OFFICIAL LEAGUE RULES AND REGULATIONS

ARTICLE I – GENERAL

Section 1 – The following rules shall apply to the Lawrence Youth Football league.  The league board will be the ruling and governing body, and all decisions by the board will be binding to all parties.

ARTICLE II – LEAGUE COMPOSITION

Section 1 – Lawrence Youth Football consists of Lawrence and surrounding area teams.

Section 2 - Competition is provided in both tackle and flag football.

Section 3 - Tackle teams will compete in the following grade divisions.

                2nd/3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade

Section 4 - Flag teams will compete in the following grade divisions.  Grade groups could be combined if necessary.

                K/1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, 6th grade.

Section 5 – All teams participate under the Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of Lawrence Youth Football, Inc.

ARTICLE III – REGISTRATION

Section 1 – A player is ineligible to participate in the organization, including practice, unless they are registered with the league board and league fees are paid in full.  Registration means that the player and parent/guardian have registered and signed the player agreement form, and said form is on file with the league board for purpose of identification and eligibility of game participation.

Section 2 – Each player will be assessed a fee, payable on or before league designated check-out date.  This fee will be used for insurance, equipment and other league associated costs.  Full payment of the fees to the board is the responsibility of the head coach.

ARTICLE IV – ROSTERS

Section 1 – Coaches must turn in an official roster on the Wednesday prior to the league’s first scheduled game.  Roster must include team name, grade level, player’s names and jersey numbers and coaches’ names.

Section 2 - Failure to submit team roster will result in loss of Toy Bowl points for each day thereafter it is not turned in. 

Section 3 – LYF will have official player weight on file for each player and is available within a reasonable time upon request by coaches.

Section 4 – Each team is allowed a maximum of three (3) player moves per season with approval of the league board.  Players are only allowed to move up in grade level and should match player’s ability and skill level, unless otherwise approved by league board.

Section 5 – Any team composed of players from multiple age groups must compete in the age group of the oldest players on the roster without prior approval from the league board.

Section 6 – All roster changes must be turned in to the league board by the Wednesday prior to date of scheduled game.  Failure to comply will result in ineligibility of the player in question for that game and each game player move is not filed.

Section 7 - The league board will notify opposing coaches of any such roster changes.

Section 8 – All moves up are final and a player may not move back down without prior league approval.

Section 9 – A player may transfer to another team after the first game with league approval only.

Section 10 – For the purposes of post season play, all rosters will be frozen after the fourth (4th) week of league play.

ARTICLE V - PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

Section 1 – League divisions are determined by the school grade that a player is enrolled in for the current season first and by the players’ age second. 

Section 2 – Players must be enrolled in the corresponding school grade for the year and grade division in which they expect to participate for the current season and be no older than the following ages on August 1st.

2nd/3rd Grade – Age 9

4th Grade – Age 10

5th Grade – Age 11

6th Grade – Age 12

Section 3 – Minimum age:

1. Tackle League:   All players participating must be at least seven (7) years old by August 1 of the current season and have completed first grade.
2. Flag League:  All players participating must be at least five (5) years old by August 1 and be enrolled in kindergarten or above for the current season.

Section 4 – Maximum age:

1. Tackle League:  No player participating shall be thirteen (13) years old nor have completed the 6th grade as of August 1 of the current season.
2. Flag League:  No player participating shall be fifteen (13) years old nor have completed the 6th grade as of August 1 of the current season.

Section 5 - Each head coach is responsible for the eligibility of their own participants.

Section 6 – A team will forfeit all contests in which an ineligible contestant has participated. 

Section 7 – All ineligible players and adults who knowingly allow an ineligible player to compete will be liable to suspension, at the discretion of the league board.

Section 8 – Any player who is ejected from a competition for any reason will be suspended for the following game also.  Suspension will prohibit ejected player from attending LYF games in any capacity, at any location.  Any player who knowingly defies this rule will subject their team to possible forfeiture of said game.

Section 9 – Any player who is disqualified from two (2) league games shall be considered suspended indefinitely.

ARTICLE VI – COACH ELIGIBILITY

Section 1 – All coaches must complete the USA Football coaching certification course and have completed and passed a league approved background check, as directed by the league board, to be able to coach in the LYF league at any level. 

Section 2 – All coaching certification and background checks must be on file with the league board prior to a coach being allowed to coach in practice or competition.

Section 3 – Only league certified coaches are allowed on the sideline during competition.  Failure to comply will result in a penalty by the officials.

Section 4 – Team administrator of each program and head coach of each team are responsible for the eligibility of their own coaches.

Section 5 – Failure to comply with all coach eligibility regulations may result in forfeiture.

