Football

Football Scores

2023 FOOTBALL GUIDE

INTRODUCTION

All VPA Member Schools grades 9-12 must adhere to the guidelines listed below and strongly recommended for grades 7&8 programs:

This guide is an annual publication of the Vermont Principals’ Association (VPA) standing committee on football. The committee members are doing their best to include all necessary information to assist football schools in the proper procedures in the sport. However, you may recognize errors or omissions. We welcome your suggestions to improve this manual.

RULES CHANGES – The VPA follows the Football rules of the National Federation of State High School Associations. Rules changes are listed on the inside of the 2021 Football Rule book. It is the responsibility of every coach to read these rules and changes.

The VPA, the VPA football committee, the VIFL, and the VFCA seek to increase the health and safety of student-athletes participating in Vermont high school football. The required preseason training practice protocols (listed at the back of this guide) reflect the National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS) Recommendations and Guidelines for Minimizing Head – Impact Exposure and Concussion Risk in Football.

All VPA Football Schools must have their coaches certified by completing the following NFHS Learn Courses @ nfhslearn.com Football Tackling, Heat Illness Prevention, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, Concussion for Sports, and Implicit Bias

Please read and study the guide. If you have questions concerning any rule or regulation, call or write the Executive Director for an explanation.

I. POINTS OF EMPHASIS

The following topics are Points of Emphasis for the 2023-2024 year. Please refer to the 2023 NFHS Football Rules Book for a detailed explanation.

• Sportsmanship
• Targeting Defenseless players
• Legal Uniforms and Equipment

II. REGULAR SEASON

1. The fall season may start on Monday, August 14th and conclude on Saturday, November, November 11^th. No player shall participate in a scrimmage (interscholastic) until the player has had seven (7) practice sessions* Players must complete 10 practices before their first game. Prior to the first contact practice all players shall receive information on risk awareness and safe tackling techniques.

A special provision for Spring Football practice is as follows:

Voluntary out-of-season football practice (grades 9-11) in the State of Vermont shall consist of a maximum of six (6) practice days to be completed in such a manner so that they will not conflict with Winter or Spring Sport Seasons. Furthermore, the emphasis in this program shall be on organization, indoctrination, instruction, and experimentation. The only equipment allowed will be limited helmets and football shoes. The use of 8th graders cannot be included in Spring Football practices.

There will be absolutely no person-to-person contact allowed and these six days will be concluded during the school year. No protective equipment can be worn, but bags and shields can be used. This program is not to be made mandatory for a school’s athletes and if any athlete should be involved in a post-season competition that presents a conflict (i.e. New England Track Meet), that player will not participate in out-of-season football. It is strongly recommended that all schools choosing to run this program adhere to the seven-day rest period.

Schools with early closing should be given the option to get in spring practice up to the normal school closing in June. It was noted this proposal had been carefully worked out with athletic directors, principals, the football committee, and Executive Council.

• Practices can begin the first day after the end of the last winter competition and must conclude prior to the first day of practice for the spring season (not pitcher and catchers) as stated in the VPA Calendar.

2. Vermont schools may schedule a maximum of eight (8) games excluding the state championship events. No games or scrimmages may be arranged with any squads or teams that are not high school teams. Week 9 will be the first round of playoffs.

3. Each player is eligible to play a maximum number of 32 quarters (which is the number of games allowed for the season times 4 quarters; 8 x 4 = 32 quarters, exclusive of overtime). It is recommended a student not compete in more than one game (4 quarters) of interscholastic football in five (5) calendar days.

It is further clarified that special teams’ participation should have no bearing on eligibility for the next game (kick-off, kick-off return, punt, punt return, extra point, and field goal).

Varsity starters are ineligible for sub-varsity games.

4. Only captains will be allowed on the field during pregame and half-time meetings with officials.

5. Officials fees for 2023 will be Varsity – $85 & JV- $57.

6. Suspended/Canceled Games: If a game is suspended (pre-game activities started), officials will receive full fee plus mileage.

If a game is canceled with adequate prior notification (2 hours) no fee!

