VMFL League Commissioners Coaches Clinic (New Coaches) September 15, 2014

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

2 League Commissioners 9 Man Commissioner 9 Man Commissioner Flag and Atom Flag and Atom 9 man divisions of Peewee, JB, Bantam and Midget (as applicable) 9 man divisions of Peewee, JB, Bantam and Midget (as applicable) 12 Man Commissioner 12 Man Commissioner 12 man divisions of Peewee, JB, Bantam and Midget (as applicable) 12 man divisions of Peewee, JB, Bantam and Midget (as applicable)

Role of League Commissioners Administer Administer Apply Apply Clarify Clarify Communicate 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) Update rule book to reflect changes approved by the VMFL Presidents (AGM in February) 2014 Handbook available on League website ( and hard copies provided to each association 2014 Handbook available on League website ( and hard copies provided to each associationwww.vmfl.ca Administer player releases etc. Administer player releases etc.

Apply the Rules Enforcement Enforcement Review Game Reports and other information, track penalties accumulated, ejections etc. Review Game Reports and other information, track penalties accumulated, ejections etc. Disqualifications Part 13 (e.g. ineligible players) Disqualifications Part 13 (e.g. ineligible players) Apply Suspensions per VMFL Progressive Discipline Policy ( Handbook Parts 14 – 17) Apply Suspensions per VMFL Progressive Discipline Policy ( Handbook Parts 14 – 17) Forfeitures (Handbook Rules Part 9 ) Forfeitures (Handbook Rules Part 9 )

Clarify the Rules Changes affecting VMFL Changes affecting VMFL CARBTF CARBTF BCCFA BCCFA Example, equipment (cleats, visors, playoff rules etc.) Example, equipment (cleats, visors, playoff rules etc.)

Communicate Notices of Suspension to Presidents Notices of Suspension to Presidents Rule Changes Rule Changes Updates and reports (goal will be weekly during the season – in conjunction with coaching reports) 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. Extension of the VMFL League Commissioners at the field. Receive verified team rosters, announcer sheets Receive verified team rosters, announcer sheets Ensure sideline officials available for start of game. (Stick Crew) Ensure sideline officials available for start of game. (Stick Crew) Observe conduct of team officials and players on team benches. If required, issue instructions. 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) 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)). 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. 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 (under Information/Forms and Documents) Fall Flag – Now follow Canadian Rule Book for Flag Football – see link at (under Information/Forms and Documents) No Yards No Yards (clarified Atom rules in Handbook- CARBTF applies to all other divisions 9 or 12, Handbook Rules: 3 (Atom) (clarified Atom rules in Handbook- CARBTF applies to all other divisions 9 or 12, Handbook Rules: 3 (Atom) Playoffs – PPR Bantam Playoffs – PPR Bantam (VMFL Handbook Section 11.9 Play-offs) (VMFL Handbook Section 11.9 Play-offs)

RULES REMINDERS Visors Visors All visors must be clear, not tinted. No medical exceptions are allowed. Section 6 F) All visors must be clear, not tinted. No medical exceptions are allowed. Section 6 F) Numbering (Reminder) Numbering (Reminder) CARBTF for JB and above (CARBTF Rule 6, Sec 4. Articles 4 and 5- eligible and ineligible receivers) 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 rule Section 7.1 d) Midget 18 year old rule Up 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 rule Section 12.8) 48 hour rule Where 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 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 $ fine. 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 $ fine.

Common Problems Conduct – coaches OCs, Player OCs- Conduct – coaches OCs, Player OCs- read and follow your COC – see 2014 VMFL Handbook ( read and follow your COC – see 2014 VMFL Handbook ( AC OCs can lead to HC ejection and further discipline for both AC and HC AC OCs can lead to HC ejection and further discipline for both AC and HC Accumulated URs or OCs = suspension Accumulated URs or OCs = suspension Ejection within last 3 minutes of game= automatic 1 game suspension- could be more Ejection within last 3 minutes of game= automatic 1 game suspension- could be more

Common Problems Game Reports Game Reports Each Head Coach and game Commissioner MUST SIGN THEM Each Head Coach and game Commissioner MUST SIGN THEM If issue or concern – check box “ to follow within 24 hours” (no room on the form for comments except referee’s) If issue or concern – check box “ to follow within 24 hours” (no room on the form for comments except referee’s)

Game Reports

Common Problems Commissioner’s box- stay out Commissioner’s box- stay out Ineligible players: e.g. o ver age, not released. [Communicate with your president, registrar etc.] Ineligible players: e.g. o ver 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 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 violations Recruiting violations Section 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 1 st offence, A full season for the 2 nd 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, Submitted by home field presidents by midnight of game day, Reviewed and tracked by commissioners Reviewed and tracked by commissioners Ejections may result in further discipline Ejections may result in further discipline Further information 24 hour rule re to follow 48 hour rule re ejections

VMFL Procedures and Processes Handbook Parts 14, 15 & 16 Complaint or incident report Notification & 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 days Other specific information re procedures is set out in the policy

Rule Changes Approved by VMFL Presidents and executive Approved by VMFL Presidents and executive All rule changes must be submitted to the VMFL Commissioner 30 days prior to the AGM. 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] [communicate with your Presidents re rule change requests/input]