2014 Rulebook

2014  WHITEPOINT YOUTH FOOTBALL  RULEBOOK

Table of Contents 

General Whitepoint Rules ............................................................................................................................ 3  Ages and Weights  .........................................................................................................................................4  Uniforms and Equipment  ............................................................................................................................. 4  Field Rules .....................................................................................................................................................5  Coaches On‐Field Rules  ................................................................................................................................5  Stripers/Linemen ..........................................................................................................................................6  Whitepoint Youth Football Game Rules  ...................................................................................................... 6  Penalties  .....................................................................................................................................................12  Coaches Code of Conduct ........................................................................................................................... 12  Gentlemen’s Agreement  ............................................................................................................................ 13

WHITEPOINT YOUTH FOOTBALL 2014 RULES  2 

WHITEPOINT YOUTH FOOTBALL 2014 RULES  Eddie Gazzillo, Commissioner 

General Whitepoint Rules  1.

Whitepoint’s objectives are to teach the fundamentals of football and good sportsmanship while  providing a healthful and fun activity. This is an instructional in‐house football program. There is no  travel, no standings, and no playoffs.  2. All players must be registered using Whitepoint’s Registration Form. No one will be allowed to practice  or play without being registered.  3. No player can be benched without the Football Commissioner’s or President’s approval.  4. Every player must play at least half a game as long as the player has consistently been attending  football practices and met the minimum criteria for playing on your football team.   5. Every effort must be made for every player to hold a starting position at the start of the game before  any player is selected to play both ways   a. Players that miss a practice during the week or shows up late for the practice or game do not have to  start and may not play equal amount of time. This is up to the coaches of those players.   i. Note: Whatever you’re playing time rules are:  1. They must be applied to all members of your team.  2. They must be clearly stated to the parents of your team.   6. Schedules will be given out before the start of the season. Each team will play eight games. In addition,  each division will have an All‐Star Game.   a. Game time on the schedule is start time. Games can start with less than eight players. The officials will  balance both teams out.  7. Game Officials, Field Crews, and Directors are all assigned by Whitepoint.  8. All players will receive a participation trophy at the end of the season. In addition, the following  trophies will be given out: 

Most Valuable Player 

Outstanding Offensive Back  Outstanding Defensive Back  Outstanding Offensive Lineman  Outstanding Defensive Lineman 

Sportsmanship Award

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Ages and Weights  1.

Pee Wee Division, Ages 4‐7  a. Players cannot be 8 years old before August 1 st  and cannot weigh over 125 pounds  b. Players over 65 pounds will be designated as Stripers and cannot carry the ball. These players can only  play offensive and defensive line.  c. Ball size is K2  2. Minor Division, Ages 8‐10  a. Players cannot be 11 years old before August 1 st  and cannot weigh over 155 pounds  b. Players over 85 pounds will be designated as Stripers and cannot carry the ball. These players can only  play offensive and defensive line.  c. Ball size TDJ  3. Major Division, Ages 11‐13  a. Players cannot be 14 years old before August 1 st  and cannot weigh over 155 pounds  b. Players over 115 pounds will be designated as Stripers and cannot carry the ball. These players can  only play offensive and defensive line.  c. Ball size TDY 

Uniforms and Equipment  1.

Each player must be properly equipped. This includes the following: 

