Football Program Policies and Procedures

A.M. DAVIS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL PROGRAM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

General Policy

To prepare “Players”, “Teams” and “Association” to participate in youth level football by providing a safe environment, practice and game equipment and a trained coaching staff. To teach youth through playing experience and fundamentals of football; teamwork, leadership, sportsmanship, responsibility and accountability. The success of the program is based on achieving the goals of the A.M. Davis Athletic Associations (AMDAA) Mission Statement while complying with the bylaws of the Chesterfield Quarterback League.

Affiliation: Football teams compete in the Chesterfield Quarterback League (CQL). Game schedules and rules are provided by the league. The Football Director will represent A.M. Davis Athletic Association at the league level. A.M. Davis football policies and procedures shall be consistent with the Rules, Regulations and Policies of the CQL.

Coaching

Age: Head Coaches must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.

Residents: All Coaches must reside in Chesterfield County or Powhatan County with the following exceptions: Any active AMDAA coach that moves out of Chesterfield County or Powhatan County may remain a coach with AMDAA.

Training: Each team in AMDAA shall be represented at the annual CQL Coaches Clinic, if held. All coaches are required to attend either the annual CQL Coaches clinic or such clinic as may be designated by the AMDAA Football committee.

Eligibility: All coaches must be listed as eligible to participate in Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation Department co-sponsored youth activities (Background Check Card Number) before the first game.

Conduct: All Coaches must act in accordance with all policies as set forth in the CQL bylaws, Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation Code of Conduct, A.M. Davis Athletic Association Code of Behavior and AMDAA Football Policies and Procedures.

Team Coaching Staff: Head Coaches are selected by the AMDAA Football Director. Assistant coaches are selected by the Head Coach, and must receive additional approval from Football Director. All teams must have at least one Coach on staff who has a son/daughter playing on team unless otherwise approved by the Football Director.

Administrative Responsibility: Head Coaches are responsible for managing all team activities including developing game and practice plans, developing depth charts, practice and game notifications, meeting with parents, meetings with team, distribution of directions, scouting opponents, and appointing team Mom(s). Head Coaches should make arrangements to attend all practices and games timely with appropriate plans. Any Head Coach who is not able to fulfill the administrative duties described above should notify the Football Director.

Player Participation

Eligibility: Children ages 5-13 as of August 1. Eighth graders who are 14 years old and less than 115 lbs. may also play.

Fees: Players participating in the tackle leagues (Minors, Juniors and Seniors) will be charged $150. Flag participants will be charged $95. There is a family rebate of $10 for each additional participant. A late fee of $25 will be charged when registering after August 1. Participants that have not paid the fees in full by the 1st practice day will not (1) be allowed to participate in practice, and (2) be issued equipment. Special payment arrangements may be approved at the Football Directors discretion. A non-refundable fee of $25 will be deducted from all refund requests made after August 1.

League Name Ages Weight Limit Play Down Limit Wilson Football Flag 5,6 & 7 None None K2 Minors 8 & 9 80 70 K2 Juniors 10 & 11 105 95 TDJ Seniors 12 & 13 130 115 TDY

Weigh Requirements: All players, regardless of weight, are given an opportunity to play. Players above the weight limit are known as “stripers” and may not advance the ball. This means stripers cannot play the offensive backfield, be a receiver or punt the ball. Defensively, stripers may play any position. However, should they intercept a pass or recover a fumble, stripers must immediately fall on the ball. Players who are one year beyond the age limit can “play down” provided they weigh less than the play down limit. “Play Downs” are Page 2 automatically striped. Weigh-in occurs at the beginning of the season but may be challenged by another team until October 1.

Playing Time: There are no try-outs and no cuts. All players are given the opportunity to be on a team. Playing time is administered solely at the discretion of the Head Coach. Players must regularly attend scheduled practices and demonstrate the willingness to learn and ability to function in a team environment. Minor, Junior and Senior teams with 20 or more players are required to participate in Monday Night Football. Provided they have met the requirements stated above, 25 Minor, Junior and Senior players must participate in at least 1 play during a Saturday games on either Offense, Defense or Special Teams. If the roster contains more than 25 players, some players may not have the opportunity to play. If a player does not start or participate in at least 2 series of Offense or Defense or the combination of both during a Saturday game, he must play no less than 2 quarters of next Monday night game. All players who start on both Defense and Offense on Saturday are ineligible to start in Monday night game unless all position back-up Player(s) are not present at game. All players on Flag team must participate in a least 1 complete Defensive or Offensive series during Saturday games.

Conduct: All Players must act in accordance with all policies as set forth in the CQL bylaws, Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation Code of Conduct and A.M. Davis Athletic Association Code of Behavior. Players may be recommended by Head Coach for Practice and Game suspension(s) in extreme cases such as Disruptive Behavior, Disrespecting Coaches or Teammates and Destroying Equipment. Players must demonstrate respect for Coaches, Teammates, Opposing Team Players and Officials at all times.

Equipment: Players are required to provide their own cleats (rubber bottom), practice sox, t-shirt, shorts and supporter, Practice Jersey, Practice pants, and pant pad for practice and game pants. The Association provides a helmet, shoulder pads, game jerseys, game pants, game socks and 1 mouthpiece. Optional items such as forearm pads, elbow pads, rib pads or gloves may be purchased at the participants discretion. Practice jerseys, t-shirts mouth pieces and other items may be available for sale at a minimal cost. The Head Coach and Football Director must approve all helmets and shoulder pads (and related accessories) not issued by AMDAA.

