COIN FLIP/BEGINNING OF GAME

The team that wins the coin flip (or a one-time Ro-Sham-Bo) at the start of the game must choose one of two options: (1) which team is to receive, (2) the goal his/her team will defend.  Teams flip flop direction, and the team that started the game on defense will start the second half on offense.  There are no kick-offs.  Play starts 3 paces/yards from the goal line.  

TEAM SIZE

CO-ED RULES

There is no maximum limit to the amount of females which must be on the field.   To ensure coed participation, a penalty will ensue if the offensive team fails to use a female as an operative player within 3 consecutive downs.  

A pass deflected by a male and caught by a female IS a female play

A pass intended for a female (in the eyes of the referee) that is deflected by a female, and caught by a male COUNTS as a female play

A pass thrown by a male, received by a male and immediately pitched to a female (the “hook and ladder”) WILL NOT constitute a female play – no matter how far the female advances with the ball after the pitch  

A pass intentionally grounded by a female in the last two minutes of the second half in order to stop the clock COUNTS as a female play.

If a female pitches the ball to a male behind the line of scrimmage this will not result in a female play.  

The penalty for running 3 consecutive downs without a female as an operative player will be loss of down (i.e. if it was 1^st down during the penalty, it is now 2^nd down) and the female must now be the operative player on the next play.  If on this play a male catches or runs the ball: loss of down, the play is ruled “dead,” and the ball is brought back to the line of scrimmage, and the next play must be a female play.

Plays utilizing a female and resulting in the “loss of down” penalties, will still be considered “female” plays.  Plays utilizing a female resulting in a non-loss of down penalty will not count as a gender play.  The play never existed.  

THE DREADED SACK

If a male is the QB on a play which could either be to a male or female and the QB is sacked the ball is spotted where he was sacked and the play stands as a male play, no matter who was the intended receiver.  If a team was forced to use a female as the operative player and the male QB is sacked the play stands as a female play and the offensive team does not have to use a female on the next play.  

TIME   

Play will be divided into (2) 20-minute halves.  Teams flip flop direction, and the team that started the game on defense will start the second half on offense. There will be a running clock maintained by a referee except for the final 2 minutes of play.  During the first 38 minutes, the clock runs continuously with the exception of time-outs and serious injury.  Each team is allowed two (one-minute) time outs per game.  In the first 38 minutes if a team takes a time out after a touchdown, prior to the extra point attempt, the clock will not start until the defensive team takes over on offense and snaps the ball.  

During the final 2 minutes of the game, the referee shall stop the game clock if:

***THE CLOCK DOES NOT STOP ON FIRST DOWNS OR FUMBLES  

For the entire game, the offensive team has 30 seconds to snap the ball once the referee spots the ball.  If the referee feels that this is being taking advantage of, they can:  (1) On the first recognizable abuse – stop the clock (2) on subsequent abuses – stop the clock and penalize the offense 5 paces/yards

***If a team is up by 17 points or more, the clock runs continuously during the last two minutes of play.  

TIE GAMES/SCORING

Games ending in a tie score will play an overtime according to the overtime rules described later in this document.  Touchdowns are awarded 6 pts. Extra points: 3 paces/yards off the goal line – 1 pt., 10 paces/yards = 2 pts.

Two point conversion attempts may be intercepted and returned for two points with the defense retaining possession at the 10 pace/yard line.  One-point attempts may NOT be intercepted and returned.  

FIRST DOWNS

Each team shall have 4 downs to either score or earn another first down.  First downs are achieved by getting to the next marker.  If a team fails to score or earn a first down, possession will go to the other team.  Offensive teams may elect to punt on fourth down.  

PUNTS

A punt must be declared and cannot be faked.  All punts are “free” punts.  A team need not snap during a punt, a dropped snap during a punt is not a fumble.  Punts must be kicked.  Punts cannot be thrown.  Punts are “open” plays meaning there are no Male/Female rules for punts.  There is no minimum number of players required on the line of scrimmage during a punt NO DOWNFIELD BLOCKING or BLOCKING AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE.  The kicking team may not cross the line of scrimmage until the ball is kicked.

The receiving team may not raise hands or jump to block a punt.  If a punt is “shanked” and caught it is a live ball and is returnable.  If the ball comes into contact with the ground after it has been punted it is a dead ball, spotted at the point where it hit the ground, and may not be returned.  A punt through the end zone comes back to 10 paces/yards off the goal line.  If a player drops the ball in the endzone, the ball is again spotted 10 paces/yards out from the goal line and is not counted as a safety.  

CONTINUOUS PLAY

Play shall continue until:

SPOT OF THE BALL

The ball will be spotted where the ball is at the time the ball carriers flag is pulled.  If the ball crosses the plane of the goal line before the ball carrier’s flag has been pulled it will result in a touchdown (ball extension).

TURNOVERS

A change of possession can only occur due to downs or an interception.  A fumble is not a turnover.  The ball is dead at the point of the fumble and the offense retains possession.  A lateral pass can be picked off in mid-air.  A picked off lateral is a turnover and can be returned by the defense.  

RUSH

In order to better standardize the rush, all referees will be responsible for shouting out the rush count for both teams.  The rush will be as follows:  “1-BUD 2-BUD, 3-BUD, 4-BUD, 5-BUD, GO!”  (Other acceptable variations can be used)  When the ref/counter says, “GO,” the defense may cross the line of scrimmage and pursue the quarterback.  

If the ball is handed off, pitched out, etc., the rush count will be eliminated and defenders may cross the line of scrimmage to pursue the ball carrier.

NO CONTACT AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE

Players acting as offensive lineman must have hands behind their back when protecting their quarterback from pursuing defensive rushers.  There is no contact at or behind the line of scrimmage.  Offensive lineman can position their body at any particular angle in an attempt to direct the rushers to a particular area, but they may not physically direct them.  

