Football Rules

Flint River Football League Rules 2009

All games will be governed by Georgia High School Association rules with the exception of the following amendments:

All Age Groups:

Birth Certificate/proof of Age:  Each director is required to have a birth certificate on file. Birth certificates are not required to be carried to games; but, in the event of an “age challenge” a valid birth certificate must be produced by 5 pm on the first business day after the game. Any team caught using and illegal player is subject to removal from the league. The age control date for players is September 1 of that year.

Playoff:  Playoff will rotate from county to county. This year’s playoff will be held in Marion County on the following dates: November 7, 2009 and November 14, 2009. The top 6 teams per age group will compete in the playoff. Team seeding will be based on (1) team record, (2) head to head, and then (3) coin toss.

Championship Game:  The championship games will be hosted by the program with the most remaining teams. In case of a tie, the county with the best overall winning percentage will host the championship. Each County will provide $50 for trophies for the champions. Exception: if two programs are tied and one program hosted the previous year, the other program will host.

Reporting Scores:  All scores shall be called in (229)-314-9399, faxed (229)-649-2020 or emailed (marioncfc@alltel.net) to the commissioner no later that 5 pm on the first business day after the game. Game results will be published on the Tuesday following Saturday’s games.

Games (Length, Slaughter rule, Overtime):

a.     Length: All games will be (4) quarters. Each quarter will last for (10) min. Halftime will last for (8) minutes.

b.     Slaughter rule: If a team is winning by 21 pts., the clock will become continuous and will remain continuous until the score is less than 21 pts. This applies at any point of the game.

c.      Overtime: No game will result in overtime. A coin toss will be called by the home team to determine who will have 1^st possession of the ball (winner of coin toss determines). The ball will be placed on the 10 yard line. The offense will have a regulation set of downs to score. The extra pt. must be attempted after the score with the scoring team having choice of attempt. After 3 scores by a team, the attempt must be for 2 pts. If no team scores after 3 attempts, the ball will be placed on the 5 yard line. Attempts will take place until a winner is determined.

Extra Points:

a.     One (1) point if the ball is run or passed in from the (3) yard line.

b.     Two (2) points if the ball is run or passed in from the (5) yard line.

c.      One (1) point if the ball is free kicked from the (3) yard line with the play not being live.

         Note: Kicking only applies to the 12 & U age group.

4^th Downs:  The offense must notify the official if they elect to punt or try for the first down. Notification must be made prior to the expiration of the play clock. If a team elects to punt, this will move the ball 30 yards down field. The ball cannot go beyond the 20 yard line. Note: This applies to each age group.

Mouthpiece Violation:  The officials will call a mouthpiece violation when a player does not have a mouthpiece in their mouth when the quarterback starts the snap count (whether under center or in the shotgun). Due to safety reasons, the play will be blown dead prior to the snap of the ball. GHSA penalty will apply.

Coaches Uniforms:  It is highly suggested that coaches be dressed in similar attire. This is so officials can identify who should be on the sidelines and who should not be on the sidelines; although, it is the responsibility of the coaches to control the sideline. Further, this will also assist in identifying who gets in as staff members.

Use of PA Systems:  Audio systems shall be used for the purpose of public announcements only. It shall not be used for the purpose of “cheering on” the home team or distracting the visiting team.

Game Admission:  League teams are authorized to charge a maximum of a $2 admission fee to individuals that are 10 and over for regular season games. Playoff games will not exceed $3 per admission. All coaches (football & cheerleading), recreation directors, and bus drivers will not be charged admission.

Game Times:  Regular season game will be held at the following times:

a.     11/12 year old group at 10:00 AM.

b.     9/10 year old group at 11:30 AM.

c.      7/8 year old group at 1:00 PM.

Reporting of Disputes/Discrepancies/Etc.:  Any and all discrepancies or disputes that take place off the playing field, shall be reported to recreation directors available at the game site. Recreation directors shall make a report to the league commissioner who will after further investigation call for a special league meeting to resolve this issue. Any and all discrepancies or disputes that take place on the field shall be reported to the head official. The head official will notify the league commissioner who will after further investigation shall call a special league meeting to resolve this issue. Note: the intent of such notification process is to resolve all matters as openly and quickly as possible.  

Ammendments to GHSA Rules for 7/8 Year Old Age Group:

Game Length: All games will be (4) quarters. Each quarter will last for (8) minutes. Halftime will last for (8) minutes.

Line Up:  Defensive men must line up on the guards. No player can line up over the center (must be a minimum of two (2) yards away from the center). No defensive lineman can be lined up on the inside shoulder of the offensive tackle. Defensive tackle must make contact with the guard first and there will be no stunting toward the center. Penalty: 1^st violation shall result in a warning with the official delaying the play and having the on field coach move his player. 2^nd violation shall result in a 5 yard penalty from the line of scrimmage.

Blitzing:  No blitzing is allowed between the tackles. Penalty: 5 yards from the line of scrimmage. Notes: If ball is fumbled does not constitute a blitz. Players can blitz as long as the blitz path is wider than the starting position of the offensive tackles.

No Kick Offs:  kick offs are not allowed in this age group. The ball will be spotted on the receiving team’s 35 yard line.

On Field Coach:  One coach will be allowed on the field. Once the quarterback begins his snap count, the coach must be 10 yards deeper than the deepest player. Coaches must also stop giving instruction. Coaches shall not distract the other team. Penalty: 1^st violation, coach will be warned. 2^nd violation, team will receive a 10 yard penalty. 3^rd violation, team will receive a 10 yard penalty and that coach will be asked to leave the playing field. The penalized team must produce a new field coach to take his or her place. If an on field coach interferes with a play, the opposing team will have the option of having the ball spotted at the pt. of interference or result of the play. If the official deems the interference to be intentional, the coach shall be ejected and a personal foul shall be assessed.

Amendments to GHSA Rules for 9/10 Year Old Age Group:

No Punting:  No Punting will be allowed in the 9/10 year old age group.

Amendments to GHSA Rules for 11/12 Year Old Age Group:

No Punting:  No punting will be allowed in the 11/12 year old age group.

Extra Point Kick:  Teams can kick for an extra point in 11/12 year old age group. Note: The extra point kick will be a free kick and will count for (1) point. The play will not be live.

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