RULE 1. OVERVIEW
SECTION 1. THE FIELD
Article 1. Standard dimensions of the field are 60 yards long by 30 yards wide with 7 yard endzones. Approved field sizes may fluctuate from 53-64 yards long when necessary, or 23-30 yards wide. Endzones should not be shorter than 5 yards.
SECTION 2. THE GAME
Article 1. Game Time is FORFEIT TIME – upon approval by EFL Commissioner.
Article 2. Minimum 4 players to start a game. May only have up to 5 players on the field at any one time.
Article 3. The offensive team takes possession of the ball at their 5-yard line and has four plays to cross mid-field. On 4th down, teams have 5 seconds to declare to go for it or punt. Once a team crosses mid-field they have three plays to score. If the offensive team fails to cross mid-field, the ball changes possession.
Article 4. If the offense does not score, the ball changes possession. All drives start from the 5-yard line with the exception of an interception or failed 4th down conversion, where defense takes over at the spot.
Article 5. No blocking is allowed. No intentional contact is allowed.
SECTION 3. EQUIPMENT
Article 1. Approved football sizes:
SECTION 4. COACHES
Article 1. Coaches are volunteers whose role it is to help young people learn to play and enjoy football. Parents are encouraged to support their youth and their coach at all times.
Article 2. Coaches (1 Coach per Team) in the 8U and under divisions only are permitted on the field to assist players with their position alignment and mentoring on offense only (no coaches allowed on the field while on defense). At the snap, on-field coaches must be 5 yards behind the quarterback and are not allowed to continue instructing or coaching until the play ends.
Article 3. Coaches of all other age divisions may not come on to the field of play during a game unless a player is injured. Coaches who come on the field of play anytime during a game will be penalized. One sideline warning per game will be issued after which the following penalties will result:
SECTION 5. GAME CLOCK FORMAT
Article 1. Game clock is 40 minutes long. 2 20 minute running clock halves and 5 -minute halftime. The last 2 minutes of each half will be timed.
Article 2. Each team has two 30 second timeouts PER GAME. If a time out is called after a TD the clock will not run until the change of possession and the offense snaps their ball.
Article 3. The play clock is 30 seconds from the end of the previous play.
SECTION 6. FIRST HALF CLOCK
Article 1. The clock will run continuously during the 20 minutes of the first half unless a team timeout is used or play is stopped by an official (e.g. deal with an injury, challenge, referee conference, game management purposes, etc.)
Article 2. The head official will give a verbal two-minute warning (for rule specific changes inside 2 minutes)
Article 3. The clock will run during point-after-touchdown attempts (PATs).
SECTION 7. SECOND HALF CLOCK
Article 1. In the second half the clock will run continuously for the 18 minutes unless a team timeout or an official’s time out is used.
Article 2. The two-minute warning will stop the clock in the second half if the score difference is 8 points or less.
At the two minute warning officials will use a ‘stop’ clock mechanic for the remainder of the contest.
3. The head official will give a verbal two-minute (for rule specific changes) warning as close as possible to the actual marks but will not interrupt a live play.
Article 4. At the two minute warning officials will use a ‘stop’ clock mechanic for the remainder of the contest.
RULE 2. OFFENSE
SECTION 1. RUNNING
Article 1. The quarterback may run one time per 1st down as long as they are being rushed. The quarterback may not run at anytime if the ball is starting in the no-run zone. In all other offensive downs the quarterback may not run unless the ball has been thrown back, handed or pitched to him or her in the backfield.
Article 2. Teams may handoff unlimited times in the backfield. Handoffs are allowed forward or backwards when behind the line of scrimmage, and only backwards beyond the line of scrimmage. A handoff DOES NOT count as a lateral/throwback.
Article 3. Lateral rules:
Article 5. If the ball is placed on the “Back” of ANY player, the player MUST run the ball (no give and go to the QB on the back)
Article 6. No run zones are located 5 yards before mid-field and 5-yards before the end zone. You may not run the ball in the no run zone (5-yards before the first down and end zone), only forward passes are allowed. The no run zone does not apply to the 6U division.
Article 7. Ball is spotted where the ball is at the time of the flag pull. The ball must break the plane of the midfield or goal line to be considered a first down or touchdown.
Article 8. Players may NOT block down field in any form.
