Get Certified!

ALL COACHES MUST COMPLETE AND PASS THE FOLLOWING
BEFORE HAVING ANY CONTACT WITH ANY FCFL PLAYERS OR PARTICIPANTS: 

Please read below carefully.  There are 3 actions you will need to complete online, 2 certifications (USA Membership & Concussion Training) a criminal background check and lastly a CPR/AED Certification course.  Instructions for each are detailed below.  These online certifications are mandatory for every Head Coach and Asst Coach.  The CPR/AED training is only Mandatory for each Head Coach however we recommend that all leagues certify their Asst Coaches as well.  Each League can hold their own certified CPR/AED training course or each Head Coach can get their training done individually as long as all CPR/AED certifications are presented to the FCFL Administration for verification.  We will also try to hold a first-aid and CPR/AED training course at the PAL clubhouse at a date and time TBD for all coaches that are not certified yet.  As a reminder, no coaches will be allowed on the field during the season until we have received their certifications, each league is responsible for making sure your coaches complete every certification required.

FCFL Coaches Code of Conduct PDF Document must be signed by all FCFL coaches 
FCFL Players Code of Conduct PDF Document must be signed by all FCFL Players
FCFL Parents Code of Conduct PDF Document must be signed by all FCFL Parents

1. Become a Certified USA FOOTBALL Member
   1. All Head Coaches and Asst Coaches must Register as a USA Football Member.
   2. If you are not a USA Football Member and have never been certified go to http://usafootball.com/ Click “Become a Member” and fill out all required fields and submit.  Once you are registered click Organizations and associate yourself with your organization, you need to be associated with one of the FCFL football leagues for the PROMO code to work.
   3. Enter promo-code FCFL2024 and submit, but do not enter your credit card info.  You will receive an email to “Activate Now” your USA Football account.  Log in using new login/password, In “Coach Education Program” Box, click link for “Tackle Certification” At the conclusion of the program there is a quiz, hit "download" button and print and save your certificate.
   4. If you are a USA Football Member and have been certified in the past go to http://usafootball.com/ Click “log in” next to green Sign Up button on top right, Log in using your email and password, On “Membership Renewals” page – Click “Renew” under “Coach”  Accept Terms of Service and Renew Membership buttons using promo-code FCFL2024 and hit “update price” (do not enter credit card info).  In “Coach Education Program” Box, click link for “Tackle Re-Certification” Pass the quiz, hit "download" button and print and save your certificate.
2. CDC - HEADS UP CONCUSSION TRAINING CERTIFICATION
   1. All Head Coaches and Asst Coaches must pass the Concussion Training.
   2. Go to https://www.cdc.gov/heads-up/training/youth-sports.html
   3. At the outset of the module make sure to enter your full name as you'd like it to appear on your certificate. At the conclusion of the test, be sure to print the certificate using the link provided on the "congratulations" page. Your completion will not be saved so entering your name at the beginning, completing the module AND printing the certificate is required. MAKE SURE YOUR NAME APPEARS ON THE PRINTED CERTIFICATE BEFORE CLOSING THE SESSION
3. CBC - CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK
   1. All Head Coaches and Asst Coaches must pass a Background check.
   2. Each League can use their own company for background checks if they wish.  But all background checks for all Head Coaches and Asst Coaches must be verified by the FCFL Administration before your coaches are allowed on the field.
   3. You can use Westports Background check company, if you do not have one and then Westport will bill you for each coach you get certified under their program.  Just go to  Westport PAL Football Background Checks
   4. Complete required fields and sign using your mouse.  Open PDF to view the form.  Please print the signed form and keep for your records, Submit the order using the “submit this order now” button, You will receive an order number. 
   5. Send us the 5 digit order number confirming the information was submitted at 
      [email protected] and let us know what League you coach for, the grade and your full name.
      
   6. As a reminder, no coaches will be allowed on the field in until we have received a full set of all certifications.  
4. CPR/First AID, AED Certified
   1. All Head Coaches are required to be certified in CPR/AED.  It is recommended that all Asst Coaches get certified in CPR/AED but it is only mandatory for the Head Coach of each Team in each grade. Each league can hold its own Certified CPR/AED training course in location or each Head Coach can get their CPR/AED training done individually as long as all CPR/AED certifications are presented to the FCFL Administration for verification.  
   2. Westport will host a first-aid and CPR/AED training at the PAL clubhouse at a date and time TBD for all coaches that need certified
5. Watch USA Footballs Safety Videos on Sudden Cardiac Arrest Sudden Cardiac Arrest Safety

The 2 Conferences of the FCFL are split according to location in Fairfield County.  The AFC consists of teams located on the West side and the NFC consists of teams located on the East side to try and minimize the travel distance in a season.  Leagues with multiple teams in the same grade will be placed in both the AFC and NFC to try and prevent them from having to play each other in the FCFL Regular Season.  Playoff Seeding Matchups are based on the FCFL Standings Win-Loss percentage and all Ties are decided by Head to Head result first, then record vs common opponents, then a coin toss if needed.  

