BCFL Rules and Policy

Blue Collar Football League

Rules and Policy Manual

Dated Jan. 22nd, 2025

Article I (BCFL Player/Coach Conduct Policy)

Section1. The Blue Collar Football League (here forth known as BCFL) will have a Code of Conduct Contract that all BCFL players and Coaches must sign. These contracts can be signed (even before free agent signing) as soon as the player or coach becomes a part of the BCFL.

Section 2. Any Player/Coach ejected from a game for fighting will be suspended for the remainder of the season. This will be strictly adhered to, whether the game is a regular season, playoff, championship, or All-Star game. The player/coach will be reviewed at the end of the year meeting and will be discussed as a league whether the player/coach will be reinstated to the BCFL. If this infraction occurs during the team’s last game (whether it is regular or post-season) the player/coach will be suspended the entire following season. Their infraction and player reinstatement will be discussed at the next end-of-year meeting.

Section 3. Any Player/Coach that has been ejected from a BCFL game must leave the playing field and/or the entire complex. For visiting teams traveling the Player/Coach that was ejected must leave the sideline and if they do not have a bus they can stay on must go where the official and Owner agree where said Player/Coach can maintain.

Section 4. Any Player/coach caught destroying property will be suspended for the remainder of the season and could face charges. The player/coach will be reviewed at the end of the year meeting and will be discussed as a league whether the player/coach will be reinstated to the BCFL. If this infraction occurs during the team’s last game (whether it is regular or post-season) the player/coach will be suspended the entire following season. Their infraction and player reinstatement will be discussed at the next end-of-year meeting.

Section 5. Any Player/Coach suspected of menacing (following officials or players into the parking lot, to a bus, or cars) or threats of bodily harm will be investigated at the discretion of the Commissioner. If evidence of menacing is proven, the player/coach will be suspended for the remainder of the season which could lead to charges. The player/coach will be reviewed at the end of the year meeting and will be discussed as a league whether the player/coach will be reinstated to the BCFL. If this infraction occurs during the team’s last game (whether it is regular or post-season) the player/coach will be suspended the entire following season. Their infraction and player reinstatement will be discussed at the next end-of-year meeting.

Section 6. Any weapons or objects deemed as weapons will be punishable by suspension from the league and will lead to involvement with local law enforcement. Any props that can be deemed as a weapon can not stay on the sideline and must be put away.

Section 7. Misconduct on the field of play or sidelines (overbearing behavior towards officials, fans, or players) may be punishable with a suspension of the game(s) at the discretion of the Commissioner.

Section 8. Assistant Coaches and Players are expected to stay on the sidelines; only the Head Coach may come onto the field to assist game officials. Players and assistant coaches that come onto the field during a dispute will be subject to administrative review for disciplinary action.

Section 9. Any Player/Coach involved in the distribution, ingestion, or sale of a controlled substance shall be suspended from the league until further review from the Commissioner, President, and Vice President.

Section 10. Any team that is caught utilizing a suspended player will automatically forfeit the game, without debate, and take a loss on their record, which will result in forfeiting potential playoff participation for that league season.

Section 11. Any team that is caught utilizing an illegal or ineligible player(An illegal or ineligible player has not signed a contract by the Wednesday deadline and sent in to the BCFLsecretary@yahoo.com before the regular-season game or who is signed after the league cut off on adding players Week 5.) An Illegal or Ineligible player is not active on the 53 man roster by Wednesday deadline before the game. Will automatically forfeit the game, without debate, and take a loss on their record, which will result in forfeiting potential playoff participation for that league season.

Section 12. Established 3.12.18 - BCFL Player Movement Rule

Part 1: Any player that signs and plays in at least one (1) game in the 2024 season (league play) in any of the following leagues; MDFL (Midwest Developmental Football League), TPFL (Tri-Point Football League), PFA (Player Football Association), or the GDFL (Grind Iron Football League), PAFL(Premier Amatuer Football League will be deemed ineligible from participating in the BCFL during the 2025 current/same season (same calendar year).

