Football

Playing the Game

• A coin toss determines first possession.
• The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 15-yard line and has four (4) plays to cross midfield.
• Once a team crosses midfield, it has three (3) plays to cross the opponent's 15-yard line.
• Once a team crosses the opponent's 15-yard line, it has three (3) plays to score a touchdown.
• If the offense fails to score or they turn the ball over on downs, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over on its own 15-yard line.
• All possession changes, except interceptions, start on the offense’s 15-yard line. Interceptions change the possession of the ball at the point of interception. Interceptions are the only changes of possession that do not start on the 15-yard line.
• If the defensive team scores a safety, they will take possession of the ball on their own 15-yard line.

Players

• Teams must field a minimum of 8 players at all times. The offense must have 3 linemen and the defense must have 3 linemen.
• All players must play at least half of each game.

Timing/Overtime

• Games are played 2 halves - 18 minutes running time, with a 3-minute halftime.
• Play will be with a running clock.
• During the last two (2) minutes of the second half, the clock will stop on every dead ball (Out of bounds run, Incomplete Pass, Change of possession, and Timeout).
• If the score is tied at the end of the game, the game ends in a tie.
• Each time the ball is spotted, a team has 40 seconds to snap the ball.
• Teams will receive one warning before a delay-of-game penalty is enforced.
• Each team has two 30-second timeouts per half.
• Timeouts cannot be carried over to the second half. Use them or lose them.

Scoring

• The LPR emphasizes fun and skills.
• Touchdown: 6 points
• Extra point: 1 point (played from 3-yard line) or 2 points (played from 6-yard line)
• Safety: 2 points

Running

• The quarterback cannot directly run with the ball. Direct handoffs, pitches, and tosses behind the line of scrimmage are permitted. Offense may use multiple handoffs and tosses behind the line of scrimmage. Absolutely no handoffs, pitches, or laterals past the line of scrimmage.
• "No-running zones," located 5 yards from each end zone, are designed to avoid short-yardage, power-running situations.
• The player who takes the handoff, pitch, or toss can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage.
• Once the ball has successfully been handed off, pitched, or tossed, all defensive players are eligible to rush.
• Spinning is allowed, but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive player (no diving).
• The ball is spotted where the ball carrier’s feet are when the flag is pulled, not where the ball is.

Receiving

• All players except the 3 inside linemen are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off or tossed behind the line of scrimmage).
• Only one player is allowed in motion at a time.
• A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception.

Passing

• All passes must be forward and received beyond the line of scrimmage
• Shovel passes are allowed but must be received beyond the line of scrimmage.
• The quarterback has a seven-second “pass clock.” If a pass is not thrown within the seven seconds, play is dead, loss of down.
• Once the ball is handed off, the seven-second rule no longer is in effect.

Interceptions

• Interceptions change the possession of the ball at the point of interception. Play is whistled dead immediately after being caught. Interceptions are the only changes of possession that do not start on the 15-yard line.

Dead Balls

• The ball can be snapped between the legs or off to one side to start play.
• Substitutions may be made on any dead ball.
• Play is ruled "dead" when:
  • Ball carrier's flag is pulled.
  • Ball carrier steps out of bounds.
  • Touchdown or safety is scored.
  • At the point of an interception (interception returns are not allowed).
  • Ball carrier's knee hits the ground.
  • Ball carrier's flag falls out.
• Note: There are no fumbles. The ball is spotted where the ball hits the ground.

Rushing the Quarterback

• All players rushing the quarterback must declare with a hand raised high in the air and be a minimum of seven yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped.
• Three players can rush the quarterback on a given play.
• Players not rushing the quarterback may defend on the line of scrimmage but not rush.
• Once the ball is handed off, the seven-yard rushing rule no longer applies, and all defenders may go behind the line of scrimmage. A referee will designate seven yards from the line of scrimmage.

Sportsmanship/Roughing

• Foul play will not be tolerated. Trash talking is illegal. Officials have the right to determine offensive language. (Trash talk is talk that may be offensive to officials, opposing players, teams, or spectators.) If trash talking occurs, the referee will give one warning. If it continues, the individual or individuals will be ejected from the game.
• Note: This is an LPR league, and we are here to have fun and for the kids to enjoy the program.