A Coaches Influence "Beyond the Game"

All teams regardless of size of team or grade are required to play every player on the roster for a minimum of 12 plays.  Your teams Minimum Play Tracker Sheet and all of your opponents Minimum Play Tracker Sheet are located in a Private Head Coaches Page Minimum Player Trackers

1. For the Bantam (3rd and 4th grade) and Junior (5th and 6th grade) divisions, teams must be split when registration reaches 32. Therefore, the maximum team size is 31.

2. For the Senior (7th and 8th grade) division, teams must be split when registration reaches 36. Therefore, the maximum team size is 35.

However, under special situations and circumstances, each respective town has the option to appeal to the FCFL to increase the mandatory split prior to the first game of the season. All other rules and policies will apply including the minimum play rule.

3. For The 3rd grade through 6th Grade divisions, when registration reaches 57, three teams must be formed. When registration reaches 80, four teams must be formed.

4. For The 7th and 8 Grade divisions, teams may split at 60 players but when registration reaches 71, three teams must be formed. When registration reaches 80, four teams must be formed.

PLAYER WEIGHT and AGE POLICY

FCFL Weight Limits by Grade Level (updated 8/25/24)

1. Playing at “unlimited” positions (may play any position) must weigh in at no more than the designated weight of their grade level. Weight includes all equipment except helmet and shoulder pads. A player must play in the equipment he wears at the weigh-in with the only additions being helmet and shoulder pads.
2. A player who weighs over the “unlimited” weight for their grade level, must play an interior line “limited” position. “Limited” positions include only OT/OG/C/DT/DG.

All Minimum Play Tracker Sheets are located in our Private Coaches page Minimum Play Trackers.   All Head Coaches will have access to this page so you can print your teams and your opponents team Minimum Play Trackers Sheets.  If you would like your Asst Coaches or Team Manager to have access to the Minimum Play Trackers Page so they can print them as well just notify the FCFL Administrator [email protected]  Here is a blank version of the Minimum Play Tracker Blank Sample 

Senior 8th Grade Rules 2024 PRINTABLE - Updated 8/2022

Senior 7th Grade Rules 2024 PRINTABLE - Updated 8/2022

Junior 6th Grade Rules 2024 PRINTABLE - Updated 8/2022

Junior 5th Grade Rules 2024 PRINTABLE - Updated 8/2022

Bantam 4th Grade Rules 2024 PRINTABLE - Updated 8/2022

3rd/4th Modified Rules 2024 PRINTABLE - Updated 10/2024

THE PLAYER PARTICIPATION SHEET:

All Minimum Play Tracker Sheets are located in our private coaches page Click Here.   All head coaches will have access to this page so you can print your teams and your opponents team Minimum Play Trackers Sheets.  If you would like your Asst Coaches or Team Manager to have access to the Minimum Play Trackers Page so they can print them as well just notify the FCFL Administrator [email protected]

Minimum Play Tracker Blank Sample 


Language for the Cut Block Rule:

Here is the language of the cut block per NFHS rules (adhered to by FCIAC).  I have heard different ref crews interpret this language differently.  If any HC anticipates a challenge to the language, the FCFL board would encourage them to initiate the conversation with the officiating crew prior to the game with opponents HC present for an understanding of how play will be allowed.  Ref's decisions are final...you cannot appeal to the FCFL board with a grievance or appeal.  
-----------------------------------
CUT BLOCK

FREE BLOCKING ZONE ENFORCEMENT – CONSISTENT ENFORCEMENT OF BLOCKING BELOW THE WAIST Free Blocking Zone The free blocking zone is defined as a rectangular area extending laterally 4 yards either side of the spot of the snap and 3 yards behind each line of scrimmage. A player is considered to be in the free-blocking zone when any part of his body is in the zone at the snap. The definition of the line of scrimmage for each team is a vertical plane through the point of the ball nearest to the team’s goal line.

