vote. The Officers will only use their vote in the election of officers, and in the event of a tie on other issues. In the event an Officer is also a Head Coach, they will be allowed to appoint an assistant as a voting member.
E. It is agreed that other voting members of the Association may be elected by a majority vote and designated as members of the Association.
F. It is agreed that a simple majority vote of attending members is needed to pass any association matter provided that the membership was notified of the meeting by telephone, mail, or in person. After 3 attempts to notify a member of a meeting, he will be considered unable to be contacted.
G. It is agreed that these rules and regulations may be amended or deleted, or new rules added if approved by a majority vote of voting members.
H. All rules shall be effective unless otherwise changed. All new rules and changes shall be in effect at least three terms before changing it.

Section 5: General Rules
A. NWOYFA is open to all 4th, 5th and 6th grade boys and girls who attend Mercer County and Van Wert County Schools.
B. Each player must be registered, have a physical card completed and signed by a physician and all fees paid before any equipment is issue to him. Each players name must appear on his team’s roster one week prior to the first game. Once the season begins, a player and/or coach are obligated to remain on the roster of the team he/she began with, unless approved by a majority vote of the membership.
C. A player will be considered an automatic of the team head coached by their father, or have a brother or sister on the team or cheerleading squad of specified team.
D. The 6th round of the draft will be the make up round. This round will be used to even out the number of players on each team. The round will start with the total number of players on each team. The round will start with the team with the fewest players. In the event that one or more teams have the same number, the first pick will go back to the rotation order.
E. The divisions shall conduct a player draft at the earliest possible date each year and a drafted player will remain with the team to which he was drafted. The divisions shall conduct a try our session before the player draft. The teams will draft in a rotation order of 1st to last moving up one spot in the rotation each year. Eligible players of new residents shall be assigned to teams on the rotation basis established by the draft, providing league play has not started.
F. Should a player quit at any time during the session, they must try out and be drafted the following year.
G. If a player who has been injured or becomes ill and cannot complete the session for such reason will return to that team the following year, provided they are still eligible.
H. Any student in the 4th, 5th or 6th grade who has not reached their 13th birthday by September 1st of that playing season and who has not been held back twice is eligible to play.
I. No player may play more than 3 years of youth football.
J. A fee set by the division on a yearly basis shall be paid on or before the day equipment is issued. The division leader must approve any exception to this rule. Registration and physical cards are both subject to this rule.
K. The ball must be snapped with a cadence.

Section 6: Coaches Responsibility and Conduct
A. Each team may have 1 head coach and 5 assistant coaches
B. All head coaches shall be able to select his own assistant coaches (persons who are reasonably acquainted with the game of football) and have not been expelled from this Association previously.
C. All head coaches are responsible for the conduct of their assistant coaches at all times.
D. All coaches must review each player’s physical card and be aware of any medical problems a player may have. (Asthma, irregular heartbeat, allergies, etc.)
E. All players over 120 pounds will be restricted to the interior line and not be allowed to advance the ball at any time.
F. Coaches must exercise strict control of their players at all times; any repeated violations may be cause for expulsion from the Association.
G. Only coaches, players, water boys, team mentors and chain gang may be on the sideline or bench area during a game.
H. A forfeiture of a game may be demanded if a team cannot field the required number of players (11) within 15 minutes of the scheduled game time.
I. In the event of a violation of these rules or discipline problems with the players the matter shall be turned over to the Association membership for action and a player may be expelled from the Association.

Section 7: Staff & Player Conduct
A. All football coaches, officials and Association members will conduct themselves in such a manner to reflect good credit upon the NWOYFA on and off the field.
B. Any of the above individuals, who conduct himself in a derogatory manner, emulating poor sportsmanship in public, or to gain unsportsmanlike competitive advantage, will be charged with “Conduct Unbecoming of an Association Member” and will be suspended from the football program for a period of time to be determined by the Association. The individual so charged must have the opportunity for a hearing, but if such notification is ignored, the Association can proceed without the presence of the accused.
C. Unsportsmanlike conduct on the field will result with: 1st offense – sideline warning; 2nd warning – 10 yard penalty and in the event of a 3rd violation result in ejection of the head coach that game and a one game suspension. If a player or coach is suspended, the board will be notified of that suspension.

