General Rules

Updated July 22, 2013

Revisions or additions are in red.

1.                 Age Limits and Player Eligibility

a.     All players must meet both age and school grade requirements.

b.     4^th grade cannot turn 11 before September 1, 2013.

c.     4^th grade player must be 4^th grade or lower grade (if team is official 4^th grade).

d.    5^th grade cannot turn 12 before September 1, 2013.

e.     5^th grade player must be 5^th grade or lower grade.

f.      6^th grade cannot turn 13 before September 1, 2013.

g.     6^th grade player must be 6^th grade or lower grade.

h.    All directors or coaches need to have a birth certificate with them at the game for each player, if possible, to help answer any age questions that may arise.  Not required at this time, but may become necessary in the future, if there are problems about age.

2.                 Participants must be enrolled in same school as team they represent.

a.     Commissioner should be informed if there are any questions about eligibility of player.  If any player’s eligibility is questioned, then birth certificate, school report card, or letter from school may be requested.

b.     If a player is ruled ineligible, then the team he represents will forfeit all games in which the player participated.

c.     Effective immediately and on a one year basis for the benefit of the Marietta and Tishomingo programs, in order to obtain enough players to field all teams, a player from the county which does not go to that school that is represented, will be allowed to play for the team in their county, and only for the team in their county.  This rule will only apply to the Marietta and Tishomingo programs.  This one-year rule was approved by a vote of 8-0, and will be revisited for the 2014 season.

3.                 A program director representing each team will be required to meet with game officials before the first scheduled game to discuss the following:

a.     Game rules.

b.     Crowd management.

c.     Unruly coaches or fans will not be tolerated.

d.    Weather conditions.

e.     Playing field conditions.

f.      Security.

g.     Emergency/Medical protocol.

h.    Clock operation.

i.       Chain crew.

j.       No coach on the field of play may use a radio or communication device to receive information to aid in the coaching of the game.

4.                 All site preparations will be the responsibility of the host team and sponsor, except for officials.

5.                 Gate entry fees will be $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for students.  It will be courteous to allow cheerleaders in uniform to enter without charge.

6.                 Please pay attention to clock timing so that games do not last longer than assigned.

7.     Game Officials

a.     There will be 2 certified officials at every game. Each official should be certified through the OSSAA.

b.     The recommended pay for the 2 certified officials is $100 per official to cover all 3 games for a total of $200.

c.     If a third certified official is used for the game, the recommended pay is $80 per official to cover all 3 games for a total of $240.

d.    An extra person may be used to mark the ball for the 2 officials covering the game.  This person will not wear a striped shirt; carry neither a whistle nor a flag.  They will help will ball placement only.

8.     There will be a $100.00 season fee due from each team before the first game is played.  This fee will be for purchase of trophies and pay officials at the League Championship game.

9.                 If fee is not paid by first game, teams that have not paid will forfeit games until money is paid.  Address to send league fees to League Commissioner is on Fees 2013 page.

 

 

Game Rules

***** 4^th Grade *****

1.                 Four (6 Minute) Quarters; 6 Minute Halftime

2.                 Clock will not run during an extra point/try or during a punt exchange.

3.                 Clock will start on snap of ball after exchange of possession.  Ex. After TD, after punt exchange, after time out.

4.                 3 timeouts per team per half.

5.                 We will use a 45 second play clock.  The referee will help speed play calls (aka play clock) so that a team will not slow play.  Also, this should give each team more chances to run more plays.  Please help in speeding up your play calls!!

6.                 If you play a 5^th grader in the 4^th grade game, you will forfeit that game.

7.                 NO TIES!!  Tie breaker play as per high school rules.

8.                 2 coaches from each team may be on the field while teams are playing.

9.                 No more than 4 coaches for each team on sidelines at any time.  No other persons will be on the sidelines to coach.  You will be allowed to have 2 water carriers/ball handlers (suggested younger than adult) on the sidelines.  They will not be counted as part of the 4 coaches.  No one other than the head coach may confer with the referees at any time.  If there is a problem with sideline personnel, that person is subject to ejection from game.

10.            If a safety is scored, the team scoring the safety will score 2 points and will start their possession at the 50-yard line.

11.            NO KICKOFFS!!

a.     Ball will be spotted on the 35-yard line to start each half and following a touchdown.

12.            NO PUNTS!!

a.     A 30-yard punt exchange will apply if ball is outside the 40-yard line of receiving team.  If ball is inside the 40-yard line, half the distance to the goal will be marked for the punt exchange.

