Auburn , Brunswick, Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, Freeport, Gardiner, Greely, Lake Region, Lewiston, Portland, Scarborough, South Portland, Turner, Windham

The Maine Sportsmanship League exists to unite our efforts in order to establish the very best environment in which student athletes can learn to balance academics, sportsmanship, and team play. It is our goal to promote the principles of good sportsmanship and fair play while taking an interest in the physical and moral development of youth football. All Towns shall agree to any changes to the League Rules and Regulations. 

GOALS: 

1. Agree upon a set of rules, or by-laws, that each team can benefit from mutually. 

2. Establish a schedule that allows each team fair opportunities to play and meet the needs of their student athletes. 

3. Gain a solid relationship with an established board of certified officials including a contracted wage. 

4. Initiate a system to recognize sportsmanship for our participants. 

5. Recognize the need for safety by providing information so that all coaches can take safety courses. 

6. Approve additional teams into our program under current guidelines. 

The Maine Sportsmanship League will consist of the following Towns: 

Auburn 

Brunswick

Cape Elizabeth 

Falmouth 

Freeport 

Gardiner

Greely

Lake Region

Lewiston

Portland 

Scarborough 

South Portland

Turner
Windham 

Each team shall stress the importance of academics to all the athletes reminding them that they are students who play football and not football players that are students. Coaches shall work with parents and the athlete to promote excellence in the classroom 

1. All Team must have proper liability insurance coverage for their football program, including coaches, in order to participate in this league. Verification of all needed policies are required before the start date of each current season. Copies of policies will be kept in the possession of league officials in case of emergency. 

2. Proper access to first aid equipment must be in place at each practice and game for the use of all participants. Access to water must also be provided at each practice and game. 

3. Access to emergency ambulance service should be provided at each game. 

4. All teams will request 3 officials for each game. Two officials can be used if the third official is not available. 

5. Head coaches for all teams must have USA Football youth tackle certification. It is recommended that all coaches be USA Football tackle certified. 

6. The MSL requires members to follow USA Football guidelines for player safety. 

7. The MSL requires all head coaches attend a preseason “Coach’s Meeting”. 

Teams must be comprised of student athletes from the community the program represents. Players living in a member community, must play for that community unless special circumstances exist and their request to play for another community is approved by majority vote of the Executive Board. Regional teams are allowed but must be approved by majority vote of the Executive board. Communities must submit interest to combine to the Executive Board by the July pre-season meeting. 

1. Each community must notify the league by August 1st of the current year of the following: 

2. The number of athletes that have signed up for their program. 

3. The number of teams they intend on entering the league. 

4. Colors of uniforms and place of contests and practices. 

5. Insurance verifications. 

6. Officers of program and their contact information. 

Each program will provide a team roster for Junior and Varsity teams to the league secretary 48 hours before the first game for distribution to all member organizations. 

Rosters must include: NAME, GRADE, TOWN, AGE, WEIGHT, & JERSEY # 

All Rosters must be approved by your League Director or official league Representative. 

April – Executive Board Meeting TBA 

July – Executive Board Meeting TBA 

August – Mandatory Head Coaches Meeting: .TBA 

LEAGUE ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE 

1. The Maine Sportsmanship Primary League will be represented by all its members in good standing. Each member will be granted one (1) vote in each action taken by this league. 

2. The MSL membership will form each year an Executive Board consisting of one member from each program in good standing. The Executive Board will meet at least once each year to discuss League business. Meetings must have a quorum of a simple majority in order to make any changes to existing rules and by-laws. 

3. All changes or additions to rules must be submitted in writing to the executive Board for review. 

4. Once new rules are adopted, they will be in effect from that day forward and must be carried out equally by all. 

5. Annually the executive Board must take a vote and elect the following officers: a) President 

b) Vice president 

c) Secretary 

These elected offices are to be held for a term of one year each. Elected officers can serve consecutive terms. 

A. The position of PRESIDENT will be responsible for the following: 

1. Call meetings and set agenda 

2. Call meetings to order 

3. Preside over meetings 

4. Enforce all by-laws 

5. Appoint a subcommittee as needed for league purposes 

B. The position of VICE PRESIDENT will be responsible for the following: 

1. Perform presidential duties in absence of the President 

2. Coordinate Ad Hoc committee actions and present them to the executive Board 

3. Monitor Secretary record keeping 

C. The position of SECRETARY will be responsible for the following: 

1. Maintain all records for League 

2. Keep minutes at all Board meetings 

3. Obtain copies of Ad Hoc committee meetings and present to the Board 

4. Distribute minutes to all Board Members after each meeting 

5. Send meeting notifications to all Board Members 

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE 

Call meeting to order 

Roll call 

Reading of minutes 

Acceptance of minutes 

Vice president report of Ad Hoc committee actions 

Old business 

New business 

Set date and agenda for next meeting
Adjournment 

A. All members must be committed to the mission of this league. Each member will need to meet the following obligations: 

1. Abide by the League Rules 

2. Provide proof of proper insurance 

3. Establish a program for either or both Junior and Varsity programs 

4. Provide access to proper training for coaches 

B. All members must be voted into League using proper Parliamentary procedure presented in this document. 

C. Team size shall be no less than 15 players per team and no more than 30 per team. 

The League recognizes the importance of Sportsmanship for all student athletes. At the conclusion of the season, a committee of officials selected by the assigner shall choose an organization to be awarded The Sportsmanship Award. It will remain with that team until the following season when a new winner is chosen. 

