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RULE 1: CONDUCT OF THE GAME SECTION 1. RULES Article 1 – Rules The Joe MacDonald Youth Football League (JMYFL) rules are based on the Canadian rulebook for amateur football but are modified to accommodate and develop the younger tackle football player. SECTION 2. THE FIELD Article 1 – Definition and Markings The playing field is 90 yards long by 45 yards wide with 10 yard end zones. Article 2 – Hash Marks One set of hash marks will run down the centre of the field. Article 3 – Side Line Privileges and Restrictions a) The bench area sideline will be reserved for players, coaches and authorized team personnel only. SECTION 3. THE GAME Article 1 – Length of the Game Tyke Division games will consist of 10 minutes quarters and Bantam games will consist of 12 minutes quarters with a two minute break at the end of the first and third quarters. The CAFA rulebook covers all other aspects of game timing. Article 2 – Choice of Kick Off, Receiving Kick Off, or End of Field The game opening kickoff shall be decided with the flip of a coin. The team winning the toss may elect to kick, receive, defend an end or defer their decision to the second half. Article 3 – Half Time At the end of the 2nd quarter a 15 minute rest period shall be allowed. Article 4 – Tie Game Overtime will be played if there is a tie score at the end of a regulation time playoff game. The overtime format is as follows: Overtime will not be sudden death. The Tyke Division overtime will consist of two 5 minute halves and the Bantam overtime will consist of two 6 minute halves. The winner of the coin toss at the beginning of the first overtime will have the same options as the winner of the coin toss at the beginning of the game. The last two minutes of each half in both divisions will be timed like the last two minutes of each half in regulation time (stopped time). Each team will have one time out per half and there will be a five minute break between halves. If a tie still exists at the end of the 2 overtime halves the teams will get an equal number of possessions starting from a 30 yard line chosen by the referee and moving in towards the nearest end zone. The winner of a coin toss will have the starting on offense or defense. The offensive team will retain possession as long as it has downs (it can make first downs), scores or turns the ball over. The defense cannot score. Once possession has changed, the opposing team will take possession on the same 30 yard line and attempt to score. If, at the end of this possession, one team has outscored the other, then that team will be declared the winner. If there is still a tie, the teams will continue alternating possessions, in the original order, until one team has outscored the other after the same number of possessions. During each possession the offense and defense will each be entitled to one time out. SECTION 4. TEAMS Article 1 – Players The number of players on the field per team at any one time shall be determined annually at a pre-season meeting of the league executive. All players shall be given an equal opportunity to participate in games. This mandatory play rule will be monitored and enforced by the league executive. SECTION 5. DEAD BALL Article 1 The ball becomes dead when:
SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF OFFICIALS Article 1 – Field Officials The Tyke Division shall use at least on-field officials; a referee, an umpire and a head linesman. The Bantam Division shall use at least four on-field officials; a referee, an umpire, a head linesman and a line judge. RULE 3: SCORING SECTION 1. TABLE OF SCORES Touchdown 6 points Rouge 1 point SECTION 2. DEFEINITION Article 1 – Field Goal Field goals are scored by a drop or place kick. The following options are available to the team on the receiving end of a field goal attempt: Article 2 – Safety Touch A safety touch counts 2 points and when scored, the scoring team will have 3 options: Article 3 – Rouge or Single Point A rouge or single point is scored when the ball becomes dead in possession of a team in its own end zone or goes out of bounds in its end zone as a result of the ball having been kicked (punted or missed field goal attempt) into the end zone by an opponent. The ball is scrimmaged at the receiving team’s 25 yard line. Article 4 – Converts Converts effected by passing or running will count one point. Converts effected be placement or drop kick will count two points. Convert attempts will be scrimmaged on the 5 yard line. SECTION 3. MERCY RULE Article 1 – special JMYFL Rule When a team is 15 or more points behind it may elect to kickoff or receive: The kickoff will be from the 35 yard line unless affected by penalty. RULE 4: SCRIMMAGE SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS Article 1 – Neutral Zone There is no neutral zone therefore the defense must line up on their own side of the line of scrimmage. Exception: see Rule 5, Section 2, Article 3(b) Field Goals and Converts (Tyke Division only). SECTION 2. REQUIREMENTS FOR LEGAL SCRIMMAGE Article 1 – Legal Numbering Players can wear any number from 1 to 99 no matter what position they play. Each player on a team must have his own number. Article 2. Player Requirements At least 3 offensive team members shall be stationary and located on the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. SECTION 3. POINTS OF SCRIMMAGE RESTRICTIONS Article 1 – Goal Line The football cannot be scrimmaged closer than 1 yard from the goal line. SECTION 4. MISCELLANEOUS Article 1 – Required Distance In either division, a first down is obtained by gaining 15 yards in 4 downs unless affected by penalty. Article 2 – Advancing Ball from Scrimmage The first player who has possession of the ball from center must hand-off, pass or punt the ball before he/she crosses the line of scrimmage. If a fumble occurs by the first player who receives the ball from the centre, the offensive player who recovers the fumbled ball must hand off, pass or punt before he/she crosses the line of scrimmage (Penalty – Illegal Procedure). SECTION 5. ARTICLE 1. – On any play, blocking below the waist is illegal except in the close line play area by a player who is occupying a position in this area at the snap of the ball. RULE 5: KICKING SECTION 1. KICK OFF Article 1 – Points of Kick Off Kickoffs may be made from a tee or by means of a holder. Kickoffs shall be made from the kicker’s 35 yard line unless affected by penalty. Referees have the discretion to move the ball off the hash mark to get the ball out of the mud for purposes of the kicking game. Article 2 – Neutral Zone In both the Tyke and Bantam, the returning team must have at least 3 players 10 yards from the line from which the ball is being kicked off. Article 3. Legal Kick Off a) The kick must travel a minimum of 10 yards and the rules regarding recovery of a kickoff are the same as in 12 man football. Penalty: Receiving team option SECTION 2. KICK FROM SCRIMMAGE Article 1 – Restraining Zone The foul for entering the 5 yard restraining zone against the kicking team is reduced to 10 yards from 15 yards. Article 2 – Returning Ball From End Zone On any kick from scrimmage where the ball enters the end zone and the receiving team is able to successfully advance the ball legally out of the end zone and retain uninterrupted possession, it may choose to scrimmage at it’s own 15 yard line or where the ball becomes dead. Article 3 – Field Goal and Converts (Tyke Division only) In an attempt to promote the kicking game, the following rule change will be adopted for the Tyke Division: RULE 6: PASSING SECTION 1. FORWARD PASS Article 1 – Eligible Receivers All players are eligible to catch forward passes. If the ball is passed to the snapper, it must travel at least 2 yards in the air. The penalty for not doing so is 5 yards from point of last scrimmage and down repeated (Penalty – Illegal Procedure) RULE 7: FOULS AND PENALTIES SECTION 1. ROUGH PLAY Article 1 – Game Ejections Players who deliberately attempt to injure others will be ejected from the game. The referee will submit a detailed synopsis on the back of the game sheet pertaining to the ejection. The synopsis will also include their opinion as to what type of suspension would be appropriate. The coaches involved will also submit a written synopsis of the incident including suggestions as to the nature of the suspension. SECTION 2. UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS Article 1 – High Tackle Rule Any tackling and/or contact at the head and neck area in the open field will be penalized.
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