ARTICLE VII – COACH DISCIPLINE

Section 1 – Charges against a coach of dishonesty and/or working against the principles and purposes of the organization and its rules and regulations, must be filed in a written statement, signed by five (5) coaches and/or parents and submitted to the league board.

Section 2 – The accused coach shall be notified in writing of the allegations and shall have the privilege of being present at a special or regular meeting of the executive board at which the charges will be considered and presented to the executive board.

Section 3 – The accused coach may be suspended, reinstated, or expelled by a three-fifths (3/5) vote of the executive board.

Section 4 – Any Coach who is ejected from a competition for any reason will be suspended for the following game also.  Suspension will prohibit ejected coach from attending LYF games in any capacity, at any location.  Any coach who knowingly defies this rule will subject their team to possible forfeiture of said game.

Section 5 – Any coach who is disqualified from two (2) league games shall be considered suspended indefinitely.

ARTICLE VIII – EQUIPMENT

Section 1 – Purchase of equipment shall be controlled through the purchasing agent designated by the league board.

Section 2 – Helmets and shoulder pads are available through the league.

Section 3 – Any league equipment utilized is the responsibility of the team and must be maintained and returned at the end of the season.

Section 4 – All league equipment must be returned within 10 days after the end of the season or post season competition. A replacement fee of $200 will be assessed to any individual who does not return all league provided equipment.

Section 5 – All helmet logos and decals placed on league provided equipment is subject to league board approval. 

Section 6 – All helmet logos or decals shall be a type such as Pro-Tuff or equal quality material.  A maximum of two nonleague supplied helmet logos or decals are allowed on all league issued helmets.

Section 7 – All helmet logos and decals shall be removed from league issued helmets by teams that use them prior to their return.

ARTICLE IX – PLAYER WEIGHTS (TACKLE LEAGUE ONLY)

Section 1 – All players must be weighed in by a league representative before the start of the season.

Section 2 – Player weigh-in will occur at official league check-out at a date and time to be determined each season.

Section 3 – The official weight recorded by league representative is final and will be certified for the length of the season.

Section 4 – Weights are used to determine eligible ball carriers for each grade division.  The allowable weights for eligible ball carriers for each grade division are:

2nd/3rd Grade – 92 pounds or less

4th Grade – 107 pounds or less

5th Grade – 122 pounds or less

6th Grade – 132 pounds or less

 

Section 5 – All players over the legal ball carrying weight will receive a sticker to be placed on a predetermined location on their helmet for identification by game officials.

Section 6 – Removal of the nonball carrying weight identification sticker by a player or coach will result in ejection from competition and an additional one game suspension.

Section 7 - All players who are over the eligible ball carrying weight, as listed under each grade group, must be in a down lineman position and cannot line-up in the backfield on Offense.

Section 8 - Over ball carrying weight players are ineligible to receive a pass on Offense.

Section 9 - Over ball carrying weight player down lineman in the box, may be uncovered, but still ineligible to receive pass.

Section 10 - There are NO weight restrictions on Defense.

 

ARTICLE X – PRACTICE

Section 1 – All players must have completed ten (10) hours of conditioning prior to working out with pads.  These practices are to be limited to conditioning and drills without equipment except for helmets and mouth pieces.

Section 2 – Two (2) weeks prior to the first game six (6), two-hour practices will be allowed each week (Maximum: 24 hours).  No two-a-day practices will be allowed.

Section 3 - A maximum of five (5), two hours practices per week will be allowed after the first game (Maximum: 10 hours). These practices will include calisthenics and drills.

ARTICLE XI – GAME PROCEDURES

Section 1 – The schedule will be set up as early as possible prior to the first game.

Section 2 – It is required that each team be accompanied to all competition by a coach or other adult supervisor who will be responsible for the team’s conduct.  Any team not abiding by this rule will forfeit or reschedule the game at discretion of the League Board.

Section 3 – A minimum of two (2) referees will be used in all league games. In addition, additional referees may be used if available or for the purpose of new official development and training.

Section 4 – The home team coaches will be responsible to provide personnel to run the chains and yard marker.

Section 5 – Each team is responsible for clean-up of its own sideline. Toy Bowl points - One (1) per week can be deducted in the event of repeated nonconformity.

Section 6 – If it becomes necessary to postpone a game for any legitimate reason, it is the responsibility of the coach or a team representative to contact the league board as well as the other team at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the scheduled game.

1. Postponements shall be granted upon agreement of representatives of both teams and the league board.

Section 7 – If game postponement is necessary due to adverse weather conditions, the league board will make this decision and notify all teams at the earliest possible time prior to start of scheduled games.

Section 8 – Forfeit time is fifteen (15) minutes after scheduled starting time. 