Part 2: Any BCFL Player that signs and/or leaves to play in any of the above-referenced leagues while signed to play in the BCFL will be placed on the League's Suspended List and will be ineligible to return to the BCFL during the current BCFL Regular or Post Season for 2025.

Section 13. Any Player/Coach ejected from a game that is the away team and is more than 2 hours away will be allowed to inform the Head ref where in the stands or press box the said Player/Coach will be at.

Section 14. Any Player Flag for targeting will, rather the player was ejected from the game will be suspended for 1 game following. If the Player has multiple targeting to be a repeat offender can have more games added and can be suspended the reminder of the season. If video footage is found a player for targeting or blind side blocks can be suspended the following game once found. The BCFL are teaching each team to stress the importance to coach and teach proper way to block to eliminate all Blind side blocks or crack backs or targeting.

Article II (Conduct and Regulations of Member Teams)

Section 1. Each of the BCFL teams shall furnish the BCFL Commissioners with a complete listing of full names and telephone numbers of all officers of said teams.

Section 2. Teams may start signing players on Sept 10th, 2022 for the 2023 league season. Each BCFL team shall furnish to the league website an official roster, identifying all participating players before each league season game. All rosters are limited to 53 players. The roster will include each player’s full name, position, and uniform number. This information shall be listed on the Wednesday before each regular-season game by 11:59 pm begins and each Wednesday thereafter. All Players must have pictures sent to the League Secretary to be valid.

Section 3. After the BCFL has officially completed its season (Championship and All-Star game) all players are declared Free Agents and are permitted to change from one team to another without a release, provided that the player has no outstanding equipment obligations to his previous team. All team officials must provide the league with the names of players that have outstanding equipment obligations by the November League meeting.

Section 4. Legal game dates and change notifications:

● All teams are to confirm game time and location by Monday 9 pm before game day

● Home Teams are to confirm the game time and location to their officials

● Home teams must tell the away teams the uniform color they are wearing

● Away teams confirm the Jersey they are wearing with the agreement

Section 5. Each BCFL team will have each player, coach, and staff sign a Code of Conduct Contract.

This is a requirement by all members and will be enforced if anyone is deemed to work outside of the Code of

Conduct of the BCFL!!

Article III (Game Procedure)

Section1. The BCFL Rules shall align with the previous season’s NFL Rules except for video

replay. BCFL has the right to modify any rules deem better for the league.

Section 2. The BCFL will play a ten (10) game regular season schedule beginning one weekend

before Memorial Day weekend. Playoff seeding will be determined by team record. The season will

conclude with the BCFL Championship Game and the annual All-Star

game.

Section 3. All games are played on Saturdays with NO games played before 3 pm (unless agreed upon

by both teams and submitted to the league for approval). All games with visiting teams traveling 2 hours or more will not kick off before 6 pm (unless agreed upon by both teams and submitted to the league for approval).

Section 4. Each game shall be officiated by a crew of five or more Level 1 referees, qualified by high school,

college, or NFL standards. If there are fewer than five referees, both teams must agree to

continue playing.

Section 5. The home team shall furnish the chain crews, chains, and sideline markers. The visiting

team has the right to place one (1) member of its organization on the chain crew if desired. The visiting team, however, must notify the home team of such a decision by the Wednesday before the scheduled game. Members of the Chain Crews can not record or go live on Facebook with any electronic devices or social media.

Section 6. The home team is encouraged to provide ice and water for the visiting team. If the home

the team is unable to provide ice and water and must notify the visiting team within a reasonable time frame.

Section 7. Each team is allotted half the field to warm up and practice at least 45 minutes before

kickoff.

Section 8. Lights are mandatory if games start later than 5 pm. The latest start time for a game will

be 8 pm.

Section 9. The visiting team is encouraged to be respectful and help clean up their sideline and

locker rooms to keep facilities clean.

Section 10. Sideline Personnel: No team is allowed people on the sidelines at any time who are not a

part of the team’s personnel. This includes family members, friends, and visiting players from other teams. All sideline personnel must be in the Team owner/coach's shirt. Anyone not in uniform will be asked to be removed from the sideline and go into the stands.

