WEST MICHIGAN JUNIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE RULES
The West Michigan Junior Football League is for participants currently enrolled in 3rd, 4th, 5th, & 6th grades for the 2019-2020 school year and will follow the MHSAA playing and scoring rules with the following exceptions.
1. Every player must play a minimum of 8 plays in each half of every game. Failure to comply with this rule shall result in a one game suspension of the head coach. Exception: The coach does not have to comply with this rule if the player is not making all the practices.
2. NO overtime will be played.
3. All age groups shall play on a standard field - 100 yards goal line to goal line.
4. It is recommended that all fields will have a clock available to maintain official game time.
5. In the event of an injury, an official timeout will be called. The player injured will be removed from the game and will stay on the sidelines for a minimum of 3 consecutive plays. The field director in charge may remove the injured player from the rest of the game if, in their opinion, the player is unable to safely continue playing. An infraction to this rule will result in a 15-yard penalty. Time outs cannot be used as injury plays. If a player displays concussion-like symptoms then said player and coaches must adhere to the regulations of the Michigan Sports Concussion Law (see league web site for more details).
6. A player with a cast of any kind will not be permitted to participate in contact drills during practice or participate in a game until the cast has been removed and a doctor's release has been obtained.
7. Any team behind by 21 points or more will receive the ball on their opponent's 35 yard line. This only applies immediately following a score by the team in the lead. Should the team fail to generate a first down with the allotted four "downs" the ball would then be turned over to the opposing team. However, the team that is down does not continue to get the ball after they score if they are still down by 21 points or more.
8. If a team is down by 30 points, the clock will be a running clock. The running clock will only stop for time outs and injuries. Please be mindful and respectful to the opposing team if yours is the team in the lead. Sportsmanship is one of the foundations of this league. Any perceived violation on sportsmanship will be under the discretion of the officials/local directors and dealt with accordingly.
9. Sixty seconds will be allowed for timeouts.
10. Five to Eight minutes will be allowed for halftime. This is under the discretion of the Head Official. Decisions will be based on various issues including time management, weather, field availability, etc.
11. If there are an odd number of teams in the league some teams may have a "Bye" on certain Saturdays. However, a seventh week (October 19) will be scheduled for the 2019 season to avoid weekday games.
12. The WMJFL shall have a set schedule of 6 games
a. Scrimmage - Saturday, August 24
b. 1st Game - Saturday, September 7
c. Remaining Regular Season Dates - September 14, 21, 28, October 5, & 12
d. Seventh Week for "Bye" teams - October 19
e. Game Times: 9am, 10:30am, 12pm, &1:30pm (unless local director requests alternate time)
13. A game may be canceled or postponed in case of threatening weather or field conditions. Make-up schedules of postponed games will be the responsibility of each team's respective local director. Weekday night games may be an option if both communities agree
14. Extra Point Attempt: Kick = 2 points, Run or Pass = 1 point.
15. If a team has two or more "Yellow Striped" players, a team is now allowed to play TWO (only) at the same time. However, they must play on the offensive line in Offensive Tackle positions (on either side of the center), ONLY! No other combinations will be allowed.
16. The "Center Sneak" is an Illegal play and will not be allowed.
17. No metal cleats of any kind will be allowed. If any metal is found to be a part of a player's shoe, said player will not be allowed to play until they are removed or if shoes are replaced.
18. Per MHSAA rules, tinted face shields are also not allowed. A player will not be allowed to participate until the shield is removed.
19. Mouthpiece must be attached to the helmet.
20. Foul language used by a coach or player will be cause for immediate ejection from the game. Foul or abusive language used by a parent or fan will result in a 15-yard penalty against the sideline charged. A second offense by the parent will result in ejection from the game of their child.
21. There will be an automatic penalty of 15-yards for any member of the coaching staff OR SPECTATORS entering the playing field and interrupting the normal progress of a game.
