MCYFL 2023 SEASON RULES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1) REGISTRATION
2) ASSIGNMENT OF PLAYERS
3) RED CAP RULE
4) GENERAL COACHES RULES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
5) EQUIPMENT DAY
6) DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES
7) RULES FOR CONDITIONING IN ALL DIVISIONS
8) TEAM PRACTICE/SCRIMMAGES
9) PEE WEE DIVISION RULES
10) JUNIOR DIVISION RULES
11) REGULAR SEASON PLAY
12) SPONSORSHIP DAY
13) PLAYOFFS
*****NEW RULES ARE IN RED OR HIGHLIGHTED
1) REGISTRATION
A. Time, date, and place to be set by the board of MCYFL.
B. All registration will be under the supervision of MCYFL DIRECTORS.
C. All registration forms must be signed by the parent or guardian at
the official registration time and place and in the presence of a
board member. If anyone other than a parent or guardian is signing
a player, they must provide a notarized authorization from parent
or guardian giving permission for player to register. The parent or
guardian will still be required to sign the league registration form
before the player will be allowed to practice.
D. ALL FEES must be paid before a player is assigned to a team. No
partial payments will be allowed without board approval.
E. A birth certificate, report card, school portal, and proof of residence (if not
showing on report card) must be presented at time of registration.
The address on the report card will be the address used for team
assignment.
F. Player must be present at time of registration.
G. Any player that is too old to play and the league finds out will be
removed from that team. The impact to the team’s win/lost record will be at the LEAGUE’S discretion.
If the date is wrong on the registration form and was done
to mislead the league, the board will not give a refund. If the date
is correct and the league did not catch it a refund may be given.
2) ASSIGNMENT OF PLAYERS
A. The board of MCYFL will assign all players to their teams.
B. Players are assigned according to the pre-determined districts by
directors of MCYFL as follows:
Peewee Division - By Elementary School
Junior Division - By Address
Senior Division - By Middle School
C. Team rosters are limited to 33 players.
D. Returning players will be assigned to the team they played for the
previous season, or to the team in their district. (Jr. returning
players moving to Sr. division will be assigned to a team according
to their SR team district.)
E. Coach and his sons/daughters may become members of the same
team even though it may be out of their district in which they live.
This option is not available to any other player. A player/coach
wishing to play/coach out of district must be a coach in the league
1 year prior.
F. Weight/Age Guidelines are as follows:
PEE WEE DIVISION - WEIGHT GUIDELINES
- 8-year-old, No top weight, No red cap
- 9-year-old, Top weight 125 lbs., (91 lbs. to 125 lbs. red cap)
- 10-year-old, Top weight 105lbs, (91 lbs. to 105 lbs. red cap)
***ages based on September 1st date***
JUNIOR DIVISION - WEIGHT GUIDELINES
- 9-year-old, 126lbs to unlimited weight (165 lbs. & up red cap rule)
- 10-year-old, 106 to unlimited weight (165 lbs. & up red cap rule)
- 11-year-old, top weight 165lbs (125lbs to 165lbs red cap rule)
- 12-year-old, top weight 125lbs
- 13-year-old, top weight 110lbs
***ages based on December 1st date***
SENIOR DIVISION - WEIGHT GUIDELINES
- 10-year-old, 175lbs & Up
- 11-year-old, 165lbs & Up
- 12-year-old, 126lbs & Up
- 13-year-old, 111lbs & Up
- 14/15-year-old, 101lbs & Up
***ages based on September 1st date***
(A 15-YEAR OLD PLAYER IS ELIGIBLE BUT MAY NOT TURN 16 BEFORE DECEMBER 1ST)
(RED CAP RULE 176 LBS & UP)
3) RED CAP RULE
These rules apply to red caps in all divisions:
A. Red caps can only play on the offensive or defensive line; and must
be in a 3 or 4-point stance. NO STANDING DEFENSIVE ENDS.
B. Red caps cannot play on kick-off or kick-off return teams.
C. Red caps cannot advance the ball on fumble recoveries or
interceptions.
D. Red caps are allowed to kick field goals, extra points, and punt. If
the snap is muffed and the ball is still in play, it cannot be
advanced by the red cap (for JR/SR DIVISION).
E. On offense, a red cap may be used as a tight end in a 3 or 4-point
stance. He or she is not allowed to carry or catch a pass. If you use
a red cap as a tight end and throw or run the ball it will result in
loss of down, and the ball will be returned to the original line of
scrimmage.
