SOUTHWEST NASHVILLE FOOTBALL LEAGUE

2010 LEAGUE RULES

1. The League Rules are established by the Coaches and Board of Directors of Southwest Nashville Football Association, a Tennessee nonprofit corporation.

2. The League will accept applications for all students in the Fifth and Sixth Grades provided players are 12 years of age or younger as of August 28, 2010.

3. No player will be allowed to practice or participate in a game unless an application form is signed by the player and at least one parent or guardian.  Application fee is to be paid in full.  Copy of certified birth certificate must accompany the application.  Teams will not begin practice sooner that August 4, 2010.   The Board recommends three practices per week.  The season will begin August 28, 2010 and end on October 16, 2010.

4. The League will provide game jerseys for each player except when jerseys are provided by prior arrangements. The players are responsible for providing all other equipment which, at a minimum, must include helmet, shoulder pads, thigh and hip pads, and mouth guard.  Players who do not have this equipment will not be allowed to play.

5. Applicants may indicate a preference for a coach or a team.  The Board may, however, assign players to particular teams to create competitive rosters. No more than 30 players will be assigned to a team.  If a team reaches 31 or more in number, they are required to divide into two teams of as equal ability as can be accomplished. 

6. Players weighing over 120 pounds will not be allowed to carry or advance the football during a game. Weigh-ins will be conducted by the League prior to the start of the season.  Helmets will be marked for those weighing more than 120 pounds. 

7. Except as otherwise provided herein, TSSAA game rules will apply, including clock operation, penalties and tie breaker rules.  The head referee for each game will have discretion to end a game after two overtime efforts by each team as may be appropriate to accelerate the completion of a game.  If during a game the weather becomes unsuitable or unsafe for the game to continue, the head referee will have discretion to suspend play.

8. Games will consist of ten-minute quarters and a five-minute half.  The clock will run continuously with the exception of the last two minutes of the second and fourth quarters.  All games will be played using a leather junior/youth size football.

9. Following a touchdown a team may attempt an extra point via pass, run or kick.  Two points will be awarded for a pass completed across the line of scrimmage.  One point will be awarded for a run, kick or pass caught behind the line of scrimmage. No points will be awarded to the defensive team for a runback of an intercepted pass, fumble or blocked kick following a touchdown. 

10. The League objective is to teach and enhance football skills in a friendly but competitive environment. Unsportsmanlike conduct by players, parents or coaches will not be tolerated.  The Board reserves the right to suspend or dismiss any coach, player or parent if this League policy is not followed.

11. Coaches are encouraged to see that each player participates in games as much as possible.  It is required that each player will play at least 10 plays per game. 

12. The season shall consist of each team playing six games against as many of the other teams in the league as possible.  The final seventh game shall be a single game playoff between teams ranked by the Board based on each team’s overall season record.