Cruncher Specific Rules

The Cruncher Rules have been sourced from the Manitoba Minor Football Association (MMFA) By-Laws Part B, By-Law 11 (August 7, 2025). 
​​​​​​​This document has the same content, but has been reformatted for improved readability. Should there be any disagreement between this and By-Laws, the latter will prevail.

B11.01 – Field Dimensions

  • The field must be 80 yards long and 40 or 41 yards wide.
  • Full field width is 65 yards, with hash marks at 24 yards in from each sideline.

It's recommended to use:

  • The spectator sideline marker as one sideline.
  • The far hash mark as the other, clearly marked with cones or paint.
  • Place cones or markers every 20 yards to divide the field into four sections.
  • The goal line is the 15-yard line of a full-sized field.
  • The end zone ends at the 5-yard line.

B11.02 – Game Format

  • Games consist of two 25-minute halves (running time).
  • There is a 5-minute halftime.
  • Each team plays with 6 players.
  • Teams have 4 downs to reach the next 20-yard zone for a first down.
  • Use the first-down marker to mark the line of scrimmage.

Kickoffs:

  • There are no kickoffs.
  • Team starts on offense from their own 20 yard line.
  • The team that started first half on offense will start the second half on defense.

B11.03 – Scoring

Scores are not kept

August 15, 2015 - Teams may keep score; officials do not need to track/report scores

B11.04 – Final Plays

  • In the last 2 minutes of each half, the referee will announce 3 plays remaining.
  • More than 3 plays may occur due to penalties, if it benefits the non-offending team.
  • The clock stops only in extreme cases, as decided by the head official.

B11.05 – 30-Second Play Clock

  • Offense has 30 seconds to snap the ball after it's placed.
  • After 20 seconds, the referee gives a 10-second warning.
  • If time runs out, the offense loses the down.

B11.06 – Legal Scrimmage

  • Offense must have at least 3 players on the line.
  • One offensive guard must line up immediately left of the center, and one to the right, no more than 1 yard away.
  • All players are eligible receivers.
  • The first backfield action must be a hand-off, pitch, or pass.

Quarterback Rule:

  • The player who receives the snap is the quarterback and cannot run across the line of scrimmage, even if they regain the ball after a handoff or fumble.

B11.07 – Officials

  • Games are ideally played with 2 officials, but can be played with 1.
  • If only 1 official is present, each team must supply an assistant coach or team manager to help call “out of bounds”.

B11.08 – Blitzing

  • Blitzing is NOT allowed.

B11.09 – Defensive Line Play

  • Only 2 defensive players may cross the line of scrimmage.
    • They must line up directly across from the offensive guards and engage them when rushing.
  • No other defenders can assist the rush across the line after the snap.
  • After the quarterback releases the ball, any number of players may cross the line.

B11.10 – Center Protection

  • No defensive player may enter the “A-gap” (space between center and guards) until the quarterback releases the ball.
  • No contact with the center is allowed until they lift their head and take a blocking stance.

B11.11 – Game Sheets

  • Game sheets must be given to officials before the game.
  • Include:
    • All active and inactive players
    • The starting offense and defense

B11.12 – Coaches on the Field

  • One coach is allowed in the huddle.
  • Once players are in position (within 30 seconds), the coach must:
    • Move back at least 10 yards
    • Not speak or give instructions
  • Coaches may help players line up, but must remain silent once cadence starts.

Violations:

  • 1st offense: 10-yard penalty
  • 2nd offense: Coach ejected for the remainder of the half

B11.13 – Infractions

  • Offside and illegal procedure will be called, but no penalty assessed.
  • Holding will also be called without penalty.
  • Officials will explain and help coaches correct the errors.

Major Infractions (e.g. punching, blocking from behind, clipping):

  • Play is whistled dead
  • Ball is placed at the point of the infraction

B11.14 – Player Rotation

  • Coaches are strongly encouraged to rotate players into all positions over the season.
  • The goal is to give each player a chance to learn different roles and aspects of the game.

All other rules are governed by MMFA By-laws.