F. Any player that removes the red stripe from their helmet or
conceals it with another decal will be removed from that game and
will be suspended for the following game. If a player does this
twice, he or she will be removed from the league, and the head
coach will be suspended for one week including the following game.
RED CAP RULES FOR PEEWEE:
1. Red caps cannot play on kick off and kick return.
2. Red caps must be in a down position (three or four-point stances)
Line of Scrimmage.
3. Red cap is allowed to punt. If the snap is muffed the play is dead.
4. Red caps cannot advance the ball at all.
4) GENERAL COACHES RULES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
I. GENERAL COACHES RULES
A. All coaches must be approved and reviewed by the board of MCYFL.
B. Teams are allowed a maximum of five coaches on the sideline
during a game - a head coach and four assistant coaches. Teams are
allowed three water persons. Water persons must be of league
age. 1 Team Mom plus 1 Team Photographer is allowed also.
C. MCYFL plays under the National Federation of High School
Associations Official Football Rules and its own league
amendments. Coaches are responsible to know and enforce these
rules and regulations. Youth coaches cannot coach High School
Sports without League Approval.
D. Coaches are not allowed to register players or to accept any money
for registration without MCYFL League approval.
E. Coaches that are referees are not allowed to officiate any league
games.
F. Mental or physical abuse of any player by a coach will not be
tolerated.
G. Any coach that removes his or her team from the playing field
during a game will be removed from the league.
H. All coaches are required to be certified by the USA FOOTBALL
before the start of the season. (June 20, 2023, starts season)
I. All coaches & team moms are required to have a background check
done before they are allowed to participate in practice. The
league will pay the cost for 5 coaches and one team parent (total of 6 paid by League). The cost of any additional certifications and background checks (if a coach is no longer with team) will be done at the head coach’s expense. COACHES MUST BE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE, PASS A BACKGROUND CHECK AND BE USA FOOTBALL HEADS UP CERTIFIED.
J. Coaches must wear proper attire during game times, ID tags must be
worn & be visible at all times during your game.
K. Teams are only allowed to ask for no more than $75.00 for
participation team fee.
L. PRESS BOX DUTIES - Following the end of each game, one coach from each team
will report to their playing field press box to assist with press box
duties. Coaches work duties will run from start of the next game to the
end of the game and will rotate as follows. If duties are not needed at
that time, the coach the coach may be excused.
M. MCYFL reserves the right to appoint, dismiss, or reprimand any
coach or player at any time needed.
N. Derogatory or inappropriate comments posted on social media by persons representing MCYFL, such as a coach, team mom, etc. may be subject to league suspension or removal.
II. HEAD COACHES RESPONSIBILITIES
In addition to all the rules listed in this guide, head coaches and their
coaching staff are subject to the following:
A. Each team will be assigned a time to work the concession stand. It is
the head coach’s responsibility to make sure there are 7 adults working
during their assigned time. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE CHEERLEADERS, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR HAVING ADULTS IN TICKET BOOTH AS WELL.
B. Each team will be issued 25 fundraiser (Sonny’s) tickets per player on
equipment day. It is the head coach’s responsibility to collect the money
and tickets from the players and return to the league on Jamboree Day.
This fundraiser is the biggest income source for the league and allows us
to have the best equipment and facilities for our players.
C. All league equipment must be returned to the league at the end of the
season. No equipment is allowed to be altered, such as changing
facemasks on a helmet. If any equipment needs to be altered or
exchanged, please see a league official.
D. COACHES GET ONE FREE DRINK AT CONCESSION PER DAY, COACH MUST PRESENT BADGE.
Any coach found in violation of the rules in this guide will be subject
to disciplinary action by the league.
5) EQUIPMENT DAY
A. Official Weigh-in day will be on Equipment Day. Players will be
weighed for Division assignment and redcap designation. Players
will be weighed before they are issued equipment. Players must be
weighed and registered before they practice with a team. Any
player who practices with a team before being weighed may be
placed on the higher division team in his/her district.
B. No Coach or Team will be allowed to alter any MCYFL equipment at
any time without league approval. Removing league face mask is
prohibited. Install face shields is allowed as long as they are clear
and not smoke screened.
C. All equipment will be turned in the day that the season ends.
Players will not leave the MCYFL Field until all equipment is turned
in. This is the coach’s responsibility to turn in all MCYFL property.
D. A player will not be able to play if he/she did not return equipment
in prior to the year before. It is the Head Coaches responsibility to
turn in all equipment of players that have quit or have been injured
during the season.
6) DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES
A. Player may not play in this league if he or she participates in any
other organized tackle football league.
B. Players may not change teams within the league without board
approval.
