NYSA FOOTBALL
NYSA provides developmental, competitive, and elite, grade and age-based, tackle football. Teams/Leagues have options with how to structure their organization (board members, coaches, etc.).
Our four football conferences consist of "grade-based and age-based" divisions. For example, team [A] will consist of 4th graders competing against team [B] 4th graders; or, team [A] will consist of 12 year olds competing against team [B] consisting of 12 year olds. Leagues and Independent teams with the qualifying number of players (11) are eligible to join the NYSA.
Certification
All NYSA players must have a school documents (i.e., report card, birth certificate) to verify grade.
Mandatory Play Rule
The following shall be the Minimum Mandatory Play Rule (MPR) for all NYSA teams: 16-25 Players (10 Plays), 26-30 Players (8 Plays) and 31-35 Players (6 Plays).
The MPR is be based on eligible players at the time of the game.
The plays must be from the line of scrimmage.
Kickoffs, extra points, QB intentionally spiking the ball and free kicks shall not be used in fulfilling the MPR requirement.
A play shall not count toward fulfillment of the MPR if the play results in a penalty which causes the down to be replayed.
All players shall be provided their mandatory plays by participation in “active” plays, without the intent to minimize the action or integrity of the plays. For example, plays such as, but not limited to, having the center snap the ball to the quarterback, and then the quarterback fall to the ground, while substitutes are playing the other positions, shall NOT be considered as active plays.
All players shall receive their mandatory plays by the end of the third quarter, or they shall enter the game at the start of the fourth quarter, and remain in the game until they have received their required number of plays.
Failure to adhere to MRP requirements will result in forfeiture of game in addition to enforcement policies.
Background Checks
NYSA teams/leagues nationwide are required to annually conduct a background check of: Coaches, Board of Directors members and any other persons, volunteers or hired workers, who provide regular service to the league and-or have repetitive access to, or contact with, players and-or spirit participants. The purpose of these background checks is, first and foremost, to protect the children.