• Football Season – August 17, 2008

 

• All coaches must electronically submit a Team Roster to www.psal.org prior to the first scheduled match of the season (league or non-league).  No PSAL team is permitted to compete unless an approved team roster is posted on the web site.

 

• Following each PSAL league game, coaches are required to complete and submit box scores within 24 hours to www.psal.org.

 

• On days of normal school attendance, a student-athlete must be present in school in order to participate in any team practice, scrimmage, league or non-league game, meet, match, contest or tryouts on that day.

 

• Each student-athlete must have a signed parental consent form on file for each sport before the first day of participation in that sport (tryouts, practice).

 

• Each student-athlete must have a current (within one calendar year) medical certificate on file before the first day of participation (tryouts, practices).

 

• A physician must be present prior to the start of all football games (league and non-league) and must be present until the completion of the contest.  Failure of a physician to arrive within one hour after the published game starting time may result in a forfeit by the home team. The game cannot begin if a physician is not present.  The name of the physician, address, social security number, and telephone number must be submitted to the PSAL prior to the beginning of the season.

 

• Inter-school competition in football shall be permitted only in those schools that have a minimum of twenty five (25) students on the roster and eighteen (18) students on the team who are physically fit, eligible and suited-up for each game. 

 

• Officials will be directed to declare a forfeit for any team having less than eighteen (18) players suited for a game.

 

• There is to be no organized Football Team practice between December 1, 2007 and August 17, 2008 these dates are inclusive.

·         All schools shall be assigned a specific football schedule.

·         All requests for changes in schedules must be submitted to the Football Commissioner, subject to the PSAL Director’s approval.

·         All football games shall be played according to National Federation Rules.

·         A 2008 National Federation Rule Book must be made available by the home team teacher/coach at every game and scrimmage.

Season Starting Date	Consecutive Weeks	First Permissible Scrimmage
Practice Sunday August 17, 2008	15	Thursday August 28, 2008
First contest –September 1, 2008

 

 

3-2-6 PRACTICE POLICY {MANDATED}

All participating schools in the PSAL FOOTBALL PROGRAM must adhere to the following:

Failure to adhere to the mandated requirements will result in the forfeiture of the first contest and each additional contest until the requirements are met.  Therefore, if a school has not followed this Practice Policy prior to the first PSAL scheduled contest, that game will result in a forfeit.  If a team continues to violate this Practice Policy further sanctions will be handed down.

·         LIGHTNING

If lightning is observed, all outdoor activities must be suspended immediately. Shelter
should be sought in appropriate locations (not under trees). Resumption cannot take
place until officials have waited a minimum of thirty (30) minutes after the last
observable lightning strike.

 

·         NON-CONTACT PERIOD (3 Days)

The first 3 days of practice must be non-contact, without helmets, without protective pads, without blocking sleds, and other blocking devices.

·         READINESS PERIOD (2 Days)

This period is the second half of the conditioning phase. The intent is to provide a transition from the solely conditioning phase to the full-contact phase. During these 2 days, helmets and shoulder pads along with the use of blocking dummies, sleds and other similar teaching and training devices are permissible. NO scrimmage or live contact drills will be allowed. No pants, girdle pads, rib pads, hand elbow or forearm pads can be used.

·         CONTACT PERIOD (6 Days)
Following the non-contact period and the readiness period, it is permissible to have practice with full protective equipment and the use of training devices. Four (4) additional practices must be held prior to the first inter-school contest; however, inter-school scrimmages may commence on day 12. The minimum time between inter-school football scrimmages shall be 2 nights.

INTER-SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCRIMMAGES

The following should be observed during an inter-school football scrimmage:
a. no official score is kept
b. no definite time is set or kept for periods, and total scrimmage time should not exceed two (2) hours
c. coaches are permitted on the field to provide instruction and make corrections
d. different configurations governing possession time and down and distance situations may be used to govern play
e. unlimited time out and stoppages of play are permitted and encouraged for the purpose of both providing instruction, adequate rest periods, and water breaks
f. the use of officials is permitted and encouraged whenever possible for the purpose of instruction regarding the rules and proper application of rules
g. no kickoffs are permitted
h. punts and extra point kick attempts may involve live play until the ball is kicked. Punts may not be advanced, and all fumbled punts and muffs will be blown dead immediately.
i. the total number of plays should be recorded to prevent an individual from being involved in more than a maximum of  ninety (90) live contact plays during the entire scrimmage
j. no admission may be charged
k. the participation of student support groups such as cheerleaders, bands, kicklines, etc., is prohibited.