All kids in grades 3, 4, 5, and 6 are eligible to participate. Teams must be able to show proof of a 

player’s age if so, requested by the League. 

VARSITY TEAMS are made up of 5th and 6th grade players aging from 10 – 13 years
JUNIOR TEAMS are made up of 3rd and 4th grade players aging from 8 – 11 years 

RULES AND REGULATIONS 

A player must remain with their team for the entire season. If they move, they must apply to the board of directors for new eligibility. 

All practices, preseason or season, shall follow USA Football guidelines for length of practice and amount of contact. 

Players should be matched by age and size for safety reasons. Organizations can determine the number of teams they wish to enter at each level; Junior or Varsity, independent of the number of teams they have at the other level. For example, an organization may have one Varsity team, two Junior teams. Each coach shall provide a roster to the opposing coach prior to the game upon request. 

All game will consist of four 8-minute quarters – regular stop time 

Each team will get three (3) timeouts per half 

A 40 seconds play clock in the case of continuing play and a 25 second clock from a play that has been stopped. 

The Head Coach from each team will meet with the referee before the game and at half-time to review the rules and regulations. This is an opportunity for you to share your concerns about the game. The Maine Sportsmanship League is promoting good sportsmanship and fair play and we’re working together to promote youth football. The referee’s play an important role in accomplishing our goal. 

If there is any confusion about the rules during the game; the referee will make the final decision. 

All games will be played on a grass or artificial surface free from obstructions which will be no shorter than 80 yards and no longer than 100 yards from goal line to goal line by no narrower than 40 yards wide or wider than 53 yards. 

Sportsmanship Rules: Once a team gains a 24-point or greater advantage over an opponent in any league game, the head coach is responsible to take deliberate steps with regard to personnel with the goal to create a more competitive match up. Action will only be taken when the opposing coach submits a complaint that the rule has been violated to the President. The executive board will investigate the matter and rule on any disciplinary action. In addition to violations of the 24-point rule, any obvious unsportsmanlike behavior should also be reported for investigation and possible disciplinary action. Game officials will also report all unsportsmanlike penalties and any other in appropriate behavior to the assigner. The assigner will document all occurrences and take action with the individual organization, the MSL president or the entire MSL board 

VARSITY DIVISION (5TH and 6th Grade)  

1. If a game is tied at the end of regulation time, we will play three (3) series of overtime using Maine High School Football Rules 

2. Teams may provide their own game ball 

3. Football size is TDJ or TDY 

4 Coaches on the field –During the Varsity game, one coach may be on the field on both offense and defense. There will be no coaching from the on-field coaches after the huddle breaks other than repositioning an out of position player. On-field coaches must be at least 20 yards from the line of scrimmage at the start of the play. After one warning, an unsportsmanlike penalty will be called on any on field coach that is coaching after the huddle breaks or during a play. 

1. No player weighing more than 135 pounds may be in the offensive backfield or run the football 

2. An end/receiver weighing more than 135 pounds may receive a pass that crossed the line of scrimmage but can not advance the ball. The play is dead upon completion and the player should be coached to immediately take a knee. 

3. Players weighing more than the restricted weight limit may advance the ball on kick-offs provided they are lined up in the front row. Receiving the ball from the middle line is allowed but they may not advance the ball and should be coached to immediately take a knee.

4. Players weighing over 135 pounds must line up on the front line or the middle line on the kick off receiving team; the player should not line up as one of the deep receivers. 

Special teams: 

Punts: 

1. Punts are declared. 

2. The punting team must have seven players on the line of scrimmage with no more than one-yard splits, two split ends, and two players including the punter in the backfield between the tackles. 

3. The receiving team must have 8 players on the line of scrimmage with no more than 3 players back. 

4. The ball must always be punted at least 7 yds from the line of scrimmage and from within the tackle box. If the punter muffs the snap, then the ball must be kicked from where the kicker gains possession unless it is outside the tackle box in which case the ball will be moved inside the tackle box but no closer to the line of scrimmage before it is punted or unless it is less than 7 yds from the line of scrimmage in which case the ball will be moved back at least 7 yards from the line of scrimmage before it is punted. 

5. No rush is allowed, and the punting team is not allowed downfield at the snap. 

6. The play becomes live when the ball is kicked, the punt can be returned, the receiving team may block, and the punting team may proceed downfield to tackle the punt returner. 

