Central U.P. Youth Football League, Inc.

2014 Coaches, Officials and Rules Meeting

Concussion Information and Facts

• • • • • • • • • • • •

A Parent’s Guide to Concussion in Sports What is a concussion?

A concussion is a brain injury which results in a temporary disruption of normal brain function. A concussion occurs when the brain is violently rocked back and forth or twisted inside the skull as a result of a blow to the head or body. An athlete does not have to lose consciousness (“knocked-out”) to suffer a concussion.

Concussion Facts

It is estimated that over 140,000 high school athletes across the United States suffer a concussion each year. (Data from NFHS Injury Surveillance System) Concussions occur most frequently in football, but girl’s lacrosse, girl’s soccer, boy’s lacrosse, wrestling and girl’s basketball follow closely behind.

All athletes are at risk.

A concussion is a traumatic injury to the brain.

Concussion symptoms may last from a few days to several months.

Concussions can cause symptoms which interfere with school, work, and social life.

An athlete should not return to sports while still having symptoms from a concussion as they are at risk for prolonging symptoms and further injury.

A concussion may cause multiple symptoms. Many symptoms appear immediately after the injury, while others may develop over the next several days or weeks.

The symptoms may be subtle and are often difficult to fully recognize.

Concussion Information and Facts

What are the signs and symptoms of a concussion?

• • • • • • • • •

SIGNS OBSERVED BY PARENTS, FRIENDS, TEACHERS OR COACHES

Appears dazed or stunned Forgets play Is confused about what to do Is unsure of game, score, or opponent Moves clumsily Answers questions slowly Loses consciousness Shows behavior or personality changes Can’t recall events prior to hit • • • • • • • • • •

SYMPTOMS REPORTED BY ATHLETE

Headache Nausea Balance problems or dizziness Double or fuzzy vision Sensitive to light or noise Feeling sluggish Feeling foggy or groggy Concentration or memory problems Confusion Can’t recall events after the hit

Concussion Information and Facts

• • •

What should I do if I think my child has had a concussion?

If an athlete is suspected of having a concussion, he or she must be immediately removed from play, be it a game or practice. Continuing to participate in physical activity after a concussion can lead to worsening concussion symptoms, increased risk for further injury, and even death. Parents and coaches are not expected to be able to “diagnose” a concussion, as that is the job of a medical professional. However, you must be aware of the signs and symptoms of a concussion and if you are suspicious, then your child must stop playing:

When in doubt, sit them out!

All athletes who sustain a concussion need to be evaluated by a health care professional who is familiar with sports concussions. You should call your child’s physician and explain what has happened and follow your physician’s instructions. If your child is vomiting, has a severe headache, is having difficulty staying awake or answering simple questions he or she should be taken to the emergency department immediately.

• • • • • • • • • • •

When can an athlete return to play following a concussion?

After suffering a concussion, no athlete should return to play or practice on that same day. Previously, athletes were allowed to return to play if their symptoms resolved within 15 minutes of the injury. Studies have shown us that the young brain does not recover quickly enough for an athlete to return to activity in such a short time.

Concerns over athletes returning to play too quickly have led to Michigan lawmakers to pass a law that states that no player shall return to play following a

concussion on that same day and the athlete must be cleared by an appropriate health-care professional before he or she are allowed to return to play in games or practices.

The laws also mandate that coaches receive education on recognizing the signs and symptoms of concussion.

Once an athlete no longer has symptoms of a concussion and is cleared to return to play by health care professional knowledgeable in the care of sports concussions he or she should proceed with activity in a step-wise fashion to allow the brain to re-adjust to exertion.

On average the athlete will complete a new step each day. The return to play schedule should proceed as below following medical clearance: Step 1: Light exercise, including walking or riding an exercise bike. No weight-lifting.

Step 2: Running in the gym or on the field. No helmet or other equipment.

Step 3: Non-contact training drills in full equipment. Weight-training can begin.

Step 4: Full contact practice or training.

Step 5: Game play

If symptoms occur at any step, the athlete should cease activity and be re-evaluated by their health care provider.

Concussion Information and Facts

•

How can a concussion affect schoolwork?

