Rules & Resources

The game is played with five players on each team (5v5)

A minimum of four (4) players must be on the field at all times (younger divisions is 6v6 format)

All players should receive equal playing time for both offense and defense in each game they participate in.

Coaches are asked to monitor each other and report any infractions that they see.

If a coach is caught not evenly rotating his/her players, disciplinary action will be taken

Trash talking is not allowed (Trash talking is offensive language used against opposing coaches, players, officials, league personnel or fans).

Officials will give one and only one warning. If this trash talking continues, the offender may be ejected from the game. 

If any league personnel or official witnesses any act of rough play, tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, or any other unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and that player may be ejected.

Further disciplinary action may follow including league expulsion.

After the game, teams are expected to form a line at midfield and congratulate the opposing team regardless the outcome of the game.

At the official’s discretion, a player, parent (fan) or a coach may be ejected from the field for unsportsmanlike conduct or any flagrant violation of the rules.

To eject a player, fan or a coach, the referee will call an official’s time out and get the league director PRIOR to making this call.

We ask that parents (fans) not interfere with progress of the games.

Any players or coaches ejected may be put on probation with possible suspension, depending upon the severity of incident. 

 Niagara Youth Football League wants to provide an atmosphere where players, friends and families can feel comfortable enjoying a day of football. Any players, teams, or family members that jeopardize that environment will be asked to leave. Niagara Youth Football League operates under a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY. 

We want to ensure that games are fair, positive and enjoyable experiences for all of the children and adults involved. A football game should be friendly and unifying - a spirited social and athletic occasion for players, coaches, referees and spectators. To clarify expectations of coach conduct, we jointly expect all coaches to conform to this code of conduct: 

Before, during and after the game, be an example of dignity, patience and positive spirit. 

Before a game, introduce yourself to the opposing coach and to the referee. 

During the game, you are responsible for the sportsmanship of your players. If one of your players is disrespectful, irresponsible or overly aggressive, take the player out of the game at least long enough for him/her to calm down. 

During the game, you are also responsible for the conduct of the parents of your players. It is imperative to explain acceptable player and parent behaviour in a preseason meeting. 

Explain to the parents that they are to respect the decisions of the referees and the play of both teams in a sportsmanlike manner. 

Encourage them to applaud and cheer for good plays by either team. 

Discourage them from yelling at players and the referee. 

Respect the integrity and judgment of game officials. 

During the game, only address the referee in a calm and respectful manner. 

If you have a major complaint, or if you think the referee was unfair, biased, unfit or incompetent, report your opinion to the League. Your concerns will be taken seriously if they are presented objectively and formally. 

After the game, thank the referee and ask your players to do the same. 

There shall be no use of foul and abusive language. 

Be familiar with all rules of the contest. 

Win with character, lose with dignity.  We stress two points: 

Referees - especially young and inexperienced ones - are like your players and yourself, in that they need time to develop. You can play an important role in helping them to improve by letting them concentrate on the game. You can help by encouraging them, by accepting their inevitable, occasional mistakes and by offering constructive post-game comments to league officials. On the other hand, you could discourage and demoralize the referees by criticizing their decisions, by verbally abusing them and inciting - or even accepting - your own players' overly aggressive behaviour.

Your example is powerful, for better or worse. If you insist on fair play, if you concentrate on your players' enjoyment of the game and their overall, long term development, and if you support the referee, your players and their parents will notice. If you encourage (or allow) your players to play outside the rules, if you're overly concerned about results, and if you criticize the referee harshly, your players and their parents will also notice.