Unless modified by penalty:

Kick Off

• • 5u has no kickoffs so the offense takes possession at their own 20-yard line.

  • These Kick Off Lines alter NCAA rules

    • • 7u Kickoff from the 50-yard line.

      • 9u, 11u and 13u from the 40-yard line.

Safety

• • 5u has no kickoffs so the offense takes possession at their own 20-yard line.

  • These Kick Off Lines alter NCAA rules

    • • 7u Safety Punt from the 35-yard line.

      • 9u, 11u and 13u from the 25-yard line. 

Once the winning team has an 18 or greater point lead on their opponent or the mercy rule is in effect, the winning team can no longer attempt an onside kick. If in the Referee’s opinion they did, they will be penalized Unsportsmanlike Conduct (15).

Receiving team gets the ball  where they recovered it plus the 15 yards.

For the Kickoff only, the teams are authorized two coaches on the field lining up their players. Once placed, they need to leave the field of play.  Violation will be penalized Delay of Game (5).

On 4th down the offense MUST declare they are either “going to punt” or “are going for it”.   Once the offense declares their intent, they cannot change their mind unless EITHER team calls for and is charged a time out.

The punt for 5u:

• • The Referees march off 25 yards.

  • If a team chooses to punt from within their opponent's 20-yard line, the ball is marched off half the distance to the goal.

The punt for 7u: 

• • Legal offensive formation and proper stances.

  • Movement by the offense is still penalized as normal.

  • Play clock is still used.

  • A 7u punt is a thrown ball:

    • • No "Fake" punts allowed. Penalized for a Delay of Game (5).

      • Punter is protected like any QB as it pertains to "Roughing the Passer."

      • Once the coach has placed their players, they need to leave the field or be penalized Delay of Game (5).

  • Procedure

    • • Referee holds the ball in front of the Punter (he does NOT give it to the player).

      • The Punter calls cadence.

      • The Punter takes possession of the ball and the play becomes "live." Live means that the defense can rush, the gunners can head down field, and the punt can be returned.

      • If the ball is muffed, it may be picked up and kicked (thrown). If the Punter takes off running (executing a "Fake"), they will be penalized for Delay of Game (5).

The (5u) cannot "Quick Kick."

The (7u) can "Quick Kick" on any down only if the ball is physically kicked.

Retain is a "Onside Kick" for Flag.

A team MUST be LOSING in order to use it.

If a team scores, and they are losing, they can declare to the Referees that they wish to "Attempt to Retain the ball."

The Referees will place the ball on their 20 yard line and the team attempting to retain, has 1 play to gain a first down at the 40 yard line.

If they get past the 40, the ball is declared dead at the 40 and the team takes over 1st and 20 from there. They cannot run it past the 40 yard line. 

If the team does not make it to the 40 yard line, the ball goes over to the defense at the spot the ball was declared dead.

A team coming out of the half, who is losing, and their opponent will take possession first, can attempt to retain the ball.