Rules

GFL follows Missouri State High School rules as governed by MSHSSA – http://www.mshsaa.org/. League-specific rules can be found below.

Noisemakers:

In an effort to have the best environment for all teams to compete with the
least distractions, the GFL Board has deemed that noisemakers of all kinds are
not to be used during GFL games. This rule was made necessary due to rude, loud
and disruptive behaviour by some people. We ask all organizations to please
remind their coaches and families of this restriction and to please respect each
other at all times during our league functions.

GATEWAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

2011 LOCAL RULES

I. General:

A) Roster:

1. Maximum of 35 players (at final certification)

2. Minimum of 15 players (at final certification)

3. Final sign-up date is August 19, 2011.

4. All players must be on final roster, (August 26, 2011)

5. All players must be entering 8th grade or under.

6. Minimum age is 6 years old (as of July 31st.)

7. Any player turning 15 years old in 2011 is ineligible.

B) I.D. Cards:

1. All organizations must use the league issued/approved I.D. cards.

2. All players must have a valid I.D. card with them during each

pre-game check in. Pre-game check in will be 5 minutes before game

time in the end zone. (If a player is not present for pre-game I.D. check

they do not play. Opposing coach may waive this rule.

3. The I.D. cards must be certified on August 15, August 22, or August 26, 2011.

C) Certification:

1. A player must be certified by a league official before he can play in a game.

2. No player can be certified after the final certification date, August 26, 2011 (unless an additional certification date is authorized by the Gateway Board).

3. The weight a player weighs the day of certification will determine

what weight class he will be in for the season. (If he is too heavy to

carry the ball the day of certification then he can not be a ball carrier that season).

4. There will be two certification dates:

FIRST DATE: August 15th, 2011

SECOND DATE: August 22nd, 2011

D) Ineligible Player

1. Any game that an ineligible player participated in will be a forfeit. -13

E) Ball Sizes:

Rawlings Wilson Nike

2nd,3rd,4th,5th grades pro5pw / st5cpw K2 2000K / 705K

6th,7th grade pro5j / st5cj _ TDJ 2000J / 705J

8th grade pro5y / stcy / r5 TDY 2000J / 705Y

1. The home team will supply the game ball. The visiting team may use their ball if preferred.

2. Only the designated football sizes or larger may be used.

F) The player’s jersey number will not restrict him to a certain position as in

high school rules.

G) The first time a player is ejected for fighting it will be reviewed by the

board to determine if the player could be suspended for the season and/or

permanently.

H) A younger player can be moved up to the next age bracket after the final

sign up date with board approval only. Once the player is moved, he must

stay there the rest of the season. The intent of this rule is to help fill a team

that is down below 15 players.

II. Games

A) All games are eight (8) minute quarters

B) Half time: seven (7) minutes + three (3) warm up minutes

C) Chains: The home team is responsible for working the chains. The chains

must stay on the home team side of the field.

D) Extra Point: Two points for a successful kick.

One point for a successful run or pass.

E) Tie Breaker: Each team gets four downs starting at the ten yard line. Your

series ends if you score, fumble and the other team recovers, or you

throw an interception. An extra point try should follow a touchdown.

Field goal attempts are part of the tie breaker. If the score is still tied after

each team has had the ball for a series, then the game is over and it is

recorded as a tie. If it is a play-off game the tie breaker rule will continue

until one team wins. Each team shall be permitted one timeout during

each overtime period.

F) Continuous clock: Starts at 25 point differential, in the second half. If both

coaches agree and the point differential is 25 the continuous clock can start

in the first half.

G) Violations of the G.F.L. rules will be an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

1. * Unless otherwise stated in these rules.

III. Age, Weight and Helmet Stripes:

A) Check in will be 5 minutes prior to each game in the end zones.

B) If a player does not have an I.D. card he can not play in the game.

C) Any player can punt or kick the ball, advance the ball if recovering a fumble or interception, but may not advance or line up in a position to advance the ball when on offense if he is restricted by a stripe.

