Pasco Police Athletic League
Football Rules
Table of Contents
I. Player Eligibility and Divisions
A. Age Requirements Page 1
B. Weight Requirements Page 1
C. Conditioning Requirements Page 2
D. Roster Freeze Dates Page 2
E. Practice Hours Page 3
II. Weigh – in Procedures
A. Scale Requirements Page 3
B. Documentation Requirements for Weigh – Ins Page 3
C. Roster Sign – In Times Page 4
D. Roster Sign – Ins Absence Page 4
E. Weight Loss Medications Page 4
F. Helmet Restrictions during Weigh – Ins Page 4
G. Executive Board Attendance Page 4
III. Scrimmage Games
A. Non – League Scrimmages Page 5
B. League Scrimmages Page 5
C. Crossing Divisions Page 5
IV. PPAL Game Rules
A. NFHS Football Rules Page 5
B. Game Sequence and Times Page 5
C. JR. Flyweight Rules Page 5
D. Turning in Scores Page 6
E. Coach Attendance Policy for Games Page 6
F. Post – Game Requirements Page 6
G. Helmet Requirements/Post Game Handshake Page 6
H. “White Hats” Requirements/Post Game Page 7
I. Eligible Receivers Page 7
Table of Contents (Continued)
i
J. Extra Points Page 7
K. Flyweight Rules for Punts/Extra Points Page 7
L. Coaches on the Field ( Jr. Fly, Fly) Page 7
M. Use of Headphones Page 7
N. Failure to Field a Team Page 8
O. Failure to Continue a Game Page 8
P. Make – Up Games Page 8
Q. 9 Man Football Requirements Page 8
R. Metal on Football Equipment Restrictions Page 8
S. Mouthpieces Page 8
T. Game Footballs – Size Requirements Page 9
U. Attendance and Participation Requirements Page 9
V. Mandatory Play Rule Page 11
W. Play Count Page 11
X. Mercy Rule Page 12
Y. Field Rules Page 12
Z. Roster Sign In Procedures Page 12
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Pasco Police Athletic League
Football Rules
1. Player Eligibility and Divisions
A. Age Requirements: League age is determined by the age of the Child on January 1st.
1. Junior Flyweights 5 & 6 Year Olds
2. Flyweights 7 & 8 Year Olds
3. Mighty Mites 9 & 10 Year Olds
4. Junior Varsity 11 & 12 Year Olds
5. Varsity 13, 14 and 15 Year Olds
B. Weight Requirements*
1. Jr. Flyweights Unlimited
2. Flyweights 100 lbs.
3. Mighty Mites 120 lbs.
4. Junior Varsity 150 lbs
5. Varsity 175 lbs.
*The listed weights apply at Official Weigh In. After the Official Weigh In, each player receives one pound every two weeks until the end of the regular season. Any player over the starting weight requirement by the Official Weigh In (except Varsity) will be permanently moved to the next weight class.
Once a player is moved up, they cannot be moved back down. The accepting division will not be limited to the 40 player maximum rule if the reason for exceeding the maximum is heavy players being forced to move up.
Any player on a “Wait List” must attend an Official Weigh In in order to be eligible for play should that player obtain a roster spot.
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Pasco Police Athletic League
Football Rules
C. All players will receive 10 hours of conditioning prior to participating in ANY player – to – player contact, this includes walk through or half speed contact drills.
Tackling dummies and blocking shields may be used after 6 hours of conditioning.
D. Teams are allowed to add players to their rosters after the season begins, however, rosters freeze on the day of Jamboree. Players that are signed up after the season begins are still subject to the 10 hours of conditioning prior to participating in any player-to-player contact. EXCEPTION: - Players that tried out and practiced with a School team and then signed up with PPAL will not be required to complete the 10 hours of conditioning prior to participating in player-to-player contact, unless it is deemed necessary by the Head Coach of the team the player in question has joined.
1. Any player that is rostered on a High School Football team is not eligible to play on a PPAL team.
2. Any player in the PPAL program must be enrolled in a school program. Jr. Flyweight is exempt from this requirement.
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Pasco Police Athletic League
Football Rules
E. Practice will begin on a date set by the PPAL Executive Board and teams will be limited to 10 hours of practice per week. On first day of school in Pasco County, practice will be reduced to 6 hours per week and remain at 6 hours per week for the duration of the season.
