League Rules

SEQUATCHIE VALLEY CONFERENCE

Youth Football

BYLAWS

*Revised August 2023

Provisions of the Bylaws shall be final for the upcoming season. Any revisions mandated by majority vote shall be implemented at one of the regularly scheduled meetings. For the purpose of this document, the Sequatchie Valley Conference herein shall be referred to as SVC. The following leagues make up the SVC: Marion, Whitwell, South Grundy, Sequatchie, Bledsoe, Grundy County, and Soddy Daisy. The SVC may add leagues contingent upon majority vote by the founding leagues. 

Article I. Purpose

The SVC is an established organization. The guidelines set herein are to promote sportsmanship, teamwork, and safety to all individuals involved in this league.

Article II. Meetings

Meetings will be held 3 times per year unless there is a need for a special meeting.

The meeting location will be what is most suitable for all leagues. 

A quorum of (4) leagues must be present at any regular or special meeting in order for League business to be conducted. A majority of voted by the League Presidents, or a designated proxy, in needed to approve amendments to the SVC Bylaws or to elect officers. 

Special meetings may be called at any time by any League President. In all cases of special meetings, the league requesting the meeting must submit it in writing, (email allowed) to the SVC Presidents, who will then agree about a meeting time and place. A majority of (4) leagues must be present when voting for any vote to be final. All motions that are voted upon are deemed final with the outcome of said vote standing. 

Each League President shall have one vote in all matters unless you are the league in question. Any league who does not participate in the meeting will be considered for Notification of Removal to the Vice President or responsible league by the SVC. 

The use of proxies, (e-mail or written) by League Presidents is permitted for those League Presidents unable to attend the meeting. A proxy vote will be counted when it pertains to a motion discussed at a previous meeting. No new business will be voted on by proxies. 

Article III. Eligibility

Each League within the SVC will divide up the players by age, position eligibility will be determined by weight. All children that compete in the SVC must be present with an appropriate birth certificate, (or copy), with the state seal clearly visible. If the child wants to become eligible to run or receive the ball the child must also be weighed. Each League will be required to create a book for each age group which will hold the child’s birth certificate, picture, and jersey number. The Leagues will be responsible for having the books with the birth certificates available at each game. The age/weight designations are as follows: (if a child is not able to attend the weigh in date, weigh in must be done before hand with at least 2 League Presidents non team affiliated to weigh in the child)

Child may weigh in at jamboree but the weight limit for each age group drops 5 pounds for all kids weighing that day.

Every league shall provide each president with a copy of rosters with name, jersey number, and birthday of all players for each age group at weigh INS. Only teams with fewer than 14 players will be allowed to add players up to 2 weeks after the jamboree. New players must be green tagged prior to their first game. If a player is ineligible to run the ball, a green tag must be visible on the back of their helmet during all games. NO EXCEPTIONS. 

4/5: The child’s age shall be determined by the date of May 1^st of the current year. In order to compete in a position that is eligible to run or receive the ball, the child must be no more than 60 lbs. The child must weigh in NO MORE THAN ONE TIME during the allotted time that the rest of the team is being weighed on the day of weigh ins. NO EXCEPTIONs.

6/7: The child’s age shall be determined by the date of May 1^st of the current year. In order to compete in a position that is eligible to run or receive the ball, the child must be no more than 85 lbs. The child must weigh in NO MORE THAN ONE TIME during the allotted time that the rest of the team is being weighed on the day of weigh ins. NO EXCEPTIONS.

8/9: The child’s age shall be determined by the date of May 1^st of the current year. In order to compete in a position that is eligible to run or receive the ball, the child must be no more than 110 lbs. The child must weigh in NO MORE THAN ONE TIME during the allotted time that the rest of the team is being weighed on the day of weigh ins. NO EXCEPTIONS.

10/11: The child’s age shall be determined by the date of May 1^st of the current year. In order to compete in a position that is eligible to run or receive the ball, the child must be no more than 135 lbs. The child must weigh in NO MORE THAN ONE TIME during the allotted time that the rest of the team is being weighed on the day of weigh ins. NO EXCEPTIONS.

 Any child that is on or has been on an Official Middle School Roster is ineligible. Any child on an official roster for any other youth football team outside the SVC is ineligible for that season including playoffs.

