NNSFL Lineman 5v5
NNSFL · Season 2026

BIG MAN COMPETITION

5v5 Trench — Official Rulebook
Northern Nevada Spring Football League
Best of 3
Rounds
2× Points
Cash Money Rd 3
Sudden Death
Overtime

If it's not physical, it's weak. If it's not controlled, it's gone.

Field Size25 yards × 25 yards
QB Bag Position6 yards behind center
Linemen Spacing2 feet (strict)
Possession DeterminationRock–Paper–Scissors

Each field includes:

  • • 1 Certified Referee
  • • 1 Field Supervisor
Warmups10–15 minutes (controlled drills only)
Match StructureBest of 3 Rounds
Reps per Round10 Offensive + 10 Defensive
💰Round 3 — CASH MONEY ROUND

All points = DOUBLE. This is your signature. Don't water it down.

Format: 1 Offensive vs 1 Defensive lineman per rep
Offense Stance2-point stance (required)
Defense Stance2-point or 3-point (choice)
Rep StartBegins on offensive movement
Ref Cadence"1 … 2 … 3"
Rep Duration3 seconds for defense to win
DEFENSE+2
  • → Defender touches or knocks down QB bag
  • → Clear dominance demonstrated (see Dominance Rule)
OFFENSE+1
  • → Block maintained for full 3 seconds
  • → Defender fails to make intentional contact
💰Cash Money Round (Round 3)

All points doubled automatically. Defense wins = 4 pts. Offense wins = 2 pts.

Defense wins rep (2 pts) when defender:

  • • Pancakes opponent
  • • Takes opponent off feet
  • • Clearly overpowers with control

🚫 ILLEGAL — Auto Offense Point

  • • Two-hand bull rush (no technique)
  • • Reckless contact
  • • Early contact / encroachment

✅ LEGAL — Defensive Play

  • • Long-arm rush
  • • Technique-based moves
  • • Controlled power
⚡Bull Rush Exception

If a "bull rush" results in a clean pancake or dominant finish → DEFENSE POINT. We reward dominance, not laziness.

Holding (outside frame, hooking)
→ Automatic Defensive Point
No warnings. No debates.

Strictly Prohibited:

  • • Slamming
  • • Body-weight takedowns
  • • Blindside contact
  • • Fighting
Punch thrown / Dangerous conduct
→ Automatic Ejection
No exceptions.
Bench-Clearing incident
→ Both teams disqualified
No exceptions.
Policy: No delays between reps. Teams must be ready.
Delay of Game — 1stWarning
Delay of Game — 2ndPoint awarded to opponent

Pool Play

  • • 1 sudden-death rep per side
  • • Continue until winner

Elimination

  • • 5 offensive + 5 defensive reps
  • • If tied: swap sides, repeat until winner
🚫No Rock–Paper–Scissors

Games are no longer decided by RPS. Earn it on the field.

  1. 1Win–Loss Record
  2. 2Point Differential
  3. 3Total Points Scored
  4. 4Coin Flip (last resort)
High SchoolGrades 9–11
Middle SchoolGrades 7–8
YouthGrades 5–6 (as available)
Play-Up / Play-Down: Players may play UP. Players may NOT play down.

Chain of Command:

  • • Referee decisions are FINAL
  • • Field Supervisor may intervene for safety only
  • • NNSFL holds final authority on all rulings

Real Talk

If you enforce this correctly:

  • ✓ Most organized trench competition in your region
  • ✓ Coaches will respect it
  • ✓ Players will buy in
  • ✓ Other leagues will start copying it

If you don't enforce it:

It turns into yelling, confusion, and "that's not what we were told."

You finally have something worth standing on. Don't water it down.