FORMS

2007 FOOTBALL GUIDE

INTRODUCTION

This guide is an annual publication of the Vermont Principals’ Association (V.P.A.) standing committee on football. The committee members are doing their best to include all necessary information to assist football schools in the proper procedures in the sport. However, you may recognize errors or omissions. We welcome your suggestions to improve this manual.

RULES CHANGES - The VPA follows the Football rules of the National Federation
of State High School Associations. Rules changes for 2007-2008 are listed on the
inside of the 2007 Football Rule book. It is the responsibility of every coach to read these rules changes.

Please read and study the guide. If you have questions concerning any rule or regulation, call or write the Executive Director for an explanation.

I. REGULAR SEASON

1. The fall season may start on the second Monday in August and conclude on the second Saturday in November. The first three (3) days of practice should be without bodily contact. No player shall participate in a game or scrimmage (interscholastic) until the player has had ten (10) practice sessions* (but only 2 per day maximum shall count toward the ten) before the first interscholastic scrimmage.

*A PRACTICE SESSION SHOULD BE SEPARATED BY AN ADEQUATE REST PERIOD (MINIMUM OF TWO HOURS).

A special provision for Spring Football practice is as follows:

That voluntary out of season football practice (grades 9-11) in the State of Vermont shall consist of a maximum of six (6) practice days to be completed in such a manner so that they will not conflict with Winter or Spring Sport Seasons. Furthermore, that the emphasis in this program shall be on organization, indoctrination, instruction, and experimentation. The only equipment allowed will be limited to helmets and football shoes.

There will be absolutely no contact allowed and these six days will be concluded during the school year.

This program is not to be made mandatory for a school’s athletes and if any athlete should be involved in post-season competition which presents a conflict (i.e. New England Track Meet), that player will not participate in out-of-season football. It is strongly recommended that all schools choosing to run this program adhere to the seven-day rest period.

Schools with early closing should be given the option to get in spring practice up to the normal school closing in June. It was noted this proposal had been carefully worked out with athletic directors, principals, football committee and Executive Council.

2. Vermont schools may schedule a maximum of nine (9) games excluding the state championship events. No games or scrimmages may be arranged with any squads or teams that are not high school teams.

3. Each player is eligible to play a maximum number of quarters (which is number of games scheduled for the season time 4 quarters; 9 x 4 = 36 quarters, exclusive of overtime). It is recommended a student not compete in more than one game (4 quarters) of interscholastic football in five (5) calendar days.

It is further clarified that special teams’ participation should have no bearing on eligibility for the next game (kick-off, kick-off return, punt, punt return, extra point, and field goal).

Varsity starters are ineligible for sub-varsity games.

4. Only captains will be allowed on the field during the pre-game and half-time meetings with officials.

5. Officials fees for 2007-2008 will be Varsity -$55 & JV-$35. Fees for 2008-2009 will be Varsity-$65 & JV-$40. For 2009-2010 will be Varsity-$75 & JV-$45.

6. Suspended/Cancelled Games: If a game is suspended (pre-game activities started), officials will receive full fee plus mileage.

If a game is cancelled with adequate prior notification (2 hours) no fee!

If a game is cancelled without adequate prior notification and officials are present -- they will receive one half-game fee, plus mileage.

II. RULES

1. The playing rules as adopted and published by the National Federation of State High School Associations for the current year shall be standard for all games. COACHES: Read carefully, the special notes on Rules and Points of Emphasis.

2. No more than two innings (4 downs for a team from the ten yard line equals one half inning) each to be used as a tie breaker procedure in sub-varsity level games.

3. The game referee will call the assignor with reports of game ejections. The assignor will notify the VPA, the VIFL Executive Secretary and the offending players’ school’s AD. The VPA will also notify the school principal. This must be done in a timely fashion and should be completed by the Monday morning following the game ejection.

Note: in the 2007-2008 Football season, any team (coach and Principal or AD) that acquires more than two ejections will be required to meet with the Activities Standards Committee before entering or continuing in the tournament. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss steps being taken to address this situation.

