LAWRENCE YOUTH FOOTBALL, INC.
Bylaws & Rules
September 4, 2007
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I - Name
The name of this organization shall be Lawrence Youth Football, Inc. (LYF).
ARTICLE II - Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be to provide training, guidance and leadership. We will teach sportsmanship and basic fundamentals in the sport of football.
ARTICLE III - Membership
Section 1 - Membership in the organization shall consist of two (2) voting members from each team. These two members shall be announced by each team at the beginning of each meeting.
Section 2 - There shall be no membership dues.
ARTICLE IV- Executive Board
Section 1 - The Executive Board shall be the ruling and governing body, and all decisions by the Board at its discretion, may elect to present certain matters to the general membership for consideration without relinquishing its final authority.
Section 2 - The Executive Board shall consist of five (5) board members: President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, Equipment and Public Relations Officer.
a . The President shall be the chief executive of the league, charged with the duty of supervising all of its functions, subject to the order of the executive board. He shall be ex officio a member of all committees.
b . In the President's absence, the Vice-president shall perform the duties of the president, He shall act as chairman for all fund raising activities and also perform such other functions as the executive board may assign.
c . The secretary shall conduct the correspondence of the league, issue notices of and keep minutes of all meetings of the league, be custodian of the records, keep the roll of all members and discharge such other duties as may be assigned by the executive board or the president.
d . The Treasurer shall have the care and custody of all the funds and property of the league, which shall be disbursed by him only upon the order of the executive board or the president. He shall submit a report for the preceding year at the annual meeting at the conclusion of each season and shall render special reports when requested by the executive board. No later than December 31st of each year, the financial records of the league shall be turned over to a CPA (as designated by the board) for audit and for the filing of any necessary tax returns and/or information returns.
e . The Public Relations Officer shall handle all duties as the executive board may assign. The Equipment Officer shall handle all of the Leagues Equipment and shall handle additional duties as the executive board may assign.
Section 3 - No fewer than four (4) meetings shall be held each year by the board.
Section 4 - A quorum for conducting the business of the executive board shall not be less than 3 members of the board.
Section 5 - All decisions made by the board shall require approval of 3/5 of the board. ARTICLE
ARTICLE V - Meetings
Section 1 - There shall be a minimum of three (3) meetings per year. Two (2) of these meetings shall be held for the purposes of setting up the new season and establishing fund raising projects for the year. The third required meeting shall be at the conclusion of the season for the purpose of election of officers. Such meetings shall require written notification of each team at least one (1) week prior to the meeting.
Section 2 - Special meetings may be called by the president or the board. Such meetings shall require notification of each team at least three (3) days prior to the meeting.
Section 3 - A quorum for conducting business of a regular or special meeting of the membership shall not be less than majority empowered to vote.
Section 4 - All meetings (board and general) shall be recorded as minutes. A summary of such minutes shall be documented. These minutes shall be retained indefinitely.
Section 5- The accounting period shall run from January 1 through December 31.
ARTICLE VI – Sponsorships/Fundraisers
Section 1- Any and all sponsors shall be considered by league. All general donations to LYF inc. shall be dispersed for the betterment of all teams
Section 2- All agreements with fundraising organizations shall be subject to written contract signed by League President or his representative as designated by Board.
ARTICLE VII - Insurance
All league insurance coverage shall be subject to annual review by the board. The automatic renewal of any insurance coverage without such approval of the board is prohibited.
ARTICLE VIII - League Board and Membership Discipline
Section 1- Charges of dishonesty and or working against the principles and purposes of the organization may be filed in a written statement Signed by five (5) Coaches and/or parents and sent to the executive board.
Section 2- The accused member shall be notified in writing of the action and shall have the privilege of being present at a special or regular meeting of the executive board, at which the charges will be considered and presented to the voting membership.
Section 3- The member may be suspended or expelled by a 3/4 vote of the voting membership.
ARTICLE IX - Amendments
The bylaws may be amended or revised by an affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the voting members of the organization. Copies of proposed amendments shall be given each member at least two (2) weeks prior to the meeting.
ARTICLE X - Dissolution
Upon the dissolution of this organization, the Board of Trustees shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all the liabilities of this organization, dispose of all of the assets of this organization exclusively for the purpose of this organization in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable or educational purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under the Kansas Corporation Code, as the Board of Trustees shall determine.
OFFICIAL PLAYING RULES AND REGULATIONS
ARTICLE I – General
Section 1- The following rules shall apply to all Lawrence Youth Football league games. The league board will be the ruling and governing body, and all decisions by the board will be binding to all parties.
Section 2- All head coaches of each team must be approved by a majority vote of the league board. The head coach shall be responsible for his her staff.
ARTICLE II – Registration/Rosters
Section 1- A player is ineligible to participate in the program, including practice, unless he/she is registered with the league board. Registration means that the player and parent/guardian have filled out and signed the player agreement form, and said form is on file with the league board for purpose of identification and eligibility of game participation.
