Red River Youth Football League

 

 

By-Laws

&

Rules of Play

 

 

                                                   

 

 

Date:  June 25, 2008

Revised:  June 26, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

Amendment History

 

Document Version #1	Approval Date	Modified By	Section, Page(s) and Text Revised
V 1.0   V2.0                V3.0         V4.0	June 25, 2008   July, 2014            June 12, 2015             June 26, 2023	R Agan     K Carraway                K Carraway     M Stephens	Initial creation of document, By-Laws and Rules of Play   2014 commissioners,  referee fees, remove grade pure option and amend weigh in, add exception to weigh limit, pg 9 added filming rule       amend weight limits, amend commissioners, amend extra point rule, set rules for temporarily moving a player up   amend K-2 kicking game, Targeting Ejections, Automatic Punt Rule, Added requirement for Cheer sponsors

 

Approved by 2008 Commissioners:

 

Richard Agan                        Blue Ridge                 President

Billy Sammons                       S & S                          Vice-President

Larry Henderson                  Whitewright               Secretary

Don Banister                          Tom Bean

Keith Byrom                          Collinsville

Robby Carney                       Howe

John Melvin                           Bells

 

Approved 2023 Commissioners:

League President: Matt Stephens

Bells: Brian Johnson

Bonham: Chase Lawrence 

Blue Ridge:  Berman Roberson

Collinsville:  Jarrett Crisp

Howe: Larry Windon

Leonard:  Bo Damesworth

S&S:   Arpi Pocza

Tom Bean: Jason Melton

Trenton:  Robert Johnston

Whitewright:  Greg Mealer

 Wolfe City: Jarred Hayes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

League ByLaws & Rules for Play……………………………………

 

  ByLaws……………………………………………………………………………4

       Age Groups…………………………………………………………………….7

       Weight Limits………………………………………………………………….8

Rules for Play………………………………………………………………………9      

League History…………………………………………………………………….11

 

 

 

 

 

 

League Bylaws & Rules for Play

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This league is designed as an instructional league based on the rules of football as dedicated by the UIL in the State of Texas.  This league is designed for all K-6^th graders from the respective member towns of this league.

 It is intended to be a small school league designed around a Class 3A classification.

 

 

 

 

 

Bylaws

 

 

 

 

 

1.  There will be no central treasury for the league. Each town will fund its programs individually through fund raising, sponsors, and retention of all gate and concession proceeds for the game/games it may host.

2. Each member town will have one recognized voting member by the board.  This voting member will also list with the secretary an alternate.  Any new member towns will be admitted (voted in individually) in the RRFYL by a vote of existing voting members.  The RRYFL will only recognize the league approved Youth or Sports Association from each town.  Each voting member should sign in with the Secretary at the beginning of a board meeting; voting members for each town are recorded in the RRFYL minutes.

    

3. There will be an Executive Board consisting of: President, Vice President and Secretary.  These offices will be voted on each year at the first meeting after the season has been completed (around mid-May).

    

   1. President

                 1) Organize& plan 3 meetings per year

                 2)To elect officers & review rules/by-laws

                 3) Finalize rules and vote in new member towns

                 4) Set schedules

                 5) Coordinate weigh-ins before the first game of the season

                 6)Primary contact for the league with Referees

                7) Handout the post season trophies to Champion and runner up as well as handle the funds

                     from each town for those trophies

 

               b. Vice President     

                 1)  To verify with Commissioner for Host game availability

                 2)  Assist the President.

 

               c. Secretary 

                1) Keep meeting notes

                2) Maintain bylaws and rules documents

                3) Email announcements and notices to members, maintain the website and keep record of season standings

 

 

     4. Each member town will supply an Insurance Certificate to a member of the Executive Board at weigh-in.

 

     5. If a coach is asked for a player’s birth certificate, it has to be approved by the President of the League

         before the next game. 

 

     6. Five (5) coaches are the only authorized personnel to be on the sideline during play. 

         Each team’s coaches will be identifiable by (like) coaching shirts. Head coach will have a different colored shirt and will be the ONLY coach to communicate with any official.

         Each team will have Two (2) cheer coaches permitted on the track area during game time.

         All coaches and cheer sponsors will have a field pass they will recieve after attending the annual official's rules and expectations meeting.

 

     7. Coaches, players and spectators are expected to show excellent sportsmanship at all times. 

         

         Coaches are also responsible for proper conduct of their team and assistants. 

         Discrepancies will not be tolerated.

 

         Any player, spectator, family member or coach who is ejected from a game, will immediately leave the premises with the player/ players they are representing. The ejected adult and playing child/ children will then be suspended as follows:

       

        1st occurrence: Both adult and player/ players suspended from the next playable game.

        2nd occurrence: Both adult and player/ players suspended from the next 10 playable games.

