RULES AND REGULATIONS

As of our meeting October 3, 2001, the Little Guys Conference has adopted a NO TOLERANCE policy in regards to rules violations and any actions that are contrary to the philosophy of the league.

The first violation will result in:

         • Minimum $100 dollar fine

         • Immediate coaching suspension

        • Organization placed on probation

The second violation will result in

         •  The Organization will be dismissed from the conference.

Very simply, any organization which cannot follow the policies and philosophy of the Little Guys Conference will no longer be permitted to participate in the league.

Tom Rowan

President

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Registration Information

 1.  Registration will be conducted by the Board of

     Directors.

 2.  Any team not ready to be registered at their

     designated time, will go to the end of the line and a

     fine imposed.

 3.  Mandatory Insurance - Each club must submit a

     photostat of their insurance policy and a list

     of current officers. These documents must

     be presented at registration. The team will NOT

     be allowed to register if these documents are not

     present. ID cards for your team will not be

     distributed until proper insurance identification is 

     received and your team will forfeit any scheduled

     game.

 4.  Hold Harmless Cards - Every player must fill out and

     sign liability release forms before they register.

     These cards should be placed in order of the Master

     Sheet.

 5.  Birth Certificates - Each 'NEW" player must present an

     Original State Birth Certificate proving his age. A 

     'NEW' player is any child who does not have a valid

     LGFC identification card. If a child was born in a

     foreign country, that country’s birth certificate

     would be acceptable providing it was notarized. No

     other certificate is acceptable. No Photostatic

     Copies. No Hospital Certificates.

 6.  Minimum - Each club must register at least sixteen

     (16) players. Any club unable to meet this minimum

     requirement will be at the discretion of the Board

     of Directors.

 7.  Master Sheet - Each club must have a completed

     alphabetically listed Master Sheet at the time of

     registration. Copies will be made by the

     conference and distributed prior to the opening game

     along with your ID cards. Please see the example

     Master Sheet on pages 15 thru 18.

 8.  Age Requirements

    · Cannot be nine (9) years of age before September 1

    · Must be five (5) years of age by July 31^st.

    A five (5) year old player will be ineligible to weigh-

    in, participate, dress or play in a regular LGFC

    scheduled game.

 9. A player registered in the LGFC cannot be registered or

    play in any other football conference.

10. All coaches must be registered with the Little Guys

    Football Conference, maximum of ten(10).

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Registration Checklist

Failure to comply with LGFC Registration Regulations will result in a fine and you will be moved to the end of the line to register last.

Please make sure you have completed all the items below before coming to registration.

 1.  Master Sheets must be typed with players names in

     alphabetical order. Please confirm you have placed

     your coaches names on the back.

 2.  Identification cards must be filled out for all new

     players and all coaches. Make sure every players 

     identification card has the players name, team and

     date of birth. All coaches ID should have: team,

     name, coach number corresponding to the master sheet.

 3.  Hold Harmless Forms should be put in alphabetical

     order corresponding to the Master Sheet.

 4.  Original State Birth Certificates are to be in the  

     order of the Master Sheet. No Photostat copies. No

     Hospital Certificates.

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Day of Registration

 1.  Payment is due in full at the time of registration.   

     Make Check payable to the ‘Little Guys Football

     Conference’.

 2.  Teams will line up outside in order of the master

     sheet and come into registration in a quiet and

     orderly fashion. This is the Head Coaches 

     responsibility.

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Weigh-in Regulations

 1.  The Little Guys Football Conference will not tolerate

     any “Deals” between coaches and clubs.

 2.  Weigh-in must begin thirty (30) minutes prior to the

     game. Unusual circumstances will be handled by the

     Board of Directors.

 3.  Home Team weighs in first.

 4.  Each player must have his ID card and club must have

     their Master sheet at each weigh-in. No player will be

     permitted to be in uniform, to weigh-in or play in a

     LGFC game without an ID card. If a player does not

     have an ID card by the 4th conference game, he will

     not be permitted to participate in any LGFC games for

     the rest of the season.

 5.  Head Coach (or designated coach) and one (1) assistant

     from each club will conduct the weigh-in and check ID

     cards. All other personnel must clear the scale area.