Penalties

• The referee will call all penalties.
• Referees determine incidental contact that may result from normal play.
• Games cannot end on a defensive penalty unless the offense declines it.

Defense Penalties

• Offsides - 5 yards.
• Pass interference - 5 yards from the line of scrimmage; replay the down.
• Tackling contact - 5 yards added to the end of the run (intended or incidental does not matter).
• Illegal flag pull - 5 yards and automatic first down (before receiver has the ball).
• Illegal rushing - 5 yards and automatic first down (starting rush from inside 7 yards).
• Roughing the passer - 15 yards and automatic first down (any unnecessary physical contact with the passer).
• Delay of game - 5 yards from the line of scrimmage; replay the down.

Offense Penalties

• Illegal motion - 5 yards and loss of down (more than one person moving, false start, etc.).
• Illegal forward pass - 5 yards and loss of down (pass received behind the line of scrimmage).
• Offensive pass interference - 5 yards (from line of scrimmage) and loss of down (illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender).
• Flag guarding - 5 yards (from line of scrimmage) and loss of down.
• Delay of game - 5 yards (from line of scrimmage) and loss of down; clock stops.
• Clipping - 15 yards (from line of scrimmage) and loss of down (block into the back of the opponent).
• Straight arm - 5 yards (from line of scrimmage) and loss of down (extended to ward off an opponent).
• Lowering head - 5 yards (from line of scrimmage) and loss of down (ball carrier may not run over a defensive player).

Equipment & Attire

• Tennis shoes or rubber cleats are allowed. Metal cleats are not permitted.
• All players must wear a protective mouthpiece; there are no exceptions.
• No obstructing clothing may be worn that might harm members of the other team or cover the flags.
• Players must wear the T-shirt and flags provided by the LPR during play. No personalized jerseys will be accepted.
• All players must wear a set of flags. A tackle is made by removing a flag and holding it aloft.

• All rules follow high school play with the following exceptions.
• Parents are not to enter the field of play at any time. Only players, 4 coaches per team, chain gang, and necessary personnel are allowed between fields.
• Unsportsmanlike fans, coaches, and players should be reported to the league supervisor. If deemed necessary, the person(s) may be removed from the venue.
• Halves are 22 minutes running clock with the last two minutes of each half played with clock stoppages.
• Half time will be 5 minutes.
• Penalties are assessed at 2/3 the normal distance. Five-yard penalties are reduced to 3 yards.
• Players over 125 pounds may punt but they cannot turn into ball carriers.
• Centers may hike or toss the ball to the punter.
• Only ends or backs are eligible for passes.
• No player 125 pounds and above will be allowed in the offensive backfield, including kickoffs. You may pass the ball to a player over 125 pounds, but it must be across the line of scrimmage.
• No end-arounds.
• No player may leave the line of scrimmage until the ball has been punted.
• Each team receives 2 one-minute timeouts per half.
• Any child that receives a head injury may not return to the league without a physician’s consent. (Forms can be obtained from the supervisor or at LCB.)
• Each child will receive equal playing time to their ability. (Contact sport & their readiness.)
• Officials may interrupt play to explain rules to players.
• Each team receives two (2) challenges per year if a question arises over the weight limit of a player in the offensive backfield. The player in question must report to the league supervisor to be weighed. If over the limit, they cannot be in the offensive backfield for that game and will be noted in the official book. If the player in question does not make weight for two games in a row, they will be banned from the offensive backfield for the remainder of the year. All challenges must be made prior to the start of the game. No exceptions.
• No blocking below the waist (chop blocking).
• All out-of-town players will be weighed before their first game.
• The first team listed gets the middle field and must supply the chain gang.
• All coin flips will be defer or receive.
• Linebackers must be lined up no less than three (3) yards off the line of scrimmage until the ball is snapped.
• Officials’ calls are final.

Revised: 02/08/2023