Coaches Corner 2023
COACHES
Coaches should still educate their student athletes to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- If an athlete displays signs and symptoms at the field before practice Coaches should:
- Isolate the athlete from the other athletes and coaches.
- Call parents/guardians and inform them.
- Immediately inform the PPAL Football Commissioner
- Instruct the athlete and guardian to see their primary care physician as soon as possible and follow their instructions. This could include but is not limited to self-isolation for 14 days and/or getting a COVID-19 test.
If the athlete tests positive for COVID-19:
- Immediately inform the PPAL Football Commissioner
- They will self-isolate for 14 days.
- Coaches and fellow teammates would be informed and instructed to isolate for 14 days and/or get tested.
- If members of the same team develop symptoms, they would be encouraged to see their primary care doctor asap.
- No athlete will be allowed to return to practice without a note from their physician. The note must state whether they are cleared to return to participate in athletic practices and what restrictions if any they must follow.
The Pueblo Police Activities League feels very strongly for the safety of those individuals on and off the field and will take necessary action to ensure our expectations are met.
2023 Season Elementary Division Rules
Updated Rules for the 2023 Season
SPECIFIC RULES FOR 8U
Although the game is serious to the kids, from the adult viewpoint, Tiny-Mites are strictly a training division, completely free of any pressure to win, with a total emphasis on learning. No scores are recorded & no local championship may be declared. The following are specific rules that must be followed for the 8U players
Players: Maximum 25 (COVID restricted and nonnegotiable), Minimum 16
Field Diameter: 80-yard field
Scholastic Fitness: Report card from school or letter from parent.
Coaches: One coach from each team are permitted to be on the field with the team. Once the team breaks from huddle, coaches must stay back 10 yards from the line of scrimmage.
There will now be kick offs from the 40 yard line at the start of the game.
No punting. On 4th down, a team has the option of (a) running or passing the ball from scrimmage (b) move the ball back to opponents 35 yard line and start offensive play from there.
Penalties: Major penalty 10 yards. Minor penalty 5 yards.
Game Time and Time Outs: Each half is 22 minutes. Game will consist of two (2) halves. Half time will be 10 minutes. All games will have a running clock except for clock stoppages on time outs, change of possession and injuries. Each team is allowed two (2) time outs per half.
No score will be displayed on scoreboard. No tie breakers.
No try for point after touchdown.
Ball will be blown dead if fumbled behind the line of scrimmage. However, ball will be live if fumbled beyond the line of scrimmage.
Playing Time: All players must play a minimum of 15 plays per game. It is recommended that a 2 platoon system (offense/50 defense) be utilized to help teach the game. Each team must have three (3) captains per game. Every player on the team must be given an opportunity to be a captain.
Offense: All offensive backs must be lined up behind the offensive line in some type of formation. You will be allowed, however, to split one offensive back no more than five (5) yards outside the tight end.
Defense: No defensive player can be placed directly over the center. Player must be three (3) yards off the center. Defensive line must be one (1) yard back from the offensive line. Defense must run 6,4,1 set. No more than six (6) defensive players can rush the ball. No blitzing.
Game ball should be the 8U Wilson Pee Wee K2 size / (#6).
No post-seasons games. Teams may play up to a combination of 9 total games; a maximum of 1 pre-season game and 8 regular season games for a season total of 9 games.
SPECIFIC RULES FOR 10U
Although the game is serious to the kids, from the adult viewpoint, 10U is strictly a training division, completely free of any pressure to win, with a total emphasis on learning. A local Champion may be declared.
(NEW THIS YEAR) A maximum of one (1) coach per team is permitted on the field except during punts. (FIRST TWO GAMES OF THE SEASON) (AFTER THE SECOND GAME COACHES WILL NO LONGER BE ON THE FIELD)
A). There shall be:
1.) No blitzing
2.) No rushing of punts, field goals or point after touchdown (while attempting a kick).
3.) No more than six (6) defensive players can be on the line of scrimmage or rush the ball.
4.) Defensive players on the line of scrimmage must be in a 3-point stance and may not line up over center. Penalty for violation of the above: First violation: Warning: Additional violations:15 yards unsportsmanlike conduct.
Time:
12-minute running quarters.
Halftimes: 5-minutes, 1-minute between quarters
All teams are allowed 3-timeouts per game, 1-minute in length. Successive charged time-outs may be granted during the same dead ball period. There will be a 30-second play clock. Action or inaction that prevents promptness in legally snapping the ball in 30-seconds after the ready-for-play signal is a delay of game. Delays will not be called until later in the season.
The clock will stop after scores until the ball is snapped on the next possession, during penalties, injuries, timeouts, halftimes and in between quarters. The clock will stop according to high school rules in the final two-minutes of the game if the point differential is 8-points or less.
12U & MIDDLE SCHOOL WILL FOLLOW NFHS / CSHAA RULEBOOKS
BALL CARRIER WEIGHTS
8U - 80lbs (Ball carriers’ helmet will be distinctly marked with a single stripe down the center of the helmet front to back)
12U - NO WEIGHT RESTRICTION
2023 Season Middle School Division Rules
2023 Coach Application Form
It is MANDATORY for all coaches to do the following three (3) items:
1. Download, Complete and Submit the 2023 Application (above);
2. Register on the PPAL Website (pueblopal.org) as a VOLUNTEER; AND
3. Complete the 2023 USA Football Youth Tackle Certification Course. The link to the course is attached below.
The Pueblo PAL is pleased to be participating in Heads Up Football®, USA Football’s player safety program. A comprehensive method to teaching the sport’s fundamentals in a progressive, age-based approach, Heads Up Football® helps youth football leagues and clubs across the United States ensure a better, safer experience for players, coaches, commissioners and parents.
ALL Coaches MUST use the ID link below to log in to an existing account or when creating a new account to properly associate with the Pueblo Pal in order to receive a discount on the Youth Tackle Certification Course.
Youth Coach Certification
Coaches can access the certification by following the steps below.
- Go to USA Football Youth Certification
- Click "Learn More" under either Flag or Tackle Certification.
- Click on "Get Certified"
- Click "Continue to Payment"
- Type in promo code:
- Flag Promo Code: N/A
- Tackle Promo Code: PPALTACKLE23
- Coach Member Code: N/A
- Click "Update Price"
- Click "Sign Up For Course!"
- Start Certification
The full Youth Coach Certification is currently a three-hour course and will cover the topics below. The recertification will take 30-90 minutes, depending on what a coach completed last year.
- Abuse Prevention (every other year)
- 2023 Tackle Health and Safety
- 2023 Concussion
- 2023 Sudden Cardiac Arrest
- 2023 Heat & Hydration
- 2023 Emergency Action Plan
- 2023 Levels of Contact
The cost for the Youth Coach Certification is $15 per coach. The league will receive monthly invoices with a running total based on how many coaches have used the promo code to access the certification.