What are the "no-run zones"?

No-run zones are the 5 yards before midfield and the 5 yards before the opponent's end zone. When the ball is spotted in one of these zones, the offense can't run the ball across the line of scrimmage; the play must be a forward pass that crosses the line.

They stop teams from simply running the ball for short gains near the first-down line and the goal line. Each drive meets two no-run zones: one approaching midfield and one approaching the end zone.

In 10U, no-run zones are in effect. They're dropped only in 8U and younger regular-season play.