1. Kick offs are live 

2. Any player lined up on the front row may return a kick off 3. There can be no turn over on a kick off at the Junior level. 

1. Are declared kicks at all levels. 

2. There is no rush or blocking, lineman take a knee. 

3. The ball must be snapped to a holder and the ball must be kicked from at least 5 yds from the line of scrimmage. If the holder muffs the snap, he may bring the ball back to where the kicking tee is placed. 

Offensive rules: 

1. Teams must use a huddle, except for the final 2 minutes of each half. 

2. No blocking below the waist (cut or crack blocking). 

3. Ends must not advance the ball if they do not meet weight rule. 

Defensive rules: 

1. Defensive lineman must line up helmet to helmet with offensive lineman and be in a three- or four-point stance. 

2. Defensive ends must line up helmet to helmet, outside shoulder, or outside the last interior lineman. 

3. Linebackers must line up four yards off the line of scrimmage. 

4. Linebackers can line up one yard from the line of scrimmage when opponent is inside their 10-yard line. 

5. No pre-snap forward movement by defensive players. (no blitzing) 

JUNIOR DIVISION (3rd and 4th Grade)  

1. If a game is tied at the end of regulation time, we will play one (1) series of overtime using Maine High School Football Rules. 

2. Teams may provide their own game ball. 

3. Football size is TDJ . 

4. Coaches on the Field – Two coaches may be on the field for both offense and defense. There will be no coaching from the on-field coaches after the huddle breaks other than repositioning an out of position player. On-field coaches must be at least 20 yards from the line of scrimmage at the start of the play. After one warning, an unsportsmanlike penalty will be called on any on field coach that is coaching after the huddle breaks or during a play. 

1. No player weighing more than 110 pounds may be in the offensive backfield or run the football 

2. An end/receiver weighing more than 110 pounds may receive a pass that crossed the line of scrimmage but cannot advance the ball. The play is dead upon completion and the player should be coached to immediately take a knee. 

3. Players weighing more than 110 pounds may advance the ball on kick-offs provided they are lined up in the front row. Receiving the ball from the middle line is allowed but they may not advance the ball and should be coached to immediately take a knee.

4. Players weighing over 110 pounds must line up on the front line or the middle line on the kick off receiving team; the player should not line up as one of the deep receivers. 

1. Punts are declared. 

2. The punting team must have seven players on the line of scrimmage with no more than oneyard splits, two split ends, and two players including the punter in the backfield between the tackles. 

3. The receiving team must have 8 players on the line of scrimmage with no more than 3 players back. 

4. The ball must always be punted at least 7 yds from the line of scrimmage and from within the tackle box. If the punter muffs the snap, then the ball must be kicked from where the kicker gains possession unless it is outside the tackle box in which case the ball will be moved inside the tackle box but no closer to the line of scrimmage before it is punted or unless it is less than 7 yds from the line of scrimmage in which case the ball will be moved back at least 7 yards from the line of scrimmage before it is punted. 

5. No rush is allowed, or no blocking takes place even after the snap. 

6. The punt may be caught but not returned. 

7. If the receiving player muffs the punt behind him, it will be spotted where it rolls dead or is downed. If the receiver muffs the punt forward, the ball will be spotted where the player first contacted the ball. 

1. Kick offs are live 

2. Any player lined up on the front row may return a kick off 

3. The can be no turn over on a kick off at the Junior level. 

1. Are declared kicks at all levels. 

2. There is no rush or blocking, lineman take a knee. 

3. The ball must be snapped to a holder and the ball must be kicked from at least 5 yds from the line of scrimmage. If the holder muffs the snap, he may bring the ball back to where the kicking tee is placed. 

Offensive rules: 

1. Teams must use a huddle, except for the final 2 minutes of each half. 

2. A cadence must be used to signal the start of a play. 

3. No blocking below the waist (cut or crack blocking). 

4. Ends must not advance the ball if they do not meet weight rule. 

5. No QB runs from under center through the “A’’ gap (either side of the center). 

Defensive rules: 

1. Defensive lineman must line up helmet to helmet with offensive lineman and be in a three- or four-point stance. No defensive player can line up opposite the center on the line of scrimmage. 

2. Defensive ends must line up helmet to helmet, outside shoulder, or outside the last interior lineman. 

3. Linebackers must line up four yards off the line of scrimmage. 

4. Linebackers can line up one yard from the line of scrimmage when opponent is inside their 10yard line. 

5. No pre-snap forward movement by defensive players. (no blitzing) 

6. Defensive lineman must rush forward into opposing offensive lineman before rushing a gap. 

The following code of ethics will be followed in all areas for all associated with our programs: 

Any player, fan, or coach ejected from a contest will be removed immediately for the remainder of that contest and is ineligible for the next contest as well. A second offense will lead to ineligibility for the remainder of the current season.