Ellenwood Vikings Tackle Football Rules Revised 9/1/2017 6U (Pee Wee) 7U (Bantam) 8U (Flea) 9U (Bandit) 10U (Mite) 11U (Intermediate) 12U (Midget) # of Officials 3 field officials & 1 clock operator. Clock operator is provided by the host association. 4 field officials & 1 clock operator. Clock operator is provided by the host association. Quarter Length 2 twenty (20) min halves with continuous running clock stopping only for time outs or injurys. Last two (2) min of each half are regulation play. 10 minute quarters. Clock operated per GHSA rules (clock will start and stop as in a HS game). Exception- clock will start on the ready for play whistle, not on the snap, after a change of possession. This exception is void during the last 2 minutes of each half. Pee Wee Size or K2. Pee Wee Size or K2. Pee Wee Size or K2. Junior Size. Junior Size. Junior Size. Junior Size. Ball Timeouts Regulation Time- NFHS timeout rules apply (3 one-minute timeouts per half per team. Timeouts do not carry over). Overtime- 1 timeout per team per overtime period. Halftime 10 minutes 10 minutes 10 minutes 10 minutes 10 minutes 10 minutes 10 minutes Overtime Regular season games ending in a tie shall play one (1) series of overtime as stated in the Tie Breaking Method. If the game is still tied after one (1) series, the team that moved the ball closest to the goal line (penetration) shall be declared the winner. The point of deepest penetration shall be recorded via chain mark. If a winner cannot be determined via penetration, the game shall remain a tie. Playoff games ending in a tie will be determined as specified below: Tie Breaking Method As published in the 1974 National Federation of State High School Associations Rules Book
Overtime 10-yard overtime procedure All game rules will apply except the line to gain shall always be the goal line and the try will not be made when it is not required to break the tie. When the score is tied at the end of the fourth quarter, the referee will instruct both teams to return to their respective team boxes. There will be a three-minute intermission during which both teams may confer with their coaches. All officials will assemble at the 50-yard line, review the procedure and determine the number of timeouts remaining for each team. The head linesman will go to the team on the side of the field where the line to gain equipment is located, and the field judge to the team, to inform the coaches of the number of timeouts each team has remaining and escort the respective team captains to the center of the field for the coin toss. The visiting team captains shall be given the privilege of calling the coin while it is in the air. The winner of the toss shall be given its choice of ball possession or designating the direction of the offense for the overtime periods. Each team shall be permitted one additional timeout for each extra period plus any unused regulation game timeouts. The team scoring the greater number of points in the overtime shall be declared the winner. The Final score shall be determined by totaling all points by each team during the regulation and overtime periods. To start the overtime, the offensive team shall put the ball in play, first and goalon (b) s 10-yard line. Team (a) shall have a series of four downs. The series shall be terminated by any score by (a) or if (b) has possession at the end of any down. Team (a) shall be awarded a new series when: A. The penalty for defensive pass interference is accepted. B. There is a change of team possession during the down and the ball belongs to (a) at the end of the down. C. Team (a) recovers a scrimmage kick (field goal attempt) between the goal lines after it has been touched first by (b) beyond the neutral zone. If team (a) scores a touchdown, it is entitled the opportunity to try for the extra point, except when it is unnecessary to break the tie. A field goal attempt is permitted during any down. If the defensive team gains possession by recovering a fumble or intercepts a pass, the ball remains alive until that down is ended. This provides team (b) the opportunity to score following a recovery or interception. After team (a) has completed its series, team (b) will become the offensive team with the ball in its possession at the 10-yard line. The same end of the field will be used for both possessions in order to insure equal game conditions and conserve time. During the playoffs, if the score remains tied after each team has been given one series, the procedure shall be repeated until a winner is determined. There will be an intermission of 2 minutes duringwhich the loser of the coin toss will be given first choice of the options. If additional periods are required, first choice of options will be alternated. When one team is twenty-four (24) points or more ahead, the following rules shall apply: 1) There shall be no further kick-offs by the leading team. Mercy Rule 2) The team behind shall begin all possessions at midfield, provided the point differentialremains twenty-four (24) points or more. 3) With a twenty-four (24)-points lead, the winning team shall have four (4) downs (only 4) and then the ball shall turn over to the trailing team. Once the mercy rule is in effect, all possessionsof the winning team will begin on their own 20-yard line. 4) A running clock will be used when the point difference is twenty-four (24) points or more. The clock will stop for the trailing team s time-outs and for injuries only. The leading team will be allowed time outs but the clock will continue to run. The clock will continue to run until the game has ended.
