Governing Rules
- Games will be played in accordance with the IHSAA rules, with the exception of any rules that are adopted by the boards of Brazil, Cascade, Cloverdale, Greencastle, Monrovia, Owen Valley, South Putnam, Sullivan, and West Vigo and specified in this document.
- Zero tolerance rules are in effect according to the IHSAA Rule and regulations for players, coaches, and fans.
- There must be at minimum a 10 yard buffer zone around the entire football field where no person except players, coaches, or officials is allowed.
- Any site without a fence must create this buffer zone line.
- Games will be stopped until all non-participants are clear of this zone
- Teams must have access to the team boxes on both sides of the field and can not be forced to remain on the same side of the field as another team.
Coaches
- The head coach shall be responsible for ensuring that each player on the field has the proper football equipment to safely participate in the game.
- Coaches are guaranteed their child only in the draft.
- It is an open draft for all other players. (Only exception: if you live in the same household you will be guaranteed on the same team.)
- Specific Grade level team cannot be created (5th grade team and a 6th grade team if enough for two team at Majors level)
- There is to be no recruiting/ poaching of players from other communities. The intent is to offer football to the kids who will eventually filter into your leagues respective High School football team.
- No players may be turned away if attempting to sign-up to play within the dates posted within your registrations, social media posts, etc.
- Only players, coaches (max 4 per team), league directors, and officials are allowed inside the bench area during game play.
- All fields must be marked off at the bench areas.
- Head coaches are responsible for the playing time of their players.
- The intent of the rule is fairness of playing time for each player. This rule is in effect through playoffs.
- Head coaches are responsible for managing the scoreboard.
- Teams should not run up the score if there are enough players for a second and maybe a third string backfield.
- Failure to comply will result in an Unsportsmanlike Penalty on the Head Coach.
- Head coaches are responsible for the conduct of themselves, their assistants, their players, and their fans.
- All conduct issues will be enforced by the League Commissioner.
- Coaches will refrain from the use of profane language.
- Coaches will refrain from the use of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco products while at the ball fields. (Any practice or playing field in the league)
- Coaches shall dress appropriately. (No cut up shirts, no cut off pants, no clothing having profanity printed on it, and no clothing with obscene pictures or gestures on it.)
- Penalty for Coach Unsportsmanlike resulting in ejection.
- 1st infraction will result in a 1 game suspension for the Coach.
- 2nd infraction will be loss of coaching privilege for the Coach.
- ZERO TOLERANCE- NO EXCEPTIONS
Teams
- Teams will match down to 10 players if need be.
- Any team with less than 10 players must forfeit the game.
- Teams are limited to 29 or fewer players.
- Leagues can practice their own discretion and split their teams at any amount lower than 29 players.
Weigh-In & Official Roster
- Official weigh-ins will be held at the field where your first game is played.
- If a player is at the first game, they must weigh in.
- Each player is required to have a copy of their birth certificate at weigh-in (digital copies are acceptable).
- A player automatically becomes a striper if not weighed before the second game of the season.
- Coaches must have an official roster and signed weigh-in sheet turned into their League Director immediately after their second game of the season by the date specified above.
- League Directors must e-mail all of their teams’ official rosters and signed weigh-in sheets to the WCYF Commissioner and CC all league directors by the Monday following their second game of the season (Date posted above).
- This information should be reviewed by all teams and the Commissioner prior to the third game of the season.
- Any questions, concerns, or disputes should be place made prior to Week 3 game in writing/e-mail to all league directors.
- Only players on the official roster that were weighed in properly will be eligible to play in a ball carrying position during any game.
Stripers
- All stripers will have a single solid color stripe down the center of the helmet (front to back).
- A striper on offense must line up on the ball as an interior lineman (tackle to tackle) or a non-eligible tight end.
- Stripers can only line up on the front line of the kick receiving team.
- Stripers are eligible to run the ball if they are the player to recover a fumbled ball or an interception.
- Stripers may run a received kickoff that is kicked directly to them.
- A striper may not run the ball on a received punt.
Defense
- No specific defensive scheme is required.
- No more than 3 linebackers are allowed between the outside shoulder of the offensive tackles and those linebackers must be 2 yards off the line of scrimmage at the snap.
- All defensive players on the line of scrimmage from offensive tackle to tackle must be in a three- or four-point stance. Offensive line does not have to be in a three- or four-point stance.
- Defensive ends may stand up but must be lined up beyond the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle.
Overtime
- IHSAA rules
- After 3 overtime series the game is a draw.
Clock Management
- 12-minute running clock for each quarter.
- The clock will stop only for injuries and timeouts until the final minute of each half (2nd and 4th quarters) where the game clock will be managed with a 1 minute warning stopping automatically unless a play is in progress in which it will stop at the conclusion of that plan. Game clock from that point on will be managed in accordance with High School Rules. .
