RULE 1- THE GAME, FIELD, PLAYERS AND EQUIPMENT Section 1 - General ARTICLE 1.1.1 The game shall be played between two teams of nine players each on a rectangular field with an official football. ARTICLE 1.1.2. The game shall be officiated by a crew of three officials: a Referee, Linesman, and Umpire. ARTICLE 1.1.3. The Referee has the authority to rule on any situation not covered in the rules. ARTICLE 1.1.4. Each team shall designate to the Referee one or more players as its field captain(s). The field captain or a designated representative will speak for the team in all dealings with the officials. A field captain's first choice of any option shall be irrevocable. ARTICLE 1.1.5. All players, substitutes, coaches, and others authorized within the team area, are subject to the rules and shall be governed by the decisions of the officials. Section 2 The Field ARTICLE 1.2.1. The field shall be a rectangular area, 100 yards long by 40 yards wide. It will include two 10- yard deep end zones and an 80-yard playing area which is divided into 4 20-yard zones. ARTICLE 1.2.2. The lines bounding the sidelines and the end zones are out-of-bounds in their entirety, and the in-bounds area is bound by those lines. The entire width of each goal line shall be a part of the end zone. End lines and side lines should be at least four inches in width. ARTICLE 1.2.3. On each side of the field a team area is designated between the 20 yard lines for the use of the teams, coaches, and authorized team attendants. ARTICLE 1.2.4. Soft, flexible pylons shall be placed at the inside corners of the four intersections of the goal lines and side lines and the intersections of each of the inbounds lines extended and the end lines. ARTICLE 1.2.5. A down indicator, which shall be located at the sideline of the line of scrimmage shall be used to indicate the down. ARTICLE 1.2.6. The Officials should inspect the field and the surrounding area and remove, or order removed, any obstruction which might prove dangerous to players. SECTION 3 - The Ball ARTICLE 1.3.1. The official ball shall be either leather or rubber covered, with two one inch white stripes at either end and shall meet the recommendations for size and shape for regulation football. ARTICLE 1.3.2. The Referee shall use the ball provided by the site supervisor or a ball agreed upon by both teams. Each team may also use a legal ball of its choice when it is in possession. SECTION 4 - Timing Timing is done on the field and the Referee will designate the official responsible for maintaining the clock. - 1 -
SECTION 5 - Playing Equipment ARTICLE 1.5.1. Players of opposing teams must wear contrasting colors. The referee shall designate which team shall make a change, if necessary. ARTICLE 1.5.2. It is recommended that all players wear regular football jerseys with contrasting numbers on both the front and back of their jerseys. Pull over mesh jerseys will be provided in the event teams do not have acceptable jerseys. Players will not be allowed to wear pants with pockets. ARTICLE 1.5.3. Shoes are to be made of material which covers the foot (canvas, leather or synthetic) with a sole of leather, rubber, or composition with or without rubber cleats. Shoes with removable cleats are prohibited. ARTICLE 1.5.4. Each player on the field will wear a belt at the waistline with two or three flags attached. Each flag should be 3 inches wide and extend from the waist a minimum of 14 inches. When three flags are used, the third flag should be in the center of the belt in the back. Flags must be of a contrasting color to those of the players pants. Wrapping, tying, or in any way securing the flags to the uniform or belt, other than prescribed by rule, or intentionally removing a flag during play, is illegal. ARTICLE 1.5.5. No player wearing illegal equipment shall be permitted to play. The Umpire will decide the legality of all equipment. Illegal equipment shall include: a. Any equipment which, in the opinion of the Umpire, would confuse or endanger other players. b. Helmets, padded uniforms, sole leather or other hard or unyielding substance on the hands, wrist, forearms or elbows, no matter how covered or padded. c. Any projection of metal or other hard substance from a player's person or clothing. d. Any metal shoe cleats as distinguished from regulation touch football shoes. e. Jerseys or attachments which tend to conceal the ball by closely resembling it in color. f. Grease or other slippery substance on a player's person or clothing. g. Regulation shoulder pads. ARTICLE 1.5.6. Prior to the start of the game, each head coach shall be responsible for verifying to the referee and umpire that all of his/her players are legally equipped. The umpire is responsible for determining any questions regarding legality of player equipment. If equipment becomes illegal or defective through use, an official's timeout shall be declared to permit repair. RULE 2- DEFINITIONS SECTION 1 - The Ball: Live and Dead ARTICLE 2.1.1. A live ball is a ball in play while a down is in progress. A pass, kick or fumble which has not yet touched the ground is a live ball in flight. ARTICLE 2.1.2. A dead ball is a ball not in play. - 2 -
