Rulebook
The
Basics
1. A coin toss determines first
possession. Visitor calls toss. Team winning the toss gets the choice to take
first possession or defend. Team not
getting the ball for the first possession chooses the goal they defend. The
teams change directions for the 2nd half.
2. The Offense takes
possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has 4 plays to cross midfield.
Once a team crosses midfield, it has four plays to score a touchdown. If offense
fails to score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes
over on its 5-yard line.
3. If the offensive team fails to
cross midfield, possession of the ball changes and opposition starts its drive
from its 5-yard line.
4. All possession changes,
except interceptions, start on the offense’s 5-yard line.
5. Teams change sides after
the first 20 minutes. (Clock stops for a 5-minute half time)
6.
The playing field is 20 yards wide X 50 yards long
Players
1. All participants must
play 20 minutes of every game.
2. Games are played 6 on 6,
however if a team is unable to field 6 players the game will be
played down to 5 on 5 and will be considered an official game.
If less than 5 players are in attendance for a game, the game will play
down to whatever the short team has in attendance, but regardless of the outcome
the game will be considered a forfeit and the team that had enough players will
be declared the winner.
Timing
1. The game consists of two
20-minute halves with a running clock. However,
the clock will stop for a time
out in both halves to announce a 1 minute warning when a minute remains in the
half.
2. Each time the ball
is spotted, a team has 60 seconds to snap the ball. The referee will give a 15
second warning.
3. Each team has one
45-second time-out per half.
4. Officials can stop the
clock at their discretion.
Overtime
If
the score is tied at the end of regulation time, teams move directly into
overtime. Both teams get one drive
beginning at the 5 yard line to try and score and make a conversion point.
If both teams score and convert, the game ends in a tie.
If neither team scores, the game ends in a tie.
If only one team scores during there drive, they are declared the winner.
An interception ends a team’s drive in the same way it would in
regulation time. If an interception
is ran back for a touchdown, the game ends and the team that scored wins.
Scoring
·
Touchdown: 6 points
·
Extra point: 1 point played from the 2-yard line
·
Safety: 2 points
Running
1. The Quarterback cannot
run with the ball unless being rushed. The
Quarterback cannot take off running forward until the designated rusher has
crossed the line of scrimmage.
2. 2. Direct handoffs
behind the line of scrimmage are permitted. Offense may use multiple handoffs.
3. Pitches behind the line of scrimmage are allowed.
4. The player who takes the
handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage.
5. Once the ball has been
handed off, all defensive players are eligible to rush.
6. Any football move by the
ball carrier to avoid a defender is allowed (Spinning, juking, sidestepping,
cutting). Players cannot dive, jump or hurdle a player to advance the ball.
The ball carrier has the ride of way, defenders cannot just stand in the
way of the ball carrier.
7. The ball is spotted where
the ball is when the ball carrier’s flag is pulled.
Receiving
1. All players are eligible
to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball is handed off behind
the line of scrimmage).
2. As in the NFL, only one
player is allowed in motion at a time.
3. A player must have at
least one foot inbounds when making a reception.
4.
The line is considered out of bounds.
Passing
1. Shovel passes are
allowed.
2. The quarterback has a
seven-second “pass clock.” If a pass is not thrown within the seven seconds,
play is dead, loss of down. Once the ball is handed off, the seven-second rule
no longer is in effect.
3. Interceptions are the
only changes of possession that do not start on the 5-yard line.
Interceptions are live and can be returned.
A team that intercepts the ball and runs the ball back but does not score
will take possession where the play ends.
4. Double
forward pass is illegal. 5 yards and
loss of down.
Dead
Balls
1. The ball must be snapped
between the legs, not off to one side, to start play.
The center must release the ball to the quarterback.
2. Substitutions may be made
on any dead ball.
3. Play is ruled “dead”
when:
4. Ball carrier’s flag is
pulled
5. Ball carrier steps out of
bounds
6. Touchdown or safety is
scored
7. Ball carrier fumbles the
ball
8. Ball carrier’s flag
falls off
9. Player catches the ball and does not
have both flags on (ball is dead at the spot of the catch)
Note:
There are no fumbles. The ball is dead and spotted where the ball hits the
ground.
