Basic Rules
- Games are 6 players vs 6 players & 7 players vs 7 players (3rd and 4th Grade)
- Two 20 minute running clock halves (2 minute break at half)
- Each possession starts at the 5 yard line after scores, turnover on downs and/or halftime.
- The offensive team has three downs to get a first down at mid-field then 4 downs to score once they have crossed mid-field.
- Play clock will start and the offensive play can be run when the official is aligned with the spot of the ball and/or when the official blows their whistle
- After a time out, the next play will start on the officials whistle
- Ball must be placed in the center of the field for all snaps and then snapped by the center
- Safeties will occur when the ball is fumbled in the end zone, or if a flag is pulled in the defensive teams end zone
- The defensive player has the right to their position
- If an offensive player runs into a stationary defensive player it will be considered a personal foul or an unsportsmanlike penalty at the discretion of the referee
- Interceptions during an extra point attempt can be returned for 1 point.
- Coin flip determines choice of possession or direction (winning team can elect to defer to the 2nd half)
- The clock will only stop for time-outs and injuries unless it is the last minute of the game (it does not stop for incomplete passes, out of bounds, change of possession).
- TWO 30-second timeouts per half.
- 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.
- Center cannot take a handoff from the QB.
- Ball is placed where the flag is pulled, NOT where the ball is when the flag is pulled.
- A receiver must have one foot in bounds when making a reception.
- Laterals are allowed but if the ball hits the ground, the ball is considered live and can be picked up by the defense
- Absolutely no tackling (stationary pick is allowed but player cannot move)
- Only one player can be in motion at the same time.
- 2 Players must be on the Line of Scrimmage or Illegal Formation; The Center counts as 1 player on the LOS.
- Games cannot end on a defensive penalty.
- Safeties will occur when the ball is fumbled in the end zone, or if a flag is pulled in the defensive teams end zone
- Defensive players can cross the line of scrimmage when a handoff, fake handoff or backward pass has occurred.
- Interceptions can be returned for a TD, if intercepting teams flag is pulled before the end zone then possession will begin where the defender is flagged.
- If the interception occurs in the end zone (and the flag is pulled in the end zone) the ball will be spotted on the 5 yard line
- During the last 4 minutes of the game, an offensive delay of game or an offensive false start penalty results in:
5 yard penalty
Loss of down
A time out will be charged to the penalized team
If the team has no time outs left, referee will stop the clock
- Touchdowns = 7 pts
Drain Busters & Pipeline Pros Division Rules
- For the Drain Busters Division there will be a 6 second sack count Example 1...2...3...4...5...6 SACK
- For the Pipeline Pros Division there will be a 4 second sack count Example 1...2...3...4 SACK
- One blitz per drive (another blitz is added if the offensive team gets a first down).
- QB can only run on a blitz
- No running 5 yds from the End Zone even on a blitz
- ONE Coach is allowed on the field for both offense and defense
Mercy Rules
- If a team is up by 30 or more they only have 2 downs to get a first down and 2 downs to score until that point difference is trimmed below 30 pts. then regular game rules apply.
- The team that is behind by 30 or more points CAN start their offensive possession at the +10 yard line and get 4 downs to score. If the point difference is trimmed below 30 pts regular game rules apply
Last Minute of Game
- The clock will stop in the final 1 minute of the game on these actions:
- Incompletions
- Out of Bounds
- Spiking of the football
- Change of Possession
Offensive Penalties
- The defensive player has the right to their position
- If an offensive player runs into a stationary defensive player it will be considered a personal foul or an unsportsmanlike penalty at the discretion of the referee
- Offensive Pass Interference – 10 yard penalty and replay the down
- Illegal motion (2 men in motion) – 5 yard penalty and replay the down
- Illegal Formation – 5 yard penalty and replay the down
- Illegal Run – 5 yard penalty and loss of down
- False Start – 5 yard penalty, replay the down
- Illegal Forward Pass – 5 yard penalty and loss of down (QB steps over the LOS or QB throws a forward pass behind the LOS) THE DEFENSE CAN ELECT TO DECLINE THE PENALTY (THIS IS NOT A STOPPAGE OF PLAY) THE DEFENSE MAY ELECT TO DECLINE THE PENALTY IF IT RESULTS IN AN INTERCEPTION OR TURNOVER ON DOWNS AS AN EXAMPLE
- Blocking – ball is placed at the spot of the foul and loss of down
- Flag Guarding (including stiff arms) – 5 yard penalty from the spot of the foul and loss of down
- Unsportsmanlike conduct – 15 yard penalty (possible ejection)
- Delay of Game – clock is stopped and a 5 yard penalty.
- No Intentionally Grounding Penalty
Defensive Penalties
- Defensive Pass Interference - 10 yard penalty and replay down unless it’s an offensive catch; Offense decides. 1st down can occur depending on the yardage.
- Illegal Contact (holding, jams, etc.) – 5 yard penalty and replay down unless it’s an offensive catch; Offense decides. 1st can occur depending on the yardage.
- Defensive Holding while pulling flag – 5 yard penalty added to the end of the play and replay down. 1st down can occur depending on the yardage.
- Illegal Flag Pull (before player has ball) – 5 yard penalty and replay down. 1st down can occur depending on the yardage.
- Off-sides – 5 yard penalty and replay down. 1st down can occur depending on the yardage.
- Illegal Rushing (before a hand-off has occurred) – 5 yard penalty and replay the down; offense decides depending on the result of the play. 1st down can occur depending on the yardage.
- Inadvertent tackle – 5 yard penalty added to the end of the play and replay down. 1st down can occur as a result of the penalty yardage
- Inadvertent tackle From Behind w/clear path to end zone – Automatic Touchdown
- Unsportsmanlike conduct – 15 yard penalty and automatic 1st down (possible ejection)
- Defensive Penalties inside the 10 yard line will result in half the distance to the goal line if applicable.
Overtime Format
- 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 the Defense intercepts the ball it’s a change of possession starting at the 10 yard line unless the Defense returns it for a TD.
- Game could be over if the intercepting team was ahead in points in OT prior to playing Defense or intercepting team returns it for a TD on it’s 1st Defensive possession per OT.
- PLAYOFF If the game is still tied, overtime will be repeated until there is a winner.
Offensive team will get 2 downs to score from the +10 yard line