5V5 LINEMAN RUSH

The Old Pueblo Football League believes the five players up front are foundational to the game of football and that youth athletes should understand their importance early in their development. It is especially important for linemen to engage in controlled physical play and develop proper technique at a young age.

Our goal is to change how linemen view themselves and their role in the game. We believe the 5v5 format provides the most effective environment to build confidence, physicality, and technical skill. Old Pueblo Football is committed to providing meaningful local competition for linemen and making them a fully integrated part of our offseason culture.

Through this league, we aim to create opportunities that reshape how youth linemen approach the game. Linemen should take pride in their position and understand that they are the foundation of football.

LINEMAN TEAMS EACH FIELD FIVE (5) ATHLETES PER MATCH. ONE TEAM PLAYS OFFENSE AND THE OTHER PLAYS DEFENSE. PLAYERS ALIGN WITH APPROXIMATELY TWO (2) FEET OF SPACING, CONSISTENT WITH STANDARD TACKLE FOOTBALL ALIGNMENT.

EACH REP CONSISTS OF A 1-ON-1 ENGAGEMENT. THE DEFENSIVE LINEMAN ATTEMPTS TO REACH THE SIMULATED QUARTERBACK WHILE THE OFFENSIVE LINEMAN ATTEMPTS TO PREVENT PENETRATION. THE REFEREE WILL SIGNAL WHEN THE OFFENSE IS CLEAR TO START, AND THE REP BEGINS ON OFFENSIVE LINEMAN MOVEMENT.

SCORING IS DETERMINED AND ANNOUNCED BY THE REFEREE. ONE DESIGNATED STAT KEEPER FROM EACH TEAM RECORDS RESULTS ONLY AS DECLARED BY THE REFEREE. STAT TOTALS MAY BE VERIFIED BY THE REFEREE AND OPPOSING STAT KEEPER TO ENSURE INTEGRITY.

POINTS ARE AWARDED BASED ON HOW QUICKLY THE DEFENSIVE LINEMAN REACHES THE SIMULATED QUARTERBACK OR HOW LONG THE OFFENSIVE LINEMAN SUCCESSFULLY PROTECTS THE QUARTERBACK.

EACH MATCH IS PLAYED ON A TWENTY (20) MINUTE RUNNING CLOCK. EACH ATHLETE RECEIVES TWO (2) REPS, AFTER WHICH TEAMS ROTATE OFFENSE AND DEFENSE.

CODE OF CONDUCT

This document establishes expectations for conduct from athletes, parents, coaches, and spectators at all Old Pueblo Football (OPF) events. OPF operates as a family-first, safety-first league. Participation constitutes agreement to comply with this Code of Conduct and all rules contained herein.

ZERO TOLERANCE NOTICE

OPF enforces a ZERO TOLERANCE policy for misconduct. Violations may result in immediate removal from the venue, removal for the remainder of the day (minimum), suspension(s) of any duration, discipline applied to associated athletes, and suspension without refund.

NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED for disciplinary removals or suspensions.
Final disciplinary authority rests with OPF Administration.

Code of Conduct – Players

Players must demonstrate sportsmanship, respect officials and opponents, follow safety rules, avoid profanity or threats, arrive prepared, and represent OPF positively at all times.

Code of Conduct – Parents & Spectators

Spectators must prioritize youth safety, respect officials and coaches, avoid profanity or harassment, remain outside restricted competition areas, and understand that misconduct may result in discipline applied to associated athletes.

Code of Conduct – Coaches

Coaches must prioritize safety and development, comply with league rules, maintain respectful communication with officials, and ensure team-affiliated spectators comply with OPF standards.

5V5 lineMAN RUSH
RULES AND OVERVIEW

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Old Pueblo Football operates differently than many traditional football leagues. Participation constitutes agreement to all rules, enforcement standards, and disciplinary authority contained in this rulebook.

Final Authority & No Appeals

There are no protests or appeals of judgment calls. Rule interpretation and enforcement decisions made by officials or OPF Administration are final.

