Spring 2024 Rules

Field Dimensions:

Field Length-50 yards long

Playing Field-40 yards

Field Width-160 feet

End Zone-10 yards deep

Starting the game:

Team sidelines must be on opposite sides of the field.

Coaches, playing players and approved media are the only individuals who are allowed on the fields.

Failure to adhere to our field policy will result in law enforcement removing you from the premises.

The home team will have the first possession.

There will be a central timekeeper for all games. All games will begin and end on this person’s instruction.

Ball is always placed on right hash mark at the 40-yard line when the game starts.

Each team will use its own ball during offensive possessions.

Referee will announce the score before each offensive possession begins.

Moving the ball:

First downs are made by crossing the 25-yard line and the 10 yard line.

Three downs to make a first down; even inside the 10-yard line.

Teams will have the option of using our QB tee or a center. Note, the offensive center is not an eligible receiver.

No kicking/punting.

Field is marked at 15-yard intervals & with yard markers.

Three first downs without a penalty would result in a touchdown.

Possession will always begin at the 40-yard line and on the right hash.

No penalty will be assessed in excess of the 40-yard line. Loss of down would be assessed instead.

Offenses always move in the same direction.

No passer may run with the ball with the exception of the 3rd & 4th grade division (Please review the 3rd & 4th grade rules below).

All passes must be forward.

If a forward pass does not cross the line of scrimmage and before the 4.0-second count has expired, a defensive player tags the ball carrier behind the 40-yard line, the play is a safety.

Important Rules:

No blocking & on defense, pressing at the line of scrimmage is not allowed (Penalties will be accessed)

Receiver/Ball carrier is legally down when touched below the neck with one or both hands. (Excessive force by shoving, pushing, or striking a blow will be penalized by automatic 1st down and 5 yards. Player will be ejected if ruled unsportsmanlike or flagrant ). Multiple instances of excessive force will result in the player being removed from league play.

Fumbles are dead balls at the spot with the last team retaining possession. A muffed snap is NOT a fumble/dead ball. The 4.0-second count remains in effect on snaps.

Each team will have 25 seconds to snap the ball once it has been marked ready for play; delay of game penalty will be a 5-yard penalty.

The point-after attempt will be voided if you have a delay of game penalty. Defense will get the ball at the 45-yard line.

The QB is allowed 4.0 seconds to throw the ball. The referee starts a stopwatch on the snap of the ball from center/tee and stops the watch as soon as the QB releases the ball.

If release occurs at or under 4.0 seconds, the play stands as is.

If release occurs after 4.0 seconds, the play will not be blown dead but will be treated as an incomplete pass at the conclusion of the play.

All penalties will be marked off on a 4.0-second count except for pass interference.

Defensive Pass Interference will be a spot foul (1st down at the spot).

The penalty will be 15 yards if the foul occurs 15 or more yards past the original line of scrimmage (1st down).

The responsibility to avoid contact is with the defense. Deliberate bumping or grabbing is not allowed. These actions will result in a “tack on” penalty at the end of the play (5-yard penalty).

Offensive pass interference is a 15-yard penalty.

The penalty will be a loss of down if 15 yards would take a team past the 40-yard line.

Interceptions may be returned however, defensive players may not block anyone subsequent to an interception. If an interception is returned beyond the 40-yard line (The offensive origination point) it is a touchdown and point after attempt should ensue.

Offensive team is responsible for retrieving and returning the ball to the previous spot or the new scrimmage spot. Clock does not stop and any delay by offense in retrieving and returning the ball to the referee will result in a delay of game and will be a 5-yard penalty from the succeeding spot.

The offensive center is not an eligible receiver (Teams may use our QB tee or a center). Note, the center/QB is responsible for establishing the succeeding spot as designated by the referee.

The center/Qb will be responsible for setting or re-positioning the referee’s bean bag or cone at the line of scrimmage.

The offense must gain at least 15 yards within three downs while the offense is in the first two-thirds of the field (the first two 15 yard segments of the field) or the defense takes over. (There is no kicking). Once the team has entered the final third of the field (the third 15-yard segment of the field), the offense must score within the first four downs.

Fighting: the player(s) involved will be ejected from the game and league immediately by law enforcement. If a team fight occurs, the teams involved will be ejected from the league and denied participation in future leagues and or tournaments. Please note this rule applies to spectators of teams as well.

Any dead ball foul on a play that results in the defense getting the ball will result in a loss of down penalty, as the team cannot be penalized beyond the 40-yard line starting position. The defense (Not the offense) would be starting play with 2nd down.

Further Rule Exceptions for 3rd-4th & 5th & 6th Grade Divisions:

For the 3rd-4th & 5th & 6th grade division, one coach is allowed on the field for the team’s offensive possessions. The coach must remain behind all players at all times.

3rd-4th Teams must pass the ball on 1st and 2nd down. For 3rd and 4th down, teams may run or pass. The QB may not run on any down.

3rd-4th Defensive players may not cross the line of scrimmage, unless a hand off to a Running Back/Ball Carrier occurs or a forward pass is attempted. i. Defensive players may defend a pass or pitch that is behind the line of scrimmage, but not inside of the tackle box (3 yards to the right and left of the center). ii. Offensive WRs and RBs may not be in the tackle box at the time of the snap.

Each team will have 45 seconds to snap the ball once it has been marked ready for play; delay of game penalty will be a 5-yard penalty. The point after attempt will be voided if you have a delay of game penalty. Defense will get the ball at the 40-yard line.

The 3rd-4th QB is allowed 6.0 seconds to throw the ball. The Referee starts a stopwatch on the snap of the ball from center and stops the watch as soon as the QB releases the ball. If release occurs at or under 6.0 seconds, the play stands as is. If release occurs after 6.0 seconds, the play will not be blown dead, but will be treated as an incomplete pass at the conclusion of the play. All penalties will be marked off on a 6.0 second count EXCEPT for pass interference.

Snapping of the ball by the center must be between the legs. The center may take one knee on the ground, but the ball must be snapped under his leg (Teams will have the option to use our QB tee as well)

Scoring:

6 points for TD, 1 point for PAT from 5 yard line, 2 point PAT from 10 yard line. Interceptions returned to the 45 yd line, on the PAT attempt, will be worth 2 points. Official score is kept by field referee and field marshal.

Final scores, rankings and schedules will be visible via the Zorts App 24 hours after the completion of all games.

Time:

Each pool play game is 25 minutes (Running clock).

There are no time-outs. Exception: Injuries. Both games on the Field will pause until player(s) can be removed safely by Texas Sports Physical Therapy who will be on site.

All games will start/end at the same time.

Teams must be on-site and ready to play when scheduled.

If a team(s) is late and cannot start when the game officially starts, they will begin play with whatever time is left on the clock. Please note, a forfeit will occur after 10 minutes.

Please note, after two forfeits due to not arriving on time, or having enough players will result in your team being removed from league play immediately.

*Injury time outs may reduce the amount of time between games to maintain the game schedules*

Tie Breaker During End Of Season Tournament:

*Please note, there is not overtime in pool play games*

After coin flip to determine first possession, teams will alternate 3 down series from the 10 yard line.

A winner is determined when one team scores during its possession and the other does not.

If a second overtime period is necessary, each team will get one play each from the 40 yard line. Longest gain is declared the Winner

*Again, there is not overtime in pool play games*