MIDDLE SCHOOL FOOTBALL ALLIANCE ** BY LAWS 2009

1.         WIAA rules apply unless identified below

2.         The season shall begin no earlier than the High School program.

3.         There shall be at the most (1) interscholastic game per week.  The WIAA maximum of seven (7) games is allowed.

4.         A team may practice each day of week until the first game.  After the first game, practices may not exceed three (3) times a week plus a game, for the remainder of the season.

5.         Each quarter shall be nine (9) minutes unless facilities dictate otherwise.  The clock will run with normal WIAA rules.  Officials will enforce 25-second play clock as normal.  Coaches and officials can mutually meet to shorten the quarters if needed.

6.         All games that end in a tie shall remain tied.  (No Overtime)

7.         8^th Grade Special Teams (Kick-off/Punts)  Kickoffs will be normal as in WIAA rules.  Exception:  There will be no onside kicks or squibs – if the kicking team recovers an onside or squib it will be the receiving team’s ball.  If the receiving team establishes possession then fumbles on the return then there will be a change of possession.  If no possession has been clearly established then it will be the receiving team’s ball.

Punts:  Punt Returns are live.  NO FAKES – punting team must declare.  NO RUSH from defense, including if there is a poor snap or fumble.  The punter must punt between the tackles immediately after receiving the snap.  There will be no punt blocks.  The coverage team can release with the contact of the ball by the punter.  Punts kicked into the line of scrimmage are dead and result in possession to the receiving team.  Fair catches are allowed.  If no possession has been clearly established then it will be the receiving team’s ball.  No muffs.  No possession will begin inside the receiving team 20-yard line on punts or kickoffs.  A change of possession resulting from a turnover or change of downs can start inside the 20-yard line.  Punt and Kick Returners have the same weight restrictions as offense-no ball advancement.

8.         7^th Grade Special Teams (Kick-off/Punts)  Kickoffs will be normal as in WIAA rules.  Exception:  There will be no onside kicks or squibs – if the kicking team recovers an onside or squib it will be the receiving team’s ball.  If the receiving team establishes possession then fumbles on the return then there will be a change of possession.  If no possession has been clearly established then it will be the receiving team’s ball.

Punts:  NO Punt Returns.  Punts are untimed downs.  Officials should stop the clock at the start of 4^th down to allow the offensive team to announce to the official their intent to punt.  The official announces to the defense that a punt is to be kicked.  If the punt is caught five (5) yards will be awarded to the punt receiving team regardless of field position.  A ball downed is played from that point.  The ball should be long snapped from the center to the punter with no penalty if the ball hits the ground.  No possession will begin inside the receiving team 20-yard line on punts or kickoffs.  A change of possession resulting from a turnover or change of downs can start inside the 20-yard line.  The same special team rules apply after a safety. Kick Returners have the same weight restrictions as offense-no ball advancement.

9.         Field goals and extra points may be attempted and are untimed downs.  All extra points rushed or passed are counted as one (1) point and are attempted from the three (3) yard line.  Any conversion kicked is counted as two (2) points and the kick should be from the three (3) yard line and is not live.  Muffed or fumbled long snaps are not dead balls.  No rush from defense for any kicks.  No return of missed field goals.  Offense must declare if they are kicking.

10.        Seventh grade teams may also be referred to as lightweights.  Coach’s discretion about moving seventh graders up to eighth grade teams.  Eighth graders under 100 pounds may be moved down to the seventh grade team at coaches discretion (no difference makers).  Each program must weigh-in their kids once only – Program Directors are responsible for their program weigh-in.

11.        Offensively, any eighth grader who weighs over 150 pounds cannot play in the backfield or at end - he must play in a DOWN LINE position.  Any seventh grader that weighs over 140 pounds must play in a DOWN LINE position.  A DOWN LINE position means in a three point or four point stance (no backs or ends). 

12.        Defensively, any eighth grader who weighs over 175 pounds must play in a DOWN LINE position.  Any seventh grader who weighs over 160 pounds must play in a DOWN LINE position.  A DOWN LINE position means in a three point or four point stance.

13.        Defensively, there will be no blitzing.  All linebackers must align at the minimum of four (4) yards deep (at depth of umpire) with no movement toward the LOS until the snap of the ball.  This means not sending any linebackers, or edge players (OLB/C).  Defensive linemen must be on the line of scrimmage.  Maximum of 6 on the line of scrimmage including goal line situations.  Officials should  1) Warn the defense  2) Penalize 5 yards and replay the down. If blitz occurs on the last play of the game penalize 5 yards and replay the down.

14.        Coaches at the seventh grade level have the option of being on the field when their team is on offense.  Coaches at the eighth grade level may not be on the field.

15.        It is important to keep the scores down (attempt to keep it within 21 points).  The purpose of the league is to allow players to play, learn the fundamentals of the game and enjoy the sport of football.  This may mean changing the regular position of players, schemes, etc.  If a team is ahead by 21 or more points in the second half they can only run the ball.   * If coaches need to talk at halftime they should adhere to the above thoughts.

16.        If a school is not able to divide their seventh/eighth grade teams into two separate but equal teams, then they must two platoon.  This means start 11 people on offense and a different 11 on defense.  Our goal is to give EVERYONE a chance to play the game.  Players should not play in more than 1 game per night, unless it is absolutely necessary to play the 2^nd game.  Coaches must communicate any potential player movement to their opponent via Sunday emails.

17.        Our goal is to develop equally balanced teams.  Some movement between teams may be due to injuries, discipline problems, scholastic ineligibility, skill balancing, etc.

18.        Emails between upcoming opponents must be exchanged at least one week in advance of the game.  The home team should send an email providing their base defensive and offensive schemes and jersey colors along with confirming the game time and location. The visiting team should reply to that email providing their base schemes and jersey colors along with confirming the game time and location. This email exchange must be completed SUNDAY before 9:00 PM at least one week in advance. (See email sheet for who to specifically email from each program.).  If email contact is not made as required the visiting team should contact the home team Program Director.

19.        Home team must furnish ice and have an emergency plan including a cell phone at the games.

20.        After the season, directors and varsity head coaches will attend a working meeting to evaluate the concluded season and possible adjustments for the following season.

¨       Special Emphasis – Make sure officials are aware of our rules before the games (bring copies of the rules).  Coaches meet with officials during pre-game to communicate the alliance rules and communicate cooperatively if there is a problem with interpretation.  Ensure the special teams and blitz rules including umpire depth for linebackers are discussed.