Evans County 8 man Football

Mighty Mites

Rule & Regulations

 

 

6-8 year olds:

Up to 85 lbs or determined by average weight in league (Running the Ball)

(Quarterback, Running Back, Wingback, Line, End, Linebacker, & Safety) 86lbs & above.

(Offensive and Defensive interior line-Center & Tackles) determined by average eight in league.  If a player is heavier than the league average determined, the player will be restricted to the offensive line only.

 

Note: An “X” player must clearly display an “X” on both sides of his helmet if they exceed the weight restrictions.

 

Weigh-Ins:

 

There will be one (1) weigh-in before the season to determine the position qualifications. All players must attend the weigh in.

 

Offense:

5 players must be on the line of scrimmage no more than 1 yard apart.

(Center, 2-tackles, 2-Ends)

 

·         Every team must start in the wing right or wing left abbreviated wing offensive set or in a “solid” backfield.  The wing must be set with no split ends.

·         Running back, wing, and ends are eligible for a pass reception.

·         Motion before the snap is not allowed.

·         Uneven lines are not allowed.

 

Defense:

No “A” gap penetration will be allowed.

Every team must be in the 4-3-1 set during normal play.

·         4-linemen must be head up on Tackles and Ends.

·         1-linebacker must be 2-yards off the ball and head up on the center.

·         2-linebackers must be 2-yards off the ball and outside the shoulder of the defensive tackles.

·         1-safety must be at least 4-yards off the ball and can line up anywhere

·         Blitzing is not allowed.

·         Stunting is allowed after the snap of the ball.

·         Movement is not allowed during the quarterbacks cadence.

 

 

A 4-4 set is allowed for goal line, extra point, and short yardage situations.

·         Allowed only when ball is 3 yards or less from a first down or the goal line.

·         The Safety is allowed to join the middle linebacker and set up stacked on the guards.

 

 

 

Game Format:

·         Games will have 2-20minute halfs.

·         First Down: Regular Rules (4 downs-12 yards)

·         Halftime will be 15 minutes

·         Each team will have 2-timeouts per half.

·         The Clock may be stopped by an official for a team timeout and an “official” timeout only.

·         6-points will be awarded for a touchdown.

·         1-point will be awarded for a running PAT and 2-points for passing PAT.

·         The field will be adjusted to 80-yards by 40-yards to accommodate the 8-man system.

·         Coaches are to remain 10 yards behind team.

·         Offense has 4 seconds to run a play from time ball is marked down. Once huddle is broken coaches cannot approach line of scrimmage, offense or defense.

 

No Punting Allowed

 

Kickoff: Predetermined by home team with ball on 20. (home team is team on right of schedule)

 

Mercy Rule:

                -A Mercy Rule will go into effect when any team is 18 points or more ahead of their opposition.

                -The team that is behind will receive the ball on offense until they score.

Evans County Parks and Recreation Department

Midget Tackle Football Fall 2011

Rules & Regulations

 

Rule 1:                  Equipment

 

Section l:              Players will be provided a helmet, shoulder pads, mouth pieces, and jerseys (which will be returned at the end of the season)

 

Section ll:             If a player loses a mouth piece (1) replacement will be issued at no cost.  Any additional replacements will be $2 per replacement.

 

Section lll:            Players need to be dressed before arriving at the field.  There will be NO dressing in the restrooms or upstairs.

 

Rule 2:                  Eligibility of Players

 

Section l:              Age Division

                               

Midget tackle league teams are composed of players who are 9-11 years old.  (12 Year olds may be allowed upon review by the director.)

                                Age Control Date is August 1^st.

 

Section ll:             Weight Limit

 

                                No player exceeding the weight limit can advance or carry the football.

The Weight limit is determined by adding 25 pounds to the average of all players in the   league.

 

Section lll:            Ineligible Ball Carries

                               

All players exceeding the weight limit must wear a strip of black tape on their helmet.  An ineligible ball carrier cannot intentionally receive a pass on offense. (Penalty: offensive pass interference)  Any time an ineligible ball carrier gains possession of the ball (ex. Fumble or Interception) the play will be blown dead.

 

Rule 3:                  Player Assignment and Teams

 

Section l:              ECRD staff will divide the teams.

 

Section ll:             Coaches must accept all players assigned to their team.  NO TRADING OF PLAYERS WILL BE ALLOWED!

 

 

 

 

 

Rule 4:                  Conduct

 

Section l:              ECRD officials, coaches, assistant coaches, players, spectators and any other persons administered hereunder, shall conduct themselves in a gentlemanly manner; exercising due to restraint and acting responsible under generally accepted principles of good conduct.           

 

Section ll:             Any coach, team member, scorekeeper, or fan who physically abuses in anyway a game official, league supervisor or employee of the ECRD will be automatically suspended for the activity in question.

