OFFICIAL PYLON PREMIER TACKLE FOOTBALL RULES
Article 1. Game Play:
1.1: All games will be officiated by the unified NCAA rules with all modifications listed below.
If the specified rule modification is not listed below, the NCAA ruling will apply including
Overtime.
1.2: Each game will consist of four full ten-minute regulation quarters for all age groups.
1.3: Each team will receive 3 timeouts per half during regulation quarter games.
1.4: 6U will be allowed 1 offensive and 1 defensive coach on the field. All other coaches
must stay on the sideline.
1.5: Age groups 8U-14U are live punt and PAT under NCAA rules (run or pass is 2 points).
1.6: 6U and 7U Only Modification (No live punt, each punt will be a 30-yard walk-off. Any
punt that cannot be walked off the entire 30 yards will be considered a touchback for
the receiving team.)
1.7: 6U and 7U Only Modification (If the QB is lined up under center, receiving the snap, the
defensive player may line up in front of the center or in the immediate gaps.)
1.8: 6U and 7U Only Modification (If the QB is in the shotgun or pistol formation, receiving
the snap, the defensive player is not allowed to line up in front of the center or in the
immediate gaps. A defensive lineman can hit the A gap, but not line up in it at the snap.)
1.9: 6U and 7U Only Modification (If the QB is in the shotgun or pistol formation, any blitz
over the center or immediate (A) gaps must start from 3 yards away from the line of
scrimmage at the snap of the ball.)
1.10: 6U and 7U only Modification (Field goal and extra point attempts will be protected kicks.
Defense cannot rush the kicker.)
1.11: Kickoffs will take place from the 35-yard line for 8U-14U, and from the 50-yard line for
6U and 7U.
1.12: Each team must provide their own game ball. ALL GAME BALLS MUST BE A LEATHER
FOOTBALL, NO COMPOSITE OR RUBBER BALLS WILL BE ALLOWED. (After 5 minutes
team will be penalized score will be 7-0 and opponent will get the ball first. After 10
minutes team will forfeit game.)
1.13: Minimal game ball sizes per age group. 6U-9U will use the K2 ball size. 10U and 11U will
use the TDJ ball size. 12U-14U will use the TDY ball size. Despite whatever your league
rules are these are the minimal game ball sizes allowed in the YNC. You may use a larger
football at your own discretion.
1.14: Running clock will go into play after a team is up by 20 points (regulation clock games).
The running clock will stop and go back to regular time keeping if the lead is reduced
below 20 points.
Article 2. Roster and Player Eligibility:
2.1: The Youth National Championship is a pure FALL ROSTER event. There will not be any
spring, tournament, or all-star teams allowed.
2.2: No player will be allowed to be dual certified (play on multiple youth football teams) in
any capacity, unless the second certification is with his or her official school football
team. This also includes recreational teams or area/park intermural leagues/teams.
2.2a: Players cannot play on multiple age levels during the regular season for Youth
National Championship participation. This applies to all teams to be eligible for
Championship contention. All players must be locked into one age level and one roster
(league or independent) for the entire season once August 15, 2024, at 12:00AM hits.
2.3: Players must play a minimal (4 regular season games for 13U/14U or 6 regular season
games 6U-12U) with the team to be considered an “active member” of the team roster.
2.3a: Independent teams: regular season games must be between the dates of August
15th and November 30th.
2.4: High School players will not be allowed on any Youth National Championship rosters.
Once a student has successfully passed/promoted the 8th grade they cannot reclassify
for Youth National Championship participation.
2.4a: Any 8th grader that is playing on any High School football team (Freshman, Junior
Varsity, or Varsity) will be ineligible for Youth National Championship participation.
2.5: The age cutoff date is July 1, 2024 (players age on that day). Any team with players
before the age cutoff date of July 1st will have to be considered for the next older age
bracket.
2.6: Teams must adhere by their league cutoff dates and age guideline rules for all series
play. Teams will not be allowed to remove players from their league roster to fit into
any YNC age bracket.
2.7: Every player and roster must be listed on the teams Zorts YNC registered roster for
National Championship play eligibility: https://www.zortssports.com/join/league/17817
2.8: Every player must pass a mandatory multiple level certification process.
1st Mandatory online player certification before event. (Zorts Gold or Silver
Player Cards.
2nd Physical team and book check during Team Registration. (Hard Copies no
pictures or photocopies)
3rd Player on field faceoff with YNC Official before every game.
2.9: Documents needed for player certification in team book
- Government issued picture hard copy identification
- Copy or picture of the players school report card from Fall 2024. This item
must have the players grade, name, and address listed on it. (Nationals)
- Current picture of the player for recognition.
2.10: Accepted Government Picture Identification (Hard Copy no Paper Copy)
- State ID issued by a state’s Department of Motor Vehicles
- Military ID
- Passport
- Passport Card
- Native Tribal ID Cards
2.11: Final player rosters must be submitted to the Youth National Championship in the Zorts
system by August 15, 2024, to be eligible for National Championship invite evaluation:
https://www.zortssports.com/join/league/17817
2.13: Maximum of ten (10) sideline passes per team will be allowed. This includes all parents,
spectators, coaches, team moms, team mangers, water boys, organization, and league
administration. If any team has more than the allowed ten people on their sideline the
game will be stopped and will not be restarted until the sideline is correct. If the
sideline is not corrected in a timely manner deemed by the YNC Field Manager, the
offending team will be forced to forfeit the game. All sideline staff must be listed on the
official Zorts staff roster: https://www.zortssports.com/join/league/17817
Article 3. Team Sanction Actions:
3.1: Any team, coach, or player found guilty of cheating or breaking any of the YNC
guidelines will be subject to an immediate Youth National Championship Board review.
This board review can lead to sanctions up to and including immediate disqualification
and or lifetime band from all YNC events. Known efforts to cheat during season may
disqualify a team from the YNC (even if at a non-ync sponsored event).
PYLON FOOTBALL BAG POLICY