SPRING FOOTBALL PRACTICE

·         The period during which PSAL spring football practice may occur is May 1-31, 2008

·         Practice may be only twenty (20) days during this period.

·         The maximum allowable number of hours per day is two (2) hours.
All student-athletes who opt to try out are to be allowed to attend all practice sessions.

·         No cuts are permissible during the spring football practice period.

·         Practices are limited to the following:

■ Conditioning activities, such as running and calisthenics.

■ Weight training programs such as free weights and other equipment used for football and strength-training type equipment.

■ No opposition is permissible at any time.

■ Signal drills pass patterns, kicking and team formations may be practiced (without the use of opposing student-athletes).

■ Activities such as intra-group, intra-squad, intra-team or inter-school competitions are strictly forbidden.

■ The following equipment may NOT be used: blocking dummies, blocking sleds, helmets, pads or any other football gear.

FORFEITS

Six hours of pay will be deducted form teacher-coaches for each forfeit.  Coaches may be subject to further disciplinary action, based upon the circumstances surrounding the forfeit.

TIMEKEEPING

All varsity games will be played in twelve (12) minute quarters and (10) minutes for JV.

In the timing of a game, the clock will start on the “snap” after a change of team possession (NCAA RULE)

Prior to the start of the second half of play, both teams must engage in a minimum three-minute warm up period.

20-YARD OVERTIME PROCEDURE

1.     At the coin toss in the center of the field the visiting team captain shall be given the privilege of calling the coin while it is in the air. The winner of the toss shall be given his choice of defense of offense first, or of designating the end of the field at which the ball will be put in play for this set of downs. The loser will have his choice of the other options. The referee will indicate the winner of the toss by placing a hand on his shoulder. To indicate which team will go on offense, the referee will have that captain face the goal toward which his team will advance and indicate this with the 1st down signal. The other team captain will face the offensive captain with his back toward the goal he will defend.

 

2.     Each team shall be permitted one additional time-out during each overtime period (a series for Team A and a series for Team B) plus any unused 2nd half regulation game time-outs. The team scoring the greater number of points in the overtime shall be declared the winner. The final score shall be determined by totaling all points scored by each team during both regulation time and overtime periods.

 

3.     To start the overtime, the offensive team shall put the ball in play, 1st and 10, on the defensive team’s 20-yard line anywhere between the inbounds lines. The first offensive team shall have a series of four downs to either score or gain enough yardages for a 1st down. If the offensive team gains a 1st down, the possession will continue, with the ball in play as either first and ten or first and goal if the ball is snapped inside the defensive team’s 10 yard line. The offensive possession shall be terminated by any score by the offensive team, or if the defensive team has gained possession of the ball.

 

4.     If the team on offense scores a touchdown, it is entitled to the opportunity for a try for an extra point unless the points would not affect the outcome of the game or playoff qualifying. A field goal attempt is permitted during any down. If the defensive team gains possession, the ball becomes dead immediately and the offensive team'’ possession is ended.

 

5.     After the first team on offense has completed its series of downs, the first team on defense will become the offensive team with the ball in its possession at the same 20-yard line anywhere between the inbounds lines. The same end of the field will be used for possessions by both teams during each overtime period to ensure equal game conditions and conserve time.

 

6.     If the score remains tied after each team has been given one offensive possession in an overtime period, then the procedure shall be repeated with other overtime periods until a game winner is determined. In this case, there shall be an intermission of two minutes between periods. At the subsequent meeting of team captains the loser of the overtime coin toss will be given first choice of the options. If additional overtime periods are required, then first options will be alternated with no coin toss.

 

7.     If a safety is scored by the defensive team, the succeeding spot will be the 20-yard line in possession of the team that was on defense, provided the defensive team has not had its offensive series of downs during the period (the temporary overtime score is: Team A-2 Team B-0).

 

8.     When the defensive team gains possession of the ball, the down and series immediately end for the offensive team.

 

9.     The offensive team shall be awarded a new series of downs when any one of the following occurs:

·         Penalty for defensive passes interference

·         Offensive team recovers a scrimmage kick (field goal attempt) between goal lines after it has been touched first by the defensive team beyond the neutral zone.

