PIEDMONT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

FOOTBALL RULES FOR PEE WEE, JUNIOR LEAGUES

REVISED JULY 2009

 

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

 

2.                  No player will be eligible to play recreation league if he is listed on a roster for a public or private school football team.  Penalty: Forfeiture of all games played and suspension of coach.

 

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 9-10 or 11-12 year old league; player would play in the nearest county.

 

4.                  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.

 

5.                  Team rosters will be limited to a 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. (Position to be determined by the coach).Game will be forfeited if a team gets down to 9 players.

 

6.                  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 PARENTS AND REC.STAFF BEFORE THE GAME BEGINS.  EACH TEAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CHARTING THEIR OWN PLAYING TIME. 

 

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

 

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

 

c.        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.

 

7.                  All coaches must stay in the player’s and coach’s box.  (Penalty: 15 yards unsportsmanlike conduct.)

 

8.                  Coaches and players must stay outside the twenty (20) yard line on an 80-yard field, 25 yards on a 100-yard field in the PeeWee League, and outside the twenty-five (25) yard line in the Junior League.  All coaches must stay in the players’ and coaches’ box. 

 

9.                  A.  PeeWee and Junior Leagues clock will stop on out of boundaries, incomplete passes, time-outs, official time-outs, penalties and scores only.  (G.H.S.A. rules)

 

B.     Each team will have three (3) time-outs allowed per half  (G.H.S.A.)

 

C.  Field Positions will change at half time only.

 

10.              Games will be played under rules of G.H.S.A., with the exception of local rules set up by Piedmont Football League.

 

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

 

12.              All penalties in PeeWee and Junior Leagues will come under the G.H.S.A. rules if played on 100-yard field.  The PeeWee League will be changed to ten (10) yards with the exception of unsportsmanlike conduct, fifteen (15) yards if played on 80-yard field.

 

13.              No Sunday or Wednesday practices.

 

14.              Any coach, player or spectator ejected from a ball game will be suspended from all practices, games and Parks and Recreation Department 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.  (When ejected, individual(s) must leave park.)

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 agencies a letter stating the name and penalties.

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

 

15.              Time and Equipment:

a.       Pee Wee League: Games will be played in four (4) quarters of eight (8) minutes.  (Football will be rubber or leather; junior size only.)

b.      Junior League: Games will be played in four (4) quarters of eight (8) minutes.  (Football will be rubber or leather; intermediate or youth size football only.)

 

16.              Extra Points and Field Goals:

a.       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.

b.      Pee Wee only:  Extra Points: If a team wants to kick for the points after a touchdown, the defense may not rush the kicker.  If the kick is successful, two (2) points are awarded.  Same rule applies if team wants to try for a field goal.  If field goal is successful, three (3) points are awarded.  IF A TEAM DECLARES TO KICK FOR EXTRA POINT OR FIELD GOAL, THEN THEY MUST KICK.  THEY WILL ONLY HAVE TEN (10) SECONDS FROM THE SNAP TO KICK THE BALL.

c.       Pee Wee only: If holder misses ball, the holder has to pick up ball.  Kicker cannot touch ball except to kick.

 

17.              Pee Wee League Only: (Punts)

a.       The defense can rush the punter.

b.      No defensive lineman may leave the line of scrimmage until the ball has been snapped.

c.       No offensive player may cross the line of scrimmage until the ball has been snapped, and the offensive line has to be in 3-point stance.  Can’t lie or kneel down.  (Penalty: 5 yards.)

 

18.              Age and weight specifications:

a.       Age cut-off date is September 1st.

b.      Official weigh-ins will be at first ball game of season.  Anyone not weighed in opening day must be weighed by the second Saturday of league play.  If not weighed then, will have to play tackle-to-tackle.

c.       Pee Wee League (9-10 years old only)

(Weight unlimited) Anyone over 120 lbs. (this is with complete uniform except helmet) must play tackle-to-tackle; 120 lbs. or less, backfield or end positions.  No weight restrictions on the punt and kick-off teams. Over-weight can not run the football on kickoff.  Defensive or offensive lineman over-weight must play tackle-to-tackle – three-point stance.  Underweight can play the gap.  (10-yard penalty.) 

Any player or 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.

d.      Junior League (11-12 years old only)

(Weight unlimited) Anyone OVER 140 lbs. must play tackle-to-tackle; 140 lbs. or less, backfield or end positions.  No weight restrictions on the punt and kick-off teams.  Defensive or offensive lineman over-weight, must play tackle-to-tackle - three-point stance.  Underweight can play the gap.  (15-yard penalty.)  Any player or head coach who takes tape off helmet will be suspended from the game.  Coach has to go to parking lot, and player may sit on game bench.

e.       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.

f.       Pee Wee and Junior League: Defense person may reset before snap, but must be in three-point stance before the ball is snapped.

 

19.              All coaches will turn in a list of all players and their jersey numbers at the first game of season.  Players must wear 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 game bench.  If teams who are playing each other have the same color jersey, the host team must change jerseys.

 

20.              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 that is 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.

 

21.              Coaches shall refrain from continuously arguing with officials.

 

22.              Only FOUR (4) coaches and one (1) youth water person (age 14 and under) permitted on sidelines. One of the coaches may serve as the 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 could result in suspension.

 

23.              Overtime Rule (If needed)

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

 

24.              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)

                                                 

 

25.              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.

 

26.              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.

 

27.              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 PeeWee Junior 7/09