13.            Defensive Line Blitz Rule

a.     NO defensive player in a standup position (example:  linebackers, safeties, cornerbacks) may BLITZ     between offensive tackles.  Only down lineman in a 3 or 4-point stance, on the line of scrimmage, may cross the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball.  No more than 4 defensive down lineman between offensive tackles.  These 4 down lineman may cross the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball.  Any other players may cross the line of scrimmage after a football move has been made. (Example:  handoff, pitch or pass setup by quarterback).

14.            Goal Line Rule

a.     The 5 yard line and inside the 5 yard line, the defense may play in a goal line defense.  No limit on down lineman between tackles, or down lineman that can cross line of scrimmage.  Still no stand up blitz.  This same goal line rule will apply on 4^th down tries of 1 yard or less.

15.            All extra points will be run as a 2-point conversion. No kicks will be allowed.

16.            Pee Wee football allowed.

 

***** 5^th Grade *****

 

1.                 Four (7 Minute) Quarters; 7 Minute Halftime

2.                 Clock will not run during an extra point/try or during a punt exchange.

3.                 Clock will start on snap of ball after exchange of possession.  Ex. After TD, after punt exchange, after time out.

4.                 3 timeouts per team per half.

5.                 We will use a 30 second play clock.

6.                 If you play a 6^th grader in the 5^th grade game, you will forfeit that game.

7.                 NO TIES!!  Tie breaker play as per high school rules.

8.                 No coaches on the field while teams are playing.

9.                 No more than 4 coaches for each team on sidelines at any time.  No other persons will be on the sidelines to coach.  You will be allowed to have 2 water carriers/ball handlers (suggested younger than adult) on the sidelines.  They will not be counted as part of the 4 coaches.  No one other than the head coach may confer with the referees at any time.  If there is a problem with sideline personnel, that person is subject to ejection from game.

10.            If a safety is scored, the team scoring the safety will score 2 points and will start their possession at the 50-yard line.

11.            NO KICKOFFS!!

a.     Ball will be spotted on the 35-yard line to start each half and following a touchdown.

12.            NO PUNTS!!

A 30-yard punt exchange will apply if ball is outside the 40-yard line of receiving team.  If ball is inside the 40-yard line, half the distance to the goal will be marked for the punt exchange.

13.            Defensive Line Blitz Rule

a.     NO defensive player in a standup position (example:  linebackers, safeties, cornerbacks) may BLITZ     between offensive tackles.  Only down lineman in a 3 or 4-point stance, on the line of scrimmage, may cross the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball.  No more than 4 defensive down lineman between offensive tackles.  These 4 down lineman may cross the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball.  Any other players may cross the line of scrimmage after a football move has been made. (Example:  handoff, pitch or pass setup by quarterback).

14.            Goal Line Rule

a.     The 5 yard line and inside the 5 yard line, the defense may play in a goal line defense.  No limit on down lineman between tackles, or down lineman that can cross line of scrimmage.  Still no stand up blitz.  This same goal line rule will apply on 4^th down tries of 1 yard or less.

15.            All extra points will be run as a 2-point conversion.  No kicks will be allowed.

16.            Junior Ball football allowed.

 

***** 6^th Grade *****

1.                 Four (7 Minute) Quarters; 7 Minute Halftime

2.                 Clock will not run during an extra point/try or during a punt exchange.

3.                 Clock will start on snap of ball after exchange of possession.  Ex. After TD, after punt exchange, after time out.

4.                 3 timeouts per team per half.

5.                 We will use a 30 second play clock.

6.                 NO TIES!!  Tie breaker play as per high school rules.

7.                 No coaches on the field while teams are playing.

8.                 No more than 4 coaches for each team on sidelines at any time.  No other persons will be on the sidelines to coach.  You will be allowed to have 2 water carriers/ball handlers (suggested younger than adult) on the sidelines.  They will not be counted as part of the 4 coaches.  No one other than the head coach may confer with the referees at any time.  If there is a problem with sideline personnel, that person is subject to ejection from game.

9.                 If a safety is scored, the team scoring the safety will score 2 points and the team scored upon will kick the ball off from the 40-yard line.

10.            Kickoffs will be from the 40-yard line.  Live ball played as a regular football kickoff.

11.            All extra points will be run as a 2-point conversion.  No kicks will be allowed.

12.            All field goals will be live with normal protection provided to the holder/kicker.  The defense may rush the kick and no extra protection provided to the holder/kicker that is not afforded to them on a regular field goal. (Example:  If the ball is over snapped or under snapped, the holder must immediately place the ball for the field goal attempt.  He will not be given additional time to go and grab the ball and get into position for the attempt to be made.  If the ball is over snapped, then the holder now will become a ball carrier.)

