JSYFL divisions are grade-based, and players must be properly enrolled to participate.

• 1st/2nd Grade (Rookie 1)
• 3rd Grade (Junior 1)
• 4th Grade (Junior 2)
• 5th Grade (Senior 1)
• 6th Grade (Senior 2)

The bylaws require players to participate with the Member Park associated with the school they attend.

• Public school students play for the park aligned with their school's attendance zone.
• Private or home-schooled athletes play for the park that serves their primary residence, unless otherwise approved.
• Players may not freely move between parks without proper approval.

Any exception must be reviewed and approved by the JSYFL Board of Directors.

• 1st/2nd Grade: ages 6-8; cannot be 9 before Dec 31. Kindergarten allowed if the player turns 6 before Aug 1.
• 3rd Grade: cannot be 10 before Dec 31.
• 4th Grade: cannot be 11 before Dec 31.
• 5th Grade: cannot be 12 before Dec 31.
• 6th Grade: cannot be 13 before Aug 1.

JSYFL uses Unrestricted and Restricted thresholds by division:

• 1st/2nd: Unrestricted 80.9 lbs or less; Restricted 81 lbs or more
• 3rd: Unrestricted 90.9 lbs or less; Restricted 91 lbs or more
• 4th: Unrestricted 105.9 lbs or less; Restricted 106 lbs or more
• 5th: Unrestricted 120.9 lbs or less; Restricted 121 lbs or more
• 6th: Unrestricted 135.9 lbs or less; Restricted 136 lbs or more

Players at or above the restricted weight threshold are Restricted Players, often called dot players because they are marked with a yellow dot on the back of the helmet and noted on the official roster.

• Restricted Players must play on the offensive or defensive line.
• They are not eligible to receive or run the ball on offense.
• They may kick extra points or field goals, but may not advance the ball except after a defensive interception or fumble recovery.
• They may not play on kickoff or kickoff return unless approved by JSYFL member parks.

• Mandatory weigh-in prior to the first week of the season.
• Each player is allowed one official weigh-in.
• Failure to follow weigh-in procedures results in ineligibility for the season.

Players may not play up unless:

• Their Member Park does not have a team for their grade level, or
• Special circumstances exist and the request is approved by the JSYFL Board.

Requests must include written parent approval and formal submission by the Member Park.

If a division has 10 or more teams, JSYFL may divide it into two conferences: National and American.

When splitting conferences, the bylaws list factors such as:

• Whether it is a first-year team at that grade level
• Returning team record from the previous season
• If it is a second team from a park and how many returning players are on the roster

Playoff rankings are based on a team's record within its conference; cross-conference games are treated as non-conference for seeding.

When a park submits teams and requests a division, the park must include whether the team is returning or first-year, how many returning players, and, if teams were split, how teams were chosen.

• Examples listed include 1-to-1 draft and protected players, including how many.
• For grades other than 1st/2nd, parks must split into two teams at 51 registered players.
• A third team is required at 81 registered players, with additional splits every 25 players after the third team.

Yes. 1st/2nd grade (Rookie 1) is 8-man football and Member Parks are required to split teams at the number 30.

Games are played on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights.

• Games start at 6:00 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.
• All single games are played at 6:30 p.m.
• All Jamboree games are played after 3:00 p.m.

Cancelled or postponed games must be played within that week, at least by Sunday. A school activity exception requires documentation presented to the Board.

For JSYFL certification, families should be prepared to provide documentation that confirms age, residence, and school enrollment.

• Birth certificate: required for a player's first JSYFL certification. A player returning after one or more years away from a certified JSYFL roster may need to provide it again.
• Proof of residence: required each year and must be a current utility bill, such as electricity, natural gas, or water, showing the participant's and legal guardian's current street address.
• School registration: required each year to confirm the school the player attends.

No. JSYFL bylaws state that no player may participate in another tackle league from the start of JSYFL acclimation week until after JSYFL Championship Games have concluded.

Ask TYFL before joining any outside tackle football activity so eligibility is not put at risk.

Yes. During the regular season, players in all grades are required to receive at least 4 plays per game.

• Coaches must keep a play chart showing each player received the required plays.
• If a player misses practice unexcused, the coach may not be required to meet the minimum play rule for that player that week, as long as the park is made aware.
• Once playoffs begin, there is no minimum play rule for any division.

• Game officials may stop a player from playing at any time for unsafe equipment.
• Tennis shoes, athletic shoes with molded cleats, or rubber cleats may be used.
• No detachable cleats and no metal cleats are permitted.
• Mouthpieces must be attached to the helmet, except orthodontic mouthpieces for players with braces.

• Games use 8-minute quarters by the clock.
• Halftime is 10 minutes.
• Overtime is used for all games but will not exceed 2 overtime periods.
• All divisions begin each half and each possession after a score from the 25-yard line, except after a safety.
• Punts are a 30-yard walk-off, but the walk-off cannot place the ball deeper than the 10-yard line.

• Before the regular season starts, teams may practice up to 10 hours per week.
• After the regular season starts, teams may practice up to 8 hours in a week without a game, or 6 hours in a week with a game.
• Practices are limited to one practice per day, not to exceed 2 hours.
• If the heat index is between 100F and 105F, water breaks should be given every 15-20 minutes and helmets/shoulder pads should not be worn during non-contact portions of practice.
• If the heat index reaches 106F or higher, practice requires Executive Board approval.

Weather decisions are handled by game officials, the home field Member Park, and JSYFL representatives according to the bylaws.

• If lightning occurs before a scheduled game, there is a 30-minute waiting period before the game may be postponed.
• The home field President/Director or Vice President/Assistant Director may stop or postpone a game due to inclement weather to preserve the playing surface.
• If a game is stopped during play, it restarts from the stopped game state, including score, time, quarter, ball spot, down, and possession.

Yes. For home games, a nominal admission fee may be charged, not to exceed $5 for adults and $2 for children under 12. Official JSYFL passes are non-transferable and only valid for the person they are issued to for the season.

JSYFL expects coaches, parents, players, and spectators to behave respectfully before, during, and after league functions.

• Profanity or threatening actions can result in suspension by the Executive Board.
• Physical altercations can result in a person being placed not in good standing and barred from JSYFL parks.
• The head coach is responsible for the actions of the team's players, coaches, and fans and may be disciplined for team-related unsportsmanlike conduct.