Following a concussion, many athletes will have difficulty in school. These problems may last from days to months and often involve difficulties with short and long term memory, concentration, and organization. In many cases it is best to lessen the athlete’s class load early on after the injury. This may include staying home from school for a few days, followed by a lightened schedule for a few days, or perhaps a longer period of time, if needed. Decreasing the stress on the brain early on after a concussion may lessen symptoms and shorten the recovery time.

• • • • • • •

What can I do?

Both you and your child should learn to recognize the “Signs and Symptoms” of concussion as listed above.

Teach your child to tell the coaching staff if he or she experiences such symptoms.

Emphasize to administrators, coaches, teachers, and other parents your concerns and expectations about concussion and safe play.

Teach your child to tell the coaching staff if he or she suspects that a teammate has a concussion.

Monitor sports equipment for safety, fit, and maintenance.

Ask teachers to monitor any decrease in grades or changes in behavior that could indicate concussion.

Report concussions that occurred during the school year to appropriate school staff. This will help in monitoring injured athletes as

Concussion Information and Facts

Practice Rules

Coaches may be held liable if these guidelines are not followed.

Start Date No Team shall practice prior to August 11th, and shall comply with league calendar.

Definition of a Practice Practices are defined as skill sessions, film viewing, conditioning, scrimmaging, and any gathering by the team for any football purpose. Practice Length 1. Prior to the beginning of the school's academic school year practices will be limited to no more than five (5) days and ten (10) hours of practice per week. 2. After the start of the Academic school year Practices will be limited to no more than three (3) days and six (6) hours per week. 3. Actual practice time will be organized not to exceed two (2) hours in length. During practices, for each hour of activity, it is mandatory for the coach to give one ten (10) minute break. If the temperature is above 75 degrees a 5 minute break is highly recommended every 30 minutes.

Adverse weather Practices or Games will not be conducted during adverse weather condition which include.

1.

No practices shall be conducted if the Heat Index, as advertised on the Weather Channel, exceeds 90˚. Heat Index is a combination of Temperature and Humidity.

2. If lightning can be seen from the field, practice or games must be suspended and shelter found for all players. In order for the activity to resume a period of 15 minutes must elapse free of lightning. The maximum duration from the initial sighting of lightning is 30 minutes to resume the activity.

3. The Area Vice-President will make the determination of resuming the activity at that time. In the event the Area Vice-President is not present, it will then be then determined by the coach(s) present.

Practice Rules (cont.)

Required Conditioning All players, regardless of when they join the team, must meet the requirements of this section.

1. During the first week of practice of the season; Monday – Helmet and Mouth Guard Only.

Tuesday – Helmet and Mouth Guard Only.

Wednesday – Helmet, Mouth Guard and Shoulder Pads.

Thursday – Helmet, Mouth Guard and Shoulder Pads.

Friday – Helmet, Mouth Guard, Shoulder Pads and Integrated Pants. No Player to Player Contact.

2. Each player must participate in, and the Head Coach must document, four (4) hours of Helmet and Mouth Guard only practice, four (4) hours of Helmet, Mouth Guard and Shoulder Pads only practice and two (2) hours of full uniform practice prior to having that player participate in a Collision Practice. 3. No player may have live contact with another player until the ten (10) hours of conditioning has been met.

4. A credit of one (1) hour of Helmet and Mouth Guard only practice may be granted if practice is missed to actively participate in an organized soccer game.

A “collision” practice is one in which there is

live

,

game-speed

,

player-vs.-player

contact in pads (not walk-throughs) involving any number of players. This includes practices with scrimmages, drills and simulations where action is live, game-speed, player-vs.-player.

If any part of a drill or scrimmage involves live game-speed player-vs.-player contact in pads, it is a collision practice even if players do not execute full tackles at a competitive pace that takes players to the ground.

During any additional practice sessions that day, players may wear helmets and other pads (neither is mandatory). Blocking and tackling technique may be taught and practiced. However, full-speed contact is limited to players vs. pads, shields, sleds or dummies.

It is recommended that we have no more than 1 collision practice a week for the entire season.

Practice Rules (cont.)

Coach’s responsibility at practice At least one coach must be present during every practice and must remain until all players have been picked up after practice. Out of Class Practices There will be no “out of class” practices between Youth Junior Teams and Youth Senior Teams.