C. Coaches may suspend players from practice or games for the
following reasons:
1. Disciplinary problems
2. Health or injury problems (must have Doctor release to return to
practice)
3. Failure to come to practice or games without an approved excuse
4. Failure to follow directions of a coach
5. Fighting before or after a game or during practice
6. Reinstatement of players that have quit or been suspended must
apply to the Board of MCYFL before they can return.
D. Any player or coach that is ejected from a game is suspended for the
following week of practice and the next game; all ejections will be
reviewed by MCYFL Board of Directors.
1. In addition, any player suspended for fighting will have a two-week suspension, which includes not attending two weeks of practice and two games.
2. Behavior issues relating to PLAYERS being nonresponsive to coaches, referees, league officials could lead to a three-week suspension, which includes not attending three weeks of practice and three games.
3. Any player that is suspended or ejected, the player must turn in helmet and shoulder pads to league officials until allowed to return.
4. Any players or coaches that are ejected during a game will be immediately escorted by a team coach out of the facility to leave Jervey Gantt Park for the remainder of the day.
5. Board WILL review film as appropriate to assess/determine action associated with on-field behavior.
E. Any player flagged for taunting will be reviewed by the League for disciplinary action
7) RULES FOR CONDITIONING IN ALL DIVISIONS
No conditioning before June 19, 2023
At least one coach must attend the coaches meeting on June 10th, 2023, before their team can condition. If teams are unable to attend the coaches meeting a make-up meeting will be held at a later date and at least one coach must attend in order to start conditioning.
Every coach must be background checked and USA Football certified before participating in conditioning. Links available on MCYFL website
Conditioning consists of a maximum of two workouts a week one hour session starting no earlier than 6pm and not held on consecutive days.
NO CONTACT OF ANY KIND DURING CONDITIONING!!!
The weeks of June 20, through July 4 will be considered strictly conditioning there shall be No footballs may be used. Ladders may be used for foot work. No running plays.
The week of July 11, through July 25 shall be considered skills weeks where footballs WILL be allowed for the purpose of teaching throwing and catching skills (NO RUNNING PLAYS NO TACKLE DUMMYS, NO SLEDS, NO SHIVE DUMMIES,
ETC.
All head coaches must submit time, date, and location of conditioning practices.
IF A COACH IF FOUND IN VIOLATION OF THE RULES SET FORTH FOR CONDITIONING, THE HEAD COACH SHALL BE SUSPENDED FOR THE JAMBOREE AND PLACED ON PROBATION FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON INCLUDING PLAYOFFS AND CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES. IF A SECOND VIOLATION OCCURS BEFORE THE END OF THE SEASON, HE SHALL BE TERMINATED.
If you have any questions about these rules reach out to your REP.
All coaches must be completely background checked & certified. Reps could be checking unannounced.
Please use good judgment and have plenty of water. 2x's a week for only 1 hour.
8) TEAM PRACTICE/SCRIMMAGES
***NO SATURDAY OR SUNDAY PRACTICES ALLOWED***
A. First week of practice is in shorts/helmets…. Last 2 days of the first
week’s players may wear shoulder pads/helmets/shorts.
B. Practice before Jamboree – teams are allowed 5 nights a week, 2
hour practices.
C. Regular Season Practice – teams are allowed 4 nights a week, 1 ½
hour practices (1 of the days during the week must be in
shorts/helmets).
D. 2 hour & 1 ½ hour practices include all conditioning and practice
times.
E. All regular season practices must end no later than 7:30pm.
F. All coaches are responsible for their practice areas.
PRACTICE TIMES:
1. Teams must have a least (5) consecutive practice days in shorts and
helmets. (August 5, 2022)
2. Teams are allowed to practice first (5) days when the season starts. (August 15, 2022)
3. After the first five-day teams must drop to (4) practices per week
(no weekends).
4. Teams may practice in full gear every night up to Jamboree Day (2
HOUR TIME LIMIT). (August 27th)
5. After Jamboree Day teams can stay (4) practices per week (three in
full gear and one practice in shorts and helmets 1.5 hours per
practice. (August 29th)
SCRIMMAGE GAMES:
1. Each team is allowed (2) one before and one after Jamboree.
2. No scrimmage games after the season starts.
9) PEE WEE DIVISION RULES
COACHES:
1. One head coach per team.
2. Four assistants per team.
3. Only one coach allowed to be on the field during the game. This
coach is considered part of the playing field and is subject to all
rules as a player and could be flagged according to judgment calls
by the official.
4. If coach is ejected from a game! (High School rules) will not be
allowed to be at practice and the game the following week.
