With the help of a dedicated 10-member committee, USA Football has completed a "first draft" of its USA Football Youth Football Rulebook. This publication will be unveiled in 2009, but the book will not be available for national distribution until 2010 after careful insight, recommendations and suggestions from league commissioners across the country.
Chaired by USA Football Officiating Consultant and long-time Big Ten referee Bill LeMonnier, the committee met to help shape national playing standards for youth football. USA Football partnered with the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) to write the book, which will be given out nationwide to 2009 State Leadership Forum attendees.
Sections within the rulebook include topics that focus on timing, snapping and handling the ball, passing, contact, scoring and touchbacks, penalty enforcement, non-contact fouls and officials and their responsibilities - with a signal chart included.
The feedback received by USA Football and its regional managers will help determine any changes and modifications that should be made before this "first draft" becomes final. You are encouraged to share your thoughts at www.usafootball.com/rulebook.
USA Football's Rulebook Committee consists of eight administrators and two officials. The following administrators served on the committee representing various regions: Dean Layman (Columbus, Ind.), Don Lindberger (Schwenksville, Pa.), Mark Meana (Vienna, Va.), Horace West (Davenport, Fla.), Jerron Moore (Boise, Idaho), Ben Narramore (Ramona, Calif.), Leroy Hollins II (Baton Rouge, La.) and Scott Neibert (Arnold, Mo.). Two officials, Tom Rau (Grand Blanc, Mich.) and Jason Soistman (Glen Burnie, Md.), round out the group.
