VMFL League Commissioners

Coaches Clinic (New Coaches)September 15, 2014

Summary

Role of the League Commissioners New VMFL Rule Book for 2014 Common rule problems VMFL Procedures and processes

2 League Commissioners

9 Man Commissioner Flag and Atom 9 man divisions of Peewee, JB, Bantam

and Midget (as applicable) 12 Man Commissioner

12 man divisions of Peewee, JB, Bantam and Midget (as applicable)

Role of League Commissioners

Administer Apply Clarify Communicate

The Rules set out in the VMFL Handbook

Administer the Rules

Update rule book to reflect changes approved by the VMFL Presidents (AGM in February)

2014 Handbook available on League website (www.vmfl.ca) and hard copies provided to each association

Administer player releases etc.

Apply the Rules

Enforcement Review Game Reports and other

information, track penalties accumulated, ejections etc.

Disqualifications Part 13 (e.g. ineligible players)

Apply Suspensions per VMFL Progressive Discipline Policy ( Handbook Parts 14 – 17)

Forfeitures (Handbook Rules Part 9 )

Clarify the Rules

Changes affecting VMFL CARBTF BCCFA

Example, equipment (cleats, visors, playoff rules etc.)

Communicate

Notices of Suspension to Presidents Rule Changes Updates and reports (goal will be

weekly during the season – in conjunction with coaching reports)

Role of the Game Commissioners

Extension of the VMFL League Commissioners at the field. Receive verified team rosters,

announcer sheets Ensure sideline officials available for

start of game. (Stick Crew) Observe conduct of team officials and

players on team benches. If required, issue instructions.

Role of the Game Commissioners

See that disqualifications and ejections are carried out as noted in VMFL Rule Book (Part 13)

Ensure only team officials and players are on the team benches. No fans allowed, (Section 6.6 (c)).

Role of the Game Commissioners

Only trainers or designates are allowed on the field when any injury occurs. Doctor may be summoned by the GAME COMMISSIONER or the home team’s President or designate. Check with the trainer on the field, if an ambulance is required for an injured player. (Rule Book section 6.6(c)(ix) & x)

***** Ambulance calls need to be noted on commissioner game reports

RULES REMINDERS Fall Flag – Now follow Canadian

Rule Book for Flag Football – see link at www.vmfl.ca (under Information/Forms and Documents)

No Yards (clarified Atom rules in Handbook-

CARBTF applies to all other divisions 9 or 12, Handbook Rules: 3 (Atom)

Playoffs – PPR Bantam (VMFL Handbook Section 11.9 Play-offs)

RULES REMINDERS

Visors • All visors must be clear, not tinted. No

medical exceptions are allowed. Section 6 F)

Numbering (Reminder) • CARBTF for JB and above (CARBTF Rule

6, Sec 4. Articles 4 and 5- eligible and ineligible receivers)

RULES REMINDERS

Section 7.1 d) Midget 18 year old ruleUp to fifteen 18 year olds allowed at 12 man division (Can increase to beyond 15 up to max of 20 if have Returning 18 Year Old players) If association folds midget team, 18 year olds can move to another association + considered returning players, not new players. (7.1(h))An association must protect up to a maximum of 10 returning players if available. (7.1(h))

RULES REMINDERS

Section 12.8) 48 hour ruleWhere any player or team personnel has been ejected from a game, the association has 48 hours from the end of the game to submit game film regarding incident (s) to the League Commissioner. Format and delivery to be determined by the VMFL Executive.

Do this via your association’s president only

RULES REMINDERS

Section 8.2 COCs Each association will complete and submit to

the VMFL Secretary by August 1st a listing of their coaches and submit fully signed coaches code of conduct (“COC”) forms with the necessary information needed; see Section 23- Coaches Training. Failure to do so will result in a $250.00 fine.

Common Problems

Conduct – coaches OCs, Player OCs- read and follow your COC – see 2014

VMFL Handbook (www.vmfl.ca) AC OCs can lead to HC ejection and

further discipline for both AC and HC Accumulated URs or OCs =

suspension Ejection within last 3 minutes of

game= automatic 1 game suspension- could be more

Common Problems

Game Reports Each Head Coach and game

Commissioner MUST SIGN THEM If issue or concern – check box “Email

to follow within 24 hours” (no room on the form for comments except referee’s)

Game Reports

Common Problems

Commissioner’s box- stay out Ineligible players: e.g. over age, not

released. [Communicate with your president, registrar etc.]

For Flag- only approved flags are to be used and must be worn as required per Canadian Rule Book for Flag Football Flags must not be altered

Common Problems

Recruiting violationsSection 7.10 a) Any coach who recruits a player(s) that has not obtained a release from their previous association will be suspended for 2 games for the 1st offence, A full season for the 2nd offence and permanently for a third offence.

Recruit - to engage, directly or indirectly, in finding soliciting, enticing, encouraging or attracting athletes to move from one Association to play for another Association.

VMFL Procedures and Processes

Game Reports Submitted by home field presidents by

midnight of game day, Reviewed and tracked by commissioners Ejections may result in further discipline

Further information24 hour rule re email to follow48 hour rule re ejections

VMFL Procedures and Processes

Handbook Parts 14, 15 & 16Complaint or incident reportNotification & 48 hours to respond

Review and Decision Minimum Game Suspensions set out in Handbook Section 14.1 (minimums are not discretionary- but could be more)

Notifications to President

Appeal Procedures

Appeal Right to appeal decision per VMFL’s Appeal policy (Handbook Part 17) provided there are sufficient grounds for the appeal as set out in s.17.6 of Policy

(Note: cannot appeal the rules of football)Timing- within 7 daysOther specific information re procedures

is set out in the policy

Rule Changes

Approved by VMFL Presidents and executive

All rule changes must be submitted to the VMFL Commissioner 30 days prior to the AGM.

[communicate with your Presidents re rule change requests/input]