MJMF U12 Division Rules & Regulations

MJMF abides by the Canadian Amateur Football Rules and Regulations 9-man format, with additional rules that are made to keep our league strong, with the safety and development of young players in our minds

Items in orange text will not be enforced for the 2020 season

1. U12 GENERAL INFORMATION:
• OFFICIAL GAME BALL SIZE: TDJ
• PROGRAM BEGINS: August 11th and could run till end of October
• TRAVEL: Teams possibly travel to Assiniboia, Estevan, Moosomin, Swift Current, or Weyburn
• EQUIPMENT PICK UP: Aug 11th at Elks Filed 6:30 – 8 pm.
• PLAYER EVALUATIONS: Aug 13th at Practice Fields 6:15 – 7:15 pm.
• PRACTICES BEGIN: August 17th
– Teams begin to practice two weeks prior to first game
– Practice days and times determined by coaches
– Teams can practice 5 times a week for the first 2 weeks of season
– After 1st game teams can only practice 3 times a week
• SEASON OPENING WEEKEND: August 29th
– Teams play one or two games a week
– Most games will be scheduled anytime between Friday – Sunday with the possibility of some teams playing on a short week during the week days.

2. AGE QUALIFICATIONS:
• Players born between 2009 – 2010, 10 – 11 year olds as of Dec. 31 of the current year. Exceptions to this rule will be dealt with on a case by case basis and voted on by the MJMF board. Possible examples include a 9yr old player who wants to play u12 instead of u10.

3. WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS:
• MJMF does not support or condone the loss of weight to play any sport.
• The weight limit to play all positions is 120lbs and under.
• Players over 145lbs. are limited to offensive tackle, guard or center positions.
• Overweight players must wear #50 – #69. There are no exceptions.
• Any player found in violation of weight restriction rules will be ejected from the game and suspended for the next game. The head coach will also be removed from game and suspended for one game.

4. OFFICIAL PLAYER WEIGH INS:
• All players will be officially weighed once before playing in their first game of the regular season. Players are ineligible to play unless they have been officially weighed.
• Players are not eligible to re-weigh in following first game.
• All players will be weighed in wearing shorts and a T-shirt, with no shoes.
• A league executive board member must be the one weighing and recording weights.
• Both head coaches must be present while weighing both teams.
• Both head coaches and the board member must sign the weight sheet before it is official.
• A picture of the official weigh in sheet must be sent to MJMF if conducted out of town.
• Official weigh in sheets must be handed in to MJMF
• MJMF does not condone the encouragement of players cutting weight, any coach found to be encouraging this dangerous practice will be subject to league discipline.

5. PLAYER CONTACT DURING PRACTICES
• With player safety in mind MJMF is limiting full tackle contact between players during practices. We want to encourage coaches to teach proper tackling not just through full contact drills, but also with the use of proper equipment such as tackle halos, bags etc.
• During the first 2 weeks of practice teams are permitted to have full player on player tackling contact for 2 practices during the week.
• After the first game of the season teams will only be permitted to have full player on player contact drills during one practice a week.
• Offensive Line and defensive line play is full contact for blocking, try not to go to ground
• These restrictions are to limit players making full contact and going to the ground. Teams are to play to “THUD” during all other practices during the week.

6.  PLAYER DEVELOPMENT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL
• To ensure players are developing and learning both sides of the ball, all players must play on offense and defense for at least 2 games during the season. Unless weight restrictions do not allow player to switch.
• In the playoffs players do not need to switch from offense to defense.

7. NUMBER OF PLAYERS AND FAIR PLAY RULES:
• Player participation shall be 9 players on and 9 players off when rosters permit.
• Coaches must fill out and submit a coach’s game sheet to the designated league official, as well as the opposing Head Coach with player numbers, offense/defense designation for the game that the teams will follow for both halves of the game.
• If teams do not have enough players for 9 on 9 off, two way players will be permitted
• The coach of the team that has to have a player playing two ways must explain this to the opposition coach. That opposition coach has the opportunity to play a player both ways as well. A coach must tell the opposition coach the number of the player playing two ways.
• No player can play more than three series in a row. Example – Player plays on offense and stays on for defense, that player can remain for the next offensive series and must come off before the next defensive series. 2 way players are not an opportunity to play your top players the entire game, multiple players must be rotated in the 2 way spots. Any player found in violation of 2 way rule will be ejected from the game and suspended for the next game. The head coach will also be removed from game and suspended for one game.
• Any player can play both ways as long as they are not overweight.
• Players can play one side of the ball in one half of the game and may change to the other side of the ball in the other half.
• *** Omitted for 2019 season*****Teams with 15 or fewer players may play a scheduled game. However, that team will forfeit the game for the purposes of the standings. The game will proceed as a controlled scrimmage.
• Teams must alert opposing coaches as to their 3rd down intentions.
• After half time if a team should have a 29+ point lead, upon a coach’s agreement, they are allowed to make roster adjustments.
• This is a youth football league with the purpose of developing young players, any coach that willfully runs the score up on teams by leaving their best players in at skill positions will be subject to possible disciplinary action. Coaches control the game as much as players and we want to see coaches displaying sportsmanship towards their opponent.