If a game is canceled without adequate prior notification and officials are present — they will receive one half-game fee, plus mileage.

7. Suspension of a game-final decision concerning the suspension/resumption of a delayed game lies with the host administrator. The host administrator will take all factors into consideration including an attempt to contact and get input from the visiting administrator.

8. A point differential rule has been implemented. See Section VIII for full details.

9. All schools are to play their schedule as assigned by the VIFL. Any changes must be approved by the VPA/VIFL. If a school cancels their season, it cannot be re-implemented during that season.

10. A decision by a school to forfeit any regular season game, shall be accompanied by prior notice to the VPA and VIFL. A decision to forfeit a second game by the same school, absent prior approval from the VPA, shall result in a termination of the remainder of that school’s varsity schedule.

III. RULES

1. The playing rules as adopted and published by the National Federation of State High School Associations for the current year shall be standard for all games. COACHES: Read carefully, the special notes on Rules and Points of Emphasis.

2. No more than two innings (4 downs for a team from the ten-yard line equals one-half inning) each to be used as a tiebreaker procedure in sub-varsity level games.

3. All varsity game ejections arising from penalties assessed for conduct during play where ejection is provided by the rule shall be reviewed by both VFOA commissioners and the VFOA rules interpreter to confirm the proper application of the rule. A final determination by VFOA will be delivered to the VPA and the VIFL Executive Secretary no later than noon on the Monday following the game in which the ejection occurred
Note: in the 2023 Football season, any team (coach and Principal or AD) that acquires more than two ejections will be required to meet with the Activities Standards Committee before entering or continuing in the tournament. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss steps being taken to address this situation.

4. Advise all opponents before the season begins of your jersey colors, home and away, and submit a roster of all possible players to scheduled schools. Schools also need to notify opponents and officials if an equipment waiver has been granted.

5. The official site administrator, clock operator, and scorer will be identified to the referee. WHEN FIELD SCOREBOARD CLOCKS ARE USED THEY SHALL BE OFFICIAL, OTHERWISE THOSE CLOCKS SHALL BE TURNED OFF. The clock operator will meet with game officials 30 minutes prior to the start of the game. Every clock operator should possess a fundamental knowledge of football rules, signals and game administration as well as proficiency in operation of the timing system in use. Chain crews and equipment are important to game administration and each school must provide a full, competent crew and serviceable equipment.

6. Sub-varsity Games are 12-minute quarters unless there is mutual agreement by both schools.

7. Recommended Pre-game ceremonies – Following a team’s introduction, players shall leave the field and return to the bench area. Only team captains may return to the field for the coin toss. Note: (suggested protocol) Each school needs to provide a protocol sheet upon arrival prior to a team going on the field.

• One half-hour before kickoff Officials meet with the home team
• Twenty-five minutes before kickoff Officials meet with the visiting team
• 15 minutes before kickoff Team/Player Introductions
• 10 minutes before kickoff Coin Toss
• 5 minutes before kickoff National Anthem

8. Point Differential Rule

• During the 1^st three quarters, by mutual agreement of the opposing coaches and the referee, a “running clock” may be used if the point differential between the two teams reaches 35 or more.
• If at the start of the 4^th quarter or at any time during the 4^th quarter, the point differential is 35 or more points, a running clock shall be used for the remainder of the contest.
• Once the “running clock” is in effect during the 4^th quarter, it shall remain in effect for the balance of the contest, even if the team that is behind subsequently scores to make the deficit less than 35 points.
• The “running clock” will be administered as follows:
  1. The game clock will start with the snap or legal touch of a free kick on the first play following the establishment of the pertinent point differential, and continue to run uninterrupted when:
     • A 1^st down is awarded to either team, including following a change of possession;
     • The ball or runner is out-of-bounds;
     • A legal or illegal forward pass is incomplete;
     • A play results in a touchback;
     • An inadvertent whistle occurs;
     • During all penalty enforcements;
  2. The game clock shall be stopped for:
     • The end of a period;
     • A score (including touchdown; try; field goal; safety);
     • The free kick following a fair catch or awarded fair catch;
     • A charged team time-out;
     • A coach-referee conference;
     • An official’s time-out (injury; equipment; 1^st down measurement; other, as required).
  3. Following a stoppage for any reason in (b.) above, the game clock will start when the ball is next:
     • Marked ready-for-play; or
     • Legally touched on the free kick following a score, a fair catch or awarded fair catch or awarded fair catch.

