Tackle - Rules

Official Rules: CMYAC shall play using MSHSAA rules with the additions/exceptions hereby termed “Modified Rules”.

1) General Rules:

A) Rosters: A maximum number of 30 players and a minimum of 15 players per team are allowed per team.  A roster with players’ name, jersey number and weight will be provided to all teams.

1. B)  Weight Limits:  Maximum weight will be enforced for running or advancing the ball. All players exceeding the established weight limit will have helmets marked with a unique stripe decal or sticker.  Any fumbles/interceptions recovered by a striped player will be placed at the spot of the recovery/interception. Weigh-ins must be observed by a coach or board member of another team or organization. 
2. i) 3rd grade: 105lbs 
3. ii) 4th grade: 120lbs

iii) 5th grade: 135lbs

1. iv) 6th grade: 160lbs
2. C) Official Team Rosters:All organizations shall be given rosters of teams on its schedule. Players Names, Height, Weight and Jersey number shall be listed on rosters. Rosters are to be turned in at least a week prior to the first game.
3. D) Lines to Gain & Field Set-Up:All tackle fields shall be divided into 5 or 10 yard zones and conforms to MSHSAA rules. The Line of Scrimmage (LOS) extends from sideline to sideline. All tackle fields shall be marked with extended yard lines to mark Coach’s Boxes as follows: Coach’s Box extends from mid-field to the 20 yard lines. No persons other than League Officials, Referees, Coaches; Players are allowed in the box. Teams may be penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct and a 15 yard penalty shall be assessed if other persons are in the box.
4. E) Chains:The “home” team is responsible for working the chains. The chains must stay on the home team side of the field.
   
5. F)   Coaches on the field: Coaches on the field cannot give instructions once the QB has started his cadence.   Coaches must back up 10 yard behind the RB/QB.
6. i) 3rd grade: 2 offensive coaches and 1 defensive coach will be allowed on the field.  
7. ii) 4th grade: 1 offensive coach and 1 defensive coach will be allowed on the field.  
   
   

iii) 5th grade: 1 offensive coach and no defensive coach will be allowed on the field.  

1. iv) 6th grade: No coaches will be allowed on the field for offense or defense.  
2. 
   G) Ball Sizes:The home team shall supply the game ball. The visiting team may use their ball if preferred.
3. i) 3rd/4th:Pee Wee/K2 Size football
4. ii)5th/6th:Junior Size football
5. H) Jersey numbersshall not be restricted to a certain position as in high school rules.
   
   I) Fighting:Any player ejected for fighting shall be subjected to an incident review by the CMYAC Rules Committee. Any player involved in a fight may be suspended for a period of not less than one game or up to the remainder of the season and/or permanently from the CMYAC.
   
   J) Playing Up: A player in a younger grade can be moved up to a higher grade with Registration Committee approval only. 
6. 
   K) Injuries, Accidents & Safety Equipment:Certified Athletic Trainers are on-site for all CMYAC games played in Columbia to assess and treat sports injuries. “911” shall be called for immediate medical assistance for any potentially serious or life-threatening injuries.
7. i) Return to Play:The Athletic Trainer has the sole authority to determine a player’s eligibility to return to play after an injury sustained during a practice or game.
8. ii) Concussions: In the event a player appears to have suffered a potential concussion, the Athletic Trainer has the sole authority to allow or disallow a player to return to play.  Any Coach who returns a player with a suspected concussion to play without consent of the Athletic Trainer or other Medical expert shall be immediately ejected from the game and be suspended from coaching indefinitely.  When In Doubt, Sit Them Out!
   
   

2) Games & Play Rules: 

1. A) Minimum Play Rule (MPR):  Each player will be required to play a minimum of SIX (6) plays per half.  Coaching staff shall ensure each player meets the MPR.  Players that are not qualified due to practice or safety concerns are exempt from (MPR), that list shall be provided to opposing coaches on the day of game, and must be communicated to the player’s parents the week prior. 
   
   B) Game Clock:All games shall be played with a running clock and shall consist of four (4) fifteen (15) minute quarters. The Game Clock shall only stop for the following: 1) a timeout; 2) after any special teams play; 3) a delay of game penalty; 4) injuries; or 5) the final two minutes of each half. The last two minutes of each half shall be played in accordance with MSHSSA rules.
   
   C) Mercy Rule: If at any point in the game, one team has a 28 point advantage, a continuous running clock shall be in effect until the differential is less than 28 points. The clock shall only stop for timeouts and injuries. This includes the last two minutes of each half.
2. i)Times outs: The leading team may not use time outs during final 2 minutes of each half when the Mercy Rule is in effect.
3. D) Play clock:The ball must be put into play within the play clock limit after the ready-to-play whistle has been blown. Offensive team shall be penalized five yards for delay of game if it fails to put the ball in play by either snap or free kick before the play clock expires. The Game Clock shall stop for the delay of game penalty and resume running when the ball is put into play on the next play. 
4. i) 3rd/4th:60 second play clock limit
5. ii)5th/6th:40 second play clock limit
   
   E) Half time: Shall consist of a five (5) minute period plus three (3) minutes for warm ups.  Total of 8 minutes for halftime.
   