8. ROSTERS:
• All teams are required to hand in and email a roster sheet to MJMF.
• Roster must be emailed in at least 2 days prior to first game.
• Roster must then be handed in to the MJMF before the start of your 1st home game in Moose Jaw. Paper copy must be signed by head coach verifying the information is correct.
• Rosters must be submitted (email & paper) on the form provided to you by MJMF. It must include player names, number, weight and birthdate along with all coaching staff, trainers, etc. Only coaching staff, trainers, etc. are allowed on the sideline.
• Rosters must be submitted in numerical order for announcing purposes
• League rosters will be provided to each team by MJMF with player’s name, number, weight, and birthdate along with all coaching staff, trainers, etc.
• All rosters will be available on the MJMF website.
• Team rosters can have a max 30 players.

9. GAME DAY CONDUCT:
• Home team supplies all volunteers needed for games
• Home team supplies Game Ball – TDJ is the official ball in U12
• Teams are to be called out to their side lines before the game for the singing of the National Anthem.
• Home team has choice at the start of the game – Chosen by Captains
• Two timeouts per team per half of one minute duration. Administered by the referee. One coach and trainer per team can enter the field of play during timeout, regardless of what team called the timeout. Coaches and trainers must leave the field of play when instructed by the Referee.
• Game Lengths: All MJMF games will consist of four quarters of 12 minute durations of stop time.
• No overtime will be played during the regular season
• Overtime will be played in the Playoffs until a winner has emerged from the game

10. U12 PLAYOFFS
• PLAYOFFS: All teams make the playoffs
• TRAVEL: Teams possibly travel to Estevan, Assiniboia, Moosomin, Swift Current, or Weyburn
• 9 on 9 off: Fair Play, no 2 way players (If roster allows)
• PLAYOFF FORMAT: To be determined once amount of teams is finalized

** NOTE** – If any Moose Jaw team is in the finals, the game will
be played in Moose Jaw regardless of the team’s seed. All Bowl games are business
sponsored and will be played in Moose Jaw. Scheduling will try to be flexible to work
around other scheduling issues, hockey, high school football, etc.
• PLAYOFF OVERTIME FORMAT:
– Home team has choice of Offence, Defense or which end to defend. The first of two mini games start on the defending team’s 35 yard Line
– Both teams have two possessions on Offense, if necessary.
– If game remains tied, another set of mini games are played until there is a winner.
• THE TIE BREAKING RULES FOR LEAGUE STANDINGS:
– A win is worth 2 points, tie is worth 1 point, loss is 0 points. Win/loss record. Most points.
– Record between tied teams in head to head games.
– Difference in points for/against in games head to head.
– Win/loss record of tied teams against the highest finishing common opponent.
– Difference between points for/against of tied teams against highest finishing common opponent.
– In the case of a three way tie between teams the above process will be used to determine
who finishes in first place. Once the 1st place team has been determined the remaining
two teams will be considered tied for 2nd place and we will repeat the above process
again starting at the top to determine who finished 2nd

11. CLOCK OPERATION:
• All games played in Moose Jaw will have the clock operated by a referee
• All MJMF U12 games will consist of four quarters of 12 minute duration of run time.
• HEAD OFFICIAL SIGNALS (WHITE HAT):
– Start Clock: Winding arm like clock
– Stop Clock: Two arms above his head waving back and forth

• RUN TIME: The clock will stop in all of these situation
– Injuries: Clock starts again on the Head Referee’s sign
– Measurements:  Clock starts again on the Head Referee’s signal
– Moving the yard sticks / Setting them: Clock starts again on the Head Referee’s signal
– Lengthy Referee Conferences:  Clock starts again on the Head Referee’s signal
- Penalties:  Clock starts again on the Head Referee’s signal
- Change of Possession: Clock starts again on Head Referee’s signal
– Scoring plays: After a score the clock starts on Head Referee’s signal when the ball is
snapped on first possession

• 3 MINUTE WARNING:  Last 3 minutes of 2nd and 4th Quarters the clock stops for
– Incomplete pass: Clock starts again on the Head Referee’s signal
– Player carries ball out of bounds: Clock starts again on the Head Referee’s signal
– When the referee blows a play dead: Clock starts again on the Head Referee’s signal
– Injuries: Clock starts again on the Head Referee’s signal
– Measurements: Clock starts again on the Head Referee’s signal
– Moving the yard sticks / Setting them: Clock starts again on the Head Referee’s signal
– Lengthy Referee Conferences:  Clock starts again on the Head Referee’s signal
– Penalties:  Clock starts again on the Head Referee’s signal
– Change of Possession:  Clock starts again on the Head Referee’s signal
– Scoring plays: Clock starts on any officials signal once touched by receiving team or
kicking team once passes the 10 yards.