5. If any coach that touches, pushes and uses foul language (etc.) to
any official that coach will be removed from the game and will not
return as a coach!
PLAY TIME:
1. Each player has mandatory (6) plays during the game.
2. Field Goal do not count as plays.
3. Each player must play 3 plays per half.
4. 1 Coach will count players plays.
GAME INFRACTIONS:
1. Mandatory play first infraction is meeting with the Pee-Wee
directors.
2. Second infraction possible to be suspended for one week from
practice and one game.
3. Third infraction possible removal as head coach.
GAME RULES:
Extra point one point (running and/or passing the ball).
2. Extra point – two (for kicking).
3. If your team is kicking the ball for two points, you must inform the
opposing coach of your intentions. No rushing the kicker. If long
snap is muffed, it is a dead ball.
4. Teams attempting a punt must inform the opposing team.
5. Defense cannot rush the punter.
6. If the ball rolls on the ground to the punter player, punter may pick
it up and punt.
7. If the ball goes over the punters head the play is dead. (Cannot pick
it up and advance the ball).
8. 8-minute quarters with three-time outs per half.
10) JUNIOR DIVISION CONFERENCE RULES
- The Jr. Division will be split into 2 separate conferences, Blue
and Gray (the League colors.)
- Each team will have an eight game schedule and will play all six
teams in their conference and two teams within area and rivalry.
If the League chooses to add teams the number of cross
conference games will change accordingly. We can
accommodate eighteen teams without expanding the length of
the season.
- The 9th week will be a conference playoff where 1 plays 4 and 2
plays 3 within their respective conference. Teams ranked lower
than 4 will play their respective counterparts in the other
conference (5 Gray vs. 5 Blue, 6 Gray vs. 6 Blue, and 7 Gray vs. 7
Blue.)
- The Conference rankings will base on:
1. Record within the conference
2. Record of Head-to-Head competition
3. Total Record
- A playoff will only be necessary if the top 4 places are unclear.
- Should the placement within the top 4 be unclear, playoff
seeding will be by lot.
- If a playoff becomes necessary, it shall be played as early as
scheduling permits on week 8.
PLAYOFF RULES:
Top four teams with a best win/loss record each division.
Division playoff schedule:
- Team #1 vs. Team #4 winner moves to next round division games.
- Team #2 vs. Team #3 winner moves to next round division games.
*If two teams with same record use head to head game to determine
the position the teams will be seeded.
*If both A and B cannot determine seeding, a coin toss by a player
from each team will determine the seeded positions.
*If three or more teams have the same record a coin toss will
determine which team has the first round by and will play the winner
of the first game with play by team to determine which team moves
on to the play off. Each round of play will be ¼. Each team has one
time out. If at the end of the quarter, the game is tied, tie breaker
rules are applied.
11) REGULAR SEASON PLAY
A. Games will be (4) quarters
Peewee Division - 8 minute quarters
Jr. Division time - 9 minute quarters
Sr. Division time - 10 minute quarters
B. Game time - you must have your team ready 45 minutes ahead of
scheduled game times to take the field.
C. Games ending in a tie (regular season) will go into an overtime
game as follows:
1. Ball will be placed on the 10-yard line; each team will have 4
downs to score
2. If game is still tied after both teams have attempted to score,
the ball will be placed on the 5-yard line which both teams will
have 4 downs to score.
D. Conversion attempts kicked count as 2 points, and attempts ran
from scrimmage count as 1 point.
REGULAR SEASON TIE BREAKERS (KANSAS CITY TIE BREAKER):
1. If the game ends in a tie, a coin toss will determine which team has
choice of offense or defense. (With no delays).
2. First round of tie breaker, ball placed on the ten-yard line and each
team has four downs to score.
3. If the first-round ends in a tie, the ball will be placed on the 5-yard
line and continue until we have a winner.
4. PATs may be run/thrown (for 1 point) or kicked (for 2 points) in any round.
DELAY OF GAMES FOR CONDITIONS OUT OF CONTROL
1. All game delays will be made up the following week, before next games begin.
2. If a game is stopped after half time with a team winning the game, it will be considered a complete game.
3. Games that are stopped it with a tie will have to return to finish game.
4. If a game is stopped before half time, it will be considered incomplete, and the team will return at the next available day to complete the game.
5. Field of play will be reset to exactly what it was the night of the delay. Example if a game ended with 3:15 left on the clock with the ball on 30-yard line, 3rd down and 11 yards to go, going towards the south end zone with the ball with a home team possession. That is how the game would be reset the next available night to continue the game.
