Central Junior Football League Rules

Last Update 3/14/10

Providing Youth Football Opportunities to Children from the following Communities:

Athens/Greenview - Auburn - New Berlin/Franklin/Waverly – Nokomis/Raymond(Lincolnwood) – North Mac - Pawnee – Pleasant Plains - Riverton - Williamsville

Purpose

It is our purpose to promote safe healthy competition, fair play, sportsmanship, physical and mental excellence, a better understanding, and a love of the game of football. It is by our example and encouragement that we can best reach these goals. It is our objective to field teams, as much as possible, that are comparable in size, age, and ability.

Participants

Participants shall consist of individuals in the 4th through 8th grade, which will not turn fifteen (15) years of age prior to September 1 of the season of their 8^th grade year. 

Rosters should be submitted to the website administrator (admin@centraljfl.com).    

NOTE: If a player has the opportunity to play in the school district where they reside, they must play in that school district. 

Age and Team Participants

• 8^th Grade - A Level - must not turn 15 prior to 9/1
• 7^th Grade - B Level - must not turn 14 prior to 9/1
• 6^th Grade - C Level - must not turn 13 prior to 9/1
• 5^th Grade - D Level - must not turn 12 prior to 9/1
• 4^th Grade – E Level - must not turn 11 prior to 9/1

Participants are required to:

• Have an athletic physical dated after October 1, 2009
• Be covered by some insurance program, show proof of insurance, and complete an insurance waiver form.
• Be outfitted with football equipment that meets current standards.

Teams

Teams for Central JFL play are divided into five classifications for league play as follows: "A" Team (8th Grade), "B" Team (7th Grade), "C" Team (6^th Grade), "D" Team (5^th Grade), and "E" Team (4^th Grade).

It is realized that every Town / Team will have years when they may not have enough players in one level to make a complete team and would need to bring players up to complete a roster for the classifications.  Bringing a player up is allowable within the rules. 

If a grade level is unable to field a team, it may be allowed to bring a player down one grade level in order to complete the game.  The older players that are being brought down to help complete a game must be disclosed to the opposing coach prior to their entering into the contest.  Any team that is required to bring a player down will receive a loss in the standings for that game.

Coaches should reference the purpose of our league and incorporate those thoughts when making up your team rosters for each contest. It is the responsibility of each coach and/or league official to strive towards -- Not having an exceptional player playing more than one game a scheduled date just looking for a victory when another child does not receive playing time.

Team Weight Limits

• A Team (150.0 lb. Weight Limit on Running Backs, Receivers, Quarterbacks)
• B Team (140.0 lb. Weight Limit on Running Backs, Receivers, Quarterbacks)
• C Team (120.0 lb. Weight Limit on Running Backs, Receivers, Quarterbacks)
• D Team (110.0 lb. Weight Limit on Running Backs, Receivers, Quarterbacks)
• E Team (100.0 lb. Weight Limit on Running Backs, Receivers, Quarterbacks)

The above listed categories apply to offensive plays from an offensive set.  A tight end that is over the above listed weight limit will be allowed to line up at the tight end position, but will not be allowed to catch a pass or take a handoff.

It is agreed that any defensive player that may perform any defensive take away, e.g., fumble recovery or pass interception, will be allowed to advance the ball until stopped by the opposing team.

Any player placed in the back two rows to receive a punt or kickoff must be within the weight limitations as well.  Any player lined up on the front line who receives an errant kick off will also be allowed to return / advance the ball as if a take away possession.

At the A level (8th grade), punters and place kick holders must be within the weight limitations.

It is agreed that the player number system will attempt to follow IHSA guidelines for offensive players, lineman, etc.

Weigh In

All offensive set players must weigh in before each game. Home teams will be responsible for weigh in and will be required to allow weigh in until the end of the first quarter of the game the player is to play in.  A player is only allowed to weigh in one time before their game.  The weight of the player should be written on tape and placed on the helmet if the player is under the weight limit for his/her classification.   

Each team will have a representative at the weigh in and any weight issues will be resolved before the start of their game.  Referees will be duly notified of the weight rules prior to the start of the season. They will not stop the game to weigh anyone.

The weigh in should occur at half-time of the preceding game.  In other words, 8th grade players should weigh in at half-time of the 7th grade game. There will be NO EARLY WEIGH IN for anyone. (i.e.: no 7th grade player from either team can weigh in at the 5th grade game.) 

A self calibrated digital scale must be used to weigh the players.  The visiting team may bring a self calibrated digital scale to use if the home team's scale is inoperable.  The home team will make the decision if their scale is inoperable.   