D) The following weights are without equipment:

HELMET RESTRICTIVE POSITION CLASS

2nd grade

75 lbs. & under none none OS

76 lbs. & up one cannot play offensive back or end 1S

3rd grade

85 lbs & under none none OS

86 lbs & up one cannot play offensive back or end 1S

4th grade

95 lbs. & under none none OS

96 lbs. & up one cannot play offensive back or end 1S

5th grade

105 lbs. & under none none OS

106 lbs. & up one cannot play offensive back or end 1S

6th grade

125 lbs & under none none OS

126 lbs. & up one cannot play offensive back or end __1S

7th grade

none none OS

8th grade

none none __ OS

E) Helmet Stripes:

1. ½ inch to 2 inch wide tape. The G.F.L. will supply the tape to be used for the stripes. No other tape will be allowed.

2. Stripes run from ear hole to ear hole, unless the helmet has a decal, then it runs from decal to decal across the top of the helmet, and along the bottom of the back.

IV. Guidelines adapted for 2nd,3rd,4th,5th grades

2nd and 3rd grade:

A) Two coaches will be allowed on the field.

B) Coaches must stop coaching when the quarterback starts his cadence.

*A 5 yard penalty will be accrued.

C) All interior defensive lineman must be in a three or four point stance.

D) Punts, field goals, and kicks for an extra point are dead. (NO RUSH)

The ball must be kicked within 40 seconds of the snap and between the

offensive tackles.

E) The snapper must snap between his legs on all kicks.

F) NO BLITZ.

1. Maximum of six (6) players on the defensive line.

2. All other players must be five (5) yards from the line of scrimmage on the snap. If the ball is inside the five (5) yard line the rule does not apply.

G) The ready for play clock will be 40 seconds.

H) A striper on the end of the offensive line will result in a (five) 5 yard

penalty.

4th and 5th grade:

A) One coach will be allowed on the field.

B) Coaches must stop coaching when the quarterback starts his cadence.

* 5 yard penalty

C) All interior defensive linemen must be in a three (3) or four (4) point

stance.

D) Punts, field goals and kicks for an extra point are dead. (NO RUSH)

The ball must be kicked with in 25 seconds of the snap and between

the offensive tackles.

E) The snapper must snap between his legs on all kicks.

F) No Blitz

1. Maximum of six players on the defensive line. All other players

must be five (5) yards from the line of scrimmage on the snap. If

the ball is inside of the five (5) yard line the rule does not apply.

G) A striper on the end of the offensive line will result in a (five) 5 yard

penalty.

V. Misc.

A) Super Bowl Playoff Weigh-ins

1. If a player does not make weight he must play a restricted (striped) position.

2. All non striped players will be weighed before playoffs

3. 7th and 8th grade divisions do not need to be re-weighed

4. The weights for the playoffs are as follows:

2nd grade ————— 83 lbs.

3rd grade ————— 93 lbs.

4th grade ————— 103 lbs.

5th grade ————— 113 lbs.

6th grade ————— 133 lbs.

5. There will be two weigh-in dates for playoffs. Date, time and location

to be announced.

B) 13 Point Scoring System

Winning team Point Difference Losing Team

+ 13 13 pts. or over -13

+1 to +12 1 to 12 pts. -1 to -12

Overtime games

Winning team Losing team

0 Tie 0

+1 Winner -1

Forfeit games

+13 -13

C) Field Requirements

1. Fields must be roped off on both side lines from the 15 yard line to the 15 yard line.

2. The ropes should be 10 yards from the sideline.

3. All fans must be between the 15 yard lines.

D) Conflicting Jersey Colors

1. The home team is required to change their jerseys if both teams have the same color jerseys. If they don’t have different jerseys then they must wear a different colored pull over.

E) Post Season Playoffs

1. Tie Breaker Procedure

a) Overall record

b) Head to head record (only works with two teams, if three or more teams are tied skip (b) and go to (c).

c) Record against common opponents

d) Scoring system against common opponents

e) Total scoring system

f) Playoff game (only to determine a place in the playoffs).

g) Coin toss (Three or more teams-three coins odd man out. The remaining two teams will play a game to determine a place in the playoffs).

IF the teams are in the playoffs and are tied (example: two first place teams 7-0 in the same division) a playoff game will determine what seating will be.

h) When three or more teams are tied you must determine

who the top seated team is by using the Tie Breaker

Procedure and then take the remaining two teams and go

through the Tie Breaker Procedure again with the

remaining two teams.