Section 2-Each Player will be assessed a fee, payable at the time of equipment check-out. The assessment will be used for insurance, uniform and equipment maintenance, and other incidentals. Full payment of the fees to the board is the responsibility of the head coach. Scholarship option through the league fund-raiser is available to all players.
Section 3- Coaches must turn in an official roster on Wednesday prior to the league's first scheduled game. Roster's must include: Jersey Number, Name and designation of A,B,C,D or 7th team player. Failure to comply will result in loss of Toy Bowl Point for each day thereafter not turned in. LYF has official weight on file for each player and is available within a reasonable time upon request by coaches.
Section 4- Each team is allowed a maximum of 3 player moves with approval of the league board. Player moves should be up and should match player ability and skill level.
Section 5- All roster changes must be turned in to the league secretary by Wednesday prior to Sunday game. The league secretary will notify all coaches of such changes. Failure to comply will result in ineligibility of player in question for that game and each game player move is not filed.
Section 6- For the purposes of post season play, all rosters will be frozen after the fourth (4th) week of league play.
ARTICLE III- Coach Discipline
Section 1- Charges of dishonesty and/or working against the principles and purposes of the organization and its rules and regulations may be filed in a written statement signed by five (5) coaches and/or parents and sent to the executive board.
Section 2- The accused coach shall be notified in writing of the action and shall have the privilege of being present at a special or regular meeting of the executive board, at which the charges will be considered and presented to the Executive Board.
Section 3- The coach may be suspended, reinstated or expelled by a three-fourths (3/5) vote of the Executive Board.
Section 4- Any coach, player or fan who is disqualified from two (2) league games shall be considered suspended indefinitely.
Section 5- Any coach, player or fan ejected for any reason will be suspended for the following game also. Suspension will prohibit ejected from attending LYF games in any capacity, at any location. Any coach, player or fan who knowingly defies this rule will subject his/her team to possible forfeiture of said game or games.
ARTICLE IV -
Section 1- Lawrence Youth football consists of Lawrence and Topeka area teams and (4) 7th grade Lawrence teams.
Section 2- All teams participate under the Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of Lawrence Youth Football, Inc.
ARTICLE V – Eligibility
Section 1- All players in the program must be at least eight (7) years and have completed first grade and must not be thirteen (13) years old nor have completed the sixth grade by August 1st of the current season. 7th grade football will be available to these players in addition to the players currently enrolled in the 7th grade.
Section 2- A player may transfer to another team after the first game with league
Section 3- A team will forfeit all contests in which an ineligible contestant has participated. Each head coach and his/her staff is responsible for the eligibility of his/her own participants. All ineligible players and all adults who allow them to compete will be liable, at the discretion of the league board, to suspension.
ARTICLE VI – Practices
Section 1- Ten (10) hours of practice are required. These practices are to be limited to conditioning and exercising without equipment except for helmets and mouth pieces. All players must have completed 10 hours of conditioning prior to working out with pads.
Section 2- Two (2) weeks prior to the first game, six (6) two-hour each week will be allowed. (Maximum: 24 hours.) No 2-a-day practices will be allowed.
Section 3- All teams will start practice with equipment during the same week.
Section 4- A total of ten (10) hours (five @ two hours per day) of practice per week will be allowed after the first game. These practices will include calisthenics and drills.
ARTICLE VII - Rules of Competition
Section 1- High school rules in the State of Kansas are to be followed in all contests with the exceptions as stated in the league rules and regulations.
Section 2- When it becomes necessary to postpone a contest for any legitimate reason, it is the responsibility of a team representative to contact the league board as well as the other team at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the scheduled date thereof, and postponements shall be effective only upon agreement of the representatives of both teams and the league board. The coaches or team representatives are the only persons who shall be qualified to request postponement.
Section 3- Unless otherwise noted forfeit time will be fifteen minutes after scheduled starting time. A team that waits past the forfeit time for its opponent may not use lateness as a ground for protesting the results.
Section 4- If a team drops out of the league, games played by such a team will be treated as follows.
a. completed rounds of scheduled games will stand as played (this includes forfeitures).
b . Should a team drop out before completing a round will be declared victories for the opponents in the round. Toy Bowl Point deductions will be retained as acquired.
ARTICLE VIII - Equipment
Section 1- Equipment shall be furnished by the league and maintained by each team. Standards of the National Federation shall be followed.
Section 2- Purchases of equipment shall be controlled through the purchasing agent designated by the league board.
Section 3- Game ball will be provided by the league for all league games. When the officials determine a back-up ball is needed because of weather conditions, ball will be provided by team on offense.
Section 4- All logo or decals shall be a type such as Pro-Tuff or equal material.
Section 5- Logos will be removed by teams placing them on helmets prior to returning in of equipment. Failure to remove all logos and decals is considered returned in not good shape and is subject to additional cleaning charge.
Section 6- All logos or names placed on equipment and uniforms worn in LYF competition is subject to Board approval. LYF reserves its right to require good taste and sportsmanship at all times.
ARTICLE IX - Games
Section 1- The schedule will be set up as early as possible prior to the first game.
