1. Playing rules for NTX UNITED football shall be those used by the NFHS game rules modified where appropriate.

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1 A. GENERAL NTX United PLAYING RULES 1. Playing rules for NTX UNITED football shall be those used by the NFHS game rules modified where appropriate. 2. Changes may be made in Rule 1 - The Game, Field, Players, and Equipment, and in those procedural rules necessary to fit the age and the ability of the players in the program. 3. Any rule suggestion must be presented in writing to a League Coordinator to the NTX United Board of Directors during the end of year League meetings. B. PROTESTS 1. No protest may be filed on judgment calls by the referee. Only specific protests against league rules will be allowed. 2. Coaches who wish to lodge a protest must immediately notify the Chief of Officials, President or Vice President. 3. Protests must be submitted in writing to the President of the NTX UNITED within 24 hours of occurrence. 4. The NTX United Board of Directors will rule on all protests within seven (7) days. 5. The decision of NTX United Board of Directors will be final. 6. The 1 st Vice President will perform these duties in the

2 absence of the President. C. FORFEITS DUE TO NUMBER OF PLAYERS 1. Each team must field at least eleven (11) players for the game (except flag) to be declared official. Should a team not be able to field eleven (11) players at starting time, plus ten (10) minutes, the game will be declared a forfeit. 2. Flag games may be played with eight (8) players. D. VERBAL or WRITTEN HARASSMENT 1. Verbal harassment of opposing players or referees by the players, coaches or fans is forbidden. The Head Coach is responsible for the conduct of his assistant coaches, players and fans. Failure to comply may result in ejection from the game or forfeiture of the game. 2. Coaches making physical contact with officials constitute expulsion for the season. 3. The use of profane language shall be considered verbal harassment. Any use of profane language shall result, in the discretion of the game officials, immediate ejection from a game and stadium. 4. Coaches, Parents, Players, or anyone associated with a team or program shall post any written taunting of any means on their own or other team/program websites or website bulletin boards. This can result in dismissal and/or permanent expulsion from NTX UNITED. E. RULE EXCEPTIONS Playing rules for NTX UNITED football

3 shall be those used by the NFHS Modifications to those rules are as follows: 1. Flag Division a. Field size is 80 yards in length. b. Automatic punt. There is no punting on fourth down unless the team chooses to have a player attempt the punt. No rush rule applies in this case. Otherwise, for a change of possession, the offensive team tells the referee that they choose to punt, the ball is advanced 30 yards down field to be no deeper than the defensive team's 30-yard line, and the ball is turned over to the defensive team. c. Point after touchdown (PAT) is one point for running and (2) for Kicking, or a forward pass. d. Flag players must wear matching jerseys and shorts. (Football pants with Hip, tail and thigh pads are optional.) e. Only flags certified by NTX UNITED may be used in this division. f. Any player who handles the football and has their jersey untucked is consider down at the spot of contact with the ball. g. Linemen may block with arms extended and inside the shoulders of the opponent. 2. 7U & 8U Tackle

4 a. Automatic punt. There is no punting on fourth down unless the team chooses to have a player attempt the punt. No rush rule applies in this case. Otherwise, for a change of possession, the offensive team tells the referee that they choose to punt, the ball is advanced 30 yards down field to be no deeper than the defensive team's 30-yard line, and the ball is turned over to the defensive team. b. There is a "no rush" punt rule allowing for the punter to receive the ball from the center and kick it. For the offensive team to receive the "no rush" protection, the offensive team must tell the referee that they are going to punt. There is no "fake punt" opportunity in this league. Defense must have 6 players on the line of scrimmage. Once the ball is punted the punting team may release for punt coverage. The clock does not run until the ball is touched. If a team does not declare a punt/kick, the defense may rush the punter/kicker but are allowed to raise hands. The referee may only ask the coach if they wish to declare, not if they are punting/kicking, and must do so prior to the offense-breaking huddle. The opposing coach may not ask. Good sportsmanship should be realized in this situation. c. PAT / Run or pass will equal 1 point and un-rushed kick equals 2pts. d. Defensively there will not be any blitz play called over Centers head. Middle Linebackers must be a minimum of 3 years from positioned center.