Use of Helmet Rule No player shall initiate contact and target an opponent with the crown (top) of his helmet. When in question it is a foul. No player shall initiate contact and target a defenseless opponent above the shoulders. When in question, it is a foul. 1) If during an offensive play a player who was positioned at a non-ball carrier position gains control of the football by means not intentionally designed, if fumble recovery, the playermay advance the ball until the play is stopped. OFFENSE 2) If a defensive player, who would not be eligible for a ball carrier position on offense, gains control of the ball during an offensive play, the player may advance the ball until the play is stopped. 3) When receiving the football by means of a punt, only those players who are eligible for a ball carrier position may play off the line of scrimmage deeper than a position recognized as linebacker and outside the widest lineman position. 4) When receiving the football by means of a kickoff, only those players who may play ball carrier positions shall play at a position deeper than the front line. 5) Any player who has been declared ineligible by weight may line up at the tight end position but he must declare himself an ineligible receiver. DEFENSE SPECIAL TEAMS striped players on must play on the line of scrimmage and must be in a 3 or 4-point stance. If not in stance a 5-yard penalty should be accessed. Must be lined up between the outside shoulders of the Offensive Tackles. In the case of an unbalanced offensive line when there is no Tackle on the weak side the restricted player on may line up on the outside shoulder of the outermost offensive lineman. On the strong side of the offensive line the Defensive restricted player may line up no further to the outside than the inside shoulder of the furthest Offensive Tackle. defensive players cannot advance a fumble or interception. The ball will be considered dead when the restricted player is considered to have possession. Players are allowed to play on special teams on the kick return team. They cannot play on the kicking team. Players can punt, kickoff, kick extra points, & kick field goals. If at any time a Player comes into possession of the ball on special teams the play should immediately be blown dead. All levels must execute kickoffs. players may not be on the kickoff team with the exception of the Kickoffs, Punts & PATs Teams have the option to actually punt the ball...or...request a 20-yard mark-off from the LOS. 20-yard mark-off is not available if the offense is inside the opponents 40-yard line. Game clock runs during mark off of punts. cannot rush the punter. Offense cannot fake the punt. Ball must be snapped a minimum of 6-yards to the punter. If the snap is short the punter can retrieve the ball walk back to 6 yards behind the LOS and complete the punt. All conversion attempts will be executed from the 3-yard line. 1 point awarded for a run. 2 points awarded for a legal Forward pass. Pass must go forward from QB. If pass is behind the QB and the try is successful only 1 point awarded. 2 points awarded for an extra point kick.
Offense: Offense: Offense: Offense: Offense: Offense: Ball can be placed on a tee, no snap necessary. Ball can be placed on a tee, no snap necessary. Ball must be snapped (no tee). Snaps that roll more than 10-yards from the LOS result in a dead ball and unsuccessful play. Snaps that roll more than 10-yards from the LOS result in a dead ball and unsuccessful play. Snapper may roll the ball to the holder. Play blown dead if a player tries to advance a mishandled snap. Play blown dead if a player tries to advance a mishandled snap. Snaps that roll more than 10-yards from the LOS result in a dead ball and unsuccessful play. PAT, Kicks & FGs Once snapped ball must be lined up behind Center and may only move laterally a max of 3-yards. Once snapped ball must be lined up behind Center and may only move laterally a max of 3-yards. Play blown dead if a player tries to advance a mishandled snap. distract the distract the distract the Once snapped ball must be lined up behind Center and may only move laterally a max of 3-yards. Offense & legally but may not block each other. Offense & legally but may not block each other. Offense & legally but may not block each other. Penalty is 5-yards or half the distance to the goal. Penalty is 5-yards or half the distance to the goal. Penalty is 5-yards or half the distance to the goal. distract the distract the distract the
A. During any conference game, no one is allowed on the sidelines, outside the coaching box, except the following: 1) Cheerleaders, but only when adequate space cannot be provided outside the restraining lines. 2) The official chain crew. 3) Newspaper, magazine, television and/or professional photographic staffs that have been given authorization from the athletic coordinator to take pictures of/or film the game. Sideline Personnel B. Team spotters, the team s verification representative, unless he is also listed as a coach on the team s official roster, coaches from other SPYFL teams, mascots, guests, spectators and other similar type personnel shall not be permitted on the sidelines, inside or outside the coaching boxduring a SPYFL game. C. Unless otherwise noted in these rules, during any conference game no one is allowed on the sidelines inside the coaching box except the following: 1) The members of the participating team and the team s coaching staffs that are listed as coaches on the team s official roster. 2) The team s official park representative but only when their presence is required to assure the more orderly conduct of the game or their presence on the sideline has been requested by the coordinator or the department. D. The coordinator and/or other members of the department may be on the sideline at any SPYFL game, inside or outside the coaching box, when they feel such action is appropriate and in the best interest of the game or conference. Coaches on the Field K-1st: 2 coaches allowed on field at all times. 2nd & 3rd: 1 coach allowed on field at all times. After Offense breaks huddle coaches must be 5 yards behind their deepest player. They may continue to verbally coach but they must refrain from any physical contact with players until the play is dead. On field coach can request a time out before snap.