4. Advise all opponents before season begins of your jersey colors, home and away, and submit a roster of all possible players to scheduled schools.

5. The official clock operator and scorer will be identified to the referee. WHEN FIELD SCOREBOARD CLOCKS ARE USED THEY SHALL BE OFFICIAL, OTHERWISE THOSE CLOCKS SHALL BE TURNED OFF. The clock operator will meet with game officials 30 minutes prior to the start of the game.

6. Sub-varsity Games are 12 minute quarters unless there is mutual agreement by both schools.

7. Recommended Pre-game ceremonies - Following a team’s introduction, players shall leave the field and return to the bench area. Only team captains may return to the field for the coin toss. Note: (suggested protocol) Each school needs to provide a protocol upon arrival sheet prior to a team going on the field.

- One half-hour before kickoff - Officials meet with home team
- Twenty-five minutes before kickoff - Officials meet with visiting team
- 15 minutes before kickoff - Team/Player Introductions
- 10 minutes before kickoff - Coin Toss
- 5 minutes before kickoff - National Anthem

III. COACHES’ ADVISORY CHECKLIST

SAFETY PRACTICES:

1. Keep the Head Out of Football
a. Keep the head up.
b. Keep the head out of contact
c. Don’t glorify “head hunters”
d. Support officials who penalize illegal helmet contact.
e. Don’t praise or condone illegal helmet contact.
f. Provide conditioning to strengthen neck muscles.
g. Check helmet condition regularly.
h. Helmet must fit properly.
i. Improper technique causes spinal-cord injury.
j. Receive clearance by physician for athlete to play following head trauma.

2. General Safety:
a. Involve parents in early season meeting.
b. Clearly explain and demonstrate safe techniques.
c. Provide best medical care possible.
d. Have a set plan for coaching safety.
e. Repeat drills which stress proper and safe techniques.
f. Stress safety every day.
g. Entire staff must be “tuned in” to safety program.
h. Be prepared for a catastrophic injury.
i. Player safety is your responsibility.
j. Monitor blocking and tackling techniques every day.

3. Use Good Communication:
a. Explain how serious injuries occur.
b. Involve parents in early season meeting.
c. Admonish and/or discipline users of unsafe techniques.
d. The game doesn’t need abusive contact.
e. It’s a game – not a job – for the players.

IV. POINTS OF EMPHASIS

The following topics are Points of Emphasis for the 2007-2008 year. Please refer to the 2007 NFHS Football Rules Book for a detailed explanation.

1. BLOCKING BY OFFENSE & DEFENSE (page 81 Football Rules Book)

2. HEAT & HYDRATION (page 83 Football Rules Book)

3. PLAYERS EQUIPMENT & UNIFORM ADORNMENTS (page 85 Football Rules Book)

4. SPORTSMANSHIP (page 87 Football Rule Book)

V. COACHES CODE OF PRACTICES

1. SPORTSMANSHIP - The coach bears the greatest burden of responsibility for good sportsmanship. The example set carries through to not only players, but to the spectators as well as the entire community. They must abide by the rules of the game and respect the integrity and judgment of the officials. The coaches own ethics and integrity must be above reproach. An ethical coach would not:
* allow players to fake an injury or equipment repair in order to stop the clock
* allow players to abuse or punish an opponent, make late hits, etc.
* encourage or condone baiting or taunting, displays following almost every play which are demeaning to the image of the game
* send in more than 11 players on defense in critical situations
* allow intimidation of opponents before the game
* condone vulgar language, profanity and use of obscene gestures

2. SCOUTING

a. Scouting is allowed for all scheduled games. It is not considered ethical to scout scrimmages or practice sessions. An exception may be made for a scrimmage provided all involved coaches agree in advance.

b. Film and video tape may be used in scouting.

c. Scouts will not be charged for admission to football games. This is a courtesy
allowed by the home team and should not be abused. Members of a coaching staff not assisting with the actual scouting will be expected to pay.

3. It is not ethical for a school or a coach to loan films or release scouting information of previous opponents to another school or third party.

