HUNTSVILLE FOOTBALL LEAGUE SPRING 2017 RULES

Transcription

1 SPRING 2017 RULES

2 A. ROSTER a. Team rosters will be comprised of a minimum of 12 players with a maximum of 25 players b. All players on the roster must be eligible players to participate in any league games. An eligible player is one who: i. Signed the league s current Official Waiver prior to playing in any league game ii. Will turn 21 prior to the date of the first league game iii. Is a member of only one team in the league iv. Is wearing the current league t-shirt for their team 1. In lieu of the current league t-shirt, a player will only be considered eligible if that player provides government issued identification and wears a t-shirt that is the same color as his/her current team color. B. LINE-UP a. Each team can have a maximum of 8 players on the field at one time with a maximum of 5 male players. i. Teams with 0 female players present at a game, refer to the Female Inclusion Rules under Game Play. b. There is no minimum number of players to begin the game. C. COIN-TOSS a. The coin-toss will be one round of rock-paper-scissors played between one member from each team. i. Rock will beat scissors, scissors will beat paper, and paper will beat rock. b. The winner of the coin-toss will choose from one of the following options: i. Choose whether to play offense or defense at the start of the first half ii. Defer their choice until the start of the second half D. THE FIELD a. The game will be played on a half-field (see image below). b. When on offense, each team will begin at the same 0-yard line c. Any time the defense takes possession of the ball (after a touchdown, after an interception, after turnover on downs), they will begin at the 0-yard line

3 30 yards 15-YARD LINE (1 ST DOWN #1) 30-YARD LINE (1 ST DOWN #2) GOAL LINE END ZONE HUNTSVILLE FOOTBALL LEAGUE 45 yards 10 E. GAME CLOCK a. The game will consist of two 20 minute halves with a 10 minute half-time b. The game clock will run continuously in each half and will stop only for one of the following: i. Prior to the 2-minute mark only in the second half 1. For player injury 2. For a referee time-out 3. For a team time-out a. Each team will have 2, 1-minute timeouts per game 4. At the two-minute mark in either half or at the end of a play that started prior to the two-minute mark but was completed after the two-minute mark ii. Additional stops after the 2-minute mark in the first half or the second half when the point differential is less than 18 points 1. For incomplete passes 2. When a ball carrier runs out of bounds 3. When possession changes 4. When a team scores 5. For PATs 6. Penalties a. In the event that a team commits a penalty and the clock is stopped, the opposing team will have the option to accept the penalty or decline the penalty (and decrease the play clock by 10 seconds) c. After all clock stops, game play can only resume once the referee has signaled to resume play d. Each team will have 20 seconds to snap the ball from the time the ball is spotted by the referee F. GAME PLAY: OFFENSE a. START OF PLAY

4 i. The referee will mark the line of scrimmage (LOS) at the start of every play with a hockey puck ii. The offensive team must have 5 players at the LOS 1. All players on the LOS must be at least 5 yards from the sideline iii. All players must be set for 1 second before the ball is hiked 1. Except for a single man in motion that can move parallel to or backwards from the LOS b. DOWNS i. The offensive team will have 4 downs to get a 1 st down ii. A first down is marked by advancing the ball and ball carrier s body over a 1 st down line, only on the first time that line is crossed 1. 1 st down lines are the 30 yard line and the 15 yard line of the 45-yard field 2. An advance is by validly passing or running the ball, defined in the sections below iii. If the offensive team fails to cross a first down on the 4 th down, the defense will take possession of the ball on the 45-yard line c. PASSING/RECEIVING i. A valid reception is one in which the ball is caught by any player with at least one foot in bounds where the sideline counts as out of bounds 1. If only one foot is in bounds, that must be the first foot down after catching the ball ii. A player is only an ineligible receiver if he/she runs out of bounds and then back in bounds and is the first player to catch the ball 1. Except in the event that the player is pushed out of bounds a. In this event, the player must make an effort to immediately return to the field of play to be considered an eligible receiver iii. If both an offensive and a defensive player catch the ball simultaneously, then the ball is considered dead, the referee will mark the line at the spot of the catch and the offense retains possession d. RUN i. A valid run is one of the following: 1. The quarterback can run the ball only after the defense crosses the LOS 2. All other players are eligible to run the ball after: a. A hand off, a pitch, a lateral or a pass behind the LOS e. END OF PLAY i. Any play will continue until: 1. The ball carrier is touched by an opponent with 2 hands simultaneously in which a hand is considered touching on the ball carrier s body, clothes, hair or the ball 2. The ball carrier leaves the field of play 3. The ball carrier scores 4. The ball carrier s body touches the ground (except for hands and feet) 5. The ball carrier fumbles (leading to a dead ball) 6. There is an incomplete pass 7. Referee blows the whistle a. If the whistle is inadvertent, the play will restart at the spot the ball carrier was at the time of the inadvertent whistle or at the LOS if the ball carrier was behind the LOS at the time of the inadvertent whistle