     The scale is to be a digital type scale ONLY.

     Board members will oversee weigh-ins when present.

 6.  A fifty (50) pound weight must be used to balance the scale.

 7.  All players on the Master Sheet must weigh-in prior to

     the game to be eligible to play. No player may weigh-

     in after completion of the weigh-in. Players late for

     the teams weigh-in will not be permitted to

     participate in the scheduled game. His jersey number

     will be given to the opposing coach and marked on the

     Master Sheet. His shoulder pads will be removed.

 8.  Weight - A player cannot be over 76 lbs in full

     equipment excluding helmet, shoulder pads and flak 

     jacket or rib pads.

 9.  All helmets must be NOCSAE approved.

10.  All players must wear standard, protective,

     commercially recognized equipment. Cut or

     altered uniforms are not permitted. No duplicate

     uniform numbers.

11.  Any player who steps on the scale missing mandatory

     pads will be ruled ineligible. The mandatory pads are:

     hip and tail or girdle pads, thigh and kneepads.

     Whatever the player steps on the scale with will be

     ruled as final. Game jerseys must also be worn at the 

     scale.

12.  A player may add a sweatshirt or shirt after the

     weigh-in, but it must be done at the scales.

     Elbow, wrist and hand pads may be added after a

     player has weighed in. Any pads or equipment

     requiring adjustment of uniform, removing of  jersey,

     etc. will not be permitted.

13.  Overweight - If a player is overweight, his shoulder

     pads will be removed at the scales. His name and 

     jersey number will be written down on the Master

     Sheet. The overweight player will be eligible to

     play in the next game, provided he can meet the weight

     requirements.

14.  It is each clubs responsibility to ensure that all of

     their players are equipped properly.

15.  No player will be permitted to play with a hard cast

     of any type.

16.  If a LGFC game is cancelled for any reason, both teams

     will be required to reweigh for the makeup game.

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Game Day

 1.  It is the Head Coaches responsibility to control his

     assistants, players, parents and spectators as well as

     chain crew volunteers. Chain crew volunteers are not

     to interfere with the opposing teams coaches in any

     way. This includes cheering for your team when the

     opposing coach is yelling instructions to his players.

     While holding chains, chain crew members are not

     permitted on the cell phone. Either of the above  

     infractions can cause your team an unsportsmanlike

     penalty assessed by the officials.

 2.  All coaching must be accomplished from outside the  

     sidelines and not on the field. Any coach who is

     penalized by a game official or warned twice by a    

     Conference Director in violation of the “Coaches on

     the field” rule, will result in a one (1) game

     suspension for the offending coach, a minimum $100

     dollar fine and club probation.

 3.  Three (3) coaches and Three (3) players are permitted

     to roam from goal line to goal line.

 4.  Field Markers - All fields must be properly marked.

     Cones are to be placed at the 50 yard line and at the

     goal lines. Field must be regulation length and width.

 5.  Both team sidelines will be fenced or roped off, goal

     line to goal line. There are NO exceptions. Any team

     unable to provide a field that cannot be roped will

     have no homes games.

 6.  Officials – Three league approved officials per game.

     The Home team is responsible for paying for the

     officials. If the game is played on a neutral field,

     both teams will share the cost. All officials fees

     for the playoffs will be shared by the participants.

     The use of any other officials will result in a

     forfeit for both teams. Home team will call the

     officials number if both officials are not present ten

     (10) minutes prior to the game.

     No Games are to be played unless there are at least

     two (2) officials.

 7.  Bad Weather - In the event of severe weather,

     postponements will be decided by the League only. The

     home team must notify your Director and opposing team

     at least two (2) hours before game time concerning the

     condition of the home field. The officials must be

     notified at least 1½ hours prior to the game.

 8.  Time - Four ten (10) minute quarters, federation

     clock, with the following exceptions:

     - we use a 2 minute warning

     - the clock starts on the snap after the 2 minute

       warning 

 9.  Time-outs - Three per half. If a time-out is needed

     for an injured player, it will count as an official’s

     time and the player must leave the game for at least

     one play.

