5^th Quarter Freshman Game Rules

Pay: Officials that work a 5^th quarter game will be paid 1.25 times the normal game fee.

Game Rules:

1.         Three minute intermission between the end of the 4^th quarter and start of 5^th quarter.

2.         Ball is placed on the visitor’s 40 yard line.

3.         Put 20 minutes on the clock. Clock starts on the ready-for-play signal including when a kickoff is selected to start the 5^th quarter.

4.         Running clock. Clock does not stop for anything.

5.         All NFHS rules apply, except for the clock.

6.         If coaches select a controlled scrimmage, all coaches must remain on the sideline.

5^th Period Games: With thanks to Terry Orabona of Santa Ana Valley High School, we have adopted the following outline for four 10 minute periods with one 8 minute period:

• Prior to the start of the freshman regulation game there will be a second coin flip to determine possession to open the "5^th Period".
• The team determined to have possession will start at its own 40 yard line.
• The clock will run as it normally does in regulation.
• The length of the period will be 8 minutes.
• No additional time outs. Teams may use any unused time outs from the second half of regulation.
• Teams will advance the ball as regular rules allow.
• Liberal interpretation of substitute rules.
• Following a touchdown or field goal, what would be the receiving team would start their possession on their own 40 yard line.

5^th Period Games: (Clarification)

• Those schools who wish to use four 12 minute periods plus one extra period may do so as long as I can make the notations on Arbiter and contact the officials ahead of time. This is to prevent officials walking away at the end of four periods because they were unaware of the extra period. The pay for this is $82.50 for the referee and $80.00 for the others.
• It is not unreasonable to have two timeouts for the extra period.
• Officials assume that the game will be four 12 minute periods unless notified of any change.