Respect All Fear None
Respect All Fear None
Rocket Football Rules
Revised 2007 Season
The Newaygo County Rocket Football League will follow the MHSAA football rules with the following exceptions:
1. To emphasize the "Rocket Football Coaches Code of Conduct"
ALL 1ST & 2ND AND 3RD & 4TH GRADE PLAYERS MUST PLAY AT LEAST SIX PLAYS PER HALF. ALL 5TH & 6TH GRADE 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 2007 Rocket Football Rules.
2. The weight and age restrictions in the various grade groups are as follows with each player being weighed in ONE TIME at one of the two PRESEASON weigh-ins:
WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS MAXIMUM AGE
1st & 2nd Grades above 85 lbs. 8 years old
3rd & 4th Grades above 110 lbs. 11 years old
5th & 6th Grades above 140 lbs. 13 years old
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 rocket 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 rocket football games. A player may be moved up a grade group if the parents, coach and Area Director are in agreement. THERE WILL BE NO PLAYERS MOVED TO A LOWER AGE GROUP.
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 each side of his/her 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 grade 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.
C. Any deviation to this rule shall be at the discretion of the Countywide Director
5. Teams within a grade group shall contain an equal number of each grade. (This rule pertains only if there are 2 or more teams in that grade group in one area)
6. No player may participate (practice or play) who has not turned in a rocket 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 grade 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.At the discretion of the area director according to each areas attendance rules.
10. Each player must wear gym shoes or rubber molded cleats. (No removable 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.
A. All equipment must be rocket safety committee approved.
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 15 yard penalty (5th&6th) or a 10 yard penalty (1st&2nd, 3rd&4th) 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.
14. All teams will play 6 games, except the 5th & 6th grade teams will play a seventh game on Super Saturday.
15. All teams will play on the standard 100 yard field.
A. 1st & 2nd teams do not kick off or punt
B. 1st & 2nd grade 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. 1st&2nd grade 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. 1st&2nd grade teams only- there is to be no quarterback sneak through the line (keep around the end is ok)
16. Game Ball Size
A. 1st and 2nd grades use the Pee Wee size Ball
B. 3rd & 4th grades use the Jr. size Ball
C. 5th & 6th grades use the Youth size Ball
D. The ball shall be placed and hiked perpendicular to the line of scrimmage.
17. For all games, one coach may remain on the field. No permission from the opposing team is needed.
A. Only one coach may be on the field at any time-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. If the defense of a goal is to be changed at the end of the first half, opposing coaches are to agree before the start of the game.
18. All grade 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.
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 (5th&6th) or 10 yards (1st&2nd & 3rd&4th) at the kick-off.
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. Each team will have 40 seconds between downs, if this is not followed, a 5 yard penalty will be enforced.
22. Referees may penalize a team 15 yards (5th&6th) or 10 yards (1st&2nd and 3rd&4th) for unsportsmanlike 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 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 referees. Each additional referee and all field officials (chain gang) shall be at least a junior in High school.
A. The head referee shall be the "adult" 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.
24. Two-way radios may not 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 (5th &6th grade 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 1st&2nd and 3rd & 4th grade 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: 1st&2nd, 3rd&4th then 5th&6th grade. This rule will not apply on Rocket nights or where 2 games of the same grade 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.
WEIGH-IN AND SUPER SATURDAY ROTATING SCHEDULE
2007 HESPERIA
2008 GRANT
2009 MONTAGUE
2010 HOLTON
2011 WHITE CLOUD
2012 NEWAYGO
Rocket Football rules follow the MHSAA rules unless otherwise noted below.