12) SPONSORSHIP DAY
A. Each head coach is required to find a team sponsor prior to the
beginning on the season. By picture day each coach needs to turn in
all artwork to the league for signs to be placed through-out the field
and yearbook distribution.
B. Week 6 is Pee Wee Division Sponsorship Day.
C. Week 7 is Junior Division Sponsorship Day.
D. Week 8 is Senior Division Sponsorship Day.
E. All head coaches are required to organize and present MCYFL
Sponsorship Plaque to their sponsor @ halftime during their game.
It will be the responsibility of that coach to inform sponsors of date
and time of event.
13) PLAYOFFS
PLAYOFF ELIGIBILITY
A. Playoff berths are based on the best win/loss records in the division
or conference. In event of a tie, a previous head-to-head match-up
will be used as a tiebreaker. If there is no head-to-head matchup, a
tie breaker will be played according to the Oklahoma shoot-out rules.
The Oklahoma shoot-out will also be used when there is a
three-way tie (especially in the Senior Division). The tie breaker
will only be played to determine playoff eligibility. This tie breaker
will be played on the last day of the regular season.
B. A coin toss will be used to determine a tie between placing of the 4
teams in the playoffs (especially the Senior Division).
PLAYOFF GAME PLAY RULES
All rules from the regular season apply except as follows:
A. Week 9 Pee Wee & Junior Division Playoffs will count as regular
season play. This means all teams will run 8- & 9-minute quarters
during their playoff games.
B. Week 10 (Final Playoffs) Senior Division will run 12 minute
Quarters; Junior Division will run 10-minute Quarters during
playoffs.
PLAYOFF TIE BREAKERS (KANSAS CITY TIE BREAKER):
1. If the game ends in a tie, a coin toss will determine which team has
choice of offense or defense. (With no delays).
2. First round of tie breaker, ball placed on the ten-yard line and each
team has four downs to score.
3. If the first-round ends in a tie, the ball will be placed on the 5-yard
line and continue until we have a winner.
4. PATs may be run/thrown (for 1 point) or kicked (for 2 points) in any round.
END of SEASON 3-WAY TIE BREAKER
If at the end of the season, there is a 3-way tie for the 4th playoff. The 3 teams would return on the next available night to determine the 4th spot in playoffs.
The teams would meet to draw straws to determine the playing order
The game will be played for 1 quarter. If it ends in a tie the KANSAS CITY TIE BREAKER rules will apply.
The winner will play the last team the same way. 1 quarter of play and if no winner then Kansas City Tie Breaker rules will be followed until a winner is determined.
The winning team from this will play in the 4th spot in the play-offs.
New Rules in the 2023 Season
Each team is to have ALL Players/Coaches/Cheer squad/ Chain Crew and Officials in the end zone @ 7:50am. National Anthem is to begin on the upper field A @ 7:55-8:00am. Any violation will be addressed during the MCYFL team review in January.
All MCYFL Football Jerseys will use the last “LEGAL” name. NO nicknames of any sort. Each team will either NO NAMES or ALL players will have last name on jersey, as stated on MCYFL application.
MCYFL provides 1 Jersey and 1 pair of game pants. NO Coach or Sponsor is allowed to order extra Jerseys or game pants without league approval. NO Coach or Sponsor may use the MCYFL logo without league approval.
All MCYFL Head Coaches must provide each player/ parent access to HUD1 game film. The Head Coach can appoint personnel from their team to provide player/parent access to HUD1.
Sponsorship team fee Football/ Cheer must be turned in on MCYFL Equipment Day. This includes full artwork emailed to Goodtime Printing.
FULL ROSTERS FOOTBALL/CHEER ARE DUE ON PICTURE DAY. Rosters are to be E-mailed to GOODTIME PRINTING FOR THE YEARBOOK. A copy for football is also turned in for the press box: Football is to have players full legal name, numbers 00-99 with all coaches, team mom and sponsor.
No 1 team affiliated with MCYFL may visit any school public or private without league approval for recruiting purposes. Teams must have league approval.
Every Football/Cheer coach must be fully background checked and certified before any conditioning or practice.
Every Football Coach, Cheer Coach, Team Mom must wear badge in a way it is always visible.
Any roster changes, player number, adding or removing names off the roster including coaches must be board approved prior the any game. If it is a name change, we need supporting documents.
TEAM MOMS/ PHOTO PERSONNEL MAY NOT ENGAGE ANY OFFICIAL DURING A GAME.
NO TIME OUTS WILL BE DONE DURING THE LAST 2 MINUTES OF A GAME IF THERE IS A RUNNING CLOCK.