5 f. FEMALE INCLUSION RULES (FIR) i. At least once in every three consecutive plays, a female player must be an operative player where an operative player is: 1. The quarterback 2. The receiver of a handoff or lateral behind the LOS 3. The intended receiver of a pass in the eyes of the referee ii. If two consecutive plays do not involve a female as an operative player, the next play will be a forced FIR play (including the event that the next play is a PAT) iii. On a forced FIR play in which a male will be the quarterback, all other males cannot leave the LOS until a female player makes a play on the ball iv. On a forced FIR play in which a female will be the quarterback: 1. The female cannot hand-off or lateral the ball behind the LOS to a male player a. In the event this happens, the play will be live and continue and the defense can choose to accept a penalty forcing replay of the FIR play or decline the penalty after the ball is dead v. A forced FIR play will also result in a penalty if: 1. The offense does not declare a female quarterback prior to the start of the play, allowing the defense to adjust 2. The offensive team changes the ratio of male to female players prior to the start of the play without allowing the defense time to adjust vi. The count for forced FIR plays will reset after possession changes g. SCORING i. 6 points are awarded for a touchdown. A touchdown will be signaled when both the football and ball carrier s entire body has broken the plane of the opponent s goal line 1. A touchdown will result in 8 points if: a. A female quarterback passes to a female player who then scores a touchdown b. A female quarterback hands off the ball to a female player behind the LOS and that female player then runs for a touchdown ii. After a touchdown, the offensive team will attempt an extra point conversion. An extra point conversion may be scored by: 1. A completed pass caught over the plane of the opponent s goal line 2. A valid runner wherein the player s entire body and the ball break the plane of the opponent s goal line 3. The extra point conversion will result in: a. 2 points if attempted from the 10 yard line b. 1 point if attempted from the 5 yard line 4. 1 point will be added to any successful conversion if: a. A female quarterback passes to a female player who s entire body and ball crosses the plane of the goal line b. A female quarterback hands off the ball to a female player behind the LOS and that female player then runs and her entire body and the ball cross the plane of the goal line h. PUNTING i. There is no option to punt. i. BLOCKING/CONTACT i. There will be no blocking or contact of any kind. This includes:

6 1. Blocking Downfield 2. Blocking at the LOS 3. Pick plays are strictly prohibited G. GAME PLAY: DEFENSE a. START OF PLAY i. All defensive players must line up on or behind the LOS before the play begins b. RUSHING i. Defensive players may rush at the end of a five-second count by the official ii. If a defensive player crosses the LOS before the end of the five-second count, Defensive Offsides will be called after the play has been completed c. FEMALE INCLUSION RULES (FIR) i. Male coverage on a forced FIR play when the quarterback is a male 1. Male defensive players must line up in man-to-man coverage on the LOS with only one player guarding the quarterback 2. Male defensive players may not leave the LOS until a female player comes into possession of the ball 3. After a female player comes into possession of the ball, male defensive players may leave the LOS to tag the ball carrier 4. A male player may not knock down/intercept a ball that is thrown or on a handoff/pitch 5. If the offensive team plans to send more than 3 female players out on a FIR, then female players in excess of 3 may be guarded by a male defensive player. The offense will designate which female player(s) will be covered by a male defensive player. The male defensive player may only make a play on a ball thrown to his designated female player. 6. If the defensive team has fewer than 3 female defensive players, a male defensive player may cover the remaining female offensive players abiding by the following rules: a. He must begin the play at least 10 yards from the female player b. He must stay behind the female player at all times c. He may only tag the female player after the ball is caught d. He may not make a play on the ball ii. Female coverage on a forced FIR play when the quarterback is a male 1. There is no pre-snap restriction as to where female defensive players can be aligned 2. If the offensive team has fewer than 3 female players, up to 3 female defensive players can still play defense 3. If the defensive team has more than 3 female defensive players, any in excess of 3 must line up on the LOS and follow the rules of male defensive players iii. Coverage when the quarterback is a female 1. There are no additional restrictions for defensive play when the quarterback is a female

7 d. SCORING i. Interceptions 1. An interception occurs when a defensive player catches an opponent s forward pass, lateral pass or fumble before it hits the ground resulting in a valid reception (see passing/receiving above) by the defensive player 2. An interception will result in: a. A turnover in possession b. 2 points for the defensive team 3. An interception will be considered a dead ball e. BLOCKING/CONTACT i. There will be no blocking or contact of any kind. This includes: 1. Blocking Downfield 2. Blocking at the LOS 3. Pick plays are strictly prohibited ii. Blocking while guarding a receiver H. PENALTIES a. Offensive Penalties i. A 5 yard penalty from the LOS will be assessed and the down will be repeated if: 1. the offensive team does not put the ball into play within 20 seconds of the official signaling ready for play (delay of game) 2. the offense has more than 8 players or more than 5 male players on the field at one time (illegal participation) 3. the player calling the cadence does not receive the snap (illegal cadence) 4. any part of an offensive player s body is beyond the LOS before the ball is snapped or an offensive player leaves the LOS before the ball is snapped (Offensive Offsides/False Start) 5. any offensive player violate any Start of Play rules above ii. A 5 yard penalty will be assessed from the LOS and there will be a loss of down if: 1. The offense runs three consecutive plays where a female player is not an operative player a. FIR play must be repeated 2. A female player is in the backfield or slot position on a FIR play and does not receive the snap from center a. FIR play must be repeated 3. A forward pass occurs beyond the LOS (Illegal Forward Pass) 4. Any offensive player receives a pass that is an ineligible receiver (see offensive rules section) 5. The QB attempts a forward pass and the player s full body and ball are beyond the LOS (QB Illegal Forward Pass) 6. An offensive passer intentionally throws a pass without a realistic chance of being caught to avoid loss of yards (Intentionally Grounding) a. An exception to this is if a player, immediately upon receiving a snap, spikes the ball directly into the ground 7. An offensive player intentionally throws the ball at a male defender during a FIR play in an attempt to draw a defensive penalty

