In a recent vote by the chapter representatives of the Gold Coast Youth Football League, it was decided that the X Player option would be allowed for players of all ages.  The X Player option was originally adopted for players in the senior division.  This option was later extended to the youngest players in each division.

In the past, before the X Player option existed, a player over the maximum weight was only given two options.  They could either lose the weight before certification or they would be required to move up one or more divisions and play with much older kids.    The recent decision gives all heavier players the additional option of playing as an X player, allowing them to stay in the appropriate division with other players in their age bracket.

Age & Weight Chart

Age:	Mighty Mite	Bantam	Junior	Junior 1	Junior 2	Senior
6	Unlimited
7	Unlimited
8	70 or X	105 or X
9		100 or X	130 or X
10		75 or X	120 or X	140 or X
11			100 or X	130 or X	150 or X
12				110 or X	140 or X	200 or X
13					120 or X	190 or X
14						185 or X

 

X Player Rule:  How X Player Works

After the official certification, any player that exceeds the official weight limit per age group, will be required to play as described below for all X players.  The rules are for Offense, Defense, and Special Teams.  All X players will be required to wear a 4 inch X contrasting the color of the helmet, on front and back side easily visible.

On Offense, no more than 3 X players may be on the field at the same time.

a. All X players must play tackle to tackle.  They must be interior lineman.

b. The X players must be set, but not necessarily in a three or four point stance, at the snap of the ball.  X players will not be allowed to pull, or have a blocking assignment that would cause their first blocking responsibility to be anyone outside the defensive tackles.

c. The furthest outside X player must be covered by a non X player.

d. No plays may be designed to have an X player carry the ball.

e. X player may advance a true fumble or tipped/batted pass.

On Defense, no more than 3 X players may be on the field at the same time.

a. X players must line up as interior lineman no wider than the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle.  This means the X players inside shoulder has to line up with the offensive tackles out side shoulder at the widest point prior to the snap.

b. The X player must be in a three or four point stance at the snap at the ball.

c. The X player must be on the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball.

d. The X player may advance a fumble or interception as long as they are the original player with the ball. No laterals or hand offs to an X player are allowed.

No X players can play on Kickoff and Kickoff Return.  Punt and Punt return will be considered offense and defense accordingly and thus follow the rules mentioned above unless this caused the total players on the field to be less than 11 men.  The penalty for the misuse of an X player will be unsportsmanlike conduct.  The first certification will determine the player’s status for the year.  An X player for the regular season must remain an X player for the playoffs – regardless of weight.

X players will be placed at the front of the certification book.  An X will be placed across the registration form from corner to corner and initialed by the person certifying the book.  Prior to each game, X players will be reported to the referee by the head coach.  Books will be reviewed by request only by the opposing head coach.  The Senior Division Director will have a list of all X players prior to the first game.  Jersey number of such players will be reported to the Division Director prior to the first game.  Any changes in jersey number effecting X players must be reported to the Division Director 72 hours prior to the next game.

Any head coach found to do anything to have an X player participate in a fraudulent manner will forfeit all games the player has participated in whether or not the player played illegally. The head coach will be immediately removed as a coach in any capacity in the GCYFL. The GCYFL executive board will determine whether the team will be allowed to participate in the playoffs.