Eastview Athletic Association

Rules, Policies and Procedures
Eastview Athletic Association
Traveling Football Program
(7th and 8th Grade)

SECTION 1 – PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY & BENEFITS
The EVAA area is a hot bed for quality junior football. Special thanks to those who recognized this several years ago, started the EVAA in-house tackle football program and through years of hard work and dedication, built the program to the point where the EVAA Traveling Football Program became a possibility. The Traveling Football Program was started in 2003. With the success of the EVHS football team and two years of traveling success under our belt, we anticipate that more and more kids will want to participate in EVAA sponsored football programs and play at the high school level. The EVAA Traveling Football Program was established with the goal of preparing our kids for a successful football career at EVHS by developing superior competitive level skills. In contrast to our in-house tackle program (3rd - 6th grades), which is structured to provide as many players as possible with the opportunity to develop basic football skills, the intent of the EVAA Traveling Football Program is to provide the highest quality coaching and competitive opportunities for Eastview bound players. The South Suburban Conference is one of the strongest in Minnesota. It is our goal to help prepare Eastview area kids to successfully compete in this conference by working closely with the EVHS football coaching staff. The EVAA Traveling Football Program is built on the following principles:
CLASS - Showing good sportsmanship in practices, games as well as in the classroom and community.
INTEGRITY - doing what is honorable and right at all times.
DIGNITY - Winning and losing with GRACE. Letting your actions speak for you, not your words. Requires taking the "high road"
RESPECT - For selves, teammates, coaches, parents, officials, and other teams. Treat others the way that you would want to be treated.
PASSION - For competition, challenges, each other, coaches, and working hard. There are several significant benefits to participation in the EVAA Traveling Football Program:
First, our kids play with the same kids they will be playing with when they enter EVHS;
Second, our kids are exposed, early-on, to the coaching techniques, philosophy and winning tradition of the EVHS coaches and players. We have a close working relationship with the coaches of EVHS and our teams run the EVHS offense;
Third, each traveling team will have a minimum of three coaches, consisting of a head coach, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator. The coaches have considerable experience in coaching youth football, having coached through our 3rd-6th grade in-house program and some have played at the collegiate level and have previously coached in other football leagues. All of our coaches are required to attend EVHS sponsored coaching clinics;
Fourth, our kids play a significant number of games and receive a significant amount of playing time. While this is a competitive program, we have cautioned our coaches to appreciate the fact that kids develop at different rates and, thus, not all “stars” have become “stars” yet;
Fifth, we play in a league with teams from Eagan, Apple Valley, Lakeville, and Rosemount, so our kids get to test their skills against some of the best programs in the state;
Sixth, parents get to watch the games, which take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and on Saturdays. Additionally, a significant number of our kids play on the “EVAA All-Association” Team (described in more detail, below), and have the chance of playing other “all-star” teams.

