Spring Branch - Memorial Sports Association

The Football Program accepts boys and girls from ages five (5) through twelve (12) using April 30th as the cutoff date each year.

Each division has rules requiring playing time for each player, limiting the amount of time a team can practice, and generally promoting good sportsmanship.

Practice locations are determined by the team’s head coach. Typically, the head coach will practice in a location in close proximity to where they and a majority of their players live. Traditional areas/fields in which head coaches practice are at elementary and middle schools.

FALL Practices typically begin about when SBISD school begins (i.e. mid to late August). Games will be once a week starting in September with the regular season ending at the end of October. Playoffs are approximately three weeks lasting through about mid-November.

Below is more information regarding SBMSA’s Football Program. For further details please see our complete rules here.

Football Health & Safety - USA Football Certification

All Football Coaches, no matter what League or Age, are required to complete the annual USA Football Certification. The USA Football Certification aids coaches in the understanding and execution of age-appropriate methods for improved safety in practices, drills and games. All of our efforts have a central focus on building the safest possible environment so that players can build their skills while fueling their passion and joy of football. Topics that are covered in the certification are:

Summer 7on7 Football

SBMSA Summer 7on7 Football is for children going into the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th grades in the Fall. There will be three divisions as follows:

Level 1 Incoming 3rd and 4th graders
Level 2 Incoming 5th and 6th graders
Level 3 Incoming 7th and 8th graders

Practices start in early June. This is a double header league. Teams will play two games on Friday night each week of the season. League games are played over 4 weeks and are anticipated to start mid-June. No games will be played the week of July 4. Teams will be formed by school to the best of the League’s ability.

Fall Flag Football

Players are placed on teams according to the geographic area in which they reside.

Flag games are played on a 45 yard field with each offensive possession starting on the 45 yard line. There are no punts or kicks offs.

Games are typically played on Saturday mornings at SBMSA Memorial Middle School Fields.

SBMSA’s Freshman Flag program is very similar to our Junior Varsity Flag program with additional rules specific to the younger age. A few examples include…

Games are typically played on weekdays and/or weekends on SBMSA Memorial Middle School Fields.

Fall 7on7 Passing League

Division Ages Style
Junior Varsity 8 & 9 7 Man Passing
Varsity 10 & 11* 7 Man Passing

7on games are played on a 45 yard field with each offensive possession starting on the 45 yard line. There are no punts or kick offs.

Our 7on7 Passing program places players on teams according to the geographic area in which they reside.

Games are typically played on weekdays and/or weekends on SBMSA Memorial Middle School / Spring Forest Middle School Fields.

*A player that is 12 years of age AND in 6th grade may be eligible to play in a varsity division.

Fall Tackle Football

Division Ages Style
Junior Varsity 8 & 9 8 Man
Varsity 10 & 11* 11 Man

Each tackle team is limited to six (6) hours of practice each week.

There are ball carrier and maximum weight limitations. See further details in our rules here.

Junior Varsity Tackle

Our Junior Varsity Tackle program is 8 Man Football with approximately 12 to 15 players per team. Players will be placed on teams according to the geographic area in which they reside.

Games are played on weekdays and/or weekends at SBMSA Memorial Middle School Fields.

Eight Man Tackle Football is very similar to the traditional 11 Man game. However, it is a simpler game for both players and coaches allowing the focus to be more on the fundamentals of the game. An example of some of the differences with SBMSA’s 11 Man Tackle Football…

• No kick offs
• Offense
o Two less offensive lineman and one less back
o Limitation on certain offensive formations (e.g. no more than two players outside of the guards on one side)
o No quarterback sneaks
o A forward pass play must be attempted at least every eight (8) offensive plays per possession
• Defense
o No defensive position restrictions based on player weight
o May not have more than one less defensive lineman than offensive down-linemen
o May not cover up the center
o Required spacing from the line of scrimmage for all non-defensive linemen

Varsity Tackle

Our Varsity Tackle program is 11 Man Football with approximately 16 to 22 players per team. Players will be placed on teams via a draft. The Football Board will determine the draft pools, skills evaluation and draft process, and the number of teams in each pool after registration is complete.

Games are typically played on weekends at SBMSA Spring Forest Middle School Fields.

SBMSA 11 Man Football follows a combination of UIL and NCAA Rules with some exceptions. An example of some of the exceptions are…

• No blocking below the waist

*A player that is 12 years of age AND in 6th grade may be eligible to play in a varsity division.