GAME FORMAT 

• Field is 40 yards wide and 50 yards long, including the 5 yard end zones.
• Games are 7 players v 7 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!
• NO RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK! Unless the QB fakes a handoff which will trigger a defensive player to cross the LOS and rush the QB.

SCORING 

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

Only K-1st and 2nd-3rd can run for 1 or 2 point try. 4th-9th must pass for 1 or 2 point try. 

K-1st GRADE DIVISION RULES AND GOALS

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

2nd-3rd GRADE DIVISION RULES AND GOALS

• 2 Runs per offensive possession
• 45 second play clock
• ONE Coach is allowed on the field for both offense and defense

4th-5th GRADE DIVISION RULES AND GOALS

• 30 second play clock
• 1 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

K-5th GRADE RUN GAME RULES 

• 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.

• 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

• The ball carrier can spin to avoid their flag being pulled but cannot flag guard.
• No fumbles (a fumbled, or stripped ball is dead and placed at the spot of the fumble with the offensive team retaining possession)  

K – 1st Grade – 6 seconds
2rd - 7th Grade – 4 seconds
8th - 9th Grade – 3 seconds

• Forward pass can be underhand or overhand as long as it is beyond the LOS.
• If the QB does not release the ball before time expires, the result of the play is a sack and the ball stays at the LOS.
• There are NO passes behind the LOS. This is a 5 yard penalty and loss of down.
• NO RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK!
• K-5th 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.
• 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. (6th-9th grade can never take a hand off nor run the ball across the line of scrimmage on a backwards pass.)

BASIC 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

1. The clock will stop in the final 1 minute of the game on these actions:
   • Incompletions
   • Out of Bounds
   • QB Sack
   • 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)

SPECIAL ALERT RULES 

• Defensive players can cross the line of scrimmage when a handoff, fake handoff or backward pass has occurred. 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. 

MERCY RULE

• 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.
• Games cannot end on a defensive penalty.

• 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, 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

• No Intentionally Grounding Penalty