SECTION 2 - GENERAL INFORMATION
2.1 Eligibility and Participation Rules. Any child who will be in 7th or 8th grade this fall and who will be attending Eastview High School in the future is considered "Qualified". Players that do not meet the criteria are “Non-qualified.” The EVAA Traveling Football Program may grant eligibility to non-qualifying players if players are needed to fill teams and no qualifying players are available.
2.2 Registration. Information regarding registration is available on the website. We encourage parents to register on-line.
2.3 Equipment. EVAA provides all equipment except: each player must provide an athletic supporter with protective cup and football cleats and socks. An equipment deposit must be provided to EVAA before equipment will be issued. If equipment is lost or damaged beyond normal wear and tear, the parents of the player will be responsible to reimburse EVAA for the cost of replacement if it exceeds the equipment deposit. Equipment distribution generally takes place at the end of July, prior to the try-out evaluations. Information regarding equipment distribution is generally posted to the EVAA website in early July.
2.4 Coach Selection Criteria. Coaches must be at least 21 years old and must fill out a “Background Check” form. Parents may indicate a desire to coach at registration or by contacting the Traveling Program Director. Each team will have a minimum of three coaches.
2.5 Try-Out Evaluations. Information regarding try-out evaluations (which typically take place over a two or three day period during the first week in August on the EVHS fields immediately south of the tennis courts) is generally posted to the EVAA website in early July. Each EVAA traveling team will have a minimum of 16 players. The maximum number of players on each team is determined by the EVAA Football Board of Directors each year. To the furthest extent possible, EVAA attempts to create parity among the EVAA traveling teams (e.g., no special request for players and/or coaches are honored. and there are no A, B or C teams). This is accomplished by use of a placement committee or a draft.
2.6 Team Selection/Drafting. Following the try-out evaluations, players are either placed on teams by a committee or the coaches conduct a draft. If a draft is conducted, the following rules apply: Children of coaches: The children of the coaches (maximum of three coaches) are automatically included on the team and are not a part of the draft. (If a coach has two children in the same division, the second child will also automatically be on that team, but that team loses its third round draft selection). Siblings (other than coaches' children) are chosen together and count as two consecutive draft picks (unless the parents agree prior to the draft that the siblings may be on different teams). Draft Order: During the week of the try-out evaluations, the coaches from each team meet to determine the draft order that will apply at the conclusion of the try-out evaluations. Each coaching unit rates, by secret ballot, the strength of each team based on their assessment of the coaches' children. The team that receives the lowest overall rating is entitled to select its draft position first, the team that receives the second lowest overall rating is entitled to select its draft position second, etc. until the draft order for all teams has been determined. In the event of a tie, the tie is resolved by a flip of the coin. Regular Draft: After the try-out evaluations have been concluded, the coaches meet to select their picks. The draft order follows an "over and back" sequence in which the team with the last pick in the first round will get the first pick in the next round, etc. Each team is allowed three minutes to announce its pick in each round. Blind Draft: If all of the coaches agree, a player that did not attend at least half of the try-out evaluations may be placed in the regular draft. Otherwise, players that did not attend at least half of the try-out evaluations) are placed in a blind draft and their names are written on cards and the coaches select a card out of a hat. The blind draft also follows the "over and back" sequence and the last team that did not make a regular draft pick receives the first blind draft pick.
2.7 Practices and Games. Team practices generally start in mid-August. The location and times of the practices will be set by the coaching staff. Teams are limited to no more than five practices per week before the first game. After the first game, teams will be limited to no more than four practices and/or games per week. All practices will be scheduled no earlier than 5:00 p.m. and last no more than 2 hours. Each team will generally play two games per week during the regular season. Games generally take place on Tuesday or Thursday evenings and on Saturdays. Following the regular season, play-offs will take place with teams seeded by their regular season league records. The play-offs take place in mid-to-late October.

SECTION 3 - PROGRAM FUNDING
The cost to equip each player on the traveling teams is approximately $200. This does not include team equipment or field equipment, or other costs such as referee expense and tournament fees. Each year, the EVAA has to retire a significant portion of its equipment and purchase new equipment. In order to keep registration costs low, the league counts on parents and numerous volunteers to assist in fund raising. PLEASE HELP THE PLAYERS SELL ALL STEAK DINNER COOK OUT TICKETS AND VOLUNTEER TO HELP WITH THE STEAK DINNER COOK OUT IN SEPTEMBER. It is the only way we can continue to keep the registration fees at a affordable price. Parents with fund raising opportunities are encouraged to contact the Traveling Program Director.

SECTION 4 - REFUNDS
Refunds of registration fees will be issued if the child is not placed on a team. Because the vast majority of revenue necessary to run the league is based on registrations, once a player placed on a team, there will be no refund. This rule applies regardless of whether the child quits or is unable to play.

SECTION 5 – SUGGESTIONS
If you have suggestions for improving the EVAA Traveling Football Program, please include them in writing at the end of the season. Include as much detail as necessary for the volunteers to understand what you would like to see implemented. Each year, we receive suggestions that would be wonderful to implement. Unfortunately, time constraints on our volunteers make implementation difficult to accomplish. Please help us implement your good ideas by volunteering.