IV. COACHES’ ADVISORY CHECKLIST

Required Coaching Certification Courses: NFHS Football Tackling Course, Heat Illness, and Sudden Cardiac in conjunction with all VPA-mandated requirements (CPR/First Aid, Concussion, Implicit Bias)

• Keep the Head Out of Football

• Keep the head up.
• Keep the head out of contact
• Don’t glorify “head hunters”
• Support officials who penalize illegal helmet contact.
• Don’t praise or condone illegal helmet contact.
• Provide conditioning to strengthen neck muscles.
• Check helmet condition regularly.
• Helmet must fit properly.
• Improper technique causes spinal-cord injury.
• Receive clearance by physician for athlete to play following head trauma.
• Concussion recognition.

General Safety:

• Involve parents in early season meetings.
• Clearly explain and demonstrate safe techniques.
• Provide the best medical care possible.
• Have a set plan for coaching safety.
• Repeat drills that stress proper and safe techniques.
• Stress safety every day.
• Entire staff must be “tuned in” to the safety program.
• Be prepared for a catastrophic injury.
• Player safety is your responsibility.
• Monitor blocking and tackling techniques every day.
• Make all participants aware of heat/hydration protocols.

Use Good Communication:

• Explain how serious injuries occur.
• Involve parents in early season meetings.
• Admonish and/or discipline users of unsafe techniques.
• The game doesn’t need abusive contact.
• It’s a game – not a job – for the players.

V. COACHES CODE OF PRACTICES

SPORTSMANSHIP

The coach bears the greatest burden of responsibility for good sportsmanship. The example set carries through to not only players but to the spectators as well as the entire community. They must abide by the rules of the game and respect the integrity and judgment of the officials. The coach’s own ethics and integrity must be above reproach. An ethical coach would not:

• * allow players to fake an injury or equipment repair in order to stop the clock
• * allow players to abuse or punish an opponent, make late hits, etc.
• * encourage or condone baiting or taunting, displays following almost every play which
• are demeaning to the image of the game
• * send in more than 11 players on defense in critical situations
• * allow intimidation of opponents before the game
• * condone vulgar language, profanity, and use of obscene gestures.

SCOUTING

• Scouting is allowed for all scheduled games. It is not considered ethical to scout scrimmages or practice sessions. An exception may be made for a scrimmage provided all involved coaches agree in advance.
• Film Exchange policy as mandated by Vermont Interscholastic Football League (VIFL) is on page 9.
• Scouts will not be charged for admission to football games. This is a courtesy allowed by the home team and should not be abused. Members of coaching staff not assisting with the actual scouting will be expected to pay.

• It is not ethical for a school or a coach to loan films or release scouting information of previous opponents to another school or third party.
• It is considered unethical for a coach to use varsity players on the JV level unless he had contacted the opposing coach and a real emergency exists.
• The host school is expected to provide an acceptable place for films to be taken or contact their opponents in advance so they can make other arrangements.
• It is not the host school’s responsibility to provide a place for the visiting team’s spotters.
• Coaches should refrain from making derogatory statements to the press, local boosters’ clubs, etc. about officiating or the conduct of an official. All serious charges should be made to the officials’ association through the school administration or to the Executive Director of the V.I.F.L.
• Coaches should refrain from making derogatory statements to the press, local boosters’ clubs, etc. about another school or its personnel. All serious charges should be made to the administrators of the schools involved.
• Football coaches should endorse the American Football Coaches Association code of ethics as it applies to high school-level football.
• It shall be the responsibility of the host school to furnish the field properly equipped, at least one game football, a yardage chain, a downs marker crew, a clock operator, and staff to handle the crowd.
• The host school should have at least one identifiable administrator present.
• The host school must provide emergency medical services.
• Crowd control is the responsibility of the host school. Incidental to this is the firm enforcement of the ban on alcohol and drugs at interscholastic events. It is recommended that there is a 7-10 yard barrier between the field and spectators.

