Tackle rules

The goal of the Capital District Youth Football League is to accommodate every child in our community that is interested in playing football. We want everyone to have the opportunity to play football, regardless of size or experience. Our league is geared towards teaching the fundamentals of football, while ensuring that each child has a great experience. Every member of this league understands that player development is never compromised by competition. 

Practices and Participation

• Practices will be 4 days per week for the first 2 weeks.  For the remainder of the season there will ONLY be 2 days of practice per week.  
• Each player must have 8 practices prior to competing in a game - summer football camps may count towards 2 of these practices
  • Days 1 and 2 will be helmets only
  • Days 3 and 4 will be helmets and shoulder pads
  • Day 5 and beyond may be full pads and up to coach’s discretion - Each player must have 4 practices to be eligible for full contact

Game Play

• There are NO quarterback sneaks from under center.
• All tackle games will be played on a regulation football field - 100 yards in length and 10 yard first downs.
• All tackle games will be played 11 versus 11
• All tackle games will consist of (2) 30 minute halves.  Each half will be 25 minutes running clock with stoppages only for injuries, timeouts, delay of game and scores..  The final 5 minutes of each half will have clock stoppages for incomplete passes, first downs, out of bounds, penalties, as well as, injuries, timeouts, delay of game and scores. AKA Real Football!

Scheduling

• We will ATTEMPT to schedule games with organizations that have the same number of teams i.e. organizations with a single team will play other single teams.
• We will ATTEMPT to schedule games within the divisions due to proximity. 
• We will set up rivalry games.  Just in case we don’t know all of the rivalries, please send us an email. 
• We will continue to match up teams with similar records.  These will now take place weeks 7 and 8.  
• Field availability and game dates are due by JUNE 1st.  We will ATTEMPT to evenly split the number of home games.

Offensive Formations/Motions

• Penalties for improper offensive formations and motions will result in a 5 yard penalty.
• Offensive formations are limited to standard formations
  • Runnings backs must be aligned 3 yards from the line of scrimmage(same as linebackers)
  • No more than 2 players outside of the tackles at the snap of the ball
  • If a wide receiver is employed the maximum split is 10 yards outside of the LOS (last man on the line of scrimmage)
  • Motions are allowed.  If motioning towards the 2 receiver side the ball MUST be snapped before the motion man passes the midline (directly behind the center)

Offensive Rules

• You must start and end in a LEGAL formation
• Tight ends may only receive the football through pass - no handoffs or reverses to the tight end
• There are no unbalanced lines - cannot have more than 2 players outside the tackle and you cannot use a tackle eligible.  Offense may only employ 3 players on LOS on each side of center.  1 yard splits.
• All blocking is above the waist - NO chop blocks 
• Gentleman’s agreement - If a team is winning by 3 scores or more, coaches will get together and come up with a strategy to keep the game “in hand”.  Winning team will no longer run or pass to their starting running backs and receivers.

Defensive Formations

• Penalties for improper defensive formations will result in a 5 yard penalty. 
• Defensive formations are limited to the 6-2-3 formation.
• 6 “linemen” must be in an imaginary line within 2 yards of the line of scrimmage.  The 4 interior linemen must play head up on the offensive guards and tackles.  Defensive tackles will always line up over the guards.  Defensive ends will line up over the tackles unless there is a tight end AND a wing on the same side.  If this alignment occurs the defensive end may line up over the tight end.  Interior defensive linemen must start with their hand in the ground.  The center is uncovered, including linebackers.
  • The 2 middle linebackers must be at least 3 yards off the line of scrimmage.
  • 3 defensive backs must be lined up at least 4 yards off of the line of scrimmage.
  • If a wide receiver is employed, the DB cannot be more than 1 yard inside leverage on the receiver.
  • Defensive backs may come up to linebacker depth when the ball is inside the 10 yard line.
  • Outside linebackers may play outside shade of the last man on the line of scrimmage (tight end or wing)
  • A walkaway end may be employed to the wide receiver side.  They may be no deeper than linebacker depth and no wider than ½ the distance between the tackle and the wide receiver.

