METRO MARYLAND FOOTBALL ALLIANCE
CONCEPT:
We will strive to create an 8th grade football environment that focuses on allowing programs to introduce incoming 8th grade players to their program’s culture, system’s, routines, tempo and intensity. Many of these teams are led by some of the regions most respected coaches and staff’s that wanted a renewed focus on preparing the next wave of student-athletes for the high school level. We will aim for an organized, rule-centric, highly competitive Spring Football Series.
COMMITTED TEAMS:
1. Bowie Bulldogs (Pallotti)
2. Bowie One (DeMatha)
3. Hamilton Tigers
4. Fair Hill Owls (Philadelphia, PA)
5. Maryland Falcons (Good Counsel)
6. Frederick Storm
7. Maryland Bucs (Wise HS)
8. Huntingtown (Huntingtown HS)
9. DC Raiders (Friendship Collegiate)
10. Central Virginia Hurricanes (Life Christian)
11. Virginia Vipers (Hermitage HS)
12. IMPACT Elite (St Mary’s Ryken)
13. Oxon Hill Elite (Oxon Hill, HS)
PROJECTED GAME LOCATIONS:
Bowie High School, Bowie MD
White Marsh Park, Bowie, MD
Gilman School, Baltimore MD
TBD
REGISTRATION AND CERTIFICATION
A. Each Football Player must be certified by MMFL each year to be eligible to participate in official league play.
B. Certification will consist of verification of age by date of birth and certification of grade for the division of play the player will be participating during the season.
C. Age verification will be accomplished by presenting to MMFL officials at the certification a current Maryland MVA picture ID or an official MMFL League-issued ID card. An out-of-state ID card is permitted for any player who currently resides out of state (i.e., Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia or Delaware). A Military Dependent ID card (United States Uniformed Services Identification Card) is also an acceptable form of certification. Any player not eligible for a state-issued ID card may obtain an official league- issued MMFL ID card for a fee determined each year and on specific dates and locations set each year by the Board of Directors. The league will determine the circumstances that qualify each player for a league ID.
D. All players on the roster must meet the age and grade for the specific team, all information must be completed on the form, all forms must be typed and emailed to MMFL, and finally it must be approved, stamped and laminated by the MMFL official on site.
E. An official roster which will include player name and birth date and grade will be distributed to all head coaches within the Grade group.
ELIGIBILITY
A. Parental consent for each player must be kept on file by each organization.
B. Each player must meet Certification requirements for the team on which he plays. No player/participant shall be a member of more than one team in the MMFL. They must not be on a high school football roster (9th grade or higher).
C. No player/participant may participate in the MMFL while living in or being housed in a juvenile detention facility without approval from the Board of Directors.
EQUIPMENT
A. All players must be equipped as follows:
1. Helmet with face guard – NOCSAE approved for age, weight and grade.
2. Durable Shoulder pads
3. Athletic supporter and protective cup
4. Football pants with thigh, knee, hip, and butt pads.
5. Mouthpiece must be colored and attached to the face guard.
6. Game jersey with contrasting color numbers on front and back. All jersey designs must be approved by the Director of Football Operations or the Rules Committee before game use.
7. Socks and athletic shoes or Football cleats in accordance with NFHS rules.
8. Jersey will be tucked in during game. If “shimmel” jerseys are worn, the entire team must be wearing them.
9. The MMFL has jurisdiction over game uniforms. MMFL must approve all color changes or alternate uniforms and will settle any dispute over non-contrasting uniforms.
B. All players must be properly equipped, including socks and all pads and a cup.
C. Play card wrist bands (wrist coaches) are to be worn on the forearm and may extend no further than the elbow or may be attached to the belt of the player’s pants. Any player is allowed to wear a wrist coach.
D. Players may wear eye shade strips in addition to eye shade as defined in the NFHS Football Rules Book, Rule 1-5, Art. 3 c. 3.
