LOWER COLUMBIA RIVER FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION RULES – 2025

General rules 

 

Attendance Requirement meeting

All teams must have at least one representative at the final meeting in August  prior to the start of the new upcoming season

 

Meetings

Recap meeting after season November

Rule proposal meeting January

Finalize rules- March

Game schedule- July

Season kick off- August

 

Board members for the Lower Columbia River Football Association.

James Harris President: 503-481-9914

AJ Smith Vice President: 503-791-8900

Andrea Berndt Secretary and Treasurer: 360-431-0733

 

Knappa: Approved to be 9 man for both teams ¾ and ⅚

Seaside: 9 man for ¾ Only

 

League Representatives and board Members

Each Program is to appoint one person to be the league representative in the January  meeting for the season.

 

Game Day Representative:

Representatives will be the representative at their Home games  as the go-to person. If there are fields in two locations the program needs a rep at each location - Reps to be submitted by the end of August.

 

Spectators: All spectators should be in the stands for games. Only coaches/players/medical professionals shall be on the field.  Each home team needs to have a marked off area for coaches/players/medical professionals  Each team will provide a pass list at the beginning of the season.

 

League Fees and Dues

$100.00 per team fee. Make checks to Lower Columbia River Football, mailed to Po Box 492 Clatskanie OR 97016. League fees need to be sent in by the end of September.

 

Field Sizes

If a program wants to host 3&4 80 yards x 50’ minimum and 5&6 100 yards x 50’ yard minimum. Yard markers visible on one side of the field- Unless otherwise voted for an exception.          

 

Registration

All teams must close registration on or by August 10th so we have a finally number of teams to work on creating the game schedule

 

Officials: It is strongly recommended hired officials for ⅚ games and essential all officials have and understand the rules and are gone over with league representatives.

 

Weigh Rules

1.      No shoulder pads or helmet for weigh-in, only game pants, shirt and shoes.

a.      3rd/4th weight is 95 pounds

b.      5th/6th weight  is 125 pounds.

2.      Each team is to submit a team roaster with weights by 9/5/2024. To League email address.

3.      A question about a child's weight can be brought up at the end of the game by the head coach only (not by parent, spectator, helper). If the child is overweight to run the ball by 5 pounds that team has forfeited the game.

       

Code of Conduct and Expectations for Coaches

All teams and coaches are expected to sign and submit the code of conduct prior to the first game. Violations of the code of conduct can result in first time offense, one game suspension and multiple violations can result in termination of that coach in the season. Each Coach is required to be USA Football heads up certified to coach in this League. 

 

Code of Conduct is required to be signed by the first game Sept 7^th, 2024.  Failure to comply with code of conduct may result in a one game suspension and a second offense may result in a one-year suspension.

 

ALL GAMES MUST BE FINISHED WITHOUT EXCEPTION. IF A COACH QUITS A GAME EARLY FOR ANY REASON, THE COACH WILL BE TERMINATED FROM THE LEAGUE PERMANENTLY.  THE TEAM WILL BE ALLOWED TO FINISH THE SEASON BUT WILL BE TERMINATED FROM THE LEAGUE THE FOLLOWING YEAR, UNLESS APPROVED BY A MAJORITY OF THE REMAINING TEAMS. THIS RULE APPLIES TO INDIVIDUAL TEAMS, NOT SCHOOLS.

 

 

5^th and 6^th Grade Rules

 

 

Game Clock:
5^th/6^th Grade games are 15-minute quarters. Halftime break is 10 minutes. After 1^st/3^rd quarter breaks are 2 minutes. Game clock stops for timeouts, change of possession, after a touchdown (clock does not run during PAT attempt, resumes on kickoff) and injuries. If a team is ahead by more than 30 points, the mercy rule goes into effect and the game clock should not stop for any reason.

Timeouts:

Each team is allowed 1 60-second timeout per half.

 

1.       All game times shall be provided via a master schedule prior to the season.  Teams must play all scheduled games without exception.  If a team is short on players, they may borrow a player(s) from another team.

 

2.       When possible, a regulation field should be used.

 

3.      A coin toss will determine who kicks off and who receives the ball to start the game.  The visiting team calls the toss.  The visiting team is the team who had to travel the farthest.  The team that receives the ball to begin the first half will kick off to begin the second half.

 

4.      All games should start on time.  Games ending in a tie will remain a tie, no overtime.  Each tournament should have one person in charge of running the games on time.

