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6-a-Side Rules

Background
6-a-side football has become a well-established variation of the more popular 12-a-side football in Canada. It is usually employed when leagues are unable to have their teams register enough players for complete 9 or 12-a-side rosters. As the OWFL enters its first season it is important that we choose a ruleset that encourages the generation of as many programs as possible. It is for this reason the OWFL will run 6-a-side for the 2023 season at both the U16 and U19 divisions.

The U18 Women’s Tackle Football Canada Cup was played under 6-a-side rules in 2022 and will again be played as such in 2023.

Standard Ruleset

  • Unless explicitly included in the 6-a-side modifications below, the OWFL’s ruleset will follow all procedures set out in Football Canada’s current Tackle Rulebook (link to 2022 Rulebook).

Rule Modifications

  • The OWFL’s 6-a-side rule variations are informed by experience at the U18 Women’s Football Canada Cup, the 2022 OFFL Women’s U18 season and standard 6-a-side play in a variety of traditional tackle football settings.

Fields

  • The playing field shall be 110 yards long and 40 yards wide.
  • End zones shall be 10 yards deep.
  • The playing field shall be marked off in the centre of the playing surface.
  • The hash marks shall be located 13 yards from the sidelines. 
  • The home team is responsible for marking out the playing field, using impact-safe markers to do so.

Timing

  • The length of the game shall be 48 minutes, divided into four quarters of 12 minutes each.
  • There shall be a two-minute stop time provision at the end of the 2nd and 4th quarters.
  • Upon the start of the second half of the game, if the score exceeds a 34-point differential, the clock will shift to run-time, stopping only on injury, time-out or otherwise at the official’s discretion.
  • Standard timing rules apply in all other circumstances.

Other

  • At the instant the ball is put into play, at least 3 players of the offensive team must be stationary on the line of scrimmage.
  • The centre is an eligible pass receiver if they line up on the end of the line of scrimmage and is wearing an eligible receiver’s number. Any other player on the line, not occupying the outside position is an ineligible receiver.
  • The convert after a touchdown.  The ball will be placed on the 5 yard line and the offence has 2 options: (1) Run a regular play. If successful, the team will be awarded 2 points. (2) Attempt an uncontested convert kick, using only the centre, holder and kicker. No defensive players are on the field.  If successful, the team will be awarded 1 point.