 

Section lll:            ECRD coaches should stress hustle, self-discipline and the will to give a good effort at all times.  Coaches should promote respect for and pride in the ECRD sports programs and all of Evans County.  Coaches should also promote the importance of good discipline and good academics in the respective classrooms of the players.

 

Section lV:           Fans, players, coaches who verbally abuse other players, fans or officials may be asked to leave the park.

 

Section V:            All individuals NOT directly involved with the event in progress must remain off the playing surface.  Failure to do this could result in suspension for the remainder of the activities in question.

 

Section Vl:           Repeated violations of any of the above policy statements may result in expulsion from any activities sponsored by ECRD.

 

Rule 5:                  Playing Rules

 

Section l:              Duration of the Game

                               

                                Midget league will play two (2) twenty-five (25) minutes running clock halves divided by a half time.  The clock will only stop for time-outs or injuries in the first twenty-three (23) minutes of each half.  The last two (2) minutes of each half, the clock will be run according to Georgia High School Rules.

 

Section ll:             Half-Time

                               

                                Between the end of the 1^st half and the start of the 2^nd half, there will be a ten (10) minute intermission. (Teams will only change ends at half time.)

 

Section lll:            Time-Outs

                               

                                Each team may take two (2) time-outs per half.

 

Section lV:           Touchdown Rule

 

                                Any team leading by three (3) touchdowns (18 points) cannot call time-out during the last four (4) minutes of the second (2) half.  (Except to remove starting backfield.)

Rule 6:                  Kick-offs and Punts

 

Section l:              Kick-offs (Free Kicks)

 

                                There will be no free kicks in the tackle leagues.

 

Section ll:             Punts

                               

                                No defense is allowed to rush on punts.

 

Rule 7:                  Scoring

 

Section l:              All touchdowns are worth six (6) points.

 

Section ll:             After a touchdown, a team has the option of going for: one (1) point from the three (3) yard line or two (2) points from the five (5) yard line.  (The ball will be placed as soon as a player of the scoring team tells the official what option they will take. Taking a time-out can only change the decision.)        

 

Rule 8:                  Special Offensive Rule

 

Section l:              All offensive linemen must be in a down position in a 2, 3, or 4, point stance.

 

Section ll:             At any point during the game, if a team is eighteen (18) or more points ahead, the entire starting backfield (as designated by the ECRD staff) must come out of the backfield.  Also, they may not receive the ball by hand, pass or punt return.

 

Section lll:            No unbalanced lines are allowed.  You must have a guard and tackle on both sides of the center.  You may have a tight end on either or both sides, but not on the same side.  Split ends must be five (5) yards or more outside of the tight end.

 

Section lV:           No Quarterback sneaks will be allowed except inside the five (5) yard line.

 

Rule 9:                  Special Defensive Rules

 

Section l:              Defensive Linemen

                               

A team may have no more than six (6) men on the line of scrimmage.  (Except inside the five (5) yard line.)

                                You may have a nose guard inside the five (5) yard line only.

                                All defensive linemen must be in either a 3 or 4 point stance.  (Including defensive ends.)

Defensive linemen must line up head up (no gaps) except inside the 5 yard line.

Defensive ends must line up within two (2) yards of the outside shoulder of the tackles or head up. ABSOLUTELY NO BLITZING!!

 

 

 

 

Section ll:             Line Backers

 

                                Line Backers must play at least three (3) yards off the defensive line of scrimmage. (Except inside the five (5) yards line.)

                                Defensive backs (corner and safety) must line up one (1) yard behind linebackers.  They can be even with the linebackers if they are split wide.

 

Rule 10:                Coaches

 

Section l:              All coaches must be certified through NAYS or GHSA

 

Section ll:             All coaches must be on sideline between the twenty (20) yard line and the forty (40) yard line.  No coach is allowed on the field except for time-outs or an injury.

 

Rule 11:                Playing Requirements

 

Section l:              All players listed on the team roster must play a minimum of twenty (20) minutes of each ball game provided they have met practice requirements.

 

Section ll:             Players missing practice must provide a written excuse to their coach.  The coach must then give that excuse to a ECRD staff member.  Coaches should notify the scorekeeper of the game if they have a player who has not met the practice requirements.  These players will be allowed to participate in only the first ten (10) minutes of the 2^nd half.

 

Rule 12:                Penalties

 

A:                            Loss of 5 yards

1.       Failure to wear required equipment.

2.       Delay of Game

3.       Encroachment

4.       False Start

5.       Illegal Snap

6.       Illegal Motion

7.       Illegal Shift

8.       Illegal Forward Pass

9.       Intentional Grounding

10.   Illegal Formation

 

B:                            Loss of 10 yards

1.       2 or more consecutive encroachments

2.       Pass Interference-Offense (Loss of Down) Defense (First Down)

3.       Unsportsmanlike Conduct (Players or Coaches)

4.       Illegal Contact

5.       Roughing a Passer

6.       Illegal Participation

7.       Face Mask