•     One coach is allowed on the field for both offense and defense

•     Pass count is 4 seconds until “sack”

 

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.

 

5^th - 6^th Grade Division Rules & Goals

 

•     30-second play clock

o    One run per offensive possession (teams CAN run the ball within 5 yards of midfield)

•     No runs 5yds or less from the End Zone

•     No runs on extra points

•     No Coach allowed on the field

•     Pass count is 4 seconds until “sack”

 

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

 

7^th - 8^th Grade Division Rules & Goals

 

•     30-second play clock

•     Defense can rush the QB one time per defensive possession

•     QB can run the ball if defense decides to rush the QB

•     No coach allowed on the field

•     Pass count is 3 seconds until “sack”

 

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.

 

7^th-8^th Defense rushing the QB

 

·         7-8 Division will allow 1 QB rush/blitz per defensive possession outside of the +5 yard line

·         The rusher must be 3 yards off the LOS.

·         There is no QB rush/blitz if the LOS is at the +5 to goal line

·         The defensive player must declare to the official that they will rush/blitz the QB.

·         When the player declares, the sack count is off.

·         When a player declares, whether rush or not, this will count as the rush. 

·         If a rusher leaves before the ball is snapped and are inside the 3 yard rush zone, they cannot rush unless they reestablish behind the 3 yards rush zone.

·         If a rusher leaves before the ball is snapped and crosses the LOS, this will be offsides on the defense, resulting in a 5 yard penalty and repeat the down.

·         The rush/blitz can come from any defensive position as long as they declare and are 3 yards off the line of scrimmage

·         The rusher has a free lane to the QB.

·         Center exception - The center may remain stationary, but may not move to impede the rusher.

·         Impeding the rusher will result in a 5 yard penalty and loss of down.

·         There is 5-yard penalty if a player other than the declared player rushes the QB

·         The only time a QB can run the ball is if a QB rush/blitz occurs.

·         The QB can still run even if the rusher does not come.

 

Overall Logistic Rules

 

•     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

 

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

•     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

•     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 or blocking (stationary pick is allowed but player cannot move)

•     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.

o    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

 

 

 

 

 

Mercy Rule

•     If a team is up by 35 or more points, they only have 2 downs to get a first down and 2 downs to score until that point difference is trimmed below 35 points, then regular game rules apply

•     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

•     If the point difference is trimmed below 35 pts, then regular game rules apply

•     7-8 division - there is no defensive QB rush/blitz

 

Pass Game Rules

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