Section 8: Injuries to Players
A. All head coaches will insure that all serious injuries received by players during practice or games are forwarded to the Division Representative within 24 hours of the injury. If the injury is serious, the head coach will immediately contact the Division Representative. Hospitalization or an emergency room visit of any player will be deemed serious. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in immediate suspension.

Section 9: Physical and Mental Incapability’s
A. If in the opinion of the head coach, a player is physically or mentally incapable of performing as a football player, the head coach may consult with the player’s parents and/or physician. A player cannot be cut for lack or athletic ability alone.

Section 10: Players and Bad Attendance
A. Any player missing a practice or game must furnish the head coach with a written excuse signed by their parents, guardian or physician.
B. Should any player miss a practice in any given week, the head coach may waive the playing time rule for the game immediately following those absences. In all cases, the player must have prior knowledge that this disciplinary action may be taken.

Section 11: Weight Limitations
A. No individual will be accepted if they weight less than 70 lbs. unless in the physician’s opinion the player is able to play at their present weight.
B. The weight of a player advancing the ball may not exceed 120 lbs., as determined by the official weigh in. The weight of each player will be recorded by the Association President and kept on file for future reference in case of any questionable player.
C. All players that are over the 120 lb. weight limit will have a stripe down the middle of their helmet to signify they may not advance the ball. All helmets will be stripped at league weigh-ins at the beginning of the season.
D. The weight of all linebackers and defensive backs shall not exceed 120 lbs.
E. Players over 120 lbs. will not advance the ball on punts, fumbles, interceptions and field goals. Players over 120 lbs. must immediately ground the ball upon reception.
F. There is no weight limitation of interior linemen, defensive ends or offensive centers, guards or tackles. Offensive guards regardless of weight can pull.
G. Defensively all backfield players may not exceed 120 lbs.
H. All interior linemen, defensive and offensive, must execute a 3 or 4-oint stance prior to the snap of the ball.
I. Any player over 120 lbs. place in the backfield for the purpose of punting or kicking must punt or kick.
J. Players must be weighed in at least one week prior to the first scheduled game to determine their official weight.

Section 12: Practices and Practice Games (Scrimmages)
A. One week of conditioning is required before the use of full equipment.
B. Each team is limited to 4 practices or 8 hours of practice per week. Those practices are to be selected by the head coach and should be conducted Monday through Thursday or Saturday.
C. Teams cannot start conditioning or practice until the first week of August.
D. Each team is allowed to have a skills camp or tryout camp the last week of July which can include no more than 3 days.

Section 13: Team Rosters
A. Head coaches must submit a team roster to the Association President not less than 1 full week before the date of the 1st game. This roster must include each player’s jersey number, in ascending order, full name, weight and grade.
B. Rosters should also include full names of head coach, assistant coaches and water persons.
C. A roster of 11 offensive and 11 defensive starters must be given to the opposing coach before game.
D. Coaches must submit a second string roster to the opposing coach prior to each game. This roster will establish 1st & 2nd string teams for that particular game. Any changes in personnel must be agreed upon by both coaches with the supervising referee present before the game is started.

Section 14: Regulation Games
All games begin with a coaches/official meeting prior to each game for rule discussion and roster exchanges.
A. All games will be played per regulation and official schedule as approved by the Association.
B. All teams will report to the playing field in time to warm up and be ready to play at their prescribed times.
C. Teams must field at least 11 players for a game to be played. If a team cannot field 11 players, the game will be declared a forfeit and a note will be made by the head official. An investigation of the team will be made to determine the problem.
D. At the start of the halves and after a touchdown the offense will take possession on their own 35-yard line. There will be no kick offs.
E. All major penalties will be 10 yards.
F. All games will consist of 4 quarters; each will be 10 minutes. 10 minutes will be allowed between halves.

