RAPID CITY MIDGET FOOTBALL GENERAL RULES
July 31, 2010
RULE 1: Rapid City Midget Football Rules of Play for the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Grade, dated July 31, 2010 shall govern the rules of Association play.
RULE 2: The Association Board shall prepare and present to the respective Association teams’ head coach, prior to the start of team practices, rosters listing the players’ names, addresses, and telephone numbers. After the initial rosters are prepared and presented to the respective teams’ head coach, the Board, in its sole discretion, may make any additions or changes to the rosters.
RULE 3: Coaching staffs are limited to a maximum of one head coach, three assistant coaches of which one will serve as the required play recorder. Any other adults/students are prohibited on the team’s sideline. All Coaches and assistants are required to submit and have an approved coach application. No other personnel shall be allowed on the sidelines that are not approved by Rapid City Midget Football Association.
RULE 4: Recruiting of players for the purpose of influencing the registration process or to coerce parents or players to change teams is prohibited.
RULE 5. All officials shall be furnished and assigned to each game by the Board, or its authorized representative. No game protests shall be allowed. The head official at each game has the final say.
RULE 6: To be eligible for Association plays, all boys shall be in either grade 4, 5, 6, or 7. Association teams shall be grouped in three leagues, as follows:
a. Fourth Grade League. All boys shall be in the Fourth grade and shall not be 12 years old or older, on or before September 15 of the playing year.
b. Fifth Grade League. All boys shall be in the fifth grade and shall not be 13 years old, or older, on or before September 15 of the playing year.
c. Sixth Grade League. All boys shall be in the sixth grade and shall not be 14 years old, or older, on or before September 15 of the playing year.
d. Seventh Grade League. All boys shall be in the seventh grade and shall not be 15 years, or older, on or before September 15 of the playing year.
TEAM FORMATION AND PLAYER PLACEMENT
All Players on a team must be registered with the RCMFA. A youth player who meets the age, registration and assignment requirements in these leagues rules is considered as eligible player if playing on the team which he is assigned. The team formation will be random in nature. Criteria for player assignment will include NO consideration for the ability of the player or the relative strength of the team. ALL forms of recruiting, invitations and tryouts are specifically prohibited at all levels. Coaches and parents will have no direct input to, or involvement with the assignment of players to their teams.
All boys qualifying for the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th grade teams will become the player pool for the purpose of team formation. Teams will be formed by the following methods.
1. Placement by area Elementary schools.
2. Placement by east/west/north and south locations.
3. Placement by east/west/north and south location whenever possible. If east/west/north and south is not possible, placement will by city wide.
4. Returning player in the 5th, 6th & 7th grades will be GUARANTEED same team assignment if signed up prior to date established by the board.
5. The head coach (coach appearing on valid team roster) has the right to have his children on the team he/she is coaches, if the players qualifies for that league. Child is defined as: Natural\step-child\adopted\foster\or ward.
6. The player pool is defined as the group of players that are not assigned to a specific team and\or did not register on time. Team placements are made from the players in that League.
7. Players shall be placed by random from the player pool with total disregard to the players‘ identity, preferences, ability, team desires, etc.
8. Players are placed on teams in accordance with procedures established by BOD.
The effect of this policy will be to assure team continuity during the three years that a player spends in each League, and to enhance each player's football experience.
RULE 7: To be eligible to play in the offensive or defensive backfields in the respective Association leagues, a player must meet the following weight limitations:
a. Fourth Grade League. A player’s weight shall not exceed 95 pounds at the official “weigh-in” dates, time, and places as designated by the President.
b. Fifth Grade League. A player’s weight shall not exceed 105 pounds at the official “weigh-in” dates, times, and places as designated by the President.
c. Sixth Grade League. A player’s weight shall not exceed 115 pounds at the official “weigh-in” dates, times, and places as designated by the President.
d. Seventh Grade League. A player’s weight shall not exceed 135 pounds at the official “weigh-in” dates, times, and places as designated by the President.