Weather & Safety Authority

OPF reserves the right to delay, modify, suspend, or cancel matches due to weather, field conditions, or safety concerns. These decisions are final and not subject to appeal. No refunds will be issued for weather- or safety-related interruptions.

SECTION 1 – GAME FORMAT & FIELD SETUP

1.1 Format is 5-on-5 linemen-only competition.
1.2 Players align with approximately 2 feet of spacing, consistent with tackle football structure.
1.3 Each rep is a 1-on-1 engagement. No double teams.
1.4 The objective is to protect or reach the simulated quarterback.

Field Specifications

  • Field Length: 15–20 yards

  • Field Width: 15–20 yards

  • Simulated QB positioned approximately 5 yards from the line of scrimmage

SECTION 2 – MATCH STRUCTURE & REPS

2.1 Match length is twenty (20) minutes, running clock.
2.2 There are no halves and no halftime.
2.3 First possession is determined by:

  • First team to arrive, or

  • Coin flip, rock-paper-scissors, or shadow boxing at referee discretion

2.4 Each athlete receives two (2) reps, then teams rotate offense and defense.
2.5 Reset time between reps is ten (10) seconds.
2.6 Each rep has a four (4) second maximum duration.

Rep Start

2.7 Referee signals when offense is clear to begin.
2.8 Rep begins on offensive lineman movement.
2.9 Referee whistle ends the rep and is final.

SECTION 3 – SCORING

Offensive Scoring

DOMINATE REP – Two (2) Points
Awarded when any of the following occur:

  • Pancake block

  • Minimal defensive penetration

  • Defensive player loses leverage and/or gap responsibility

All scoring determinations are made by the referee and are final.

SECTION 4 – SUBSTITUTIONS & ROSTERS

4.1 Substitutions are only permitted when offense/defense rotations occur.
4.2 No mid-rep substitutions except for injury.
4.3 Injured players are out for the remainder of the match unless approved by the Head Official.

Rosters

4.4 Recommended maximum roster size is twelve (12) players.
4.5 Teams may split rosters to form a second team at no additional cost.
4.6 Rosters may not be shared between teams in the same division.

SECTION 5 – PENALTIES & PERSONAL FOULS

Penalties (Point Deduction)

  • Offsides

  • Holding

  • Hands to the face (progressive enforcement)

Personal Fouls

  • Attacking below the waist

  • Head butting

  • Tripping

Progression:

  • 1st offense: Warning

  • 2nd offense: Player ejected

Spitting results in immediate ejection.
Two personal fouls in one day result in suspension for the remainder of the day.

SECTION 6 – OFFICIATING & AUTHORITY

6.1 Minimum of two (2) referees per match.
6.2 One referee maintains official scoring.
6.3 One referee manages timing and rep control.
6.4 If no audible timer is available, a handheld 4-second timer will be used.
6.5 Officials may reposition as needed for safety and visibility.

SECTION 7 – DIVISIONS & ELIGIBILITY

Divisions:

  • 8U

  • 9U

  • 10U

  • 11U

  • 12U

  • 13U / 14U

  • Freshmen

  • JV / Varsity

Athletes may play up a division but may not play down.
Athletes may participate on multiple teams only if in different divisions.

SECTION 8 – SAFETY & EQUIPMENT

8.1 Soft-shell helmets are required.
8.2 Mouthpieces are required.
8.3 Molded rubber or plastic cleats only. No metal spikes.
8.4 Officials may remove any player deemed unsafe immediately.

SECTION 9 – SCHEDULING & ATTENDANCE

9.1 Special scheduling requests must be submitted one (1) week prior to match play.
9.2 Failure to notify OPF of an absence that impacts scheduling may result in a $100 schedule-impact fee.

SECTION 10 – SPORTSMANSHIP & DISCIPLINE

10.1 Celebrations must be brief and not directed at opponents.
10.2 Taunting, profanity, or confrontations are prohibited.
10.3 Spectator misconduct applies to affiliated athletes.
10.4 Zero tolerance enforcement applies at all times.

OPF reserves the right to amend or clarify rules during the season for safety or operational reasons. Updates will be communicated through official OPF channels.