Rules
League Rules
Game Format
- Field is approx 30 yards wide and 50 yards long, not including the 5 yard end zones.
- Games are 6 on 6
- Teams of 8-10 players (all players should play an equal amount of time, or as close to it as possible. This is tough for the league to monitor, so it is really up to the coach’s integrity.)
- Four 10-minute running clock quarters (1 minute break between quarters, 5 minute break at half)
- Coin flip determines choice of possession or direction (winning team can elect to defer to the 2nd half)
- Two 30-second timeouts per half
- The clock will only stop for time-outs and injuries (it does not stop for incomplete passes, out of bounds, change of possession)
- The clock will also stop in the final 2 minutes of the game if there is an offensive penalty, while the defense is trailing, or vice versa.
- If a timeout is called after a touchdown, the clock will not start until the play after the conversion attempt
- Teams switch sides at halftime
- Overtime (only in the playoffs)– if the score is tied, an overtime period will take place with each team receiving a possession.
- Coin flip determines choice of 1st or 2nd possession
- Possession begins at the 10 yard line (both teams will go in the same direction)
- If a touchdown is scored, a team can elect to go for a 1 or 2 point conversion.
- If an interception occurs and is returned for a touchdown on the first possession of an overtime period the game is over.
- If an interception occurs the team intercepting the ball can elect to take possession at the 10 yard line, or where the runner is flagged.
- If the game is still tied, overtime will be repeated until there is a winner.
- Teams alternate first possession each overtime period
Basics
- Each possession to begin a half, after a score, or after a turnover on downs starts at the 5 yard line
- 30 second play clock
- The offensive team has three plays to get a first down, then three plays to score once they have crossed mid-field.
- Interceptions can be returned, and possession will begin where the defender is flagged
- QB has to throw the ball within:
- K – 2nd grade – 6 seconds
- 3rd-8th grade – 4 seconds
- If the QB does not release the ball before time expires, it is a sack, with the ball being placed 5 yards back from the previous spot.
- A sack can occur in the end zone, with a resulting safety, if the ball is snapped inside of the 5 yard line. Any sack occurring on a play that starts from the 5 yard line will be placed on the 1 foot line.
- The ball must cross the line of scrimmage, starting from the snap of the ball, within 4/6 seconds, regardless of whether it has been handed off. If the ball is handed off, and it does not cross the line of scrimmage within the allotted time, the play will be blown dead, and the ball spotted where the ball carrier has possession.
- (3rd 8th Grade: A play will be considered a run play, when the ball carrier crosses the line of scrimmage, or if a player takes a hand-off from the quarterback, and does not cross the line of scrimmage in the allotted time. A play in which a player takes a hand-off from the quarterback, and then throws a forward pass will be considered a pass play, and not count as a team’s run play.)
- All passes that occur between the imaginary tackles must be if front of the line of scrimmage (no shovel passes). Passes outside of the tackle box are legal (ex. swing passes).
- Defensive players cannot cross the line of scrimmage until a handoff has occurred – No rushing the QB
- Offense can run the ball once every first down (no direct QB runs)
- EXCEPTION: In the K – 2nd grade division teams may run the ball without limit
- There are no runs within five yards of the midfield first down, or five yards of the goal line.
- One first down at midfield
- Ball is placed where a flag pulled, not where the ball is when the flag is pulled
- Snapped ball has to pass between the center’s legs
- Center cannot take a handoff from the QB
- All players are eligible
- No leaping (if a player dives, the ball will be spotted where the runner left his feet)
- A receiver must have one foot in bounds when making a reception
- Only one player can be in motion at the same time
- Absolutely no tackling or blocking
- No fumbles (a fumbled, or stripped ball is dead and placed at the spot of the fumble with the offensive team retaining possession)
- No laterals past the line of scrimmage
- A play is dead when:
- Flag is pulled
- Flag falls out
- Runner’s knee touches the ground
- Runner steps out of bounds
- Games cannot end on a defensive penalty
- If the offense commits a penalty on the games’ final possession the game is over.
- Coaches are not permitted on the field at the 5th 8th Divisions.
Scoring
Touchdowns = 6 points
Extra Point (5 yard line) = 1 pt
Extra Point (10 yard line) = 2 pts
Safety = 2 pts
Penalties:
Defensive:
- Defensive Pass Interference – 10 yard penalty and automatic 1st down
- Illegal Contact (holding, jams, etc.) – 10 yard penalty and automatic 1st down
- Illegal Flag Pull (before player has ball) – 10 yard penalty and automatic 1st down
- Off-sides – 5 yard penalty and replay the down
- Illegal Rushing (before a hand-off has occurred) – 5 yard penalty and automatic 1st down
- Palpably Unfair Act – when referee determines a palpably unfair act deprived a team of a touchdown, or a longer play, a touchdown will be rewarded, or a distance penalty will be determined by the referee after consultation with other officials
- Unsportsmanlike conduct – 15 yard penalty and automatic 1st down (possible ejection)
- Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated (Rough play, verbal abuse, trash talking, etc. is cause for an ejection)
- If an unsportsmanlike tackle occurs when a runner has a “clear-path” to the end zone, the offensive team will be rewarded with a touchdown
- Any ejection will cause player to miss next game. Second ejection is grounds for expulsion from the league.
Offensive:
- Offensive Pass Interference – 10 yard penalty and loss of down
- Illegal motion (2 men in motion) – 5 yard penalty, play blown dead
- False Start – 5 yard penalty, play blown dead
- Illegal Forward Pass – 5 yard penalty and loss of down
- Blocking – ball is dead at the spot of the block and a 5 yard penalty
- Leaping – ball is dead at the spot
- Flag Guarding (including stiff arms) – ball is dead at spot and a 5 yard penalty
- Illegal lateral past the line of scrimmage – ball is dead and a 5 yard penalty
- Unsportsmanlike conduct – 15 yard penalty (ejection)
- Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated (Rough play, verbal abuse, trash talking, etc. is cause for an ejection)
- Delay of Game – clock is stopped and a 5 yard penalty
- There is no intentional grounding penalty
League rules may be changed at any time if problems arise due to concerns with safety conditions, sportsmanship, or competitive balance.
