JYFA ROOKIE TACKLE RULES

8-PLAYER FOOTBALL

Rookie Tackle uses the NFHS rule book as a base with the following JYFA adjustments for 8-player football.

Important Reminder

Scores and standings will be kept. However, the primary purpose of this division is learning, development, and player growth.

General Rules

1. No restrictions on jersey numbers or player positions.
2. Games are played in four 10-minute quarters with a running clock.
3. The play clock is 40 seconds. A play clock violation results in a loss of down.
4. The game clock stops only for timeouts and after scoring plays. Once the ball is set after a score, the clock resumes running.
5. Each team is allowed 1 timeout per half.
6. All game action takes place from one sideline of the field to the far hash marks, with all possessions starting on the 40-yard line and advancing toward the end zone between the hashes.
7. The ball is always spotted in the middle of the playing area.
8. Tackles for loss behind the 40-yard line are returned to the 40-yard line.
9. Any turnover is blown dead immediately. No returns are allowed. The ball is placed at the 40-yard line and the teams switch possession.
10. There are no defensive touchdowns and no safeties.
11. All players must play a minimum of 10 plays each. This will be tracked by a sideline play counter and kept on record.
12. Two coaches are permitted on the field for offense, and one coach is permitted on the field for defense. All coaching must stop once the play begins.

Offense

1. Offensive formations must have 5 players on the line of scrimmage and 3 players in the backfield, tackle to tackle.
2. No unbalanced lines or formations are allowed.
3. The center may snap the ball with either 1 or 2 hands.
4. Guards and tackles must be in a 2-point stance.
5. Offensive linemen must be foot to foot, with no gaps between them.
6. The 3 interior offensive linemen (G-C-G) are ineligible for the first touch.
7. The quarterback-center exchange may be direct or shotgun.
8. No quarterback sneaks are allowed.
9. No motion is allowed.
10. No blocking below the waist is permitted at any time.

Defense

1. The defense must have a minimum of 2 defensive linemen and a maximum of 4 defensive linemen.
2. Defensive linemen must be in a 2-point stance.
3. Defensive linemen must align head-up on guards or tackles.
4. No gap shading or angled alignment is allowed.
5. No A-gap alignment or rushing through the A-gap is allowed.
6. The defense must have one player aligned at least 10 yards from the ball in a safety position.
7. Any player not on the line of scrimmage or in the safety position must align at least 4 yards off the line of scrimmage.
8. Defenses that choose not to align directly over wide receivers on the line of scrimmage may position those players at the second level, provided they are at least 4 yards from the ball.
9. No blitzes are allowed.
10. On run plays, players within the box (guard to guard or tackle/tight end to tackle/tight end) may penetrate straight forward on the snap. Linebackers, cornerbacks, and safeties must flow naturally to the ball.
11. If the ball is inside the 4-yard line, the 3 to 5 non-defensive linemen may align on the goal line.

Special Teams

Officials & Penalties

1. Officials will call penalties according to NFHS, JYFA, and Rookie Tackle rules.
2. Penalty yardage will be adjusted as follows:
   • 5-yard penalty = 2 yards
   • 10-yard penalty = 4 yards
   • 15-yard penalty = 7 yards
3. If a play starts on the offensive 40-yard line and there is a penalty against the offense, no yardage will be marked off. The result will be a loss of down.