All players play; so depending on the number of participants per team, we will play 7 on 7, 8 on 8 etc...
Each player is required to begin the game with a flag belt around their waist.
It is optional for players to wear mouth guards and/or protective cups.
Plastic molded cleats are allowed. No metal cleats.
Players must remove all watches, earrings and any other jewelry that officials may deem hazardous.
Players are not allowed to flag guar, jump or hurdle players. *Flag guarding is an attempt by the ball carrier to obstruct the defender's access to the flags by stiff arming, dropping of head, hand, arm or shoulder, or intentionally covering flags with the football or jersey.
Defenders can divet o pull flags, but cannot tackle, hold or run through ball carrier when pulling flags.
It is illegal to strip or pull the ball or pull from the ball carrier's possesion at any time.
If a player's flag inadvertently falls off during play, the player is down immediately upon possession of the ball and the play ends.
There are no fumbles. The ball is spotted where it hits the ground.
Play is ruled "dead" when a player's knee hits the ground, a loose ball occurs or the ball carriers flags are pulled.
GAME PLAY
The winner of the coin toss gets first offensive possession. The loser of the coin toss chooses the end zone it would prefer to defend. Teams may not choose to defer to second half.
The game will consist of two 20 minute halves with continuous clock. Clock continues to run and stops in the last two minutes of play in both halves only. Clock will stop when there is a dead ball.
No overtime.
Each team gets three full timeouts per game.
The offensive team takes possession of the ball at it's 5 yard line and has four plays to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has four plays to score a touchdown.
If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive fromits 5 yard line.
All possession changes, except interceptions, start on the offenses 5 yard line.
Blocking is allowed. Player's hands must be behind their back when blocking.
FORMATIONS
An offensive team must have a minimum of three players on the line of scrimmage (including center) every possession. They are all eligible to receive a pass.
The quarterback must be off the line of scrimmage.
One player at a time may go in motion at the line of scrimmage.
DEFENSIVE RUSHING
Only two defensive players may rush the quarterback on a play. If coach is QB, no rushing the QB.
SCORING
Touchdown = 6 points
Point after touchdown = 1 point from 5 yard line or 2 points from 10 yard line.
A team that scores a touchdown must declare whether it wishes to attempt a 1 point conversion or 2 point conversion. Any change, once a decision is made to try for the extra point, requires a charged timeout. Decision cannot be changed after a penalty. Interceptions on a conversion cannot be returned.
RUSHING
The quarterback can run with the ball except if a coach is playing QB.
Direct handoffs behind the line of scrimmage are permitted. Offense may use multiple handoffs.
Laterals and pitches are allowed.
The player who makes the handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage.
Once the ball has been handed off, all defensive players are eligible to rush.
Spinning is allowed, but offensive players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive player. Defensive players may dive to pull off a flag.
The ball is spotted where the ball carrier's feet are when the flag is pulled, not where he ball is.
PASSING
All passes must be from behind the line of scrimmage, thrown forward and received beyond the line of scrimmage.
Shovel passes are allowed, but must be received beyond the line of scrimmage.
THe QB has an 8 second "pass clock". If a pass is not thrown within the 8 seconds, play is dead, the down is consumed and the ball is returned to the line of scrimmage. Once the ball is handed off, the 8 second rule is no longer in effect.
RECEIVING
All players are eligible to receive passes (including QB if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage, unless QB is a coach).
Only one player is allowed in motion at a time.
A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception.
PENALTIES
The referee will call all penalites.
Referees determine incidiental contact that may result from normal run of play.
Penalties will be assessed half the distance to the goal yardage when the penalty yardage is more than half the distance to the goal.
10 YARD PENALTIES - Roughing the passer, taunting, unsportsmanlike conduct.
UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
If the referee witnesses any acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player, coach or spectator will be given a warning. The next unsportsmanlike act by that person will result in ejection from the game and they will have to sit out the next game. Foul play will not be tolerated.
Trash talkig is illegal. Officials have the right to determine offensive language. Players, parents or coaches will be warned the first time and ejected the second time.
