PIEDMONT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

MITE FOOTBALL RULES ONLY (7-8 YEARS OLD)

REVISED JULY 2009

1.                  No player can be added to rosters after the season starts.

 

2.                  Any head coach using illegal players will be suspended from the league for a minimum of one (1) year, and the team will forfeit all games that have been played.  The recreation department could also be put on probation.

 

3.                  No player will be allowed to play out of the county of their residence.  Example: Players who live in Spalding County cannot play in Butts County. Exception: If that county doesn’t have a league for that age group.  Example: Spalding County has no 7-8 year old league; player would play in the nearest county.

 

4.                  Team rosters will be limited to maximum of up to (22) players per team, unless approval is granted by the Recreation Department staff. If a team gets down to having only 10 players, games will be played with 10 players and position of Running Back or Wide Receiver will be eliminated at the coaches’ discretion.  If a team gets down to 9 players, games will be forfeited. 

 

 

5.                  EACH PLAYER MUST BE GIVEN PLAYING TIME EQUIVALENT OF ONE QUARTER (8 MINUTES).  PARTICIPATING AGENCIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING HOW THE PLAY TIME IS WORKED IN FOR THEIR TEAMS.  THE OBJECT OF THE PROGRAM IS FOR BOYS/GIRLS TO PLAY – WIN OR LOSE.  PLAYERS WHO ARE NOT PLAYING BECAUSE OF DISCIPLINARY REASONS OR SICKNESS MUST BE REPORTED TO THE PARENT AND REC. STAFF BEFORE THE GAME BEGINS.  EACH TEAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CHARTING THEIR OWN PLAYING TIME. 

 

                                                              i.      SPALDING COUNTY PLAYERS MUST HAVE PLAYED A COMPLETE QUARTER BY HALF TIME.

 

                                                            ii.      BUTTS COUNTY PLAYERS MUST PLAY A MINIMUM OF 2 MINUTES PER QUARTER.

 

                                                          iii.       THOMASTON/UPSON COUNTY PLAYERS MUST HAVE PLAYED 8 MINUTES BY GAME END.

 

 

NOTE:  IF IT IS DETERMINED BY THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT STAFF THAT A COACH HAS VIOLATED THIS RULE, THE CHARTING COACH SHALL BE SUSPENDED FROM HIS TEAM’S NEXT GAME AND THE COACH MUST MEET WITH THE PARKS AND RECREATION STAFF BEFORE BEING ALLOWED TO COACH AGAIN. EACH PARTICIPATING RECREATION DEPARTMENT WILL HANDLE THEIR OWN COMPLAINTS/VIOLATIONS.

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6.                  Games will be played under GHSA rules, with the exception of local rules set up by the Piedmont Football League.

 

7.                  All coaches must stay in the players and coaches box.  (Penalty: 15 yards unsportsmanlike conduct.)  (Two (2) unsportsmanlike, coach ejected.)

 

8.                  Coaches and players must stay outside the twenty (20) yard line.  EXCEPTION: The offensive or defensive coach will be allowed on the field.  The offensive or defensive coach must be fifteen (15) yards from line of scrimmage before the snap of the ball, and must stay fifteen (15) yards behind the original line of scrimmage until the play has been whistled dead and meets with team in the huddle (Penalty: 10 yards).  (35 seconds once football has been whistled in play.)

 

9.                  Clock will stop on time-outs, official time-outs, and scores only, except last two minutes of each half will go by G.H.S.A rules.  (Each team will have three (3) time-outs allowed per half.)  Time-outs cannot be carried over.  Field positions will change at half time only.

 

10.              Mouthpieces are mandatory and must be attached to the helmet.  (Five (5) yard penalty.)

 

11.              All penalties in the Mite League will come under G.H.S.A. rules, but will be changed to ten (10) yards with exception of unsportsmanlike conduct (fifteen (15) yards).  Played on 80 yd. field.

 

12.              No Sunday or Wednesday practices.

 

13.              Any coach, player, or spectator ejected from a ball game will be suspended from all practices, games and Parks and Recreation facilities for a period of one (1) week.  If games do not fall in that time period, suspension will last until the day after the team’s next game.

a.       Any coach or spectator ejected from a ball game could be subject to appear before the football committee.  Any decision made by the football committee will be final.

b.      The agency that has a coach, player or spectator ejected must send the other agency copies of a letter stating the name and penalties.

c.       These games are for the football players, and as soon as game ends, players and coaches are to assemble at mid-field to shake hands.  (OFFICIALS WILL REMAIN ON FIELD UNTIL AFTER THE TEAMS HAVE LEFT MID-FIELD.)  NO PARENTS OR SPECTATORS ALLOWED ON FIELD (COACHES RESPONSIBILITY).

 

14.              Time and Equipment: Games will be played in four (4) quarters of eight (8) minutes.  Clock will run continuously except the last two (2) minutes of the second and fourth quarters and will be played by G.H.S.A. rules.  (Football will be leather or rubber: K-2 or Pee Wee.)

