Fishers-HSE Rookie Tackles 7-Player Rules

Fishers-HSE Football board participates in a progression based football program designed to develop young football players as they grow. Rookie tackle is the first time that our players are introduced to contact. We have developed these rules to make the game safe for their skill level and to encourage every player to continue to play every aspect of the game.

Rookie Tackle uses the same rules as grades 4-6 as the base. These are based on the NFHS rule book. The following adjustments are made for 7-player football:

I1. Because of all the players, all positions, all skills philosophy, there are no restrictions on jersey

numbers or player positions.

2. The goal is for players to play multiple positions. As such there is no weight limit for carrying the ball. Players should rotate not only between offense and defense, but also positions within offense and defense. Thus, quarters 1 and 4 will feature “smalls” at the skill positions and “bigs” on the line. Quarters 2 and 3 will be the opposite. While size is a factor, coaches need to be aware and try to match similar skill, size, and temperament to ensure the best matchups.

3. Each player must start one side of the ball and play the entire game (e.g. if a player does not start and play on offense, he must start on defense. Each Substitutions are encouraged so players get experience on both sides of the ball but the coaches must ensure the players all have equal playing time. ). Each player should get a chance to run the ball every game. A carries sheet will be collected by the league to ensure that all players have a chance to carry the ball during a game.

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Practice: Coaches will be given a list of approved fields for practice, only these fields can be used.Each team is permitted five (5) practices before the first game. Once the season begins two (2) practices per week are permitted. No exceptions.There will be no Sunday practices.There will be a 90-minute time limit for practices.School Facilities:Each head coach and all parents are responsible to have their team clean up the game field and practice area after each practice and game. We are guests at all school facilities – please respect all school propertyAlso each Saturday, after the final game of the day, the cones from each field should be gathered and stacked.

Special teams adjustments:

1. There are no special teams.

c. There are no kickoff or punts. Each possession starts with the batt on the 40-yard line, regardless of whether there is a score, turnover or turnover on downs.

d. There are no extra points by a kick.

All PATs are attempted through a run or pass try. Coaches can choose to go for one point from the 3-yard line or two points from the 5-yard line.

Offensive adjustments:

1. Each play must include three offensive linemen — a center and two guards, one on either side of the center. These players are ineligible for first touch as the receiver of a pass regardless of the numbers on their jerseys. Player rotations may result with traditional non-lineman numbers at thesepositions for the purpose of fundamental skill development.

2. Guards and Center are required to play from a two-point stance. There are no three-point stances.

3. The distance between a guard and center may not exceed three feet (1 yard) but may be closer.

4. Because of the all players, all positons, all skills philosophy, players should change positons during the game. Therefore:

a. The three offensive linemen must identify themselves on each play by raising their hands as they break the huddle and approach the line of scrimmage.

b. Once identified as an offensive lineman, players may not shift to another positon.

c. All three offensive linemen are ineligible for first touch on a pass, including a guard who is uncovered by an end.

ó. The quarterback-center exchange is started with the QB placing the ball on the centers back. There is no traditional snap and no shotgun.

7. Quarterback sneaks are prohibited in all situations because the defense is not allowed to have players aligned over the center or in the center-guard A gap.

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8. The offense must have four players on the line of scrimmage. No more, no less. The fourth player can be d tight end or split end. See figures below.

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9. The four offensive players who are not playing guard or center may be deployed in positions at the coach’s discretion as long as one is on the line of scrimmage (see rule 9).

10. No trips formations are allowed.

a. For purpose of Rookie Tackle, Trips is defined as any three players outside the guard-to- guard box

11. Motion is allowed by a backfield player as long as it does not create a trips formation..

12. AU blocks below the waist, in any situation, are illegal.

13. After each play, the ball is spotted in the middle of the field. Hash marks are not used

Defensive Adjustments

1. Defenses may only have two defensive linemen unless an offensive formation includes a tight end. In that case, a third defensive linemen may line up over the tight end.

2. Defensive linemen must be in a two-point stance.

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3. Defensive linemen over guards must be aligned in a head up or outside shade position.

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4. Players in an outside shade must always have one foot aligned inside the stance of the opposing Guards.

5. The defense must have one player at least 10 yards from the ball.

6. The remaining four players can be deployed at the coach’s discretion but must be four yards off the line of scrimmage unless covering a tight end or split end on the line of scrimmage.

d. Example: If the offense aligns with its fourth line—of—scrimmage player as a tight end, then the defense may align a player directly over the tight end on the line of scrimmage to balance the running surface.

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b. Defenses are not required to match the fourth player on the line of scrimmage but have the option to do so.

