JFLW Rules of Play 2018 I. RULES OF PLAY The rules governing play of the JFLW in Pony and Bronco Divisions are in accordance with the official rules of the O.H.S.A.A., with the exceptions listed here thereafter. A. BRONCO DIVISION 1. Fields a) The field shall be 100 yards long by 53 yards wide. Coaches and players not playing at the time shall be restricted to an area six (6) feet outside the sideline marker and between the twenty (25) yard lines. The first violation of this restriction shall result in a warning, with additional violations garnering a ten (10) yard penalty. b) For the first two games of the regular season, one coach shall be permitted on the field behind his/her team. The coach shall be at least five (5) yards deeper than the deepest player and five (5) yards outside of the tackles at the time of the snap of the ball. After the second game, no coaches shall be permitted on the field during play. 2. Start of the Game There shall be no kick-offs. The offensive team shall begin play on its 35-yard line. 3. Time a) Each quarter shall be 8 minutes in length, based on a regulation clock. b) Play clock will be 25 seconds. 4. Punts a) On fourth down, the offensive team shall have the option to retain possession and attempt a first down or to inform the official of a punt. If the option is to punt, the official shall stop the clock, and move the ball forward twenty (25) yards, not to exceed the opponents 10-yard line. The clock shall resume when play beings after the change of possession. b) The Offensive team also has the option of kicking the ball. If this option is chosen: (a) The receiving team may put no more than three players beyond 10 yards to receive the punt. (b) There shall be no rush of the punter by the receiving team and the punting team shall not release from the line of scrimmage to cover the punt. (c) The ball must be snapped, shot-gun style. (d) The ball is down where it comes to rest but cannot be advanced from the point where the receiving team first touches it. (e) The clock will stop during the punt and shall resume when play begins after the change of possession. 5. Field Goals/Kicked Extra Points a) The Offensive team may elect to kick a field goal. If this option is chosen: (a) Once the team is in kick formation, the team must kick. (No fake field goals) (b) Defense can only rush one player from the edge, that must go for the block. Defensive lineman can raise hands. (c) If snap is muffed, ball cannot be advanced by offensive player, it must be kicked. (d) If kick is blocked, ball cannot be advanced by defensive player. Defense takes possession at spot where ball was kicked. Page 1 of 5
6. Extra Points a) After scoring a touchdown, a team has the option of kicking a field goal or going for either a one point or a two-point conversion. 7. Alignments (a) If the scoring team elects to kick for one point, the ball will be placed on the 2 ½ yard line. Section A #5 rules apply. (b) If the scoring team elects to go for a one-point conversion, the ball will be placed on the 2 ½ yard line. (c) If the scoring team elects to go for a two-point conversion, the ball will be placed on the 5-yard line. a) Defensive (a) After the offensive team s center has addressed the ball, and until the ball is snapped, no more than six (6) defensive players shall be permitted within three (3) yards of the line of scrimmage from tackle box. (b) When the ball rests on or inside the defensive team s twenty (20) yard line, a maximum of eight (8) players shall be permitted within two (2) yards of the line of scrimmage from tackle box. (c) No more than (2) defensive players may align themselves within the area from A gap to A gap, located on either side of the offensive center. This is to ensure the safety of the Center and that no team tries to overwhelm the Center. (d) Penalty for infraction of this defensive alignment shall be five (5) yards, after one warning is given. b) Offensive 8. Penalties (a) At least two-line players are required to position themselves on the short side of the line in an unbalanced formation. (b) Penalty for infraction of this offensive alignment shall be five (5) yards after one warning is given. a) All penalties shall be enforced according to O.H.S.A.A. rules 9. Ties a) Games ending in ties will go to overtime. Coin toss to determine first possession. b) The first series of downs starts from the 20-yard line and each subsequent series of downs starts from the 10-yard line. The second series of downs shall only be played in the event that the teams are still tied after both have run their first series of downs. This will continue until a winner is determined. c) It is possible for the offense to get first downs by either gaining enough yardage for a first down (first series of downs only), or if the defense commits a penalty that results in an automatic first down (in any series of downs). d) A team remains on offense until it scores, turns the ball over on downs, or turns the ball over on a fumble or interception. e) If a team scores a touchdown, they have the opportunity to try for either a one or a two-point conversion. f) Starting with the 2 nd overtime, each team converting a touchdown MUST try for a two-point conversion. g) If a team turns the ball over during overtime, the defensive team may not advance the football for a score. 10. Safeties There shall be no free kick. Instead, the offense will take possession at their own 45-yard line. Page 2 of 5