        3rd occurrence: Lifetime ban of both adult and player/ players.

 

         Targeting ejections:

                     1st occurence: Player will be suspended from play for the 1st half of the next game.

                     2nd occurrence:  Player will be suspended for the next 10 playable games or the remainder of the season.

                     3rd occurrence:  Lifetime ban of player.

 

      *** The only player protected from ejection due to a parent ejection will be the head coaches child/children as they are the only coach permitted to speak with an official with a complaint or rule question***

 

                                                           NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!! 

When you are subjected to a suspension you and your child/children are not allowed to be on the premises of any RRYFL host facility for the remainder of the suspension! Violation of this request will result in another violation subjecting you and your child/children to a longer suspension!!!

 

If a player warrants an ejection by a RRYFL official they will serve a 1 game suspension regardless of when they were ejected from the game! A WHOLE 1 GAME SUSPENSION WILL BE SERVED

                                                *EXCEPTION:  See Targeting ejection policy.*

 

 

     8. Host towns will report scores of each game to the Secretary within 24 hours of the last game.                                      All scores must be posted at the gate

 

     9. Host towns will collect & keep its own gate fees.  Gate fees for the league are as follows: 

        $4 for all adults including coaches, $2 for all students, all children (not of school age) are free. 

        The Referees, players and cheerleaders in uniform are the only ones admitted with no charges.

 

     10. RRYFL Ref fees: 

 

          All Refs will be paid $60 a game. 5 Refs a game-$300 a game

          Payment will be made IN CASH at the conclusion of games. 

           Referees and clock operator will be furnished all concessions. 

           If a team forfeits for any reason that team must pay the referee’s for said forfeited game                 

           unless a minimum 48 hour notice is given.

 

     11. Each member town will supply an Insurance Certificate to a member of the Executive Board at weigh-in.

 

     12. The host town will arrange for singing/playing the national anthem before every game. 

           The host town will arrange for a prayer before the first game.

 

     13. The players must attend school or reside in the district of the team they are playing. 

           If a child does not attend the school district where he/she plays the towns commissioner

           should be notified and eligibility verified prior to participating. 

           Information used to verify eligibility should include: Name, date of birth, physical address,

           grade level verification, etc. 

           Any team violating this rule will forfeit all games that the ineligible player played in. 

           RRYFL is not a select Football league.

 

     14. Teams will consist of a maximum roster of 30 players.  

           Any town with more than 30 players must split and drafted by the first day of UIL practice.  

           The Head Coach is allowed 1 assistant coach. 

           The assistant coach’s child must be taken on the first pick and the head coach's child taken on their third pick in their grade level.  

           The players from the higher grade level will all be drafted first followed by the players from the lower grade level in schedule of 2,2,1,1 until all players are chosen.

      15. There will be a cutoff date after the 3rd game for signups.

            No one is allowed to sign up after this date unless necessary to ensure the team has enough players

            to play and must  be approved by league.

                                -Note: Teams may play with 9 or more players.  A team with less than 9 players will forfiet.  It is the decision of the board that teams playing opponents with less than 11 players will match those players numbers on the field.

                                                 - A team with less than 9 players may play a forfieted game (for practice purposes) with mutual agreement by the coaches.  This game will consist of two-15 minute running clock halves with no timeouts (except for official timeouts for injured players).

     16. Weigh-ins will occur at a central location, date/time/location will be communicated to all

            coaches approximately seven days prior to the event. 

            Head coach will be provided a printed roster with each player’s number at the weigh-ins

            All players will be weighed using the same scale.  All teams/players will be required to attend;

            any player missing the weigh-in will be ineligible to carry the ball and is subject to on the

            spot weigh to verify eligibility to play at that grade level. 

            If a player signs up after the weigh-in, he is not eligible to carry the ball or line up in an eligible

            position during the season.

     17. Teams that want the same color will draw from a hat for first choice. 

            This will occur at the scheduling meeting. 

            No teams will have jerseys with the same body color.  Colors are:  Whitewright – Old Gold, Bells – Maroon, 

           Collinsville – Panel White Maroon Gold, S & S – Red,  Blue Ridge – Green, Trenton – Black –

             Leonard – Blue,  Tom Bean-Orange,  Wolfe City- Dark Blue,  Bonham-Purple

      18. The RRYFL has a no jewelry policy for all players.

      19. Playoff  host towns will be awarded by a draw from the hat. 

           The towns that host a playoff  game must have a team in the division that they are going to host

      20. Practices  may begin each year, one week prior to UIL start date for conditioning only (shorts, t shirts and helmets) to allow kids to acclimate,

            with the beginning of UIL two-a-days being the start date for full pad practices.