Defensive Rules

• There is no blitzing from any defensive player.
• No stunting or defensive games are allowed
• Defensive tackles cannot shoot the A gap.  They MUST engage with the offensive guard and use a defensive technique(swim, rip, etc). *If you feel this was an issue in your game, please send game film with specific play numbers to Art Eastman and Joe Whipple*
• If the offensive formation contains a tight end AND a wing on the same side, the defensive end may line up over the tight end and the outside linebacker may play outside shade of the wing.

Situational 

Kickoffs and Punts

• There are no kickoffs, play will start from your own 35 yard line.
• Punts must be “punted”, there are no walk offs.
  • Punts are dead, even if the punter drops the ball, they may retrieve it and punt the ball.
  • Legal offensive formations must be employed.
• Punt receiving
  • Legal defensive formation must be employed.
  • 3 players or less may be dropped back and be at the same depth.
  • If a punt is caught in the air, the ball will be advanced 5 yards from the catch.
  • If a punt is dropped, the ball will be spotted 5 yards behind the point of contact.
  • If a punt is fielded off the ground, it will be spotted at that point
  • If a punt is not caught or fielded, the ball will be spotted where it stops.
• Extra Points
  • 2 points for a successful kick conversion
  • Extra point kicks are dead as well.
  • Defense is only allowed to raise their hands, they cannot yell or distract the kicker
  • 1 point for a successful run or pass conversion from the 3 yard line
• Safety
  • 2 points is awarded for a safety and the ball will be placed at the 50 yard line

Equipment

• Footballs
  • Footballs will be provided by each individual organization, no personal footballs should be used.
  • Junior Tackle Division will use a Pee Wee sized ball.
  • Senior Tackle Division will use a Junior sized ball.
• Uniforms and Protective Equipment
  • Football cleats should have molded rubber soles.  No screw-on cleats.  Sneakers may be worn, but cleats are highly encouraged. 
  • Helmets are made of youth graded material (plastic) for use at the youth level only. 
  • All equipment has been inspected by each individual program to ensure that each child has been fitted safely and properly with all equipment. (Required: Knee Pads, Thigh Pads, Girdle (w/ hips and tail pad), Shoulder Pads, Jersey and Helmet (with chinstrap and mouth guard). 
  • It is recommended that each player wears a belt and each jersey is tucked into the pants to ensure safety and comfort for all players. 
  • Any additional equipment must be approved by the league executive board. 
• Timing
  • All tackle games will consist of (2) 30 minute halves.  Each half will be 25 minutes running clock with stoppages only for injuries, timeouts, delay of game and scores.  The final 5 minutes of each half will have clock stoppages for incomplete passes, first downs, out of bounds, penalties, as well as, injuries, timeouts, delay of game and scores. AKA Real Football!
  • 40 second play clock
  • 3 timeouts per half, timeouts that are not used in the 1st half do not carry over to the 2nd half. 
• Trick plays, unfair acts and unsportsmanlike conduct
  • It is a fundamental core belief of the CDYFL and USA Football that coaches demand sportsmanship from their players and, equally important, lead by example. Coaches must always remember that the players look to them for positive life skills and values. 
  • With that in mind, the CDYFL and USA Football take the position that coaches should refrain from teaching their players and teams techniques and plays that have no place in youth sports. Examples of deceptive plays include but are not limited to “hideout” plays, “wrong ball” plays and/or “fumblerooski” plays. 
  • Football has been and always will be a game of deception and trickery involving multiple shifts, unusual formations and creative plays. However, actions or verbiage designed to confuse the defense into believing there is a problem and a snap isn’t imminent or planned loose ball plays, are beyond the scope of sportsmanship and are illegal. Please respect your opponent and respect the game! 
• Participation
  • Each player must have 8 practices prior to competing in a game - summer football camps may count towards 2 of these practices
  • In the event players do not participate in scheduled practices following the commencement of games, player eligibility will be determined by a member of the Organization Board in consultation with the Head Coach.  
  • Decisions are made on a case by case basis.  Factors affecting eligibility decisions include past practice attendance, player physical readiness and reason for absence.  Decisions to limit playing time for any reason must be approved by a member of the Organization Board.