5 3. 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U and 13U a. All punts are live. b. All PAT s are live. c. No defensive player shall line up over the center on punts or PAT s d. It is illegal to hit the center on Punts or PAT s. 4. Receiving team formation on a declared punt/kick shall consist of a regular 6 man defensive front on the line and a maximum of three players back to receive the ball. Good sportsmanship should be realized in this situation. If a penalty occurs on a declared punt, the declaration is removed. If the punting/kicking team retains procession after the penalty and want a declared punt/kicking, they must re-declare. (*Note they still have the option of running a play or running a non-declared punt) Otherwise the defense may rush. Good sportsmanship should be realized in this situation. 5. Chop and cut blocks are as prohibited by NFHS rules. 6. Defenseless player rule is in effect no cut back or peal back blocks automatic 15-yard penalty. F. INJURIES 1. Player must leave the playing field for one play 2. Players on the opposing team must take a knee in the huddle and remain on the field of play until the injured player has been removed from the field. G. CLOCK STOPS (other than flag, 7U and 8U) 1. First Down 2. Change of possession 3. Injury 4. Penalty 5. Called time out 6. Incomplete pass 7. Touchdown and will

6 restart on ensuing kickoff 8. When a team is up by 35pts or more there will be a running clock. H. PLAYING FIELD & FIELD EQUIPMENT 1. Flag teams will play on an 80 yard field, all other teams will play on a field 100 yards in length. 2. All fields must have the yard lines either caulked or painted on the field. 3. Each visiting team will supply volunteers to operate first & ten and down markers. 4. Players footwear must consist of one-piece rubber molded shoes and/or tennis shoes. No shoe shall be worn with steel or removable cleats. 5. Mouthpieces are mandatory for all players in all divisions. COACHES ON THE FIELD OF PLAY 1. Two (2) flag coaches may be on the field of play at all times. Once the ball is in play coaches from each team must stand 15 yards away from the play. 2. One (1) 7U coach may be on the field of play at all times. Once the ball is in play, coaches from each team must stand 15 yards away from the play. 3. One (1) 8U coach may be on the field of play for the preseason and first 3 ball games. Once the ball is in play coaches from each team must stand 15 yards away from the play. After the 3 rd game, no coaches are allowed on the playing field. The coaches on the field, both the

7 offensive and defensive coaches, must stop all on the field coaching when the quarterback starts his cadence. On the field coaching includes, but is not limited to, giving instructions, positioning players, and calling plays (both offensive and defensive). Violation of this rule constitutes DELAY of GAME. The penalty will be: 1 st offense = warning; 2 nd \ offense = 5 yard penalty; 3 rd offense = 10 yard penalty; fourth offense = 10 yard penalty and coach ejection. 3. Once the quarterback starts his cadence the on field coaches can no longer talk to players in the game. DANCE TEAM & CHEERLEADING RULES AND REGULATIONS 1. NTX UNITED League dance teams and cheerleaders will be provided the opportunity to participate in two areas of cheerleading & dance team: sidelines. I. Ages of dance teams and cheerleaders groups will be the same as football players and using the same age guidelines for football players. CODE OF ETHICS As a member of the NTX UNITED League are expected and required to act in the best interest of the League and the Kids of the NTX UNITED. You will provide positive support to the League and other members. League business will be conducted in a professional and ethical manner. We are here for one common goal, promoting youth football, drill team and cheerleading. Remember, always, that this program is for the boys & girls their safety and welfare must always be paramount with this objective in mind. To set a fine example, all coaches and staff members MUST conduct themselves in a

8 SPORTSMANLIKE manner at all times when they are in the presence of the boys & girls in the program. To insure the success of the program, guidelines have been adopted concerning the behavior of coaches and their staffs. How we treat our league defines us as a society as well as a community. We shall honor our league and rules as well as each other. We pledge to meet these challenges. The Honor System at the NTX UNITED exist to foster a cohesive bond of trust among all members of our communities and to instill in our youth honor and respect.