B. PONY DIVISION 1. Fields a) The field shall be 100 yards long by 53 yards wide. Coaches and players not playing at the time shall be restricted to an area six (6) feet outside the sideline marker and between the twenty (20) yard lines. The first violation of this restriction shall result in a warning, with additional violations garnering a ten (10) yard penalty. b) Two coaches shall be permitted on the field behind their team. The coaches shall be at least five (5) yards deeper than the deepest player at the time of the snap of the ball and five (5) yards outside of the tackles. On field coaches may coach players up until 5 seconds left on the play clock. Referees will hold a hand up to indicate that coaching should stop. 2. Start of the Game There shall be no kick-offs. The offensive team shall begin play on the 40-yard line. 3. Time a) Each quarter shall be 8 minutes in length, based on a regulation clock. b) Play clock will be 30 seconds. 4. Punts a) On fourth down, the offensive team shall have the option to retain possession and attempt a first down or to inform the official of a punt. If the option is to punt, the official shall stop the clock, and move the ball forward twenty (20) yards, not to exceed the opponents 10-yard line. The clock shall resume when play beings after the change of possession. b) The Offensive team also has the option of kicking the ball. If this option is chosen: (a) The receiving team may put no more than three players beyond 10 yards to receive the punt. (b) There shall be no rush of the punter by the receiving team and the punting team shall not release from the line of scrimmage to cover the punt. (c) The ball must be snapped, shot-gun style. (d) The ball is down where it comes to rest but cannot be advanced from the point where the receiving team first touches it. (e) The clock will stop during the punt and shall resume when play begins after the change of possession. 5. Field Goals/Kicked Extra Points a) The Offensive team may elect to kick a field goal. If this option is chosen: 6. Extra Points (a) Once the team is in kick formation, the team must kick. (No fake field goals) (b) Defense can only rush one player from the edge, that must go for the block. Defensive lineman can raise hands. (c) If snap is muffed, ball cannot be advanced by offensive player, it must be kicked. (d) If kick is blocked, ball cannot be advanced by defensive player. Defense takes possession at spot where ball was kicked. a) After scoring a touchdown, a team has the option of going for either a one point or a two-point conversion. Page 3 of 5
7. Alignments (a) If the scoring team elects to kick for one point, the ball will be placed on the 2 ½ yard line. Section B #5 rules apply. (b) If the scoring team elects to go for a one-point conversion, the ball will be placed on the 2 ½ yard line. (c) If the scoring team elects to go for a two-point conversion, the ball will be placed on the 5-yard line. a) Defensive (a) After the offensive team s center has addressed the ball, and until the ball is snapped, no more than six (6) defensive players shall be permitted within three (3) yards of the line of scrimmage. (b) When the ball rests on or inside the defensive team s twenty (20) yard line, a maximum of eight (8) players shall be permitted within two (2) yards of the line of scrimmage. (c) No more than (2) defensive players may align themselves within the area from A gap to A gap, located on either side of the offensive center. This is to ensure the safety of the Center and that no team tries to overwhelm the Center. (Penalty for infraction of this defensive alignment shall be five yards, after one warning is given) b) Offensive 8. Penalties (a) At least two-line players are required to position themselves on the short side of the line in an unbalanced formation. (b) Penalty for infraction of this offensive alignment shall be five yards after one warning is given. a) All penalties shall be enforced according to O.H.S.A.A. rules, except 15-yard penalties shall be assessed 10 yards b) Unsportsmanlike conduct will be assessed 15 yards. c) Coaches Interference. If a coach on the field interferes with the flow of play, blocks, or interferes with opposing