South St. Paul Tacklebar Football Rules

Version 22.8.16 | League Rules

FORMAT

Players are rostered by the coaches via a player draft, if a draft cannot occur SSP Parks & Rec staff will roster the teams.
The game is played with seven (7) players, a minimum of five (5) players must be on the field at all times.
Teams may ONLY have 3 coaches. These coaches must be identified on the team roster to be an official coach.
1. Only one coach per team is allowed on the field of play at a time prior to the snap (1 – Offensive, 1 – Defensive)
2. All coaches, both offensive and defensive, must move to the sidelines prior to the snap of the ball.
3. All assistant coaches and players must stay on their side of midfield on their sidelines
4. Coaches are responsible for having a copy of the rulebook and schedule.
The playing field is 40 yards x 25 yard wide (End Zones are 10 yards deep x 25 yards wide)
Junior size footballs are the official football size for tacklebar.
40 Minute game clock as follows:
1. Running Time (Clock stops last 4 minutes of the game for plays that are out of bounds, incomplete or are a penalty)
2. Two (2) 20 Minute Halves
3. Five minutes between halves (Half Time)
4. Two (2) 90 second time out per half, per team (Clock stops)
5. 40 Second huddle clock between plays
6. No Overtime (Exception for playoffs, please see playoff rules section)
7. Injuries will stop the clock; injured players will need to be out for a minimum of one (1) play after if cleared to play.
Coin toss determines first possession and the “Away” team calls the toss. Winner of the toss can elect to receive or defer the first procession and the team who does not receive the ball to start elects what side to defend.
Possessions begin at the 10 yard line at
1. The start of the game or the second half
2. After a score and an extra point attempt
3. When a safety occurs
4. When an interception occurs on an extra point attempt
5. If a team elects to “Punt” (No actual kicking is involved, the ball is moved by the officials)
Dead Ball/Play Stops are deemed as follows and all actions should STOP immediately:
1. Fumbles of any type (Ball is spotted at the point of the fumble and is a loss of down)
2. Failed Center to Quarterback exchange, direct or shotgun (results in loss of down)
3. A bar inadvertently falls off while in possession of the ball
4. Ball carrier steps out of bounds
5. A score occurs
6. An interception occurs on an extra point attempt
7. Inadvertent whistle
8. Penalty occurs
Scoring and Extra points are as follows:
1. A touch down is worth six (6) points.
2. One (1) Extra point is attempted from 3 yards out from the goal line.
3. Two (2) Extra Points are attempted from the 8 yards out from the goal line.
4. Safety is worth Two (2) Points and the team receives the ball at the 10 yard line on the next play.
5. Interceptions on extra point attempts results in a loss of down and CANNOT be returned for points
6. NO Field goals, punting, kick offs or kicking of the ball.
All players should receive equal playing time for both offense and defense in each game they participate in.

SPORTSMANSHIP

Trash talking towards coaches, players, officials, league personnel, or spectators is NOT allowed.
Any act of rough housing, including but not limited to, tackling, elbowing cheap shots, excessive contact, or any other unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped, and that player may be ejected.
A mercy precaution is enacted when at any point there is a 21+ point differential, the winning team will forfeit a defensive player. The loosing team may add an additional player while on defense until the differential is lower than 21 points.

GENERAL INFORMATION

This is a developmental league for both players, coaches, and officials. Please understand that this game is to be fun, safe and a positive learning experience for the players.
Players should be rotated amongst positions throughout the season in attempt to allow for them to have a chance to play all positions by the completion of the season.
Each player should play both offense and defense within each scheduled game they are present at.
At the official’s discretion a warning may be given in place of a penalty to a player or coach for any of the stated rules. Coaches and players should not expect to receive more than one warning if any.
Any and all penalty’s called or warnings given are FINAL and will not be over turned. In the event two separate calls are made the officials will gather and discuss to make a final call collectively. There will be NO coach’s influence.
Only head coaches may approach the referee for clarification of a call or warning that has been issued and may not impact the official’s ability to observe the next play. NO arguing is allowed and will NOT be tolerated. Multiple requests or abuse of the need for clarification may result in a 5-yard “Delay of Game” penalty.
Forfeits will occur/result with the following guidelines:
1. If a team fails to roster/have available 5 or more players for a game
2. If all members of a coaching staff fail to arrive 10 or more minutes past of a games start time
The South Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Youth Program has a zero tolerance for the following:
1. Arguing with officials (Coaches, players, parents and spectators included) or between player and/or coaches
2. Anyone physically or verbally abusing any player, coach, official, spectator, or staff member.
3. Any person entering the playing field other than coaches and players during the duration of a game.
4. Flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct or personal fouls (tackling to the ground, throwing a player to the ground, pass interference, charging, excessive contact, ETC.).
5. Intentionally tampering with equipment.
Any player, coach or spectator who is “Ejected” will need to leave the field before play continues, if said member does not remove themselves in a timely manner their team may be required to forfeit the game.
All ejections will be reviewed by South Saint Paul Parks and Recreation and may face additional imposed penalties that are as follows but not limited to Probation, Suspension (Duration will be set) or being Banned from partaking in any or all South Saint Paul Parks & Recreations activities and/or events.

