Do you feel eight man football is a viable option for those school's having a difficult time fielding a competitive team? We discussed teams not competing for the state title forming there own division and playing a ten game schedule without the need for mandatory district games.

There are several states offering eight man football. Is this an option Kentucky players, coaches, and supporters would find as an acceptable alternative?

Middle school maybe, but youth league, no. Teaching kids at a young age could disable them for regular football.

Middle school maybe, but youth league, no. Teaching kids at a young age could disable them for regular football.

 

I'm not following your response.

The Rules are different then regular football, correct?

I think it is a great Idea for small High Schools. Having coached it for a few years it is very exciting to watch and coach

What about letting smaller teams play with 12 men? Canada rules. I think we should just stick with regular 11 man or play soccer.

The Rules are different then regular football, correct?

 

Per Wikipedia (Eight-man football): - Wikipedia

 

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.

 

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 third defensive back for a 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 few backups.

What about letting smaller teams play with 12 men? Canada rules. I think we should just stick with regular 11 man or play soccer.

 

I'm guessing you are being facetious but I'll ask anyway - why have small teams play with 12?

 

Eight man football is very popular and is played in over thirty states. It is a very similar game to 11-man. I'm not saying Trinity or St. X (or even Boyle or Mayfield) should be playing, but there are a ton of schools that barely have enough players to field a team. Why immediately shut the program down if there are other options the KHSAA could adopt to keep them in the game?

Middle school maybe, but youth league, no. Teaching kids at a young age could disable them for regular football.

 

I don't think the rules are terribly different. Just a narrower and sometimes shorter field, and fewer positions/players. Fundamentally and structurally, the game is the same. You still have to block, tackle, etc.

I don't think the rules are terribly different. Just a narrower and sometimes shorter field, and fewer positions/players. Fundamentally and structurally, the game is the same. You still have to block, tackle, etc.

 

Honestly, playing it at the little league level would probably be a good idea for just about everyone. I know our county (smallish 3A) has trouble fielding more than one team per grade level, although they'll have 20 kids on that team. Playing 8-man at the younger levels might allow for more teams and give more kids an opportunity to play more positions, helping them understand the game better and enjoy themselves more.

Honestly, playing it at the little league level would probably be a good idea for just about everyone. I know our county (smallish 3A) has trouble fielding more than one team per grade level, although they'll have 20 kids on that team. Playing 8-man at the younger levels might allow for more teams and give more kids an opportunity to play more positions, helping them understand the game better and enjoy themselves more.

 

I had the exact same thought. It would help keep kids in the game, and allow you to develop depth at lower levels.

Per Wikipedia (Eight-man football): - Wikipedia

 

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.

 

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 third defensive back for a 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 few backups.

 

ok, These rules seem fair. in Youth leagues they seem to be more focused on safety. and there is a few rules I don't see eye to eye with.

 

- linebackers had to be 4 yards on the ball and 1 player had to be 10 yards off the ball

- you cant line up in any gaps and have to be lined head up.

-Linebacker could come up if offense lined up in tight formation.

- No three point stance on line of scrimmage.

 

Again, I think if the kids still know how to play regular football and just keep this as a fun option for middle school and up.

What school would benefit from this? Dayton? Jenkins?

Biggest reason it won't happen is that the few schools that would want to do it are spread so far apart geographically.

 

It would be a good idea but it won't work in Kentucky due to travel distance.

Edited October 25, 20178 yr by Jumper_Dad

Don't like the idea of 8 man football. I would be more favorable for allowing teams that are struggling to start a separate class and allow teams to play one another until they have solid footing.

Wouldn't matter the size of the school the only qualification would be have 5 years straight of struggling. Give each team 2 to 3 years to get football going then move them back into their classification.