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A coin toss determines first possession.

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The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has four (4) plays to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has four (4) plays to score a touchdown. If the offense fails to score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over on its
5-yard line.  There is a 5 yard no run zone on each side of the midfield line.

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If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive from its 5-yard line.

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All possession changes, except interceptions, start on the offense’s 5-yard line.

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Teams change sides after the first 25 minutes, but possession does not change and the clock does not stop.

Players/Game Schedules

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Teams must field a minimum of five (5) players at all times.

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Team can have a maximum of eight (7) players at all times.

Timing/Overtime

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Games are played to 50 minutes running time.

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If the score is tied at the end of 50 minutes, teams move directly into overtime. Each team gets an opportunity to score.  Overtime is not sudden death.  If there is no score after the 10 minute overtime period, the teams will each receive one point for a tie game.

•

Each time the ball is spotted, a team has 30 seconds to snap the ball.  30 second count begins at the spot of the ball. Teams will receive one warning before a delay-of-game penalty is enforced.

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Each team has one 60-second and one 30-second time out per half.

•

Officials can stop the clock at their discretion.

Scoring

Touchdown:

6 points

Extra point:

1 point (played from 5-yard line) or
2 points (played from 12-yard line)

Safety:

2 points

Running

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The quarterback can run with the ball.

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Only direct handoffs behind the line of scrimmage are permitted. Offense may use multiple handoffs.

•

Laterals or pitches of any kind ARE acceptable

•

“No-running zones,” located 5 yards from each end zone and 5 yards on either side of midfield, are designed to avoid short-yardage,
power-running situations.

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The player who takes the handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage.

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Once the ball has been handed off, all defensive players are eligible to rush.

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Spinning is allowed, but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive player (no diving).

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The ball is spotted where the ball carrier’s feet are when the flag is pulled, not where the ball is.

Receiving

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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 is allowed in motion at a time.

•

A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception.

Passing

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All passes must be forward and received beyond the line of scrimmage.

•

Shovel passes are allowed but must be received beyond the line of scrimmage.

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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.

•

Interceptions can be run back from the point of interception. 

Dead Balls

•

The ball must be snapped between the legs, not off to one side, to start play.

•

Substitutions may be made on any dead ball.

•

Play is ruled “dead” when:
— Ball carrier’s flag is pulled.
— Ball carrier steps out of bounds.
— Touchdown or safety is scored.
— At the point of an interception (interception returns are not allowed).
— Ball carrier’s knee hits the ground.
— Ball carrier’s flag falls out.

FLAG RULES

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If the flag falls off before a ball is caught, the play is dead after the ball is caught at the point of the catch.

•

If a players flag falls off unintentionally and without the help of an opponent, the play may continue and the defensive teams must "tag" the offensive player with one hand.

•

A defensive player may not "body" a player to get a flag.  Players may only reach for the flag.

•

All players must have flags clearly visible.  There should be one flag on each side of the players waist. 

Offsides

5 yards and automatic first down

Interference

10 yards and automatic
first down

Illegal contact
(holding)

10 yards and automatic
first down

Illegal flag pull
(before receiver has ball)

10 yards and automatic
first down

Illegal rushing
(starting rush from inside 7-yard marker)

10 yards and automatic
first down

Illegal motion
(more than one person moving, false start, etc.)

5 yards and loss of down

Illegal forward pass
(pass received behind line of scrimmage)

5 yards and loss of down

Offensive pass interference
(illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender)

10 yards and loss of down

Flag guarding

10 yards (from line of scrimmage) and loss of down

Delay of game

Clock stops, 10 yards and loss
of down

•

Referees determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play. All penalties will be assessed from the line of scrimmage.

•

Only the team captain 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.