·         Defensive team is found guilty of roughing the passer, or roughing the kicker, place-kick holder or snapper during a scrimmage kick field goal attempt).

 

10.  If the defensive team scores a safety or touchdown, the game is ended. (Quarterback in end zone)

COACHING

A PSAL authorized football teacher/coach (with current AED, First Aid and CPR certifications) must be present at every game, practice and scrimmage. A defibulator must be on the field for every practice and game.

EQUIPMENT

·         Each teacher/coach will assign a ball person with an extra ball at all games. On wet fields, two ball persons, each with an extra ball and a towel, will be assigned, one to each side of the field. 

·         First Aid equipment and a stretcher are required at all games.

·         Mandatory Player Equipment
Helmet-NOCSAE CERTIFIED (National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment), NOCSAE APPROVED - face protector, mouth and tooth protector, chin strap (properly fastened). All NOCSAE helmets must meet the required care and maintenance as per manufacturer’s warranty in addition to meeting NOCSAE standards.

·         Helmets must be reconditioned after each season in order to be NOCSAE approved

·         Other uniform requirements:
Jersey-color contrasting with numbers.
Jersey sleeve must completely cover shoulder pad.
Numbers 1-99 minimum eight (8) inches front, ten (10) inches back.
Hip pads (with tailbone protector).
Thigh guard.
Pants (covering knee pads).
Knee pads (extending over knees).
Shoes
It is the responsibility of the Home Team to supply a New Game Ball.

 

·         THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE ILLEGAL:

Uncovered shoulder pads
Braces, casts, splints or pads, which are hard
Kneepads that do not extend over the knee
Pants that do not cover that portion of the knee pad which covers the knee
Hard knee brace unless the hinges of any metal etc. is properly padded
Forearm and hand pads or gloves unless soft, non-abrasive and non-hardening
Tape or bandage on a hand or forearm unless sanctioned by an umpire
Hard shin or thigh guards, unless the edges and outside are padded properly
Shoes with cleats, studs or projections more than one-half inch in length
Ball colored helmet, jersey patches, or pads without contrasting stripes
Slippery or sticky substances on equipment or exposed parts of the body
Plastic covering on pads unless the edges are properly rounded
Tear-away jerseys
Any equipment, which is dangerous or confusing
Jerseys shorter than belt level

Prior to the game the head coach must verify to the referee in the presence of the umpire that all of his players are equipped in compliance with the rules.

·         Prior to his verification, the coach may ask the umpire to examine any player equipment about which there is a question of legality. If a player is thereafter found to be playing with illegal equipment or without mandatory equipment, an unsportsmanlike foul will be charged to the head coach.

·         If an incoming substitute is missing required equipment or if he is wearing illegal equipment, correction must be made before he can participate. An official’s time-out is called to permit prompt repair of equipment, which becomes illegal or defective through use.

·         If equipment becomes illegal of defective through play, it may be corrected without attendant assistance during an official’s time-out. If this cannot be done, the player must leave the game or call a time-out.

 

SAFETY

·         The use of the HEAD as a weapon in football is ILLEGAL. 

The helmet is for the protection of the wearer and should not be used as a weapon. 
The helmet should not be used as the brunt of contact in the teaching of blocking and tackling.
Self-propelled mechanical apparatuses should not be used in the teaching of blocking and tackling.
Greater emphasis by players, coaches and officials should be placed on eliminating spearing.
Proper training in tackling and blocking techniques constitutes an important means of minimizing the possibility of fatalities or catastrophic injury.

Recommended Medical Supplies (team medical bag)

Airway
Screwdriver-Bolt Cutter
Philadelphia Neck Collar (small, medium, large)
Spine Board (optional)
Crutches (one pair)
Slings (small, medium, large)
Splints (board type, short and long)
Gauze Pads, Butterflies and Band-Aids
Eye Patches
Eye Irrigating Solution
Peroxide and Sterile Saline (one bottle)
Scissors (blunt tip, tape cutter), Tape (one-fourth –two inches), Ace Wraps (two, four, six inches), Antiseptic Wash and Ointment (a betadine scrub, Bacitracin ointment)
Cotton (Q-tip applicators),Tongue Depressors, Ice in a Cooler with Baggies, Cellular Phone (if possible)

Defibulators must be present on the field at each contest as well as each practice!

