2011 Gridiron Rules & Regulations
Overview
The Gridiron League was established to provide an environment in which any child (not only the most talented or competitive) wishing to participate in the sport of football could learn, participate in and enjoy the game. The Gridiron League exists in cooperation with other associations that have a desire to participate in a program espousing a similar philosophy. Western Wildcats will field as many teams as are necessary to accommodate the number of participants. Western Wildcats Gridiron teams will compete against each other and against Gridiron teams from other associations who wish to participate. The Gridiron League will be grouped by age and weight groups determined from year to year by the Western Wildcats Gridiron Administrators in cooperation with officials from other associations wishing to participate in the Gridiron League.
Definitions:
Gridiron Oversight Committee:
The purpose of the Gridiron Oversight Committee is to resolve conflicts between teams, coaches, and associations during the football season. The Gridiron Oversight Committee will consist of three Gridiron Directors from three different associations and be voted in for a year term by the Gridiron member associations. This vote will take place before each season begins.
For the calendar year 2011, the term Gridiron Oversight Committee will be referred to as and the combination commonly referred to as:
BeaverDam – Angel Thurston
Mechanicsville – Bobby Boothe
Tuckahoe – Patrick McCarthy
Gridiron Administrator: For the calendar year 2011, the term Gridiron Administrator will be referred to as and the combination commonly referred to as:
Gridiron Administrator: Bruce Eggers
Gridiron: The Gridiron division is commonly referred to as the non-metro division of an association that is committed to the player development and is not necessarily bound by the rules and regulations of the Metro Organization.
Rules and Regulations
The following is a listing of the 2011 Gridiron Rules and Regulations
1 Team Composition
1.1.Each organization will provide a permanent roster by Labor Day. This roster will be in the standardized format that will be sent out by the Gridiron Administrator in August. This roster should be a recommended maximum of 25 players.
1.2.At a minimum, all players will play a combination of eight (8) plays not including special teams. Coaches are expected to self-enforce this policy.
1.3.Weight and age divisions will be at the discretion of the Gridiron League Administrators. Player participation will not be regulated based on opposing team composition to allow for equal playing time for all participants. For 2011, the weights for Gridiron divisions shall be as follows;
-
Team
Age
Weight
PeeWee
8-9
Unlimited
10
under 80 pounds
Midget Light
10
over 80 pounds
11
under 115 pounds
Midget Heavy
11
over 115 pounds
12
under 125 pounds
13
under 105 pounds
1.4 Players may not be a member of any other football league or team other than Gridiron. The exception to this rule is that 6th grade players will be allowed to play Gridiron and Middle School football. This will be on an exception basis and the league must be informed of each organization's 6th graders participating in Middle School football. Each player exception must be approved by the oversight committee.
2.League Participation
2.1.Entrance into the Gridiron league does not guarantee game play at the association’s home field, but all requests will be evaluated.
2.2 All associations participating in the Gridiron league will be required to contribute an equal financial share to the season. Financial responsibility will, at a minimum, include fees associated with game referees and field and or maintenance fees.
3. Coaches
3.1.There will be a mandatory Gridiron coaches meeting prior to the first game. Concussion awareness and guidelines will be addressed during this meeting.
3.2.All communications will be via email or text messaging for schedule changes.
3.3.All Coaches are expected to be conversant with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Football rules. The rule book can be found at http://www.nfhs.com/p-613-2010-football-rules-book.aspx
4. Basic Schedule
4.1.First game on September 10th
4.2.Number of games will be eight (8)
4.3.Weekday games will be required
4.4.Western Gridiron Homecoming will be on an open Metro date
4.5.Post Season will finish the week before Thanksgiving (weather permitting)
5. Illegal Player Equipment
No Player shall participate in any League practices or games with illegal equipment. This includes but is not limited to those items identified in the NFHS rules or anything deemed unsafe by the presiding officials.
5.1.Hard Cast Rule
No athlete is permitted to participate in any League practice or game with a hard cast, splint, brace, or any other protective device except when padded and protected in accordance with NFHS rules. Any Player wishing to practice or play with such a device must first gain written permission from their coach. The approval of the padding and the player’s eligibility for a League game shall be determined by the Game Official. The Player shall submit a signed written request to the Game Official prior to the game. The request must include a physician’s statement indicating the Player is cleared to play.
6.Injury Planning
All Gridiron players shall be required to complete a medical release form issued by their associated organization. All head coaches shall be responsible for bringing completed and signed medical release forms for every player to all games. Player parents/legal guardians will have ultimate decision making authority for their child and the treatment they should receive.
6.1.First Aid Kits
Each team must furnish its own First Aid Kit and maintain the kit at all games and practices. The kit shall include, as a minimum, items to stem and control bleeding of minor cuts/abrasions and reduce the possibility of infection.