13.            If the field goal attempt is tried and missed, the ball will be spotted at the previous line of scrimmage, ball will turned over on downs, and a change of possession will take place.

14.            Punts

 

a.     No Rush, no return.

b.     The ball must be downed by receiving team or become dead by rule.

c.     A maximum of 4 players may be back to receive a punt; all other players on receiving team must be at line of scrimmage.

d.    Players at the line of scrimmage may extend arms and jump in an effort to block punt, but may not have any help from other players to jump up in an effort to block punt.

e.     The clock will not run during the punt.

15.          Defensive Line Blitz Rule

a.     NO defensive player in a standup position (example:  linebackers, safeties, cornerbacks) may BLITZ     between offensive tackles.  Only down lineman in a 3 or 4-point stance, on the line of scrimmage, may cross the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball.  No more than 4 defensive down lineman between offensive tackles.  These 4 down lineman may cross the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball.  Any other players may cross the line of scrimmage after a football move has been made. (Example:  handoff, pitch or pass setup by quarterback).

17.            Goal Line Rule

          The 5 yard line and inside the 5 yard line, the defense may play in a goal line defense.  No limit on down lineman between tackles, or down lineman that can cross line of scrimmage.  Still no stand up blitz.  This same goal line rule will apply on 4^th down tries of 1 yard or less.

18.     Junior Ball football allowed.

 

 

GAME MANAGEMENT

 

1.                 Junior high timing

2.                 Game Clock

a.     4^th grade – 45 seconds

b.     5^th/6^th grade – 30 seconds

3.                 National Federation rules apply.

4.                 THERE WILL BE NO TIE SCORES; overtime play will be in affect as per high school rules.

5.                 Sportsmanship will be emphasized.

a.     Any disqualified player, coach, or attendant may be ineligible for as much as the following (2) contests.

b.     The amount of time a player is ineligible will be determined by the League Commissioner after evaluation of the information provided by the referees involved in the game.  If necessary, the commissioner will speak with coaches of both teams involved and/or program director to determine the appropriate actions taken.

 

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

 

1.                 There will be a league champion for 4^th, 5^th and 6^th grade.

2.                 The league championship will be played between the teams with the 2 best records in the 4^th, 5^th and 6^th grade regular season.

3.                 Each team will play 7 games during the regular season.  Each team will play every other team one time as per schedule.  The 7 games will count toward the season record for the championship game.  Only teams in official 4^th grade league that played against each other will count toward standings.

4.                 The representatives for the league championship will be determined by the following manner listed:

a.     Won/Loss record.

b.     Head to Head games, if 2 teams have the same record.

c.     Total point margin will apply if 3 or more teams have the same record.

d.    If 2 teams tie for points in the 3 way record tie above, head to head results between teams in points tie will be used.

e.     If 3 teams tie for points in the 3 way record tie in (c.) above, a coin toss will be used to break tie.

5.                 Total points margin.

a.     A team will receive “+” (plus) points for a win and will receive “-“ (minus) points for a loss.

b.     Maximum of 8 points “+/-“ differential from a win or a loss for each game.  (Example:  Team A beats Team B by a score of 27-10. Team A will receive +8 points and Team B will receive –8 points.)

c.     A forfeit will count as +/- 8 points for the teams involved.

d.    The League Commissioner will handle any questions regarding forfeit games and he will poll the involved teams as to who is forfeiting.  If the commissioner needs, he can resolve any issues by polling each of the representatives from the teams in league, or consult with independent council.

e.     Each team (not just home team) is required to inform the League Commissioner within 3 days the scores for 4^th, 5^th and 6^th grade games.  This can be done by text or email.  Any team scores that are not received in required time will be considered FORFEIT!!  All of the information for text or email can be found on the league’s home page.

6.                 The League Championship (aka as the“Super Bowl”) game site for 4^th, 5^th and 6^th grades will be played at the same host field.

7.                 The host team for the League Championship games will be the best 6^th grade team for regular season according to above rules used to determine the participating teams.

a.     This procedure will be overseen by a Rules Administrator/League Commissioner.

b.     All League Championship site preparations will be the responsibility of the host team and sponsor, except for officials.

c.     The host team will retain all money collected.

d.    Trophies will be team trophies for champion and runner-up in all grades.