Section 2- It is required that each team be accompanied to all competition by a coach or other adult supervisor who will be responsible for the team's conduct. Any team not abiding by this rule will forfeit or reschedule the game at the discretion of the league board.
Section 3- The home team coaches will be responsible for chains and yard markers. Both are to be placed at the designated drop-off location immediately after the completion of their last game.
Section 4- Two (2) referees will be used in all league games. In addition, a third official may be used for the purpose of new official development and training.
Section 5– 7 th grade, A, and B games will consist of four (4) eight-minute quarters. KSHSAA rules apply 8 minutes at the half, with a three (3) minute warm-up period before the third quarter.
**D and C games will consist of four (4) ten minute running quarters.
There will be 1 time out per half, with one 2 minute warning at end of 4 th quarter.
Clock will stop when touchdown is made and will not resume until change of possession and ball is snapped. (This rule is to limit wasted time that occurs when extra point is tried and change of possession occurs).
Section 6- During the B team game, one (1) coach will be allowed on the field with his/her team for the sole purpose of instruction. During the C and D game, two coaches are allowed on the field. Once quarterback count begins coaches will assume a silent position away from play until whistle is blown. Penalty after warning - delay of game.
Section 7- For D and C team games, No kickoffs, the ball will be placed at 35 yard line. A punt is a declared play and the ball will be set 25 yards down the field not to be placed inside the opponent’s 15 yard line. Once the punt is declared the official shall spot the ball and the game continued.
Section 8- B Games- No rushing of Kicker or Punter is allowed. A minimum of 6 defensive players must be on LOS at time of punt.
*Section 9- Each team is responsible for conduct by parents. Taunting of opposing players, coaches or referees as determined by the referee at any time during, before, or after the game will be subject to disciplinary action by league board in addition to those infractions noted by High School Rules.
Section 10- Each team is responsible for clean-up of its own sideline. Toy Bowl points - One (1) per week can be deducted in the event of repeated nonconformity.
Section 11- D, C, and B Divisions - for PAT's, teams shall receive 1 point for a running conversion, 2 points for throwing or kicking.
Section 12- A Division and 7 th Grade - High School scoring applies.
ARTICLE X - Protests
Section 1- Protests must be submitted to the league board prior to the completion of contest. Judgment calls are not subject to protest.
Section 2- The protest must be submitted by the coach. A non-refundable $25.00 Protest Fee is required at time of Protest. If Protest is found to be valid, fee will be returned.
Section 3- Protest will be determined on the spot if facts are available. If not available, decision will occur with available facts no later than 48 hours. All Parties will act professional and their actions will be held responsible by LYF.
Section 4- By the very fact of submitting a protest, the protesting group agrees to abide by the decision of the LYF Executive Board.
ARTICLE XI – Positions
Section 1- All players must be weighed in by the board president or by his/her representative before the season starts. The weight as recorded by his/her representative is final. This weigh-in will occur at Official Checkout. Date and time will be determined each season.
Section 2- The official weights will be recorded and any player exceeding:
130 pounds for A team
120 pounds for B team
105 pounds for C team
90 pounds for D team
Shall be designated as restricted weight players. These players will be designated by a stripe on their helmet from front to back. 7th grade - there is no weight restriction.
Section 3- Any restricted weight player cannot advance the ball and cannot line-up offensively in a position that makes him eligible as a receiver or a running back. The ball shall be considered dead when the overweight player has possession. It will be the responsibility of the official to stop play immediately at the point of possession.
Section 4- On offense, the backfield and end positions are limited to non-restricted players. Those exceeding the weight limit must play must play on the line of scrimmage in a 3 or 4 point stance. Any player playing in an illegal position will result in a penalty of Delay of Game.
Section 5- Only players under the weight limits will be allowed on the Kick-off except to kick. Restricted player will not involve himself in the kick-off other than to kick and retreat to his own sideline. If a team does not have enough players to field a kick-off team they have the option to kick and receive the ball with fewer players. Once the decision is made (prior to the start of the game) the team must stay with that decision. If a team starts the game with 11 eligible players they must kick. If a team had 11, then less due to an injury, the ball will be taken on the 35 yard line. Under this rule, in the event of a safety, the ball will be placed on the 45 yard line.
Section 6- Offensive lineman, except non-restricted ends, must be in a three (3) or four (4) point stance. Penalty is Delay of Game.
Section 7- No number requirements for eligibility or position.
Section 8- Weight Restricted Players are allowed to punt and kick for extra point. This player may not advance the ball to run or pass. Ball becomes dead when Restricted Weight Player is no longer a kicker or punter and Restricted Weight Player either throws or runs ball past Line of Scrimmage. Pass by Restricted weight player is not allowed.
ARTICLE XII -The Toy Bowl
Section 1- Toy Bowl selection will be determined by Toy Bowl points. Toy Bowl points will consist of:
Win = 10 pts.
Loss =5 pts.
Flagrant unsportsmanlike (Coach, Player or Fan) = Deduction of Point per each.
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