• Players will be drafted by position (older linemen, younger linemen, older backs, younger backs).
• Each team will begin the draft with no more than two coaches and their sons.
• Draft order for the first round of each position will be determined based on average player ratings for each team. In the event of a tie based on average player ratings, draft order will be decided by a coin toss.
• In subsequent rounds, draft order will rotate with the first pick dropping one position each round. For example during older lineman draft:
         a. Round 1 order – a, b, c, d, e, f
         b. Round 2 order – b, c, d, e, f, a
         c. Round 3 order – c, d, e, f, a, b
• After each position group draft has been completed (i.e. older linemen), draft order for teams will be recalculated based upon the team’s overall average player ratings following that position group draft.
• Eligible players at the beginning of the round will be the highest rated players equal to the number of teams in the league. For example, if there are 8 teams, only the 8 highest rated players at the beginning of the round will be eligible during that round
• As each round progresses (i.e. After Team A makes their draft pick), the range of available players in the round will move commensurate with the number of teams in the draft. For example, in an 8 team league in Round 1, Team A will choose from the highest rated players 1-8. Team B will then choose from the next 8 highest rated players (i.e. players 2-9). Team C will then choose from the next 8 highest rated players (i.e. players 3-10).
• Coaches’ sons will be deemed to be drafted when they become eligible as per (4) above. If both coaches’ sons are eligible within the same round, that team will select both players and the team’s rotation in the subsequent round will be skipped. If both coaches’ sons are eligible in the final round of a position draft, that team will select both players and their pick in the first round of a similar position will be skipped (i.e. both coaches’ sons selected in the in the final round of 10 year old backs, then that team’s pick in the first round of 9 year old backs is skipped). If both coaches’ sons are picked in the final round of all backs, then that team’s first pick in the linemen position will be skipped.
• For partial rounds, the teams with the fewest players (counting “undrafted” coaches’ sons) will draft in order as defined in (4) above.
• Unrated players will be blind drawn in the final round for each position. Unrated players are classified as those in which the league does not have a composite rating from participation in the league combine.
• All players at a minimum must have their age and weight verified by the league.
• In the event there are players outside of coaches sons (i.e. two brothers) who must be on the same team, after the first player is drafted by a team, the second player (brother) will automatically become that team’s pick during the draft rotation, even if in a different position (i.e. brothers where one is an 11 year old back and the other is a 12 year old lineman).

Game Times

• 4 quarters, 12 minute running clock, time will stop during final two minutes of each half.
• Each team has two one-minute time outs each half.
• After a timeout, the clock will continue outside of the last two minutes of each half.
• Halftime will last 10 minutes.
• If a player is injured on the field the official will call an injury timeout.
• If one team is leading by more than 21 points, there is no stoppage of time after the 2:00 mark in the second-half.
• Time between plays will be 30 seconds for the 11 & 12 year old league, 45 seconds for the 9 & 10 year old league and 45 seconds for the 8 year old league.

Extra Points

• No extra points will be kicked after a touchdown.
• Teams have the option to go for one or two points.
• Teams will receive 1 point if they successfully score from the 3-yard line.
• Teams will receive 2 points if they successfully score from the 5-yard line.
• Teams can choose to spot the ball in the middle or on the hash mark.
• Extra point play is a dead ball situation.
• Offensive penalties will be enforced.
• Defensive penalties before the snap will result in moving the ball half the distance to goal line for same point value.
• Defensive penalty after the snap can be declined or accepted.

Kickoffs

• There will be no live kickoffs.
• The ball will be placed on the receiving team’s 20-yard line.
• After a safety the ball will be placed on the 40 yard line.

• There will not be live punts.
• The ball will be moved 30 yards but no deeper than the 20 yard line.

Overtime

• There will only be one OT unless it is the Championship game. 
• The Championship game will not end in tie. In case of a tie at the end of regulation, each team will have 4 plays to score a touchdown from the opponents 10 yd. line. Same extra point rules will apply. There will be a coin toss at the beginning of the overtime round.  If the score remains in a tie after first OT, a second OT round will be played using same format.
• If needed, a third OT will be played from the 5-yard line with a mandatory two-point conversion or from the 3 yard line with a mandatory one-point conversion.

Game Balls

• Wilson TDJ Junior football

• Every Age Level – One coach per team will have the option to be on the field under the direction of the game officials.
• Coaches must stay behind the officials during the entirety of the play.

Weight Restrictions

• Weight restrictions will be placed on all offensive skill positions (QB, RB, WR, and TE) or anyone who carries the football.
• The play will be blown dead when a player outside of the weight restriction has the ball on offense.
• No restrictions for any defensive player who advances a turnover.
• Ball carriers will be designated with a back or receiver number. No lineman may be used in a back or receiver position.
• 11 & 12 year olds - 125 lbs. or less
• 9 & 10 year olds - 95 lbs. or less
• 8 year olds - 65 lbs. or less

Team Play Requirements

• Defense: Must have a minimum of 4 down lineman.
• There will be no inside stunts( No stunts in A, B or C gaps.. A linebacker must be 3 yards off the ball.  1st offense warning. Then an un-sportsmanship penalty of 15 yards will be assessed.
• Offense: Must have at least 5 down lineman, 7 players on the line
• Shotgun offense is allowed

Roster and Participation

• Minimum roster requirement is 15 players.
• Teams are required to play every player who is on the team roster in every half of each game.

Personal Fouls (All Grades)

• Any player or coach who receives one unsportsmanlike penalty, he or she will be forced to sit out the rest of the contest. Unsportsmanlike penalties will be recorded.
• If a player or coach receives two unsportsmanlike fouls they will be removed from his or her roster and unable to play for the remainder of his team’s games at the USA Football Classic.

The MRYC Football League uses High Schools (NFHS) base rules. Contact your local high school to review the NFHS rulebook.