PRACTICE, PRESEASON GAMES, TEAM SIZE AND FORMATION
A. There are no restrictions on practice or team activities during the off-season period.
B. A maximum of thirty (30) players is permitted on each team
C. A minimum of sixteen (16) players is required to have a valid certifiable team.
OFFICIALS
A. Officials must be dressed in high school federation or NCAA uniforms.
B. Official’s payment for post season will be determined each year by MMFL.
C. Home team shall provide a chain crew of adults 18 or older to work with the officials on the home side of the field. Visiting team has option of providing one of the three chain gang members. Chain Gang Volunteers are not permitted to heckle, coach, cheer or use electronic devices. Additionally, Chain Gang members shall not relay information across the field regarding the opposing team during the game or at halftime. Violators are subject to an Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty of 15 yards at the referee’s discretion and to disciplinary action from the Rules Committee.
D. Officials game coverage shall be as follows:
1. 12U -13U Three (3) officials
2. 14U – Four (4) officials
HOME TEAM RESPONSIBILITY
A. The only people allowed behind each end zone will be two camera persons per team. The board may approve exception to the crowd control rule based on the layout of fields. Camera persons are not allowed in coaching area of the opposite team and must yield to individuals on sidelines (referees, coaches, players, chain crew, spotters, cheerleaders.)
B. Fans are not allowed on the field at any time during the game day unless expressly invited onto the field by a referee in the case of an injury.
C. The home team must review jersey colors and contact the visiting team no later than Wednesday prior to the game to verify directions and jersey color. Home team has choice of colors if a conflict of colors exists.
D. The home team must call the visiting team and the officials if the game will not be played because of weather or field conditions as soon as possible. Every effort must be made to give notice at least two hours prior to game time. Circumstances surrounding game cancellations are subject to review by the Rules Committee.
E. Each Team must provide a field Marshall for each game who’s job is to control their perspective fans during the contest to avoid each coach and team from receiving an unsportsmanlike penalty. The Field Marshall is responsible for working directly with the refs reporting all incidents to the rules committee. The Field Marshall must be identified by an article of clothing that the team will provide (neon yellow vest). All coaches must cooperate with this person to ensure smooth game day operation. The penalty for any team not providing a Field Marshall is $50 per game for the first offense. $100 per game for every offense thereafter. The program is also subject to ineligibility for the playoffs for violation of this rule.
*Field Marshall when possible should be a neutral league designated person*
F. Each MMFL Head Coach is required to have a copy of the current MMFL SOP readily available on the sidelines and is required to review the SOP with the officials and the opposing coach if a rules question arises during the game.
G. Each team will provide an official game ball for their team to use. The Official MMFL Footballs are shown in the table below. Any ball stamped with NFHS logo is allowed. Any ball not listed that does not have a NFHS logo stamped on the ball may be submitted to the Rules Committee for approval as long as the make, model number and size (e.g., Wilson TDY Youth size football) is either printed on the ball or can be verified from product literature. Any ball used in a game must be approved and added to this table prior to use.
| Division | Official Football |
| | |
| | |
| 12U 6th Grade | Wilson TDJ, Nike1000J, Baden 5000J, Under Armour Junior |
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| 13U 7th Grade | Wilson TDY; Nike1000Y, 500Y, 1001, 1005, 1205, Under Armour Armour Youth |
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| 14U 8th Grade | Wilson TDY; Nike1000Y, 500Y, 1001, 1005, 1205, Under Armour Youth |
H. Make up games (rain-outs) / rescheduling will be handled by the MMFL Board Of Directors.
I. Music may only be played during a game at a team timeout, at the end of a quarter or at halftime, or after a touchdown. Announcers are allowed, but the announcer shall not disparage the opponents in any way over the microphone or broadcast.
J. Chains will be on the visiting sideline and the visitors will provide a chain crew.
PLAYING RULES AND GAME RESULTS
A. MMFL will follow the National High School Federation Rule Book except where noted:
1. Point after touchdown will be (1) point for run or pass; (2) points for kicking.
2. Games will be four (4) twelve minute quarters with the clock controlled by the referee. The game clock will be governed by Federation rules with the following exception: the clock will stop on change of possession. The referee will start the clock when the down marker is set and the ready for play whistle is blown. The clock will start on the snap if the previous play was out of bounds, an incomplete pass, or a team time out was granted.