 

5.      All kick offs will be from the 45-yard line on a 100-yard field.  On an 80-yard field, the kickoff will be from the 35-yard line.

 

6.      The receiving team must have five (5) players on the line for kick offs.  Intentional onside kicks are prohibited.  If the official determines that an intentional onside kick has been attempted, the receiving team will take possession of the ball at the point where the ball was kicked.

 

7.      When an official time out is called for an injury, regardless of the injury, the injured player must remain out of the game for three (3) consecutive plays.  Any bleeding must be stopped and cleaned before a player returns to a game.  No bleeding wounds shall be visible on any player involved in a game.

 

8.      Any player or coach who swears, fights, “Targeting” or crown of the helmet  shots another player may be removed from the game by the referee.  The decision of the referee is final!  Team coaches are asked to deal with any parents (from their team) that may behave in a disrespectful manner.

 

9.      The home team shall provide the referees.  Referees must be made aware of all rules prior to games. Coaches and referees should meet prior to the game to discuss potential problems.

 

10.   Each team is responsible for providing a legal game ball when their team is on offense.  The two teams can agree to use a single game ball or each use their own.

 

11.   DEFENSE RULES:

5^th/6^th Grade: Defenses may run any formation but defensive linemen are not allowed to cover the center, line up in offensive line gaps and stunt. Defensive linemen must line up in the down position. Blitzing is allowed, as long as the blitzer is lined up at least 5 yards off the line of scrimmage on the snap.

 

 

12.   Offensive teams may use any formation that is legal.  They must have exactly seven (7) players on the line of scrimmage during all offensive plays.  Quarterback sneaks are permitted without limits.

 

13.   Punts must be declared by the punting team.  There shall be no rushing until the ball is kicked. All players shall hold their positions until the ball is kicked on punts.

 

a.      Auto punt rule- If a team elects to not punt, Ball will be put 35 yards from the line of scrimmage for 5&6

 

14.   Extra-point kicks are allowed and shall count as one (1) point.  The kick shall be declared, and no rushing is allowed.  If there is a bad or mishandled snap, then the play will be ruled dead and no kick will be allowed.  Running/passing extra points are also allowed and shall count as one (1) point.

 

15.   No player who handles the ball may weigh more than 125 pounds.  Players weighing more than 125 pounds must be designated by a stripe on their helmets.  Weight is with game pants, shirt and shoes. Offensive ends may weigh more than 125 pounds but may not catch or handle the ball.  If they do it will result in a five (5) yard penalty and loss of down.

a.      No player in the offensive backfield may weigh over 125 pounds regardless of whether they handle the ball or not.

b.      Any player no matter of weight is able to run the ball if they get an interception or fumble.

c.      All players who are over the weight limit must have a stripe on their helmet, without exception. The stripe (black electrical tape works well) shall be from the front of the helmet to the back of the helmet. The stripe must be a different color than the helmet and be clearly visible from both front and back.

 

16.    Only one coach from the offensive and defensive teams will be allowed on the field, unless agreed upon by both teams prior to the game.  Except for huddles, coaches on the field must be at least five (5) yards behind their deepest player. Each team is allowed 1 30 second timeout each game.  During time outs no more than one coach may be on the field.

 

17.   No vocal coaching will be allowed by the coach on the field, after the ball is snapped.  Coaches may coach from the sidelines during the play.  (First offense is a warning, second is a five (5) yard penalty).

 

18.   Mouth guards must be attached to helmets (cannot be cut off).  If cut off, referees cannot see and there is a risk of choking.  The only exception is specialized mouth guards for medical reasons i.e. braces etc.

 

19.   Schools with more than one team per age level shall not be allowed to have kids play on both teams during the same Saturday, no exceptions.

 

20.   If there are more than (40) players, the school must have 2 teams.

 

21.   5^th/6^th grade shall use Youth or Junior sized balls.  3^rd/4^th grade shall use Junior or Pee wee sized balls.

 

22.   Kids must play for the school within the school district they attend.  If a school has no team or teams, then the child can play for any school.  If a school attempts to get a team and they do not get enough kids signed up, ONLY the kids signed up can go and play for another school, no exceptions.

 

23.   Teams must play in our league every Saturday.  No fee for admission shall be charged.  There is no fee for games to teams.

 

24.   Each team is responsible for its own insurance coverage, including but not limited to, liability insurance and medical insurance.