- The 1-minute warning is designed to be an automated stoppage of the game clock. It is not a timeout and teams must remain on the field unless a timeout is called.
- 7 minute halftime.
- 3 timeouts per half.
- Delay of game timer will be 45 seconds
- The clock will stop on change of possession at the last minute of the 2nd and 4th quarters.
- The clock will restart when the ball is snapped.
- Running clock will be in effect if one team is ahead by 24 points or more in the second half of the game.
- Assume IHSAA rules for running clock but with 24 points
Rookies Specific Rules
Age limitations
- Players cannot be 9 years of age as of August 1st of the current football season AND must be enrolled in first or second grade.
Weight limitations
- Any ball carrier cannot weigh over 85 lbs with all of their uniform and pads except their helmet.
Legal equipment
- Teams must use a Wilson K2 football or a ball of equivalent size (no Under Armour Balls).
- Teams will be allowed the use of their own ball on Offense.
Coaches
For instructional purposes, 2 coaches from each team will be allowed on the field of play at all times, throughout the season and playoffs.
- The coach must be at least 10 yards back behind the line of scrimmage once the quarterback begins his cadence.
- The coaches on the field must stop instructing or talking once the quarterback has started his cadence. (There will be a 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty for this infraction without warning).
Defense
- No defensive linemen are allowed to be on the line of scrimmage over the offensive guards or center.
- All defensive linemen from offensive tackle to tackle must be lined head up with the offensive linemen.
Kicks
- No kicks
- For kickoffs, the ball will start on the 40 yard line.
- For punts, the offensive team may elect to punt on 4th down and the ball will be placed 20 yards from the line of scrimmage turning the ball over to the other team.
Extra points
- 1 point will be awarded from 3-yard line
- 2 points will be awarded from 5-yard line
Interceptions and Fumble Recovery
- Upon change of possession in interceptions and fumble recoveries the play will be blown dead and the ball will be spotted where change of possession occurred.
- The ball may not be advanced on change of possession.
Minors Specific Rules
Age limitations
- Players cannot be 11 years of age as of August 1 of the current football season AND must be enrolled in third or fourth grade.
Weight limitations
- Any ball carrier cannot weigh over 105 lbs with all of their uniform and pads except their helmet.
Legal equipment
- Teams must use a Wilson K2 football or a ball of equivalent size (no Under Armour Balls).
- Teams will be allowed the use of their own ball on offense.
Coaches
- For instructional purposes, 1 coach from each team will be allowed on the field of play at all times, throughout the season and playoffs for Minor teams.
- The coach must be at least 10 yards back behind the line of scrimmage once the quarterback begins his cadence.
- The coaches on the field must stop instructing or talking once the quarterback has started his cadence. (There will be a 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty for this infraction without warning).
Defense
- All defensive linemen from offensive tackle to tackle must be lined head up with the offensive linemen.
- No defensive linemen can line up over the center until the offensive team has reached the five-yard line or less.
Kicks
- Free kick on all punts, field goals, and extra points.
- No fake kicks.
- No rushing on punts, field goals, or extra point attempts.
- If the clock is stopped the clock will not restart on punts until the punter has kicked the ball.
- 2 points will be awarded for a successfully kicked PAT from the 3-yard line.
- For a successful run/pass PAT.
- 1 point will be awarded from the 3-yard line.
- 2 points will be awarded from the 5 yard line.
- The kicking tee and ball may be placed anywhere behind the line of scrimmage.
- When the official blows the whistle the holder will pick up and place the ball on the tee for the kicker.
- The holder must have both hands on their helmet until the whistle blows.
- If a team is up by 18 points, they cannot recover an onside kick.
- The ball will be given to the receiving team at the spot of recovery.
Majors Specific Rules
Age limitations
- Players cannot be 13 years of age as of August 1st of the current football season AND must be enrolled in fifth or sixth grade.
Weight limitations
- Any ball carrier cannot weigh over 125 lbs with all of their uniform and pads except their helmet.
Legal equipment
- Teams must use a Wilson TDJ football or a ball of equivalent size (no Under Armour Balls).
- Teams will be allowed the use of their own ball for offense.
Coaches
- All coaches must be on the sideline during games. Coaches cannot be on the field at any time.
Kicks
- All kicks are live.
- All punts will be snapped from the center.
- 2 points will be awarded for a successful kicked PAT from the 3-yard line.
- For a successful run/pass PAT.
- 1 point will be awarded from the 3 yard line.
- 2 points will be awarded from the 5 yard line.
- The kicking tee and ball may be placed anywhere behind the line of scrimmage.
- When the official blows the whistle the holder will pick up and place the ball on the tee for the kicker.
- The holder must have both hands on their helmet until the whistle blows.
- If a team is up by 18 points, they cannot recover an onside kick.
- The ball will be given to the receiving team at the spot of recovery.