1.0

 League Organization

(a)The United States Football Little League is organized as a true league, which by definition is “a group of athletic teams organized to promote mutual interest and to compete chiefly among themselves.”  Therefore, there is no need for the league without the teams.  As such, the league is completely dependent upon the member teams for its viability and support.  (b)Power is granted to the league by the teams for the common good of the teams and, by extension, the league.  (c)Without the support, financial and authoritative, of the member teams, the league ceases to be a viable entity.  (d)The league has a limited roll and responsibility.  (1)It is through the league that rules are established and enforced, (2)game schedules are produced, (3)fields are allocated and (4)officials are scheduled.  (5)The league also acts as independent arbiter for disputes between teams and questions germane to the stability and well-being of the league as a whole.  (e)The league authorizes the use of official team logos and colors, merchandising and any other activities intended to promote the league.  (f)The league represents all the member teams equally and without bias.  The league’s main emphasis is to maintain the financial viability of the league, the safety of the participants, enforcement of the concepts, rules and goals of the league and the teams involved.  Therefore, the league is only independent in that it represents all teams equally.  In all other ways, the league is completely dependent upon the individual teams.  (g)League executives are responsible to see that all aspects and responsibilities of the corporate organization are executed.  In short, the purpose of the league is to facilitate the teams in the stated purpose of the league, which is again, to “promote the mutual interest” of the member teams of the league.  (h)The league is to be managed by a Commissioner, who will be appointed by the Board of Directors of the National Football Little League, the parent corporation of the United States Football Little League. 

1.1

Team Organizations

(a)Each team is admitted to the league by the process described in section 1.2.  Each team enters into the league and agrees to abide by the rules set forth by the league (which is empowered by the mutual consent of the several member teams).  (b)Teams are responsible to the league to provide funds for the operation of the league.  Those operations are limited to those activities involving the teams and the primary purpose for the organization of the league.  Funds are generated by registration fees, sponsorships, fundraising, etc.  Although the league may at times redirect funds back to the individual teams, the primary function of the team is to support the league.  This is necessary because the league is only a collection of teams.  For all other intents and purposes, the league is completely dependent upon the individual teams.  (c)Each team shall be comprised of a (1)coaching staff of at least four qualified and approved individuals. (2)At least one individual who is either (i) an EMT, (ii) a qualified physician or (iii) certified in CPR and First Aid to be present on the sideline of each game.  (3)Each team shall have a qualified Financial Director who will be responsible for the acquisition, accounting and distribution of the team funds.  (4)Each team shall have a qualified league trained and approved Equipment Manager who will be responsible for all aspects of the gear used.  (5)It is recommended that each team’s owner or head coach select a Team President and Board of Directors to administer the affairs of the team and to represent the team in all league matters.  (d)Each team shall obtain background checks of the above mentioned personnel (1.1, c1-c5) and shall submit copies to the League.  Any background checks that do not come back clean must be discreetly handled and that person must be approved by the League.  (e)Each team shall present to the League a (1) list of team personnel (1.1, c1-c5), (2) an official list of the team’s Coaching Staff and (3) an official team Roster of Players.  (f)Any changes to these lists shall be submitted, by any suitable means, to the League within 48 hours of the change.  Teams are responsible to confirm that those changes have been received by the League. 

1.2

Team Admittance

          (a)A team wishing to join the USFLL shall be admitted by the following criteria: (1)Each prospective team shall present to the league (representing the member teams) a list of required personnel subsequent to 1.1c, 1-4.  (2)Each prospective team shall have a preliminary roster of 18 players.  (3)Each prospective team will present to the league the mandatory franchise fee (which amount will be specified in each season’s League Expansion Pack).  (4)Each prospective team shall choose from one of the available team mascots from the original 19 USFL teams.  (5)In the event that the original 19 teams are taken and unavailable, the league will employ an election of a new mascot (either an original team or one from another extinct league: ie, AAFL, WFL, World League of American Football, discontinued teams of NFLE, etc).  (6)Each prospective team shall present the general geographic area it proposes to represent.  (b)Each prospective team shall endeavor to supply a team to play in each of the sub-leagues (ie: Reggie White, Sam Mills, Doug Flutie, etc).  All sub-league teams will be required to comply with rules 1.2 (a1-6).  (c)Expansion teams shall be admitted by two in order to preserve an even number of teams for efficiency in scheduling.  (d)Expansion teams will be accepted upon common consent (vote) of the existing league teams.

