St. Charles Parish Department of Parks and Recreation

Tackle Football Guidelines

Player Eligibility

1. Residency Requirement

   • All players must participate within the boundaries of their Booster Club based on where they physically reside.

2. Age Cut-Off Date

   • The age cut-off date is August 1st (player’s age as of August 1st).

3. Age & Weight Limitations

   • Players must meet age and weight restrictions as outlined below.

   • No player above the weight limitation for their age group may play a skill position.

Age Divisions

7–8 Year Olds

• Maximum Weight: 130 lbs

• 0–100 lbs: Eligible for skill positions (QB, RB, WR, TE, DB, LB, Safety).

• 101–130 lbs: Line positions only (Offensive Line, Defensive Line).

9–10 Year Olds

• Maximum Weight: 150 lbs

• 0–120 lbs: Eligible for skill positions.

• 121–150 lbs: Line positions only.

11–12 Year Olds

• No maximum weight limit.

• 0–140 lbs: Eligible for skill positions.

• 141 lbs & above: Line positions only.

  • Includes 5 offensive line players and 4 defensive line players.

Special Notes

• Players over the weight limit for their age group may only play offensive or defensive line and are ineligible for special teams.

• Parents may choose to allow their child to “play up” an age group if the player exceeds the maximum weight for their division.

• Players exceeding the 10U weight limit must move up, unless no 11–12 league exists. In that case, the player remains in their age group but is restricted to line positions.

Documentation & Registration

1. All players must be registered and listed on an official team roster to participate in games.

2. All players must complete an official weigh-in before the first game (one weigh-in only).

Coaching Requirements

1. All on-field coaches must attend the mandatory Coaches’ Meeting.

2. All coaches must complete a background check and wear their visible badge during practices and games.

3. Only four coaches per team (1 Head Coach and 3 Assistants) are allowed on the sidelines with proper passes.

4. Coaches may live outside Booster Club boundaries, but their children must play within their own Booster Club.

Equipment

1. The Department will provide: helmets (no painting permitted), shoulder pads, and chin straps. Coaches will receive a football.

2. Booster Clubs provide uniforms (included in registration fee).

3. Players must provide their own cleats (no metal), socks, mouthpiece, and protective cup.

4. All players must wear complete protective gear to participate, including secured chin straps and mouthpieces.

5. Only clear helmet visors are permitted. Dark or mirrored visors are prohibited (per LHSAA rules).

Game Rules

1. Each player must play a minimum of one (1) full quarter.

2. Players may be benched for disciplinary reasons or missed practices.

3. The head referee may remove players for repeated unsafe violations. Suspended players must sit out the next game (appeals must be submitted within 48 hours).

4. Coaches may not remove their team from the field. Penalty: forfeiture of game and minimum one-year suspension from coaching.

5. League games are held on Saturdays. Games will not be rescheduled due to weather unless canceled for school functions.

6. A 15-minute grace period applies to the first game of the day only. Teams not checked in by then will be penalized 10 yards at kickoff.

7. Players without a mouthpiece or properly secured chinstrap will receive a 5-yard penalty.

8. Standard penalties include: Offside, False Start, Encroachment, Neutral Zone Infraction, Illegal Motion, etc.

9. No Kickoffs.

   • Ages 9–12: Offense starts at own 20-yard line. If a team elects to punt, ball is spotted where first touched/caught.

   • Ages 7–8: Offense starts at the 30-yard line. No punting; free punts start at the 20-yard line.

10. Time Rules:

• 7–8 yr olds: 8-minute quarters (running clock). 30-second huddle.

• 9–12 yr olds: 10-minute quarters (running clock). 25-second huddle.

• Halftime: 10 minutes.

• Clock stops only in final 2 minutes of each half (injuries included).

1. Line Rules: Offense must have 7 players on the line at all times. Guards/tackles: 1 foot splits.  2 - pt stances are allowed.

2. Defense Rules:

• 7–8 yr olds: No defender may line up over the center. LBs must be 5 yards deep (except inside 10-yard line).

• 9–12 yr olds: Same rule for defenders over center. LBs inside tackle box must be 5 yards deep (except inside 10-yard line).

1. Overtime: Each team gets possession at the 10-yard line with 4 downs. Play continues until winner is determined.

2. Scoring:

• 1 point = 3-yard line

• 2 points = 5-yard line

• No field goals allowed.

1. Playoffs: Top 4 teams per age division qualify, based on win-loss record and point differential. Coin toss for identical records.

Miscellaneous Rules

1. Team roster and team photo (players in number order) must be presented before each game.

2. No electronic devices are allowed to be used during a game by coaches, players or fans.  Those caught will be removed from the game and/or stadium immediaetly.  They will have to complete a Mandatory Sportsmanship Course before returning to practice or games.

3. Roster cap: 38 players. No roster additions after first game (exceptions: new parish residents before half-season mark).

4. Only the Department may reschedule or postpone games.

5. Teams may not play out-of-parish opponents without Department approval.

6. Teams forfeiting two consecutive games will be dropped from the league.

7. All game protests must be submitted within 24 hours.

Conduct

1. All coaches, players, parents, and spectators are expected to conduct themselves respectfully.

2. Profanity, ridicule, or harassment will not be tolerated. Coaches who violate this must complete a Mandatory Sportsmanship Course before returning.

3. No alcohol or tobacco permitted at any time.

4. Cheating or gross misconduct results in a 2-year suspension for all involved (players, coaches, spectators).

5. Ejections:

   • Ejected individuals must leave the field immediately and complete a Mandatory Sportsmanship Course before returning to practice or games.

   • Suspended individuals may attend games but cannot coach from stands.

   • A second ejection results in season-long suspension.

State Law Reminder

• Louisiana Rev. Stat. Ann. Section 14-34.4: Battery of a recreation athletic contest official is punishable by fine and/or imprisonment.

Equipment Return

• All Parks & Recreation-issued equipment must be returned.

• Equipment collection will occur:

  • After the last regular season game (non-playoff teams).

  • After playoff elimination (advancing teams).

  • On Championship Day (final teams).