HOT WEATHER ACTIVITY

The following guidelines are offered to help coaches prevent heat exhaustion and heatstroke in student-athletes during hot weather athletic activity:

·         Each student-athlete must have a current (within one calendar year) medical certificate on file prior to any try-out or practice, and throughout the season for all practices scrimmages and games.

·         Encourage clothing that is white to reflect heat brief, loose and comfortable to permit heat loss via sweat evaporation. Shorts and T-shirts are recommended, not sweat clothes.

·         Activities should be scheduled at first during the cooler hours of the day. As acclimation to the activity and to the heat occurs, it is possible within temperature and humidity limitations to practice in the warmer periods. It should be noted that acclimation might take from approximately seven to as long as twenty days.

·         Practices for athletic activities should be interrupted by more frequent rest periods as the temperature and humidity approach higher levels. Workouts of an hour or more should be interrupted by rest periods in the shade of 15 to 30 minutes in length.

·         Water breaks should be instituted at least every hour and more often in hotter weather, as described below.  The athlete should drink about one quart of water per hour.

·         The use of rubberized apparel or other dehydration devices by student-athletes may not be used.

·         Teacher/coaches shall know what to do in case of an emergency, including immediate first aid practices and prearranged procedures for obtaining medical care. All teacher-coaches must be certified in First Aid and CPR.

·         All teacher/coaches should use the information from local radio and/or TV to determine acceptable measurements of temperature and humidity.

·         Prior to and during every practice the following restrictions must be observed.

·         When the temperature reaches 85 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity is 80% or higher, NO EXERCISE IS TO BE CONDUCTED BUT “SKULL” SESSIONS MAY BE GIVEN IN THE SHADE.

·         If the temperature is 85 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity percent is between 50% and 80%, practice may be conducted but EXTREME CAUTION MUST BE EXERCISED.

·         If the temperature is over 85 degrees Fahrenheit, ALL ACTIVITY WILL BE LIMITED TO FIFTEEN (15) MINUTE SEGMENTS WITH A FIVE (5) MINUTE WATER BREAK BETWEEN EACH SEGMENT (e.g., 15 minute passing drill, 5 minute water break 15 minute blocking drill, 5 minute water break). 

Heat Stroke: Collapse – with dry warm skin – indicates sweating mechanism failure and rising body temperature. THIS IS AN EMERGENCY! DELAY AND COULD BE FATAL! Immediately cool student-athlete by the most expedient means (immersion in cool water is best method). Obtain medical care at once.

Heat Exhaustion: Weakness – with profuse sweating – indicates state of shock due to depleting of salt and water. Place in shade with head level or lower than body. Give sips of diluted water if conscious. Obtain medical care at once.

It is suggested that a cellular phone or standard telephone be available on or close to the practice field for emergencies. 

If there is a question in your mind, coaches must not permit strenuous activity.

LIGHTNING

If lightning is observed, all outdoor activities must be suspended immediately. Shelter
should be sought in appropriate locations (not under trees). Resumption cannot take
place until officials have waited a minimum of twenty (20) minutes after the last
observable lightning strike.

FIELD

All fields must be marked with the limit marks outside of the sidelines and legal coaching
limit lines. (See article 3a NFASHSA- 2008, Football Rules Handbook).

FIELD CONDITIONS

The field should be checked and cleared of broken glass, protruding sprinkler heads and
any forms of debris.
All holes should be filled and leveled.
All holes, drains, and potential hazards along the sidelines should be covered or removed.
End zone marker (red pylons) should be checked. They should not be held up with wooden or metal spikes.
Down markers and chains with points on the end are illegal.
Goal post pads are required.

HOME TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES

The field, locker rooms, toilets, opponent’s facilities, official’s facilities, chain crew, supervision, security, physician, dark jerseys, telephone access, rule books, officials and game balls are the responsibilities of the home team.

HOME TEAM/VISITING TEAM

·         The home team will be assigned to the sideline nearest the spectator stand. The visiting team will be assigned to the opposite sideline.

·         All movement is restricted to the team area between the 30-yard lines where benches are located on the opposite sides of the field. Where team areas are situated on the same side of the field, movement is restricted to the bench area from the 10-yard line to the 40-yard line. These areas must be marked.

·         The following are the only people permitted on the bench:
Uniformed student-athletes
Teacher/coaches (10)
Doctor (1)
Managers (2)
Statistician (1)
Photographer (1)

Both teams are responsible for having their defibulators on site in the bench area!

