RULES
Updated 2016
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Each game will consist of four 10-minute quarters of a running clock, with a 5 minute halftime. In the last 2 minutes of each
half the clock will stop on scoring, timeouts, change of possession, out of bounds, and incomplete passes. Each team will
have 2 timeouts per half. A running clock in the 4th quarter will occur when one team has a 21 point lead or more.
First downs will occur when an offensive team crosses the nearest 15-yard cone in 4 plays or less.
Kicking: A kickoff is not a live ball until it travels 15 yards. The ball is dead when touched by kicking team on ground, a
pulled flag, or ball goes out of bounds. A punt must be declared by the offense. No fake punts or rushing of punts.
NOTE: A ball in the air (any ball that has not yet hit the ground) if touched is still a live ball until it hits the ground. It still can
be possessed by either team if caught in the air. The ball will be declared dead where it hits the ground, not where it was touched
(this includes bad snaps).
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***A Punt must be attempted from a shot gun snap of at least 3 yards. A punt no longer can occur with a direct snap.
Must be punted in an open spot on the line. Players cannot leave until ball is punted. There is no defensive rush on a punt.
One Coach is allowed on the field at all times. If more than one coach is coaching on the field, a warning will be given with
the next offense being a 15-yard penalty.
Each offensive team has 30 seconds to call and snap an offensive play after the ball has been spotted. Delay of game is a 5yard penalty.
All offensive players are eligible receivers.
A player is down when the runner fumbles the ball and it hits the ground, a flag is pulled, he goes out of bounds, or a knee
hits the ground. A play is dead on any whistle. (a fumble can be returned if the defense possesses the ball before it hits the
ground)
Flag Guarding: This is not a penalty. It is a dead ball at spot of foul.
Inadvertent Whistle results in dead ball, and the play over from line of scrimmage, or where the runner was at the
time. If a runner has gone 50 yards and a whistle is blown the offense can take the ball at the spot the whistle was
blown. Also, if there was a turnover and a whistle stops play after the turnover, the turnover will stand.
All shirts must be tucked into shorts or pants. No hats or jewelry.
***Shorts should be black or dark blue to avoid confusion with flags.
Please avoid shorts or pants that have stripes on the side, or are the same color of flags (red/yellow)
***Rushing a QB with hands up is legal unless a pass is blocked by the hands. This will result in a 10 yd pass
interference penalty (not 15) and automatic first down. Whether an athlete is attempting to block a pass is at the
discretion of the official. Any defensive player at the line of scrimmage or in the defensive secondary can block a pass
without penalty.
***QB sneaks are illegal from under center or from shotgun. The QB can run, but he can not make a direct path
over the center. Play will be whistled dead with a loss of down and 5 yard penalty.
A fumbled snap is a dead ball where the ball hits the ground after it was touched by the QB, and the down will count.
A snap that hits the ground first before being touched, will be a 5 yard penalty and replay down.
SCORING:
Scoring may occur when:
a) Touchdown (6 pts)
b) Safety (2 pts)
c) 2- Point Conversion form 5 yard line.
d) 1-Point Conversion form 2.5 yard spot.
e) Return of a turnover on a 2 or 1 pt conversion for the same amount of points.
RULES
Updated 2016
BASIC PENALITIES:
1.
5 Yard Penalties:
a) Delay of game
b) Off sides
c) Illegal motion
d) Untouched snap hits the ground
e) Defense trying to disrupt offense before the snap
f) Illegal forward pass (loss of down)
g) Illegal participation (too many players or player not reporting inside the hash marks)
h) Defensive holding (Automatic First Down) Includes grabbing and pulling of clothes and stripping of football.
i) Blocking of pass by rusher. Automatic first down.
2.
10 yard Penalties:
a) Offensive Holding
b) Offensive Pass Interference
3.
15 yard penalties:
a) Unsportsmanlike conduct (Foul Language, arguing with official, fighting, etc) (Can be automatic ejection!!
Coach or player)
b) Unnecessary roughness (Defensive tackle, extended arm block, illegal rush through offensive player, pushing
player out of bounds,etc)
c) Defensive Pass interference
d) Illegal block in back or below the waist or with extended arms
4.
Loss of down penalties:
a) Any unsportsmanlike penalties
b) Illegal forward pass
c) Offensive pass interference
d) Illegal QB sneak
RULES
Updated 2016
COACHES NOTES:
1.
All defensive rushing must be done by avoiding blocks. The defensive player can not run through a block.
(Unnecessary roughness penalty)
2.
Offensive blockers are not allowed to extend their arms on blocks. Hands must be tight to chest. (There must be
contact for this to be a penalty of 15 yards)
3.
The defensive player must always go for the flags. A player can not be forced to the ground or forced out of
bounds.
4.
Offensive ball carriers are not allowed to spin with the ball, or jump when they are carrying the ball. Ball carrier
is down at the spot of foul.
5.
The play will be spotted where the ball was when the flag was pulled. (Example: The flag was pulled at the 1
yard line, but the ball had crossed the plane of the goal line. This is a touchdown)
6.
Motion is allowed, but all other players must be set while motion is in progress. The man in motion may not move
towards the line of scrimmage during his motion.
7.
Coaches are allowed to call time-outs.
8.
Please be organized offensively. (30 seconds to execute play)
9.
Punts must be declared by the coach. No fake punts or rushing of the punt. Offensive players may not leave until
the ball is punted.
10.
Players may be substituted on a series for injury or any other purpose where the player needs to leave the field.
This will be at referee’s discretion.
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***Illegal motion is at the discretion of the official. If an interior lineman is wobbling, a warning will be given. If
any movement results in the defense moving, a flag will be thrown.
12.
No baseball caps on field. No ear-rings or necklaces. No watches.
13.
Each player must have at least one starting position on offense or defense and play 50% of all plays. This is not
an exact science, but use good judgment. If this is brought to attention, it will be monitored by officials.
14.
All coaches must have an offensive playbook in the huddle. This will demonstrate organization, and speed up
play.
OVERTIME:
1. Each team will have a series from the 15 yard line. If there is a score, the team will try for 1 or 2 points.
2. If the game is still tied, both teams will have a series from the 10 yard line, then the 5 yard line.
3. If the game remains tied, the game will result in a tie, unless a playoff game where the above scenarios will continue.
8 OR LESS PLAYERS
If a team has 8 or less players, the game will be forfeited, however, an 8 on 8 game will be played for the benefit of all the kids
present.
EJECTIONS:
Any player or coach ejected form game must sit out the next game.
Any questions with rules call John Walizer 215-7773