AzFOA adaptations to the 2006 National Pop Warner Little
Scholar Official Rules:
All
tackle levels:
Rule 13
A - Helmet: Regulations regarding chin straps and face guards are to be
followed per the National Federation regulations.
Rule 13 I - Mouthguard: All mouth guards must have a keeper strap and be attached to helmet face mask at all times. Clear or White are not permitted to be used.
10 Minute Quarters,
Clock will start on change of possessions based on the status of the ball. Examples:
(Note – These are only examples…not a comprehensive list.)
With 4:00 and under remaining in the 2nd and 4th periods, timing rules will adjust to current National Federation rules.
OVERTIME – At all levels above the Mitey-Mite division, when time expires in regulation and the teams are tied, the “ten yard overtime procedure” tie-breaker as outlined in 2006 National Federation rule book (page 84) shall be used.
Three (3) per half for each team.
At the
first dead ball interval where the remaining time in the 2nd and 4th
periods is 4:00 or less, an official’s time out shall be taken. All normal conference provisions apply.
(Legal conferences can occur, teams may receive water,
etc.) Each team will be advised that
4:00 remain (Per NFHS rules) BUT NO MANDATORY PLAY CHECK WILL OCCUR!!
The mandatory play check will be conducted during the time out interval between the 3rd and 4th periods, per National Pop Warner Rules.
Lopsided/Intentionally Run Up Scores –
Any time a team goes up by 28 points or more, the following will occur:
Comments in parentheses are AzFOA guidelines.
A. The official clock will become a running clock and once started can only be stopped for injury of a player or at the discretion of a referee. (Referee discretion – AzFOA is advising officials to stop the clock for charged time outs.) It cannot revert to a game clock operation for the remainder of the game
B. Once 28-point difference is obtained between the two opponents, the winning (leading) team cannot pass the ball or run sweeps outside the tackle (judged as intentionally designed as a sweep run). If the winning (leading) team fails to abide by this rule, each violation will be a loss of down and a 5-yard penalty (previous spot enforcement). This is at the discretion of the game referee.
C. There will be no Blitzing once the clock becomes a running clock an the lopsided rule is in effect.
D. There will be no on sidekicks (on-side kicks for leading or trailing team!)
E. The winning defense team (leading team, B) cannot advance a fumble or pass interception. The ball is blown dead immediately. The winning offense (leading team, A) may start play action from this point.
F. [ADMINISTRATIVE RULE]
G. [ADMINISTRATIVE RULE]
H. The teams are still required to complete the mandatory play rule.
I. [ADMINISTRATIVE RULE]
Touchdown – 6 points
Point after Touchdown by run or pass – 1 point
PAT by kick – 2 points
Safety – 2 points
Field goal – 3 points
Mitey-Mite level rule
differences:
A maximum of one (1) coach per team shall be allowed on the playing field during the game, except during kick-offs and punts (all free kicks and scrimmage kicks), which utilize the “intent to punt” provision…. These coaches shall remain a minimum of five (5) yards behind any of the participating players. Each coach shall be permitted to carry pad and pencil onto the field.
The game officials may assess an illegal procedure penalty if, in their judgment, a coach is in the play-action area. A violation of a coach remaining on the field during a kick-off, or punt play (all free kicks and scrimmage kicks) shall be considered by the game officials to be too many men on the field and a penalty shall be assessed accordingly (substitution or participation, depending on the severity and lack of cooperation).
A Mitey-Mite team may punt on any down under the rules of the National Federation of High Schools, or may, on any down, elect to punt under the provisions outlined below:
(a) A declaration of “intent to punt” must be made to the game officials, who shall in turn inform the defensive team. Adequate time shall be given to the defensive team to permit the coach to get off the field.
(b) The ball shall be a direct snap from the center to the punter, and the punter shall be positioned a minimum of five (5) yards behind the line of scrimmage, and shall remain at this position until the ball is snapped.
(c) Both the offensive and the defensive team shall be required to have seven (7) players on the line of scrimmage until the ball has been punted, even though there may be a fumble, or the ball may have been centered past the punter (or muffed).
(d) No offensive or defensive player shall cross the line of scrimmage, until the ball has been punted, even though there may be a fumble, or the ball may have been centered past the punter.
(e) If the ball is centered past the punter (whether over his head, through his legs, or off to the side), the punter shall retrieve the ball and punt it. He shall be permitted to take a maximum of three (3) steps from the point where he retrieves the ball to the point where he kicks it.
(f) (Illegal Procedure for violation of b, c, d.)
(g) [ADMINISTRATIVE RULE]
(h) If after a declaration of “intent to punt” the offensive team runs another type of play, an illegal procedure shall be called against the offensive team, and a penalty shall be assessed accordingly, unless refused by the defensive team.
After scoring a touchdown, the offensive team may elect to kick under the rules of the NFHS, or may elect to kick under the provisions outlined below:
(a) A declaration of “intent to kick” must be made to the game officials, who shall in turn inform the defensive team. Adequate time shall be given to the defensive team to permit the coach to get off the field.
(b) The ball shall be a direct snap from the center to the holder, and the holder shall be positioned a minimum of five (5) yards behind the line of scrimmage, and shall remain at this position until the ball is snapped.
(c) Both the offensive and the defensive team shall be required to have seven (7) players on the line of scrimmage until the ball has been touched by the holder or until the ball has touched the ground following the snap.
(d) No offensive or defensive player shall cross the line of scrimmage, until the ball has been touched by the holder or the ball touches the ground.
(e) (Illegal Procedure for violation of b, c, d.)