1. Lateness is not acceptable grounds for protesting a forfeit.

Section 9 – If a team drops out of the league, scheduled game for that team will be handled as follows:

1. Completed games (including forfeits) will stand as played.
2. Games not played will be declared a victory for the scheduled opponent.

ARTICLE XII – PROTESTS

Section 1 – Protests must be submitted to the league board by a head coach.  A $50 cash protest fee is required at the time of the protest.  If Protest is found to be valid, fee will be returned.

Section 2 – Protests must be submitted to the league board prior to the completion of the game being protested.  Judgment calls by officials are not subject to protest.  All parties involved in protests will be expected to act in a professional manner.

Section 3 – Protests will be determined on the spot if facts are available.  If not available, a decision will occur with available facts no later than 48 hours.  All league board decisions are final.

Section 4 – By submitting a protest, the protesting team agrees to abide by the decision of the LYF league board.  Failure to do so could result in suspension or dismissal from the league.

 

OFFICIAL RULES OF COMPETITION

ARTICLE I – GAME RULES

Section 1 - Kansas High School Federation Rules will be followed in all tackle league contests with exceptions stated in the LYF league rules of competition for each grade division.

Section 2 – NFL Football Flag game rules will be followed in all flag league contests with exceptions stated in the LYF league rules of competition for each grade division.

 

ARTICLE II – BALL SIZE 

Section 1 – Tackle league.  The allowable game ball size for each grade division is:

2nd/3rd Grade – K2/ Pee Wee or Comparable

4th Grade – K2/ Pee Wee or Comparable

5th Grade – K2/ Pee Wee or Comparable

6th Grade – TDJ

Section 2 – Flag league.  The allowable game size for each grade division is:

                K/1st - Mini           

2nd through 6th Grades – K2/Pee Wee or Comparable

               

                                                                       

ARTICLE III – GAME LENGTH 

Section 1 – Tackle league (all grade divisions):

1. There will be four (4), eight (8) minute quarters.
2. There will be an eight (8) minute half time.
3. There will be a running clock anytime one team gains a 32-point advantage.  The clock will continue to run for the remainder of the game regardless of the score except for an official time- out.  At this point, all Kick-off will be suspended, and the receiving team will take possession of the ball on their own 35-yard line.

Section 2 – Flag league: (all grade divisions):

1. There will be two (2) twenty (20) minute periods with a continuous clock.  Clock stops only for timeouts and injuries.
2. There will be a one-minute half time.
3. The game will end if one team gains a 28-point advantage.

ARTICLE IV – SCORING 

Section 1 – Tackle league

1. Touchdown = 6 points 
2. PAT (Run or Pass) = 2 points
3. PAT (Kick) = 1 point
4. Safety = 2 points

Section 2 – Flag league

1. Touchdown = 6 points
2. PAT From 5-yard line (Pass Only) = 1 point
3. PAT From 10-yard line (Run or Pass) = 2 points
4. Safety = 2 points

ARTICLE V – OVERTIME

Section 1 – Tackle league

1. High School Federation overtime rules will be utilized allowing each team a possession from the opponents’ ten (10) yard line until one team outscores its opponent on alternate possessions.

Section 2 – Flag league

1. Each team will take turns getting one (1) play from the defense’s five (5) yard line for 1 point or from the defense’s 10-yard line for 2 points until on team outscores its opponent on alternate possessions.
2. Both teams must “go for two” from the 10-yard line starting with the third round of overtime.

 

ARTICLE VI – FEDERATION AND NFL FLAG RULE EXCEPTIONS

Section 1 - 2nd & 3rd Grade Division:

1. No Kick-offs or punts are allowed.
2. To start the game, 3rd quarter and after each scoring possession, the ball will be placed on teams own 30-yard line.
3. If a team chooses to “punt” 35 yards will be stepped off by the official from the line of scrimmage and a change of possession will occur.
4. Weight restriction to be a legal ball carrier, are listed in Article IX.
5. There are no positional weight restrictions on defense.
6. Free kicks and punts can only be advanced by eligible ball carrying weight players.  If any non-eligible ball carrying weight player receives a free kick or punt the ball will be dead at the point of the possession.
7. Two (2) coaches, per team, will be allowed on the field at all times.
8. Coaches that are allowed on the field during play are to assume a silent position outside of the hash marks once the quarterback is “under center” and ready for signals.  Coaches should move away from the play and not be a part of the play in any way.
9. Coaches are strictly prohibited from calling plays or defensive adjustments after the quarterback is “under center” and are not allowed to instruct in any way during the play.
10. It is solely up to the official to determine if the on-field coaches are following the on field coaching rules.
11. Officials will issue one warning to on field coaches in violation of on field coaching rules.  A second, and any continued violation, will result in a 15-yard, unsportsmanlike penalty.