SECTION 2. PASSING
Article 1. The quarterback has 7 seconds to pass the ball if there is no rush. If the ball is not thrown, then the play is dead. After the ball is ruled dead it is returned to the line of scrimmage.
Article 2. Once the ball is handed off or pitched backwards the 7 second count stops. If the defensive team rushes, then there is no 7 second count.
SECTION 3. RECEIVING
Article 1. All players are eligible to receive a pass, including the quarterback, if the ball has been pitched or handed off in the backfield.
RULE 3. DEFENSE
SECTION 1. RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK
Article 2. Players that blitz/rush the quarterback must be a minimum of 10 yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped.
Article 3. The 10 yards will be measured off by a referee.
Article 4. Players that are not 10 yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped may not enter into the backfield until there is a change of possession.
Article 5. The blitzer/rusher is allowed a direct lane to the line of scrimmage as long as he or she rushes from either side of the center or outside the bunch formation. The offense must avoid interfering with the rusher if he or she has established a lane.
Article 6. The rush of a blitzer has to be immediately after the snap, quick and straight towards the point where the quarterback receives the snap in order to retain the right of way. If a blitzer is rushing late, slowly, aiming at another spot, changing direction during the rush or just does not rush the quarterback, the player loses the right of way but still can participate as any other defensive player.
RULE 4. SCORING
SECTION 1. POINTS
Article 1. Mercy Rule for both pool play and bracket play is a team up by 28 points after the first half and after the losing team has had at least 1 possession. Coaches do not have to agree on mercy rule if both coaches agree to continue playing.
SECTION 3. PENALTIES INSIDE 2 MINUTES
Article 1. All penalties inside of 2 minutes of BOTH halves remain the same except:
SECTION 1. THE FIELD
Article 1. Standard dimensions of the field are 60 yards long by 30 yards wide with 7 yard endzones. Approved field sizes may fluctuate from 53-64 yards long when necessary, or 23-30 yards wide. Endzones should not be shorter than 5 yards.
SECTION 2. THE GAME
Article 1. Game Time is FORFEIT TIME – upon approval by EFL Commissioner.
Article 2. Minimum 4 players to start a game. May only have up to 5 players on the field at any one time.
Article 3. The offensive team takes possession of the ball at their 5-yard line and has four plays to cross mid-field. On 4th down, teams have 5 seconds to declare to go for it or punt. Once a team crosses mid-field they have three plays to score. If the offensive team fails to cross mid-field, the ball changes possession.
Article 4. If the offense does not score, the ball changes possession. All drives start from the 5-yard line with the exception of an interception or failed 4th down conversion, where defense takes over at the spot.
Article 5. No blocking is allowed. No intentional contact is allowed.
SECTION 3. EQUIPMENT
Article 1. Approved football sizes:
- 9U and below: Pee-wee, junior, and youth size footballs allowed
- 10U-13U: Junior and youth size footballs allowed
- 14U: Youth size football (with option of using regulation high school sized ball)
SECTION 4. COACHES
Article 1. Coaches are volunteers whose role it is to help young people learn to play and enjoy football. Parents are encouraged to support their youth and their coach at all times.
Article 2. Coaches (1 Coach per Team) in the 8U and under divisions only are permitted on the field to assist players with their position alignment and mentoring on offense only (no coaches allowed on the field while on defense). At the snap, on-field coaches must be 5 yards behind the quarterback and are not allowed to continue instructing or coaching until the play ends.
Article 3. Coaches of all other age divisions may not come on to the field of play during a game unless a player is injured. Coaches who come on the field of play anytime during a game will be penalized. One sideline warning per game will be issued after which the following penalties will result:
- Coach on the field during live action = unsportsmanlike conduct
- Coach on the field during a dead ball = delay of game
SECTION 5. GAME CLOCK FORMAT
Article 1. Game clock is 40 minutes long. 2 20 minute running clock halves and 5 -minute halftime. The last 2 minutes of each half will be timed.
Article 2. Each team has two 30 second timeouts PER GAME. If a time out is called after a TD the clock will not run until the change of possession and the offense snaps their ball.
Article 3. The play clock is 30 seconds from the end of the previous play.
SECTION 6. FIRST HALF CLOCK
Article 1. The clock will run continuously during the 20 minutes of the first half unless a team timeout is used or play is stopped by an official (e.g. deal with an injury, challenge, referee conference, game management purposes, etc.)
