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2010 Rules and Ethics

AYF Football Rulebook 2010

AYC Revised Rulebook 2010

Park Ridge Falcons and the AYF play under the rules of the National Federation of High School
Associations (NFHS- www.nfhs.org) as adopted by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA- www.ihsa.
org) with the exceptions listed below. These exceptions have been adopted by AYF in the interest of
player safety and development.


Emphasis on Rules that Protect Player’s Well-Being

Mouthguards: NO PLAYER may wear a clear or white colored mouth guard. The referee MUST be able to clearly
see each player’s mouth guard.

Glasses/Shields: NO PLAYER may wear dark sports goggles or dark helmet shield. The referee MUST be able to
clearly see the eyes of each player with his helmet on.

Any Direct, purposeful hitting with the helmet by any player whether offensive or defensive is expressly
prohibited and is penalized 15 yards and may be considered a Flagrant Foul which carries an ejection.  This is a
judgment call by the referee.  

Spearing is a 15yd penalty and any 2nd offense is an ejection. This is a judgment call by the referee.  

No Chop Blocking, No engaging above the waist and then dropping below the waist.  This is a judgment call by the
referee.

Extra Point Scoring: A place kick shall score two points; a successful run or pass shall score one point.

Mandatory Plays are a minimum of 8 plays per player for all levels of teams regardless of the number of players on
the team.  Only plays starting with a snap are considered a play for the purpose of  this rule.  If a child has not
reached the 8 play minimum by the end of the 3rd quarter he must start the 4th quarter no matter the situation.  An
infraction of this will be a 15 yard penalty (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) as well as a possible suspension of the coach if
he is found negligent by the AYF board.

 

Chicagoland AYF Game Timing Rules

At all levels on an incomplete pass, the game clock will stop and not re-start until the next offensive snap of the
football.  On the spot of the football the 25 second play clock will begin to run.

When a player runs out of bounds the game clock is stopped until the ball is re-spotted and the referee signals
the play and game clock to run.

Mercy Rule: If the score in a game reaches more than 28 points difference, then starting in the second half, the
referee shall declare a “Running Clock” whereby the game clock will run continuously and may be stopped only by
calling a time out or upon a score and shall restart upon completion of the time out or by the scoring team kicking off.

Change of Possession

On a change of possession, once the ball is spotted and the referee signals, the play and game clock will run
ONLY at the Bandit and Cadet Level,  

On a change of possession at all other levels, the 25 second play clock will run on the spot of the ball but the
game clock will not start until an offensive snap occurs.

During the last two minutes of each half at all levels, the clock will be run identical to a high school clock.  

At Bandit and Cadet the play clock is 45 seconds after the spot of the ball.  If you do not get the ball snapped
you will be flagged for delay of game.

Special Rules for Bandit and Cadet

Halo Rule for the Center for Bandit and Cadet
  1. Any defensive player lined up over the Offensive Center must be 1 yard off the ball.
  2. No player at all may rush the A Gap except the nose guard who is one yard off the ball and line of scrimmage.
  3. The nose guard must be in a three point or four point stance.  A player cannot rush from the nose position in a
    two point stance.
  4. Defensive tackles only can lineup head up on the guards.
  5. Defensive tackles CANNOT slant into the A gap at all.  
  6. Defensive tackles can bull rush or slant to the B gap.  The A gap can only be rushed by the defensive nose
    guard from a three point stance or 4 point stance.
  7. Violation the first two times is a 5 yard penalty, each additonal penalty will result in a 15 yard penalty.

Other Special Rules for Bandit and Cadet
  1. Only Six (6) Players allowed on the Line of Scrimmage. No Blitzing from anyone but the six players on the line
    of scrimmage.
  2. There will be a 45 second play clock.
  3. Coaches are not to coach while on the field of play once the play begins.
  4. Coaches on the field of play must be a minimum of 15yds away from the line of scrimmage at the beginning of
    play.
  5. Coaches will be given a warning for first infraction.  A second infraction will be a 15yd penalty, and a third
    infraction will be 15yd penalty and removal from field of play.
  6. Rulings on Spotting of plays will only be upheld if the team spotting is on the opposing teams sideline and is in
    communication with the coach(s) of the team being spotted.
  7. On a change of possession, once the ball is spotted and the referee signals, the play and game clock will run.
  8. The play clock is 45 seconds after the spot of the ball.  If you do not get the ball snapped you will be flagged
    for delay of game.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT AND EJECTIONS

Misconduct on or near the playing field or during a game will not be tolerated.  Swearing, fighting,
spitting, kicking, physically contacting an official OR ANY UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT is not tolerated
by the Park Ridge Falcons or the AYF.  This applies to players, coaches and fans, with the home team
being responsible for the actions of the fans.
Penalties will be assessed as follows:
  • First offense is a 15 yard penalty.
  • Second offense is a 15 yard penalty and ejection from the game.
  • All ejections carry a 2 week suspension.

IF A PLAYER OR COACH IS EJECTED A SECOND TIME DURING THE SEASON THEY ARE SUSPENDED FOR
THE SEASON.