[scrounge]

We've got an interesting overlap in our area in that there is organized, school-based 7th grade football that follows standard NFHS rules (no kickoffs but otherwise the same as HS). There's also club/youth football as well with modified rules, but nothing that's terribly weird.

1. They've got a similar "no player over x lbs can advance the ball" in this case 125 lbs, but they put an X with electrical tape on the back of said players' helmets. Had to kill a play when an X linebacker intercepted the ball and had a clear TD, but everyone knows the rule so it was uncontroversial.

2. No blitzing by players not on the line of scrimmage. LBs can rush, they just can't 'crash' the line of scrimmage. As long as they don't get closer than 1 yd before the snap, they're fine.

3. 1 pt for a run-scoring try, 2 pts for pass-scoring try or a successful kick.

4. No rush punts...for 9/10 yr olds, no punts at all, just a 35 yard mark off. 11/12 yr olds have live punts after the kick but no rush (and no gunners, can't go downfield till the kick).

5. No restrictions on numbers, eligible receivers by position only. There's generally only 15-16 kids per team so it makes sense.

6. Mercy rules are have to replace entire backfield (QB and all backs) once up by 18 (they can come back if lead goes under 18). Also running clock if up by 30 (and scoreboard blanked out if up by 40 or more).

7. No rush and no fakes allowed if declaring taking a knee.