players progress the penalty will be assessed 10 yards from the spot of the foul and replay the down. 9. Ties a) Games ending in ties will go to overtime. Coin toss to determine first possession. b) The first series of downs starts from the 20-yard line and each subsequent series of downs starts from the 10-yard line. The second series of downs shall only be played in the event that the teams are still tied after both have run their first series of downs. This will continue until a winner is determined. c) It is possible for the offense to get first downs by either gaining enough yardage for a first down (first series of downs only), or if the defense commits a penalty that results in an automatic first down (in any series of downs). d) A team remains on offense until it scores, turns the ball over on downs, or turns the ball over on a fumble or interception. e) If a team scores a touchdown, they have the opportunity to try for either a one or a two-point conversion. f) Starting with the 2nd overtime, each team converting a touchdown MUST try for a two point g) If a team turns the ball over during overtime, the defensive team may not advance the football for a score. 10. Safeties There shall be no free kick. Instead, the offense will take possession at their own 45-yard line. Page 4 of 5
C. BOTH DIVISIONS 1. Player Game Time a) EACH ELIGIBLE PLAYER MUST PLAY A MINIMUM OF 8 DOWNS EACH game. With a minimum of 2 downs each HALF. Punts are not considered in the downs count. b) Head coaches of each team must keep a record of each player s participation and must present such a record to the League upon request. c) A player is eligible if they attended 2 of the 3 weekly practices. A player may be declared ineligible if injured, ill or subject to disciplinary action by the team coaching staff. Head coaches must notify coaches of the opposing team of an ineligible player before the start of the game. d) Coaches must adhere to eligibility rules. A first infraction shall result in a one-week suspension of the head coach. During the coach s suspension, they shall not practice, nor be present during the game following the week of suspension. A second infraction or participating in practice or the following week s game shall result in immediate and permanent dismissal from coaching in the JFLW. 2. Complaints a) If a player, parent, coach or any interested party files a complaint alleging a violation of these rules or of the by-laws of the JFLW, the League Sergeant-At-Arms shall investigate and make a determination of whether a hearing should be called of the Executive Board. b) If possible, the complaint should be settled by the Sergeant-At-Arms. If not, a due process hearing should be called where all parties shall be permitted to present testimony and evidence and have the right of crossexamination. c) At the conclusion of the hearing, the Executive Board shall go into executive session and make a decision. At any time, the Executive Board may postpone the proceedings, dismiss the proceedings, or, in the presence of the parties, rehear evidence or call for new evidence. d) The Executive Board shall decide by majority vote the appropriate action to take. e) If an Executive Board member is involved in the complaint, he/she shall not take part in any of the decisions during the proceedings. 3. Unsportsmanlike Conduct By Fans a) Any fan entering the field of play during a game who attempts to, or does, assault, intimidate, confront or argue with a player, coach, game official or league official shall be immediately removed from the playing field and escorted to the parking lot by Sargent of Arms and another member of the Organization. Said fan shall not be allowed to return to any of the game fields for the remainder of the day. If the fan does come back to any of the game fields during the remainder of the day, it shall constitute a second infraction of this rule governing unsportsmanlike conduct by fans. Additionally, said fan shall be suspended and therefore banned from all games the following week. If the infraction occurs during the fan s team s last game of the season, the ban shall carry over to the following season. If the fan does attend any games during the suspension, their attendance shall be deemed a second infraction of this rule governing unsportsmanlike conduct by fans. b) Any fan who has been suspended may attend the next regularly scheduled or emergency Board meeting, to explain their actions and appeal the suspension. When the Board is ready to vote on the appeal, it will go into closed session. Pursuant to league rules, a two-thirds vote is required to overturn a suspension. c) Any fan that commits a second violation of the rules concerning unsportsmanlike conduct by fans shall be permanently banned from attending any game or scrimmage involving any JFLW team. Page 5 of 5