Major Rule Differences
There are many rule differences between youth, high school, college & professional football. Below are some of the major differences:
Catching a Kick: high school rules state the receiver must be given an unhindered opportunity to catch the football. There is no two-yard halo.
Pass Interference: can occur anytime the ball is in flight - there are no uncatachable passes in high school. There is not a five yard bumping area for defensive backs - a defensive back may make contact with receivers anywhere on the field until the ball is thrown.
Pass Interference Penalty: penalty is fifteen yards from the line of scrimmage. The ball is not placed at the spot of the foul.
Defensive Pass Interference: penalty is fifteen yards from the line of scrimmage. The ball is not placed at the spot of the foul.
Kick-Off Positions: college rules require a minimum of four players on each side of the kicker. No such requirement exists in high school.
Intentional Grounding: can happen on any pass from anywhere on the field. In college & pro games, the passer may avoid grounding when outside the tackles.
Neutral Zone Foul: if a defensive player jumps offside it is an immediate penalty. The player is not allowed to get back onside before the snap.
Kick into the End Zone: is a touchback and cannot be run out of the end zone.
Try for Point: the ball becomes dead once the kick is no good of the defense gains possession. The defense cannot score any points on an extra point attempt.
Extra Point Attempt: kicking = 2 points. Running/Passing = 1 point.
Unsuccessful Field Goal: if the ball crosses the goal line, it is given to the defense at the twenty yard line. It is not returned to the spot of the kick.
Timing: in youth football, the quarters are eight minutes in length - high school timing rules are used. The clock stops after a first down & starts when the ball is ready for play. The clock stops after change of possession & starts with the snap.
Overtime: is only played at the A level (8th grade). All other levels end in a tie. The "four plays from the ten yard line" procedure is used.
C Defense (6th grade): teams are allowed a maximum of six defensive players within five yards of the line of scrimmage prior to the snap of the ball. This rule is only in effect outside the defensive team's five yard line.
Player Weight: a ball carrier is defined as receiving the ball behind the line of scrimmage. No ball carrier or offensive back in the offensive backfield may exceed below listed weights without equipment:
- A Level (8th grade) - 160 pounds
- B Level (7th grade) - 140 pounds
- C Level (6th grade) - 120 pounds
- D Level (5th grade) - 100 pounds
Catching a Kick: high school rules state the receiver must be given an unhindered opportunity to catch the football. There is no two-yard halo.
Pass Interference: can occur anytime the ball is in flight - there are no uncatachable passes in high school. There is not a five yard bumping area for defensive backs - a defensive back may make contact with receivers anywhere on the field until the ball is thrown.
Pass Interference Penalty: penalty is fifteen yards from the line of scrimmage. The ball is not placed at the spot of the foul.
Defensive Pass Interference: penalty is fifteen yards from the line of scrimmage. The ball is not placed at the spot of the foul.
Kick-Off Positions: college rules require a minimum of four players on each side of the kicker. No such requirement exists in high school.
Intentional Grounding: can happen on any pass from anywhere on the field. In college & pro games, the passer may avoid grounding when outside the tackles.
Neutral Zone Foul: if a defensive player jumps offside it is an immediate penalty. The player is not allowed to get back onside before the snap.
Kick into the End Zone: is a touchback and cannot be run out of the end zone.
Try for Point: the ball becomes dead once the kick is no good of the defense gains possession. The defense cannot score any points on an extra point attempt.
Extra Point Attempt: kicking = 2 points. Running/Passing = 1 point.
Unsuccessful Field Goal: if the ball crosses the goal line, it is given to the defense at the twenty yard line. It is not returned to the spot of the kick.
Timing: in youth football, the quarters are eight minutes in length - high school timing rules are used. The clock stops after a first down & starts when the ball is ready for play. The clock stops after change of possession & starts with the snap.
Overtime: is only played at the A level (8th grade). All other levels end in a tie. The "four plays from the ten yard line" procedure is used.
C Defense (6th grade): teams are allowed a maximum of six defensive players within five yards of the line of scrimmage prior to the snap of the ball. This rule is only in effect outside the defensive team's five yard line.
Player Weight: a ball carrier is defined as receiving the ball behind the line of scrimmage. No ball carrier or offensive back in the offensive backfield may exceed below listed weights without equipment:
- A Level (8th grade) - 160 pounds
- B Level (7th grade) - 140 pounds
- C Level (6th grade) - 120 pounds
- D Level (5th grade) - 100 pounds