8 a. FIR play must be repeated iii. A 10 yard penalty will be assessed from the LOS and the down will be repeated if: 1. Any offensive player uses their hands/body to contact, impede, or restrict a defensive player (Illegal contact/holding) 2. Any offensive player, with or without contact, impedes or prevents a defender from reaching a desired position (Offensive picking) 3. An offensive player significantly hinders the progress of a defensive player or that player s opportunity to catch the ball during a forward pass (Offensive Pass Interference) a. If the defensive player intercepts the ball after being interfered with, they will have the option to accept or decline the penalty b. If the penalty occurs on a PAT, the conversion will be declared no good and the down will not be repeated iv. A 10 yard penalty will be assessed from the spot of the foul and the down will be repeated if: 1. The offensive team makes more than one forward pass from behind the LOS during a play (Illegal Forward Pass) b. Defensive Penalties i. A 5 yard penalty will be assessed from the LOS and the down will be repeated if: 1. Any part of a defensive player s body is over the LOS before the end of the 5 second rush count (Defensive Offsides) a. This penalty will be called after the end of play and offense will have the option to accept or decline the penalty 2. The defense has more than 8 players or more than 5 male players on the field at any time (Illegal Participation) 3. A male defender violates the rules of defense during a FIR play a. The offense will have the option to accept or decline the penalty, if accepted FIR play is repeated, if declined FIR play is not repeated 4. A male defender intercepts the ball on a FIR play when the QB is male ii. A 10 yard penalty will be assessed from the spot of the foul and the down will be repeated if: 1. Any defensive player uses their hands/body to contact, impede, or restrict an offensive player (Illegal Contact/Holding) iii. A 15 yard penalty will be assessed from the LOS and the down will be repeated if: 1. Any defensive player takes any action that results in contact with the intended receiver of a ball before the ball arrives (Defensive Pass Interference) c. All player penalties i. A 5 yard penalty will be assessed from the LOS and the down will be repeated if: 1. Any player who is not the captain of a team attempts to argue with/interact with the officials ii. A 5 yard penalty will be assessed from the LOS and there will be a loss of down (for offensive penalty) if: 1. Any player dives in an attempt to gain yards or tag another player iii. A 10 yard penalty will be assessed from the LOS if: 1. Any player intentionally commits a penalty or foul in order to gain an advantage for their team (Intentional Foul) a. If the player is on the defensive team, the down will be repeated

9 b. If the player is on the offensive team, this will result in a loss of down c. A second intentional foul penalty called on the same player will result in ejection from the game and the player must leave the premises iv. A 15 yard penalty will be assessed from the LOS if: 1. Any player at any time displays Unsportsmanlike Conduct a. This call will be left entirely to the official s discretion b. If any player receives a second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty during a game, that player will be ejected from the game and must leave the premises d. Any penalty, if assessed from the LOS goes beyond the original start line/goal line: 1. The penalty will be assessed half the distance to the original start line/goal line. I. OVERT-TIME a. Any game played during the regular season can end in a tie and therefore will not extend into over-time b. Any game played during the post-season (playoffs) cannot end in a tie and therefore will extend into over-time. c. Over-time Rules During Post-Season i. The COIN-TOSS will be repeated to determine which team starts on offense/defense ii. The first team will take possession at the 15-yard line and will play until any of the following occurs: 1. a turnover on downs (resulting in a score of zero recorded) 2. a touchdown is scored and conversion points are attempted (with the resulting score being recorded) 3. an interception (resulting in 2 points for the defense and the end of over-time play) iii. If the first team s possession results in a turnover on downs or a touchdown, the defense will take possession of the ball on the 15-yard line and will play until one of the following occurs: 1. a turnover on downs (resulting in a score of zero recorded) 2. a touchdown is scored and conversion points are attempted (with the resulting score being recorded) 3. an interception (resulting in 2 points for the defense and the end of over-time play) iv. If the second team s possession results in a turnover on downs or a touchdown, scores will be compared 1. If one team has more points at this time, they will be declared the winner 2. If there is still a tie, the process will repeat with possession order reversing