PLAYER ATTIRE & EQUIPMENT

The league will provide each player with its jersey, helmet with chin guard, shoulder pads and tacklebar harness with bars. These footballs are the mandatory game balls used for all teams. No other footballs are permitted during game play.
Players are required to always have and wear protective mouthpieces during both games and practices.
Harness and bars must be league approved/supplied, all other harnesses/bars will NOT be allowed
Shorts and pants cannot have open pockets. All open pockets must be taped/zipped shut. Football pants are preferred but are not required.
Players must wear the official jersey, helmet* with chin strap & guard, shoulder pads* and harness provided by the league for games. If a player arrives at the game without their jersey, helmet with chin guard, shoulder pads, mouth guard or harness with bars, they will NOT be permitted to play.
Molded plastic/rubber soled cleats are permitted, tennis shoes may be used if cleats are not available. NO metal cleats.
No jewelry (Include but not limited to watches, earrings, necklaces, rings, etc.) is permitted to be worn during the games.
No hoodies or jackets/shirts with hoods, hand warmers or towels that attach/hang from the player are allowed.
All players must start with their mouth pieces in place, helmets & chin strap snapped, harnesses on and bars properly secured at the swell of each player’s back with the bars pointing up & down lengthwise as well as on the outward portion of the harness. The tackle harness must be worn on the outside of the jersey.
Tacklebar harness must be snug to the players body and may not be allowed to slide down and must be above their hip.
Intentionally tampering with equipment will result in ejection from the playing field with potential suspension for a duration as determined by the league and its governing members.

*Equipment with this marking are allowed to have the use of personal equipment to accommodate medical/preferences of the player at the request of the parent. These changes must be requested to the league and approved by the league. No modifications to the equipment provided by South Saint Paul Parks & Recreation.

