YOUNG AMERICA FOOTBALL GAME RULES
The Rules used in the Young America Football games are those adopted by the
National Federation of State High School Associations with these exceptions:
Rule 1
Game, Field, Players and Equipment
The field shall be a rectangular area with dimensions, lines, zones, goals
and flags as shown by the accompanying diagram.
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N
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Z
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Rule 1-4.2
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20
30
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G
Player Designations (End, Tackle, Guard, Center, Back, and Quarterback)
Rule 1-5f
Shoes
No exposed metal can be worn on any sole or a shoe while playing in a game or
practices. Plastic or hard rubber cleats are permitted as long as the length
of the cleat is less than ½ inch. Boys and girls will need to provide their
own shoes and socks.
Rule 2
Definitions of Playing Terms
Refer to rulebook. Rule 2 in High School rulebook.
This particular rule covers (Dead ball, live ball, loose ball, catch, blocking
in the back, loss of down, encroachment, fair catch, field areas, fighting,
first downs, force, formations, forward progress, fouls and penalties, freeblocking zone – legal blocking below the waist, legal clipping, legal block
in the back, fumble, handing, helmet contact – illegal, huddle, hurdling,
hurdling, interception, kicks, line of scrimmage, lines, muff, neutral zone,
out of bounds, passing, player designations, plays for penalty, possession,
shift, snap, spots, tackling, team designations, touching, tripping.
Rule 3
Periods, Time Factors and Substitutions
Young America football will governor with NFHS, but these rules will be enforced:
The clock, running time, shall be four (4)-12 minute quarters with five
minute intermissions between halves.
The clock shall not stop the last 2 minutes of game.
The clock shall not be stopped except for time-outs and injuries.
Time-outs shall be 30 seconds in length. Two time-outs per half.
Coaches in each weight division are encouraged to go onto the field to talk with their
team during time-outs. Only one coach can go on the field during timeouts.
Rule 4
Ball in Play, Dead Ball, Out of Bounds
Refer to rulebook. Rule 4 in High School rulebook.
Rule 5
Series of Downs, Number of Downs, and Team Possession after
Penalty
Refer to rulebook. Rule 5 in High School rulebook.
Rule 6
Kicking Ball and Fair Catch
A free kick after the safety shall be made from the 20 yard line.
Kick-offs shall be kicked from the 30 yard line with the receiving team behind the
40 yard line.
Bantamweight must run the ball on the 4th down. Lightweight, on fourth down, the
offensive team must declare if they elect to punt or try for a first down. If
they elect to punt, ALL players remain still until the punter kicks the ball.
Middleweight and 6th and 7th grade divisions are permitted to rush the
punter.
Rule 7
Snapping, Handing and Passing the Ball
Refer to rulebook. Rule 7 in High School rulebook.
Rule 8
After a touchdown
The scoring team will try for an extra point. The ball will be spotted on the three yard
line. The scoring team has one chance to get across the goal line by
running or passing. If successful, they achieve an extra (1) point. There
are no field goals.
Rule 9
Conducts of Players and Others
The penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct shall be 15 yards. Upon a second
unsportsmanlike penalty, the player or coach shall be removed from the
game.
Rule 10
Enforcement of Penalties
Penalties are enforced in the following increments: 3 yards, 5 yards and 10 yards.
(Unsportsmanlike conduct is 15 yards).
SPECIAL RULES FOR YOUNG AMERICA
Defense must have a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 8 players on the line scrimmage
at the time of the snap. If the player is ahead of the feet of a down lineman, he is
considered on the scrimmage line.
All coaches and players must remain in the area between the 20 yard line and the 30
yard line on their end of the field. It is an automatic 10 yard penalty for violating this
rule.
DEFINITIONS OF THE MOST COMMON AND VERY DENGEROUS BLOCKS IN
FOOTBALL
Clipping: Is a blocking an opponent, except the ball carrier, from the rear in such a
manner that the blocker contacts across the back of the opponent’s legs. This could
maybe legal in the free blocking zone in rules.
Block in the back: Is blocking an opponent, except the ball carrier, from the rear in such
a manner that the player contacts the opponent’s back, above the waist. This could
maybe legal in the free blocking zone.
Chop block: Is an illegal act that occurs when two (2) or more players of the same team
are engaged with an opposing team’s player, one of whom is blocking at or below the
knees. (This is never legal).