Article 2. The head official will give a verbal two-minute warning (for rule specific changes inside 2 minutes)
Article 3. The clock will run during point-after-touchdown attempts (PATs).
SECTION 7. SECOND HALF CLOCK
Article 1. In the second half the clock will run continuously for the 18 minutes unless a team timeout or an official’s time out is used.
Article 2. The two-minute warning will stop the clock in the second half if the score difference is 8 points or less.
At the two minute warning officials will use a ‘stop’ clock mechanic for the remainder of the contest.
3. The head official will give a verbal two-minute (for rule specific changes) warning as close as possible to the actual marks but will not interrupt a live play.
Article 4. At the two minute warning officials will use a ‘stop’ clock mechanic for the remainder of the contest.
RULE 2. OFFENSE
SECTION 1. RUNNING
Article 1. The quarterback may run one time per 1st down as long as they are being rushed. The quarterback may not run at anytime if the ball is starting in the no-run zone. In all other offensive downs the quarterback may not run unless the ball has been thrown back, handed or pitched to him or her in the backfield.
Article 2. Teams may handoff unlimited times in the backfield. Handoffs are allowed forward or backwards when behind the line of scrimmage, and only backwards beyond the line of scrimmage. A handoff DOES NOT count as a lateral/throwback.
Article 3. Lateral rules:
- 13U and younger may lateral once behind the line of scrimmage per play, but may not lateral/ pitch/handoff at any time past the line of scrimmage.
- Any player who receives a handoff, pitch or lateral behind the line of scrimmage may throw the ball as long as he or she is not fully beyond the line of scrimmage.
Article 5. If the ball is placed on the “Back” of ANY player, the player MUST run the ball (no give and go to the QB on the back)
Article 6. No run zones are located 5 yards before mid-field and 5-yards before the end zone. You may not run the ball in the no run zone (5-yards before the first down and end zone), only forward passes are allowed. The no run zone does not apply to the 6U division.
Article 7. Ball is spotted where the ball is at the time of the flag pull. The ball must break the plane of the midfield or goal line to be considered a first down or touchdown.
Article 8. Players may NOT block down field in any form.
SECTION 2. PASSING
Article 1. The quarterback has 7 seconds to pass the ball if there is no rush. If the ball is not thrown, then the play is dead. After the ball is ruled dead it is returned to the line of scrimmage.
Article 2. Once the ball is handed off or pitched backwards the 7 second count stops. If the defensive team rushes, then there is no 7 second count.
SECTION 3. RECEIVING
Article 1. All players are eligible to receive a pass, including the quarterback, if the ball has been pitched or handed off in the backfield.
RULE 3. DEFENSE
SECTION 1. RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK
Article 2. Players that blitz/rush the quarterback must be a minimum of 10 yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped.
Article 3. The 10 yards will be measured off by a referee.
Article 4. Players that are not 10 yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped may not enter into the backfield until there is a change of possession.
Article 5. The blitzer/rusher is allowed a direct lane to the line of scrimmage as long as he or she rushes from either side of the center or outside the bunch formation. The offense must avoid interfering with the rusher if he or she has established a lane.
Article 6. The rush of a blitzer has to be immediately after the snap, quick and straight towards the point where the quarterback receives the snap in order to retain the right of way. If a blitzer is rushing late, slowly, aiming at another spot, changing direction during the rush or just does not rush the quarterback, the player loses the right of way but still can participate as any other defensive player.
RULE 4. SCORING
SECTION 1. POINTS
- Touchdown: 6 points
- Point After Touchdown:
- (PAT) 1 point from the 5-yard line (no-run zone in effect)
- 2 points from the 12-yard line, run, pass (outside of no-run zone)
- Interceptions returned on PAT’s are worth 2 points
- Safety: 2 points
Article 1. Mercy Rule for both pool play and bracket play is a team up by 28 points after the first half and after the losing team has had at least 1 possession. Coaches do not have to agree on mercy rule if both coaches agree to continue playing.
SECTION 3. PENALTIES INSIDE 2 MINUTES
Article 1. All penalties inside of 2 minutes of BOTH halves remain the same except:
- Defensive delay of game (+ 15 yards Unsportsmanlike & 1st Down)
- Leading Team – Offensive delay of game (LOD + clock stops) (only second half)
- Offensive Pre-snap penalties – yardage + LOD
- Defensive Pre-Snap – yardage + Automatic first down