Transfer Rule: Any child wanting to leave their current league and transfer to another league must first request a transfer form from their current league and get approval from their president. If both presidents don’t agree on this transfer, then it will be addressed by the SVC Board. Players may still transfer without a transfer form but would be required to sit out a full season before becoming eligible. All transfer requests are due by July 15^th of the current year. Only in the event of a team dissolution, players may join other leagues after July 15th. 

Green Sticker Rules: No player is allowed to run the ball if they have a green sticker. However, green sticker players are allowed to strip the ball and run it, recover a fumble and run it, or recover a kickoff and run it. 

Article IV. SVC Competition Rules

Game admission prices are as follows: Adults $5, Ages 5-12 $2, Ages 4 & under FREE.

The maximum gate price is $6 a person. 

This includes Jamboree, Regular Season, and all post-season games.

Jamboree skill competitions shall be as follow:

• Fastest back
• Fastest Lineman (must be green sticker)
• Longest throw (cannot be green sticker)

Each SVC Competition will be governed under the rules of the TSSAA for Football and will be refereed by a team of sanctioned Referees. In addition to these rules, the SVC leagues will be required to compete under the following guidelines: 3 extra officials for Harvest Bowl = 7 officials’ total. 3 on field, 3 on chains, one clock guy

4/5 games will consist of (4) quarters (8) minutes in length.

6/7 games will consist of (4) quarters (8) minutes in length. 

8/9 games will consist of (4) quarters (8) minutes in length.

10/11 games will consist of (4) quarters (10) minutes in length.

ALL AGE GROUPS: The first offensive series of each half will start from the offensive team’s 35-yard line. Teams will receive 3 timeouts per half. 

4/5: No nose guard over the center. Middle Linebacker is to be (3) yards off the line of scrimmage. No QB sneaks under center. Two coaches are allowed on the field on offense and defense. Once quarterback becomes set (whether under center or shotgun), each coach on the field will no longer be allowed to instruct or place players and must be a minimum of (5) yards away from the closest player. 

6/7: Play traditional football. Two coaches at a time will be allowed on the field during play for each team. Once quarterback becomes set (whether under center or shotgun), each coach on the field will no longer be allowed to instruct or place players and must be a minimum of (5) yards away from the closest player. The first violation of this guideline will result in a warning. The second violation will result in a (15) yard unsportsmanlike penalty and on the third offense the Head Coach is to be ejected from the game.

8/9: Play traditional football. One coach at a time will be allowed on the field during play for each team. Once quarterback becomes set (whether under center or shotgun), each coach on the field will no longer be allowed to instruct or place players and must be a minimum of (5) yards away from the closest player. The first violation of this guideline will result in a warning. The second violation will result in a (15) yard penalty and on the third offense the Head Coach is to be ejected from the game.

10/11: Play traditional football. No coaches are allowed on the field during or between plays, unless there has been a time out or injury. No field goals will be allowed. No punting. Kickoffs are in effect. Kick from the 45. No more than 5 on one side for kicking team.

ALL AGE GROUPS: A punt by a team will consist of 35 yards and will not be allowed to go inside the opponent’s 10-yard line. Each punt will be a 10 second run off.

Extra points will be scored (1) point for running the ball past the goal line and (2) points for a COMPLETED OVERHAND PASS into the end zone. 

Each team will supply a football to compete. Each ball must be minimum size of “JV2” or larger. 10/11 age group must use a JUNIOR size football or larger. Football size cannot eclipse the size of the standard Middle School Football. 

Any player ejected from a game shall have to miss their next scheduled game. Any child that suffers two ejections in the same year is subject to punishment by the SVC Officials. 

Article V. League and Coach Responsibilities

Each league has a responsibility to inform all of their coaching staff of the SVC guidelines and procedures. Each league is expected to support and enforce the SVC guidelines and procedures. Each league has the responsibility to supply an adult PA announcer and clock operator. The host league for an event is responsible for supplying a chain crew. Each league is required to have a video of each game which may be made available to the SVC Officers upon request… Any violations of the coaching guidelines may result in the Head Coach being removed from the game, along with any assistance that the referee team sees fit. Anyone who receives a coach’s pass must pass a background check. No more than 6 coaches on the sideline. 