Protective cup 

Helmet 

Shoulder pads 

Knee pads  Thigh pads 

Hip pads 

Tail‐bone pad 

Colored mouth piece 

2. Each player will receive a game jersey and game pants which they get to keep.

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Field Rules  1. Whitepoint Field length is 60 yards from goal line to goal line and 30 yards from sideline to sideline.  End zones are 10 yards deep.   2. Both Teams will be on the same sideline.   3. Team box is from the 10 yard line to the 25 yard Line   4. Down and distance sticks will be on the opposite side of the teams   5. Only USA Football Certified Coaches, Whitepoint Players, Whitepoint Members and professional  photographers/press are allowed in the enclosed playing area.   6. Only three coaches for each team will be allowed on the sidelines.  7. Only one coach per team is allowed on the field during time outs.  8. No video or picture taking by coaches while games or practices are going on. All attention must be  given to the game and all the players.    9. No alcoholic beverages are allowed at practices, games, or on the field.  10. Coaches will refrain from smoking and chewing tobacco around the players and on the field.  2. Minor Division  a. 1 coach per team may be on the field for the first 2 games   b. 1 coach per team may be on the field for games 3 and 4 but cannot enter the huddle.  c. No coaches will be allowed on the field after the 4 th  game  3. Major Division  a. 1 coach may be on the field for the first 2 games but cannot enter the huddle.  b. No coaches will be allowed on the field after the 2 nd  game  4. On field coaches rules   a. On field coaches are primarily there to expedite playtime and help align players  b. On the snap of the ball, coaches must be 10 yards from their nearest player   c. If the coach interferes with a play it will be an unsportsmanship penalty.   d. If it happens twice, that team will lose coaches on field privileges for that game Coaches On‐Field Rules   1. Pee Wee  Division  a. 2 coaches per team may be on the field for the first 3 games   b. 1 coach per team may be on the field for the remainder of the season 

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Stripers/Linemen   1. Lineman will be identified with a stripe on their helmet and can only wear numbers in the 50 ‐79  range.   a. Stripers can only be used as down lineman and can never carry the ball.   i. Linemen may intercept the ball, recover a fumble, and recover a kick off, However,  they cannot advance the ball.  

1. If a lineman does recover the football, the player must fall on the ball.   2. Once the ball is recovered by a lineman, the referee will blow the play dead.  

2. A striper at middle linebacker on defense as long as the following is adhered to:   a. The middle linebacker must be stacked over the center. 

b. The defense is not playing a nose guard.  c. The offense is using a striper as their center. 

3.

A striper may be used as a kicker or punter  

4. If a coach or player removes their stripe that person will be ejected from the game and the league.  

Whitepoint Youth Football Game Rules  

Whitepoint football will follow general NFHS Rules with modifications. 

Time Clock Modifications  a. Pee Wee Division 

1.

i. Pee Wees will play two 20 minute continuous clock halves.  ii. The clock will only stop for timeouts, injuries, official measurements, penalties,  touchdowns, and the last 2 minutes of each half.   1. At that point the officials will follow NFHS rules for stops and starts (time‐outs,  incomplete passes, out of bounds, penalties and first downs‐moving the  chains).  2. There will be a 7 minute half time.  

iii. Each team will have 3 time outs per half   iv. Offense will have 40 seconds between plays  

1. The referee will give an offense a 10 second warning

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Time Clock Modifications Continued…  b. Minor and Major Division  

i. All quarters will be 12 minutes continuous clock   ii. The clock will only stop for timeouts, injuries, official measurements, penalties,  touchdowns, and the last 2 minutes of the 2nd and 4th quarters.   1. At that point the officials will follow NFHS rules for stops and starts (time‐outs,  incomplete passes, out of bounds, penalties and first downs‐moving the  chains).  2. There will be a 7 minute half time.  

iii. Each team will have 3 time outs per half   iv. Offense will have 30 seconds between plays  

1. The referee will give an offense a 10 second warning  

Offensive Modifications   a. Offenses must use Official Whitepoint hole and back numbering system   b. Offense must keep 3 backs (QB included) in the guard box.  c. No quarterback sneaks.   d. Offense may not run any type of unbalanced formation or a twin set at any time.   e. The maximum splits for an offensive lineman is 3feet or 1 yard between their feet.  

2.