Players may remove their Helmet and Shoulder Pads to weigh in. They are also required to have their game shoes and game pants on (with pads) to properly weigh. 

Game Scheduling

No team will be allowed to participate in more than two games per week.  Each week in the Central JFL season will begin on a Monday and end on a Sunday.  

Defensive Rule Modifications

No more than 6 defensive players will be allowed to line up on the line of scrimmage.  All other defensive players must line up at least 3 yards from the line of scrimmage.  These players will not be allowed to move within 3 yards of the line of scrimmage until the ball is snapped.  A violation of this rule will result in a defensive offsides penalty.  The offense will have the option to accept the 5 yard penalty or the result of the play.  In a situation where the goal line is less than 3 yards from the line of scrimmage, the 2nd row defensive players will be allowed to line up on the goal line.  This rule will not be enforced on fourth down.

No defensive player will be allowed to line up head up the center at the E level (4^th grade).

Punting

Punting at the C, D, and E level (4^th, 5^th, and 6^th grades) will consist of a 30 yard walk-off by the referee.  During this walk-off the ball will not be placed inside the defense's 20 yard line.  

At the B level (7^th grade), the ball will be punted by the offense and fielded by the receiving team.  The rush and the return are not live.  The ball is spotted where the ball is fielded or where the ball stops.  If the long snap to the punter is muffed, the punter should retrieve the ball and return to his original location to punt the ball.  

Punts are live at the A level (8^th grade).  

Extra Point Kicking

The defense is not allowed to rush on an extra point kick attempt at the B, C, D, and E level (4^th, 5^th, 6^th, and 7^th grades).  The defense may stand with their arms in the air, but no rush is allowed.  

At the B, C, D, and E level (4^th, 5^th, 6^th, and 7^th grades), the holder must field the ball without moving from his holding position.  If the holder moves from his kneeling position, the extra point attempt is considered a failed attempt.   

Extra point kicking is live at the A level (8^th grade).

Games

One coach will be allowed on the field during the B, C, D, and E Team (4^th, 5^th, 6^th, and 7^th grades) games to help set up the offense and the defense. A coach’s verbal and physical help shall not continue after the offense goes set or during the running of any play.  A violation of this rule will result in an illegal procedure penalty. These are simply guidelines and if a team does not wish to have on field participation they are certainly not required to do so. 

No coaches will be allowed on the field during the A Team (8^th grade) games.

3 referees are required at the A, B, and C level (6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grades). 
2 referees are required at the D level (5^th grade).
1 referee is required at the E level (4^th grade).
All referees are required to be IHSA registered.

$1 per child and $2 per adult should be charged at all regular season games.
$2 per child and $3 per adult should be charged at all playoff games.

Time

A (8^th grade) Games will consist of Four 12:00 minute quarters. (Running Clock)
B (7^th grade) Games will consist of Four 10:00 minute quarters. (Running Clock)
C (6^th grade) Games will consist of Four 10:00 minute quarters. (Running Clock)
D (5^th grade) Games will consist of Four 10:00 minute quarters. (Running Clock)
E (4^th grade) Games will consist of Four 10:00 minute quarters. (Running Clock)

Overtime: One (1) overtime period per regular season game will consist of 4 downs from the 10 yard line per IHSA rules. If after 4 downs or a turnover by each team, the game shall be considered a tie if no winner.

Clock will run continuously on all games to be stopped as normal in the last two (2) minutes of the second quarter, and the last two (2) minutes of the fourth quarter.

Each team will have thirty (30) seconds to call and initiate the next play from scrimmage.

Clock will be stopped when a touchdown is scored and in the occurrence of an injury.

Half Time of each game will last three (3) minutes.

Teams who will play in the next game should begin warm up prior to their scheduled games, as time between games should be three to five (3-5) minutes only!

Time-Outs

Each Team will receive two (2) time-outs per half lasting forty-five (45) seconds in duration. It is agreed that the running clock will be stopped during all time-outs.

Game Ball

At the A level (8^th grade), a Youth sized ball is the minimum requirement.  At the B, C, D, and E level (4^th, 5^th, 6^th, and 7^th grade), a Junior sized ball is the minimum requirement.   

Rule Violations

Any Coach, Team, or Program, who repeatedly violates the aforementioned rules is subject to forfeiture of all games played and suspension from any further league play for that season. (This may include permanent suspension)

Rule Changes

To change a rule, a motion must be made and there must be a second to the motion. After the motion and second, a roll call vote is taken and the motion must receive a majority of the votes to pass.  Each organization will get one vote.  A motion can only be made on an agenda item. In other words, if the item is not on the agenda a week prior to the Central JFL meeting, then it cannot be voted on.