VI. TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE (Needs Updated Dates)

• TO QUALIFY FOR THE TOURNAMENT A SCHOOL MUST SUBMIT AN APPLICATION. A DECISION TO WITHDRAW FROM THE TOURNAMENT MAY BE MADE NO LATER THAN NOON THE DAY PRIOR TO THE PAIRINGS.
• Pairings will be posted on October 24th for Division I, II and Division III
• Championship quarterfinal games for Division I & III will be played on October 27^th, 28^th
• Semifinal games for Division I, II, and III will be played on November 3rd and 4th hosted by the top-seeded teams sponsored by the V.P.A. (#1 vs. #4 and #2 vs. #3); and finals for all Divisions will be on November 11th at Rutland High School.
• All Game Officials fees will be paid by the VPA.

VII. CHAMPIONSHIP PROCEDURE

• The championship, dates and times for Division I, II, and III will be determined by the V.P.A. Football Committee.
• The higher-seeded team will wear the dark or colored jersey and will be the home team.
• Practice at the neutral site of the championship game prior to warm-up is prohibited. Locker rooms should be opened two hours before game time, with selling tickets starting at least one and one-half hours before game time.
• Should either game end in a tie, the tie-breaking system prescribed in the National Federation Football Rules Book will be used.
• The squad size will be those who are on the varsity of the school involved, and they must all be in the same uniform. Forty-five medals will be awarded to the members of the schools.
• The chain gang and the downs marker will be operated by the host schools and these people will be provided with vests or some other apparel that will make them easily discernible to the officials on the field.
• The scoreboard clock will be official.
• Principals should discuss with their student body about staying off the playing fields, behind the ropes, or staying in the areas where the general public should be. Violation of this could result in holding up of the game. At awards ceremonies, only teams should be on the field.
• Each team will provide two ball persons to assist the officials. There should be 2 ball persons on each side of the field.
• It is absolutely essential that each school provide a spotter to work with the public address announcer. The spotters are not being assigned to radio personnel, but to the public address system announcer. SEND CORRECTED ROSTERS, UNIFORM NUMBERS AND COLORS TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE SEMI-FINAL AND CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES.
• Communications may be provided by the competing teams according to the rulebook.
• Student busses will be directed where to park. Teams should bring towels, gum, oranges, water buckets and any other items which they need.
• There will be medical coverage and stand-by ambulance service.
• QUALIFIED PERSONNEL WILL BE PRESENTED WITH IDENTIFICATION TAGS TO APPEAR ON THE SIDELINES. Each school will be granted 20 of these identification tags. It is possible a representative of the school will be requested to come to the V.P.A. office to get this material. If a school is to send a student photographer and expects him or her to be along the sidelines, then he or she must have one of these sideline passes. Student photographers and student reporters must have acquainted themselves with any local ground rules concerning the restrictions that are placed on these individuals. POLICE HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ANYONE WHO IS ALONG THE SIDELINES AND NOT A MEMBER OF THE SQUAD WITHOUT A SIDELINE PASS.
• The pre-game ceremonies will be as follows:
  • One half-hour before kickoff Officials meet with home team
  • Twenty-five minutes before kickoff Officials meet with visiting team
  • Fifteen minutes before kickoff Team/Player Introductions
  • Ten minutes before kickoff Coin Toss
  • Five minutes before kickoff National Anthem
  • **The coach must see to the information getting to the P.A. announcer by the spotters.
• There will be plaques presented at the conclusion of the championship game. Please notify your coach to hold his squad for appropriate ceremonies. The team plaque will be given to the team captain, and the game ball will be presented to the coach. In connection with this, would you please instruct your coach to have his team ready for the presentation as soon as possible. There have been some instances when the coach, especially of the losing team, exhibited some reluctance to bring his team out. This is not in keeping with good sportsmanship. Each host director will try to provide an elevated position for the awards recipients.
• Band members wishing to be admitted complimentarily, must be in uniform. In the event a band does not have uniforms for its members, there should be chaperones who will identify them. Cheerleaders should also be in uniform. As far as cheerleaders are concerned, they may not send more than 16 in uniform. Cheerleaders should cheer in front of their respective fan seating.

