Standards

Section I The Commissioner will determine that all teams conform to the standards.

Section II Violation Procedures The minimum standards below are the goals SSFL teams are encouraged to provide. This

               insures that visiting teams can count on playing in stadiums similar to their own.  Teams are encouraged to go

               beyond these standards. 

               Reports of standards violations are accepted by the Commissioner from opposing team owners & staff, SSFL

               officials in their weekly game reports and by League Administrators assigned to attend specific games.  Violations

               are brought to the attention of the team owner by the Commissioner and the team owner has the opportunity to 

               contest the accusation. The Commissioner makes the final decision and implements the appropriate fine. All

               members are informed of violations to insure that a correction is made for future games.         

Section III Specific Standards may not be available at a teams chosen game stadium. This situation is common as facilities   

               differ in each community.  In such cases, the Commissioner will take this into consideration and work with the 

               organization to make reasonable modifications in the requirements to permit membership, as long as the integrity of

               the SSFL is maintained. League members will be informed of proposed modifications and have input into the final  

               decision.

Section IV Facility & Equipment Standards

     1.  Documentation: Prior to a new teams acceptance into the SSFL and at renewal time for veteran teams, owners MUST

          provide a copy of the contract confirming game field reservation which insures the use of the facility.
     2.  American flag at least 3' X 5' displayed
     3.  Lines marked at intervals of 5 yards and a width of 3 inches
     4.  Hash marks on every 5 yard line in line with goal post uprights
     5.  Extra point line 2 yards from the goal line
     6.  Coaches/players box lined
     7.  Four (4) corner pylons in each end zone
     8.  10 yard sideline markers on both sides of the field
     9.  Protective goal post pads on ground to cross bar posts
.   10. Officials to be porvided a room at half time and supplied water.
.   11. Two (2) Sideline benches 10' long on each side of the field
    12. Field lights
    13. Scoreboard -visible for both teams
    14. Time Clock
    15. Goal Posts - High School, College or Professional
    16. Field/Fan Separation - restraining fence or track
    17. Public Address System

    18. The Referee is to be equipped with a field microphone.

    19. Concession Stand - if not available, utilization of folding tables to sell goods.

    20. Public Rest Rooms

    21. Showers for visiting teams and officials. 

    22. Stands on both sides of the field

    23. Water, Ice and coolers &r containers are to be provided by each individual team. .
    24. A water source must be accessible for visitors

    25. Host team will provide three (3) Wilson SSFL or Wilson NFL game balls for inspection by the
          officials for each game.

Section V Sideline

     1.  Chain crew must be 16 years of age or older and refrain from comments

     2.  Two ball boys at least 14 years of age.

     3.  One ball boy to be located on each side of the field

     4.  Visiting team may supply one ball boy for visiting team side of the field - to be arranged by mutual consent between

          team owners in advance of the game.

     5.  Sideline personnel to include ball boys and chain crew to be identified by wearing vests.

     6.  Sideline personnel must be made available for officials instruction 20 minutes prior to kickoff.

     7.  Sideline Control Coach identified by wearing a green neon colored cap provided by the SSFL.  That person is

          responsible for keeping team pesonnel off the playing field to protect the officials.

Section VI Game Protocol

     1.  The National Anthem to be played before the start of every game.   

     2.  Players are to be lined up on the sideline, helmet under left arm during the National Anthem

     3.  Announcer – Must have team rosters for player identification during his broadcast. Rosters must be delivered to the

         announcer 30 minutes prior to kickoff.  Professional remarks such as schedule, upcoming games, league standings,

         concession and sales information, honored guests, etc. are to be made public.

     4. Press Box - Limited to announcer, spotters, film crew and guests of owner.
     5. Press Box Conduct - no cheering or loud noise to interfere with spotters

     6. Press Box Music - Family acceptable with no profanity and not to promote violence

     7  All games must be on video to enable video exchanges with member teams and to provide players with video for the

        purpose of obtaining college scholarships or advancement to a professional level..