● Any coach or player ejected from the game for disciplinary reasons i.e., excessive profanity,

unprofessional conduct, etc., will be suspended for the following game. The coach or player must

leave the sideline and field.

● The Suspended coaches or players from the said team must let the Home or visit team and the Head Ref know where said Suspended Coaches or Players will be located. Rather they are on the sideline, stands, or in the booth.

● Players or coaches ejected for fighting must leave the facilities immediately and will be suspended for the remainder of the season.

Section 11. Overtime (regular season) will remain by the NFL regular season rule

of sudden-death overtime

● Both teams must have the opportunity to possess the ball once during the extra period unless the

the team that receives the opening kickoff scores a touchdown on the initial possession, in which case it is

the winner.

● If the team that possesses the ball first scores a field goal on its initial possession, the other team shall have the opportunity to possess the ball. If (that team) scores a touchdown on its possession,

it is the winner. If the score is tied after both teams have possession, the team that scores next by

any method shall be declared the winner.

● If the score is tied at the end of the 10 minute

overtime period the game will end in a tie.

Section 12. Overtime (postseason) will remain in the accordance with the NFL regular season

rule of sudden death overtime.

● Both teams must have the opportunity to possess the ball once during the extra period unless

the team that receives the opening kickoff scores a touchdown on its initial possession, in which case

it is the winner.

it is the winner. If the score is tied after both teams have possession, the team next scoring by

any method shall be declared the winner.

● If the score is tied at the end of the 10-minute

overtime period, or if the overtime period initial

possession has not ended, another overtime period will begin, and play will continue until a score is

made, regardless of how many 10-minute

periods are necessary.

Section 13. Game Balls: The type of Football to be used is Wilson NFL “The Duke” Official Football or Wilson GST 1003 NCAA Football or Nike Vapor Elite Leather balls.

Section 14. Each team will be a lot ed one Challenge Ruling (Flag) per game to Challenge a play of the

Official. During this Challenge, the Head Coach must be detailed to the Head Official what is being

Challenge. The Head Official would then look up the rule provided by the Rule book provided by the League that all teams must provide. Once the Head Official decides to uphold or overturn the call it is final.

Section 15. Each home team suggested having an Officer of the law (Sheriff or police) for at least 2 hours. The league is looking for the said Officer to be there from the 2nd qtr until the end of the game. This will help keep each team, officials, and fans safe.

Article IV (Forfeits and Cancellations)

Section 1. If a team forfeits a game for any reason, the team will lose its $100 refund from

League fees at the end of the year and will not be in good standing with the League. This standing will be

reviewed at the end-of-the-year meeting.

Section 2. There are three (3) types of cancellations: weather-related, critical accident-related

and death related. In these cases, the team must contact the opposing team as well as the President and

Commissioner of the BCFL. Games canceled for these forms of cancellations will be made up during the

season bye weeks (Memorial Day weekend). If the League sees fit to push the league playoffs back a week to make up the game, it will be decided by the League executive members

(Commissioner, President, Vice President). All other forms of cancellations will be considered forfeits.

Section 3. Any game resulting in a forfeit before the game has taken place will result in a 2-0

A win for their opponent.

Section 4. Any team forfeiting a game will result in forfeiting potential playoff participation for that

League season.

Section 5. If rescheduling is needed, the two bye weeks will be used as the first dates. If needed, the

League will have one week after the season before playoffs start to make up the game if the league sees fit.

Section 6. Forfeited game defined;

● One of the teams fails to show up

● The home team changed the game time, date, or game location without giving proper notification to the Commissioner, Head of Officials, and the visiting team

● The game was called by the Head Official. A full review of the game cancellation will take place by the League executive members (Commissioner, President, Vice President). They will determine as to whether one or both teams will be assessed a forfeit.

● The home team does not provide an adequate and official playing field. Adequate is defined as

regulation length and width, properly lighted, properly lined by NFL, high school, or

NCAA specifications. This includes proper goalposts. If both teams agree to play on a field that

does not meet minimum requirements, both teams lose all recourse for protests and accept the

results of the game.