Section 2 - 4th Grade Division:

1. No Kick-offs or punts are allowed.
2. To start the game, 3rd quarter and after each scoring possession, the ball will be placed on teams own 30-yard line.
3. If a team chooses to “punt” 35 yards will be stepped off by the official from the line of scrimmage and a change of possession will occur.
4. Weight restriction to be a legal ball carrier, are listed in Article IX.

• There are no positional weight restrictions on defense.
• Free kicks and punts can only be advanced by eligible ball carrying weight players.  If any non-eligible ball carrying weight player receives a free kick or punt the ball will be dead at the point of the possession.

1. One (1) coach, per team, will be allowed on the field at all times.
2. Coaches that are allowed on the field during play are to assume a silent position outside of the hash marks once the quarterback is “under center” and ready for signals.  Coaches should move away from the play and not be a part of the play in any way.
3. Coaches are strictly prohibited from calling plays or defensive adjustments after the quarterback is “under center” and are not allowed to instruct in any way during the play.
4. It is solely up to the official to determine if the on-field coaches are following the on field coaching rules.
5. Officials will issue one warning to on field coaches in violation of on field coaching rules.  A second, and any continued violation, will result in a 15-yard, unsportsmanlike penalty.

Section 3 - 5th Grade Division:

1. Kick-offs and punts are utilized.
2. To start the game, 3rd quarter and after each scoring possession, the ball will be kicked off from the 35-yard line.  All kick-offs are live.
3. The defense is NOT allowed to rush the punter.
4. During a punt, the defense must have at least six (6) players on the line of scrimmage.
5. Once the ball is punted, the punt situation is live.
6. Weight restriction to be a legal ball carrier, are listed in Article IX.
7. There are no positional weight restrictions on defense.
8. Free kicks and punts can only be advanced by eligible ball carrying weight players.  If any non-eligible ball carrying weight player receives a free kick or punt the ball will be dead at the point of the possession.
9. No coaches will be allowed on the field.

Section 4 - 6th Grade Division

1. Kick-offs and punts are utilized.
2. To start the game, 3rd quarter and after each scoring possession, the ball will be kicked off from the 35 yard line.  All kick-offs are live.
3. The defense is allowed to rush the punter.  All punts are live.
4. Weight restriction to be a legal ball carrier, are listed in Article IX.
5. There are no positional weight restrictions on defense.
6. Free kicks and punts can only be advanced by eligible ball carrying weight players.  If any non-eligible ball carrying weight player receives a free kick or punt the ball will be dead at the point of the possession.
7. No coaches will be allowed on the field.

Section 5 - Flag league

1. Game jerseys and balls will be provided by individual teams, not LYF.
2. There is no league requirement to have more than one jersey.
3. Home and visiting teams have no jersey color requirements.
4. Any NFL Flag regulations regarding team roster size, minimum or maximum number of game participants will be adjusted to accommodate the LYF 7 on 7 version rather than the NFL Flag 5 on 5 version.
5. Teams must start games with a minimum of six (6) players.  In the event of an injury, a team with insufficient substitute players may play with six (6) players on the field but no fewer than six (6).
6. The maximum number of players allowed on the line of scrimmage is 6.

 

 

ARTICLE VII – TOY BOWL

Section 1 – Toy Bowl playoff selection will be determined by Toy Bowl points accumulated throughout the season. 

Section 2 – Toy Bowl points will consist of

1. Win = 10 points
2. Loss = 5 points
3. Flagrant Unsportsmanlike Conduct (Coach, Player or Fan) = 1 point deduction per infraction.

Section 3 – Tiebreaker protocol for Toy Bowl playoff selection

1. Head to head competition
2. Defensive points allowed (-13 Max)
3. Offensive points scored (+13 Max)
4. Coin Toss

ARTICLE VIII – GAME OFFICIALS

Section 1 – LYF will enforce a no tolerance rule for unsportsmanlike conduct of any kind.

Section 2 – Only the head coach from each team is allowed to request a conference with an official regarding a rule interpretation.  Any abuse of this policy will result in a Delay of Game penalty enforced against the team improperly requesting the conference.

Section 3 – Official’s judgment calls may NOT BE CONTESTED!

Section 4 – Any person or persons can and will be ejected from the complex if any flagrant abuse of officials is committed.

Section 5 – Players, parents or fan who commits any flagrant acts towards officials will be ejected and not allowed to return for any further games.

Section 6 – Each head coach is responsible for the actions of the assistant coaches, players, and spectators for their own team.

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