4. Schools may exchange film of their game held two weeks prior to their head-to-head contest, if mutually agreed by the two schools.

5. It is considered unethical for a coach to use varsity players on the JV level unless he had contacted the opposing coach and a real emergency exists.

6. The host school is expected to provide an acceptable place for films to be taken or contact their opponents in advance so they can make other arrangements.

7. It is not the host school’s responsibility to provide a place for the visiting team’s spotters.

8. Coaches should refrain from making derogatory statements to the press, local boosters’ clubs, etc. about officiating or the conduct of an official. All serious charges should be made to the officials’ association through the school administration or to the Executive Director of the V.I.F.L.

9. Coaches should refrain from making derogatory statements to the press, local boosters’ clubs, etc. about another school or its personnel. All serious charges should be made to the administrators of the schools involved.

10. Football coaches should endorse the American Football Coaches Association code of ethics as it applies to high school level football.

11. It shall be the responsibility of the host school to furnish the field properly equipped, at least one game football, yardage chain, a downs marker crew, a clock operator, and staff to handle the crowd.

12. The host school should have at least one identifiable administrator present.

13. The host school must provide for emergency medical services.

14. Crowd control is the responsibility of the host school. Incidental to this is the firm enforcement of the ban of alcohol and drugs at interscholastic events. It is recommended that there is a 7-10 yard barrier between the field and spectators.

VI. TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

1. TO QUALIFY FOR THE TOURNAMENT A SCHOOL MUST SUBMIT AN APPLICATION. A DECISION TO WITHDRAW FROM THE TOURNAMENT MAY
BE MADE NO LATER THAN NOON THE DAY PRIOR TO THE PAIRINGS.

2. Applications shall be electronically filed to the V.P.A Office no later than 10:00 AM on Monday, October 29th. Pairings are October 29th (12:00 noon).

3. Championship semifinal games for Division I, II, and III will be played on November 2nd or November 3rd (please note November 3rd is an SAT Saturday) hosted by the top seeded teams sponsored by the V.P.A. (#1 vs. #4 and #2 vs. #3); and finals for Division I, II, and III will be November 9th or 10th.

4. All Game Officials fees will be paid by the VPA.

VII. CHAMPIONSHIP PROCEDURE

1. The championship sites, dates and times for Division I, II, and III will be determined by the V.P.A. Football Chair and the Executive Director or designee of the V.P.A. after the semifinals have been played. If ALL other neutral sites are exhausted, the higher seed will host the championship game. Strong consideration will be given to suitable fields with lights. In case of inclement weather the site administrator will advise committee representative in the morning if the field is not playable. A decision will then be made as to where and when the game will be played. The decision will be made by 12 noon for a Friday night game, and 8:00 AM for a Saturday afternoon game.

2. The higher seeded team will wear the dark or colored jersey and will be the home team.

3. Practice at the neutral site of the championship game prior to warm-up is prohibited. Locker rooms should be opened two hours before game time, with selling tickets starting at least one and one half-hours before game time.

4. Should either game end in a tie, the tie breaking system prescribed in the National Federation Football Rules Book will be used.

5. The squad size will be those who are on the varsity of the school involved, and they must all be in the same uniform. Forty-five medals will be awarded to the members of the schools.

6. The chain gang and the downs marker will be operated by the host schools and these people will be provided with vests or some other apparel that will make them easily discernible to the officials on the field.

7. THE V.P.A. WILL PROVIDE THREE OFFICIAL BALLS FOR EACH GAME. THE OFFICIAL BALL WILL BE A RAWLINGS BALL (ST5 (4 panel)). (Balls for Championships shall be broken in).

8. The scoreboard clock will be official.

9. Principals should discuss with their student body about staying off the playing fields, behind the ropes, or staying in the areas where the general public should be. Violation of this could result in holding up of the game. At awards ceremonies, only teams should be on the field.

10. Each team will provide two ball persons to assist the officials. There should be 2 ball persons on each side of the field.

