Eight Man Football

Eight-man football consists of fast-paced games with higher scoring than the traditional game. Eight-man scores vary depending on the offensive and defensive strategies, but scores typically fall in the 40-60 point range, with “high scoring” games reaching the 70s and “low scoring” games falling below 30 Eight-man football is noted for producing multi-skilled players that are responsible for playing several positions, which require speed, agility, and strength.

Offense

A variety of offensive formations can be used in eight-man football, most of which are converted from traditional eleven-man formations. Eight-man football rules require five players to be on the line of scrimmage with players on each end remaining pass eligible. The interior of the line consists of two guards and a center. Most often, the line players on the edges of the formation are tight ends or are occasionally split wide as wide receivers. Due to reduced-sized teams requiring players to know different positions, players’ jersey numbers do not affect pass eligibility, however, most teams follow the general guidelines set forth by the eleven-man game.

Eight-man football “I-Formation”

Attempting the extra point kick after a touchdown is less common in eight-man, due to the lack of specialized kickers and holders and the inability to block defenders from interfering with the kick. For this reason, teams often attempt a two-point conversion instead.

Defense

General defensive alignments in eight-man football consist of defensive linemen, linebackers, and defensive backs. Common formations include a 3-3-2, 3-2-3, 4-3-1, 3-4-1, 4-2-2, 5-3, and a 6-2 goal-line defense. The 3-2-3 defense has gained popularity due to the increase of passing-oriented offense in the eight-man game. It substitutes a defensive back with a third linebacker.

Special teams

Eight-man football includes special teams units similar to the traditional format. One notable difference is significantly fewer teams using field goal or extra point units, instead electing to go for a fourth-down conversion or a two-point conversion. Additionally, many teams opt to onside kick instead of kick deep. This saves players’ energy since there are often a few backups.

1 ) HEAD COACH MUST VERIFY THAT PLAYERS ARE LEGALLY EQUIPPED

The responsibility for ensuring that all players are legally equipped is that of

the head coach. Prior to the game, the referee and umpire will visit each team’s dressing

room. The head coach must verify to the referee, in the presence of the umpire, that his

players are equipped in compliance with the rules.

2) REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

While required equipment protects the wearer, it must also protect other players

against the danger of unnecessary injury.

The player must frequently check his equipment and report to his coach or manager

when he discovers any part of his equipment has become damaged or illegal through use.

He should request replacement or repair of such items as shoe cleats which have

developed nicks or burrs, or are worn or loose in their sockets; exposed hard substances,

broken or damaged helmets or shoulder pads; missing chin straps; cracked or damaged

mouth protectors and face protectors. Equipment which is improperly fitted is an invitation

to injury.

Certain items of player equipment are required by the rules and no player may

participate without them. The following items are required equipment:

1. A face mask which met NOCSAE test standards at the time of manufacture.
2. A helmet which met NOCSAE test standards at the time of manufacture and has a

visible exterior label regarding the risk of injury. The helmet must be secured by a chin

strap.

3. Hip pads with a tail bone protector.
4. A jersey with number 1-99, inclusive, on the front and back which must reach the

top of the pants.

5. Knee pads worn over the knees.
6. Pants which cover the knees and knee pads.
7. Shoes, and if with cleats, they must meet specifications.
8. Shoulder pads and any hard surface attachments fully covered by a jersey.
9. Thigh guards.
10. A tooth and mouth protector which includes an occlusal and labial portion covering

all upper teeth.

An official will NOT permit a player to participate if he is not equipped with all

mandatory items.

3) HELMET

In order to evaluate the protective qualities of football helmets, the National

Federation of State High School Associations, in cooperation with other interested athletic

organizations and manufacturers, formed the National Operating Committee on

Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) in 1971. NOCSAE established test

standards for evaluating the protective effect of football helmets. A player must

wear a helmet which carries the NOCSAE mark. This mark indicates the helmet passed

the NOCSAE test standard at the time it was manufactured. This mandatory requirement

went into effect in 1980. The helmet must also have an exterior warning label regarding

the risk of injury.

4) FACE MASK AND TOOTH PROTECTOR

Experimentation conclusively demonstrated the wearing of a modern face mask

substantially reduced the number of injuries, as well as their severity. The requirement

that every player wear a face mask was instituted for safety reasons and not to

accommodate the wearer’s opponent.

