Basic rules

  • 3 Players must be on the Line of Scrimmage or Illegal Formation; The Center counts as 1 player on the LOS.  ALL PLAYERS CAN BE ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE CENTER

  • The 1st half AND the second half can't end on a defensive penalty.  In the event that a defensive penalty is called and the clock runs out before the offense can run a play, the offense will receive an un-timed down

  • In the last minute of the game, a bad snap does stop the game clock

  • A bad snap the touches the ground in the end zone does NOT result in a safety.  Ball will be placed at the original line of scrimmage and there is a loss of down as a result of the bad snap.

  • Ball to be placed in the center of the field for all snaps

  • Safeties will occur when the ball is fumbled in the end zone, or if a flag is pulled in the defensive teams end zone

  • The defensive player has the right to their position.  If an offensive player runs into a stationary defensive player it will be considered a personal foul or an unsportsmanlike penalty at the discretion of the referee

  • Interceptions during an extra point attempt can NEVER be returned for any points.  They are dead balls where the extra point is no good.

  • 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.(In the last minute, it will stop for incomplete passes, out of bounds, change of possession)

  • 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.

  • No fumbles (a fumbled, or stripped ball is dead and placed at the spot of the fumble with the offensive team retaining possession)

  • Center cannot take a hand off from the QB.

  • Ball is placed where the flag is 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 1 player can be in motion at the same time.

  • Football Type: Under the Lights provided ball will be used in all games. 

    • Kindergarten – 2nd Grade and 3rd-4th Grade Divisions will use a Pee-Wee size football. 

    • 5th-6th Grade will use a Junior size football. 

    • 7th and 8th Grade will use a Youth size football.

MERCY RULE

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.

  • If a team is ahead by more than 30 points and they intercept a pass, the ball will be marked down at the spot of the interception

  • If a team is ahead by more than 30 pointsduring the last minute of the game, the game clock will be a running clock

    The team that is behind by 30 or more points CAN 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 FORMAT

  • Does not apply for Regular Season or Tournament Pool Play

Special Alert Rules

  • Ball to be placed in the center of the field for all snaps

  • Safeties will occur when the ball is fumbled in the end zone, or if a flag is pulled in the defensive teams end zone

  • Defensive players can cross the line of scrimmage when a handoff, fake handoff or backward pass has occurred. THE PLAY CLOCK DOES NOT RESET WHEN A BACKWARD PASS IS MADE. This Deception Rule is applied to define the integrity of the LOS and development of the passing game for both offense and defense. This rule applies to all Divisions.

  • 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.  If the interception occurs in the end zone (and the flag is pulled in the end zone) the ball will be spotted on the 5 yard line

  • Offensive Delay of Game Penalty during the LAST 4 MINUTES OF THE GAME : During the last 4 minutes of the game,  an offensive delay of game or an offensive false start penalty results in:

    • 5 yard penalty

    • Loss of down

    • A time out will be charged to the penalized team 

      • If the team has no time outs left, referee will stop the clock

ONLY IN THE PLAYOFFS

  • 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.

  • 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 after the second overtime possession, the ball will be moved to the 5 yard line and the 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

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