PENALTIES

Normal rules and penalties of the NCAA apply unless exceptions have been made herein.

Some Common Examples of Penalties:

1.        Illegal Contact – at or behind the line of scrimmage

·        In cases where the person(s) acting as the offensive lineman initiates any contact (at the ref’s discretion), it will be ruled a 5 pace/yard penalty from the line of scrimmage and we will replay the down.  If this contact is deemed excessive by the ref, an “unnecessary roughness” penalty of 10 paces/yards can be assessed in addition to the “illegal contact.” This making the total penalty 15 paces/yards.

·        Illegal Contact – Down Field:  5 paces/yards from point where ball carrier is at the time of infraction.  

2.        Offsides/Illegal or Early Rush (Offensive & Defensive)

·        5 paces/yards, play is ruled dead immediately, no option to decline, down is replayed IF ON THE OFFENSE. If it is DEFENSIVE OFFSIDES, the offense has the option to take the result of the play OR the penalty.

3.       Illegal Motion 

·        Players may not be in motion towards the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped.  This will result in a dead ball, five-yard penalty and repeat the down.  

·        Only 1 offensive player may be in motion at the snap of the ball.  Violation of this rule will result in a dead ball, five-yard penalty and repeat the down.  (added 5/13/2008)

4.        Offensive Picking/Interference 

·        The offensive team may no initiate a pick/block while in motion.  5 paces/yards penalty from the line of scrimmage, loss of down (i.e. if it was 1^st down during the penalty it is now 2^nd down).  If a catch is made after a clear pick, it will be ruled no catch, 5 pace/yard penalty from line of scrimmage, and loss of down.  Remember:  Some acceptable incidental contact will occur while running routes and within the normal course of play, and will not be called.  

5.        Unnecessary Roughness 

·        This includes any illegal tag such as grabbing jerseys or excessive pushing etc.  This behavior will NOT BE TOLERATED and will result in a 10 pace/yard penalty from point of the infraction and automatic first down.  Extreme roughness will result in ejection from the game and/or the rest of the games if deemed necessary by the referee and staff.

6.        Defensive Pass Interference

·        Ball is spotted at the point of the infraction and offense is awarded an automatic first down.  If the pass interference is in the end zone, the ball comes out to the 1 pace/yard line and it will be 1^st down.

7.        Defensive Holding

·        5 pace/yard penalty from line of scrimmage, automatic FIRST DOWN.  Offense can accept or decline the penalty.

8.        Defensive Checking

·        5 paces/yard penalty from line of scrimmage, replay down.  The “bump and run” will not be allowed.  No player may initiate contact at the line of scrimmage.  There is no 5 yard Bump Zone.

9.        Safeties

A safety will be scored if a player is:

1.        Tagged down in their own endzone (not on a punt return)

2.        Runs out of bounds in their own endzone

3.        Snaps the ball out of the endzone

4.        If the offense fumbles the ball in their own endzone

As a result, the team on defense receives 2 points, and the team on offense must now punt a “free” kick from their own 10 pace/yard line.  

Sneak Plays:

·        If the player calling the cadence does not receive the snap, the play will stand.

·        Any person may call the cadence and receive the snap

·        The QB may not be in motion and then receive the snap – this will result in a 5 pace/yard penalty and repeat of down.

·        If the QB crosses the line of scrimmage and then throws a forward pass the defense can either decline the penalty or it will be a 5 pace/yard penalty from the line of scrimmage and loss of down (i.e. if it was 1^st down during the penalty, it is now 2^nd down)

·        If the ball hits the ground on the snap for either a pass or running play the play is “dead,” the ball is spotted where it hit the ground, and it is a loss of down (i.e if it was 1^st down during the bad snap, it is now 2^nd down).

·        The QB may NOT snap the ball to him/herself.  If the QB does snap to him/herself, play will stop immediately and it will result in a five yard penalty and repeat the down.

·        Loss of down penalties, which occur on fourth down, will result in change of possession.

FLAG SPECIFICS

1.        No flag guarding***Will result in a 5 paces/yard penalty from the spot of infraction.  Defensive player returning an interception, who flag guards, will be penalized 5 paces/yards from the spot of infraction.

2.       Shirt must be tucked in and flags must be securely attached.  Loose hanging articles (i.e. sweatshirts, long T-shirts, etc.) that are held/ripped will not result in a holding penalty, unless in ref’s eyes player was not attempting to go for flag.

3.        Any ball carrier whose flags are (in ref’s opinion) not accessible to be pulled will be down at 1^st point of contact with the defense.

4.        Any ball carrier who has a flag or both flags missing for whatever reason (falls out, accidentally pulled before reception, not noticed before snap, etc.) will be down at the first point of contact.

5.        Players may leave their feel to pull flag.

6.        Spin moves will be allowed.

7.        Belt grabbing will result in a 5 paces/yard penalty from end of play. (any belt grabbing at the end of a half or game will result in a 5 paces/yard penalty from point of infraction and replay of down)

8.        If this penalty occurs within 5 paces/yard of the endzone, the ball will be spotted at the one yard line and the offense will receive one play.

OVERTIME

The Four-Down and Out format will apply to all ties.  A coin toss (or Ro-Sham-Bo) with the winning team deciding on first or second possession.  Teams will attempt to score in the same end zone.  Each team will then have 4 downs to score from 10 paces/yards from the goal line.  If a team scores, they will have the opportunity to go for one or two on the PAT.  A female must be used once within the first three plays or on the 1^st and 4^th downs when applicable.  An interception will result in a team losing its downs. Interceptions will result in a turnover and may not be returned for any points.

MISCELLANEOUS