Section 15: First Quarter
A. The first quarter of every game will be set aside for those second team, non-starting players.
B. During the first two weeks of the schedule, two coaches will be permitted to be in the huddle, on the field to assist in the instruction during this quarter. After the first two scheduled games the coaches must remain on the sidelines.
C. The intent of this quarter is to allow the second team to contribute to the actual game.
D. Any player that plays an offensive or defensive position on the second team in the first quarter will not play on their respective starting side until the third quarter.
E. First quarter will be a regular 10 minute quarter with 4 time outs for the second half. Only 3 may be used in any 1 quarter.
F. On fourth down the offense may choose to have the ball moved 15 yards down the field and possession turned over as opposed to a punt. Teams have the option of punting with no rush/no return throughout the season.
G. There will be no play clock in the first quarter, however good judgment must be used by coaches.
H. Per D. of this section, if a child plays in the first quarter on second string, they cannot play again until the third quarter unless there are extenuating circumstances and it is agreed to by both head coaches through the head official.

Section 16: Playing Conditions and Prohibited Games
A. In cases of extreme weather conditions at game time, either the head official or the Association President can cancel a game from being played. Weather must be extreme and just snow or rain of normal proportions.
B. In case of any lightning in the immediate practice or game area, all activity will cease and safe shelter sought. Under no circumstances will shelter be sought under trees.
C. If a game is cancelled, before or after it starts, the game will be eliminated from the schedule and not be replayed unless authorized by the Association President.
D. In the event a game must be cancelled in the 4th quarter, the head official may declare a winner if, in his opinion, the score indicates the losing team has no chance of winning in the time remaining.
E. Absolutely no practice sessions or games will be scheduled on Friday.
F. No more than 1 game can be played within a 7 day period. The option to set one more week in the schedule is possible.

Section 17: Spectators and Unauthorized Coaches
A. A spectator will be defined as any person not being a coach, official, chain gang person or officer of the Association who is observing a game, practice or preparation or either.
B. Spectators are strictly forbidden to coach during practices, practice games, or scheduled games.
C. If spectators, as herein defined, are permitted to coach without the approval or disapproval of the head coach or under any other circumstance, the Association will not be held responsible in case of illness or accident as a result of their illegal participation.
D. Team coaches will be officially recognized as those individuals who are inscribed on the official team roster.

Section 18: Scoring Points
A. A touchdown will score 6 points.
B. A point after touchdown will score 2 points for a kick
C. A point after touchdown will score 1 point for a run or pass.
D. A safety will score 2 points after which the team scoring a safety will put the ball in play at the 50-yard line.
E. At no time will the scoreboard show any team winning by more than 21 points. Once a team has scored more than the allowed point difference, their points will be kept in a points bank by both the head official and the official score keeper. If and when the opposing team scores enough points to bring the point difference below 21, the other team will take enough points from their points bank to bring the score to the 21 point limit. Points left over will be used as needed to keep the correct point difference of 21. The final score on the scoreboard will never show more than a 21-point difference. Write-ups for the newspaper must also follow this policy. All players scoring points may be named but the line score must not show it.

Section 19: Quarterback Sneak and Blitzing
A. The quarter back sneak is allowed
B. Blitzing is allowed by the 1st string only. Only 2 Linebackers may blitz at any time and any combination is allowed.
C. There is to be NO corner blitzing
D. 2nd string linebackers cannot cross line of scrimmage inside the tackles. This would be considered blitzing
E. Blitzing will only be allowed in the 2nd, 3rd & 4th quarters.