Blocking Below the Waist is Permitted in the Free-Blocking Zone:

1. All players involved in blocking are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap.
2. The contact is in the free-blocking zone.
3. The ball has not left the free-blocking zone.

Clipping and Blocking in the Back is Permitted in the Free-Blocking Zone:

1. By offensive linemen who are on the line of scrimmage and in the free-blocking zone at the snap.
2. Against defensive linemen who are on the line of scrimmage and in the free-blocking zone at the snap.
3. The contact is in the free-blocking zone.
4. The ball has not left the free-blocking zone.

The basic guideline is that the free-blocking zone exists while the ball is in the zone and ceases to exist when the ball has left the zone. The exception for a player to block below the waist and/or the exception for an offensive player to clip and/or block is not to continue after the ball has left the zone. With the creation of the “shot-gun” and “pistol” formations, an interpretation of the free-blocking zone rule allows for an offensive lineman to legally initiate contact, immediately at the snap, with a defensive lineman by blocking below the waist, clipping or blocking in the back, even though the ball leaves the free-blocking zone soon after the snap. Any delay in the block would make it illegal, as the free-blocking zone no longer exists.

The Basic Rules to Keep in Mind at the Snap: 1. Defensive players may not clip. 2. Offensive backs may not clip. 3. Offensive linemen not in the zone at the snap may not clip.

Items for Game Officials to Consider:

1. Because a quarterback in the "shotgun" or "pistol" formation is usually positioned more than 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage at the snap, a legal block below the waist, clip or block in the back must be initiated simultaneously with the snap. Once the ball leaves the free-blocking zone, a block below the waist, clip or block in the back is a foul.
2. Offensive linemen set in a 2-point stance in a "shotgun" or "pistol" formation are particularly suspect. Any delay in executing a block below the waist, clip or block in the back after the snap in these formations results in a foul.
3. Be alert to running backs and wide receivers who line up outside the free-blocking zone, being “cut” by defenders on sweeps or roll-out passes. Blocking-below-the-waist rules apply equally to the offense and defense.
4. Up backs should not be allowed to block defenders below the waist when the team is in a scrimmage kick, shot-gun or pistol formation. Only those players on the line of scrimmage and in the free- blocking zone at the time of the snap can block below the waist, and only in the free-blocking zone, and only if the free-blocking zone still exists.

11/14/2014 Revision to grades 6-8 Rules Documents

The Rules committee has been made aware of an omission of language when the Rules documents were edited in the offseason.  In grades 6-8; 
VIII. PLAYING RULES: , A. Offensive Formations are unlimited in full accordance with FCIAC rules with the following exceptions: ,  3.Splits between offensive linemen may be no more than one yard maximum.  This has been corrected and the rules documents are accurate today.  If there are any considerations for rules changes we will address in the off-season.  The significance of not allowing more than 1 yd splits is because we do not allow lining up in the gap.

Thank you, and good luck to all this weekend.
FCFL Rules Committee

FCFL CHANGE TO GRADE 6-8 RULES: #3 has been added to Rule E as follows:

VIII. PLAYING RULES:

FCIAC Rules, except as modified below, shall govern all play.

1. Quarters will be 11 minutes each, timed in accordance with FCIAC rules. Half time will be limited to 5 minutes.
2. Field of play is 53-1/3 X 100 yards, with additional 10-yard end zones.
3. All fumbles are live and may be recovered and advanced by either team.
4. Offensive limited players cannot advance the ball. Defensive limited players can only advance the ball if recipient of an unintentional fumble recovery or interception. Play should be stopped in any case where there is a lateral to a limited player.
5. Offensive Formations are unlimited in full accordance with FCIAC rules with the following exceptions:
   1. A player who weighs over the “unlimited” weight for their grade level, must play an interior line “limited” position. “Limited” positions include only OT/OG/C/DT/DG. All offensive formations must include Left OT/Left OG/C/Right OG/Right OT in a balanced line and these players, even if unlimited players are never eligible receivers, even if they are the last man on the line (uncovered). “Limited” players may NOT play DE or be more than 2 players away from the C. Limited players are never be eligible to be receivers or ball carriers regardless of where they line up,
   2. Eligible Receivers are as per FCIAC rules, except that an eligible receiver on the LOS must always be at least 3 players away from the Center.
   3. Splits between offensive linemen may be no more than one yard maximum.

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