TACKLE FOOTBALL RULES & CREED

The Weatherford Optimist Club Youth Football Program's major objective is to teach the fundamentals of football, including teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership.

Weatherford Optimist Club Conference Sportsmanship Creed

Weatherford Optimist Club will not tolerate, at their competitions, any spectator, either student or adult, whose behavior is disrespectful toward players, officials, coaches, or other spectators.  Nor will Weatherford Optimist Club permit any type of spectator behavior that either detracts from the proper conduct of the game or presents a disadvantage to a player or team. Athletic competition in the Weatherford Optimist Club Pee Wee and Flag Football Program is guided by the following ideals:

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The Players

  • They live clean and play hard. They play for the love of the game.
  • They win without boasting. They lose without excuses. They never quit.
  • They respect officials and accept their decisions without questions.
  • They never forget that they represent their school and community.
Weatherford Optimist Cheerleading
Cheerleaders/Parents/Players

The Spectators

  • They support the players by being positive role models before, during, and after all contests.
  • They respect the decisions of the coaches and the officials and refrain from derogatory comments before, during, and after the contest.
  • They respect the rules of the WISD regarding food, drink, and tobacco.
  • They remain in the stands and/or behind the fence until the contest has ended and stay off the field of play.
  • They will not stand or be seated on the track at any time.
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The Coaches

  • They inspire in their players a love for the game and the desire to win.
  • They teach that it is better to lose fairly than to win unfairly.
  • They exemplify sportsmanship and respect for their officials.
  • They are the type of people they want their players to be.
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Weatherford Optimist Club

Football Conference

Unacceptable behavior during competition under the Guidelines of the Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Committee of the conference is defined as follows:

  • Disrespectful or derogatory yells, chants, songs or gestures.
  • Booing or heckling an official’s decision.
  • Criticizing officials in any way; displays of temper with an official’s call
  • Yells that antagonize opponents.
  • Laughing, name-calling to distract an opponent, or use of racial slurs.
  • Use of profanity or displays of anger that draw attention away from the game.
  • Unacceptable behavior is reason for removal from the event.

WEATHERFORD OPTIMIST CLUB FOOTBALL PROGRAM

SPORTSMANSHIP POLICY

OUR COACHES

A coach who is ejected from a competition is subject to the sanctions of the Weatherford Optimist Club. Coaches are responsible for the behavior of their players. Examples of intolerable behavior include:

  • Unsportsmanlike conduct
  • Not playing with the rules of the game
  • Use of profanity, etc.

OUR PLAYERS

Any player that is ejected (not disqualified) for unsportsmanlike conduct during a game will be automatically suspended for the next athletic contest.

The name of any player or coach who uses profanity, who is disrespectful to officials, or who uses obscene gestures, will be sent before the Weatherford Optimist Club Board of Directors. The Board will then notify the appropriate coach and parent of the infraction and the disciplinary action.

OUR SPECTATORS

Any spectator who acts in a disruptive or abusive manner will cause the game to be suspended until the situation is resolved or the spectator removed.

Weatherford Optimist Club

Tackle Football General Rules

Grades 5 - 6

Eligibility

Players must be in the fifth or sixth grade to play tackle football. No player may play more than 2 seasons or be playing for another youth football league, during the same football season. If a player is 13 years of age before September 1, they are ineligible to play for the Optimist Club Football club. A birth certificate is required at registration.

Draft

After registration, which will be determined by the Optimist Club Board of Directors, there will be at least one draft. The last place team from the previous year will have first pick and will continue thru the other teams in the finishing order from the previous season. All players must register before the draft. Returning players must be declared by each team before the draft begins. Any returning or new player not registered before the draft will be assigned to a team with the least number of players after the draft, any player that does not show up on draft day will be put in a pool and assigned to a team with the least number of players. No returning player may re-enter the draft without the approval of the commissioner. There must be a warranted reason for the request. This will be enforced to keep teams from recruiting players. If a child does re-enter the draft, the parent will not be allowed to serve as an assistant coach that season. Teams with a first year assistant coach must pick the assistant coach's child in the first round or child will be open for draft by the other teams.

Relative Picks

Grandson, cousin, etc. must be picked in the third round. If not, player will be open for other teams to draft. All relative or family picks must be declared before start of draft. Brothers will be considered consecutive picks.

A catch up round will be determined on draft day depending on the number of players registered. This will be determined by the commissioner. No ride shares are guaranteed. However, coaches need to keep in mind this is for the kids so they will try to.