Other performing groups must be approved by the V.P.A..

Seating provisions will be provided in each game for the bands on the appropriate side of the field. The half-time show must be worked out by the two band directors involved; the pre-game ceremonies, which involved the playing of the National Anthem five minutes before game time will be performed by: (1) the home team band, or in the event the home team does not have a band or musical group with them, then the visiting team band, and if there is no band, then a recording will be used.

CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING FOOTBALL SEEDS FOR V.P.A. PLAYOFFS

Overall Quality Point Rating System

• A school shall receive 10 points for defeating any D-I team, 7 points for defeating any D-II team, 5 points for defeating any D-III team. This will constitute a team’s own value. For teams playing a higher division, they will be awarded the differential of a divisional victory if they lose the game. Ex: DII playing a DI team will earn 3 points for a loss, and DIII playing a DII team will earn 2 points for a loss.
• A school shall receive 2 points for each victory earned by any opponent. This constitutes a team’s opponent’s value.
• The total (own value + opponents’ value) will be divided by the number of V.I.F.L. games that the team played to determine the quality point rating (Q.P.R.).
• The higher the Q.P.R., the higher the seeding.
• In the event that two teams have the same overall Q.P.R., head to head competition becomes the tie breaker.
• If a tie still exists…refer to VPA Tournament Rules (Fall Tournament Section).
• Games to be played, #1 vs. #4 at higher seed’s home field, #2 vs. #3 at higher seeds home field.

Effective Fall 2015 the following Coaches Film Exchange Policy is in Effect.

Coaches will exchange their last two game/scrimmage films with their upcoming opponent (as outlined in the diagram below) to be sent out no later than Tuesday 10 – 11 days prior to the game.  If the teams are Hudl software users they would be required to give your opponent access to the game/scrimmage films by that Thursday, no later than 12:00 noon.  Failure to exchange films by Thursday will result in the sending school assuming the responsibility to personally deliver the films to the receiving school no later than that Friday. 

Understand that the above requirement is a minimum expectation for all VIFL schools to follow.  If coaches mutually agree to meet and exchange films; this is acceptable, but not required.  It would also be ideal that all footage to be exchanged is shot with a sideline view, but again not required.  It is also recommended that teams investigate the possibility of using a service like Hudl to streamline this process.  Also pursuant to the VPA Football Guide, there is to be no “Third Party” exchange of films at any time.

2023	Films to be sent – Most recent by Sunday by Noon	Tuesday	Thursday	Sunday
WEEK 1	Last 2 games of the previous year & Scrimmage	22-Aug	24-Aug	27-Aug
WEEK 2	Last game of the previous year, Scrimmage, Week 1 Game	29-Aug	31-Aug	3-Sep
WEEK 3	Scrimmage, Week 1 Game, Week 2 Game	5-Sep	7-Sep	10-Sep
WEEK 4	Week 1 Game, Week 2 Game, Week 3 Game	12-Sep	14-Sep	17-Sep
WEEK 5	Week 2 Game, Week 3 Game, Week 4 Game	19-Sep	21-Sep	24-Sep
WEEK 6	Week 3 Game, Week 4 Game, Week 5 Game	26-Sep	28-Sep	1-Oct
WEEK 7	Week 4 Game, Week 5 Game, Week 6 Game	3-Oct	5-Oct	8-Oct
WEEK 8	Week 5 Game, Week 6 Game, Week 7 Game	10-Oct	12-Oct	15-Oct
WEEK 9	Week 6 Game, Week 7 Game, Week 8 Game	17-Oct	19-Oct	22-Oct
WEEK 10	Week 7 Game, Week 8 Game, Week 9 Game	24-Oct	26-Oct	29-Oct
Week 11	Week 8 Game, Week 9 Game, Week 10 Game	31-Oct	2-Nov	5-Nov

VPA Football Committee Pre-Season Practice Protocol

Rationale

The Vermont Principals’ Association (VPA) and the VPA Football Committee seek to increase the health and safety of student-athletes participating in Vermont high school football.  The following training rule changes reflect the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Recommendations and Guidelines for Minimizing Head Impact Exposure and Concussion Risk in Football.  

