*

 

Running:

* To start the play, the ball must be snapped between the legs of the Center.
* The Center cannot take a direct handoff back from the Quarterback (no Center sneak play).
* The Quarterback cannot run with the ball past the line of scrimmage unless he is rushed.
* An offense may use multiple handoffs behind the line of scrimmage.
* “No-running zones” are located 5 yards from each end zone. When the ball is on or inside the 5-yard line going towards the opponent’s end zone, the offense cannot run. The offense cannot use a running play to cross the line of scrimmage.
* The Player who takes the handoff/toss/pitch can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage as long as the ball stayed behind the line of scrimmage.
* All Defensive Players are eligible to rush once the ball has been handed off or tossed, or there is a play-action fake or fake handoff.
* The ball is spotted where the ball carrier’s feet are when the flag is pulled, not where the ball is.
* It is up to the ball carrier to avoid contact with the defender. Good defensive positioning should be rewarded by the officials.

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Receiving:
* All Players are eligible to receive passes (including the Quarterback if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage).
* As in the NFL, only one Player may be in motion, but not in motion towards the opponent’s end zone at the snap. No CFL starts.
* A Player must have one foot inbounds when making a reception. (They cannot return on to the playing field from an out of bounds position.)

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Passing:
* The Quarterback has seven seconds to throw the ball.
* If a pass is not thrown within the seven seconds, play is dead, results in a loss of down and the ball is spotted at the previous line of scrimmage. Once the ball is handed off or tossed, or there is a fake handoff/toss/pitch, the seven-second rule no longer is in effect.
* Interceptions change the possession of the ball.
* The defense can return interceptions.
* On interceptions that occur and remain in the end zone, the ball will become dead and will result in the ball belonging to the intercepting team at its 5-yard line. Should an interception occur in the end zone and the ball carrier leave the end zone, the ball will belong to the intercepting team at the spot the ball becomes dead. However, should the ball carrier return to the end zone and be flagged, or the ball be ruled dead the result would be a safety for the other team.

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Dead Balls:
* Substitutions may be made on any dead ball.
* Play is ruled “dead” when:
• Official blows the whistle.
• Ball carrier’s flag is pulled or becomes illegal.
• Ball carrier steps out of bounds.
• Touchdown or safety is scored.
• When any part of the ball carrier’s body, other than a hand or foot, touches the ground.
* If the ball carriers flag falls off, the play will be whistled dead and the ball will be spotted at the spot where the flag fell off.
* Players are allowed to catch a pass if their flag has fallen off but play will be ruled dead from where catch was made.

​ Note:There are no fumbles. The ball will be spotted where the ball carrier’s feet were when the fumble was made. I.e. a bad snap will be blown dead and the ball will be spotted at the Center’s feet. There is no stripping of the ball.

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Rushing the Quarterback:
*All Players who rush the passer must be a minimum of 7 yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Any number of Players can rush the Quarterback. Players not rushing the Quarterback may defend on the line of scrimmage. Once the ball is handed off or tossed, or there is a play-action fake or fake handoff, the 7-yard rule no longer is in effect and all Defenders may go behind the line of scrimmage. A special marker, or the Referee, will designate 7 yards from the line of scrimmage.

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Jamming/Blocking:

*You cannot jam players.

* You cannot physically block players, shadow blocking only!

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Sportsmanship/Roughing:
* If the referee witnesses any acts of flagrant contact, tackling, elbowing, cheap shots,  or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the necessary player will be asked to hit the showers. MULTIPLE INFRACTIONS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!

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Trash talking is illegal. (Trash talk is talk that may be offensive to officials, opposing Players, teams, or spectators.) Officials have the right to determine offensive language. If trash talking occurs, the referee will give one warning. If it continues, the Player or Players will be ejected from the game.

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Penalties:
*All penalties can be declined.
*Penalties will not exceed half the distance to the opposing team’s goal line from the line of scrimmage.
*Referees determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play.
*All penalties will be assessed from the line of scrimmage.
*Only designated team captains may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations. Players cannot question judgment calls.
*Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it.

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Defensive Penalties:

*Offside — 5 yards and Repeat down.
*Pass Interference — Ball will be placed at the spot of the foul and automatic 1st down.
*Illegal contact (holding,Blocking etc.) — 5 yards from spot of foul and repeat down.
*Illegal flag pull (before Receiver has ball) — 5 yards and repeat down.
*Illegal rushing (starting rush from inside 7-yard marker) — 5 yards and repeat down.

*Illegal tackle (pushing a player to the ground or out of bounds)- 10 Yards and automatic first down. If needed player will be ejected.
*Substitution fouls (Player enters field after ball is blown ready for play, i.e. to deceive opponents, or 6 Players on the field). 5 yards and repeat down.

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Offensive Penalties:
*Delay of Game. 5 yards and repeat down.
*Substitution Fouls. (Player enters field after ball is blown ready for play, i.e. to deceive opponents, or 6 Players on the field). 5 yards and loss of down
*Illegal motion (more than one person moving/player moving towards endzone before snap) — 5 yards and Repeat down.
*False Start. 5 yards and repeat down
*Illegal Snap. 5 yards and repeat down
*Offensive Holding. 5 yards and repeat down
*Player out of bounds (if Player goes out of bounds, Player cannot return to the field and catch ball). 5 yards and loss of down
*Offensive pass interference (illegal pick play, pushing off/away Defender) — 5 yards and loss of down.
*Flag guarding — 5 yards from the point of foul and loss of down.

*Illegal Blocking- 10 Yards from point of block and play ruled dead from spot of foul.

*Offside- 5 yards and repeat down.

 

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Reffing Penalties:
*Each team requires 3 players to ref. If the team doesn't have 3 players show up to ref they will forfeit their right to make playoffs. They will finish out the regular season as normal but lose their spot in the final standings.

 

 

Team Jerseys:

*Jerseys must be approved by the league prior to the season opener. 

*Jerseys must have players numbers either on front or back and must be easy for refs to see for stats.
*Players must be wearing team jersey to play. (If player does not have jersey, they must have replacement jersey approved by the referee prior to kickoff.

 

Standings: If at the end of the season, two teams have identical records (wins/losses), head to head and then  +/- (points scored vs points let against) will be used to determine seed.