Dixie League Rules 2009
 

Attached is the latest revision of the Dixie League Rules for 2009. If you have any questions, please email me at:

mail@beenutt.com

Thanks,

beenutt

Bryan,
Are we not changing the time for passing? Or using a cumulative time for stoppages, making adjustments and passing all included? Thanks
Joel

time limits for passing
 

Yes, we will be using a cumulative time for passing which will be explained to everyone at the beginning of the event.

beenutt

If the ball carrier runs into the back of a defensive player's base, is that considered a tackle?

Yes.

How do options work? I have my QB set to go around end with a trailing back and another RB going into the line. There is the first stop where adjustments are made. Is there another stop if I want to pitch to the trailing back?

I believe that you could stop the Board before the QB crosses the LOS, then "pass" to the trailing back either with a TTQB or a stick. Defense can adjust. Bryan may want to clarify.

Clarification
 

It appears from the rules a coach needs to call pass or run after the "snap" simulation. At that point the QB, if PASS is called can only PASS or keep but NOT pitch even if ALL pitch criteria are met and conversely for a RUN call. As stated if you call PASS and want to get the ball to an RB behind your QB you throw it or use the sticks, however, if missed, wouldn't that be a free ball which would mandate a recovery?

Again, per what I interrupt from the rules, the same goes for calling a RUN after the "snap"...only the QB can keep or pitch to an RB, once gain if ALL pitch criteria is met.

I will say I am confused and could use a definitive answer as I have heard you DO NOT need to call pass or run after the snap and can, as an example, just say QB, has the ball after snap, then do the 1 stop, and decide to pass or pitch within pitching criteria, of course prior to crossing LOS, going past 20 yds behind LOS, etc.

More ???...how many cover corners are allowed? Can we have extra bases, if they are "checked in"? I heard "lead tape" may be allowed??

Either way I still suc:)...knowing the rules upfront will just help some of the newer players practice correctly, play a bit faster and speaking of myself, hopefully leave with a bit of confidence left

Bryan, Joel???

Thanks in advance, and looking forward,

Joe Ram

Joe,
YOU DO NOT have to call run or pass before the play develops. Just state which number player has the ball. If its the QB then he can after another stop elect to pass, pitch, or pass depending on the scenario and how his team is in play.
Just remember if a player is in front of the QB he can not pitch it is a pass and the defense gets to make adjustments. If to the side and behind the QB and within 2 base lengths or the equivilent to a red passing stick he can pitch. If he is beyond that measurement and behind the QB he can not pitch or pass to that player. So no lateral behind the QB.
As far as extra bases. I do not think they are allowed ? Bryan please clarify this . and if so how many more and the weight of them would depend on which player you were putting them on.
Lead tape Ive not heard that we could use it , I would say if so that it could only be used under the base and not in between the player and base to give it a jacked up look.
Joel

rules
 

You do not have to call run or pass at the beginning of the play. At the beginning of the play, you run the board for about 1 sec to simulate the snap. At that point, all adjustments are made. Then the offensive coach runs the board. The offensive coach states the ball carrier: either the QB or a straight handoff to one of the RB's. If it is a straight handoff, the defensive coach runs the board. If it is a QB, then the offensive coach runs the switch and can stop the board one time. Once he stops the board, he must decide what to do with the ball. He will announce a pass and a receiver, or he will decide to pitch the ball or he will decide to keep the ball. If the QB wants to pitch the ball, he RB must be within two base lengths and must be behind the QB and the QB must be behind the LOS. If the QB is across the LOS, he must keep the ball and the switch is given to the defensive coach. If the RB is more than two base lengths away from the QB and is behind the QB, you cannot pitch or throw to him. If a legal pitch is made, no one can adjust bases.

No extra bases are allowed. You cannot switch bases on your players.

You can use lead tape as long as it doesn't jack up the figures.

beenutt

Thanks for clarifying. I think I like this rule.

ok...is the pitch just saying it's a pitch or do you have to use the TTQB or passing sticks on a pitch? And, can you or the defense make other adjustments on the second stoppage for a pitch?

Based on Bryan's clarification, if the RB is within 2 base lengths behind the QB, then you can pitch on the second stop. There are no adjustments on the pitch and the switch is given to the defense to run.

rules
 

Vince,

If the Rb is within 2 base lengths and behind the QB, you may pitch the ball to the RB. It is an automatic pitch - NO TTQB or sticks are needed. You just state that you are pitching the ball and state the ball carrier. No adjustments are made by the offense or defense. The switch is given to the defensive coach to run the play. Remember, you cannot pitch once the QB has pass the line of scrimmage.

beenutt

great...thanks

Thanks
 

Thank you GENTLEMEN !