11. It is absolutely essential that each school provide a spotter to work with the public address announcer. The spotters are not being assigned to radio personnel, but to the public address system announcer. SEND CORRECTED ROSTERS, UNIFORM NUMBERS AND COLORS TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE SEMI-FINAL AND CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES.

12. Communications may be provided by the competing teams according to the rulebook.

13. Student busses will be directed where to park. Teams should bring towels, gum, oranges, water buckets and any other items which they need.

14. There will be medical coverage and stand-by ambulance service.

15. QUALIFIED PERSONNEL WILL BE PRESENTED WITH IDENTIFICATION TAGS TO APPEAR ON THE SIDELINES. Each school will be granted 20 of these identification tags. It is possible a representative of the school will be requested to come to the V.P.A. office to get this material. If a school is to send a student photographer and expects him or her to be along the sidelines, then he or she must have one of these sideline passes. Student photographers and student reporters must have acquainted themselves with any local ground rules concerning the restrictions that are placed on these individuals. POLICE HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ANYONE WHO IS ALONG THE SIDELINES AND NOT A MEMBER OF THE SQUAD WITHOUT A SIDELINE PASS.

16. The pre-game ceremonies will be as follows:
- One half-hour before kickoff - Officials meet with home team
- Twenty-five minutes before kickoff - Officials meet with visiting team
- Fifteen minutes before kickoff - Team/Player Introductions
- Ten minutes before kickoff - Coin Toss
- Five minutes before kickoff - National Anthem
**The coach must see to the information getting to the P.A. announcer by the spotters.

17. There will be plaques presented at the conclusion of the game. Please notify your coach to hold his squad for appropriate ceremonies. The team plaque will be given to the team captain, and the game ball will be presented to the coach. In connection with this, would you please instruct your coach to have his team ready for the presentation as soon as possible. There have been some instances when the coach, especially of the losing team, exhibited some reluctance to bring his team out. This is not in keeping with good sportsmanship. Each host director will try to provide an elevated position for the awards recipients.

18. Band members wishing to be admitted complimentarily, should be in uniform. In the event a band does not have uniforms for its members, there should be chaperones who will identify them. Cheerleaders should be in uniform. As far as cheerleaders are concerned, they may not send more than 16 in uniform. Cheerleaders should cheer in front of their respective fan seating.

Other performing groups must be approved by the V.P.A..

Seating provisions will be provided in each game for the bands on the appropriate side of the field. The half-time show must be worked out by the two band directors involved; the pre-game ceremonies, which involved the playing of the National Anthem five minutes before game time will be performed by: (1) the home team band, or in the event the home team does not have a band or musical group with them, then the visiting team band, and if there is no band, then a recording will be used.

CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING FOOTBALL SEEDS FOR V.P.A. PLAYOFFS

Divisional Quality Point System-Division I, II, III

1. A team shall receive 10 points for defeating any opponent within its V.I.F.L. division. These points will constitute a team’s own value.

2. A team shall receive 2 points for each divisional victory earned by any divisional opponent is has beaten. This constitutes a team’s opponent value.

3. A team’s own value and its’ opponents’ value will be added and averaged by dividing the number of divisional games to determine its quality points. The higher the quality points…the higher the seeding.

If Divisional QPS does not resolve ties, then the following Overall QPS will take effect: (out of state competition will not count)

Overall Quality Point System

1. A school shall receive 10 points for defeating any D-I team, 7 points for defeating any D-II team, 5 points for defeating any D-III team. This will constitute a team’s own value.

2. A school shall receive 2 points for each victory earned by any opponent. This constitutes a team’s opponent’s value.

3. The total (own value + opponents’ value) will be divided by the number of V.I.F.L. games that the team played to determine the quality point rating (Q.P.R.).

4. The higher the Q.P.R., the higher the seeding.

5. In the event that two teams have the same Q.P.R., back to head to head competition.

6. If a tie still exists…refer to VPA Tournament Rules (Fall Tournament Section).

7. Games to be played, #1 vs. #4 at higher seed’s home field, #2 vs. #3 at higher seeds home field.