Guidelines for Coaches conduct is as follows: 

• All coaches are expected to field a team under the SVC player eligibility guidelines. 
• Coaches are not to use any profanity at any time. 
• Coaches will not speak in a derogatory manner to any player, opposing coach, or referee. 
• The use of drugs or alcohol before or during any scheduled SVC Game or practice is forbidden. *
• All Head Coaches are responsible for the actions of their fans. 
• Only the coaches on the field may address the referee. Except on 10/11, only the head coach may address the referee. 
• Coaches, Players, and Parents may not threaten physical violence at any time. *
• Coaches may not perform an act of malice or physical violence before, after or during a game. This includes the playing field and surrounding areas. *
• Coaches may not instruct a player to perform an act of malice or physical violence with the sole purpose of injuring an opponent. *

*There is a zero-tolerance policy. Any violation of the rules marked with an asterisk is immediate banishment from ALL SVC activities. 

Article VI. Guideline Violation Punishment and Appeals

• Punishment: At any time that an SVC guideline has been viewed to be broken by the referee staff, the violating team’s head coach will be ejected immediately along with any assistant coaches that may have resulted in the violation. Any action resulting in a guideline being broken before, during or after a game will result in an immediate review by the League Presidents. League Presidents will decide the severity of the punishment on these cases, which can range from suspension to banishment. 
• Appeals: There are NO APPEALS. ALL LEAGUE PRESIDENTS VOTES ARE FINAL. 

At any time that a rule has been broken and the SVC board feels that there needs to be punishment enforced the following levels of punishment can be used if needed. Fine Money will be used toward Harvest Bowl trophies, etc….

1^st level: $1000

2^nd level $2500

3^rd level Ineligible for playoffs and Harvest Bowl.

Article VII. Division of SVC Leagues

The SVC consists of the aforementioned (7) teams: 

South Grundy, Whitwell, Sequatchie, Marion, Bledsoe, Grundy County, and Soddy Daisy. 

If an SVC team leaves the league and joins another league, then decides to come back; the team that left then forfeits their position or turns to host the SVC Jamboree. If the SVC league allows that team back into the league, that team will then take their place at the end of the list to host the Jamboree. If a team cannot fill (3) age groups, that team will not be allowed to host the Jamboree, Harvest Bowl, or playoff games. 

Only those teams that fill all (3) age groups will be up to host the Jamboree, Harvest Bowl, and Playoffs. If a team pulls out or an age group cannot finish the season, that team will be placed at the end of the list to host the Jamboree. If that team was in place to host a playoff or Harvest Bowl, that game will be re-distributed to a team that can field all (3) age groups. If a team does not show up without a valid reason to any games or events (Jamboree, Regular Season, or Post-season) throughout the season, that league will be charged $1000 per age group if agreed upon by the League Presidents. Fees must be paid to the league they did not show up to within 2 weeks of the scheduled game date. 

Article VIII. Playoff Format

In the event that there is a tie at the end of the season, head-to-head will be the deciding factor. If it is still a tie, then it will go by Points allowed then Points scored. If it still hasn’t been decided, then a game must be played to determine the playoff bracket position. 

The #1 and #2 seeded teams (overall in each age group) will have a bye in the first round of playoffs.

First Round: 

#3 vs. #6

#4 vs. #5

Finals: 

#1 will play the lowest seed left after the first round.

#2 will play the second lowest seed after the first round.

Article IX. Harvest Bowl

The Harvest Bowl is considered by the Leagues of the SVC as the Championship Game. The winner of the Harvest Bowl game will be considered the SVC Champion and will receive the Championship Trophy. The losing team will receive a Runner-Up Trophy. The host League of the Jamboree is responsible for procurement of the Championship trophies and the individual trophies for the participants in the Harvest Bowl. An official clock operator, supplied by the referee team, will be paid for by the Host League plus 3 officials for chains. 

The order of the Jamboree shall be determined by the order, which is listed below. Playoffs and Harvest Bowl by blind draw, but Jamboree host is not eligible. 

2016: Sequatchie

2017: Marion

2018: Whitwell

2019: South Grundy

2020: Covid

2021: South Pitt

2022: Bledsoe

2023: Grundy County