ARTICLE 2.1.3. A loose ball is a pass, fumble, or kick that is a live ball but not in the possession of a player. ARTICLE 2.1.4. A dead ball is ready-for-play when the Referee: a. If time is in, sounds whistle and signals "ready-for-play." b. If time is out, sounds the whistle and signals "start the clock" or "ball ready-for-play." ARTICLE 2.1.5. "In possession" means "in possession of a live ball." A player is in possession when both holding and controlling the ball. A team is in possession: when one of its players is in possession; while a punt is being attempted; while a forward pass thrown by one of its players is in flight, or during a fumble, backward pass, or illegal forward pass. ARTICLE 2.1.6. A catch is an act of establishing player possession of a live ball in flight. A catch of an opponent's pass or fumble before it hits the ground is an interception. Securing possession of a live ball after it strikes the ground is "recovering" it. If a player attempts a catch, interception, or recovery while in the air, the ball must be in control when the player returns to the ground in bounds. SECTION 2 - Blocking Blocking is legally obstructing an opponent by contacting the opponent with any part of the blocker s body. Blockers must be on their feet before, during, and after contact is made with an opponent. Two on one blocking shall be limited to the area on and behind the neutral zone. Under no condition shall a high-low or rolling block be permitted. A blocker is allowed to contact only that portion of the opponent's body between the waist and shoulders. Exception: A blocker who loses personal body control due to an opponent's aggressiveness after contact shall not be penalized. Contact with an opponent may occur only between the opponent's waist and neck. When using forearm block, the elbow must be entirely outside the shoulder. The blockers hands may not be locked. The blocker may not swing, throw, or flip the elbow or forearm. The hands may be closed or cupped but the palms may not be facing the opponent being blocked. SECTION 3 - Clipping Clipping is running or diving into the back, or throwing or dropping the body across the back of the leg (or legs) of an opponent or pushing an opponent in the back. Cases involving a side block or an opponent turning their back to the blocker are to be judged according to whether the player being blocked was able to see or ward off the blocker. SECTION 4 - Conferences Two types of conferences are permitted during charged timeouts. a. One player and coaches in front of team box within five yards of sideline. b. One coach at the team's huddle between the inbound lines. SECTION 5 - Deflagging Deflagging is the legal removal of a flag of an opponent in possession of the ball. At least one foot of the deflagger must be in contact with the ground throughout the deflagging. Pushing, striking, holding, or slapping is not permitted. - 3 -
SECTION 6 - Encroachment Encroachment occurs when a player is illegally enters the neutral zone before the ball is snapped. SECTION 7 - Down and Between Downs A down is a unit of a game which starts, after the ball is ready-for-play, with a snap or free kick and ends when the ball next becomes dead. Between downs is the interval during which the ball is dead. SECTION 8 - Fair Catch ARTICLE 2.8.1. A fair catch is a catch of a kick untouched beyond the neutral zone, by a player of the receiving team, who has signaled their intention by extending one arm and hand only at full length above the head and waving the hand from side to side more than once. ARTICLE 2.8.2. An invalid signal is any signal that does not meet the requirements of a valid signal. ARTICLE 2.8.3. An illegal fair catch signal is a valid or invalid signal after the kick is touched by a member of the receiving team or after the kick touches the ground. SECTION 9 - Foul and Violation A foul is a rule infraction for which a penalty is prescribed. A violation is a rule infraction for which no penalty is prescribed and which does not offset the penalty for a foul. SECTION 10 - Fumble - Muff Batting/Touching Ball ARTICLE 2.10.1. A fumble is loss of ball by a player in possession during an unsuccessful attempt to hold, handoff, backward pass, or kick the ball. ARTICLE 2.10.2. A muff is an unsuccessful attempt to catch a ball after the ball was touched in the attempt. ARTICLE 2.10.3. Batting the ball is intentionally striking a loose ball with the arm or hand. ARTICLE 2.10.4. Touching the ball denotes any contact with it. SECTION 11 - Goal Lines Each goal line is a vertical plane separating an end zone from the field of play. A team's goal is the one they are defending. SECTION 12 - Handing the Ball Handing the ball is transferring player possession from one teammate to another without throwing, fumbling or kicking the ball. SECTION 13 - Huddle A huddle is two or more offensive players grouped together after the ball is ready for play before they have assumed a scrimmage formation prior to the snap. - 4 -