SECTION 6 - SOUTH SUBURBAN - YFL LEAGUE ORGANIZATION EVAA’s traveling teams play in the South Suburban-YFL (Eastview, Rosemount, Apple Valley, Eagan, Lakville) Youth Football League.

www.ssyfl.net

Each member association has a Traveling Program Director who coordinates the football activities in his or her association and serves on the South Suburban-YFL Governing Committee. The South Suburban-YFL Governing Committee consists of the five Program Directors of each association and one representitive from District 196.
South Suburban-YFL League Commissioner:Don Sandoz
EVAA Program Director: Chris Anderson 612-280-8722
Eagan Program Director: Dean Kraus 612-310-2998
Apple Valley Program Director:Don Nelson 952-210-4324
Rosemount Program Director:Don Sandoz
Eastview 7th and 8th Grade Program Director: Doug Hodgen 612-991-7965
Lakeville Program Director: Steve Rhodus

SECTION 7 - MISCELLANEOUS EVAA POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
EVAA Inclement Weather Policy. In case of inclement weather, the coach is responsible for determining if there will be practice. At all age levels, games and practices will be suspended when lightning is present.
EVAA Blood Policy. Consistent with the EVAA’s policy on blood, EVAA players are not allowed to participate while bleeding.
EVAA Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Policy. The EVAA believes that all players participating in an EVAA youth activity should refrain from the use of alcohol and controlled substances. The EVAA does not condone the use of tobacco by players under the legal tobacco age. In addition, smoking is not permitted at any time on District 196 School property. It shall be a violation of this policy for a player participating in an EVAA activity to use tobacco. It shall be a violation of this policy for a player or coach while participating in a EVAA youth activity to use a beverage containing alcohol or use or consume, have in possession, buy, sell or give away any controlled substances.
First Violation: Upon notification by the EVAA Board, the player or coach shall lose eligibility for the next two consecutive games or two weeks of a sport season in which the player or coach is participating, whichever is greater. No exception is permitted. This excludes them from dressing at the games or participating in practices during the suspension.
Second Violation: The player or coach shall lose eligibility in the EVAA for that sport season. No exception is permitted. Cumulative Penalties: Penalties shall be cumulative beginning with and continuing throughout the player or coach’s participation in the EVAA.
EVAA Players’ Code of Behavior. I will do my best at all practices and during all games. I will listen to my coaches when at practices and at games. I will practice good sportsmanship by treating all players, coaches, parents and officials with respect. I will do my best to help my parents get me to games and practices on time. I will keep my equipment and the equipment of the team in good condition by not throwing it or using it improperly. I will play and practice the game to have fun and not be concerned about winning or losing. I understand that improvement comes from practice and sometimes I may decide to practice on my own, away from scheduled practices and games. I agree to use safety equipment when instructed to do so and pay attention to other safe play ideas provided by coaches, players and parents.
EVAA Coaches’ Code of Ethics. I will place the emotional and physical well being of my player ahead of any personal desire to win. I will remember to treat each player as an individual, remembering the large spread of emotional and physical development for the same age group. I will do my very best to provide a safe playing situation for my players. I promise to review and practice the necessary first-aid principles needed to treat injuries to my players. I will do my best to organize practices that are fun and challenging for all my players. I will lead by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all my players. I will ensure that I am knowledgeable in the rules of each sport that I coach and that I will teach these rules to my players. I will use those coaching techniques appropriate for each of the skills that I teach. I will remember that I am a youth coach, and that the game is for children and not adults.
EVAA Parents’ Code of Ethics. I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches and officials at every game, practice or other youth sports event. I will place the emotional and physical well-being of my child ahead of any personal desire to win. I will insist that my child play in a safe and healthy environment. I will provide support for coaches and officials working with my child to provide a positive, enjoyable experience for all. I will demand a drug, alcohol and tobacco-free sports environment for my child and agree to assist by refraining from their use at all youth sports events. I will remember that the game is for children and not for adults. I will do my very best to make youth sports fun for my child. I will ask my child to treat other players, coaches, fans and officials with respect regardless of race, sex, creed or ability. I will promise to help my child enjoy the youth sports experience within my personal constraints by assisting with coaching, being a respectful fan, providing transportation or whatever I am capable of doing.
EVAA Player’s Responsibilities. Players must follow the “Players Code of Behavior” supported by the EVAA. Players are responsible for demonstrating good sportsmanship and proper behavior. Players are responsible for being attentive at practices and games. Players are responsible for reminding their parents that they should be at practices or games on time. Players are responsible for informing the coach whenever they will miss or be late to a practice or a game. Along the sidelines, players must remain within the 20 yard area between the 45 and 25 yard lines on their half of the field. Fighting, intentional kicking, kneeing, or use of fists is cause for ejection from the game. Players are responsible for wearing a mouth piece and protective cup. Players will treat their teammates and opposition with respect. After each game, the teams will line-up and shake hands. Throwing of helmets is not tolerated. Players are responsible to help police the field for trash after a practice or game to ensure the field is left free of all trash.

