​ ​

Game Format & Rules


  • Field is 25 yards wide and 50 yards long, including the 5-yard end zones.
  • PreK – Kinder 6 players vs 6 players, + coach is QB.
  • 1st – 6th Grade Coed is 6 players vs 6 players.
  • 6th-8th Grade Girls & 7th – 8th Grade Coed 5 players vs 5 players.
  • Two 20-minute running clock halves (2-minute break at half)
  • Each possession starts at the 5-yard line after scores, turnover on downs.
  • 30-second play clock (45-second play clock for 1st-2nd Grade Division)
  • 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.
  • All players are eligible!
  • NO RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK, unless the QB fakes a handoff, which allows a defensive player to cross the LOS and rush the QB.
  • All teams must use the league issued football.
    • One ball used per game – Home team will provide – referee will inspect at coin toss.

SCORING

  • Touchdowns = 6 points
  • Extra Point (5-yard line) = 1 point
  • Extra Point (10-yard line) = 2 points
  • Safety = 2 points and the defense gets the ball
    • A safety can happen when the ball carrier’s flag is pulled in the endzone.

PreK - Kinder DIVISION RULES

  • 45-second play clock
  • Unlimited runs
  • 6v6 format + Coaches are Quarterback (7th player)
  • Pass count is 6 seconds until “sack.”

In this division we want to get the players lined up properly and running in the right direction. We want to be flexible with the rules and teach the players the proper fundamentals of football.

1st -2ND DIVISION RULES

  • 45-second play clock
  • Unlimited runs
  • One coach is allowed on the field for both offense and defense.
  • Pass count is 6 seconds until “sack.” If QB does a handoff or backward pass to another player, the count does not restart.

In this division we want to get the players lined up properly and running in the right direction. We want to be flexible with the rules and teach the players the proper fundamentals of football.

3RD-4TH COED & 3rd-5th Girls DIVISION RULES

  • 30-second play clock
  • 3 runs per offensive possession.
    • Two runs allowed to gain a 1st Down (teams CAN run the ball within 5 yards of midfield), and one run allowed to advance towards the end zone.
  • No runs 5yds or less from the end zone 
  • No runs on any extra points
  • One coach is allowed on the field for offense ONLY
    • No Coach on field for Defense
  • Pass count is 5 seconds until “sack”. If QB does a handoff or backward pass to another player, the count does not restart.

In this division we want to start limiting the number of run plays and start encouraging the use of the pass play. Players should understand where to line up and how to apply basic football fundamentals.

5th-6TH & 6th-8th Girls DIVISIONS RULES

  • 30-second play clock
  • Two runs per offensive possession
    • ONE run allowed to gain a 1st Down (teams CAN run the ball within 5 yards of midfield), and one run allowed to advance towards the end zone.
  • No runs 5yds or less from the End Zone 
  • No runs on extra points
  • No Coach allowed on the field offense or defense.
  • Pass count is 4 seconds until “sack.” If QB does a handoff or backward pass to another player, the count does not restart.

         In this division we want to encourage the teams to start focusing on passing the ball more than running the ball.  

7th-8TH DIVISION RULES & GOALS

  • 30-second play clock
  • Defense can rush the QB ONE time per ENTIRE defensive possession.
  • QB can run the ball if defense decides to rush the QB.
  • ONE run for ENTIRE offensive possession
  • No coach allowed on the field offense or defense.
  • Pass count is 4 seconds until “sack.” If QB does a handoff or backward pass to another player, the count does not restart.

In this division we make the transition into an every-down is a pass play or a scaled-down version of HS 7v7 pass game. We want the players to start working on their skills as a QB, WR, and DB that they have learned from their coach and apply it in a fun, competitive format.

7th-8TH DEFENSE RUSHING THE QB

  • 7-8 Division will allow 1 QB rush/blitz per defensive possession outside of the +2 yard line.
  • There is no QB rush/blitz if the LOS is at the 5yd to goal line.
  • Only ONE defensive rusher can blitz. NO FAKE BLITZ
  • The defensive rusher must be at least 2 yards off the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped.
  • The only time a QB can run the ball is if a blitz occurs.
  • There is no pass count on a blitzing play.
  • No blitzing allowed on extra points tries.

Overall Logistic Rules

  • Coin flip determines choice of possession or direction.
  • 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.
  • LAST 1 MINUTE OF THE GAME – The clock will stop in the final 1 minute of the game on these actions:
    • Incompletions, out of bounds, QB sack and kneel downs, change of possession, penalties – If it’s an offensive penalty the clock will start on the official unless dead ball foul.
  • Change of possession rule – once official places ball and blows whistle the offensive play clock will begin and at any time the offense can hike the ball.
  • One 30-second timeout 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.
  • If there is a bad snap, the ball is dead and placed at the LOS – there is no loss of yardage.
  • Center cannot take a handoff from the QB.
  • Ball is placed where a flag 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 spotted at that yard mark.
  • Absolutely no tackling, blocking, or picking.  This minimizes risk of injury.
  • Only one player can be in motion at the same time.
  • 3 players must be on the LOS or it will result in illegal formation; the center counts as 1 player on the LOS
  • Games cannot end on a defensive penalty.


