2017 FOOTALL OFFICIAL'S RULES
FOR THE WEST GEORGIA TACKLE FOOTBALL LEAGUE
8', 10'S & 12 YEAR OLDS
______
Please know and follow these rules while officiating in all age groups. If something comes up that is not in these rules revert back to GHSA rules.
______
COACHES--
1. Teams are allowed only 4 coaches on the sidelines anytime during the game.
They may have only 2 water boys/girls at any time. All 4 coaches must wear their coaching pass in plain sight entire time on the field. If no pass they must leave the sidelines.
2. The head coach is responsible for keeping all spectators off his sidelines. If not the following will be the penalty--First time the officials have to ask the coach to remove anyone except the 4 coaches and 2 water boys the following will happen-
The coach gets his first warning with a 15 yard penalty. Second time the coach will be ejected from the sidelines and stadium for 2 games. (No exception)
3. If any coach touches any official, Rec. staff or another coach, he will ejected and suspended. If a coach charges out on the field in anger after another coach or official he will be ejected and suspended.
4. Three of the four coaches must come to mid field for the coin toss with their captains. This is to let the officials know who is supposed to be on the sidelines.
GAME GUIDELINES
1. By vote of the League, games will start at 9:00am this year with the
12's playing first, 10's next followed by the 8's. (On some occasions flag ball may play first)
1 2. Blindside blocks are not allowed.
3. A 10 minute grace period for the first game of the day only. Teams must have 11 player to start a game.
4. All tackle ages will play 8 minute with an 8 minute halftime.
5. Games cannot start early unless both coaches agree.
6. Teams will have 3 timeouts per half.
7. Videos by parents or spectators will not be viewed on any phase of the game.
8. Must have 11 players to finish a game. If a team has only 11 players and one gets injured, the coach may call a time out to see if the player can resume play. If the coach does not have a timeout left, he may take a 10 yard penalty to see if the player can resume playing. If the player cannot resume play, the game will be a forfeit.
9. Games should have 3 officials but may be played with only two (2).
X PLAYERS GUIDELINES
1. Any player over the weight limit for their age group must have an X tape on the back of his helmet. This X is to let the officials and opposing coaches know who cannot run, catch or throw the ball plus they cannot play any stand up position.
2. The X players in 7&8 and 9&10 must play a down lineman with either one or both hands on the ground. The 11&12's may play either down or up on offense but must be down on defense.
3. X players on defense are not allowed to play any further outside than the defensive's tackle's outside foot.
4. On offense, an X player cannot ever be the outside player. A non X player has to always be the outside player even on an unbalanced line.
2 5. On defense the X player does not have to covered by a non X player but the x player cannot play further out than the offensive's tackle outside foot.
The X player must be down in a stance with hand on ground.
6. If the X player catches the ball on a kickoff, punt, recovers a fumble or intercepts a pass the ball will be down at that spot.
7. If the X player makes an attempt to catch the ball on a kickoff or etc, and muffs the ball it will be a live ball and may be recovered by either team.
8. The X player may punt or kickoff but cannot run a fake punt, hand the ball off or pitch or pass the ball.
9. During very hot weather please give teams plenty of water breaks.
EQUIPMENT
1. The following is a list of ball that each age group will use. They cannot use a ball smaller or larger than what is listed. Officials should check the balls before and during the game. Cannot play without shoes.
8 & under--only K2 or a Pee Wee ball
10 & under--only Junior size or TDY
12 & under--only Intermediate or Youth size
2. Only the black block may be used for kicking EP or FG. (no kick off tee)
3. The protective cover that cover the helmet may be worn for safety.
4. Shoes-Regulation football cleats, rubber molded cleats or tennis shoes may be worn. Baseball spikes or track spikes are not legal.
5. All team members must wear the same color jersey with numbers on front and back. Two players may have the same number but not on the field at the same time.
6. Players must wear legal and approved equipment including mouthpieces.
3 8 & UNDER RULES
1. For the Jamboree and the next 2 games 1 coach may be on the field with their team on both offense and defense. After the offense breaks the huddle, both coaches must back up 10 yards from the line of scrimmage.
2. No kickoffs in the 8 & under. The game will start from the 30 yard line. After a safety the ball will be placed on the 50 yard line.
3. Punting--The teams will have two choices--A free punt or a live punt.
Free punt--if the coach tells the officials he wants a free punt, the officials will move ball down field 25 yards unless the ball is on or inside the 40 yard line. In this case the ball will moved 15 yards. The clock will stop as soon as the coach tells the official he wants a free kick. The ball will then start on the snap of the ball.
