wfc-rules.docTournament Rules
4th Grade Tackle Division
The National Federation of High School Associations rulebook, as used in Iowa, will govern play in the Westside Classic Tournament with the following exceptions, additions, clarifications and emphasis.
Officials: A minimum of 3 IHSAA licensed officials will be assigned to each tournament game. The Tournament Director will assign officials to each game.
Playing Fields: Playing field for 4th Grade Tackle Division will be regulation 100-yard football fields. Each team will occupy the opposite sides of the field. Players and coaches must remain in their respective players/coaches box.
Ball Carriers: All offensive backs, receivers and tight ends must be 105 lbs or under to play their respective position and to carry the ball. Please see Check In / Weigh In section on the website for weight challenge rules. A 5 pound allowance will be given to players at weigh-in if they are in complete uniform (less helmets).
Game Times: There will be four (4) quarters of play in each game, consisting of twelve (12) minutes of continuous running time in each quarter. (Under the following situations, the game clock will continue to run: first downs, out of bounds, incomplete passes. The continuous clock will stop for scores, point-after attempts, an injury, official and team time-outs). Halftime will be (5) 5 minutes in duration.. During the last two (2) minutes of each half, standard regulation time will be in effect. The Scoreboard clock will be the official clock, provided that an adult timekeeper operates the clock. A forty-five (40) second play clock will be in effect for all tourney games.
Each team is allowed two (2) time outs per half, the duration of which will be one (1) minute each. During a charged time out, only one (1) coach and one (1) non-adult, i.e., a water person may be on the field and approach the huddle.
Start of play: No kickoffs. Offensive team will take possession at their 30-yard line.
Alignment: Offense - 7 on Line of Scrimmage. Defense - 5 linemen or 4-lineman front is allowed. Outside defensive man on the line can be no wider than outside man-outside shoulder, linebackers no closer than 2 yards from LOS, DBs minimum 4 yards from LOS. Interior lineman must be in down position. Exception - Any defense is allowed when the offense is inside your own 10-yard line as long as only the people on the defensive line can rush. No heads up on center.
Defensive Blitzing: Blitzing by linebackers and defensive backs is not allowed.
However, any defensive player may cross the line of scrimmage after the offensive player with the ball is outside the offensive tackles.
Fumbles/Interceptions: Live ball. Advance as allowed.
Coaches on Field: Each team is allowed a coach on the field for both offense and defense. Coaches must stay 5 yards behind the deepest player. No verbal directions or communications can be made from when the QB starts his cadence until end of the play.
AUTO PUNT: Punts are dead ball downs and neither team may cross the line of scrimmage. No physical contact is allowed by opposing players. During an offensive possession, on any down, the offensive team may declare an “Auto Punt”. Upon doing so, the referee will notify the defensive team that an Auto Punt has been elected by the offense. The referee will advance the ball thirty (30) yards, or half the distance to the goal line if the ball is on or inside the defensive teams own thirty (30) yard line.
. Extra Points & Field Goals: Following a touchdown the extra points can be made by running, passing, or kicking. A successful running conversion will receive 1-point, a successful pass will receive 2-points, PAT kicks will receive 2 points. PAT kicks and field goals are not live until the ball is kicked. No fakes.
Overtime Games: Format for overtime will be same as High School.
Placing- All placing will be decided by 4 or 8 man brackets. 2 or 3 game minimum where available.
Ball regulation: Each team will be responsible for providing their game ball.
Official Game Ball Sizes: Juniors are K2, 5th & 6th are TDJ, 7th & 8th are TDY.
Tournament Rules
5th Grade Tackle Division
The National Federation of High School Associations rulebook, as used in Iowa, will govern play in the Westside Classic Tournament with the following exceptions, additions, clarifications and emphasis.
Officials: A minimum of 3 IHSAA licensed official will be assign to each game of the post season tournament. The Tournament Director will assign officials to each game.
Playing Fields: Playing fields for 5th Grade Tackle Division will be regulation 100-yard football fields. Both teams will occupy opposite sides of the fields. Players and coaches must remain in their respective players/coaches box.
Ball Carriers: All offensive backs, receivers and tight ends must be 115 lbs or under to play their respective position and to carry the ball. Please see Check In / Weigh In section on the website for weight challenge rules. A 5 pound allowance will be given to players at weigh-in if they are in complete uniform (less helmets).
Game Times: Game Times: There will be four (4) quarters of play in each game, consisting of twelve (12) minutes of continuous running time in each quarter. (Under the following situations, the game clock will continue to run: first downs, out of bounds, incomplete passes. The continuous clock will stop for scores, point-after attempts, an injury, official and team time-outs). Halftime will be (5) minutes in duration. During the last two (2) minutes of each half, standard regulation time will be in effect. The Scoreboard clock will be the official clock, provided that an adult timekeeper operates the clock. A forty-five (40) second play clock will be in effect for all Tourney games. Each team is allowed two (2) time outs per half, the duration of which will be one (1) minute each. During a charged time out, only one (1) coach [and one (1) non-adult, i.e., a water person] may be on the field and approach the huddle.
Kickoffs- Kickoffs are live and follow all IHSAA guidelines.
Alignment: Offense - 7 on LOS. Defense - 5 linemen or 4-lineman front is allowed. Outside defensive man on the line can be no wider than outside man-outside shoulder, linebackers no closer than 2 yds from LOS, DBs min 4 yds from LOS. Interior lineman must be in down position. Exception - Any defense is allowed when the offense is inside your 10-yard line as long as only the people on the defensive line can rush.
Defensive Blitzing: Blitzing by linebackers and defensive backs is not allowed. However, any defensive player may cross the line of scrimmage after the offensive player with the ball is outside the offensive tackle.
Fumbles/Interceptions: Live ball. Advance as allowed.
Coaches on Field: Each team is allowed a coach on the field for both offense and defense. Coaches must stay 5 yards behind the deepest player. No verbal directions or communications can be made from when the QB starts his cadence until end of the play.
Punting: 2 choices- Choice A -Dead ball punt-Offensive team must announce their decision to punt. No fakes. Defense cannot rush. Ball is dead where receiving team gets possession. No returns. Bad or dropped snaps are not considered fumbles and the punter will be allowed to punt. No fakes. OR
B- AUTO PUNT-. No physical contact is allowed by opposing players. During an offensive possession, on any down, the offensive team may declare an “Auto Punt”. Upon doing so, the referee will notify the defensive team that an Auto Punt has been elected by the offense. The referee will advance the ball thirty (30) yards, or half the distance to the goal line if the ball is on or inside the defensive teams own thirty (30) yard line.
Extra Points & Field Goals: Following a touchdown the extra points can be made by running, passing, or kicking. A successful running conversion will receive 1-point, a successful pass will receive 2-points, PAT kicks will receive 2 points. PAT kicks and field goals are not live until the ball is kicked. No fakes.
Overtime Games: Format for overtime will be same as High School.
Placing-4 or 8 man Brackets will be used to decide placement. 2-3 game minimum.
Ball Regulation- Youth TDJ will be the official size ball used. Each team is responsible for their own game ball to be used on their offensive possessions.
Tournament Rules
6th, 7th & 8th Grade Tackle Division
National Federation of High School Associations Rule Book