3rd/4th Modified Rules 2024 PRINTABLE - Updated 8/2022

Bantam 4th Grade Rules 2024 PRINTABLE - Updated 8/2022

Junior 5th Grade Rules 2024 PRINTABLE - Updated 8/2022

Junior 6th Grade Rules 2024 PRINTABLE - Updated 8/2022

Senior 7th Grade Rules 2024 PRINTABLE - Updated 8/2022

Senior 8th Grade Rules 2024 PRINTABLE - Updated 8/2022


THE PLAYER PARTICIPATION SHEET:

All Minimum Play Tracker Sheets are located in our private coaches page Click Here.   All head coaches will have access to this page so you can print your teams and your opponents team Minimum Play Trackers Sheets.  If you would like your Asst Coaches or Team Manager to have access to the Minimum Play Trackers Page so they can print them as well just notify the FCFL Administrator [email protected]

Minimum Play Tracker Blank Sample 


Language for the Cut Block Rule:

Here is the language of the cut block per NFHS rules (adhered to by FCIAC).  I have heard different ref crews interpret this language differently.  If any HC anticipates a challenge to the language, the FCFL board would encourage them to initiate the conversation with the officiating crew prior to the game with opponents HC present for an understanding of how play will be allowed.  Ref's decisions are final...you cannot appeal to the FCFL board with a grievance or appeal.  
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CUT BLOCK

FREE BLOCKING ZONE ENFORCEMENT – CONSISTENT ENFORCEMENT OF BLOCKING BELOW THE WAIST Free Blocking Zone The free blocking zone is defined as a rectangular area extending laterally 4 yards either side of the spot of the snap and 3 yards behind each line of scrimmage. A player is considered to be in the free-blocking zone when any part of his body is in the zone at the snap. The definition of the line of scrimmage for each team is a vertical plane through the point of the ball nearest to the team’s goal line.

Blocking Below the Waist is Permitted in the Free-Blocking Zone:

1. All players involved in blocking are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap.
2. The contact is in the free-blocking zone.
3. The ball has not left the free-blocking zone.

Clipping and Blocking in the Back is Permitted in the Free-Blocking Zone:

1. By offensive linemen who are on the line of scrimmage and in the free-blocking zone at the snap.
2. Against defensive linemen who are on the line of scrimmage and in the free-blocking zone at the snap.
3. The contact is in the free-blocking zone.
4. The ball has not left the free-blocking zone.

The basic guideline is that the free-blocking zone exists while the ball is in the zone and ceases to exist when the ball has left the zone. The exception for a player to block below the waist and/or the exception for an offensive player to clip and/or block is not to continue after the ball has left the zone. With the creation of the “shot-gun” and “pistol” formations, an interpretation of the free-blocking zone rule allows for an offensive lineman to legally initiate contact, immediately at the snap, with a defensive lineman by blocking below the waist, clipping or blocking in the back, even though the ball leaves the free-blocking zone soon after the snap. Any delay in the block would make it illegal, as the free-blocking zone no longer exists.

The Basic Rules to Keep in Mind at the Snap: 1. Defensive players may not clip. 2. Offensive backs may not clip. 3. Offensive linemen not in the zone at the snap may not clip.

Items for Game Officials to Consider:

1. Because a quarterback in the "shotgun" or "pistol" formation is usually positioned more than 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage at the snap, a legal block below the waist, clip or block in the back must be initiated simultaneously with the snap. Once the ball leaves the free-blocking zone, a block below the waist, clip or block in the back is a foul.
2. Offensive linemen set in a 2-point stance in a "shotgun" or "pistol" formation are particularly suspect. Any delay in executing a block below the waist, clip or block in the back after the snap in these formations results in a foul.
3. Be alert to running backs and wide receivers who line up outside the free-blocking zone, being “cut” by defenders on sweeps or roll-out passes. Blocking-below-the-waist rules apply equally to the offense and defense.
4. Up backs should not be allowed to block defenders below the waist when the team is in a scrimmage kick, shot-gun or pistol formation. Only those players on the line of scrimmage and in the free- blocking zone at the time of the snap can block below the waist, and only in the free-blocking zone, and only if the free-blocking zone still exists.

11/14/2014 Revision to grades 6-8 Rules Documents

The Rules committee has been made aware of an omission of language when the Rules documents were edited in the offseason.  In grades 6-8; 
VIII. PLAYING RULES: , A. Offensive Formations are unlimited in full accordance with FCIAC rules with the following exceptions: ,  3.Splits between offensive linemen may be no more than one yard maximum.  This has been corrected and the rules documents are accurate today.  If there are any considerations for rules changes we will address in the off-season.  The significance of not allowing more than 1 yd splits is because we do not allow lining up in the gap.

Thank you, and good luck to all this weekend.
FCFL Rules Committee

FCFL CHANGE TO GRADE 6-8 RULES: #3 has been added to Rule E as follows:

VIII. PLAYING RULES:

FCIAC Rules, except as modified below, shall govern all play.

1. Quarters will be 11 minutes each, timed in accordance with FCIAC rules. Half time will be limited to 5 minutes.
2. Field of play is 53-1/3 X 100 yards, with additional 10-yard end zones.
3. All fumbles are live and may be recovered and advanced by either team.
4. Offensive limited players cannot advance the ball. Defensive limited players can only advance the ball if recipient of an unintentional fumble recovery or interception. Play should be stopped in any case where there is a lateral to a limited player.
5. Offensive Formations are unlimited in full accordance with FCIAC rules with the following exceptions:
   1. A player who weighs over the “unlimited” weight for their grade level, must play an interior line “limited” position. “Limited” positions include only OT/OG/C/DT/DG. All offensive formations must include Left OT/Left OG/C/Right OG/Right OT in a balanced line and these players, even if unlimited players are never eligible receivers, even if they are the last man on the line (uncovered). “Limited” players may NOT play DE or be more than 2 players away from the C. Limited players are never be eligible to be receivers or ball carriers regardless of where they line up,
   2. Eligible Receivers are as per FCIAC rules, except that an eligible receiver on the LOS must always be at least 3 players away from the Center.
   3. Splits between offensive linemen may be no more than one yard maximum.