10.  During a charged time-out, one coach from each team

     can go out on the field with his team. No other

     individuals are permitted. The team may not go to the

     sideline.

11.  Master Sheets - Master sheets must be fully completed.

     Unfinished sheets will be subject to fine.

12.  Master Sheets must be mailed to your League Director,

     and must be received no later than Wednesday following

     Saturday games. Game sheets not received by Wednesday

     will be subjected to fine. Your club officers will be

     notified after a second infraction. If a Game Sheet is

     not received before the next regular season game a

     fine will be imposed and disciplinary action will be

     taken by the Board of Directors.

13.  Calling in Scores - It is both teams responsibility to

     call in scores. Any team failing to call in the score

     will be fined. The score must be called in between

     Friday evenings and 2 PM on Saturday.

Little Guys Football Conference Hotline – 215-742-4736

To retrieve scores call the LGFC Hotline after 6:00 PM on Saturdays.

14.  All fines must be paid on club check within ten (10)

     days of notification or you risk losing  your good

     faith bond.

15.  It is mandatory that the visiting team contact the

     home team regarding the color of uniforms, even if the

     visiting team has only one color jersey. Failure to do

     so could result in a fine.

16.  Absolutely no alcoholic beverages permitted on the

     field of a Little Guys Football Conference game.

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League Information

 1.  Ball - The official Conference ball will be the LGFC

     ball. No other ball will be permitted in a Conference

     Game. Game balls must be purchased through the

     Conference or sanctioned distributor.

 2.  Protests - All protests must be in writing to the

     Conference President within 48 hours, accompanied by a

     protest fee. The game officials must be notified 

     immediately. The Board of Directors will decide the

     protest.

 3.  Forfeits - Any club unable to field a team at game

     time will be subject to forfeit. The time to wait

     before the game is forfeited is 15 minutes. Unusual

     circumstances will be handled by the Board of

     Directors. Any forfeits will carry a fine, plus the

     cost of the officials. Any club having two forfeits in

     succession will forfeit its Good Faith Bond and will

     be expelled from the Conference. Re-admission to the  

     Conference will be at the discretion of the Board of

     Directors.

 4.  Conference Championship Game - In the event of a tie

     score at the end of regulation of the Championship

     Game, Co-Conference Champions will be declared.

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LGFC League Format

The Little Guys Conference will now be split into Red and Blue Divisions. The Red Division will be our large team division and the Blue Division will be the small team division. The LGFC Board of Directors will determine which division each organization will play within. Each division will have its own playoffs and champion.

The Red Division

The Red Division will contain 14 teams. These 14 teams will then be split into two 7 team divisions, the American Division and the National Division. The American and National divisions will be picked randomly. Your schedule will consist of seven games. You will play each team in your division once and have one crossover. The crossover game will be against the same number team in the other American or National Division.

The playoffs will consist of the top 4 teams from both the American and National Divisions. The first round of the playoffs will be as follows:

American #1  vs.  National #4

American #3  vs.  National #2

National #1  vs.  American #4

National #3  vs.  American #2

Head to Head will determine all seeding Tie Breakers.

The Blue Division

The Blue Division format will have 8 teams. Your schedule will be 7 games. You will play each team once. The top 6 teams will make the playoffs. The first two teams will receive first round byes. The first round of the playoffs will be as follows:

Blue #3  vs.  Blue #6          Winner to play Blue #2

Blue #4  vs.  Blue #5          Winner to play Blue #1

Head to Head will determine all seeding Tie Breakers.

*** The Blue Division format is subject to change depending on the number of teams entered in the LGFC.

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LGFC Special Rules

 1.  Any team winning by 24 points or more will be brought

     before the Board of Directors and disciplinary action

     will be imposed were applicable.

 2.  After any score or at the start of the second half,

     any team trailing by 18 points or more will have the

     ball placed on the opponents 40 yard line and take

     possession of the ball.

 3.  A team with an eighteen (18) point lead or more may

     surrender the ball at the line of scrimmage. The

     trailing team must accept possession of the ball.

 4.  On fourth down, if a team is inside its own 20 yard

     line, they may have the option to have the ball placed

     20 yards down the field and surrender the ball.