7.Practices
7.1Practices shall not exceed one 2 hour period per day, five days a week until Henrico County School starts. Beginning with the first week of Henrico County School, the number of team practices or team meetings shall not exceed 4 per week including games for all weight groups. This practice requirement does not apply during Gridiron playoffs.
7.2.Coaches shall be responsible for routine inspection of practice facilities, field equipment, and player equipment to assure safety and proper fit.
7.3.Coaches shall not leave a game or practice area until all players have left the site.
7.44.The conduct of each Player during, before, and after practice sessions is the responsibility of the Head Coach and the coaching staff. Systems shall be established and maintained by each Team to identify and communicate acceptable conduct of its Players as well as an enforcement plan to assure proper conduct. Failure to appropriately maintain proper conduct or react to unacceptable conduct will be considered a breach of these rules and subject to sanctions by the Gridiron League.
8.Recording or Observing Practices or Games
8.1.No coaches or team representative will video record or observe another team’s practices at any time. No coaches or team representative will record another team’s games. The practice of video recording or observing another team’s practices or games in order to gain a competitive advantage shall be considered detrimental and contrary to the best interest of the Gridiron program. Any player or member of the coaching staff involved with any of the aforementioned offenses will be suspended for the minimum of two weeks and the offence will be reviewed by the Gridiron Oversight Committee for further discipline.
9.Game Rules
NFHS rules apply to all scheduled league games unless amended by these official League Rules. Any questions not covered by the Official League Rules, official interpretation thereof, or any conflict not subject to protest shall be decided by the Gridiron Oversight Committee.
1.Exceptions to NFHS rules:
1.1.Jersey Numbers - There shall be no restrictions as to jersey numbers by Player positions
1.2.Scoring Rules -The NFHS rules will be amended to provide for scoring of points after
touchdowns as follows:
Run -1 point
Pass -2 points
Place Kick or Drop Kick -2 points
1.3.Forfeits shall be recorded as a 1-0 game score.
1.4.Game periods/times
1.4.1.Each game shall consist of four (4) eight (8) minute quarters and an eight (8) minute halftime with NFHS clock stoppages.
1.5.Overtime Procedures
1.5.1. All games will proceed into a maximum of three overtime period of the score is tied after regulation play.
2.Home Team
The home team shall furnish official game balls meeting League standards. The visiting team may elect to use its own ball when on offense providing it is an approved size and material and placing the ball in play will not unnecessarily delay the game.
2.1.Home team responsibilities
Field Setup and take down at the last game
Provide Chain Gang
Provide Announcer and Clock Operators
2.2.The home teams shall be responsible for notification of all game results and other relevant information concerning each game to the gridiron Administrators. Information shall be reported to the League within twenty-four (24) hours of conclusion of the game.
10.Modified Gridiron Competition Rule
10.1.A mandatory application of a modified competition rule (MCR) will be in effect when any team gains a 3 touchdown (or more) point lead in a League sanctioned ball game. After any score that reaches a 3 touchdowns (or more) point difference, the winning team must pull the starters out of at least the following positions;
Offense All backfield positions
Defense All Linebacker positions, minimum of four.
10.1.1.The players in these starting positions must remain off the field, (i.e. not moved to other positions). In the event of a score by the losing team and the point difference falls below 21 points or 3 touchdowns, the original starters may retake the field.
10.1.2.As Gridiron is an instructional league, the determination of players and the application of this rule can be accomplished amicably by both teams’ coaches. In the event that there is a difference of opinion with the interpretation of this rule, an objection should be raised with the Gridiron Oversight Committee.
10.2.Sideline Limitations and Regulations
10.2.1.Coaches shall be easily recognizable by appropriate wearing apparel, such as a cap, sweatshirt or jacket identifying them with their organization and/or team.
10.2.2.Team parents, team doctors, and other individuals, if not members of the coaching staff, must remain outside the field area during the game unless an injury requires their attention at the bench.
10.2.3.Spectators must stand behind rope, fence and/or other barrier at all times
10.3.Player Conduct
Head Coaches shall be responsible for the conduct of all players, coaching staff and parents/guardians. This includes the time before, during, and after games or other events. Improper conduct, in the judgment of the game officials, by any player, coach or parent/guardian may result in penalties, expulsion, and suspension or forfeiture of the game.
11.Team Rankings
11.1.All teams will be eligible for the playoffs.
11.2.Team rankings at the close of the regular season in each division shall be determined by the point rating system.
11.3.Each Team’s final rating will be calculated from the accumulated points based on the point system established accordingly:
WINS by the Team - 2 points
TIES by the Team - 1 points
LOSS by the Team - 0 points