Defensive Modifications   a. Defense must use Official Whitepoint Gap Lettering System 

3.

b. No Blitzing  

i. Only down linemen can rush the passer   ii. Linebackers and Defensive backs must wait for the RB or QB to turn their shoulders up  field before crossing the line of scrimmage.   iii. If the QB rolls‐out or scrambles outside of the Tackles he is considered a running back  and can be tackled by anyone.   iv. It is up to the discretion of the referee whether or not a blitz or quick read has taken  place.

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Defensive Modifications Continued… 

v. Blitzing will result in an unsportsmanship penalty  

c. Nose Guard Rules  

i. Pee Wee and Minor Division   1. No nose guard   ii. Major Division 

1. Nose guard will be allowed after the 4th game (or as league decides)  

d. Defensive Line Play 

i. Defensive linemen must align head up with the offensive linemen except for the  defensive ends who may align on the outside shoulder of the end down lineman on  the line of scrimmage   ii. Defensive linemen may not shoot the gaps. Linemen must hit their opponent before  making any type of move.   iii. Defensive line must make non‐angled (straight‐on) contact with an offensive player  directly across from him before reacting to the play.   iv. Defensive linemen must deliver a two‐hand punch before any block destruction move,  such as a rip or swim technique, is used.  v. The defensive player must drive forward, read the play and then react.   1. Whitepoint Football Teaches Defensive Lineman to use the MAN‐GAP‐BALL technique.  a. Beat the MAN over you  b. Protect your GAP c. Find the BALL vi. Vs. a pulling offensive lineman the defensive line man may run directly to the ball  carrier.   vii. It is up to the discretion of the referee whether or not a defensive lineman is shooting  the gap   viii. Shooting the gap will result in an unsportsmanship penalty

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Defensive Modifications Continued…  e. Defensive Formations  

i. Defensive formation require four distinct levels.   1. Line of Scrimmage  

2. Linebackers, four yards off the line of scrimmage   3. Inside the 5 yard line, the linebackers can line up 3 yards off the line of  scrimmage.   4. Cornerbacks, at least one yard behind linebackers (5yds off the LOS)   5. Safety, at least one yard behind cornerbacks (6yds off the LOS)  

a. After the ball is snapped, the defensive players can go wherever they  want  

Special Team Modifications   a. Punt/Punt Return   i. Pee Wee Division 

4.

1. On 4th down the offense must declare that they are going to punt. No fake  punts   2. Upon the offense declaring punt, the ball will be marked 20 yards from the line  of scrimmage.   3. If the 20 yards marked off lands in the end zone a touch back will be declared.   ii. Minor and Major Division  1. On 4th down the offense must declare that they are going to punt. No fake  punts   a. First four games:  i. Teams will align in punt and punt return formation  respectively.   ii. The Punt team will only snap and punt the ball.  iii. They will not rush down the field  iv. The Punt Return team must make either a fair catch or down  the ball.

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Special Teams Modification Continued… 

v. No advancement will be allowed by the punt return team.  vi. The Punt return team must have control of the ball to down it.  vii. If a ball is battered forward by a receiver, the ball will be  placed at first touch. However, if the ball continues to travel  further from the line of scrimmage, the ball will be spotted at  the furthest point.  viii. If the ball travels into the end zone, it will be considered a  touch back.   b. Fifth game and beyond:  i. Teams will align in punt and punt return formation  respectively  ii. The Punt Team  1. Is not allowed to travel down field until the ball is  punted.   2. The punt team must punt the ball to advance it.  3. If the punter is being rushed he may scramble to punt  the ball or he can down it. He cannot take off down  the field.   iii. The Punt Return Team    1. No one is permitted to align over or make contact  with the center  

2. You may only rush 2 defensive linemen   3. Defensive linemen may not shoot the gaps.   4. Linemen must hit their opponent before making any  type of rush   5. Only non‐stripers are permitted to return the punt   6. Linemen may recover a punt, however, they cannot  advance the ball.   7. If a lineman does recover the football, the player must  fall on the ball.