 5.  All face mask penalties - 10 yards.

 6.  Offense or defense cannot enter the neutral zone

     (Blown dead - 5 yard penalty)

 7.  Official shall notify the offending teams Head Coach

     on all penalties.

 8.  All extra point attempts are from the two (2) yard

     line. Kicked extra points count as two (2) points.

 9.  Four ten (10) minute quarters, federation

     clock, with the following exceptions:

     - we use a 2 minute warning

     - the clock starts on the snap after the 2 minute

       warning 

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Instructional League

All rules regarding the Little Guys Football Conference Instructional League are the responsibility of the Registered Little Guys Conference Head Coach.

 1.  This is purely an Instructional League. There will be

     no standings and no playoffs.

 2.  All other rules and regulations are the same as LGFC

     rules.

 3.  The Conference will not tolerate any “Deals” between

     coaches and clubs.

 4.  Age requirements.

    ·  Cannot be eight (8) years of age before Sept 1.  

    ·   Must be five (5) years of age by July 31^st.

 5.  Weight - A player cannot be over 75 lbs in full

     equipment excluding helmet.

 6.  Team Eligibility - A club must first have a team 

     registered in the LGFC. The Instructional team must

     register at least 16 players or at the discretion of

     the Board of Directors.

 7.  Coaching

 (a) During first four (4) weeks one coach per team  

     will be allowed on the playing field during the 

     play. The coach must stay at least fifteen   

     (15) yards behind the line of scrimmage. No

     verbal instructions will be permitted after the

     break of the huddle.

  (b) Starting the 5^th week, coaches will no longer be

      permitted on the field and must accomplish ALL

      coaching from the sidelines.

 8.  Game Days - Game days will be determined by the Board

     of Directors and will not interfere with the LGFC

     schedule.

 9.  All scores must be called in by both teams by 2 PM on

     Sunday.

10.  Instructional games may be played with one (1)

     official. It must be  agreed to by both teams.

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Playoff Rules

 1.  Fines - All fines must be paid before a team is

     eligible to participate in the LGFC playoffs.

 2.  ID Cards - Only coaches wearing LGFC ID cards will  be

     permitted on the sidelines. All ID card holders must

     present their ID cards prior to the start of each

     playoff game to an LGFC league director.

     No Exceptions.

 3.  Coaches on the Field – Coaches are not permitted to

     coach on the field.

      1^st Warning – sideline warning to Head Coach.

      2^nd Warning - $100 dollar fine and coach will be

                   ejected and must leave the playoff site.

      3^rd Warning – game will become forfeit.

 4. Fans - Head Coaches are responsible for all coaches and

    fans. Fans and cameramen are not to be in the

    end zones. All fans and cameramen are to be behind the

    ropes. All Athletic Directors and other

    officers/coaches also must stay behind the ropes.

 5. Weigh-in - The Conference will conduct all weigh-ins.

    Each team may have one representative at the scale.

    Check all pads; jerseys must be tucked in before

     stepping on the scale. Whatever a player steps on

     the scale with will be ruled as final. You may check

     players weight before the weigh-in.

 6. Home Team - The higher seeded team will be considered

    the home team and has their choice of sidelines

    throughout the playoffs. The home team must supply the

    game ball with the exception of the championship game.

 7. Officials - There will be three (6) officials for every

    game. Each club is responsible for $70.50 in official

    fees.

 8. Overtime

• Flip of coin will determine possession.
• Defense cannot score.
• One timeout during an overtime period; (An overtime period is defined as 3 possessions) No timeouts are carried over from regulation play and no timeouts will be carried over in case of multiple overtime periods.
• If there remains a tie score at the end of the overtime period (three possessions each), there will be a 5 minute rest period.
• Each team will have the same number of possessions to score.
• First, the ball will be placed on the ten (10) yard line for a maximum of three possessions.
• Second, the ball will then be next moved to the five (5) yard line with a maximum of three possessions to score.
• Finally, the ball will be placed on the two (2) yard line with the teams alternating possessions until a winner is determined.
• There will be NO overtime in the Championship Game.