● Teams have up to thirty (30) minutes after the scheduled start time to begin the game. After thirty minutes, teams can choose to call the game a forfeit or wait longer to start. Waiting (within reason) is

encouraged.

● An emergency change (field/venue, start time, rescheduling) can be dictated by the office of the

Commissioner if an unforeseen act of god (e.g extreme rain, floods, tornado, loss of

field) or other tragedy (fires, etc.) renders the home field unplayable. In this case, the home team will

not receive a forfeit loss and the game will be rescheduled.

Section 7. A forfeit results in a ban from the postseason. This ban can be appealed by such a team.

Will be reviewed by the Ad Hoc Committee.

Section 8. A game can be called for severe weather or lightning if the clock is at least 40min.

into the game and there is a 15-point differential. The Official can call the game with whoever is in the lead the score will be final.

Section 9. An appeal can be issued by the team that was deemed to be a forfeit.

Section 10. Any game called for other reasons other than weather will go up for review with the league officials. After the league decision is made it will be final.

Section 11. The said Team that forfeits the game with a cause that is listed can be fined by the league to help with the cost of the home team cost of the field, refs, or both.

Article V (Policy and Manual)

Section 1. These Rules and Policies may be amended at the BCFL Annual Meeting, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the BCFL Membership that is present.

Article VI (Player and Team Roster)

Section 1. All Players must be a minimum of eighteen (18) years of age or older and not playing a

high school sport. For insurance reasons, players under the age of eighteen (18) are not allowed to play in any league games until the following game after their eighteenth (18) birthday.

Section 2. The BCFL will permit a max of 53 players.

Section 3. Players must sign a BCFL contract.

Section 4. The final roster submission for the season will be in week 5. Players signed by Wednesday 11:59 pm will be able to play in Week 5 contest. Players signed on Thursday and Saturday at 11:59 pm will not be eligible to play in week 5 but will be eligible for the remainder of the season. Teams with an under .500 record that is in need of players to field a team. That said team needs to reach out to the league for helping field must obtain permission from the League before adding players to their roster. The said team will have a restricted roster per the league view.

Section 5. Rosters must be listed on the league website or submitted to the Owners page on Facebook the updated roster if having issues with the league site. Any player playing in a game, not on the

league site or owners page will be ruled ineligible and the team will forfeit the game(s) played.

Section 6. Teams will be allowed to start signing players for the upcoming season on Sept. 22nd, 2022 of the 2023 league season.

Section 7. All teams are responsible for keeping player contracts on file. In the event of any dispute,

any contracts must be presented.

Section 8. Once a player signs with a team, he is to play for that team for the length of the league

season. If a player wants to be released, he must first return any playbooks or equipment provided by the team. If a player has played games and has not paid the team fee, said player could be responsible for a portion of that team fee.

Section 9. Any player wanting to be released from a team and is refused by the team can appeal to

the League. The League President or Vice President will review and discuss with the said team on why the team is refusing the release and a decision will be reached as to whether the player owes any money or equipment to the team. Teams must abide by League decisions; all decisions are final.

Section 10. All teams must submit an active roster for teams via email by the Wednesday before the

game or provide a hard copy on game day. If any team disputes a player on the roster, a photo ID proving the player is valid must be provided. Inability to provide the player ID will be ineligible for that game.

Section 11. The said release players from one BCFL team can not have 4 or more players go to another BCFL team.

Section 12. Player tampering - Any Coach found Tampering with another team’s player(s) with evidence (Screenshots, Text Messages, Messages set over Social media) Will Forfeit 5 Roster spots for the next game and will also be Suspended for the following contest. If this happens again the said coach will be suspended from the BCFL reminder of the season and the said team will forfeit 7 roster spots for the remainder of the season. Any Owner found tampering with another team’s player(s) with evidence (Screenshots, Text Messages, Messages set over Social media) Will Forfeit 5 Roster spots for the next game and will be fined $200. If the Owner is found tampering with another team’s player(s) again will forfeit 7 roster spots from the remainder of the season and would be fined again (would not be eligible to play in the Playoffs in said season.).