OFFENSE DETAILS

Possessions and general offensive information
1. There is a 40-second huddle clock, which starts once the line of scrimmage is marked and the ball is spotted.
2. The following personnel are required on the field for every offensive play:
  - One (1) Center
  - Two (2) Tackles (one to the left and one to the right of the center)
  - One (1) Quarterback (a Quarterback is an offensive player receiving the ball snapped from the center)
  - Three (3) additional offensive players (can be a mix of a Tight End, Wide Receiver’s, Running or Full backs)
3. There are no weight restrictions for Running Backs, Receivers or Quarterbacks
4. Every offensive play requires that the center and both tackles be on the line of scrimmage for the snap.
5. No player may cross the line of scrimmage prior to the snapping of the ball.
6. Player Motion is allowed with the following guidelines:
  - Only one (1) player is allowed in motion at a time.
  - A player in motion must be 1 yard or more behind the line of scrimmage.
  - All motion must be parallel to the line of scrimmage (left to right) and NOT towards the line of scrimmage.
7. Shotgun snaps are allowed.
8. The ball must be snapped between the center's legs to start a play.
9. NO blocking below the waist and/or blocks in the back are not allowed..
10. Spinning and/or jumping to avoid a defensive player while running with the ball is permitted.
11. Jumping and/or diving to catch a pass is permitted.
12. A player may NOT hurdle a standing player in their path, player’s may hurdle a downed player that is in their running path.
13. Diving to advance the ball is NOT allowed, this includes diving into score a touchdown and NO player may jump/leap or “leapfrog” over a player.
14. NO stiff arms ABOVE THE SHOULDER are allowed.
15. Stiff arms that are from the shoulder or below are legal.
16. Downfield blocking is illegal and not allowed. Any offensive player who impedes the progress of a defensive player who is attempting to pull an offensive ball carries bar will be called for illegal blocking. Blocking is allowed in the first 3 yards of a play from the line of scrimmage. Players may not hold as a holding penalty will be called.
17. Offensive players must attempt to avoid defensive players and may not “Run though” a defensive player.
18. Contact to the face, neck, head and/or helmet area of a player is not tolerated in any manner and will be reviewed. The on-field officials will make the call if the criteria meet the standards of ejection. NO helmet-initiated contact
19. NO INTENTIONAL/EXCESSIVE CONTACT of any kind is permitted.
20. The ball will be spotted at the point where a bar is separated from the harness of a ball carrier/possessor or the point a player in control of the ball steps out of bounds.
21. NO Bar Guarding, Bar guarding is an attempt by the player with possession of the ball and attempts to obstruct the defender’s access to the bars by stiff arming, dropping the head, hand, arm, or shoulder or covering the bars with the football jersey.
22. For each possession the offense has four (4) downs to reach the first down marker, once the first down marker is passed within four (4) downs the offense will be granted another four (4) attempts to obtain the new first down marker. This process repeats until a first down is not achieved, a turnover or score occurs.
23. A first down can be obtained by penalty that requires a first down be provided and/or if the penalty results in the ball placement being that greater than the first down marker.
24. If a first down is not obtained by reaching the first down marker or the end zone with in the four downs the ball will be turned over to the team at spot of the failed attempt.
25. During any down within an offensive possession a team may elect to “punt” in which the ball will be turned over to the opponents own 10 yard line, in which the defense will become the offense.
26. Home team is required to have volunteers ready to operate the chains and first down markers per game.
27. Both a touchdown and/or extra point is scored once the football crosses the plain/line of the end zone.
28. Charging is not allowed; a player may NEVER lower their head/helmet to run through or charge a defensive player. A 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty will result if this occurs.
Passing information
1. All passes must be completed from behind the line of scrimmage (no feet, hands or ball may cross and be thrown or handed off forward forward), if a pass or hand off occurs beyond the line of scrimmage the play will be whistled dead, and the ball will result in a loss of down as well as a 5-yard loss from the original line of scrimmage.
2. Only one (1) forward pass may occur per down and all passes must be received beyond the line of scrimmage.
3. Intentional grounding is NOT allowed and will result in a loss of down and a 5 yard penalty.
4. Shotgun snaps are allowed
5. The Quarterback may not move towards the line of scrimmage and have the ball snapped while in motion.
6. A quarterback may be in motion laterally and have the ball snapped providing they are the only one in motion. Two people in motion will result in a dead play, loss of down and 5 yard penalty.
7. Line personnel (Center and two tackles) are not allowed to be down field from the line of scrimmage greater than 3 yards on a passing play. Any passing play where a line player is downfield greater than 3 yards during a pass will results in a 5-yard penalty and loss of that down.
8. A passer may NOT cross the line of scrimmage, return to behind the line of scrimmage and then pass the football. The football may not be passed from any point on the field once it has crossed the line of scrimmage. If done the result is a 5-yard penalty and loss of down.
9. Once a quarterbacks/passers bar is removed from their harness the play is over and the ball will be spotted at that point.
10. Stiff arming is NOT allowed above a defenders shoulders, no helmet with hand/arm contact.
11. Bar guarding is NOT allowed.
Receiver information
1. Centers and Tackles are NOT eligible to receive a pass. (QB/RB/WR/TE positions are allowed to receive a pass)
2. A receiver can’t willingly run out of bounds and then come back in bounds to catch a ball.
3. A player who gains possession of a pass is considered in bounds if one (1) foot or other body part contacts the ground first while in the field of play prior to the ball/player or additional part parts go out of bounds.
4. Once a receiver’s bar is removed from their harness the play is over and the ball will be spotted at that point.
5. If a receiver’s bar inadvertently falls off, even without contact from another player, that player is ruled down at the spot the bar fell off while in control of the ball.
6. If a receiver’s bar falls from their harness prior to receiving a pass the receiver is ruled down at the point of the catch. Receiver may replace a fallen bar to their harness prior to a catch and be eligible to proceed progress once caught.
7. In the event that a receiver and defender both catch the ball at the same time, and both retain possession to the ground, the tie would go to the receiver, with the receiver being down at the point of the tied reception.
8. Bar guarding is NOT allowed.
9. Stiff arming is NOT allowed above a defenders shoulders, no helmet with hand/arm contact.
Runner information
1. QB/RB/WR/TE positions may take a handoff from behind the line of scrimmage. Centers and Tackles are NOT eligible to receive a handoff.
2. There is no limit to the number of handoffs that can be performed by the offense in a single play, so long as the ball never crosses the line of scrimmage.
3. The player who takes a handoff can throw the ball, if they do not pass the line of scrimmage first.
4. NO lowering of the helmet and/or charging/running through a defensive player.
5. Bar guarding is NOT allowed.
6. Stiff arming is NOT allowed above a defenders shoulders, no helmet with hand/arm contact.