II. Weigh – In Procedures
A. The scales must be of a balance type and certified in the league playing year. An Official pre season weigh in will be conducted the Saturday prior to Jamboree. Any player that is absent or does not make weight at the pre season weigh in will be required to weigh in at Jamboree. It will be the responsibility of the Leagues hosting the Jamboree and First Round of Playoffs to supply a certified scale for Official Weigh In. For Post Season, another weigh in will be conducted at the First Round Playoff locations to verify the weights of the players progressing to Post Season Play. It will be the responsibility of each Director to weigh each child and record this weight and make available to any Executive Board Member during the season. These records will be kept for the entire season. Acceptable weight is player weight only (players will not wear pads for weigh-ins). Player may wear gym shorts for weigh in. The official game jersey must accompany the player during any weigh in.
b.
B. Each team must provide an Official Hard Copy Roster of all players in that division. If there is a “Wait List”, there must be another roster titled Wait List for those players to weigh in. Rosters will be in numerical order for that division. All players on an official “wait list” will be required to weigh in at one of the designated times and place.
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Pasco Police Athletic League
Football Rules
Each player’s official file must be available at the Roster Sign In and also for the entire game day to the opposing Director or PPAL Executive Board Member. Directors or designee are responsible for the official records. Each player must be in possession of his or her official game jersey at the time of Weigh In or Roster Sign In.
C. All players for the first game are required to be present at the field 1 hour prior to the start of such game for Roster Sign In. All other players will be required to be present during the half time of the previous game for Roster Sign In. The home field will designate a location for Roster Sign In for both teams. This area will be clearly marked.
D. The second consecutive week a player misses Roster Sign In
Or is listed as injured they must provide a doctor’s note in order to return. If an injured player still participates in Roster Sign Ins, even though they cannot play in the game, then this requirement does not apply.
E. No weight loss medication or technique not approved by a board certified physician should be used for weight loss.
1. Weight loss shall only be obtained by normal physical conditioning. Use of artificial means to obtain weight loss by any player shall be prohibited unless specifically prescribed in writing by a licensed physician for health reasons.
2. Any coach or any other supervisor advising or condoning the use of artificial means to obtain weight loss shall be suspended from participation in any League activity for one (1) year.
F. Helmets will not be worn during weigh – INS.
G. A PPAL Executive Board Member will be at all weigh-ins.
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Pasco Police Athletic League
Football Rules
III. Scrimmage Games
A. Non – League games and scrimmages (games and scrimmages with a non PPAL team). The PPAL Executive Board must be advised of scrimmage games with non-PPAL teams prior to scheduling.
B. No Executive Board notification is required for scrimmages with other PPAL teams as long as the teams are in the same age and weight classification.
C. At no time will teams cross age and weight divisions for scrimmages or practices. (In either league or non-league scrimmages)
IV. PPAL Game Rules
A. PPAL play will be governed by NFHS Football Rules unless specifically exempted or addressed in these rules. The PPAL will provide two (2) copies of the NFHS Rules for Football to each league. Individual leagues may purchase additional books.
B. All games will be played in the following sequence and at the listed times:
Day Games Night Games
Jr. Flyweights 9:00 AM 11:00 AM
Flyweights 11:00 AM 1:00 PM
Mighty Mites 1:00 PM 3:00 PM
Jr. Varsity 3:00 PM 5:00 PM
Varsity 5:00 PM 7:00 PM
*Any game time changes must be approved by the Executive Board.
C. Jr. Flyweights – Due to the age in this division, the following rules will apply for this division only:
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Pasco Police Athletic League
Football Rules
1. The length of the field will be eighty (80) yards. Goal lines shall be placed at the Ten (10) yard line. This is the responsibility of the Home Team.
2. Jr. Flyweights will kick off from the 30 yard line and the ball will become live after 10 yards of travel.
3. For an extra point, the ball will be placed on the opponent’s 3 yard line. If the offense runs the ball for a score it is one (1) point, if the offense passes for a score, it is two (2) points.
4. After a Safety, the ball will be placed on the fields’ 20 yard line for a free kick.
5. Fumbles and interceptions are both live balls and may be advanced.
6. On fourth (4th) down, the team will have the option to kick the ball (freely with no rush) or declare a punt and have the ball placed 20 yards from the line of scrimmage.