EVAA Coach’s Responsibilities. Coaches must follow the “Coaches Code of Ethics” supported by the EVAA. Along the sidelines, coaches must remain within the 20 yard area between the 45 and 25 yard lines on their half of the field. Coaches are responsible for demonstrating good sportsmanship and proper behavior at all times. Coaches are responsible for attending the mandatory EVHS pre-season coach's meeting and any coaches clinics and meetings scheduled prior to or during the season. Coaches are responsible for the equipment that is issued to them. If any equipment is lost or damaged, coaches should report the problem to the Program Director. There is a limit of four coaches on the sidelines for games. Parents may volunteer to assist with practices but only the head coach and three assistants are allowed on the players side of the field during games. Coaches are responsible for holding at least one, initial, parent meeting. At this meeting, the coach should set the tone for the season and distribute their team game and practice schedule and roster. Coaches are encouraged to have volunteer parents to handle special activities. Coaches are responsible for enforcing the EVAA rules. Coaches are responsible for picking up uniforms and pictures and distributing them to their team. Coaches are responsible for ensuring the minimum playing time requirements are met for each of their players. Coaches are responsible for reporting any problems with the fields to the Program Director. Coaches are responsible to police the field area for trash after the game to ensure that the grounds are left free of all trash. Coaches are responsible for their players during practices and games until they are picked up by their parent or guardian. No player should be left alone after a game or practice. If there is no subsequent game on the field, coaches are responsible to collect all field markers, chains and down markers and placing them in the shed.

EVAA Parent’s Responsibilities. Parents must follow the “Parents Code of Ethics” supported by the EVAA. Parents are responsible for demonstrating good sportsmanship and proper behavior. Parents are responsible for the good sportsmanship and proper behavior of their children and their guests. Parents are responsible for getting their children to practices and games on time as determined by the coach. Parents are responsible for picking up their children from practices and games on time. Parents are responsible for informing the coach whenever their child will miss or be late to a practice or a game Parents should volunteer to assist the coach whenever possible, however they are to remain on the opposite side of the playing field from the players during games. Only the four designated coaches and the players are allowed on the player’s side of the field. The only exception would be to tend to an injured players. Parents are responsible to discard any trash in the waste receptacles located around the field areas. They are also responsible to assist the coach to police the field area after the practice or game to ensure the fields are left free of trash. Parents are responsible to assist the coach to collect all field markers, chains and down markers and place them in the shed.
EVAA Suspension Policy. The EVAA Football Board of Directors reserve the right to take appropriate disciplinary action and/or suspend any coach, parent, player or fan that violates the EVAA Code of Ethics. The EVAA Football Board reserves the right to remove any coach at any time. EVAA Conflict Resolution Guidelines. These guidelines are to be followed if concerns are raised regarding the EVAA Traveling Football Program. When a player or a parent has a concern, they should first bring those concerns to the attention of their coaching staff. If the problem persists or is unable to be resolved at the coach level, the player or parent should contact the EVAA Traveling Program Director in writing. Once the Program Director is involved, the Program Director will act as the mediator between the involved parties. All parties involved will discuss together the situation and find a solution. The Program Director will communicate with the EVAA Board Liaison regarding any necessary mediation and the outcome of the mediation. If necessary, the involved parties can contact the EVAA Board Liaison to help mediate the dispute. The EVAA Board Liaison will meet with all parties to discuss the situation and find a solution. The EVAA Board will advise the EVAA Football Board of any situations that are being mediated in their sport. If mediation is unable to resolve the issues and all the above steps have been followed, a letter stating the issues must be directed to the “EVAA Football Board”. The EVAA Football Board will consult with the EVAA Board on the issue. At this time, the EVAA Football Board will make a decision on the issue or refer the issue to the EVAA Board of Directors. The decision of either the EVAA Football Board or the EVAA Board will be final!