 

     28 .   Onside Kicks:

5^th/6^th Grade: No intentional onside kicks. However, if the kick travels more than 20 yards it may be recovered by the kicking team. If the kick does not travel 20 yards, even if it was touched by the receiving team, and is recovered by the kicking team, the receiving team gets possession at the location it was recovered. If the receiving team legitimately attempts to advance the ball with possession and then fumbles to the kicking team, the kicking team is awarded possession no matter where the ball was kicked.

 

 

PENALTIES

 

Coaches should meet with the referees prior to the games to determine if any warnings will be given.

 

Five yard penalties:

 

1.  Offsides.

 

2. Delay of game.  Taking more than 45 seconds to run a play after the spot of the ball.  A ten-second warning shall be given.

 

3. A player not having a mouthpiece in or helmet snapped.  Officials should remind players of this throughout the game.

 

4. Illegal motion.  More than one back in motion or a back moving toward the line of scrimmage prior to the snap.

 

5. More than one coach on the field during a play, unless agreed to prior to the game.

 

6. A player on the field over 125 pounds catching or handling the ball on offense.  (Five (5) yard penalty plus loss of down).  Fumble recoveries or interceptions do not count, the ball is dead immediately.

 

7. Pass interference, from the spot of the foul or the line of scrimmage, whichever is greater.  Defensive pass interference is an automatic first down.  Balls must be determined to be catchable by the referee before pass interference is called.

 

8. Coaching by coach on the field after the play begins.

 

9. Illegal blocking down field.  No blocking on pass plays past 5 yards from line of scrimmage.  Results in a five (5) yard penalty and replay of down.

 

Ten-yard penalties:

 

1.  Illegal formation, offense with either too many or too few men on the line of scrimmage (i.e. less than seven (7) men on the offensive line of scrimmage).

 

2. Holding or grasping another player in such a way as to stop or impede their movement, offensively or defensively.

 

3. Blocking below the waist.

 

Fifteen-yard penalties:

 

1.  Head tackling or face masking.  All tackles must be made at the shoulders or below.

 

2. Clipping or blocking an opposing player in the back.  Penalty is from spot of the foul.

 

3. Unsportsmanlike conduct, swearing, fighting, arguing with the referee, unnecessary roughness.  This shall also result in the player or coach being ejected from the game.

 

Rule variations for 3^RD/4^TH Grade Teams

 

Game clock:

3^rd/4^th Grade games are 30-minute halves. Halftime break is 10 minutes. Game clock stops for timeouts and injuries. (If two teams would like to get together prior to the game and make arrangements for  40-min halves that is fine as long as the hosting team and visitor team agree.  The rule is to play 30 and that is what the minimum requirement is to play. 

 

 

1. Weight limit is ninety (95) pounds. (Pants and pant pads only).

 

2. The field may be smaller.

 

3. Two coaches are allowed on the field.

 

4. On smaller fields all five- and ten-yard penalties shall be five-yard penalties.  All fifteen-yard penalties shall be ten-yard penalties.

 

5. No change of possession on kick-offs unless the receiving team legitimately attempts to advance the ball with possession and then fumbles.  In other words, if a receiving team attempts to get the ball, but a fumble occurs, no change of possession if he was just trying to pick up the ball.  Must have clear possession and attempt to advance the ball for a fumble to result in a change of possession.
6. 3^rd/4^th Grade: Defense shall always be a 6-2-2-1 (except inside the ten-yard line, the safety can be brought up to linebacker position). 9-man games shall always be a 4-2-2-1. No Blitzing or stunting. Safety, linebackers and corners must “read and react.” Linebackers must be at least 5-yards off the line of scrimmage and safety at least 10-yards off the line of scrimmage. The defensive line must make two (2) handed contact before rushing. Defensive line must line head up, as long as offensive line gaps are reasonable, not covering the center, and be in the down position. If defensive ends are uncovered, they may rush.

 

7. Maximum of two (2) quarterback sneaks (meaning straight up middle over center) per game.  Quarterbacks can still run unlimited sweeps, options, reverses, etc.

 

8. Auto punt rule- If a team elects to not punt 25 yards from the line of scrimmage for 3&4. Teams can still punt like normal if they choose.

 

9. Onside kicks: 3^rd/4^th Grade: No onside kicks or change of possession on kick-offs unless the receiving team legitimately attempts to advance the ball with possession and then fumbles.