Split Teams and Player Combines Teams that split will be allowed to do player evaluation sessions on Thursday and or Friday the week prior to the start of regular season practice. This time will not be counted toward the 10 hours of conditioning. The Player Draft must be completed by the end of day the following Monday .

Striper Rules

Rule 1:

A Striper player may not advance the ball on any offensive series. For example he or she may not run, throw, or catch the ball.

Rule 2:

A Striper Player may not advance the football during kickoffs, punt returns, or handle the ball during the return. If the ball is kicked to them they may fall on it.

Rule 3:

A Striper Player may not advance the ball on a turnover. If a Striper Player intercepts a pass or recovers a fumble, the Defensive Team will obtain possession of the ball at the spot of the recovery.

Rule 4:

A Striper Player will not be penalized for an instinctive reaction to recovering the football. The play will be blown dead and the ball spotted at the point of recovery.

Rule 5:

If a team violates these Striper Player rules, the referee will call the play dead and a 15yard penalty will be enforced.

Rule 6:

All stripers must be on the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball. This includes offensive and defensive positions. No Striper may line up in the backfield except to kick extra points and field goals. Stripers are still restricted from advancing the ball, fakes are not allowed and the play is called dead if there is a bad snap with the striper in the back field. Coach’s responsibility at practice.

All Play Rule

• • • Section A. Teams with more than 22 players at game time: 1. Each player will be guaranteed a minimum of 12 plays per game, 3 plays in each quarter. 2. Each player must start either on an offensive series, a defensive series or on special teams provided they have met the conditions of Section C below. • • • Section B. Teams with 22 or less players at game time: 1. Each player will be guaranteed a minimum of 12 plays per game, 3 plays in each quarter. 2. Each player must start either on offense or defense series provided they have met the conditions of Section C below. • • Section C. Exceptions to the All Play Rule The amount of game playing time is directly related to the number of practices attended and the active participation in practice during the preceding week's practice. If a player is absent from a practice, and notifies the coach prior to practice, with a reasonable excuse he or she will not be penalized. Unexcused absences, goofing off during a practice or a fear of playing will not guarantee the player the amount of plays listed in this Article. The Head Coach must document this reduction and notify the parent prior to the game.

Rule 1:

A Striper player may not advance the ball on any offensive series. For example he or she may not run, throw, or catch the ball.

Sportsmanship Rule

• • • • • When a team leads by 25 or more points any offensive player that scored 2 touchdowns may not intentionally handle the ball, except at the center position.

If an offensive player, that has scored 2 touchdowns, handles the ball on offense while the score difference is 25 or more points, the penalty will be a 15 yard, Un-Sportsmanship Conduct Foul.

The Foul will be assessed from the original line of scrimmage and the down will be replayed.

The spirit of this rule is to get other kids involved in the offense when the lead is 25 or more points and not to run up the score.

If the score of the game return to a point differential of 24 or less, this rule will then no longer apply until the 25 point differential returns.

Kick-Off Formation Rule Change

Rules 6-1-3b (New); 6-1-3c (New) After the ready-for-play has been signaled and until the ball is kicked for a free kick, the Kicking Team must have at least four (4) players on either side of the kicker.

Rules 6-1-3b (New); 6-1-3c (New) On a free kick, from the time the ready-for-play is signaled until the ball is kicked, no Kicking Team player other than the kicker may be more than 5 yards from his free-kick line.

This formation is illegal since the kicking team only has 3 players on one side of the kicker. After the ready-for-play has been signaled and until the ball is kicked for a free kick, the kicking team must have at least 4 players on either side of the kicker.

On a free kick, from the time the ready-for-play is signaled until the ball is kicked, the kicking team must have a minimum of 4 players on either side of the kicker and no kicking team player other than the kicker may be more than 5 yards from the free kick line.

No kicking team player, except the kicker, may be more than 5 yards behind the kicking team’s free kick line.

K3, K4, K5 and K6 are all more than 5 yards from their free kick line.

The kicking team is guilty of a dead-ball foul.

