NL Football Rules

Arrival:

All participants should arrive at field on time.  We begin exactly at divisional start time that entails group warm ups and drills that will teach basic skills and create fun experience as well. Coaches are strongly encouraged to request participants to arrive earlier than specific game time to practice and review plays.

Building Block Theme:

Five minutes prior to each game, all participants will come together for "Building Block Theme". During this time, we'll discuss topics such as teamwork, leadership, safety, making good decisions, and value of hard work for example that are applicable to football but are lessons that goes beyond actual sport being played.

What to Bring (4 Major Items):

  1. Each participant is responsible to provide water or sports drink. Water breaks will be given often and with increasing frequency in higher temperatures.
  2. Any specific medication needed for child such as inhalers, allergy medicine, etc.
  3. Football cleats will be very useful, but are not required.
  4. Mouthpiece


Game Cancellations:

Games will be cancelled during inclement weather. Games will continue during light rainfall, however, Next Level must follow the decisions from Lower Merion Township Parks and Recreation (LMT). Oftentimes if there is heavy rainfall during the week and clear conditions the day of the games, activities can still be cancelled at LMT discretion. This notification from LMT is received enough in advance so message can be communicated to parents. If there is a game cancellation, parents will be notified by email, and also receive a call from coach of child's team. In addition, game status will be available on website, www.nlsports.org

The Game:

Freshman Division (Pre-K and Kindergarden):

More time will be spent on interactive drills, games that emphasize basic skills as opposed to playing a game. Four years old participants will be separated from five years old players in most weeks. As weeks progress, actual game time will be longer but not exceeding 30 minutes.

Total allotted time for Freshman division is 1 hour.

  1. Warm-Up and building block discussion - 20 minutes
  2. Water Break - 5 minutes
  3. Interactive Drills/Game - 30 minutes
  4. Closing - 5 minutes

Every child will have chance to play each position on both offense and defense.

Sophomore (1st and 2nd Grade) Junior (3rd and 4th Grade) Seniors (5th, 6th, and 7th Grade):

Five on Five or flag football where every participant is eligible on offense (can go out for pass.) Game will consist of two 20 minutes halves with a running clock until 1 minute.

Total allotted time for Sophomore, Juniors, and Seniors is 1 hr 20 minutes.

  1. Warm-Up and building block discussion - 20 minutes
  2. Skill of the week - 10 minutes
  3. Game - (Two 20 minute halves with running clock until 1 minute)

Every child will have chance to play each position on both offense and defense.

Senior Division only active during Fall Flag Football Season.  Next Level Sport Clinics available in Spring season for age group.


Offense:

First Downs - There are three sections on a field to get a first down. A cone marks each first down.

Passing - each set of downs must consist with a pass. This rule is not applicable to Freshman Division.

*NEW*
Blocking - Only type of blocking allowed is shielding with body (getting in the way of opponent.)  This is only allowed for Sophomore and Freshman Division. Blocking is not allowed in Junior and Senior Division. Any blocking leading with a shoulder, forearm, or pushing is prohibited.

Scoring

  • Touchdown 6 points
  • Extra Point with a running play - 1 point
  • Extra Point with a passing play - 2 points


Calling Plays - Coaches have one minute to call in plays for the Freshman division and 45 seconds for Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.

Flag Guarding - Cannot avoid tackle by pushing opponents hand away

Turnovers - There will be interceptions, but when there is a fumble, ball is marked dead where the ball is dropped.

*NEW*
Fumbles - Upon snap of ball, offense has until end of 3 mississippi counted by referee to pick up ball.  If ball is not picked up by that time, ball is mark down where ball is dropped. THIS IS ONLY FOR SOPHOMORE DIVISION. If ball is fumbled in Junior or Senior Division, the play is stopped where ball is fumbled.  No 3 Mississippi Count!

Penalties

  • Offsides - 5 yard
  • Holding - 10 yard
  • Pass Interference - 10 yard
  • Forward Lateral - 5 yards
  • Personal Foul - 15 yards
  • Delay of Game - 5 yards

Defense:

Players are tackled by removing flag from waist.  Cannot run through a player to pull a flag.

(*NEW* adopted from NFL FLAG RULES)
Defensive Rush

Players are only able to immediately advance across line of scrimmage once the ball is handed off.  There is NO MORE 3 Mississippi! 3 Count is Only For SOPH Division

Legal Rush:
i. Any rush from a point 7 yards from the defensive line of scrimmage (Referee will designate Rush Line 7 yards off of the ball.)

ii. A rush from anywhere on the field AFTER the ball has been handed of by the quarterback.
iii. If a rusher leaves the rush line early, they may return to the rush line, reset and then legally rush the quarterback.
iv. If a rusher leaves the rush line early and the ball is handed off before they cross the line of scrimmage,they may legally rush the quarterback.

A penalty may be called if:
i. The rusher leaves the rush line before the snap and crosses the line of scrimmage before a handoff or pass
ii. Any defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped
iii. Any defensive player, not lined up at the rush line crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is passed or handed off.

1. Players rushing the Quarterback may attempt to block a pass. However, NO contact can be  made with the quarterback in any way.

2. Offense cannot impede the rusher in any way. The rusher has a CLEAR PATH to the QB and any interference that would impede his/her path to the QB will be considered blocking. The defense may attempt to block a pass provided they do not strike the passer.

3. Blocking the pass and then striking the passer will result in a 10-yard penalty.
Penalties
  • Offsides - 5 yard
  • Holding - 10 yard
  • Pass Interference - 10 yard
  • Personal Foul - 15 yards

*Please note that all of these Rules and Regulations will be explained in week one. And enforced throughout the season. Although not anticipated as being an issue, it must be stated that Next Level Sports will not tolerate any fighting and mean spirited taunting amongst the players and especially parents and coaches. If there is a problem, please bring all issues to Next Level Sports Staff for resolution.*