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Special Teams Modification Continued… 

8. Once the ball is recovered by a lineman, the referee  will blow the play dead. 

b. Kick Off/Return  

i. Pee Wee Division  1. At the start of each Half and after Touch Downs, the ball will be placed on the  20 Yard Line  ii. Minor and Major Division  1. Kick Off Team will kick off from the 20 yard line  

2. A striper may be used as the kicker   3. Any player can line up in any position   4. Kick Return Team will line up on the 30 yard line  5. Stripers may only be used on the front line  

6. Linemen may recover a kick‐off; however, they cannot advance the ball.   7. Once the ball is recovered by a lineman, the referee will blow the play dead.  

c. Point After Touch Down  i. All Divisions 

1. After a touchdown is scored the ball will be placed on the 3 yard line.  2. A successful run attempt into the end zone will be rewarded 1 point.  3. A successful pass attempt into the end zone will be rewarded 2 points.

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Penalties   1.

Whitepoint follows all NFHS Football Rules.   a. In addition to NFHS Football Rules  

i. Maximum distance for a penalty is 10 yards  ii. Blitzing, Unsportsman like conduct ‐ 10 yard penalty   iii. Shooting the gap, Unsportsman like conduct ‐ 10 yard penalty  

b. Only the most blatant of infractions will be called.   c. After a penalty is called it is the coach’s job to instruct the player on what he did wrong and  how to correct it.   Coaches Code of Conduct   1. No striking any of the children for any reason. These are children not adults treat them accordingly.   2. Do not, for any reason, pull a player around by his facemask.   3. The Referees are volunteers. Please do not harass them or give them a hard time. They are doing the  best they can.   a. Only head coaches are permitted to address game officials  b. No criticizing officials at any time, on or off the field. This can only hurt the program.   c. If you disagree with a call, and you think the official misapplied a rule, you can call a time out  and discuss it with the officials.   i. This does not apply to judgment calls.   d. If the official agrees a rule was wrongly applied, the time out is not charged and the correction  is made.   e. If the official thinks the rule was correctly applied, the time out is charged to your team and  the play stands.   f. The referee’s decision is final.   4. The Head Coach is responsible for conduct of his Assistants and parents of players on his team.   5. The head Coach is responsible for the cleanliness of his sidelines after every game and practice is  played.  6. No alcoholic beverages are allowed at practices or games.  7. No video or pictures should be taken by coaches while games or practices are going on. All attention  must be given to the game and all the players.    8. Coaches will refrain from smoking and chewing tobacco around the players.

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Coaches Code of Conduct Continued…  9. Per Officials discretion, swearing or unsportsmanlike like conduct will result in:   a. 1st‐a warning to stop conduct in question   b. 2nd‐ejection from the game.   c. Ejections will follow the High School rule.  

i. 1st ejection‐out for next game   ii. 2nd ejection‐out for the season.   iii. If this happens on the last game of the season it will be carried over to the next  season.  

10. Remember at all times this program is for the players benefit, not for the coaches or parents.   11. Coaching Rosters are to have One Head Coach and up to two Assistant Coaches.  a. Each coach who enters the field must have a current USA Football Training Course certificate.  b. Only assigned coaches with proper certifications will be allowed on your sideline.  Playing time for all participants is more important than winning or losing a game.   REMEMBER: THIS PROGRAM IS FOR THE YOUTH and not for the coaches and parents.   INFRACTIONS OF THE ABOVE RULES ARE SUBJECT TO A VARIETY OF DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS BY THE BOARD UP  TO AND INCLUDING DISMISSAL FROM THE PROGRAM.  

Gentlemen’s Agreement   1.

No team should win by more than 3 touchdowns (21 points)  

2. If your team is up by 3 touchdowns you are expected to give other players the opportunity to run the  ball.   3. No one player should score more than 3 touchdowns in one game   4. In theory, no team should go undefeated.   a. It is the goal of Whitepoint for each team to finish with a .500 record.   b. There are no standings or playoffs. At the end of the season we will play an all‐star game in  each division.

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