 

 

15.              Two (2) points will be awarded to team that successfully attempts to kick a point after conversion; one (1) point if ran or passed in.

a.       No defensive lineman may leave the line of scrimmage until the ball has been punted.

b.      If holder misses ball, the holder has to pick up the ball.  Kicker cannot touch ball.

c.       No offensive player may cross the line of scrimmage until the ball has been punted.  Lineman must be in a three-point stance.  Cannot lie or kneel down.

d.      The offensive team must declare if it will or will not punt.

e.       Mite League Only: If team does not want to punt, official can mark off twenty (20) yards.  (Unless ball is on the 25- yard line, then it will be half the distance to goal.)

f.       Any over-weight player not playing tackle to tackle will receive a 10-yard penalty.

g.      Any overweight player will have helmet taped at opening day weigh-ins and must be taped every game.  Taped players must play tackle-to-tackle, see example under 14-D (Penalty: 10 yards).  Under-weights can play the gaps.  Any player or head coach who takes tape off helmets will be suspended from the game.  Coach has to go to parking lot, and player may sit on game bench.

 

16.              Age and weight specifications:

a.       Cut-off date is September 1st.

b.      Official weigh-ins will be at first ball game of the season.  Anyone not weighed in opening day must be weighed by the next Saturday (Game Day).  If not weighed then, will have to play tackle to tackle.  Players will have full uniform on for weigh-ins, except for helmet.

 

c.       Unlimited Weight: Anyone over 100 lbs (this is with complete uniform except helmet) must play tackle-to-tackle position; 100 lbs. or less, backfield or end position.  No weight restrictions on the punt and kick-off teams. Over-weight can not run the football on kick off.  Defensive and offensive lineman overweight must play tackle-to-tackle – three-point stance.  Underweight can play gaps.

d.      The player on defense must have his inside foot placed no further than the offensive tackle’s outside foot.  Example: Defensive foot must be to the inside of the offensive player’s outside foot.  He/she cannot point or be in any position that does not line his/her foot up with the offensive tackle’s foot.  On offense, the overweight player must line up as a tackle guard or center.  If there is an unbalanced line, he/she cannot receive a pass.

 

17.              All coaches will turn in a list of all players and their jersey numbers before the first game of the season.  Players must wear the same jersey all season.  Any coach who changes a player’s jersey number without notifying the scorekeeper, official (white cap) and the opposing team will be suspended from the game.  Coach has to go to parking lot, and player may sit on the team bench.  If teams who are playing each other have the same color of jersey, the host team must change jerseys.

 

 

 

18.              Blowout Rule: Anytime a team has a twenty-four (24) point lead, the clock will not stop for any reason, except time-outs.  The team ahead can call a time-out, but if it is determined by the head official that it is solely for the purpose of scoring further, the clock will not be stopped during the time-out.

 

19.              Coaches shall refrain from continuously arguing with officials.  (Penalty: 15 yards, unsportsmanlike conduct and can be ejected.)

 

20.              Only FOUR (4) coaches and one (1) youth water person (age 14 and under) permitted on sidelines. One of the coaches may serve as charting coach. ALL COACHES ON SIDELINES MUST BE NATIONALLY CERTIFIED!  Any coach who is in the coach’s box on the sideline and who is not certified will be suspended until he/she becomes officially certified with any national certifying program approved by Georgia Recreation and Park Association. 

It is the responsibility of the head coach to ensure that all assistant coaches in the coach’s box on the sideline are certified. 

 

All coaches must wear their certification card on the outside of their clothing while in COACHES BOX.  Failure to wear badge may result in suspension.

 

21.              Overtime Rule (If needed)

a.       Start at 20 yard line, and each team will get four (4) downs to score or it will go to penetration.

 

22.              PROTEST FEE OF $100.00 CASH DUE ON THE SPOT!

Protests will be accepted only by head coaches and must be regarding rules, not judgment calls.  It must be made before the next snap of the ball.  Protest will be handled on the spot if possible.  A letter of protest must be turned in to the Recreation Department by 10:00am on the next business day.

The Piedmont Football League committee consists of:

 

                        Angie Stokes                           Spalding County (All age groups)

Jeff Middlebrooks                  Thomaston/ Upson (7/8 and 9/10)

            Kenny Sims                             Butts County (12 & Under only)

                                                 

 

23.              BOWL DAY: Location of Bowl Game will be determined once championship teams are known.  Admission Fee: $2.00 13 and Over; $1.00 12 and Under.  This cannot be changed unless approved by the football committee.

 

24.              All leagues’ final standings will be decided by the Piedmont Football League.  If standing doesn’t declare a winner, it will go to head to head competition.

 

25.              SUSPENSIONS:  Coach’s facing suspension may have the right to an appeal process which is determined by the policy of the individual participating agencies. 

 

 

 

Football Rules Mite 07/09