22. Only players and coaches are allowed on the sidelines. Anyone taking pictures or videos on the sidelines and/or near the field will be asked to leave and sit in the designated spectator areas. This is based on the MHSAA rule.
23. Suspensions/Ejections... Normal procedure for a suspension will include coaches/players receiving a warning, a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct, and finally an ejection if deemed necessary by the Head Official. Players, Coaches, & Spectators may be ejected without a warning/flag if deemed necessary, again, by the Head Official. An automatic one game suspension will be enforced. Additional game suspensions could be added by the offending team's local director and/or the WMJFL Board if considered appropriate.
24. WEIGHT AND AGES
• A participant's playing level will be determined by his grade rather than his age. The following chart depicts the level of play and the age and weight stipulations for this format to be effective. There will be no deviation from this chart.
Grade Tackle to Tackle Weight (Yellow Stripe) Non-Ball Carrying Weight (Blue Dot)
○ 3rd/4th 135 lbs. & Over 115 lbs. & Over
○ 5th/6th 160 lbs. & Over 140 lbs. & Over
• Yellow Stripe... Tackle to tackle weight means the player will be playing offensive center, offensive guard, or offensive tackle if you play
only ONE Yellow Striped player. No defensive positions allowed. If a team has TWO or more "Yellow Striped" players, a team is now
allowed to play TWO (only) at the same time. However, they must play on the offensive line in Offensive Tackle positions (on either side
of the center), ONLY! No other combinations will be allowed. A yellow stripe will indicate who these players are. Any child over the
Tackle to Tackle Weight may have the option to move up a level with parent and coaches permission. Kickoff receive is allowed on
front line only.
• No one over the Tackle to Tackle Weight (Yellow Stripe) will be allowed in the backfield, on special teams (including on 4th down when
a team is punting) or in any position to intentionally or unintentionally advance the ball. This includes the positions of kickoff receive
(except Front Line player) and punt receive, punter, running back, quarterback or receiver (special teams).
• Blue Dots will be placed on the front and back of a players helmet to indicate players over the Ball Carrying Weight. Offensively, these
players must play on the offensive line, excluding the TE position. Defensively, players may play any position. However, they may not
advance the ball, period, regardless of the situation including interceptions, fumble recoveries, etc. For Special Teams, blue dotted
players can handle kicking/punting duties.
• Any intentional infraction will be treated as a personal foul and will result in a 15-yard penalty and ejection of both the player and head
coach.
• In the event of a player's grade/age is questioned, please inform your local league director and it will be handled if necessary, in as
timely a fashion as possible.
• One official weigh-in will occur no more than 30 minutes before game time and no less than 15 minutes before game time. All fields will
have a 10 lb weight to check the scale accuracy. The scale must be set up on a hard surface. A roster with numbers may be asked for by
the home team coach if announcers are used at their home field.
• All players will weigh in with their full equipment.
25. 3rd & 4th Grade Divisions
a. A 12-minute running clock will be used. The clock will stop on injuries, penalties, scores, and time outs. After a time out the clock will
re-start after the ball in snapped.
b. A coach from each team in the 3rd & 4th Grade Divisions may remain on the field at all times and may enter its huddle to guide it but
must do so in a timely fashion.
c. Each offensive and defensive coach will remain at least 10 yards from the line of scrimmage after the offensive huddle has broken.
d. THE COACH MUST BE EFFICIENT IN THE HUDDLE & QUIET AFTER THE HUDDLE IS BROKEN. THIS IS FOR BOTH THE
OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE SIDES OF THE BALL.
e. One warning will be given: A 5-yard penalty will be assessed for violation of these rules. Once the ball is marked teams will have 35
seconds to run a play. Only one coach may be on the field at any one time. Consideration will be given towards coaches by officials
if the game is no longer in doubt and coaches are giving instructions to players as they are moved to different positions.
f. DEFENSIVE FORMATION...
i. Minimum of four players and a maximum of six players allowed on the line of scrimmage
1. The line of scrimmage goes from sideline to sideline
2. Players set on the line of scrimmage in "lineman" positions may rush the passer
3. Secondary players lined up with receivers on the outside will be counted as one or more of the allotted six players allowed.