1.3

Team Equipment 

          (a)Each team is responsible for the acquisition, maintenance and care of the equipment to participate in the league.  (b)All equipment purchases must be through approved league venders.  This ensures that equipment used in the league will be consistent, safe and promote the image to which the league aspires.  It also assures that the team will have the highest quality equipment at the lowest cost to the team.  (c)All changes or modifications to team logos, colors, uniform design, etc, shall be approved by the league. 

1.4

Team Game Uniforms 

(a)Game uniforms shall be “uniform.”  (1)All helmets shall be alike: ie, helmets and facemasks shall all be of uniform color, decals shall be applied correctly, jaw pads and nose bumpers shall be white, etc.  (2)All chinstraps shall be white.  Chin strap buckles shall be metallic silver or white.  The cup on hard cup chinstraps may be in one of the primary team colors.  (3)All uniform designs shall be approved by the league.  (4)All game jerseys, game pants and game socks shall be identical except for jersey number.  (5)Game shoes shall be uniform, being either white or black and must be pre-approved by the league when the team’s uniform designs are approved.  Game shoes can be of any manufacture.  (6)Game socks shall be approved by the league.  Game socks shall be in one of the team’s primary colors worn full length to the knee.  There must be a break between the colored sock and the shoe with either a white sock worn over the colored sock or the sock must be a split sock with the primary team color over white.  As an alternative, white tape may be applied over the colored sock just above the shoe to give the same appearance.  (b)Game jerseys will be kept tucked in and colored socks shall be pulled to the knee when the player is on the field.  (c)No player can participate in a game with a jersey number different than the number on the official team roster.  If a player changes his jersey number, the team must follow rule (1.1, f).  Violation of this rule will result in a one game suspension.  (d)Any player found in violation of the uniform dress code shall be fined $10.00 for each offense.  The fine is payable to the league within three days of the fine being issued.  If the fine is not paid by the fine deadline, that player will be suspended until the fine is paid in full.

1.5

Team Finance         

          (a)Each team shall abide by the strictest of rules and regulations with respect to the procuring, dispensing and accounting for team funds.  Failure to do so could result in criminal prosecution.  No other resource has the potential for catastrophe that can be found in the misappropriation of team funds.  There must be a clear separation of team funds from any other source.  Team funds must be used exclusively for the benefit of the team.  (b)It is imperative that each team holds to the strictest of moral, ethical and legal standard with regard to the team’s monetary assets.  (c)Basic League guidelines are as follows: (1) each team’s Financial Directors shall account for all team financial activities. (2)The team’s Financial Director shall present this accounting to the League CFO for verification. (3)The over-arching standard for a Non-Profit is that no one is personally benefited financially by team (league) assets.  This includes any and all assets of the team or league.  (d) Due to the nature of the League as a Non-Profit entity, it is essential that the teams which make up the League abide by the statutes and regulations for such entities.

1.6

Registration 

          (a)Each player shall be officially registered with the league before he/she will be permitted to practice/play under league supervision.  In order to be registered one must (1)have submitted the official league registration form.  (2)He must have been weighed and (3) have produced a copy of an original birth certificate (4) and have a current physical release (within the last 9 months).  (5)He must have paid his fees to his team’s Finance Director or to the league.  If paid through the team’s Finance Director, these funds must be received by the league before that team may practice.  (b)Violation of the league’s registration rules will result in a fine of $50.00 per offense.  Those players in violation may neither practice, play nor have possession of team equipment.  Should the team continue in violation without monetary remuneration, that team will be ejected from the league.  Any team ejected from the league must petition the league to be re-admitted.  (c)Each player will be weighed in one time before practices begin.  A schedule of registration times and locations will be published each year.  Whatever the height and weight of that player at the time of registration will be that player’s official height and weight for the rest of the season.  (d)Registration money will not be refunded under any circumstances. 

1.7

Code of Conduct 

          (a)Each coach, player and parent will read, understand and sign the league and team code of conduct documents.  (b)The United States Football Little League expects to run a first class organization.  The USFLL is an instructional league.  The primary purpose of the league is to teach youth how to play the game of football.  (c)We are a competitive league, but the goal is to provide the players, parents and coaches an enjoyable experience.  Therefore, it is incumbent upon everyone affiliated with the league to comport themselves in the best possible manner.  (d)Those found in violation of the league or team code of conduct will be ejected from the league.  Persons ejected from the league must petition the league in writing to be re-admitted.