3. Maximum of two (2) Overtimes if necessary at all divisions in the regular season. Overtimes will be played out until there is a winner in the playoffs. Game results must be recorded by the Head Coach and reported to the league. Also, any ejections that occur in the game, or any other incidents must be reported to the Director or Football Operations at this time by both coaches. Failure to report will result in disciplinary action against the coach, team and/or organizations.
B. If a team cannot provide enough players to start (9) or continue (8) a game (amended from the National High School Federation Rule Book), the opposing team will be awarded a forfeit win. The score will be reported as it stands at the time of the forfeit if the opposing team is winning or 2-0 if there is no score at the time of forfeit or if the opposing team is losing. Any team that forfeits due to lack of players is responsible for reimbursement of the referee fees for that game. Forfeits for lack of players are strongly discouraged and the forfeiting team is subject to further penalties at the discretion of the Board of Directors and the Rules Committee.
C. Any player who is ejected from a game must remove his shoulder pads immediately and may remain on the sidelines for the remainder of the game. He will face a suspension of a minimum of one game. Any coach who is ejected from a game must leave the premises immediately and will face a suspension of a minimum of one game. All coaches serving a suspension will not be allowed to attend his team’s game while on suspension and must not be on the property where the game is being played during the game. Players serving a suspension may attend the game on the sidelines in street clothes. Failure to comply will result in additional suspensions or expulsion.
D. Teams must be prepared to take the field and begin play 15 minutes prior to the official start time noted on the MMFL Schedule at the discretion of the site director.
E. Teams taking the field during pregame from the end zone shall not pass the 35 yard line. A violation will result in a suspension for the offending head coach of no less than one week.
F. Once the score difference is 27 points the clock will continue to run as long as the game has entered the second half. There will be no kickoffs for the trailing team – they will take possession of the ball at the 50 yard line.
G. Suspended games - Player Eligibility: If a game is suspended in the first half, all players who were present and eligible to play in the original game may participate in the resumption of the game. Any players who were not present or eligible for the original game may not participate in the resumption of the game. If the game is suspended in the second half, only players who were eligible and present at the original game may participate.
SCOUTING
Any representative of an MMFL team or organization can film his own team’s practices or games. Any representative of a team or organization can film any other team’s regular season or playoff games.
No representative of any MMFL team or organization can film any other team’s practices or private scrimmages. “Private” is defined as a contest held between only one other team or organization not opened to the public.
No representative of any MMFL organization may attend another MMFL organization’s practice unless on official MMFL business along with the prior approval of both organizations heads. No representative of any MMFL team or organization can film any other team’s coaches or sideline activities during games at any time.
TIE BREAKER PROCEDURES
A. Tie breaker procedures for a balanced schedule
1. Record/Winning percentage
2. Head to Head
3. Coin Toss / Card Draw
B. Tie breaker procedures for an unbalanced schedule
1. Record/Winning percentage
2. Head to Head
3. Total winning percentage of all your opponents
4. Coin Toss / Card Draw
COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT
A. Uphold all rules and regulations of Metro Maryland Football Alliance.
B. Assure that each coach and organizational official has access to and has read all league regulations.
C. Assure that each player knows and obeys the Players Code of Conduct.
D. No coach shall make any physical contact with a player or coach of the opposing team for any reason at any time except for customary greetings during the pre- or post-game handshake or in administering aid in an emergency situation.
E. Any coach or team official that knowingly allows an ineligible player to participate in a game will be subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Directors.
F. It is deemed proper ethics that anyone who knows in advance or has strong suspicions of an ineligible player should contact the Board of Directors.
G. Accept decisions of the game officials on the field as being fair and called to the best ability of said officials.
H. Together with game officials, be jointly responsible for the conduct and control of team’s fans and spectators. Any fan that becomes a nuisance and is out of control is the responsibility of the coach and should be removed from the area by that coach and his Field Marshall.
I. Do not leave the coach’s area to shout instructions from sidelines.
J. Do not criticize players in front of spectators, with gestures and loud noises, but reserve criticism until a more private situation arises.
