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All IHSAA rules will apply except for the following:
INCLEMENT WEATHER
IHSAA rules mandate that game play MUST
be stopped IMMEDIATELY upon
the first sign of lightning and that ALL players, coaches & officials are to
seek
shelter. Game play cannot resume until a minimum of 30 minutes have
passed
since the last lightning strike. It is up to the officials to determine
whether or
not a game should be called due to inclement weather.
Common sense dictates that in the event of
lightning striking during practice,
the practice must be stopped IMMEDIATELY and shelter sought. It is
in the best
interest of the safety of the players, that practice should be cancelled for the
evening.
FIELD RULES
1. Weight Limits
A. The following weight ranges will be used to
determine line make-up and
identified by the
designate color of tape on their helmets:
115 & Below No Tape
116 - 129 lbs. Yellow Tape
Average - 125
130 - 160 lbs. Red Tape
Average - 150
161 & Above Black Tape
Average - 180
2. Offensive Lines -
All teams must use a balanced offensive front
A. Each team may choose to employ ONLY 1 of the
following 3 combinations
of players on the
offensive line at the same time:
1 - You
are allowed no limit on the number of non tape and yellow tape players
as long as you do not have any red or black tape players on the line
2 - You
are allowed 3 yellow tape players, 1 red tape player & 1 black tape player
3 - You are allowed 3 yellow tape players, 2 red tape players & NO black
tape player
3. Defensive Lines -
All teams MUST use a 5 man defensive front
A. Each team may choose to employ only ONE of the
following three combinations
of players on the
defensive line at the same time:
1 - You are
allowed no limit on the number of non tape and yellow tape players
as long as there are no red or black tape players on the line.
2 - You are
allowed a maximum combination of 1 red tape player and 1 black tape player
3 - You are
allowed a maximum of 2 red tape players with NO black tape
players
4. General Weight Rules
A. All skill players cannot exceed 115 lbs.
- (Skill
players: Quarterback, Running Back, Flanker & End)
B. All players at 130 lbs and above must play on the
line in the down position
and in a 3 or 4 point
stance.
C. A player with tape on his helmet may not advance the
ball at any time.
Note: The official weighing of the players will take
place at the jamboree (or at by
appointment
with the league office) and will be the official weight of the
player for
the entire season. The opposing team coach at the jamboree
must be
present at the other team's weigh in.
5. Fumbles / Interceptions
A. Fumbles can only be advanced by the quarterback
when under the center
and during the center -
quarterback exchange.
B. Fumbles from the shotgun formation will be a dead
ball upon possession
recovery and down at the
spot of recovery.
6. Extra Points
A. Kicking
1. If you elect to kick you
must notify the opposing team
2. No fake kicks under any
circumstances
3. No rush by the defense under
any circumstances
4. The ball placement will be
at the High School spot
5. All successful kick extra
point attempts are worth 2 points
6. The team may choose to have
the referee hand the ball to either the center
(long snapper) or to the ace holder. If the center snaps the ball to the
placeholder and the placeholder drops the ball, the placeholder will be
allowed to reset the ball prior to the kick.
B. Running / Passing
1. If you elect to run or pass
you must notify the opposing team
2. No fake runs / passes under
any circumstances
3. The ball placement will be
at the High School spot
4. All successful run / pass
extra point attempts are worth 1 point
7. Kickoffs
A. All kickoffs will be from the high school spot
(40 yard line)
B. All kickoffs fumbled may be advanced, if fumbled
while receiving the ball
8. Punts
A. If you elect to punt, you must notify the
opposing team
B. No fake punts under any circumstances
C. No rush by the defense under any circumstances
D. The ball is handed to the punter
E. The tight end to tight end split must not exceed the
hand to shoulder maximum
F. All punts fumbled may be advanced, if fumbled while
receiving the ball
9. Line Movement
A. All gross line movement shall be penalized (i.e.
contact, coming up and out of
a three-point stance and
moving across the line of scrimmage)
B. All subtle movement will not be penalized until
league notification (i.e. turning
head, leaning forward
without contact or three-point movement and flinching)
10. Defensive Alignment
A. All defensive backs and linebackers must line up
a minimum of 3 yards off the
line of scrimmage and may
proceed towards the line AFTER the ball has
snapped. NO RED
DOGS!
B. In goal line situations (i.e. inside the five yard
line) ALL linebackers and
defensive backs may line
up 1 yard off the ball
11. Equipment
A. All players must be wearing helmets, shoulder
pads, pants with pads, mouth
pieces and rubber cleated
shoes
B. Pads for elbows, forearms, ribs and neck braces will
be allowed
12. Practice / Game Time / Duration OT Rule
A. When school is in session, there is a maximum of
three practices allowed per
week and one game on
Saturday
B. All games shall start promptly at 8:30 am, 10:00 am
& 11:30 am sharp
C. All games shall consist of four 10 minute quarters
in accordance to IHSA rules
D.
Games that are tied at the end of the 3rd quarter will end as a tie. If
two teams in the same division are tied at the end of the season by record and
they either tied against each other or didn't play each other, a flip of a coin
will determine the higher seed
E. There will be three time-outs allowed for each team
per half
13. Coaching Conduct and Rules
A. Coaching staff shall consist of 1 head coach and
2 assistant head coaches
with a 4th coach to be
named after the draft
B. Coaches will be allowed on the field for the
duration of the season and under
the following
circumstances:
1. One defensive coach when the
defense is on the field
2. One offensive coach when the
offense is on the field
3. The coach on the field can
only instruct in the huddle and before the offensive
line is set
4. The coach assumes a 5 yard
position behind the running backs and the
safety and no further instruction is to be given once in this position
5. Any violation on the above
and the coach will be warned once and with the
next call followed by a 5 yard penalty
C. Questioning Referee Calls
1. Only one head coach may
question the referee's calls
2. A time-out must be used to
question a referee's call
3. First offense is a verbal
warning
4. Second offense is a 15 yard
penalty
5. Third offense is an ejection
from the field
6. Failure to follow the rules
will result in a forfeit by the team
7. A review by the league
officials will be held to determine if that team will be
allowed to continue playing in the league
D. Coaches Conduct
1. At any time that the referee
deems necessary, a player or coach may be
removed from the game
2. Coaches should conduct
themselves in a manner that will set a good example
for the players and the fans. The object of Rocket Football is to let the
"KIDS" have fun!
3. Fighting with or striking
any player, coach, referee or any participant of Rocket
Football shall be grounds for immediate expulsion from the league
4. If a player or coach is
thrown out of a game by the referee, it will result in a
minimum
of a one game suspension, with any further action to be decided by
the
Rocket Football Board.
5. Excessive disputing of
referee calls or profanity directed at a player, coach
or referee or any participant of Rocket Football shall be grounds for
immediate expulsion from the league
6. Any unsportsmanlike acts or
inappropriate behavior shall be grounds for
expulsion from the league
7. The Board has the ultimate
authority to determine the severity of the
disciplinary action taken in ALL cases
14. Referees
A. Each playing site should have a minimum of 2
referees with a maximum of 3
B. It would be desirable to have one licensed IHSA
official per site.