7. No blitzes are allowed. Players within the box at the snap can penetrate upon the snap. Linebackers, safeties and cornerbacks (both on the line and at depth) can flow to the ball naturally after a handoff is made, but predetermining penetration to a specific gap is illegal.a. The box includes offensive players who line up within two yards of the ball and on

the line of scrimmage along with the defensive players lined up directly over them.

b. On pass plays, anyone outside the box on the snap cannot rush the quarterback and must remain behind the line of scrimmage in pass coverage.

c. Coaches are encouraged to be creative with their formations but not use “the box" to delay defensive penetration.

d. NOTE: The restriction on blitzing is intended to encourage skill development within the passing game and allow young players to execute a successful handoff with limited penetration.

8. If the ball is inside the 4-yard line, the four non-linemen, non-deep players may align on the goal line.

9. There are no defensive safeties. Tackles behind the 40-yard line are spotted at the 40-yard line

Penalties:1. Because of the limited field size, all 15-yard penalties are enforced as 10-yard penalties

2. No penalty on the offense can take the ball beyond the 40-yard line into the administration zone.

3. Penalties on the offense that are called and accepted on or behind the 40-yard line result in a loss of down.

4. Penalties on the offense called between the 40-yard line and the end zone in which yardage is lost, even if limited in enforcement by the 40-yard line, are enforced as written in terms of down lost or replayed.

5. All personal foul penalties include an immediate substitution from the field for a minimum of one play to allow coaches to address misconduct and promote good sportsmanship.

2/ PLAYING FIELD and Clock

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1. The playing field is 40-by-35 1/3 yards, allowing for two fields to be created on a traditional 100-yard field at the same time.

2. The sidelines extend between the inside of the numbers on a traditional football field and should be marked with cones every five yards. Use traditional pylons, if available, to mark the goal fine and the back line of the end zone.a. Additional cones can be placed between the five-yard stripes and in line with the

inside of the numbers to further outline the playing surface if desired.

b. We will be using orange sidelines and markings for Rookie Tackle

c. It is the coach’s responsibility to keep his team’s parents and fans off the traditional 100 yard field for safety reasons.

3. The rules of the clock will be administers in accordance with ISHAA rules and consist of four (4), eight (8) Minute quarters.

4. All possessions start at the 40-yard line going in toward the end zone.

a This leaves a 20-Yard buffer Zone Between the two games for administration and safety purposes. Game officials, league personnel, athletic trainers and designated coaches are the only people allowed in this space.

b. Players not in the game stand on the traditional sidelines with one or more coach to supervise. On the change of possession, every player on the bench rotates onto the field.

c. All plays are blown dead and the ball is returned to the 40-yard line if an offensive ball-carrier or a fumbled ball crosses over midfield or at the official’s discretion if coaches, administrators, or players from the multiple fields and the dead zone become close enough in proximity to be a concern for safety.

d.

First downs, down markers and the Chain gang are administered in accordance with National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) or ISHAA rules — starting from the 40-yard line.

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ROOKIETACKLE 7-PLAYER PR0

OTBALL

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R00KIETA¢KLE 7-PLAYER PRO ALL ¢URL LEFT

WR 5 ydrd CurlLG Big on the big pass protectionC Pass protection, help with any inside rushRG Big on big pass protectiono 3 step dropFB Release playside, 5 yard Curl on the hashRB Release opposite playside, 5 yard Curl on the hash

R00KIETA¢KLE 7-PLAYER PRO ALL CURL RIGST

WR 5 yard CurlLG Big on big pass protectionC Pass protection, help with any inside rushRG Big on big pass protectionQ 3 step dropFB Release playside, 5 yard Curl on the hashRB Reledse opposite pldyside, 5 ydrd Curl on the hdsh

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R00KIETA¢KLE 7-PLAYER PRO ALL GO LEFT

WR Inside release, Go route staying between numbers and hashLG Big on the big pass protectionC Pass protection, help on any inside rushRG Big on big pass protectionQ 5 step dropFB Release playside, Seam route staying inside the hashRB Release opposite playside, team route aiming down the hash

R00KIETA¢KLE 7-PLAYER PR0 ALL G0 RIGHT

WR Inside re fedse, Go route stdying between numbers dnd hdshLG Big on big pass protectionC Pdss protection, help on dny inside rushRG Big on big pass protectionQ 5 step dropFB Release playside, Seam route staying inside the hashRB Reledse opposite pldyside, Sed m route diming down the hdsh

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R00KIETA¢KLE 7-PLAYER PRO DIVE LEFT

WR Stalk block cornerbackLG Drive block inside half of defensive linemdnC Drive block most dangerous linebackerRG Scoop block defensive linemanQ Open pfayside, give dive hand—off, attack down fine of scrimageFB One lateral step and attack the A gapRB Fdke sweep