• MERCY RULE:  If at any time a team is behind by 35 + points, the clock will be straight time. Clock only stops for
– Injuries: Clock starts again on the Head Referee’s signal
– Lengthy Referee Conferences:  Clock starts again on the Head Referee’s signal
– Scoring plays: Clock starts on any officials signal once touched by receiving team or
kicking team once passes the 10 yards

12. OFFENSIVE PLAYERS ON LINE OF SCRIMMAGE:
• All teams must have 5 players on the line of scrimmage at snap
• Teams can have 3 offensive linemen and 2 skill players on the line of scrimmage at snap
• Teams can also have 5 offensive linemen as their 5 players on the line of scrimmage. If the tackles are over the 120lb ball carrier weight limit they are ineligible receivers and must wear proper offensive linemen numbers (#50 – #69)

13. POINT(S) AFTER A TOUCHDOWN:
• The ball will be positioned on the 5yrd line in the centre of the field.
• 2 points will be awarded if a team kicks the ball through the uprights.
• 1 point will be awarded if a team runs or passes the extra point across the goal line.

14. PUNTING:
• There is no fake punting
• There will be no wind rule regardless.
• Defense can only send up to Front 5
• No Hitting Center.
• Punting 2 guys can come on.
• Extra Point 3 guys can come on.

15. KICKOFFS:
• U12 has no kickoffs. Ball is placed on their own 35 yard line to start.

16. CUT BLOCKING:
• Cut blocking is banned anywhere on the field
• Any block that is an attempt to go low towards the knees of a defender will result in a 15 yard personal foul penalty being called

17. LEAGUE DISCIPLINARY BOARD:
• MJMF will have a Disciplinary Board that will have final say on league discipline for any game incidents, and player / coach ejections that require further review during the season.
• The Disciplinary Board will consist of one member from each center that competes in the MJMF league. That centers member cannot be a coach or a league board member. A preferred member would be a referee from each center.
• The Disciplinary Board will review all available evidence and may ask the coaches and players involved for statements regarding the incident in question.
• The final say on disciplinary action will come from MJMF’s Officiating Consultant after reviewing the evidence and discussing the course of action with the Disciplinary Board
• There will be no appeals allowed following the Disciplinary Boards final decision.

18. GAME INCIDENT:
• If an incident occurs within a game, the MJMF Game Incident Report is to be filled out within 24 hours of the incident by the head referee of the game where the incident occurs
• An email of the report must be sent to the MJMF’s Officiating Consultant who will then send out the info to the league Disciplinary Board for discussion on discipline.
• The Disciplinary Board reviews all information, including game film and/or fan submitted videos of the incident (these must be submitted within 48 hours of the incident)
• Information is reviewed and actioned upon within 72 hours of the MJMFL Incident Report being received

19. GAME EJECTIONS:
• Any player, coach, or team official that is ejected from the game must leave the field immediately and may not return to the field area for the remainder of the game.
• Any player, coach, or team official that is ejected from the game will be subject to further disciplinary action including possible suspension pending a Disciplinary Board review.
• A review by the Disciplinary Board will be done on a case by case manner to decide the severity of the punishment or suspension
• The Disciplinary Board will review all available evidence and may ask the coaches and players involved for statements regarding the incident in question.
• The final say on punishment following the review will come from MJMF’s Officiating Consultant after reviewing the evidence and discussing the course of action with the Disciplinary Board
• There will be no appeals allowed following the Disciplinary Boards final decision

20.  REPEATED PLAYER INCIDENTS
• If a player is found in violation of an offense where a game suspension is received, the game suspension will be served the next game (Regular season and/or playoffs)
• If a player is found a second time in violation of an offense where a game suspension is received, the player will receive a two game suspension to be served the next two games (Regular season and/or playoffs)
• If a player is found a third time in violation of an offense where a game suspension is received, they are expunged from the league for the current season

21. MJMF – GAME & PRACTICE FIELDS:
• No Smoking anywhere on the greenspace in & around any of the Game or Practice Fields
• Please take pride in our in our fields and not leave garbage laying around.
• Abusive language towards anyone will not be tolerated.  Person’s may be asked to leave the field & further discipline action can occur
• It is a City of Moose Jaw municipal bylaw that no pets are allowed at either the game or practice fields.
• Parking at Elks Field
- Parking lots located on the East & SW corner of the field
- Parking on the North Side Caribou ST W
- NO PARKING permitted on the South Side of Caribou between Thatcher Drive & the east end of the Co-op Parking lot (close to 16th Ave NW).  Vehicles can be towed.  Vehicles may park in the Co-op Parking lot after business hours but only in front of main store & may not park anywhere by the cardlock & pumping stations.

22. VIOLATION OF LEAGUE RULES:
• Any team found to be in violation of purposely breaking any of the MJMFL rules and
regulations could result in the suspension of the team’s head coach, as well as any players
involved in the incident.
• A review by the MJMFL Board will be done on a case by case manner to decide the severity of the punishment or suspension that will include a discussion with all parties involved, as well as reviewing any evidence provided.
• The final say on punishment following the review will come from the MJMFL President. No appeals are allowed.