Respect All Fear None

Rocket Football Rules

REVISED 2010
The Greater Newaygo County Youth Football League will follow the MHSAA football rules with the following exceptions:

1. To emphasize the "Greater Newaygo County Youth Football Coaches Code of Conduct"
ALL 5 - 7 year old AND 8 & 9 year old PLAYERS MUST PLAY AT LEAST SIX PLAYS PER HALF. ALL 10 - 12 year old PLAYERS MUST PLAY AT LEAST FOUR PLAYS PER HALF. A VIOLATING COACH WILL BE GIVEN ONE WARNING AND THEN WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR THE NEXT GAME FOR ADDITIONAL VIOLATIONS.
Each area has individual eligibility and disciplinary rules. Each team MUST notify an official, in writing, if they differ from the 2010 Greater Newaygo County Youth Football League Rules.

2. The weight and age restrictions in the various Age groups are as follows with each player being weighed in ONE TIME at one of the two PRESEASON weigh-ins:
WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS MAXIMUM GRADE

The age of child is determined on September 1st

5-7 year olds above 85 lbs. 8 in Second Grade
8 & 9 year olds above 110 lbs. 10 in 4^th Grade
10 - 11 year olds above 140 lbs. 12 in 6^th Grade

Any player above the previously listed weights and all players who miss the weigh-ins will play one position from tackle to tackle on the offensive and/or defensive line. (NO KICK-OFF OR KICK RECEIVE PLAY IS ALLOWED) There will be a 3 inch T placed on the helmet and they may not advance the ball in any way.

A. Eligibility to participate in Greater Newaygo Youth football based on the above weight restrictions will be established at weigh-ins prior to the first game/scrimmage. Team rosters documenting each individual's weight and age/grade will be provided to the Area Directors and will be used during the season to confirm any player's eligibility for participating in Greater Newaygo Youth football games. A player may be moved up a age group if the parents, coach and Area Director are in agreement. THERE WILL BE NO PLAYERS MOVED TO A LOWER AGE GROUP. ( unless they do not meet the maximum grade).

B. Any player who is above the stated weight restrictions or who has not been weighed in at one of the two pre-season weigh-ins will wear a 3 inch T of a contrasting color on the front and back of the players helmet and be restricted to playing tackle to tackle. NO EXCEPTIONS!! If a player is in violation of this rule, both the player AND the teams head coach will be ejected from the game and the following game also. Each field should have both black and white tape on hand.

C. A player may not be weighed in more than once under any circumstances.

3. The last day any player may sign-up to play is at the discretion of each area's director as long as all participation rules are followed. (Conditioning and contact practice)

A. Late sign-ups can be assigned to any team in their age level at the discretion of the area director.

4. The number of players on a team can be whatever number a coach can handle by getting all players their required plays per half.

A. If a team is split, there will be a minimum of 16 players on a team

B. A team is required to split if they have 36 players.

5. Teams within a age group shall contain a balanced number of experienced players.(This rule applies to towns with 2 or more teams at one age group)

　 6. No player may participate (practice or play) who has not turned in a Greater Newaygo County Youth football participation slip that has been signed by the parent/guardian. Any coach who uses an unregistered player will forfeit the game in which the player has participated and be suspended for one week.

7. All players must have at least one week of conditioning and one week of contact practice before competing in a game.

8. Practice and/or scrimmage games shall not be allowed against teams of different age groups.

9. After the first game, there shall be no more than three practices and/or scrimmage sessions/team meetings held per week.

A. Each player must participate in two practices a week in order to play in that weeks game (this rule can be waived at the discretion of the area director according to each areas attendance rules).

10. Each player must wear gym shoes, rubber molded cleats, or removable cleats (BUT NO METAL CLEATS). No other shoes will be permitted. The referee is to check all players on the field for any violations of this rule.

11. Every player MUST wear shoulder pads and a helmet with a facemask.

A. Only clear face shields may be worn.

12. All players MUST wear football pants containing the following pads: hip, thigh, tailbone, and knee pads.

*All Equipment Violation’s (rules 10,11,and 12)(with the exception of a mouthpiece not being in) are a major safety concern and any player found to be in violation during a game will be suspended for the balance of the game. (If a piece of equipment breaks during the course of a game, the player will be allowed to fix the equipment, and return to the game.)

13. All players MUST wear colored mouth protectors. These must be attached to the helmet and worn in the mouth while on the playing field. After the first warning, a 5 yard penalty will be given. Warnings are per team.

A. Specially made mouth protectors are permitted if brought to the attention of the officials before the start of the game.

15. All teams will play on the standard 100 yard field.

A. 5-7 year old teams do not kick off or punt

B. 5-7 year olds only- a coin toss shall determine possession at the beginning of each game with the ball being placed on the 40 yard line of the team that won the coin toss (unless deferred to second half)

C. 5-7 year old teams only- the defensive line shall not have a nose guard (lined up across from the center) the defensive line must line up over the guard and out.