The Bench

·         All bench personnel not in uniform (maximum 15) must display a visible official
PSAL Sideline Pass.

·         The Field Judge will check each sideline pass before the start
of the game.

·         Bench conduct rules will be strictly enforced.

·         No communication equipment is allowed outside the bench area. Exception: One
statistician is permitted outside the bench area.

·         Any violation of the above regulations will result in a five-yard delay of game
penalty.

·         End of game handshake- The PSAL requests that all teacher/coaches have their student-athletes meet at the end of the game and shake hands with their opponent.

OFFICIALS

·         The PSAL and/or PSALFOA will assign officials for all games involving two (2) PSAL schools.

·         Teacher/coaches must train a “chain crew” to assist the head linesman with his duties. The same crew should be used for all home games.

·         Teacher/coaches and student-athletes are not permitted in the officials’ dressing rooms.

 

BRAWL RULE

In the event of an altercation, if teacher/coaches lose control of their benches, and both benches clear to participate in an altercation - BOTH TEAMS WILL FORFEIT THEIR NEXT SCHEDULED LEAGUE GAME.  The Referee of the game will report the “Brawl Rule” violation to the Football Commissioner and the PSAL Football Coordinator immediately after the game. The Football Commissioner will notify the Athletic Directors of both schools. There can be no appeal to the Football Commissioner or PSAL Football Coordinator for violation of this rule.

 

EJECTED STUDENT-ATHLETES

·         The minimum penalty imposed upon a student-athlete ejected from a PSAL league contest by an official will be a suspension from the next scheduled league contest. The official will notify the Commissioner immediately after the contest.

·         The teacher/coach of the suspended student-athlete may appeal to the PSAL.  The PSAL may impose further sanctions if he/she has evidence that such sanctions are justified.

·         ONLY THOSE SCHOOLS WHO RETURN OFFICIALS RATING SHEETS HAVE THE RIGHT OF APPEAL

·         The PSAL will notify the teacher/coach of the decision prior to the next scheduled league contest.

 

EJECTED TEACHER/COACHES

Any teacher/coach who is ejected from the contest must leave the playing area. If a certified replacement teacher/coach (with current AED, First Aid and CPR certifications) is not available, the ejected teacher/coach’s team will forfeit the contest. The Commissioner will notify the PSAL Coordinator of the ejection immediately after the game.

PROTESTS

 

• Protests may only be made if a rule is alleged to have been applied incorrectly, or not applied.

 

• No protest of judgment call may be entered.

 

• Coach must verbally inform the lead official and the opposing coach BEFORE play resumes or begins.

 

• If no official is present, the protesting coach must inform the other coach of the protest before play resumes or begins.

 

• The protesting coach must ensure that a written statement of protest containing pertinent information and CITING THE EXACT RULE AS QUOTED FROM THE RULE BOOK is signed by both the school’s Athletic Director and Principal and postmarked or faxed to the Commissioner within two school days of the infraction (No protest will be reviewed without the required signatures). The Commissioner will render a formal decision within two school days of receipt.

 

• The protesting coach may appeal the Commissioner’s decision by ensuring that a written statement of appeal, containing all pertinent information, signed by both the school’s Athletic Director and Principal is postmarked or faxed to the PSAL within two school days of receipt of the Commissioner’s decision. (No appeal will be reviewed without the required signatures). The PSAL will render a formal decision within two school days of receipt.

 

The decision of the PSAL is final.

 

GUIDELINES FOR PSAL JUNIOR VARSITY FOOTBALL PARTICIPANTS

·         The junior varsity football program is governed by all of the rules and regulations applicable to the varsity football program except the following:

·         A student-athlete who is seventeen (17) years of age on or after July 1, 2008, may participate in PSAL Junior Varsity.

·         A student must be in the ninth or tenth grade. A student-athlete held over in the ninth grade may compete providing he meets all PSAL eligibility regulations.

·         A student-athlete repeating the tenth grade will not be permitted to compete in the year he is held over.

·         Student-athletes may compete for a maximum of two (2) years on the junior varsity level.

·         Participation is defined as being on the roster.

·         Once a student-athlete appears on the varsity roster, said student-athlete cannot return to the junior varsity roster.

·         Any student-athlete (varsity or junior varsity) who appears on the field in uniform must be listed on the roster.