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Rules of the Game This page will highlight some of the rules that govern high school football. These are out local league rules and the National Federation of State High School Associations Rules. If you would like a rule clarification and it posted, email me at dalefebvre@charter.net League Rules Section A. General Game Rules Rule 1: All Teams must field eleven (11) players at the start of every game or the game will be forfeited. Rule 2: All games will be played under National Federation of State High School Athletic Association (NFHS) Rules with the following exceptions: 1. Extra Points will be scored one (1) point for run or pass and two (2) points or a successful kick. 2. The Free-Blocking Zone will be defined as follows: a. Blocking below the waist is permitted in the free-blocking zone when the following conditions are met: 1. All players involved in the blocking are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap 2. The contact is in the zone. b. Clipping is not permitted in the free-blocking zone. c. Blocking in the back is permitted in the free-blocking zone when the following conditions are met: 1. by offensive linemen who are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap. 2. against defensive players who are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap. 3. The contact is in the zone. Rule 3: Games will consist of four (4) quarters. Each quarter will be 10 minutes, with a 10 minute Half-Time. Rule 4: Games will be controlled by a minimum of three (3) or a maximum of five (5) officials. Official time will be kept on the playing field unless an electronic scoreboard has been approved by the Head referee. Rule 5: CONTINUOUS RUNNING CLOCK RULE: When a team leads by Thirty Five (35) or more points, during the second half of a game, the game clock shall run continuously until the end of the game or until the score difference drops below Thirty Five (35) Points. The clock will only stop for timeouts, injuries, scores, intermission and penalties. Rule 6: When the score difference is 35 points or higher the score will not be displayed. Rule 7: All tie games will end as a tie game. Rule 8: All playing shoes will be either rubber cleats or tennis shoes. No metal cleats. Rule 9: During Punts or Extra Point attempts, No Defensive player shall line up over the Center and shall not make contact with the Center until the ball is kicked or advanced. Rule 10: No player may tackle an opponent at the neck line or above, such as clothes-lining, bear-hugging, or any tackle which takes control of the opponent’s head. A 15 yard penalty will be enforced. This rule does not apply if the ball carrier lowers his head just before or during the tackle. Rule 11: When a team leads by 25 or more points any offensive player that scored 2 touchdowns may not intentionally handle the ball, except at the center position. If an offensive player, that has scored 2 touchdowns, handles the ball on offense while the score difference is 25 or more points, the penalty will be a 15 yard, Un-Sportsmanship Conduct Foul. The Foul will be assessed from the original line of scrimmage and the down will be replayed. The spirit of this rule is to get other kids involved in the offense when the lead is 25 or more points and not to run up the score. Rule 12: In a Shot gun formation the Center is not offered protection as a long snapper. The Center must have his head up and be ready for contact at the snap. The coaching staff must ensure that the Center has been properly trained on the Shot Gun Snap. If the Center snaps the ball in the Shot Gun formation with his head down the offense will be penalized 5 yards from the previous spot for illegal procedure. Striper Rules Rule 1: A Striper player may not advance the ball on any offensive series. For example he or she may not run, throw, or catch the ball. Rule 2: A Striper Player may not advance the football during kickoffs, punt returns, or handle the ball during the return. If the ball is kicked to them they may fall on it. Rule 3: A Striper Player may not advance the ball on a turnover. If a Striper Player intercepts a pass or recovers a fumble, the Defensive Team will obtain possession of the ball at the spot of the recovery. Rule 4: A Striper Player will not be penalized for an instinctive reaction to recovering the football. The play will be blown dead and the ball spotted at the point of recovery. Rule 5: If a team violates these Striper Player rules, the referee will call the play dead and a 15yard penalty will be enforced. Rule 6: All stripers must be on the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball. This includes offensive and defensive positions. No Striper may line up in the backfield except to kick extra points and field goals. Stripers are still restricted from advancing the ball, fakes are not allowed and the play is called dead if there is a bad snap with the striper in the back field. NFHS Rules Illegal Personal Contact - Roughing the Snapper
Yelling or criticizing the game officials: Until you have put on the striped shirt and officiated a game you have no right to yell at or criticize a youth game official especially our young high school kids who are learning the positions!!!!!
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