7. Any rule not addressed in this section (IV. D.) will be covered by the remainder of this document and/or the NFHS Football Rule book.
D. The home team must turn in scores (via email) by 6:00 PM, on the Sunday following the game, to the Vice President of Operations and the League President.
The Vice President of Operations may request that scores be phoned in instead of emailed, but in either case, they must be received by 6:00 PM on Sunday or the violating league will be fined $ 50.00.
E. Coach Attendance Policy for games.
1. If a coach, A.D., or League Board Member cannot be at the game, the team is not allowed to take the field.
F. Post Game Requirements
1. Teams will leave the playing area immediately following the post game handshake, i.e. no team meetings on the field.
G. Helmets must be worn during the post game handshake.
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Pasco Police Athletic League
Football Rules
H. The conference representatives (White Hats) from both leagues, as well as the coaches of both teams that played, must be on the field at the end of the game. Any coach that fails to abide with this rule will result in a one (1) game suspension.
I. All eligible receivers must wear white wrist bands on both wrists. If the player is wearing a long sleeve white shirt, skin must show between wristband and shirt. Non eligible receivers may not wear white tape.
J. After scoring, Jr. Varsity and Varsity will follow NFHS rules for extra points (2 points for running or passing and 1 point for kicking). Flyweights and Mighty Mites will receive 2 points for kicking and 1 point for running or passing.
K. Flyweights will not delay movements on punts, field goals, or extra points, the play will be live on the snap as it is in other divisions.
L. The Jr. Flyweight and Flyweight Coaches (One coach at a time per team) are allowed to remain on the field during play, but must move behind the back judge on defense and the referee on offense. The coaches cannot coach from the field once the teams break the huddle and approach the line of scrimmage.
Violation of this rule will result in a 5 yard delay of game penalty called by either the back judge or the referee.
M. Use of headphones: Players may not wear head phones
Jr. Flyweight and Flyweight Coaches on the field may not wear headphones; coaches on the sidelines in all divisions may wear head phones.
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Pasco Police Athletic League
Football Rules
N. Any league that cannot field a team/squad for a division game will forfeit the game and pay a $150.00 fine to the opposing team. (Maximum $150.00 fine per division per game day).These fines may be waived by the President by showing of just cause. If neither league can provide a team in a division, the fine will be paid to PPAL.
O. Any team that does not have a minimum of 11 players for a game will forfeit that game. If the team has exactly 11 players and during the game on of the players is injured and cannot continue play, then the game shall be considered a forfeit at that time. The League Directors may mutually agree, at their own discretion, to continue the game for the benefit of the players with the final score not impacting the outcome of the game.
P. Games that are discontinued or are not played for any reason will be rescheduled by the League Directors as soon as possible. Failure to participate in a continued or rescheduled game will result in a forfeit.
Q. If a team with 13 or less eligible players and elects to play 9 man Tackle Football, the Director will notify the opposing Director and the President by email no later than 5 PM on Tuesday preceding that week’s game. NFHS rules will then apply. Failure to notify will result in a Forfeit.
R. Metal on Football equipment:
1. No visible metal cleats or tips may be worn. Cleats may be encased in rubber.
2. No metal chin – strap clips may be worn.
S. Colored mouthpieces must be attached to the face mask. Exceptions may be made for special orthodontic mouthpieces.
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Pasco Police Athletic League
Football Rules
T. Game Footballs – The home team will provide game footballs which are in good playing condition and in the following regulation sizes:
1. Jr. Flyweight Wilson K-2 or equivalent
2. Flyweight Wilson K-2 or equivalent
3. Mighty Mites Wilson TDJ or equivalent
4. Jr. Varsity Wilson TDY or equivalent
5. Varsity Wilson TDS or equivalent
* Each team may elect to use their own football as long as it meets the required prerequisites.
** Host teams for Playoff games and for Super bowl must furnish NEW footballs for each game.
U. Attendance and participation requirements:
1. Players must physically participate in practices during the week to be eligible to play on Saturdays. A player may miss one (1) practice during the week and remain eligible. Coming to practice and watching does not constitute attendance of a practice.
2. Coaches will keep written attendance reports for practice and turn them in to the League’s Athletic Director on a weekly basis and they will be retained for the remainder of the season. These reports will be made available to opposing teams Directors or any Executive Board Member.
