Rules

Rules overview:

Field - 80 yards, standard width 8 players on the field normally, game can continue if only 7 are available
JERSEYS MUST BE TUCKED IN with FLAGS ON HIPS
Games consist of 2 twenty minute halves. Clock runs constantly except for last 2 minutes of each half or if there is an injury, score, timeout, or delay of game penalty
Coin toss to determine possession.

Kicking:

Kickoffs from a tee at start of game and start of 2nd half only. After a score opposing team gets the ball on own 20 yard line
No on-side kick-offs' and a kick-off must travel 10 yards. Any ball recovered by the kicking team is considered a dead ball and the return team takes possession from that spot.
Teams may punt but must inform opponent
Opponent may NOT rush
Punting team MUST have five players on the line while the receiving team MUST have four players on the line
Kicker can walk up and take the snap and walk back. Dropped ball can be picked up and still punted

Positions:

Delay of game occurs after 60 seconds, one warning is provided
There MUST be five offensive linemen on the line of scrimmage
There can be a MAX of four defensive linemen within one yard of the line of scrimmage
Ball is snapped between the legs only
There is to be NO nose tackle and the defense MUST line up one yard from line of scrimmage
The defensive line is NOT to assume a three point stance; they should have hands on knees in an effort to avoid head-to-head contact
Offense Lineman MUST set in a three point stance
The Center and two Guards are the only INELIGIBLE players to receive or carry the ball
There is NO blitzing and Linebackers/D-backs may not cross line of scrimmage until there is a hand-off or QB leaves the pocket
Blocking must be to the chest/waist ONLY

Penalties:

Stiff arms by the ball carrier are NOT allowed and player is penalized down at the spot of the foul
Flag guarding is NOT allowed and player is penalized 15 yards
Blocking in the back & clipping is NOT allowed 5 yard from spot of foul
Defense cannot push offensive player out of bounds, they must go for the flag. Five yards awarded to offense from spot of going out of bounds if this occurs
Fumbled balls hitting the ground are blown dead at that spot though if a fumble is recovered in the air it may be advanced by recovering team
Unsportsmanlike Conduct, swearing, taunting are 15 yard penalties

Scoring:

If up by 19 or more points with the ball a team must start at its 20 and run only up the middle while losing team starts at midfield or better

If a three TD lead is achieved the backfield MUST be replaced ... if gap narrows they can return but scoring rules still apply

Sportsmanship:

At least five different players MUST carry the ball each game
A player may score only two offensive TD's per game. Additional Defensive TD's are counted
If a player with two offensive TD's catches a kick-off or punt the play is blown dead, the player also cannot play QB again that game
At least 2 of every 4 offensive plays MUST be HAND-OFFS (not just QB runs this way, QB runs that way)
As an instructional league each player MUST be given the option to play at least one half at QB and MUST be given the option to play at least 2 halfs at running back
The Referee may remove (and the league could then suspend) any player/parent/coach for unsportsmanlike conduct, also profanity and excessive force are not tolerated

Lake Zurich Flames Youth Football