Scrimmage Kick and Punt Rules

• • • • • • • • • • • • Rule: Scrimmage Kicks/Punts: Youth Senior Division: Current National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS) rules are in effect. No Stripers may punt or line up in the back field. Youth Junior Division: The punt is a Dead Ball Kick. 1. There is no weight restriction for the punter, since this is a Dead Ball Kick. 2. The punt is considered a dead ball play and a team must notify the White Hat Official of their intention to punt. Youth Junior teams cannot fake a punt. 3. The referee will notify the opposing team and coach of their intention to punt on the next play. The official shall then give the defensive team time to get into formation prior to putting the ball in play. 4. The ball will be long snapped from the center. 5. The offensive or defensive players are not allowed to cross the line of scrimmage during the punt. 6. The Defensive team can only four players back to receive the punt. The other 7 players must be within 3 yards of the line scrimmage. 7. Undeclared punts made by the offensive team will be returned to the original line of scrimmage and will be penalized 5 yards.

8. The ball will be declared dead at the point at which the receiving team has gained control of the ball. There are no returns of Punts. 9. If the receiver muffs the ball forward or the receiving team blocks the punt forward, the ball is declared dead at the point where it was first touched.

Point After Touchdown Kick (PAT)

Rule

: PAT’s PROCEDURES: (Point-After-Touchdown)

Youth Senior Division:

Current NFHS rules are in effect with the following exceptions: 1. Conversions may be made by passing or running plays from scrimmage and will count 1 point. 2. Kicking of extra points will count 2 points. 3. Stripers are permitted to be kickers but are still restricted from advancing the ball. Fakes are not allowed and the play is called dead if there is a bad snap with the striper in the back field.

•

Youth Junior Division:

Kicking PAT’s are Dead Ball Kicks and are mandatory. PAT’s will count as 1 points and must follow these restrictions: 1. No weight restriction for the kicker and holder since this is a Dead Ball Kick. 2. Youth Junior teams cannot fake a PAT Kick. 3. The official shall then give the defensive team time to get into formation prior to kicking the ball. 4. The ball will be long snapped from the center. 5. The ball must be kicked within 5 seconds from the time of the snap. 6. The offensive or defensive players are not allowed to cross the line of scrimmage during the kick attempt. 7. The Defensive Team players may stand with their hands in the air or jump in an attempt to block the kick, but at no time shall they cross the line of scrimmage.

8. If the holder has to leave his or her normal position due to a fumbled snap or to chase a snap, the attempt is over and no points are awarded. Rising to catch a high snap is considered a normal position.

.

Field Goals

Rule

: Field Goal Procedures •

Youth Senior Division:

Current NFHS rules are in effect and will count for 3 points. Stripers are permitted to be kickers but are still restricted from advancing the ball. Fakes are not allowed and the play is called dead if there is a bad snap with the striper in the back field. •

Youth Junior Division:

Field goals will count for 3 points. Current NFHS rules are in effect with the following exceptions: 1. No weight restriction for the kicker and holder since this is a dead ball kick. 2. The field goal kick attempt is considered a dead ball play and a team must notify the White Hat Official of their field goal attempt. Youth Junior teams cannot fake a field goal kick. 3. The official shall then give the defensive team time to get into formation prior to kicking the ball. 4. The ball will be long snapped from the center. 5. The ball must be kicked within 5 seconds from the time of the snap. 6. The offensive or defensive players are not allowed to cross the line of scrimmage during the kick attempt. 7. The Defensive Team players may stand with their hands in the air or jump in an attempt to block the kick, but at no time shall they cross the line of scrimmage. 8. If the holder has to leave his or her normal position due to a fumbled snap or to chase a snap, the attempt is over and no points are awarded. Rising to catch a high snap is considered a normal position. 9. If the field goal attempt ball breaks the plane of the goal line but does not pass through the goal post uprights the ball will change possession and be placed on the 20 yard line. If the field goal attempt ball does not cross the plane of the goal line the ball will change possession and be placed at the spot of the defense taking possession.

Targeting is an act of taking aim and initiating contact to an opponent above the shoulders with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulders. Targeting may be called for contact against any opponent, including the runner.

Targeting is an act of taking aim and initiating contact to an opponent above the shoulders with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulders. Targeting may be called for contact against any opponent, including the runner.

Targeting is an act of taking aim and initiating contact to an opponent above the shoulders with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulders. Targeting may be called for contact against any opponent, including the runner.

