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| President's Corner |
01-14-2010 --> 2010 MMRFL Rules Changes
The 2010 – MMRFL: Rules meeting was concluded on January 12th. Several proposals were discussed with over 12 rules changes approved and a change in the MMRFL Calendar for 2010. Below is a summary of the MMRFL rule changes for 2010. The rules changes for the MMRFL are now closed for the 2010 season.
Rule I-A-7 -- All coaches (Football and Cheerleading) are required to read, sign, and abide by letter of “MMRFL Code of Conduct, Expectations, and Limitations” as a volunteer in the MMRFL. This letter will be developed and approved by Board of commissioners and made available before start of 2010 season.
Rule I-B-3 -- Brought wording into alignment with MHSAA rules regarding sideline management regarding coaches box and Field access.
Rule I-B-7 -- Content rule modified to allow teams that outside of content rule to petition Board of Commissioners to allow them to be championship eligible under extraordinary circumstances. Case by Case review.
Rule I-B-13 -- Interdivisional draft rule revised to clarify that team roster created at draft is first official roster for team and no changes allowed afterwards without executive board approval.
Rule I-E-1 -- Minimum plays per game changed to 12 per game and tracking sheet modified to tracking to minimum number plays only. Penalty for violation of minimum play rules increased to coach suspension with first occurrence and forfeiture of game for 2nd and subsequent occurrences.
Rule II-A-10 -- 21 point kick rule reworded to bring into alignment with MHSAA rule wording and clarify. Rule still requires that at start of 2nd half or after a Touchdown, try, or Field goal the only option is to kick to team that is down by 21 or more points. Clarifies that 21 point spread rule does not impact kicking situation in event of Safety.
Rule II-C -- Eliminate special rules for Freshman and JV Divisions regarding kickoff location and penalty reductions. ALL divisions will now kick-off from their 40 yard line and all penalties will be enforced at full yardage (rather then some 15 yard penalties being reduced to 10 yards in FR and JV).
Rule II-A-4 -- QB Sneak rule within 10 yard line eliminated for Varsity Division – still applies to JV and Freshman
Rule II-A-6 -- Deadman zone rule eliminated for Varsity Division - still applies to JV and Freshman.
Rule II-A-11 -- With elimination of Deadman zone in Varsity new rule put into place giving Snapper same protection on all plays as he would have for scrimmage kick. Defense may have no direct contact after the snap with center until he is up and ready to defend himself or block.
Rule III-A-4 -- New rule Limiting maximum weight of participants allowed to participate in contact practices with team. Clearly establishes weight limit in rules and not just in best practice guidelines of League.
Rule III-E -- New rule added to allow special age eligibility guidelines in cases where area does not have teams in a weight/age division .
Rule VI-B-1 -- Cheerleading Maximum age of participants confirmed as 12 as of June 1st of that year (same as football players) and each are is allowed and encouraged to establish minimum age guidelines for cheerleading participants.
NOTE: Mandatory Football Coaches Meeting moved up one week in MMRFL standard Calendar. Coaches meeting will be Aug 24th – Tuesday night of 1st week of contact.
James L. Brown
2009-2010 MMRFL President |