3. Players must participate in at least 6 of the 10 regular season games in order to be eligible to participate in post – season play. If a player misses more than 4 games due to legitimate medical condition and a
detailed doctor’s note is provided; the PPAL President may elect to deem that player eligible for post season.
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Pasco Police Athletic League
Football Rules
a. League Directors wishing to have post season eligibility granted to any player missing more than 4 games, due to a legitimate medical condition, must put that request in writing, along with the supporting documents provided by a physician, and deliver such request to the PPAL President four (4) days prior to the scheduled event.
b. The PPAL President will determine player eligibility on a case by case basis, based on the written documentation provided.
c. Special requests received on the day of the event will not be considered.
In order for a player to be eligible for exception consideration, all games missed must have been the result of a legitimate documented medical problem. The following examples are players that would not be eligible for exemption consideration:
A player misses two (2) games due to a family vacation and then misses another four (4) games due to a broken arm. In this example the player would not be eligible due to the fact that only 4 of the missed games were due to the medical problem.
a. A player signs up after three (3) games have already been played and then misses another three games due to a medical problem. In this example the player would not be eligible due to the fact that only three (3) of the missed games were due to the legitimate medical problem.
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Pasco Police Athletic League
Football Rules
V. Mandatory Play Rule – PPAL uses a “sliding scale” in which the required mandatory plays for each player will be determined by the number of players a team has eligible for that game during Roster Sign In. The following scale applies in determining the required mandatory plays:
27 or more players – every player must play a minimum 8 plays
23-26 players – every player must play a minimum 10 plays
19-22 players – every player must play a minimum 12 plays
18 and Below – every player must play a minimum 14 plays
**Failure to comply with the Mandatory Play Rule will result if a forfeit of each game and Suspension of the Head Coach.**
**A dead ball foul or taking a knee does not constitute a play.
W. Play Count
1. Play count sheets will be provided by each team and they are to be completed during the game and turned in to the League Directors of their respective Leagues upon completion of the game. These play sheets will be kept for the remainder of the year by both Directors. If a team is being play counted by the opposing team, the play counter must be on the sidelines of the team being play counted and advise the Head Coach as to his/her presence. They will stand next to the team play counter. Play counters will compare each count at the end of each quarter and any discrepancies brought to the attention of each Director. Play counters will remain with the team during the entire game and halftime and must not use cell phones, head phones or any other communication device.
2 .At Roster Check In the League Official conducting the Roster Check will indicate at the top of the play count sheet how many eligible players the team has for that game and the mandatory plays required for each player.
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Pasco Police Athletic League
Football Rules
X. Mercy Rule – When a team gets a lead of 30 or more points the following rules will apply:
1. The leading team may not pass, onside kick, call timeouts, and all plays must be running plays inside both offensive tackles.
2. The losing Head Coach will designate 5 players from the leading team that can only play defense for the remainder of the game or until within 21 points.
3. A running clock is mandatory in the 4th quarter when one team is leading by 30 or more points. The decision to institute a running clock prior to the 4th quarter when a team is winning by 30 or more points is solely at the discretion of the losing Head Coach, not the officials.
Y. Field Rules
1. It is the responsibility of the Home team to ensure all equipment for play is available, the field is properly lined and the area is safe.
2. The Home team will provide chain crew for all games. In the interest of fairness, chain crews are prohibited use of their cell phones during any part of the game. Chain crews also will not cheer, harass any players, or coach in any way.
3. It is the responsibility of the Home team to insure payment to the officiating crew is completed per the contract signed by the Executive Board.
Z. Roster Sign In Procedures.
1. A designated area will be provided and clearly marked for the Roster Sign In area.
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Pasco Police Athletic League
Football Rules
2. All players will be lined up in numerical order as on the roster with their assigned game jerseys for check in.
3. Each Director of designee will initial in each assigned block if the player is available for play - Initials, Discipline – D, Injured – I, or Absent – A.
** Any child being disciplined by a coach or director must submit the reasons and have available to the opposing coach or director. This reason must be substantiated by both Directors. A written statement and parent notification will also be required.
4. Any player not available at Roster Sign In is not eligible for play that day.
5. The team’s hard cards and informational file will be immediately to the Directors or any Executive Board member during the entire day.
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