Cut block: Is contacting the opponents with the initial hit coming at or below the waist.
A crack block or crack back block: Is when a player starts out wide or from a position
where the opponent is unaware of his/her presence and comes into the block an
opponent. These blocks can be extremely vicious and an automatic foul if one of the
above four locking criteria are met (low, in the back or a launch to the neck/head
region).
SPECIAL RULES FOR BANTAMWEIGHT / BANTAM 2nd and 3rd GRADE DIVISION
The offensive team must declare when it is going to punt. The defense cannot cross
the neutral zone until the ball has been punted. There are no fake punts.
Bantamweight teams will play and practice using 11 players on the field.
Defense must have a minimum of 4, maximum of 5 players on the line of scrimmage at
the time of the snap.
Must be 85 lbs. and under to be in a position to carry the ball, (ie, running back,
quarterback, wide receiver).
Weight is determined at the time of equipment check out and not by physical.
Crack Back Blocking is not permitted.
Only one coach will be permitted on the field for first two games.
Only four coaches will be permitted on the sidelines during games. All coaches must be
approved by the City of Greeley Culture, Parks, and Recreation Department.
Clock will run continuously and only to stops for time outs and injury.
SPECIAL RULES FOR LIGHTWEIGHT / LIGHT 4th GRADE DIVISION
Must be 95 lbs. and under to be in a position to carry the ball, (ie, running back,
quarterback, wide receiver).
Weight is determined at the time of equipment check out and not by physical.
Only four coaches will be permitted on the sidelines during games. All coaches must be
approved by the City of Greeley Culture, Parks, and Recreation Department.
Crack Back Blocking is not permitted.
Only one coach will be permitted on the field for the first two games.
Clock will run continuously and only to stops for time outs and injury.
SPECIAL RULES FOR MIDDLEWEIGHT / MIDDLE 5th GRADE DIVISION
Must be 115 lbs. and under to be in a position to carry the ball. (ie, running back,
quarterback, wide receiver).
Weight is determined at the time of equipment check out and not by physical.
Only four coaches will be permitted on the sidelines during games. All coaches must be
approved by the City of Greeley Culture, Parks, and Recreation Department.
Crack Back Blocking is not permitted.
Clock will continuously run and only to stop for time outs and injury.
PRACTICE AND GAME SCHEDULES
Each Bantamweight, Lightweight, Middleweight and 6 th and 7th grade teams will be
scheduled to meet for a maximum of two (2) practice sessions per week for one hour
and a half. Practices may be held Monday through Friday and must be completed by
7:00 p.m.
It is the coach’s responsibility to decide to hold practice during inclement
weather. If you cancel practice, call your players, notify the Recreation Division, and
show up at the field to catch those who did not get the message. It is the City of
Greeley Culture, Parks and Recreation Department’s responsibility to cancel during
game days. Game cancellations please call the Recreation Center at 350-9400 or the
Family Fun Plex 350-9401. Coaches should then notify players.
Parents should encourage the boys and girls to be at practice and games on time.
Hardships on the entire team result if they do not regularly attend. If the boys and girls
must miss a practice, inform the coach. The players cannot be expected to know a
team’s play or their positions if they do not attend practice.
GAMES
Games will be played at Monfort Park, 47th Avenue and 22nd Street.
Middle School games will be played at Monfort Park and John Evans Middle School,
2900 15th Ave.
FOREARM HARD PADS AND CASTS
Forearm hard pads and well padded arm casts can be used during games as long as, in
the officials’ judgment, they are not being used as a weapon on the field. Pads of this
nature develop bad habits in blocking and tackling; coaches be aware of this. Players
can be ejected from the game if this occurs by a player.
SERVICE EQUIPMENT REPAIR
Equipment repairs or exchanges can be made on Saturday’s @ Monfort Park. Location
would be at the shelter area door near the men’s restroom. If equipment is in need of
repair beforehand please call Lorraine Zamora at 350-9421 to arrange for an
appointment to repair or replace equipment. Coaches remember that some equipment
must have child present to exchange, (helmet, pants, and shoulder pads).
PRACTICE LOCATIONS/GAME SITES
Practices Sites:
Bittersweet Park
35th Ave & 16th St
Game Site:
Pheasant Run Park
Monfort Park
Woodbriar Park
29th Ave & 19th St
47th Ave & 4th St
47th Ave & 4th St