Tri-County Youth Football League

 RULES 5^th & 6^th Grade

1.  Weight Restrictions:

·         Boys weighing 100 lbs or less may play any position.

·         Boys over 100 lbs may play the interior line only.

·         Boys over 125 lbs are considered Unlimited and may only play on the interior line.

·         Boys at the defensive end position must be 100 lbs or less.

·         7^th graders playing down must weigh 80 lbs or less and may play any position.

·         7^th graders playing down weighing 81 to 90 lbs must play interior line only.

·         7^th graders above 90 lbs cannot play at this level.

·         Only one 7^th grader can play at a time.

·         Only one unlimited player can play at a time.

·         Maximum weight for this level is 175 lbs.  Any 6^th grader that weighs more than this must play up on the 7^th and 8^th grade team.

2. Ages and Eligibility:

·         A player cannot be 13 on or before September 1^st of the playing year..

·         5^th/6^th graders are NOT eligible to play on the 7^th/8^th grade teams unless they are 13 years old.

3. Rosters:

·         Rosters and copies of a birth certificate must be submitted to the league on the day of official weigh-ins.  Roster must contain the name, age, birth date, weight, grade, and uniform number for each player.

·         ALL players must be at the official weigh-in.  The exception will be if a player′s personal family commitment prevents his attending the official weigh-in.  In this case, the league commissioner at his convenience prior to the first game must weigh in the player.  Players MUST be weighed in before the first game.  All coaches must be notified of the new addition prior to the first game.

·         No new players will be added to the roster after the official weigh-in.

·         Two representatives from the other teams must be present before a team can be weighed in.

4.  Time Outs:

·         4 time-outs per half.

5.  General Rules:

·         Game time will be 11:00 AM on Sunday′s unless otherwise stated.

·         Field will be 80 yards long.

·         There will be 4 ten-minute quarters on a regular clock.

·         5^th & 6^th grade players must play a minimum of 1 quarter.

·         Upon a two-touchdown lead, the winning team must immediately substitute 50% of their starters until the opposing team scores.

·         Visiting team to call home team by Wednesday of playing week to confirm time and location of playing field.

·         Scoreboards are NOT allowed.

·         PA system is allowed for use of acknowledging the players.  Not the score.

6.  Offensive Formations:

·         One yard split between down linemen (center, guard & tackle)

·         One wide receiver is allowed to split no more than 10 yards outside the tackle.

·         Tight end is allowed no more than a two yard split.

·         Flanker at the side of the split end can be 1-yard outside of the tackle.

·         Flanker at the side of the tight end may be no more than 2-yards from the tackle and the tight end can only be 1-yard from the tackle.

·         1 unlimited player from each team will be able to play at the same time only at the tackle positions.

·         Punting is a free kick.  No player moves until the ball is kicked.  The center has the option of snapping the ball or having it handed to the kicker.  Fake punts are not allowed.

7.  Defensive Formations:

·         Limited to a 6-2-2-1 defense.

·         Linebackers must be a minimum of 2-yards off the ball.

·         Defensive halfbacks must be a minimum of 5-yards off the ball.

·         Safety must be a minimum of 6-yards off the ball.

·         Defensive Guards MUST be head up on Offensive Guards.  The Center cannot be covered.

·         Head blows are NOT allowed.

·         Inside the 10-yard line, linebackers and defensive backs may move up 1-yard closer to the ball.

·         Use of improper defensive formations will result in a 5-yard penalty.

8.  Ball:

·         Each team will supply their official youth football.

9.  Playing Rules:

·         Official freshman/modified rules will prevail except for league modifications.

10.  NO Kick-Off:

·         Play will start on the 25-yard line.

11.  Safety:

·         The scoring team puts the ball in play at midfield.

12.  Interceptions:

·         Linemen may not advance an interception.  Defensive ends can advance.

13.  Fumbles:

·         Fumbles recovered in the backfield, by an offensive back ONLY, may be advanced.  Any other player may only recover a fumble.

14.  Extra Points:

·         Kick from the 3-yard line = 2 points.

·         Run or pass from the 3-yard line = 1 point.

·         Run or pass from the 6-yard line = 2 points.

·         All backs including the kicker must meet weight restrictions.

15.  Unlimited Players:

·         Any player who is designated as unlimited must put at least a 3-inch "X" taped on each side of his helmet above each ear.  The "X" must be a contrasting color to the team uniform.

16.  Cross-body blocks:

·         Cross-body blocks are NOT allowed by any player, at any time, outside of the neutral zone.

17.  Shoes:

·         Only molded rubber soled cleats are allowed.

18.  EMT (or better):

·         No game will start unless an EMT or better is present.

19.  Injury Time-outs:

·         Will not be charged as an official time-out.  The injured player must sit out at least one play.

20.  Coaches on the Field:

·         2 coaches are allowed on the field during a time-out.

·         1 coach will be allowed on the field for discussion with officials.  The coach must use a time out to discuss an official′s call.

21.  Protests:

·         Protests must be based on a "point of rule" and will be considered by the league commissioner.

22.  Rule Infractions:

·         Should a coach be found guilty of breaking a rule of eligibility regarding a player, or players, ALL games will be forfeited to the opposing teams and the coach will be banned from the league.

·         An illegal position infraction for the 1^st time will result in loss of down and play done over.

·         An illegal position infraction for the 2^nd time will result in a 15-yard penalty, loss of down, and play done over.