Practice

No practices are allowed on Sundays, Wednesday, or Saturday. Before the regular season begins teams will be allowed to practice 3 times a week. No player may practice prior to registration. Penalty for allowing a non-registered player to practice will be for the team to forfeit their next game.

The Game

Clock

There will be 10 minute running quarters. The clock will only stop on scoring plays and the last 2 minutes of each half. The officials will have final say.

Extra Points

1 point for a run and 2 points for a pass.

Tie

If a game ends in a tie, each team will have 4 downs from the 20 yard line to try to score. The team with the most yards will be the winner. Interceptions and fumbles may not be advanced. A coin flip will determine which team has the ball first.

Chain Crew

The home team will provide personnel to run the downs marker and first down chain.

Mercy Rule

There will be a 24 mercy rule. With a 24 point spread, the winning team must pull their entire backfield (quarterback and running backs) until the 24 point spread is reduced. Penalty for violation is forfeit of next scheduled game. It is the head coach's responsibility to enforce this rule.

Coaches

There will be 1 head coach and a maximum of 3 assistant coaches per team allowed on the sideline during a game. More coaches may be used for practices. It is the head coach's responsibility to make sure that parents are not on field during games. Any coach ejected from a game for unsportsmanlike conduct will be suspended for the next game. ID badges will be required to be allowed on the field for all coaches. Coaches must be declared before the draft. No coaching changes after the draft. Head coaches will be responsible for enforcing this policy.

Foul Language

Foul language will not be tolerated!! From coaches, players, parents, or spectators. This will constitute a forfeit of next scheduled game and violators will be removed. It is the head coach's responsibility to inform and enforce this policy with his team parents.

Restricted Areas

All parents and guests must stay off track and field area. Only coaches, players, chain crew, and cheerleaders are allowed inside fenced area. This is for the safety of coaches, players and referees and preservation of the facilities. It is the head coach's responsibility to inform and enforce this policy with his team parents.

Officials

All decisions of the field officials will be final. Any complaints concerning calls by the officials must be directed to the commissioner after the game.

Equipment

Equipment will be provided for the players. Equipment that needs to be repaired or replaced, must be brought to the coach's attention. It will be the coach's responsibility to exchange the euqipment to ensure the safety of the players. Mouth pieces are not part of the equipment provided. Mouth pieces must be worn at all times in games and practices. Mouth pieces in nature should be of a color that is easy to see by the referees and coaches. Mouth pieces can not be clear. Failure to comply will be a delay of game penalty. It is the coaches responsibility to make sure all players are in compliance.

Footwear

Cleats must be of a rubber sole material or tennis shoes. No hard plastic cleats or extra long cleats will be permitted.

Playing Time

All players must play a minimum of two minutes a quarter. It will be the head coach's responsibility to see that all players play their required time. This does not included special teams. Penalty will be forfeit of next scheduled game.

Injuries

Any player injured in a game or practice that has been seen by a doctor will need to provide the team's head coach with a doctor's note stating that the player is cleared to participate in full practices and games. The player must participate in two full practices upon their return from an injury before being allowed to play in a game.

Weight Limits

Ball carriers and receivers cannot weight more than 120 pounds at registration. Players over 150 pounds at registration must be in a down interior line position. These players will have jersey numbers in the 70 range or have an X on their helmet. Weight at registration is final and carries throughout season.

Playoffs

Playoffs begin the week after the regular season games end. There will be at least two rounds to be determined by playoff committee. The championship game will normally be played the 2nd Saturday before Thanksgiving. If for some reason that game can't be played, the committee will declare the top two teams as co-champions. No game will be played after Thanksgiving. The next season's draft will be determined by a coin flip.

Goal

All coaches, players, and parents will adhere to the philosophy that the Optimist Club Youth Football Program's major objective is to teach basic fundamentals of football including teamwork, sportsmanship, and leadership. The Optimist Board of Directors may remove anyone not adhering to our main philosophy from the program.

The Weatherford Optimist Club Board of Directors will have final say on all matters.

About Us

Although we come from all walks of life, the Weatherford Optimist Club members share one common trait. We know that we can make a difference in the lives of others in Weatherford and in our surrounding communities.

Address

PO Box 2020
Weatherford, TX 76086

[email protected]

Weatherford Optimist Club

Copyright ©  Weatherford Optimist Club. All Rights Reserved.

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