Actual punt--If a coach want to punt, the punter must walk up to the center and take the ball through the center legs. After getting the ball from center the punter will have 10 seconds to punt the ball. (no rushing). If the other team does not make an attempt to run the ball back, the clock will start on the snap.
4. When kicking EP & FG the black block must be used. There will not be any rushing on either EP or FG. The kicker must walk up and take the ball through the center's legs and walk back and punt the ball within 10 seconds.
10 & UNDER RULES
1. Punting--There are no free punts in this age group. On 4th down if the coach wants to punt he must tell the officials. (no rushing). The ball may be snapped from a short punt formation. Once the kicker receives the snap, he will have 10 seconds to kick the ball. The ball will not be live and the receiving team cannot run it back. The receiving will take the ball where it was downed.
Extra Pt./Field goal--The black block must be used. No rushing on either.
4 Because the is no rushing, if the EP is good it will only count 1 point. 2 points for passing and 1 point for running.
12 & UNDER RULES
The 12 & under will play regular high school rules with the exception of extra points--Kicking 1 point--forward pass 2 points--running 1 point.
The black box must be used for EP & FG.
MERCEY RULE
1. If a games ends in a tie (any age), a tie breaker will be played to decide a winner, but it will not be played more than twice during regular season. If there is no winner after 2 tries the game will remained tied.
2. A coin toss will be held to start the tie breaker, with the visiting team calling the toss. The winner of the coin toss will have the choice of playing offense or defense first.
3. The ball will be placed on the 10 yard line. (same 10 yd. line each time played). The team playing offense first will have 4 downs to score. Their 4 downs will end either by a score, fumble recovered by the defense, pass interception or the defense keeping them from scoring. Note-The only way a team could get more than 4 downs is a penalty against the defense resulting in a first down.
4. After those 4 down the same procedure will be played by the team that lost the coin toss. If neither team scores on their first time with the ball it will be played again with both teams having a chance to score.
5. Teams may carry over any time outs left from regulation play plus get 1 time out for each time played.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
5 1. Before games start the host may call games off at their field if the weather or field is to bad play on or if the weather could cause danger for all involved.
2. After the games get underway, the host and officials may call games off if there may be danger for all involved. The games may be made up from the start for any called off before half time. If games are called off during halftime or in the 3rd or 4th quarter, the game will not be made up and the team leading in the score will be declared the winner. Ties will remain tied.
PLAYER EJCTION
If a player get ejected from the game, the player must leave the game at that time plus he must sit out his team's next scheduled game. He may attend the sit out game in street clothes but sit on the bench.
FAN/FANS EJECTION
The game officials and any recreation staff person have the authority to eject any fans or fans that are showing unsportsmanlike conduct, being rowdy, under the influence, being abusive and etc. The fan/fans that get ejected must leave the entire stadium at the time of the ejection. If any problems with them leaving, law officers should be called to handle the situation. The fan/fans recreation departments will be expected to hand out a penalty to their fans.
***************************************************************************
OFFICIALS INFORMATION
1. OFFICIALS MUST BE DRESSED PROPERLY WITH STRIPE SHIRT, OFFICIATING HAT
ONLY, BLACK SHOES, WHISTLE AND FLAG, MAY WEAR BLACK SHORTS IN HOT
6 WEATHER AND LONG BLACK PANTS IN COOL WEATHER. MUST HAVE COMPLETE
UNIFORM BEFORE GETTING ON THE FIELD. (ALWAYS DRESS PROPERLY)
2. BE AT YOUR ASSIGNED GAMES AT LEAST 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO GAME STARTING
TIMES. (PLEASE)
3. KNOW THE RULES, HUSTLE AND KNOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITYS ON THE FIELD.
4. TREAT COACHES AND PLAYERS WITH RESPECT. PLEASE DON'T LOOK FOR
PROBLEMS.
5. DON'T LET PENALTIES GO JUST TO RUSH THE GAME UP. BE PROFESSIONAL AT ALL
TIMES. CALL WHAT YOU SEE..
6. CALL KEN WITH ANY PROBLEMS, ANY EJECTIONS WITH COACHES, PLAYERS OR
FANS. (GET COACHE'S NAME AND PLAYER'S NAME OR JERSEY NUMBER WHEN
EJECTED)
7. WORK WITH THE RECREATION STAFF AT ALL SITES.
7