Practice Field and Equipment Practice Field: The Home Team Association is responsible for the preparation of a playing field and all required accessories for a game. All unfenced fields shall be roped off as practicable for the safety of players and spectators. Areas inside of fences, or otherwise restricted, are reserved for players and other designated personnel. The sidelines are reserved for the crew operating the yardage chain and down markers, and an appointed video person. Page 3 The general vicinity of the field shall be clear except for the presence of an ambulance, or law enforcement officers. The assigned Football Committee member will manage practice and game fields, and will be assisted by volunteers and a least one Board member. Only Coaches and individual’s approved by the Football Director are allowed on Practice or Game fields and Press Box.

Practice Equipment: The assigned Football Committee member(s) will manage practice equipment, and will be assisted by volunteers. Equipment will be distributed to Head Coaches as requested. Head Coaches or designated Assistant Coach(s) are responsible for checking out and returning practice equipment. Practice Equipment will be reviewed for condition each year to determine replacement needs. Parents should advise the Football Director if they feel the equipment issued by AMDAA is substandard.

Football Committee The Football Committee will consist of the following positions that will work with Football Director to administer the A.M. Davis Football Program.

REGISTRATION, CHAIN CREW, FIELD EQUIPMENT, PLAYER EQUIPMENT, GAME ANNOUNCER, FIELD CLEAN-UP, AWARDS BANQUET, UNIFORM DISTRIBUTION, CONCESSIONS, FIELD/FACILTY MAINTENANCE, HOME COMING AND HEALTH/SAFETY

Parents and Friends Conduct Policy: All Parents must act in accordance with all policies as set forth in the CQL bylaws, Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation Code of Conduct and A.M. Davis Athletic Association Code of Behavior and other applicable policies.

Newsletter

Football Newsletter will be prepared by the Football Director and/or assigned Football Committee member who will be assisted by volunteers and a least one Board member. Newsletters will be available at Football sign-ups May – July and will be distributed weekly at practices on Mondays, August through November. Newsletter will include Practice schedule changes, Special Announcements, Picture information, Playoff information and other weekly news.

Financial Management

Revenue: The Football program will produce revenue from the following sources: Concessions Net Profits Registration Fees Sale of Practice Uniforms and Old Equipment Special Fund Raisers (Raffles, T-sheet Sales, etc.) Non-Volunteer Fee (see Volunteer Sign-up form) Budget: The Football Budget will be developed by the Football Director and submitted to the A.M. Davis Board in accordance with Bylaws.

Concession Stand: A concession stand is operated at home games to supplement the football budget. Each home game, including B-games, is assigned to one of the teams (Flag, Minors, Juniors or Seniors). Cheerleading Programs will each receive 10% of Concession stand 2005 Net Profits. All Parents are expected to volunteer 1 hour during their assigned week. The Concession Stand will be managed by the assigned Football Committee member and assisted by volunteers and at least one board member.

Other Football Items

Season: Pre-season practice begins four (4) weeks prior to Labor Day. Games begin the weekend after Labor Day. There is an 8 game schedule, plus 4 or 5 Monday Night games. The regular season ends on the 4th weekend in October. Playoffs end on the 3rd weekend in November.

Games: Games begin the weekend after Labor Day. Most games are played on Saturday morning. Occasionally, Saturday evening games are played against opponents with lighted fields. In addition, one Wednesday night game is typically played. On Saturday mornings, Flags begin at 9:00 AM followed by Minors at 10:00 AM, Juniors at 11:00 AM and Seniors at 12:00 noon. However, the actual starting times depend on the ending time of the previous game. For Saturday evening games, Flag plays at 5:00 PM followed by Minors, Juniors and Seniors in order.

Practice: All regular practices are held at the Providence Middle School Football Field unless changed by Head Coach. Practice begins on the Monday four weeks prior to Labor Day. Players are required to complete five (5) practices in shorts and t-shirts before practicing in full equipment. Practice may be held up to six (6) days a week until Labor Day weekend and may include several scrimmages. Once the season begins, practice is typically held Monday through Thursday for Minors, Juniors and Seniors. Occasional Friday practices Page 5 may be held at the discretion of the Head Coaches (4 days per week limit). Flag team will practice twice a week once school starts. Monday practices are sometimes replaced with “Monday Night Football” once the season is underway. Weekday practices begin at 6:00 PM and Saturday practices times are at the discretion of the Head Coach.

Post Season Play: Both conference winners and the six (6) teams with the next best records enter the playoffs in both the Northern and Southern Divisions. The playoffs are single elimination and culminate with the “Superbowl” on the 3rd Saturday in November. There is no post-season play in the Flag league.

Senior Bowl: Second-year Senior-level players on teams that have been eliminated from the playoffs are eligible for the Senior Bowl. The Senior Bowl pits the Northern Division against the Southern Division. Up to four (4) players may be selected from each Association.

Pictures: AMDAA Football Team and Individual pictures are taken by the 4th Weekend of the season and may be purchased for an additional charge.

Recognition: A banquet is held following the season (including playoffs) to award trophies and recognize the players on all teams. Refreshments for the players and their families are served prior to the awards presentation. Special recognition is given to Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Others who assist with the Football Program.

Insurance: Supplemental medical insurance is provided by the league and is funded by registration fees. This insurance covers out-of-pocket expenses not paid by the family’s primary medical policy and is subject to a $100 deductible. The Football Administrator has forms and instructions for making a claim against this policy.

Waiver Policy: The AMDAA football program will follow the minimum Player Waiver and Loan policies and procedures describe in the CQL By-laws. In addition, Player Waivers and Loans will only be issued after AMDAA football program has met minimum registration totals listed below. In special circumstances, the football Director may issue a Player Waiver and Loan after review of written request by Parents or Guardians.

Player Waiver and Loan Minimum Registration Totals allowed by league rules: Flag - 28, Minors – 26, Juniors – 24 and Seniors – 22