RULE 7a: Maximum Weight Gain
a. In order to promote the health and welfare of the athlete along with maintaining its competitive nature the League is adopting a Maximum Weight gain Rule.
b. A player will have only one chance to make his weight. Once he steps on an official scale there will be no waivers of the “Striper Rule” for those over the weight limits.
c. The BOD may conduct a second “weigh in” for all teams prior to the midpoint of the season.
d. Re-weighing of any team or player can only be called by and conducted by the BOD.
e. The second weigh in can be conducted without notice and will be held on regular game nights at the League designated location.
f. Any Player who gains more than 10% of his original body weight at weight in at the beginning of the season and is now over the striper rule limits for their grade is subject to having a stripe added to his helmet and being required to meet all of the requirements of a striper.
g. All weights will be rounded down to the next whole number. IE: 105.7 = 105.
Any violation of this Rule subjects the offending team to forfeiture of the game.
RULE 8. Any Player whose weight exceeds the respective weight limitations described in Rule 7 shall be designated by the Board, or its authorized representative, as a “Striper”. When the Board, or it authorized representative designates a player as a “Striper”, the player shall play as a “Striper” during the entire playing year.
RULE 9. The Board shall place a single black stripe on the helmets of all players designated as “Striper”. No person or entity, other than the Association Board, or its authorized representative, is authorized to remove or change the black stripe placed on the helmets designated as “Striper”. Unauthorized removal or change of the black stripe placed on the helmet of player designated, as a “Striper” shall subject the offending party or parties to dismissal from the association.
RULE 10. Each player must play one (1) continuous full quarter without substitution per game and sit one (1) continuous full quarter per game. In the event a player gets injured during his quarter, and is able to return to the game, the coach must make every attempt to ensure that that player gets his required playing time during that game.
a. Playing time may be restricted for nonattendance or regular practice, for disciplinary reasons and due to injury. A player reserves the right to voluntarily excuse himself from this rule. However, coaches are prohibited from coercing players into surrendering the right to play. Punter and Kickers are except from this rule. Violation of this rule will result in the following actions:
a. First Offence: Forfeiture of Game.
b. Second Offence: Forfeit of Game and Suspension of Head Coach for one (1) game including all practices.
c. Third Offence: Expulsion from League.
This Rule shall include all Playoff and Championship games. The Board will review all Complaints and violations.
RULE 11. Each team must complete two (2) player participation sheets (enclosure 1). One copy will be turned in to the Equipment shed prior to the game. The second player participation sheet shall be given the opposing team coach at the beginning of the game showing the player play times have been set. (Just like in Baseball (lineup card to Umpire)). It must also show any reason a player did not or will not meet his mandatory playtime. (I.e. failure to attend practices, disciplinary reasons or due to injury, etc.). Each team play sheet and score sheet shall be turned in to the equipment shed at the completion of the game. Any violation of this rule subjects the offending team to a forfeiture of the game. The player time sheet and score sheet shall be kept in a book for later reference by the league and Board of Directors. Violation of this rule will result in the following actions:
a. First Offence: Warning to coaching staff
b. Second Offence: Suspension of Head Coach for one (1) game including all practices.
c. Third Offence: Expulsion from League.
This Rule shall include all Playoff and Championship games. The Board will review all Complaints and violations.
RULE 12. Shoes shall be made of a material which covers the foot (canvas, leather or synthetic) attached to a firm sole of leather, rubber or composition material which may have cleats or which may be cleat less. Among the items which do not meet these requirements are gymnastic slippers, tennis shoes cut so protection is reduced, ski and logger boots and other apparel not intended for football. Removable cleats shall conform to requirements as set forth in HFHS Football Rules, rule 1-5 f. 1.
RULE 13. No player shall be allowed to participate in Association practices or games played without a mouth guard and protective cup. Recommend removal of all jewelry and retainers for safety.
RULE 14. No team may meet or practice before the announced starting date.
RULE 15. The football week shall begin on Monday. Each team is limited to five playing periods per week. A playing period is defined as a practice or game in which the players are engaged. The intent being that each team engages in a maximum of four practices and one game or three practices and two games during each football week of the season.
RULE 16. Practice periods are not to exceed two hours in length. During the first week of team practice, the first three practice periods are for conditioning only and shall not exceed one hour in length. No player shall participate in team practices until that player has participated in three one-hour conditioning practices.
RULE 17. Any teams scheduled to play the 7:30 PM game may warm up on the designated practice fields. Designated practice fields are fields 6 and 7. No teams, players, or coaches scheduled for the 7:30 PM game shall be on a field where they are schedule to play while the 6:00 PM game is in progress. No exceptions.