D. 5-7 year old teams only- there is to be no quarterback sneak through the line (keep around the end is ok)

16. Game Ball Size

A. 5-7 year olds use the Pee Wee size Ball

B. 8 & 9 year olds use the Jr. size Ball

C. 10 - 12 year olds use the Youth size Ball

D. The ball shall be placed and hiked perpendicular to the line of scrimmage.

17. For all 5-9yr old games, one coach may remain on the field. No permission from the opposing team is needed. For 10-12 year olds, there will be no coach on the field.

A. Only one coach may be on the field at any time- (0 for 10-12 year olds) there will be an automatic 10 yard penalty for any other member of the coaching staff entering the playing field and interrupting the normal process of the game.

B. Each offensive/defensive coach on the playing field shall remain 10 yards behind his players and the ensuing play. The coach is not to interfere with the play of the game in any way. One warning will be given, and then an automatic 10 yard penalty will be given for any further violations.

C. The defense of the goal IS to be changed after the half.

18. All age levels will have 4 ten minute quarters, with no more than a 2 minute rest between quarters and a 10 minute rest at half time. When clock runs out, add 1 min.

A. Each team will have a 1 minute warm-up or exercise before starting each game and before starting the second half of each game.

B. Should either teams warm-up delay the start of the game or the second half of a game, the team causing the delay will be penalized 15 yards ( 10 -12 year olds ^h) or 10 yards (5-9 year olds at the kick-off.

C. If a team is ½ hour or more late the game will become a forfeit and the game will only be played if the Home team President/or field rep. Chooses to play, however the game will still be counted as a forfeit.

19. In the event of an injury and official time-out will be called. The injured player will be removed from the playing field and may not participate for at least one play. The player may then re-enter the game at the discretion of the coach.

A. The Field Director in charge of the field where the game is being played may remove the injured player for the rest of the game if, in his/her opinion, the player is unable to safely continue playing.

20. All teams (coaches) are to do everything possible to not run up the score on any opponent.

A. If a team has a 20 point lead, they will forfeit any remaining time-outs until the score is within 20 points.

B. If a team is behind by 24 points or more, that team will receive 6 downs to get a first down.

C. If a team is behind by 35 points or more, the clock will not stop for any reason.

21. RUNNING OF THE GAME CLOCK

A. Each team is entitled to 3 one minute time-outs per half.

B. The clock will stop for PENALTIES, TIME-OUTS, INJURIES, OUT OF BOUNDS AND INCOMPLETE PASSES. The clock will also stop AT CHANGE OF POSSESSION AND BETWEEN A SCORE AND THE FOLLOWING KICK-OFF.

C. Aside from the previously stated time outs or an equipment time out, the clock will run continually. The clock is not to be stopped for any other reason.

D. 5-7 year olds will have 40 seconds between downs, 8 & 9 year olds will have 35 seconds between downs and 10 - 12 year olds will have 30 seconds. If this is not followed, a 5 yard penalty will be enforced.

22. Referees may penalize a team 15 yards (10 - 12 year olds) or 10 yards ( 5-9 year olds) for un-sportsmanlike conduct by coaching staff or supporting fans. (This does not eliminate the possibility of questioning a referee on an interpretation of a rule, however, this must be done in a professional manner)

A. Spectators must stay within the designated spectator area. Remember, the coach/field director is responsible for the actions of the spectators and may be penalized for their actions.

B. It is the Area Director's responsibility to have overly aggressive or intoxicated fans removed (by the police if necessary)

23. One Certified adult referee and 1 additional referee (another adult if possible) shall be furnished by each city hosting a game. The visiting team shall provide two additional referee’s. Each additional referee and all field officials (chain gang) shall be at least a junior in High school.

A. The head referee shall be a Certified referee provided by the home team.

B. The head referee shall have both head coaches meet at the center of the field before the game begins. Any rule variations (ex. player eligibility) shall be presented at this time.

C. Referees to be opposite of their respected Team’s(City). i.e. Team A sideline will have Team B referee’s, and Team B to have Team A referee’s

24. No electronic communication to be used by coaches.

25. Announcers are not to announce while the play is in progress.

26. TIES: In the event of a tie game ( 10-12 age level only), each team will get the ball on the 10 yard line with 4 downs to try to score. Play will continue in this fashion with an equal number of possessions until a winner is determined.

27.T's can not pull outside of the tackles

28. Maximum penalty for 5-7 year olds and 8 & 9 year old teams is 10 yards

29. If awards are given, they shall be given to every player on a team and none will be given for individual accomplishments.

30. The first game of each week shall not be scheduled prior to 9:00am. Games will be scheduled as follows: 5-7 year olds, 8 & 9 year olds then 10 - 12 year olds. This rule will not apply on Youth Parent’s nights or where 2 games of the same age group must be held at the same location.

A. If the field is available, games may start earlier than the scheduled time, but only with the consent of BOTH coaches.

31. Super Saturday pairings will be determined by win-loss records-if there is a tie, pairings to be determined by least number of points allowed that season.

32. None of these rules may be waived by any person for any reason whatsoever.

League Director, WEIGH-IN, AND SUPER SATURDAY ROTATING SCHEDULE
2010 White Cloud
2011 Newaygo
2012 Hesperia
2013 Grant
2014 Baldwin
2015 Fremont

Rocket Football rules follow the MHSAA rules unless otherwise noted below.