Section VII Admissions Gate

     1.  Manned at all times
     2.  Must be at least 18 years old
     3.  No Alcohol permitted to be sold or brought into the stadium by fans.
     4.  Intoxicated fans not admitted

Section VIII Security

     1.  Two (2 ) uniformed certified law public or private enforcement personnel
     2.  Placement
            Pre-Game
              a. One (1) posted at entry gate until midway through first quarter
              b. One (1) visible to both sides of field until game starts then posted at home team sideline
     3.  Post Game
              a. One (1) remains on field until field is deemed secure, then proceeds to parking lot until released by owner
              b. One (1) escorts officials to their vehicle and remains in parking lot until released by owner
     4.  Coaches and Owners remain present on field until the field is clear of players

Section IX Player ID Books - A standard format for ID book preparation is provided to each team. The purpose is to insure that

                players check in for a minimum of 60% of the regular season in order to be eligible for playoff participation.

1.  ID book to be maintained for the entire season
2.  Photo of all player (head and shoulder in game jersey)
3.  Placed in book in numerical order
4.  Players names and numbers printed next to photo
5.  Game dates listed with area for initialing purposes
6.  If a player is not present initialing area must be crossed out
7.  Number changes or team additions-to be located at the back of the book
8.  Teams to be lined up numerically for check in at 6:45 PM.

9.  Playoff Procedures - Players must be logged in to 60% of the games.

10.After the last regular season game, ID books to be mailed to the Commissioner, Priortity Mail.

11.Owners are to make a copy of the final book in the event a book is lost in the mail.

Section X Medical & Emergency

1.  Team Trainer at all games
2.  Certified Medical Personnel - Must be at all games
3.  Qualifications
      a. Basic First Aid/CPR
      b. EMT
      c. Paramedic
4.  If a hospital is located within one (1) mile of field, on field medical personnel may not be required.

5.  Emergency Medical Procedure - A written Emergency Medical Procedure must be on file with the league office prior to   

     the first game and posted on the team web site.

Section XI Liability Insurance
1. Required
2. Copy to be on file at the leagues office prior to he first game
3. No games to be played without proof of liability insurance
4. League and post season championship game stadium to be listed as a co-insured

Section XII Communications
1. Each organization must have a web site linked to the league site.
2. Each organization must provide the Commissioner with updated communications information as they change for inclusion

   on the SSFL Communications Sheet

3. Updated team roster must appear throughout the season

Section XIII Field Management
1.  A field Mnager is required and may be the team owner or assigned by him.
2.  Must be free of all other duties and cannot be a player or coach.
3.  Identified to officials, security, announcer and visiting owner and available via cell phone to respond to any and all problems 

     related to game management, security and the health and wellfare of everyone in the facility.
4.  Game entertainment/performances are to be reviewed by the field manager before contracting the organization to perform. 

     Music must be family oriented, void of foul language and mention of sex and violence. Performers attire must be void of

     explicit attire. Routines are to be void of explicit and family offensive movement.

5.  Inspects the uniformity of team members before game and during warmups to insure all players meet NFL uniform

     standards.

6.  Field Managers photo, name and contact informtion must be publicised on the team web site.

Section XIV Liability Issues

1.  The host and visiting team rep are to inspect all facilities utilized by the visitors to insue there are no potential liability issues 

     such as exposed equipment, room condition, noted damage and cleanliness.

2.  The home team rep will have a prepared form for the visiting team rep to sign as to the facilities condition.

Section XV Standards and Rules Review

1.  Standards and Rules are published on the SSFL web site at www.southernstatesfootball.com

2.  NFL game rules are followed and modified as necessary.  Modifications regarding field set up are necessary as the fields

     available are not NFL fields. 

3.  Coaches and Owners are required to attend an Annual Rules Meeting presented by the Supevisor of Officials and the

     Commissioner to review all new NFL rules and to discuss and interpret NFL rules that were specifically problematic to

     teams the previous year.  The Commissioner will review all SSFL rules with open discussion available on each. 

     Modifications, elimination or change in rules may result from that meeting.