Coaches Corner

• Field is 25-30 yards wide and 50 yards long, including the 5 yard end zones.
• Games are 6 players vs 6 players
• Two 20 minute running clock halves (5 minute break at half)
• Each possession starts at the 5 yard line after scores, turnover on downs and/or halftime.
• 30 second play clock (45 second play clock for K-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!
• 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.
• The clock does not stop for incomplete passes, out of bounds, change of possession unless it is the last minute of the game.
• In the last minute of the game, the clock will stop for these following 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 Line of Scrimmage or Illegal Formation; The Center counts as 1 player on the LOS.
• Deception Rule: Defensive players can cross the line of scrimmage when a handoff, fake handoff or backward pass has occurred. This is applied to define the integrity of the LOS and development of the passing game for both offense and defense.
• 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.
• Games cannot end on a defensive penalty.

• After the snap, the offense must throw the ball within:
  –  Kindergarten – 2nd Grade: 6 seconds
  –  3rd – 6th Grade: 4 seconds
  –  7th – 8th Grade: 3 seconds
• The sack count starts on the snap of the ball no matter what the offensive play is attempted.
• K-4th Grade, 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.
• There are NO passes behind the LOS. This is a 5 yard penalty and loss of down.
• 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. (5th-8th grade can never take a hand off nor run the ball across the line of scrimmage on a backwards pass.)
• Defense must start 2 yds off the LOS unless the ball is at the +1 then the Defense can start at goal line.

A play will be considered a run play, when the ball carrier crosses the line of scrimmage, or if a player takes a hand-off from the quarterback, and does not cross the line of scrimmage in the allotted time. A play in which a player takes a hand-off from the quarterback, and then throws a forward pass will be considered a pass play, and not count as a team’s run play.

• The play is dead when the following occurs to the ball carrier:
  –  Flag is pulled
  –  Runner’s knee touches the ground
  –  Runner steps out of bounds
  –  Runner loses his flag then the opposing team must touch him down.
  –  Runner dives, jumps or leaps; ball is spotted where the runner left his feet
• No direct QB runs allowed
• The ball carrier can spin to avoid their flag being pulled but cannot flag guard

• Offensive Pass Interference – 10 yard penalty and replay the down
• Illegal motion (2 men in motion) – 5 yard penalty and replay the down 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)
• Blocking – ball is placed at the spot of the foul and loss of 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
• Unsportsmanlike conduct – 15 yard penalty (possible ejection)
• Delay of Game – clock is stopped and a 5 yard penalty
• There is no penalty for intentional grounding

• 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.
• 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 Goalline if applicable.

• Touchdowns = 6 points
• Extra Point (5 yard line) = 1 pt
• Extra Point (10 yard line) = 2 pts

• 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. Than regular game rules apply.
• The team that is behind by 30 or more points will start their offensive possession at the +10 yard line and get 4 downs to score. If the point difference is trimmed below 30 pts, than regular game rules apply

• 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.
• Overtime period will take place with each team receiving a possession.
• 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.
• 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
• Teams alternate first possession each overtime period

• UNLIMITED Runs
• 45 second play clock
• ONE Coach is allowed on the field for both offense and defense

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. The Deception Rule will be in effect to help with the integrity of the passing game for both offense and defense.

• 30 second play clock
• ONE run per offensive possession
• NO runs 5yds from the End Zone
• NO runs on extra points
• ONE Coach is allowed on the field for both offense and defense

In this division we want to encourage the teams to start focusing on passing the ball more than running the ball. The Deception Rule will be in effect to help with the integrity of the passing game for both offense and defense. We want the players to start applying proper QB, WR, and DB fundamentals in the passing game.

• 30 second play clock
• NO RUNS
• NO Coach allowed on the field

​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.

• 45 second play clock
• UNLIMITED Runs.
• TWO coaches are allowed on the field for both offense and defense.
• NO RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK…unless the QB makes a handoff motion. This action will trigger a defensive player to cross the LOS and rush the QB.
• The QB CAN have direct runs across the LOS. On direct QB runs, with no fake, the defense cannot cross the LOS until the QB crosses the LOS.
• If the QB has the ball at 4 seconds, behind the LOS, the play is considered a sack and a dead ball. The QB must run across the LOS, throw or handoff the ball before 4 seconds
• If the QB hands off the ball to another player before 4 second, the 4 second count will continue, but the ball carrier is eligible to run after 4 seconds. A pass attempt after 4 seconds will be an illegal pass
• YES, there are runs 5yds from the end zone.
• YES, you can have running plays 5yds from mid-field.
• YES, there are runs on extra points.
• The center can snap side-saddle or between the legs. If side-saddle, the center MUST snap the ball directly to the player behind the center. There are no trick snaps to other players if using side-saddle snaps.

• 30 second play clock
• Defensive players can rush the QB from 7 yards off the LOS. There is no limit to the number of players that can rush the QB.
• The defense has the right of way when rushing the QB. The offense must make an attempt to avoid the rusher.
• The QB CAN have direct runs across the LOS. On direct QB runs, with no fake, the defense players under 7 yards cannot cross the LOS until the QB crosses the LOS.
• Only Players lined up 7 yards away from the LOS can rush into the offensive backfield. On direct QB runs, players lined up within 7 yards of the LOS cannot pull the QB’s flag until the QB crosses the LOS.
• YES, there are runs 5yds from the end zone.
• YES, you can have running plays 5yds from mid-field.
• YES, there are runs on extra points.
• The center can snap side-saddle or between the legs. If side-saddle, the center MUST snap the ball directly to the player behind the center. There are no trick snaps to other players if using side-saddle snaps. And not to the motion player.