Section 20: Players on the Bench
A. All players, sideline personnel, coaches, state keepers, mentors & waterboys must remain in the bench area when not actively engaged on the field of play. Bench area will be defined as between the 30-yard lines, sideline and the fence.

Section 21: Playing Time
A. In any given game, each player must play at least in two series, or 8 downs, provided the player has not violated the absence rule.

Section 22: Mouthpiece Rule
A. A mouthpiece will be attached to the helmets during practices and games. Players must wear their mouthpiece on every play. The 1st infraction of this rule will result in a warning from the official. A second violation from the same player will result in a 5-yard penalty assessed against that player’s team.

Section 23: Defensive Formations to be Used
A. All defenses are allowed. The 2nd string can use any defense as well but with the exception of blitz. The alignment of the defensive players will be as follows:
1. Middle guard head up on the center
2. Tackle head up with the tackle.
3. Ends may play head up or outside shoulder.
4. Corner backs must stay behind heel of defensive linemen and 3-5 yards outside the defensive end.
5. All linebackers must stay behind the butt of defensive linemen.
6. Safeties 5-7 yards off of the line.
B. The 5-2 can either have 2 safeties back or one safety and a monster.
C. Short yardage situations are:
1. 3rd or 4th down with 3 yards for a 1st down
2. The ball is inside the 10-yard line.
D. Defenses to be used in short yardage situations:
1. 1st & 2nd string may use any defense or a converted 7-2 by bringing the inside line backers to the line and dropping to a 3 or4-point stance head up with the offensive guards.
E. Defenses must be called and set up prior to the offense coming to the line of scrimmage and must remain in that formation until the play is over. Coaches cannot wait until offense is lined up to call his defense. Penalty: 5 yards.

Section 24: Offensive Play
A. There shall be no more than 2 ball exchanges per play. Any violation of this rule will result in a 5-yard penalty with no loss of down.
B. One player per play will be allowed to go in motion in all quarters.
C. Plays may be run out of any legal offensive formation.
D. Teams will be allowed to run the option.
E. Punting – in the situation of a muffed ball, the punter can move from side to side and has to the line of scrimmage to get the punt off – regardless of size.

Section 25: Ties
A. There will be no tie games. In the event of a tie after regulation play the game will go into overtime as follows: After a 2 minute break each team will be given a chance to score. A coin toss will be used to decide who will have the 1st possession of the ball on the 20-yard line. If a turnover occurs anytime within the 4 downs, the other team will be given the ball at the same 20-yard line and play will resume 1st & goal.
B. All extra point tries will be the same as regulation play. If the score remains tied, there will be a 2nd overtime. This will continue until there is a winner.
C. Each team will be given one time out per overtime. No unused time outs will be carried over from the regulation game or from one overtime or another.
D. After the leagues 7th game, team records will be checked to decide what the place finishes are.This will be done in the following process:
1. Teams winn/loss record
2. Team given up fewest points
Scores will be held by head official and press box, turned into home team coach who turns into league president.

Section 26: Playoffs
A. After the last regular game the teams will advance to the playoff the next week.
B. The playoff schedule is as follows: Points against, odd man out. Five will play six the first game, three will play four the second game and the championship between one and two will be played under the lights all on the same day.

Section 27: Mercy Rule
A. Mercy Rule can be enforced at any time during a game, thru the head official, when the coach feels that there is no chance of his/her team making up the difference. When this is determined 2nd team will complete the rest of the game.

Section 28: Cheating
A. Cheating will not be allowed. Any team caught intentionally cheating will be assessed a 7 point penalty. That penalty will be taken away from the violating team’s score.

Section 29: Referees
A. As established by the league, each game will have 3 referees unless extenuating circumstances arise.
B. All referees will be paid the sum of $45 for their services.

Addendum:
Teams may schedule Saturday games for the 2nd string teams if they wish. These games will be played in addition to regularly scheduled games. Saturday games will be handled by the team’s coaches involved. Saturday games will not count towards teams’ win-loss record.

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