The Game:

• Minimum 3 players to start a game. May only have up to 5 players on the field at any one time.

• The offensive team takes possession of the ball at their 5-yard line and has four plays to cross mid-field. On 4th down, teams have 5 seconds to declare to go for it or punt. Once a team crosses mid-field they have three plays to score. If the offensive team fails to cross mid-field, the ball changes possession.

• If the offense does not score, the ball changes possession. All drives start from the 5-yard line with the exception of an interception or failed 4th down conversion, where defense takes over at the spot.

• No blocking is allowed. No intentional contact is allowed.

• A screen block shall take place without contact. The screen blocker shall have her hands behind her back. Any use of the hands, arms, elbows, legs, or body to initiate contact during a screen block is illegal. A blocker may use her hand or arm to break a fall or retain her balance. A player must be on her feet before, during, and after screen blocking. Penalty-personal foul, 10 yards.

• Extra Point Attempts- A try for two points will be taken from the 10-yard line. A try for one point will be taken from the 3-yard line. If the defense should intercept a pass, they may return it for a score. A score will equal two points, regardless of whether or not the attempt is for one, two, or three points.

• Tie score at the end of regulation during the playoffs-The field captains shall be brought together and a coin toss will be conducted. During the regular season, NO overtime periods shall be played. During the playoffs, the overtime format will be repeated until a winner is declared. The winner of the toss shall be given the option of either offense or defense. If additional overtime periods are necessary, captains will alternate choices. Each team will be given 4 downs from the same 20 yard line to score a touchdown. If the first team scores, then the second team will still have 4 downs to attempt to win or tie the game. If the defense intercepts the ball and returns it for a touchdown, the game will be over. If not, the ball will be placed at the 20 yard line to begin the series of four downs. Conversion attempts will be held as in regulation play. Each team is entitled to one time out per overtime period.

Equipment

• The official STRIKE LEAGUE ball size will be the Junior (middle school) or the Pee Wee (elementary school) Nike Official Tournament Football. Each team can use a football of their choosing for their offense. The referee shall be the sole judge of any ball offered for play and may change the ball during play at their discretion. During the game, each team must use a legal ball of its choice when in possession.

• Teams must wear STRIKE LEAGUE issue flags. NO CUSTOM OR NFL FLAG BELTS. Flags will not be allowed that have been altered (cut, taped, etc.)

Coaches

• Coaches (1 Coach per Team) in both divisions only are permitted on the field to assist players with their position alignment and mentoring on offense only (no coaches allowed on the field while on defense). At the snap, on-field coaches must be 5 yards behind the quarterback and are not allowed to continue instructing or coaching until the play ends. Coaches are not allowed to move or interfere with the play in any way or may be called for Unsportsmanlike penalty if deemed intentional or play-altering.

• Only three coaches per team are allowed on the sidelines. ONLY THE HEAD COACH CAN ADDRESS THE GAME OFFICIALS.

Game Clock Format

• Game clock is 40 minutes long. Two 20 minute halves and 2-minute halftime.

• Each team has two 30 second timeouts PER GAME. If a time out is called after a TD the clock will not run until the change of possession and the offense snaps their ball.

• The play clock is 25 seconds from the end of the previous play.

First Half Clock

• The clock will run continuously during the 20 minutes of the first half unless a team timeout is used or play is stopped by an official (e.g. deal with an injury, challenge, referee conference, game management purposes, etc.)

• The head official will give a verbal two-minute warning (for rule specific changes inside 2 minutes)

• The clock will run during point-after-touchdown attempts (PATs) in the first half unless either team opts to use a team timeout.

Second Half Clock

• In the second half the clock will run continuously for the first 19 minutes unless a team timeout or an official’s time out is used.

• The one-minute warning will stop the clock in the second half if the score difference is 8 points or less.

• The head official will give a verbal two-minute and one-minute warning as close as possible to the actual marks but will not interrupt a live play.

• At the one minute warning officials will use a ‘stop’ clock mechanic for the remainder of the contest.