Targeting is an act of taking aim and initiating contact to an opponent above the shoulders with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulders. Targeting may be called for contact against any opponent, including the runner.

A blow to the helmet by two lineman in the free blocking zone is not necessarily a targeting foul.

Targeting is an act of taking aim and initiating contact to an opponent above the shoulders with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulders. Targeting may be called for contact against any opponent, including the runner. Note that the passer in this play is also a defenseless player. Targeting is a 15-yard penalty for illegal personal contact.

A new definition for a defenseless player has been added. A defenseless player is a player who, because of his physical position and focus of concentration, is especially vulnerable to injury.

B6 has chosen not to participate further and is obviously out of the play. He is considered to be defenseless.

After a kick (Play Pic A), a kicker who has not had a reasonable amount of time to regain his balance after the kick (Play Pic B) is a defenseless player.

A pass receiver attempting to catch a pass, or a pass receiver who has clearly relaxed when the player has missed the pass or feels he can no longer catch the pass, is considered defenseless.

A kick receiver attempting to catch or recover the ball is considered defenseless.

A player who is on the ground is considered defenseless.

A runner already in the grasp of an opponent and whose forward progress has been stopped is defenseless. Contact on the runner could also be considered targeting.

If a player whose helmet comes completely off during a down and continues to participate beyond the immediate action in which the players is engaged, it’s a foul for illegal participation.

It is a personal foul if a player or non-player initiates contact with an opposing player whose helmet has come completely off.

No member of the kicking team shall initiate contact to (block) an opponent until the legal kick has traveled 10 yards; or the kicking team is eligible to recover a free-kicked ball.

Offensive Formation (Slide 1) Must have a minimum of 7 players on the line of scrimmage Widest player on the line of scrimmage is considered to be an eligible receiver during a pass play This formation is legal Eligible Receivers are Q, B1, B2, B3, LE, and RE LE T G C Q G T RE B3 B1 B2

Offensive Formation (Slide 2) Must have a minimum of 7 players on the line of scrimmage Widest player on the line of scrimmage is considered to be an eligible receiver during a pass play Legal Formation Eligible Receivers are Q, B1, B2, B3. LE and RE are covered by B2 and B3 and not eligible to go down field for a pass.

B2 LE T G C Q G T RE B3 B1

Offensive Formation (Slide 3) Must have a minimum of 7 players on the line of scrimmage Widest player on the line of scrimmage is considered to be an eligible receiver during a pass play Legal Formation Eligible Receivers are Q, B1, B2, B3. LE and RE are now eligible to go down field for a pass since they are not on the line of scrimmage.

B2 LE T G C Q G T RE B3 B1

Offensive Formation (Slide 4) Must have a minimum of 7 players on the line of scrimmage Widest player on each side of the center on the line of scrimmage is considered to be an eligible receiver during a pass play Legal Formation Eligible Receivers are Q, B1, B2, B3. LE and RE are not eligible to go down field for a pass since they are covered by B3.

B3 B2 RE LE T G C G T Q B1

Offensive Formation (Slide 5) Must have a minimum of 7 players on the line of scrimmage Widest player on each side of the center on the line of scrimmage is considered to be an eligible receiver during a pass play Legal Formation Eligible Receivers are Q, B1, B2, B3 and RE. LE is not eligible to go down field for a pass since he is covered by RE.

In youth football RT would be eligible but in high school his player number would make him in-eligible B3 B2 RE LE T G C G RT Q B1

B3 LE RE Offensive Formation (Slide 6) Must have a minimum of 7 players on the line of scrimmage Widest player on each side of the center on the line of scrimmage is considered to be an eligible receiver during a pass play Illegal Formation Only 6 players on the line of scrimmage.

Eligible Receivers are Q, B1, B2, B3, LE and RE.

B2 T G C G T Q B1

Offensive Formation (Slide 6) Must have a minimum of 7 players on the line of scrimmage Widest player on each side of the center on the line of scrimmage is considered to be an eligible receiver during a pass play legal Formation 10 Players on the line of scrimmage.

Eligible Receivers are Q, B1 and B2 for a passing play.

B1 B3 LE T G C G T RE B2 Q