      21. Playoff pairings are determined by bracket. Tie Breakers to determine season standings (for the purpose of bracket position & playoff eligibility) 

            will be as follows: 

1. Overall Record

2. Head to Head competition

3. Points Allowed (Points allowed will be determined by points allowed 1) against those tied, or next 2) against like opponents.

4. Coin Toss.  In case of a season ending with an unequal number of games played, and then tiebreaker would be the least number of losses.

      22. Referees have the ability to remove a player from a game for serious medical condition. 

             If a player is removed from a game for a head injury (concussion) by the referee’s that players

             parent or legal guardian must sign a head injury waiver before that player may return to the game. 

             If that player gets removed a second time, he/she must be evaluated and released by a medical doctor

             prior to being allowed back to play in a game.

        23: If a team or town is found to be in violation of a league by law the head coach of that team

              will be replaced before the next game, if that head coach is the towns voting member,

              he/she will also be replaced.  RRYFL is not a select Football league. 

Age Groups

This league is designed for:

Age division      Eligible ages by Sept.1           Weight MAX for oldest age

K-2 grade                     5,6,7,8                                        130LBS

3-4 grade                      7,8,9,&10                                   150LBS

5-6 grade                       9,10,11,&12                                N/A

Example: Any player that is in the correct grade and has not been held back and meets the age requirement will not be forced to move up regardless of weight. A player that has been held back a grade must abide by the weight limit! The league may request birth certificate and verification of grade level at any time!!!

For the purpose of fielding a team, if a player drops below 12 players during the season that team may elect to bring up a player or players from the roster of a lower age group but that player/players may only play in one game per day.  Players  cannot play down an age group at any time.  Example: a 2nd grade player can move up to fill a needed spot for their 3/4 grade team and move back to the 1/2 grade the following week.

Weight limits:Weight limits for all players who can advance the football or line up in an eligible position (except blocking tight end) are:  1/2 grade--80 lbs,  3/4 grade 100 lbs, and 5/6 grade 125 lbs.  All eligible ball carriers will have a RRYFL logo sticker on the back  of the helmet by an independent person at weigh ins.  All ineligible players will have a red X on the back of their helmets.  All players must weigh to determine eligibility.

24. All coaches (5) and cheer sponsors (2) will NOT pay to enter any Red River Youth Football Football League sanctioned event. Each coach (5) and cheer sponsor (2) will sign in on a sign up sheet at the front entrance of the stadium before entering. Once the sign up sheet for your town is full no one else is allowed to sign in for your town. In the event a team does not have 5 coaches and 2 cheer sponsors a parent/spectator is IS NOT allowed to sign in as a coach. 

 

 Rules for Play

 

RRYFL will use the rules of the NCAA with UIL exceptions to officiate all contests.  The only variations from the official rulebook regarding RRYFL play are:

 

1. Kickoffs will be placed at midfield (K-4^th) and the 40 yard line (5^th & 6^th), unless a penalty is assessed, the assessment of penalty yardage shall begin from the 50 yard line as well.

    

                       I. K-2 will only perform a kickoff to start the 1st and 3rd quarters. All subsequent kickoff situations will be placed at the offensive team's 35 yard line and made ready for play.

                                    a. In the event of a Safety. The ball will be placed at the receiving teams’ 35-yard line.
                                   b. On-Side Exception – In the 4th Quarter Only, the team that is behind or tied in points, after they have scored a touchdown, will be allowed at the coaches’ discretion an “On-Side” try. The ball will be placed at the                                          50-yard line. The team will be allowed a possession starting with a 4th down and 15-yards for a 1st down. If the team is successful on this 4th and 15 try, the possession will continue as normal. If the team is                                                unsuccessful in this try, the ball will be turned over on downs.

2. No Player may advance a kickoff that exceeds the weight limit for carrying the football.  The play will be blown dead, if the football is caught by a player that exceeds the weight limit.

    

3. For 5^th & 6^th grades, punts will be live as in UIL rules. The exception to UIL Rule:  If the punter is a RRYFL ineligible ball carrier he may not run, pass, hand off or be outside of tackles to punt.  The punter must stay inside the tackles with the ball and punt.   For all other divisions:  when a team elects to punt, the referee will be notified by the offensive coach.

    

    There will be 2 options: 

    

1. All of the players to remain motionless until the ball strikes the punters foot.  Live Play begins when the punter strikes the football with his foot.  This action must take place behind the offensive linemen on the line of scrimmage.  The punter cannot punt the ball unless he is between the tackles.  The punt will follow all rules for a punt once the ball strikes the punters foot.

2. If the ball is inside of your own 50 yard line, the ball can be advanced 25 yards.  The play will start when the offense snaps the ball.

