Granger Rocket Football League

Rules and Regulations

Age Requirements - This league is open to all players currently residing within the PHM District Boundaries and who are entering 4^th, 5^th and 6^th grade of the current Rocket season.

The minimum age requirement:

Player must be 9 years old by August 1^st of the current season.

The maximum age requirement:

Player may not turn 13 years of age before November 1^st of the current season.

New players will need to submit a copy of their birth certificate at sign-ups.

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 has 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

Weight Limits

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

130 - 160 lbs.        Red Tape

161 & Above         Black Tape

Offensive Lines

All teams must use a balanced offensive front. 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

Defensive Lines

All teams MUST use a 4 man defensive front. 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

 GRFL Base defense is a 4-4 Defense:

 Base Alignment:

Defensive Tackles (DT) – Align head up over Offensive Guards.

Defensive Ends (DE) – Align on outside shoulder of Offensive Tackles.

Inside Linebackers (ISLB) – Align 4 yards off the ball and must align inside the DE.

Outside Linebackers (OSLB) – Align 4 yards off the ball and must align outside the DE. 

Corners (C) – Align 4 yards off the ball and must be outside the DE.

Safeties (S) – Must align 7 yards off the ball unless they are covering a slot receiver.

 In Short Yardage (2 yards or less for a first down) or Goal Line (Inside the 5 yard line), ISLB can move up to 1 yard off the ball (which is the heels of the DT).

*** No Quarterback Sneaks unless it is Short Yardage or Goal Line Situations! ***

 

General Weight Rules

All skill players cannot exceed 115 lbs.  - (Skill players: Quarterback, Running Back, Flanker & End) All players at 130 lbs and above must play on the line in the down position and in a 3 or 4 point stance. 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.

A player's weight can be challenged at the start of the playoffs. At this time the player will get an additional 5lbs. (ex. Skill players now have to weigh in under 120lbs.)

Fumbles / Interceptions

Fumbles and Advancement of a Fumble will be treated per IHSAA rules. Exception: Fumbles can only be advanced by a Non-Taped Player. Interceptions can only be advanced by a Non-Taped Player. Any fumble or interception by a taped player will be down at the spot of the recovery or interception.

Extra Points

Kicking - If you elect to kick you must notify the opposing team. No fake kicks under any circumstances. No rush by the defense under any circumstances. The ball placement will be at the High School spot. All successful kick extra point attempts are worth 2 points. 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.

Running / Passing - If you elect to run or pass you must notify the opposing team. No fake runs / passes under any circumstances. The ball placement will be at the High School spot. All successful run / pass extra point attempts are worth 1 point.

Special Teams

Kickoffs - All kickoffs will be from the high school spot (40 yard line) All kickoffs fumbled may be advanced, if fumbled while receiving the ball.

Punts - If you elect to punt, you must notify the opposing team. No fake punts under any circumstances. No rush by the defense under any circumstances. The ball is handed to the punter. The tight end to tight end split must not exceed the hand to shoulder maximum. All punts fumbled may be advanced, if fumbled while receiving the ball

Line Movement - 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) All subtle movement will not be penalized until league notification (i.e. turning head, leaning forward without contact or three-point movement and flinching)

Defensive Alignment - All defensive backs and linebackers must line up a minimum of 4 yards off the line of scrimmage and may proceed towards the line AFTER the ball has snapped. NO RED DOGS! In goal line situations (ex. inside the five yard line) and short yardage situations (ex. less than two yards to go) ALL linebackers and defensive backs may line up 1 yard off the ball

Equipment - All players must be wearing helmets, shoulder pads, pants with pads, mouthpieces and rubber-cleated shoes. Pads for elbows, forearms, ribs and neck braces will be allowed

Practice / Game Time / Duration OT Rule - When school is in session, there is a maximum of three practices allowed per week and one game on Saturday. All games shall start promptly at 8:30 am, 10:00 am & 11:30 am sharp. All games shall consist of four 10-minute quarters in accordance to IHSA rules. 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. There will be three time-outs allowed for each team per half

Coaching Conduct and Rules - Coaching staff shall consist of 1 head coach and 2 assistant head coaches with a 4th coach to be named after the draft. 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

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. Any violation on the above and the coach will be warned once and with the next call followed by a 5-yard penalty.

Questioning Referee Calls - Only one head coach may question the referee's calls. A time-out must be used to question a referee's call. First offense is a verbal warning. Second offense is a 15-yard penalty. Third offense is an ejection from the field. Failure to follow the rules will result in a forfeit by the team. A review by the league officials will be held to determine if that team will be allowed to continue playing in the league.

Coaches Conduct - At any time that the referee deems necessary, a player or coach may be removed from the game. 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! Fighting with or striking any player, coach, referee or any participant of Rocket Football shall be grounds for immediate expulsion from the league. 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. 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. Any unsportsmanlike acts or inappropriate behavior shall be grounds for expulsion from the league. The Board has the ultimate authority to determine the severity of the disciplinary action taken in ALL cases.

Referees - Each playing site should have a minimum of 2 referees with a maximum of 3. It would be desirable to have one licensed IHSA official per site.