Rushing
the Quarterback
1. Any player who rushes the
passer must be a minimum of seven yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball
is snapped. Defender that is rushing the QB will be called for illegal pass rush
if he/she passes the 7-yard marker prior to the snap.
2. Only 1 defender can rush
the quarterback, but he must be 7 yards back prior to the snap.
3. Rushers cannot make
contact with the Quarterback (hit arm while throwing).
4. Once the ball is handed
off, the seven-yard rule is no longer in effect, and all defenders may rush.
5. Absolutely no blocking or
tackling is allowed. Shadow blocking
is legal, but no contact can be made.
Illegal
Contact
It
is illegal for a player to “intentionally”
contact another player.
o Examples
- (defender cannot hand check receiver nor can a receiver push defender, no
blocking, no colliding with another player, no tackling, no pulling or pushing,
pass rushers must avoid contact with quarterback, players must let go of
clothing immediately, no pushing or shoving Officials
witnessing acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking or any
unsportsmanlike act, will stop the game and call illegal contact penalize the
team 10 yards and do one or all of the following (warn player, team,
coach…eject player or coach. Rough
Play isn’t tolerated.
Trash
talking is illegal. Officials have the right to determine offensive language. (Trash
talk is talk that may be offensive to officials, opposing players, teams or
spectators.) If trash talking occurs, the referee will warn or eject player,
coach, or fans.
Blocking:
Blocking
is illegal…contact doesn’t have to take place for it to be
illegal…offensive players can’t move to shield, screen, or get in defenders
path to ball carrier. Similar to basketball, runners can use teammates who stand
still as interference.
Penalties
(The referee calls all penalties.)
1. Referees determine
incidental contact that may result from normal run of play. All penalties are
assessed from the line of scrimmage.
2. Only a head coach can ask
referee for rule clarification, interpretation, or to watch for rule violations.
3. Games cannot end on a
defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it.
Unsportsmanship
conduct
1. Players, Coaches and
spectators that yell at officials or cause disruptions will be assessed with a
10 yard penalty & loss of down if given to offense or 10 yards and first
down if on defense. Yelling at
officials is a penalty subject to ejection.
Defensive
Penalties:
1. Pass Interference –
Spot foul and automatic first down (the ball does not have to be catch able)
2. Illegal contact (holding,
blocking, etc.) - 10 yards and automatic first down.
3. Illegal FLAG pull (before
receiver has ball) - 5 yards and repeat down
4. Illegal pass rushing
(starting rush from inside 7-yard marker) - 5 yards and repeat down
5.
Offsides – 5 yards and repeat down.
Offensive
Penalties:
1. Illegal motion (more than
one person moving, false start, etc.) - 5 yards and repeat down.
2. Illegal forward pass
(double forward pass) - 10 yards and loss of down
3. Offensive pass
interference (illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender) – 5 yards and
repeat down.
4. Illegal contact (holding,
blocking, etc.) - 10 yards and loss of down
6. Delay of game - 5 yards
& repeat down
7. Illegal motion (more than
one person moving, false start, etc.) - 5 yards and repeat down
Attire
Cleats are
allowed, except for metal spikes. Official issued game jerseys must be
worn and be either tucked in or flag belts must be worn over the jersey.
All players must
wear a protective mouthpiece; there are no exceptions.
All players must
wear athletic shorts or sweat pants with NO pockets or belt loops.
Coaches
for the A division will be allowed on the field in the following manner:
One
(1) offensive coach allowed on field…must move behind offense prior
to each snap of ball (away from action).
One (1) defensive coach allowed on field…must move
out of the way prior to each snap of ball (away from action).
B and C division coaches are not allowed on the
playing field during play.
How a team is seeded in the regular season is determined as follows:
1) wins and losses
2) head to head wins and losses 2a) If two teams are split in their head to head, most points scored during the regular season will determine the higher seed (points for).
3) If head to head cannot determine seeding because more than 2 teams are tied, most points scored during the regular season will determine seeding (points for).
4) If head to head cannot determine seeding and teams are tied in the points for category, fewest points allowed during the season will determine seeding (points against).