ROOKIETACKLE 7-PLAYER PR0 DIVE RIGST

WR Stalk block corner backLG Drive block inside hdlf Of defensive linemdnC Drive block most dangerous line backerRG Drive block insde half of defensive linemdnQ Open pfayside, give dive hand—off, attack down fine of scrimageFB One laterdl step and attdCk the A gapRB Fake sweep

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R00KIETA¢KLE 7-PLAYER PRO IS0 LEFT

WR Stalk block cornerbackLG Drive block inside half of defensive lineman C Drive block linebacker away from play call RG Scoop block defensive fineman

Open playside, hand—off to second player through (RB), continue with bootleg fake

FB Lead back pfayside tinebackerRB One lateral step, attack A gap and read FB’s block

R00KIETA¢KLE 7-PLAYER PR0 IS0 RIGST

WR Stdlk block cornerbdckLG Drive block inside half of defensive lineman C Drive block linebdcker dwdy from pldy cdii RG Scoop block defensive fireman

Open pldyside, hdnd —off to second pld Rr through (RB), continue with bootleg fake

FB Ledd bdCk pfdyside linebdckerRB One lateral step, attack A gap and read FB’s block

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R00KIETA¢KLE 7-PLAYER PRO S¥¥ING LEFT

WR 3 ydrd Slant routeLG Big on big pass protectionC Pass protection, help on any inside rushRG Big on big pass protectiono 3 step dropRB Swing route playsideFB Swing route opposite playside

R00KIETA¢KLE 7-PLAYER PRO S\I?ING RIGST

WR 3 ydrd Slant routeLG Big on big pass protectionC Pass protection, help on dny inside rushRG Big on big pass protectionQ 3 step dropRB Swing route playsideFB Swing route opposite playside

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ROOKIETACKLE 7-PLAYER PR0 TOSS LEFT

WR Stalk block cornerbackRG Redch block defensive linemanC Cut—off block backside linebackerLG Scoop block defensive fineman

Reverse pivot out and toss to RB

FB Lead around the edge and block most dangerousRB Bucket step, gdin width dnd shoulders squdre, secure pitch dnd follow FB

R00KIETA¢KLE 7-PLAYER PR0 TOSS RIGHT

WR Stalk block cornerbackRG Reach block defensive linemanC Cut—off block backside linebackerLG Scoop block defensive

fireman Reverse pivot oUt dnd toss to RB

FB Lead around the edge and block most dangerous

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RB Bucket step, gdin width dnd shoulders squdre, secure pitch dnd follow FB

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ROOKIETACKLE 7-PLAYERTIGET

OTBALL

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R00KIETA¢KLE 7-PLAYERTIG5TALL ¢URL LEFT

TE 5 yard Curl route inside widest defenderLG Big on big pass protectionC Pass protection, help on inside rushRG Big on big pass protectionRB 5 yard Curl route aiming between number and hash FB 5 yard Curl route aiming between number and hash Q 3 step drop

R00KIETA¢KLE 7-PLAYERTIG5TALL ¢URL RIGST

TE 5 yard Curl route inside widest defenderLG Big on big gdss protectionC Pass protection, help on inside rushRG Big on big gdss protectionRB 5 yard Curl route aiming between number and hash FB 5 yard Curl route aiming between number dnd hdsh Q 3 step d rop

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R00K[TACKLE7PLAYERTGMTALLG0LEF

TE Outside release, Seam routeLG Big on big pass protectionC Pass protection, help on any inside rushRG Big on big pass protectionRB Go aiming between number and hashFB Go route aiming down hashQ 5 step drop

R00K[TACKLE7fLAYERflGMTALLG0SGMT

TE Outside release, Seam routeRG Big on big pass protectionC Pass protection, help on any inside rushLG Big on big pass protectionRB Go aiming between number and hashFB Go route aiming down hashQ 5 step drop

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R00KIETA¢KLE 7-PLAYERTIG5T CROSS LEFT

LG Inside release, work back out to widest defenderC Block back on defensive finemdnRG Inside release to widest finebacker to that sideTE Base block defensive linemanRB Delay one second to let play develop, take path between QB and FB,

attack edge around unblocked defensive lineman and read LG blockFB Fake sweep

Open deep, fake sweep outside hand—off to RB

R00KIETA¢KLE 7-PLAYERTIG5T ¢R0SS RIGST

RG Inside release, work back out to widest defenderC Block back on defensive finemanLG Inside release to widest finebacker to that sideTE Bdse block defensive linemdnRB Delay one second to let play develop, take path between QB and FB,

attack edge dround unblocked defensive linemdn dnd redd LG blockFB Fake sweep

Open deep, fdke sweep outside hdnd—off to RB

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R00K[TACKLE7fLAYERflGMTSWEEPLEFT