RULE 18. All teams are allowed controlled scrimmages after the second week of team practice.
RULE 19. Sunday practices are not allowed.
RULE 20. Any team, which cannot begin a game with eleven eligible players at the scheduled game time, shall forfeit the game unless the game is officially postponed or canceled by the Association President, or his or her authorized representative. The Association President shall reschedule postponed games.
RULE 21. Any team trailing by 21 points or more, will have the option of receiving the ball after a score or at the start of the second half 20 yards downfield (towards their own end zone) from the kickoff spot, in lieu of a kickoff. Intentionally running up the score or not playing weaker players will not be tolerated and will be reviewed by the Board.
RULE 22. In the result of a tie during the regular season, the following criteria will determine league standings:
a. Results of head-to-head competition during the regular season.
b. Least points allowed during the regular season.
c. Coin toss.
RULE 23. OVERTIME. 10 Yard Line Overtime procedure for Play-offs. An overtime period is un-timed after a regulation game has ended with the score tied during the playoffs only. There is NO overtime during Regular Season Games.
a. When the score is tied at the end of the fourth period, the Referee will instruct both teams to return to their respective team boxes. There will be a three-minute intermission during which both teams may confer with their coaches. All Officials will assemble at the 50 yard line, review the overtime procedure, determine the number of second half time-outs remaining for each team and discuss how penalties, if any, including any carry-over penalties from the regulation contest will be assessed to start the overtime procedure. They will inform the coaches of the number of time-outs each team has remaining and any special penalty enforcements that apply.
b. At the coin toss in the center of the field the visiting-team’s captain shall be given the privilege of call the coin while it is in the air. The winner of the coin toss shall be given the choice of offense or defense first, or designating the end of the field at which the ball will be put in play for this set of downs. The loser will have his choice of the other options.
c. Each team shall be permitted on additional time-out during each overtime period plus and unused second -half regulation game time-outs. The final score shall be determined by totaling all points scored by each team during regulation time and overtime periods.
d. All overtime games will start on the 10 yard line or succeeding spot if carry-0ver penalty has been administered.
e. Each team will have a four down set.
f. If still tied after first overtime period the process will be repeated until a winner has been determined.
This rule has been summarized from the National Federation of State High School Associations and shall take precedence. The full rule can be found on page 88 and 89 of said publication.
RULE 24. The Board shall provide a down marker, ten-yard chain, yardage markers, pylons, and football for each field of play on game days. The home team of each game shall be responsible for the down marker, the ten-yard chain, the yardage markers, goal posts, pylons, and the football.
RULE 25. The Board shall provide a junior size football for each Fourth and Fifth grade games, and intermediate size football for each Sixth and Seventh grade games. The Game Ball shall be provided by the RCMFA. No other ball shall be used. The Head Referee shall be responsible for the delivery and return of game ball to the equipment shed.
RULE 26. Each team and their coaches shall be responsible for keeping spectators orderly and behind any spectator boundary.
RULE 27. Anyone using or shouting abusive or profane language, or otherwise displaying un-sportsman-like conduct, is subject to removal from game premises and to dismissal from the Association.
RULE 28. All teams shall check in all equipment at the Association’s equipment building immediately following each team’s final game.
RULE 29. No person or entity, other than the Association, is authorized to present any award, trophy, gift, or other tangible thing, to any Association player, coach, or team. This rule is not meant to prohibit a team from presenting a small token of appreciation to its coach or coaches at the end of the year or parents from providing a small participation award to players, not to exceed a value of $15.00 per player after the last season game is played...
RULE 30. Commercial broadcasting of any Association game is prohibited.
RULE 31. Videotaping of a participant by friends and relatives for personal enjoyment is allowed. Videotaping of games for the purpose of scouting other teams is prohibited. Film exchanges among coaches and managers are prohibited.
RULE 32. The first violation of Rules 8, 9, or 31 will result in disqualification from championship play. Subsequent violations will result in immediate and permanent dismissal of the violator from the Association.
RULE 33. All matters relating to the Association not covered specifically in the Bylaws, Rules of Play, and these General Rules, are to be finally determined by the Association’s Board of Directors in its sole discretion.
We, the Board of Directors, constituting a majority of the Association, certify that all previous General rules are repealed and that these General rules are adopted and constitute the General rules for the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Grades on the 31st day of July, 2010.