   F) Regular Season Overtime Period:  The ball shall be placed at the 20 yard line and each team shall be able to get 1 first down and will be limited to 2 sets of downs to score.  If the score remains tied after this set of downs then the game shall stand as a tie.
   
   G) Postseason Overtime Periods: The ball shall be placed at the 20 yard line and each team shall be able to get 1 first down and will be limited to 2 sets of downs to score. If the score remains tied after this set of downs then the process shall be repeated until the score is no longer tied.
6. H)  Defense: Any defensive formation is allowed with the following exceptions. Blitzing is allowed. Defense will NOT line up over center at any time.
   
   i) 3rd/4th: The closest the Defensive Tackles can line up to the center is heads up in front of the Offensive Guards. Teams are NOT allowed to walk up blitzes. Blitzers must be 5 yards off the line of scrimmage.
7. ii) 5th/6th: The closest the Defensive Tackles can line up to the center is in the A Gaps between the Offensive Guards and Center. Teams ARE allowed to walk up blitzes. 
8. I) Bad Snaps: If the snap hits the ground before the qb gains possession, it will be dead ball and the ball placed 
9. i) 3rd/4th: at the original line of scrimmage and loss of down.
10. ii) 5th/6th: where the ball touches the ground and loss of down.
    
    

3) Special Teams:  

1. A) Kick-off:
2. i) 3rd/4th: There are NO kickoffs.   Play starts on your own 20 Yard Line. 
3. ii) 5th/6th: Kickoffs are live from the kicking teams own 40 yard line.

 

2. B)Points after Touchdown – Ball is placed on the 2.5-yard line.
3. i) 1 extra point for run or pass conversion.
4. ii) 2 extra points for kicking the ball through the uprights. 
5. C)Extra Point Kicking:Place kicking shall be allowed as a “dead” ball play. Defense must take a knee.  A deep snap is required.  Ball holder must be on a knee, receive and place the ball for kick.  If the ball touches ground during the snap, the holder may retrieve the ball and resume ball placement.  The Kicker then has 20 seconds to kick the ball.   If the kicker doesn’t kick within 20 seconds, the attempt fails. or Dead Play.
6. D) Punting:
7. i) 3rd/4th: There is NO Punting.  Punts are a 30 yard walk off.  If you are inside the opponents 30 yard line, and decide to punt, this is an automatic touchback.  Resulting in the opposing team starting at their 20 Yard Line. 
8. ii) 5th/6th: Punting shall be allowed as a “dead” ball play. Defense must take a knee.  A deep snap is required. If the ball touches ground during the snap, the kicker may retrieve the ball and resume the kick.  The Kicker then has 20 seconds to kick the ball.   If the kicker doesn’t kick within 20 seconds, the attempt fails. or Dead Play
9. E) Safety:After a safety is scored, the ball is put into play by at the 30 yard line.  
10. F)“5thQuarter” Rule: At the end of game, if there is a need for a team to get some play time for certain players, an untimed, unscored series of Offensive and Defensive Plays will be played.  Each team will get 10-15 plays of offense and defense.  Number of plays will be determined by the coaches. 

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4. Penalties
   
   A) Horse-Collar: 15 yard penalty – All players are prohibited from grabbing the inside back collar of the shoulder pads or jersey, or the inside collar of the side of the shoulder pads or jersey, and immediately pulling the ball carrier down.
5. B) Chop Block: 15 Yard Penalty – A Chop Block is a block by the offense in which one offensive player (designated as A1 for purposes of this rule) blocks a defensive player in the area of the thigh or lower while another offensive player (A2) engages that same defensive player above the waist.
   
   C) Blindside Block: 15 yard Penalty – A blindside block is defined as a player initiating a block when his path is toward or parallel to his own end line, and he makes forcible contact to his opponent with his helmet, forearm, or shoulder.
   
   D) Aggressive Tackling Around the Head/Neck – Any player purposely attacking the head or neck area of a ball carrier in order to bring them down to the ground.  For example, wrapping up around the head and turning/twisting the head to bring them down in an unsafe manner.
6. i) 1st Offense from a player – 15 yard penalty and a warning.
   
   ii) 2nd offense from the same player – 15 yard penalty and ejection from the game.
   
   iii) 3rd offense from same player – 15 yard penalty and 2 game suspension.
7. E) Targeting– a player takes aim at an opponent for purposes of attacking with forcible contact that goes beyond making a legal tackle or a legal block or playing the ball
   i) 1st Offense from a player – 15 yard penalty and a warning.
   
   ii) 2nd offense from same player – 15 yard penalty and ejection from the game.
   
   iii) 3rd offense from same player – 15 yard penalty and CMYAC Conduct Review.
   
   iv) Some indicators of targeting include but are not limited to:
   
   

Launch — a player leaving his feet to attack an opponent by an upward and forward thrust of the body to make forcible contact in the head or neck area

A crouch followed by an upward and forward thrust to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area, even though one or both feet are still on the ground

Leading with helmet, shoulder, forearm, fist, hand or elbow to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area

Lowering the head before attacking by initiating forcible contact with the crown of the helmet.