Gameday

2.0

On Field Rules 

          (a)All games are play by Nevada High School Rules.  (b)In addition to these rules, each sub-league has specific rules that apply.  These rules will be specifically enumerated before each season.  (c)All coaches are required to have a copy of the Nevada High School Rules and the rules applicable to his specific sub-league.  (d)All players shall comport themselves in a fashion conducive to the objective stated in rule 1.6c.  (e)Any player or coach ejected from a game shall be suspended at least one game. (f) No one will be allowed on the field without an official league Field Pass.

 2.1

Crowd Control 

          (a)Whenever possible, it is the league’s preference to play all games at stadiums, whether it is a local high school or some other football field that separates the fans (spectators) from the players.  (b)In lieu of a stadium, the home team shall erect temporary fencing, not to exceed four feet (4’) in height and be at least three hundred feet (300’) long on both sides of the field, located twelve (12) yards (thirty-six feet (36’)) from the sideline.  (c)Spectators are not allowed on the field side of the fence.  Any spectator on the field side of the fence is in violation of the Gameday rules and is trespassing.  If that spectator persists on violating the rule, he will be removed and suspended for at least one game.  (d)The home team will set up on the West Sideline.  The visiting team shall set up on the East Sideline.  Teams shall not occupy the same sideline.  (e)Each team is responsible for leaving its sideline clean.  In the event that the League must clean-up after a game, the violating team will be fined $50.00.  If the fine is not paid, that team will forfeit all games until it is paid in full.

2.2

Helmet Visors (the Matt Aldan Rule) 

          (a)Helmet visors are allowed in the USFLL.  (b)As a safety precaution, the player’s eyes must be visible.  Therefore, Oakey 60% Gray visors are the only gray visors permitted.  (c)Colored visors must be an approximate match to one of the team’s primary colors.  (d)Mirrored visors are prohibited.  (e)League officials reserve the right to have any visor removed.  (f)Once again, a player’s eyes must be clearly visible through the visor.  This is a safety precaution and must be strictly enforced by coaches throughout the league.  If the game officiating crew cannot see the player’s eyes through the visor, the player will not be allowed to play before removing the visor.

2.3

Protective Equipment 

(a)Each player must wear a mouth piece to protect his teeth.  If a player is on the field without his mouth guard, it is a delay of game penalty and the player must leave the field until he has his mouth guard.  (b)Each player must wear a protective cup, preferably a hard cup, but soft cups are allowed.  A cup check will be preformed by the coach and witnessed by a member of the officiating crew before start of each game.  (c)All players must have a full compliment of body pads, namely: Tail bone Pad, Hip Pads, Thigh Pads, Knee Pads and Shoulder Pads.  (d)Obviously, all players must wear the league approved team helmet while involved in the game.  (e)All other pads (ie: arm pads, rib protectors, neck rolls, etc.) are not required, but are allowed.  (d)No player will be permitted to play with steel tipped cleats. 

2.4

Field Equipment 

          (a)The League shall provide for field marking, pylons, chains and down markers.  The home team shall supply the chain crew for the entire game.  (b)Game balls shall be Wilson leather of the following: (1) Doug Flutie League-K2.  (2)Sam Mills League-TDJ.  (3)Reggie White League-TDY.

2.5

Team Requirements 

          (a)Each team shall have a minimum of 16 players present for a game to commence.  If a team has less than 16 players at the appointed game time, that team shall have a 15 minute grace period.  At the end of that grace period, if the team does not have the requisite number of players, that game shall be forfeited.  (b)Each team shall have a maximum of 28 players present for a game.  If a team has more than 28 players at the appointed game time, that team shall have a 15 minute grace period to arrive at the maximum player count.  At the end of that grace period, if the team does not have the requisite number of players, that game shall be forfeited.  (c)A team member may not play in a League game without wearing the official team uniform.  No player shall play with a different helmet, jersey, pants, socks, etc. than the official team uniform.  All team members must wear the same color of game jersey to play in a League game. (d) ID card check will be prior to the game.  Card check will be at least 15 minutes before kick off.  ID's must be checked by the opposing coaches from each team.  If a player does not have a card, that player will not play.