However, they cannot rush the passer.
4. Linebackers must line up at least 3-yards off the line of scrimmage and cannot advance towards the line of scrimmage prior
to the ball being snapped
a. Please be mindful that "creeping" or trying to time the snap of the ball could violate this rule
5. At least two defensive players must line up at least 5-yards off the line of scrimmage
ii. No blitzing is allowed. However, at the snap of the ball, all defensive players may advance forward towards the line of scrimmage.
iii. This rule doesn't apply within 5-yards from the goal line.
iv. An infraction of this rule will result in an illegal defensive penalty of five yards.
g. No kickoffs will be involved in the 3rd and 4th grade level. The ball will be put in play on the offensive team's 35 yard line.
h. On 4th down, a free punt will be permitted at the 3rd and 4th grade level. After the snap and when the ball is controlled, the punter
will have no more than 5 seconds to punt the football. Failure to punt the football within the required 5 seconds will result in a "delay
of game" penalty in which the penalty will be a loss of down. The coach will advise the referee on the team's intent to punt or go
for a first down. Once lined up in a punt formation there will be no fake punts. There will be no rushing to block the punt.
Violation of this rule will result in a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down. Must be a long snap from center to punter and
you cannot send any kicking team members down field until the ball is kicked.
i. When kicking an extra point attempt or a field goal attempt, the kicking team will advise the referee on the team's intent to kick. Once
lined up in a kicking formation, there will be no fake kicks. The kicker will have no more than five seconds to kick the football. Failure
to kick the football within the required 5 seconds will result in a "delay of game" penalty in which the penalty will be a loss of down.
There will be no rushing to block the kick. While in kicking formation, no defensive player may line head up or touch the offensive
center. Violation of this rule will result in a re-kick if the kick was unsuccessful the previous try. The kicker cannot take a running start,
must be a 3-step drop.
j. After a safety, the ball will be placed on the 50-yard line for the 3rd & 4th grade level
k. Ball size: Pee Wee or Junior Size
26. 5th & 6th Grade Divisions
a. A 12-minute running clock will be used. The clock will stop on: injuries, penalties, scores, and time outs
b. Once the ball is marked, teams will have 35 seconds to run a play
c. Coaches must remain on the sidelines within the 25-yard lines
d. Kickoffs will take place within the 5th & 6th grade division at the 40-yard line
e. DEFENSIVE FORMATION
i. Minimum of four players and a maximum of six players allowed on the line of scrimmage
1. The line of scrimmage goes from sideline to sideline
2. Players set on the line of scrimmage in "lineman" positions may rush the passer
3. Secondary players lined up with the receivers on the outside will be counted as one or more of the six allotted players
allowed. However, they cannot rush the passer
4. Linebackers must line up at least 3-yards off the line of scrimmage and cannot advance towards the line of scrimmage prior
to the ball being snapped
a. Please be mindful that "creeping" or trying to time the snap of the ball could violate this rule
5. At least two defensive players must line up at least 5-yards off the line of scrimmage
ii. No blitzing is allowed. However, at the snap of the ball, all defensive players may advance forward towards the line of scrimmage
iii. This rule doesn't apply within 5-yards of the goal line
iv. An infraction of this rule will result in an illegal defense penalty of five yards
e. On 4th down, the coach will advise the referee on the team's intent to punt or go for a first down. Once lined up in a punt formation,
there will be no fake punts. However, the defensive team may rush to block the punt. While in punt formation, no defensive player may
line head up or touch the offensive center. Violation of this rule will result in a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down. The snap
must be a long snap from center to punter. If an attempt is made to advance the ball for any reason, the play is to be blown dead once
the line of scrimmage is breached. The ball is turned over on "downs", period.
f. 5th & 6th grade ball size: Junior or Youth Sizes
NOTE: Unless listed in this rule book, the league will follow MHSAA rules of play