Module 7 - General Gameplay Notes

In this module, we will cover:

1. General Offense & Defense Gameplay Notes

2. Blitzing Rule

• Next Module: Module 8 - Key Policies and Penalties

• Previous Module: Module 6 - Rotation Rules

• See All Student Coaching Training Modules

If you have any questions, please email training@nextlevelsports.com.

0:00 Hey Next Level Coaches, Coach Bradley here! Today, we’re covering some important gameplay notes you need to be aware of every weekend for Next Level Game Days. This is Module 7 of our Student Coach Training.

0:12 We’ll break this down into three sections: Offense, Defense, and a focus on Blitzing.

0:22 First off, all formations are legal. Be creative and have fun with it, as long as your players are set and ready before the snap. The quarterback T is the universal line of scrimmage, so make sure no players line up past it.

0:32 Ensure all players are lined up properly and the formation is legal before the snap. The referee will help govern this.

0:40 Motions: One player can motion before the snap, but not more than one. We'll be lenient in the first couple of weeks if kids make some illegal shifts or movements—sometimes they get fidgety.

0:55 Quarterback Scrambling: If the quarterback drops back to pass and isn’t blitzed, they cannot scramble across the line of scrimmage. If they do, it’s an illegal rush (5-yard penalty and loss of down).

1:23 Play Clock:

• For Kindergarten through 2nd grade, we’ll be lenient at first.

• For 3rd grade and up, we have a 30-second play clock. The referee will remind you when you have 10 seconds left.

• By week 4 or 5, we expect teams to be running efficiently and on schedule.

2:00 On defense, zone or man coverage is allowed—whatever works for your team! But remember:

• No bump and run or jamming at the line of scrimmage. Players must have a fair chance to get off the line.

• No unnecessary contact when blitzing (we’ll cover blitzing shortly).

2:15 Blitzing: Anyone can blitz as long as they’re 7 yards back from the line of scrimmage. Only one player can blitz per play.

2:25 Interceptions: Interceptions can be returned to the 40-yard line for a touchdown, but there’s no extra point try.

2:35 Player Alignment: For K-1 divisions, players must line up 5 yards back from the line of scrimmage. This helps keep things under control.

• In 1st grade and up, players can line up where they choose, but they can’t cross the line of scrimmage until the ball is handed off or lateraled.

• For K-1: If the ball is within 3 yards of a first down or the end zone, players can line up closer to defend that area.

4:07 Blitzing Rules:

• No blitzing in the K-1 divisions—let’s keep things simple for the younger players.

• The blitzer must be 7 yards deep from the line of scrimmage. For example, if the ball is on the 40-yard line, the blitzer must line up on the 33-yard line.

4:24 Illegal Blitz: If a player is not 7 yards back and blitzes, that’s an illegal blitz and will result in a penalty.

4:48 Fake Blitzing: This is bad sportsmanship. For example, if a coach tells a defender to stop just before the line of scrimmage, leading to confusion for the quarterback, it’s fake blitzing. We’ll penalize this with 5 yards and a repeat of the down.

5:26 Blitzing Buffer: The blitzer should stay at least 2 yards away from the quarterback T. If the blitzer gets too close, the quarterback can scramble.

5:40 Blitzer’s Target: The blitzer can only go for the quarterback's flags—not the ball. Stripping the ball or batting it down will result in a roughing the passer penalty.

5:53 Even when the ball is on the 1-yard line, the blitzer still has to be 7 yards back.

That’s it for this training! If you have any questions, feel free to email me at training@nextlevelsports.com.