Outline of Rules

The VPA Football Committee will amend these rules as new evidence emerges and in keeping with future NFHS recommendations.  The following rules shall apply to the 2016 Vermont high school football season and subsequent seasons as may be revised and amended.

• The first two days of pre-season training will be single practice session days.  Helmets are the only protective equipment permitted during days 1 and 2.  Practice drills may include conditioning, physical testing, and drills against “Air”.  Teams may choose to hold a Team Meeting each day in addition to the single practice session.
• A practice session is not to exceed three total hours.
• Double practice session days will begin on day 3.
• Teams may not hold consecutive days of double practice sessions.
• Day 9 is the first day that interscholastic scrimmages are allowed. If you have a scrimmage on that day it will be in place of the “Single Practice”
• On double practice session days only one of the sessions may include drills that consist of any Full Contact, Live Action, and/or Thud.  The other session of the day may only be drills that are Tag Touch, Bags, or against Air.
• On double practice session days a three-hour minimum rest period is required between sessions.  The total combined practice time is not to exceed five hours.
• On single practice session days teams may choose to hold a second one hour Jog through practice (excluding the first two days of pre-season training as herein mentioned above).  Helmets are the only protective equipment permitted for jog through practices.
• Full Contact, Live Action, and or Thud drills may be done in up to three practices per week and are not to exceed 30 minutes per day/90 minutes per week.

Definition of Terms

Air:  Activities are executed without the use of bags or player opposition.

Bags:  Activities are executed against a bag, shield or pad to allow for a soft-contact surface,   with or without the resistance of a teammate or coach.

Tag Touch:  Drills run at full speed up to the point of contact, above the waist with the players remaining on their feet.  Contact is controlled by players tagging an opponent.

Thud:  Same as tag touch but the tempo is competitive with no pre-determined winner and the players are not tackling to the ground.

Live Action:  Contact at game speed where players execute full tackles at competitive pace, taking players to the ground.

Full Contact:  Live game simulations where live action occurs (11 on 11).

Jog-through: An on-field meeting for the purpose of learning new plays.  Must be separated from practice by at least three hours and is not to exceed 90 minutes.  Activities are done at a a jog pace.  No conditioning is allowed.  Helmets are the only protective equipment permitted.

Team Meeting:  An off-field meeting in which coaches may give verbal instruction or show film for the purpose of educating players.  No physical activity is permitted during team meetings.

August 2023

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
	14	15	16	17	18	19
	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5	Day 6
	Single Practice	Single Practice	Double Practice	Single Practice	Double Practice	Single Practice
	Helmets Only	Helmets Only	Helmets and Shoulder Pads Only	Full Protective Equipment	Full Protective Equipment	Full Protective Equipment
						No Scrimmages  Allowed
	Team Meeting	Team Meeting		Team Meeting
				or		Team Meeting
	Jog-through	Jog-through				or
	Helmets Only	Helmets Only		Jog-through
	(Non-conditioning practice)	(Non-conditioning practice)		Helmets Only		Jog-through
				(Non-conditioning practice)		Helmets Only
	21	22	23	24	25	26
	Day 7	Day 8	Day 9	Day 10	Day 11	Day 12
	Double Practice	Single Practice	Double Practice	Single Practice	Double Practice	Single Practice
	Full Protective Equipment	Full Protective Equipment	Full Protective Equipment	Full Protective Equipment	Full Protective Equipment	Full Protective Equipment
		Team Meeting		Team Meeting
		or		or		or
Rest		Walkthrough		Walkthrough		2nd
		Helmets Only		Helmets Only		Controlled
						Team Meeting
		1st				or
		Allowed
		Controlled				Jog-through
		Scrimmage				Helmets Only