    

1. Each 3 & 4 and 5 & 6 game will be 7 minutes per quarter with 4 quarters per game.  1 & 2 will only be 6 minutes.

    

   1. If a team gets ahead of another team by 20 or more points the team that is behind in the game can approach the referee and have them start running a continuous clock, only after the 1^st half. Once a coach approaches the referee and asks for the “mercy rule” he cannot reverse his decision.

   2. If a team gets ahead of another team by 30 or more points the mandatory mercy rule is in effect and a running continuous clock will ensue.

       

2. 5^th & 6^th grade divisions will have all coaches in the coach’s box.

    

3. 3rd & 4th grade division will have all coaches in the coach's box. 

4. For 1st & 2nd division each team will be allowed to have 2 coaches on the field. Once the quarterback starts their cadence the coaches must be five yards deeper than the deepest/furthest player/players and must discontinue coaching the players.  (Coaches on the sideline can continue coaching.) Coaches must make every effort to stay out of the play.  Any interference by a coach (on the field) once play has begun will be considered un-sportsman like and a referee may flag the coach’s team.  If the referee deems the action as interference, his judgment of where the ball will be placed (blown dead) is his interpretation and his alone.  For example:  if defensive coach runs into an offensive receiver on a pass play and the referee believes the ball would have been caught then it is the referee’s judgment on appropriate placement of the ball.  If the receiver was behind the deepest defensive back, the referee may decide that a touchdown was possible and aware the offensive teams a touchdown.  If a coach inadvertently makes contact with a player during a play and according to the referees judgment it did not benefit the infracting team then the play stands. Once set, the coaches must immediately move back to 10 yards deeper that the deepest player.

    

5. Extra Point conversions will be scored as follows.

   1. Run or Kick – 1 point

   2. Pass – 2 points

       

6. In the event the game ends in a tie after regulation play, there will be overtime as follows:

   1. Each team will start a possession beginning from the opponent’s 25 yard line.  If a first down is made the possession will continue.

   2. If neither team scores in second overtime, the referee will determine which team had the deepest penetration in the second overtime only. (This will include penalties) The team that loses on penetration, will be assessed 6 points in the points allowed standings.

   3. If both teams keep scoring, the overtime will keep repeating until the game is won by points or penetration.

       

7. Game Balls:  Each team is responsible to have 2 game balls at each game.  Game ball should be in game condition for use by your offense.  The Wilson K2 or Nike equivalent (synthetic or leather) will be used for K-4^th grade and the Wilson TDJ or Nike equivalent will be used for the 5^th & 6^th grades.  Balls will be aired from 12.5-13.5 psi

    

8. A “Gap” Rule:  In all divisions except 5^th & 6^th, the A gap (center/guard) cannot be rushed from a stand-up linebacker at the line of scrimmage.  A blitz of the “A Gap” is legal from a 3 or 4 point stance, or if the linebacker is 3 yards off of the ball.  A five-yard penalty will be assessed for any player in violation of the “A-Gap” rule.

      9. Helmet visors are allowed but must be clear. NO tinted visors. 

      10. All forfeits will be scored 6-0....Any game that is stopped by a RRYFL official and can not be made up will be scored as the scoreboard indicates score. A started game WILL NOT revert back to a 6-0 forfeit score if any amount of points were scored!!!

      11. Any Weight restricted defensive player that recovers a turnover can return the ball WITHOUT the whistle being blown dead. If a defensive or offensive player attempts to lateral the ball to an ineligible ball carrier the play will be blown dead by the referee at the point of the lateral/handoff. 

      12. An ineligible player MAY line up as tight end for the sole purpose of blocking. 

 No headsets or other electronic devices will be allowed to be used on the field/sidelines during the games.  No team or person may video any game other than their own.  Any person filming their game will be restricted to a designated area of the pressbox (if available) or the bleachers. 

 

 

League History

RRYFL was founded in June, 2008 by the towns of Bells, Blue Ridge, Whitewright, Tom Bean, Collinsville, Howe and S & S.  The inaugural season was played with 1^st & 2^nd, 3^rd & 4^th, 5^th & 6^th grade division teams.  RRFYL has been designed for towns with class 3A UIL classifications or smaller.  In 2009, Trenton and Leonard were added to RRYFL.  In 2014, Callisburg was added to RRYFL. In 2018, Wolfe City was added to RRYFL. In 2020 Tioga was added. Bonham was added in 2022

 

 

TEAM CONTACT 

Name                           Town                              

Matt Stephens             League President

Brian Johnson             Bells               

Berman Roberson       Blue Ridge / League Vice President   

Chase Lawrence         Bonham

Jarrett Crisp                Collinsville   

Larry Windon             Howe

Bo Damesworth          Leonard         

Arpi Pocza                  S&S          

Jason Melton              Tom Bean         

Robert Johnston         Trenton          

Greg Mealer               Whitewright  / League Secretary    

Jared Hayes                Wolfe City