Joe Ram

rules clarifications
 

We will go over all of the rules and give demonstrations before we begin play this Saturday! After the demonstrations, you should feel much more comfortable with the rule set. At that time, you can ask any question you want.

beenutt

lock down CB
 

Some people were complaning about lock down CB. FIGURES
FIGURES – All figures are allowed as long as they meet weight and dimension requirements.
NO BODY PART(S) ALLOWED ABOVE TOP OF HELMET. Hand(s) may not be BELOW the
highest knee. Arms forward figure rule still applies as in the past (can not play skills positions).

Lockdown Corners
 

Here is the question that most people are having about the corners the buzzball corners give both the offense and the defense a 50-50 chance. But the bear hug corners do not once your man runs into his box your trapped 100% of the time. Since we say there is no such thing as holding in EF thats why this figure can be used and is used to hold the receiver.

Now if we are going to emulate football then lets do that. We all want to enforce certain rules and formations but no one ever want so address the holding issue. Sorry if i happen to offend anyone just expressing my freedom of speech. David L. Redmond Jr

Lockdown CB
 

Well said, I'm not offended at all. I think after the first bump you should release the WR and try to emulate real football as much as possible. I know all that is hard to do. I just try to adapt and play within the rules. I do have these lockdown CB's that I made myself and had Beenutt look at them to see if they were ok even before play started. I just want to play within the rules and not offend anyone. I do coach football and I learned real fast that I better know the rules and know them well because the other coach will school me fast. The old school coaches will push them to the edge. I'm even thinking about changing the CB's because I don't want people to say that they are not right. I just wanted to post that they are within the rules from what I have read.

Butch, I saw your corners and although they were wide, they are ok by me. But, there were some that I say Saturday that were way over the top and definitely outside the rules, or at least the spirit of the rules. I would like to see this rule enforced more closely.

DB rule
 

What is the rule for width between the "hands/arms"? I have seen some look like they are close to 1/2" apart. Just curious...

Thanks,

Joe Ram

No figure's arms can be wider than the fab 5 linebacker pose. That is the pose with the arms out by the side. Now custom figures can be repositioned accordingly just so long as they dont exceed this limit.

The more I think about it the more I think that it should be less than that. The Fab 5 Linebacker has his arms down where these wide arm corners have them up with the elbows almost at 90 degrees. Some of those guys are like a venus fly trap where the receiver has no chance.

DB's
 

Thanks for the clarification...I understand now.

Joe Ram

Clock
 

since we are on rules, what about the clock play. If you have a guy that acts like he doesnt know how to use it or refuses to then what? I would like to see this one enforced a little harder. If you forget to stop/start your clock then whos problem is it.

climbing up on soapbox

I agree 100% with this. There were games going on where the clock was never used. It is part of the rules and is part of the Dixie League game. This needs to be enforced and the coaches can play a major role in helping enforce this.

I think some guys did not want to make a big deal of it if their opponent was not starting their clock because they did not want to offend anyone or create tension. You know, if you keep saying something or start enforcing incompletions when the clock runs out, then you are said to be a jerk or ***hole.

What is most frustrating is when the clock beeping like crazy because time has run out and the offense is still passing or has not picked the stick up and incomplete is called and they argue that they had the stick up 5 seconds after the clock starting beeping. I saw it happen more than once.

Then you can say, "well if both coaches agree not to enforce the clock it is no big deal. It doesn't impact or hurt anyone else." I disagree. Those games without the clock drag on forever. Some of those games were approaching 3 hours or longer in length. If you play the clock and it is enforced, you can get a game in in less than 2 hours, easy. What happens is you may have one coach waiting on another game to end before you can start your next game and you have coaches sitting around waiting and waiting. It slows down the whole process and the whole day.

I will say that this was the first time that we used the clock to this extent in the Dixie League and there were a lot of coaches who were uncomfortable with it, although we used a 40 second passing clock in years past. Maybe we should give those guys some slack for that. But, the clock should be used and enforced during the playoffs and championships.

climbing off soapbox

Amen!!! When most of you guys played organized football of some kind coming up, did you not have to get a play in under the time allotment? The time is very reasonable. Its really still way over the top for the offense. We are not trying to make anyone uncomfortable or stressed out. We are just trying to be considerate of time constraints and others that are waiting to play. To keep everyone on the same page and moving along at about the same time.
I know it takes alittle getting used too, but I remember the first time I had to abide by the passing clock and didnt get a few passes off in time. Live and learn and try to get better and not complain or make excuses.
So come June 27th better come ready and step it up or Im afraid something besides your backside will be hurting.. :rtfl:
But please still come and have fun.. not trying to make this anything but fun within a reasonable timeframe.
Joel

Joel youre right,
 

I want that squad again. You know who I'm talking about:fghttt: Its on!
Leonard

If you're talking about rule changes, then you should also consider that if a RB is touching a QB, even if the RB is in front of the QB, it should be considered a handoff, not a pass. Inside handoffs happen all the time and not only that, most of the time QBs are actually behind the runner anyway at the point of handoff.

Case in point...