LG Reach block defensive line man C Reach block middle linebacker RG Scoop block defensive line man TE Scoop block defensive tinemanRB Lateral path across formation, receive hand —off and fo flow FBFB Lead around the corner and block the most dangerous defenderQ 0 pen dee p dnd givR hdt hdnd —off to RB

R00KIETA¢KLE 7-PLAYERTIG5TS¥¥EEPRIGHT

LG Reach block defensive lineman C Reach block middie linebacker RG Scoop block defensive lineman TE Scoop block defensive linemdnRB Lateral path across formation, receive hand —off and follow FBFB LRdd dround the corner dnd block the m ost ddngerous defenderQ Open deep and give flat hand —off to RB

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R00KIETA¢KLE 7-PLAYERTIG5TTRAP LEFT

RG Inside re lease, drive block mid dIe line backerC Block back on defensive finemdnLG Trap block p Tayside defensive linemanTE Base block defensive linemanRB Pa use one second to time u p with putter, attack A gap behind trap blockFB Fake sweepQ Fdke sweep down the fine dnd give inside hdnd—off to RB

R00KIETA¢KLE 7-PLAYERTIGHTTRAPRIG5T

LG Inside re lease, drive block mid dIe line backerC Block back on defensive finemdnRG Trap block p Tayside defensive linemanTE BdSR blOCk defensive linemanRB Pa use one second to time u p with putter, attack A gap behind trap blockFB Fake sweepQ Fdke sweep down the fine dnd give inside hdnd—off to RB

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ROOKIETACKLE 7-PLAYERSPREAD

OTBALL

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R00KIETA¢KLE 7-PLAYER SPREAD ALL CURL

LE 5 yard Curl routeLG Big on big pass protectionC Pass protection, help on any inside rushRG Big on big pass protectionRE 5 yard Curl routeRB Release throught the line, 5 yard Curl routeQ 3 step drop

R00KlETACKLE7PLAYERSPREADALLG0

LE Outside release, Go routeLG Big on big pdss protectionC Pass protection, help on any inside rushRG Big on big pdss protection RE Outside release, Go route Q 5 step dropRB Release through the fine, mid die of the held Go route

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ROOKITACKLE7-PLAYERSPREADSVELFT

LE Stalk block corner backLG Drive block most dangerous tinemanC Drive block most dangerous line backerRG Scoop block defensive tinemanRE Inside re lease work to block deep safetyQ Open playside, dive hand —off, continue fake down the lineRB 0 ne ldterdl step, dttdCk A gdp, fo flow C’s block

R00KIETA¢KLE 7-PLAYER SPREAD DIVE RIGST

LE Stalk block corner backRG Drive block inside hdlf of defensive linemdn C Drive block most dangerous line backerLG Scoop block defensive tinemanLE Inside re lease work to block deep safetyQ Open playside, dive hand —off, continue fake down the lineRB 0ne lateral step, attack A gap, fo flow C’s block

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R00KIETA¢KLE 7-PLAYER SPREAD STRETCH LEFT

LE Stdlk block cornerbackLG Reach block defensive linemanC Reach block pldyside linebackerRG Inside release, cut—off block backside linebackerRE Inside release, work to block deep safetyQ Open deep pfayside, continue bootfeg fake after hand—off RB Attack outside edge of LG, read block

R00KIETACKLE7PLAYERSPREADSTRETCBRIGBT

RE Stdlk block cornerbdckRG Reach block defensive line manC Redch block pldyside linebdckerLG Inside re lease, cut—off block backside line backerLE Inside release, work to block deep safety0 0 pen dee p p Tayside, contin ue bootfeg fake after hand—offRB AttdCk outside edge of LG, read block

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ROOKIETACKLE 7-PLAYER SPREAD TRAP LEFT

LE Stalk block corner backLG Trap block fat defensive tinemanC Block back on defensive finemanRG Inside release for most dangerous line backerRE Stalk block corner backQ Open playside, bootleg fake after hand —offRB LdterdI step to time up with p utter, follow Gu drd into the hole

ROOKIETACKLE 7-PLAYER SPREAD TRAPRIGST

RE Stalk block corner backRG Trdp block fdt defensive linemdnC Block block on defensive finemanLG Inside refedse for most ddngerous linebdckerLE Stalk block corner back0 0 pen pld Side, bootleg Id ke dfter hand —offRB Lateral step to time up with putter, follow Guard into the hole