The face mask shall be made of material designed to be nonbreakable with

rounded edges and those constructed of metal shall have the surface covered with

resilient material designed to prevent chipping and burrs or an abrasiveness which would

endanger players. The face mask must also meet NOCSAE standards when

manufactured.

Each player is also required to properly wear a tooth and mouth protector. A

portion of an acceptable tooth and mouth protector must fit within the mouth and cover

all upper teeth. It also shall have a labial part which covers the inner lips and an occlusal

portion which separates the biting surfaces of the teeth.

5) ILLEGAL EQUIPMENT

There are certain types of equipment which are illegal & may not be worn.

Among these are:

1. Ball-colored helmets, jerseys, patches, pads or gloves, penalty-flag colored pads or

gloves, any transverse stripe on the sleeve below the elbow.

2. Computers or any other electronic or mechanical device for communication.
3. The hard substance in its final form on the elbow, hand, wrist, or forearm unless padded as

specified and directed by a licensed physician.

4. Knee braces made of hard unyielding material, unless hinges are covered on both

sides and all of its edges overlapped and worn under the pants. Any other hard surface

across the front of the leg must be covered with at least ½ inch closed-cell, slow recovery

rubber or other material of the same minimum thickness and having similar physical

properties. If any part of the brace extends below the pants, it must be covered from

direct external exposure.

5. The metal which is projecting or other hard substance on clothes or person.
6. Plastic material covering protective pads whose edges are not properly rounded.
7. Rib pads and back protectors unless fully covered by the jersey.
8. Slippery or sticky substances on clothing, person or equipment.
9. Tear-away jerseys or any taped, tied or altered.
10. Uniform adornments other than a single, plain, white towel.
11. More than one manufacturer’s logo/trade name on the outside of the jersey and/or

pants and not exceeding 2 1/4 square inches and not exceeding 2 1/4 inches in any one

dimension

12. Jewelry.
13. Eye shields which are not clear, not molded nor not rigid.

6) ARTIFICIAL LIMBS

Since 1978 it has been permissible for players to wear an artificial hand, arm or leg.

A player may be permitted to participate while wearing an artificial prosthesis which is, in

the opinion of the administrative rules body, no more dangerous to players than the

corresponding human limb, and does not place an opponent at a disadvantage. The

“rules administering officials” having been determined to be the state high school

association, or representatives designated by the state high school association. Each

case has to be handled on an individual basis.

After consulting with representatives of the medical profession who specialize in

working with juvenile amputees, the following criteria are recommended as a guideline to

follow in determining the legality and suitability of wearing an artificial prosthesis in a

contact sport:

1. Metal hinges restricted to the lateral and medial surfaces and covered with leather or

padding (similar to that required on approved knee braces).

2. No metal in front of the knee unless properly padded.
3. Prosthesis should be wrapped with a minimum of ½ inch high-density polyurethane or

foam rubber.

4. Approval of an orthopedic surgeon or physician associated with a juvenile amputee

clinic.

7) FAILURE TO WEAR MANDATORY OR LEGAL EQUIPMENT

The head coach verifies prior to the game that all his players are legally equipped.

Once this verification has been made to the referee, any violation of the legal or

mandatory player-equipment rule is a 15-yard unsportsmanlike foul charged to the head

coach. If a substitute comes on the field wearing illegal equipment or missing required

equipment, he will be asked to leave and correction must be made before participation.

If, following a play, it is determined that a player participated while wearing illegal

equipment or missing mandatory equipment during the down, the 15-yard

unsportsmanlike foul will be charged to the coach and will be enforced from the

succeeding spot. The player shall not participate further until he is in compliance with the

rules. Equipment which becomes defective or illegal because of game use may be

corrected without penalty.

8) FAILURE TO PROPERLY WEAR REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

Failure to properly wear player equipment is a foul. Player equipment is designed

to protect players, but there have been instances in which it has not been worn properly

for one reason or another.

If any player is not properly wearing required player equipment when a free kick or

snap is about to occur, it is a dead-ball foul. It authorizes officials to penalize players who

are not properly wearing required equipment during the dead-ball period momentarily

before the ball will become live. Failure to properly wear required equipment while the

ball is live is a 5-yard penalty.

9) AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT

The following auxiliary equipment may be worn if approved by the umpire as being

soft, nonhardening, etc.

1. Forearm pads or hand pads.
2. Tape, bandage or support wrap on the hand or forearm to protect an injury.
3. Gloves which have a label/stamp indicating compliance with test specifications.

Illinois 8 Man football association