Article VII (Team Uniforms)

Section 1. Teams are required to have two sets of jerseys, Home (dark) and Away (light), or one very

custom design. If both teams have the same custom design it is the visiting team that must wear a different color jersey.

Section 2. Team players should all wear the same color helmets, jerseys, and pants (unless agreed upon

by both teams before the game).

Section 3. Thigh and knee pads are suggested but not required.

Section 4. Players may wear visors at their own risk. Note: The BCFL recommends a clear or lightly

smoked visor, however, any visor color may be worn at the player’s own risk. The head official has the right to ask any player to remove the dark visor if they so desire. Failure to comply will result in the player being ejected from the game.

Section 5. Coaches and Staff from the said team will only be permitted to be on the sidelines during the game if they are in the Team polo/shirt. Anyone who is not uniform will not be allowed to be on the sideline during the game in progress.

Article VIII (Game Officials)

Section 1. The home team shall provide a crew of five or more referees, qualified by level 1 high school,

college, or NFL standards. If there are fewer than five referees, both teams must agree to

continue playing.

Section 2. All team members must send to the BCFL their head officials’ contact information. If the team

members use more than one official crew, they must send the contact information of each crew to the League.

Section 3. Each official shall be dressed by NFL, high school, or NCAA rules.

Section 4. All officials must be state-certified Level 1 and be able to provide such certification upon request.

Section 5. Each official must be unbiased and honest without regard to the outcome of any game.

Section 6. Relatives of players, coaches, or owners may never officiate in any games that they are

participating in.

Section 7. The Head Official is in charge of giving the names and jobs of the ref crew to both the home

and visiting teams. Each Back Judge Official will turn in their flag card to the head official who will send it to the Commissioner for all flags thrown during the game.

Section 8. All Officials will be using the League Grading System. By Monday at 9pm, each team will be in

charge of turning in the grades of each official that work the previous game. At the end of the year if an

The official has a below-standard grade that says the official will not be allowed to ref in the Postseason. The

league will try to use the highest rating crew or ref position to be the Official of the Conference, League, and All-Star games.

Section 9. BCFL Officials will continue to strive to make the game a safer place. By doing this all players consider to be targeting but using the crown of their helmet or a defenseless player will be ejected from the game. Blindside blocks(crack back blocks) will also be an ejectable offense. Not only will the team be penalized 15 yards but said player will be ejected from the game.

Article IX (Representation of the Blue Collar Football League)

Section 1. It is the goal of the BCFL to obtain exposure for its members via the use of the internet, radio, Podcast,

and television media. Occasionally there will be media outlets that request information regarding teams in

the BCFL as well as the league itself. Team members must represent professionally.

Section 2. While it is not the intent of the BCFL to censor any views or opinions, there is a higher level

of respect that we demand from our members regarding message boards and social networks. This includes Owners,Players, Coaches, and/or Fans acting on behalf of players and coaches. We understand that social networks such as Twitter,Podcast, Facebook, and Instagram are free and open forums that the majority of players use to speak regarding their views and opinions of players and teams in the BCFL as well as other semi-pro organizations throughout the country. We cannot control what a person writes or says in an open forum, however, we can determine whether or not it violates the BCFL Code of Conduct. The Blue Collar Football League has the right to dismiss any person or persons deemed in violation of our Code of Conduct based on our opinion.

Section 3. The BCFL takes pride in its web presence and therefore it is often maintained daily. Teams of the BCFL are required to have and maintain a web presence at all times. This will help build our league to be one of the best in the country.

Section 4. Each team member is required to have at minimum a basic website or Facebook page

with current information such as scores, upcoming opponents, and schedules.

Section 5. Reporting scores is the responsibility of team members. This can be done via text

message or email. Game summaries are a bonus. All teams will be able to submit game statistics on the

league website. Any stats that seem falsified or are in question must have video evidence to substantiate the claim.

Article X (BCFL Tie Breakers)

Section 1. Best Overall win/loss Record

Section 2. Head to Head

Section 3. Head to Head differential

Section 4. Points Allowed

Section 5. Coin Toss