Youth Football Rules Book 2014 Official Rules • Approved Rulings USA FOOTBALL YOUTH FOOTBALL RULES BOOK Copyright © 2010, 2011, 2012 by USA Football, Inc. Copying in whole or in part is prohibited without prior written consent from USA Football. Republication of all or any part of USA Football Youth Football Rulebook, including on the Internet, is expressly prohibited. USA Football has prepared this USA Football Youth Football Rulebook as a resource to leagues, coaches, officials, players, parents and fans in the United States. Any physical activity carries some risk of harm. The risk of injury from participation in the sport of football is significant. While particular rules, equipment and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of injury does exist. Reader knowingly and freely assume all such risks, both known and unknown, of using the information contained in this USA Football Youth Football Rulebook. Responsibility for the execution of any of the guidelines in this USA Football Youth Football Rulebook lies with the reader, facility, event operator, and parents; all such parties should exercise their own experience and judgment regarding individual situations. USA Football cannot be responsible for any injuries of any kind (whether physical or economic or otherwise) resulting from the use of this USA Football Youth Football Rulebook. USA Football disclaims any and all warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including but not limited to the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, that may be associated with the creation and publication of this USA Football Youth Football Rulebook. USA Football disclaims any and all liability related to the use of the information contained in USA Football Youth Football Rulebook to the fullest extent allowed by law. Published by USA Football, Inc. USA Football, Inc. 45 N. Pennsylvania St., Suite 700 Indianapolis, IN 46204 317-614-7750 www.usafootball.com Printed in the United States of America ISBN: 978-1500533939 Table of Contents Letter from the Executive Director .................................................................4 About USA Football, USA Football Overview ...............................................5 USA Football Regional Map ................................................................................6 USA Football Rules Committee ........................................................................7 About This Book .....................................................................................................8 Major Differences Between USA Football and Other Codes ...............10 Points of Emphasis ..............................................................................................15 Shoulder Pad Fitting Guide ..............................................................................16 Helmet Fitting Guide ..........................................................................................18 Concussions in Football ...................................................................................21 League Development Guide Codes of Conduct ......................................23 Rule 1 Basic Definitions .....................................................................................25 Rule 2 Timing .........................................................................................................37 Rule 3 Kicks .............................................................................................................51 Rule 4 Snapping and Handing the Ball ........................................................73 Rule 5 Passing .......................................................................................................85 Rule 6 Series of Downs .......................................................................................99 Rule 7 Contact .................................................................................................. 107 Rule 8 Scoring and Touchbacks .................................................................. 127 Rule 9 Penalty Enforcement ......................................................................... 137 Rule 10 Non-Contact Fouls .......................................................................... 149 Rule 11 Officials and Their Duties .............................................................. 161 Rule 12 Field and Equipment ...................................................................... 169 Signal Chart ....................................................................................................... 184 Alphabetical Index .......................................................................................... 186 Feedback Information ................................................................................... 192 March 2013 Dear Youth Football Commissioners and Coaches, Thank you for your commitment to incorporating USA Football’s Rules Book within your organization. This book is dedicated solely to America’s youth football community and its 3 million players. Shaped and assembled with the support and direction of our 10-member Rules Committee, comprised of youth league commissioners and game officials from all eight USA Football regions, this book is the result of more than four years of research (USA Football’s Rules Committee is introduced on page 7). Among the ideas voiced during more than 150 USA Football State Leadership Forums since 2007 has been the need for a youth football- specific rule book. This publication further unifies America’s favorite sport on its grassroots level and fosters fair play through easy-to-understand diagrams, tips and graphics to introduce and explain rules, sportsmanship, player wellness and more. This edition also includes the most common youth football rule modifications from the National Federation of State High School Association’s rule book. I thank you for your selfless dedication to lead a youth football league that instills the sport’s inherent values of responsibility, teamwork and discipline while ensuring that your players and their families enjoy a positive experience with the greatest game on earth. Scott Hallenbeck Executive Director 4 USA Football Rulebook 2014 About USA Football USA Football, the sport’s national governing body in the United States, hosts dozens of football training events annually offering education for coaches, skill development for players and resources for youth football league commissioners. The independent nonprofit is the official youth football development partner of the NFL, its 32 teams and the NFL Players Association. USA Football manages U.S. national teams within the sport for international competitions and provides more than $1 million annually in equipment grants and youth league volunteer background check subsidies. Endowed by the NFL and NFLPA in 2002 through the NFL Youth Football Fund, USA Football (www.usafootball.com) is chaired by former NFL team executive Carl Peterson. MISSION, ROLE AND VALUES USA Football leads the game’s development, inspires participation and ensures a positive experience for all youth, high school and other amateur players. It seeks to improve: • How football is taught. • How football is organized and delivered in communities. • How parents and players perceive and experience the sport. USA Football plays a unique role in the football community. It was created, in part, to lead a fragmented youth football community. It takes pride in helping all football organizations—teams, clubs, leagues and league membership organizations—ensure a positive experience for their players. Above all, USA Football is focused on what is best for players and how the game’s fundamentals and values are taught to those players. It also works to promote an inclusive culture in football. It wants all players to have a positive experience that teaches fundamentals, builds character and helps each player be the best he/she can be. USA Football produces innovative educational resources and programs that focus on fundamentals and values and facilitate player development. USA Football is accepted by the NCAA and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) as the national governing body of football and as the sole member of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) it has the exclusive right to field national teams for international competition. Within this role, USA Football promotes the game’s values domestically and internationally. About This Book 5 USA Football Rulebook 2014 USA Football Regional Map Rules Editor Bill LeMonnier Tinley Park, Ill. 6 USA Football Rulebook 2014 Rules Committee REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE STATES Great Lakes Region Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin Tom Grosinske Whitewater, WI Mid-Atlantic Region D.C., Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Mark Meana Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia Vienna, VA Southeast Region Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Cleon Williams North Carolina, South Carolina Davenport, FL Pacific Mountain Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Region Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Gary Bassett Wyoming. Boise, ID West Region Arizona, Colorado, Southern Nevada, New John Nixon Mexico, Southern California, Utah Hilmar, CA South Region Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas Leroy Hollins II Mississippi, LA Central Region Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Scott Neibert Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Arnold, MO South Dakota Northeast Region Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Don Lindberger New Hampshire, New Jersey,