DEFENSE DETAILS

Possessions and general information
1. Defense alignment for all downs will be set as follows:
  - Two (2) Defensive Line players must be 1 yard off the line of scrimmage and may not align over the center
  - The remaining five (5) players may align 3 yards or greater of the line of scrimmage anywhere on the field
2. No forward movement from the defense prior to snap, Movement away from the line of scrimmage and lateral movements are allowed.
3. Defensive players may not pass the line of scrimmage, until the ball is snapped.
4. The two (2) defensive line players may rush along with the one (1) linebacker and must start from a set position. The linebacker is the only one who can use the “A” gap out of the three.
  - *See Diagrams at the bottom for defensive alignment rules*
5. A defensive player must not willingly go out of bounds while in pursuit of an offensive player, nor may they come from out of bounds to make a play/bar pull on the offensive player.
6. Defenders must only attempt to grab an offensive player’s bar(s) when trying to make a play/stop.
7. If a defender attempts to pull an offensive player’s bar(s) and inadvertently grabs their jersey, the defender must immediately and completely release the jersey before they can attempt to pull a bar. Failure to do so will result in a holding penalty.
8. Once a defender removes an offensive player’s bar(s) they should immediately hold the bar above their head at the spot where the capture occurred.
9. Bumping, push off, hand checking or jamming is not allowed by any player and all intentional contact will result in a 5-yard penalty.
10. Diving to remove a bar IS allowed.
11. Interceptions are allowed and may be returned for yardage/score.
12. Punching, stripping or forcing a fumble or removal of the ball from a receiver and/or runner’s hand(s)/arm(s) are NOT allowed. In the event a ball is forced out the play will be whistled down at that spot and a penalty of 10-yards will be assessed with the yardage being added to the point of the dead ball.
13. NO tackling is allowed of any kind, all players must remove the bar(s) without taking the player to the ground. Accidentally falling to the ground or being tripped up during the play results in falling to the ground will deemed as a warning to try and not have it happen again. Repeat or purposely bring a player to the ground will result in a 15 yard penalty.

PENALTIES

All common penalties – 5 yards

Non-Intentional Personal Fouls– 10 yards

Intentional Personal Fouls – 15 yards

OVERTIME RULES

There is no overtime during the regular season and is only reserved for the playoffs when bracket play games are scheduled.
During a bracketed playoff game if the regulation play clock ends and the score is tied the following will apply:
1. A coin toss will determine who starts with the ball (both teams will get a possession in each overtime)
2. The team to call the coin toss is the opposite team then the one who called it to start the game
3. The winner of the coin toss will elect to receive the ball to start or to defend first
4. Offense will start at the 20-yard line and will have 4 downs to score a touchdown. All rules will be the same rules as previously outlined.
5. If a team scores on the first series possession after the coin toss, this team will attempt an extra point (1 or 2 point try). The score will be tallied, and the opposing team will then have a series of possessions to score a touchdown followed by an extra point attempt to either tie or take the lead. If the attempt results in a lead the game is over, a tie the game continues to 2OT.
6. This process will be the same for 2OT
7. If the score is still tied after 2OT, 3OT and on will consist of each team attempting a play from the 2-yard line until there is a winner. The team who is on offense first will alternate with each overtime.