SPECIAL ALERT RULES

  • Defensive players can cross the line of scrimmage when a handoff, fake handoff, or backward pass has occurred.
    • This “Deception Rule” is applied to define the integrity of the LOS and development of the passing game for both offense and defense; rule applies to all divisions.
  • Interceptions can be returned for a TD; if intercepting team’s flag is pulled before the end zone; possession will begin where the defender is flagged.
    • Extra point interceptions will be live. If interception occurs, but is not returned for a score, ball will come to 5-yard line to begin offensive possession.


MERCY RULE

  • If a team is up by 35 or more points, they have 2 downs to get a first down and 2 downs to score until that point difference is trimmed below 35 points.
  • The team that is behind by 35 or more points will start their offensive possession at the +10-yard line and gets 4 downs to score.
  • Coach of the leading team is encouraged to change key player positions.
  • If the point difference is trimmed below 35 pts, then regular game rules apply.
  • 7-8 division – there is no defensive QB rush/blitz.

PASSING GAME RULES

  • The Offense must throw the ball within:
    • PreK – 2nd Grade – 6 seconds
    • 3rd – 4th Grade – 5 seconds
    • 5th – 8th Grade – 4 seconds
  • Pass count sounds as follows:
    • K-2nd – ONE one-thousand, TWO one-thousand, THREE one-thousand, FOUR one-thousand, FIVE one-thousand SACK!!
    • 3rd – 4th Grade – ONE one-thousand, TWO one-thousand, THREE one-thousand, FOUR one-thousand, SACK!!
    • 5th – 8th Grade - ONE one-thousand, TWO one-thousand, THREE one-thousand, SACK!!
  • The sack count starts on the snap of the ball no matter what the offensive play is attempted – the word SACK is said in place of the last number.
  • Forward pass can be underhand or overhand if it is beyond the LOS.
  • If the QB does not release the ball before time expires, the result of the play is a sack and the ball stays at the LOS.
  • There are NO forward passes behind the LOS; will result in a 5-yard penalty and loss of down.
  • NO RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK! (Except in the 7-8 division; see rushing rules)
  • In grades Pre-K-6th, the QB can hand or pitch the ball off to another player and they can throw the ball within the allotted time; if/when the QB hands or pitches or throws a backward pass to another player, this alerts the defense that they can cross the LOS to pull the flag of the player with the ball.
  • All grade levels have the option to throw a backward pass for a double pass play; this alerts the defense that they can cross the LOS to pull the flag of the player with the ball (7-8 can never run the ball across the line of scrimmage on a backwards pass, the receiving player must pass the ball across the LOS)
  • Defense must start 2 yds off the line of scrimmage unless the ball is at the +1 then the defense can start at the goal line – ALL DIVISIONS

SNAPPING THE BALL

  • K-2nd, 3rd-4th– the center can “sidesaddle” snap
    • If teams choose to do sidesaddle snaps, the center must snap the ball to the QB standings DIRECTLY behind the center – no trick plays can be run from the direct sidesaddle snap.
  • 5th-8th– the center must snap between the legs.

The play is dead when the following occurs to the ball carrier:

  • Flag is pulled.
  • Runner’s knee or elbow touches the ground.
  • Runner steps out of bounds.
  • Runner loses his flag then the opposing team must touch him down.
  • Runner DIVES; ball is spotted where the runner left his feet.
  • Runner JUMPS; ball spotted where the runner left their feet
  • Runner LEAPS; ball spotted where the runner left their feet
  • NO direct QB runs - ONLY in the 7-8th grade division can the QB run the ball if he is rushed/blitzed.
  • The ball carrier can spin to avoid their flag being pulled but cannot flag guard.
  • No fumbles (a fumbled, or stripped ball is dead and placed at the spot of the fumble with the offensive team retaining possession).

OFFENSIVE PENALTIES

  • Offensive Pass Interference – 10-yard penalty fom the line of scrimmage and replay the down.
  • Illegal motion (2 men in motion) – 5-yard penalty fom the line of scrimmage and replay the down. 
  • Illegal Formation – 5-yard penalty fom the line of scrimmage and replay the down.
  • Illegal Run – 5-yard penalty and loss of down 
  • False Start – Dead Ball, 5-yard penalty fom the line of scrimmage and 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) 
  • Blocking & Picking – 5-yard penalty from original LOS, repeat down.
  • Leaping – 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.
  • Delay of Game – 5-yard penalty fom the line of scrimmage and replay the down
  • Unsportsmanlike conduct – 15-yard penalty (possible ejection) 
  • Unnecessary Roughness – 15-yard penalty & player ejection

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. 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.
  • 7-8 Defensive Illegal Rushing (if a player other than the declared player rushes the QB.)–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.
  • Inadvertent tackle From Behind w/clear path to end zone – automatic touchdown
  • Unsportsmanlike conduct – 15-yard penalty and automatic 1st down (possible ejection)
  • Unnecessary Roughness – 15-yard penalty & player ejection
  • Defensive Penalties inside the 10-yard line will result in half the distance to the goal line if applicable.

​