Football

Football (5.35)
1. Starting date: to be determined annually based on schedule start date.  Suggested start date is two weeks prior to first league game.  Start times may vary between 3A and 4A divisions.

2. Team eligibility (E5 form) must be submitted to the SHSAA web site before the team's first league game.

3. There is no limit to roster size.

4. Regular season Play:  the Home team will occupy the "Riders" bench and wear dark colored jerseys,         the Visitors will be across the field and wear light colored jerseys.  If a color conflict occurs the teams have the option to discuss this amongst themselves.  All teams are encouraged to have a light and dark set of jerseys.
    For Playoffs:  The team with the highest standing is the Home team and earns the right to have choice of bench, uniform color and “right of options”.

5. Visiting team in regular season has “right of option”.
                        a)  Choosing to defer to second half
                        b)  to kick or receive the kickoff
                        c)  to pick an end to defend        

6. Official league statistics will be kept by the R.H.S.A.A. Commissioner of Athletics.  The intent is to distribute ranked league stats at the mid season and completion of the regular season to all participating teams.

7.  League schedule will determine home and visitor by stating within the schedule the visiting team listed first and the home team second.  Ex  Sheldon at Balfour.

8.  The game will conclude with a shaking of hands as a sign of sportsmanship.

9.  At the beginning of the third quarter, prior to captains on field, officials will meet with head coach for a quick dialogue about the game

10. Teams are to be given 15 minutes prior to their game for warm up, always aiming at starting each game as scheduled on time.

11.  During the first half of each league and play-off game, the yard sticks will be on the home side of the field. During the second half, they will be on the visitors' side.

12. Awards           The RHSAA will award:
- Gold and silver RHSAA medals to the first and second place schools in 4A and 3A categories.
- Championship trophy to the winner of the 4A and 3A categories.
- First place trophy to the winner of each conference.
- Player of the week trophy in each conference                                                                        
- Player of the Year awards in each Conference to the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year,    Lineman of the Year and Special Teams Player of the Year.
- CTV  Citizenship award for each conference                               

---Gerry Thompson Award                                                                                                                                      -Spirit Award       --Sportsmanship Banners sponsored by the Regina Thunder

13.  The R.I.F.L. Stewart Conference (3A) shall consist of eight teams for 2011: Johnson, Luther, Martin, Miller, Notre Dame, O'Neill, Weyburn and Yorkton.
The R.I.F.L. Schwann Conference (4A) shall consist of eight teams for 2011: Balfour, Campbell, Winston Knoll, LeBoldus, Riffel, Sheldon, Thom, and Balgonie

14. All Stars:
            The RIFL will award All Star selections and Player of the Year selections at the “Banquet of Champions” at the season’s end. The process by which is determined by the coaches.

RIFL Rules:
. The R.I.F.L. will follow the rules of "Canadian Amateur" rulebook, with limited, specified exceptions

1.  All league and playoff games leading to the City Championship will be Twelve (12) minute quarters.
2. All players must wear a mouth guard while playing. A 5 yard penalty may be assessed a team whose player is without a mouth guard. The player must leave the game until he acquires a mouth guard.
3. No yards infractions on punts will be penalized 10 yards
4. No contact may be initiated on the center during punts, field goals or converts by a defender until the center has taken a full step out of his stance. Violation of this rule is to be considered a rough play offence and be punishable by a 15-yeard penalty.
5. On any play, blocking below the waist is illegal except in the close line play area (between offensive tackles) by any player who is occupying a position in this area at the snap of the ball.
6. When a player goes down with an injury where he/she is attended to by a person from the sideline, that player must remain off the field for a minimum of three plays including special teams. A timeout may be called at the time of an injury which allows the player not to miss a play.
7. If a player is ejected from a game he must sit out the next game, even if it is the next season. If the ejection is from the last game of his final season the Principal is asked to take appropriate action
8. Timeouts:   When a timeout is called two coaches may go onto the field to meet with their team. They may also be accompanied by their trainer(s) and manager(s).
9. The coach must sign that all players are properly equipped prior to each game, ensure your players have all required protective gear.
10. In order for a player to be permitted to wear a colored or tinted visor the RIFL and the RHSAA have two (2) conditions that must be met:
1. The player must have a note signed by an Optometrist that specifies what the eye problem is. A note from your family physician or a physician will not be accepted.
2. On the SHSAA medical form that each player must complete under the column FACE INJURY: EYE – This must be checked off and under #2 Remarks an explanation of what the medical condition is that would warrant the need to use a colored or tinted visor.
11. 4A Playoffs
    - Top six teams qualify for the playoffs based on record and previously determined tiebreakers.
    - First round playoffs: top 2 teams receive byes; 6 vs 3, 5vs 4.
    - Subsequent rounds to match highest survivor versus lowest survivor.

3A Playoffs
- Top six teams qualify for the playoffs based on record and previously determined tiebreakers.
- First round playoffs: top 2 teams receive byes; 6 vs 3, 5vs 4.
- Subsequent rounds to match highest survivor versus lowest survivor.

1. The steps in the tie-breaking procedure according to R.I.F.L. rules are as follows:

- Most number of league wins within the conference. ( Wins ranked highest during tie breaker process)
- Head-to-head record between (among) tied teams.
- In the event of three or more tied teams, difference between points for and points against in games played among those tied teams.
- Win record of tied teams against highest-finishing common opponent.
- Difference between points for and points against in games played against highest-finishing common opponent.
- Difference between points for and points against for all games played.                                         - Coin toss                                                                                                                                                  
* To alleviate "running up scores", a maximum difference of 20 points in a game will be used in the calculations.
* Any defaulted game will be recorded as 1 – 0
         14. Timeouts
- When a timeout is called two coaches may go onto the field to meet with their team. They may also be accompanied by their trainer(s) and manager(s).

Revised Sept 30, 2011