K. Do not criticize cheerleaders, an opposing team, its players, coaches or fans, by word-of – mouth or by gestures.
L. Refrain from using abusive and profane language to anyone connected with the game, as a spectator, player, opposing coach or game official.
M. Do not deliberately incite unsportsmanlike conduct. An instruction to players to “get” another player or attempt to impose bodily harm to opposing players is considered incitement.
N. Abstain from drinking of alcoholic beverages and smoking on both game and practice fields.
O. Avoid running up scores. When a team leads its opponent by a total of 27+ points, they must make every possible attempt to hold the score down.
P. Assure that no player practice or play in a game without proper equipment.
Q. Remove from a game or practice, any player when slightly in doubt about his health, whether or not a result of injury, until competent medical advice is available.
R. Assure that a player’s scholastic achievement does not suffer because of participation in MMFL.
S. Any coach who actively solicits a player from another member organization by either making telephone calls, contacting players through any form of electronic communications or visiting players will be penalized.
T. Only one “Speaking” Coach is allowed in the huddle on the field during a game time out. A second coach may provide water to the players.
PLAYERS CODE OF CONDUCT
A. No fighting or hitting, kicking, striking or otherwise abusing opponents, teammates or cheerleaders at any time before, during or after a game, scrimmage or practice game, unless the action occurs in the course of normal events that would be acceptable to a football play such as, but not limited to, blocking, tackling, jamming a receiver, attempting to avoid a block, attempting to dislodge the ball, or by accident.
B. No verbal or physical intimidation by making gestures such as victory laps, “we’re number one” chants or other attempts to “bring down” or otherwise demean will be tolerated.
C. Disrespectful behavior or derogatory comments aimed at cheerleaders nor purposeful physical actions into the cheerleading area are permitted. (i.e., running into cheerleading areas when play is not in proximity.)
D. Report to your coach any knowledge of an ineligible player or “ringer” on your team or another team.
E. No dirty or illegal playing techniques will be tolerated.
F. No talking back to officials, teammates, opposing players or coaches will be tolerated.
G. No profanity or childish displays of temper will be allowed at game or practice fields.
H. Disciplinary problems at school or unsatisfactory classroom performance will not be tolerated.
NOTE: VIOLATATION OF THESE RULES MAY RESULT IN A MINIMUM OF A FULL GAME SUSPENSION FOR THE FIRST VIOLATION AND ARE SUBJECT TO SUSPENSION FOR UP TO THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON FOR THE SECOND VIOLATION. ANY DECISION BY THE BOARD IS AT ITS DISCRETION AND WILL BE FINAL. HEAD COACHES WILL IMMEDIATELY REPORT PLAYER OR COACH EJECTIONS TO THE APPROPRIATE AGE GROUP COORDINATOR BY 12:00 NOON THE DAY AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE GAME.
PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT
A. I hereby pledge to provide positive support, care and encouragement for my child participating in youth sports by following this code of ethics.
B. I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, cheerleaders, coaches, and officials at every game, practice, or other youth sports events.
C. I will place the emotional and physical well-being of my child ahead of any personal desire to win.
D. I will insist that my child play in a safe and healthy environment.
E. I will provide support for coaches and officials working with my child to provide a positive, enjoyable experience for all.
F. I will demand a drug, alcohol, and tobacco-free sports environment for my child and agree to assist by refraining from their use at all youth sports events.
G. I will remember that the game is for children and not for adults.
H. I will do my very best to make youth sports fun for my child.
I. I will ask my child to treat other players, coaches, fans, and officials with respect regardless of race, sex, creed, or ability.
J. I will always address any issues with my child’s coach in private.
K. I will promise to help my child enjoy the youth sports experience within my personal constraints by assisting with coaching, being a respectful fan, providing transportation or whatever I am capable of doing.
NOTE: VIOLATATION OF THESE RULES WILL RESULT IN A REVIEW BY THE RULES COMMITTEE AND THE BOD AND VIOLATORS ARE SUBJECT TO PENALTIES UP TO AND INCLUDING SUSPENSION FOR THE SEASON.