LEAGUE RULES

PLAYING TIME

● All children should receive equal playing time for both offense and defense in each game they participate in.

● Coaches are asked to monitor each other and report any infractions that they see.

● If a coach is caught not evenly rotating his/her players, disciplinary action will be taken.

DIVISIONS

● Players are placed on teams using a variety of methods including but not limited to school, grade, and buddy requests.

● Teams are placed into divisions based on grade level.

● Divisions may be separate or combined depending on the number of children registered.

● Divisions are as follows: o Lombardi Division (Usually 1st grade and younger) o Shula Division (Usually 2nd and/or 3rd grade) o Madden Division (Usually 4th grade and older)

FORMAT

● The game is played with five (5) players. However, a minimum of four (4) players must be on the field at all times.

● A player may only appear on one roster per division.

● If a player is found playing on a team illegally, the coach and illegal player may be removed from the league.

PLAYER ATTIRE

● Players are designated as home or away based on the schedule. The away team will wear the white side of the jersey and the home team will wear the colored side.

● Players are required to wear protective mouthpieces at all times during both games and practices.

● Players must wear the official NFL jersey provided by the league for games. If a player arrives at the game without his/her jersey, he/she may not be permitted to play.

● Jerseys must be tucked in at all times. If a jersey is hanging out, lag guarding may be called.

● All players must start with their mouth pieces in, jerseys tucked in, lag belts on, and lags properly secured at the hips of each player with the lags pointing outward.

● Molded and screw-in cleats are permitted. No metal cleats are allowed.

● No jewelry permitted during the games. Hats with a brim, may be worn backwards only.

● Shorts and pants cannot have open pockets. All open pockets must be taped.

EQUIPMENT - FLAGS & BALLS

● The league will provide each team with its NFL jerseys, lags, and football. These footballs are the mandatory game balls used for all divisions. No other footballs are permitted during game play.

● Flags must be NFL FLAG sanctioned. Only yellow, green, red or blue lags are allowed.

● Team shorts and lags cannot be the same color, i.e. if your lags are blue, you cannot wear blue shorts or pants.

● Intentionally tampering with equipment will result in ejection from the playing field with potential suspension for the remainder of the event, season, or program

● BALL TYPE:

Lombardi Division: FRANKLIN – PLAYBOOK (9 INCH)

Shula Division: NFL FLAG OR NFF 5028 (BLUE BALL)

Madden Division: NFL FLAG (BROWN BALL) OR NFF 5019 (WHITE BALL)

COACHES

● Teams may ONLY have max of 3 coaches. These coaches must be identified on the team roster to be an official coach.

● Coaches are REQUIRED to wear the coach’s shirt provided for the current season of play. Without this shirt, coaches are not permitted on the field.

● All coaches, both offensive and defensive, must move to the sidelines prior to the snap of the ball. Exception: Lombardi division coaches can remain on the field during a play on offense only.

● Coaches are responsible for having a rulebook and schedule.

OFFICIAL “NO SHOW” POLICY

Every now and then, we may run into a challenge when an official does not show up for a scheduled game. In the instance that this may occur, our plan is as follows:

● A coach from each team will be asked to co-officiate the game. One coach will keep track of time (24 - minute halves) while the other coach will keep track of score. ● Coaches will need to be cognizant of downs, 7 second passing clock, and rush marker (7 yards – Madden Division Only). ● On the ref card, please print your name legibly. POSSESSIONS ● A coin toss determines which team takes irst possession of the ball. The designated away team for the game will call the coin toss. The winner of the toss has the option to begin on offense or defense. The team that begins on offense in the irst half will begin on defense in the second half. ● Teams switch directions at the beginning of the second half (two-way ield only). ● For each possession the offense has three downs with a fourth down option to obtain a irst down at midield, if midield is obtained, the offense then has three more downs to reach the end zone. ● A irst down is only obtained one of two ways; the offense reaches midield within three downs with a fourth down option or a defensive penalty occurs with the result being an automatic irst down. ● If the offense fails to reach midield (irst down line) or fails to reach the end zone, the result is a turnover. ● Fourth down option – On the irst half of the ield ONLY, a team has a fourth down decision to make. A team may either choose to “GO FOR IT” or to declare a “CHANGE OF POSSESSION”. If a team decides to “GO FOR IT”, they will have one play to cross midield. If successful with this attempt, a irst down will be awarded. If not, the opposing team will take possession of the ball at the point of the failed conversion. ● If a “CHANGE OF POSSESSION” is decided this will effectively end the drive resulting in a change of possession. The ball will be placed at either the 5 (two-way ield) or 40 (one-way ield) yard line depending on the ield set up.