CDYFL League Weight Limits

There will be mandatory weigh-ins for all players. If possible, players will wear their jerseys and a photo will be taken for team rosters.  Team rosters will be shared with all organizations.  Not having a jersey should not be a reason to not make the weigh-ins.  Arrangements will be made on a case by case basis for players who are not available on the night of the weigh-ins.

Our tackle football program consists of 2 divisions: 

• Junior Tackle for 3rd and 4th graders
• Senior tackle for 5th and 6th graders

Junior Division – Players less than the set weight limit for lineman are to be designated as offensive or defensive backfield/end positions. Players less than the set lineman weight may play an interior line position, but if practical should play a backfield/end position. 

• Weights for Junior Division (3rd/4th Grade) are as follows: 
  • Maximum weight for QB, RB, WR – 95 lbs 
  • Maximum weight for TE- 115 lbs 
  • Maximum Weight for LB – 115 lbs 

Senior Division – Players less than the set weight limit for lineman are to be designated as offensive or defensive backfield/end positions. Players less than the set lineman weight may play an interior line position, but if practical should play a backfield/end position. 

• Weights for Senior Division (5th/6th grade) are as follows:
  • Maximum weight for QB, RB, WR – 120 lbs 
  • Maximum weight for TE- 140 lbs 
  • Maximum Weight for LB – 140 lbs

Assembling of Teams

• If an organization has the capacity to make more than 1 team at a level, every effort MUST be made to ensure that all teams are even and of equal abilities.  This includes both coaches and players.
• There should never be an instance where you have an “A” and a “B” team.
• Sharing of players is not allowed, so please choose teams fairly and wisely.
• Every effort will be made to ensure plenty of playing time for all players regardless of team size. 
• Minimum numbers of players per team is 18, teams will split at 36 unless there are extenuating circumstances which will be determined on a case by case basis by Joe Whipple and Art Eastman
  • If you only have 1 team at a level, the minimum number of players is 14.

Coaches/Coaching Responsibilities

• Coaches are a vital part of all youth organizations and are our leaders on the field of play.  The CDYFL thanks each of you for your commitment to our children and to the great game of football!
• A maximum of 2 coaches on the field
• All games must be recorded with the SOUND ON and uploaded to HUDL.  Home teams are responsible for filming.  Please have someone available to film your games.  We suggest you film all games, whether you are home or away.
• Offensive coaches must remain at the huddle point and defensive coaches must stay back AND completely out of the play.  Once the ball is snapped there should be NO coaching(talking) from any on field coaches until the play is over.
• Coaches will abide by the Code of Conduct established by each program within the CDYFL.  Inability to follow these guidelines may result in a possible suspension or removal from the league.
  • Unsportsmanlike penalties(flag) on a coach will result in a 1 game suspension (remainder of current game AND the next game).  This will be communicated by the organization president.  If further assistance is needed please contact Joe Whipple and Art Eastman.
  • Major Incidents, other than penalties, with referees will result in an automatic 2 game suspension for the 1st offense and removal from the CDYFL for a 2nd offense.  
  • Coaches who knowingly run or pass to a player who is over the weight limit will be subject to suspension and possible removal from the league.
  • Organizations and/or coaches who break any rules in the final weeks of the season will be disciplined the following season.  

Game Responsibilities

• Each program within the CDYFL is responsible for setting field assignments, as well as, providing locations and directions to their home fields.  If these change PLEASE let us know.
• All fields will be lined and marked appropriately to ensure proper enforcement of the rules and safety of our children.
• Home teams are responsible for filming tackle games and uploading to HUDL.
• Home teams are responsible for providing a chain crew.  Chains will remain on the home side of the field.
• Home teams are responsible for paying the referees.  In the event of inclement weather, please cancel/postpone games in a timely manner.  If unable to do so, referees are to be paid when they arrive.
• During the coin toss, teams will line up shoulder to shoulder, behind their captains or along their sidelines, as a sign of respect for their opponents.

Thank you for all you do for the CDYFL, children of your league and the betterment of the great game of football!!  Let’s have a great season!!