SECTION 14 - Hurdling Hurdling is jumping, or attempting to jump over any player still on their feet. SECTION 15 - Kicks ARTICLE 2.15.1. A legal kick is a punt or kick-off by a player of the team in possession when such kick is permitted by rule. Deliberately kicking the ball in any other manner is illegal. Any kick continues to be a kick until it is caught or recovered by a player or until it becomes dead. During all legal kicks, teams are prohibited from advancing beyond established restraining lines until the ball is kicked. ARTICLE 2.15.2. A punt is legally kicking the ball by the player who drops it and kicks it before it strikes the ground. ARTICLE 2.15.3. A kick-off is a free kick which puts the ball in play at the beginning of each half and following each try-for-point. A kick-off is legally kicking the ball from a fixed position either on the ground or on a tee. The ball may be held by any player of the kicking team. If a tee is used, it may not elevate the ball s lowest point more than two inches above the ground. Following a safety, teams may employ either a kick-off or a punt. SECTION 16 - The Neutral Zone The neutral zone is the space between the two lines where teams cannot cross until the ball is kicked on a kickoff and the space between the offensive and defensive lines during any scrimmage down. SECTION 17 Out-of-Bounds ARTICLE 2.17.1. A player is out-of-bounds when any part of the player touches anything (other than another player or a game official) which is on or outside a sideline or endline. ARTICLE 2.17.2. A loose ball is out-of-bounds when it touches anything including a player or game official which is out-of-bounds. SECTION 18 - Passes ARTICLE 2.18.1. Passing the ball is throwing it. A pass continues to be a pass until caught, intercepted, or the ball becomes dead. ARTICLE 2.18.2. A forward pass is a live ball thrown toward the opposite end line. A backward pass is a pass thrown backward or parallel to the passer's end line. SECTION 19 - Penalty A penalty is a loss imposed by rule upon a team which has committed a foul. SECTION 20 - Removing the Flag ARTICLE 2.20.1. When the flag is cleanly taken from a ball carrier the down shall end and the ball is declared dead. A player who removes the flag from the ball carrier should immediately hold the flag above his head to assist the official in locating the spot where the capture occurred. - 5 -
ARTICLE 2.20.2. In an attempt to remove a flag from a ball carrier, defensive players may contact the body and shoulders of an opponent with their hands, but not their face or any part of their head. A defensive player may not hold, push, or knock the ball carrier down in an attempt to remove the flag. ARTICLE 2.20.3. The flag may be dropped at the spot of capture by the defense with no penalty. SECTION 21 Line of Scrimmage ARTICLE 2.21.1. The scrimmage line for each team is the yard-line and its vertical plane which passes through the point of the ball nearest its own goal line. An offensive player is on the line of scrimmage when facing the opponent's goal line with the line of the shoulders approximately parallel to the scrimmage line and with the head breaking the plane of an imaginary line drawn through the waistline of the snapper and parallel to the line of scrimmage. ARTICLE 2.21.2. All players of both the offense and the defense, except the Snapper, must be on their feet with neither hand touching the ground at the snap. Players' hands on their knees is permissible. ARTICLE 2.21.3. The backfield line is a vertical plane one yard behind and parallel to the scrimmage line of the offensive team. SECTION 22 - Shift A shift is a simultaneous change of position by two or more offensive players who, after a huddle or after taking a set position, simultaneously change their position before the snap. It is also a shift if one player moves off the line to a position less than five yards behind the line. SECTION 23 - Snapping the Ball Snapping the ball (a snap) is handing or passing the ball back from the position on the ground. In a legal snap, the movement must be a quick and continuous motion of the hand or hands during which the ball actually leaves the hand or hands. The ball may not be raised to more than a 45 degree angle at the snap and the long axis of the ball must be at right angles to the scrimmage line. SECTION 24 - Spots ARTICLE 2.24.1. An enforcement spot is the point from which a penalty is enforced. ARTICLE 2.24.2. The previous spot is the point from which the ball was last put in play. ARTICLE 2.24.3. The succeeding spot, as related to a foul, is the point at which the ball would have been put in play if that foul had not occurred. ARTICLE 2.24.4. The dead ball spot is the point at which the ball last became dead. ARTICLE 2.24.5. The spot of the foul is the point at which that foul occurs. If out-of-bounds between the goal lines it shall be the intersection of the nearer inbounds line and the yard-line, extended, through the spot of the foul. A non-player foul is treated as a deadball foul, and is administered from the succeeding spot. ARTICLE 2.24.6. The out-of-bounds spot is the point at which the ball becomes dead because either the ball or ball carrier is declared out-of-bounds. - 6 -
SECTION 25 - Team and Player Designations ARTICLE 2.25.1. The offense is the team in possession. At such time the opponent is the defense. For this rule book, Team A is the team which puts the ball in play. The opponent of Team A, the team which does not put the ball in play, is Team B. ARTICLE 2.25.2. The kicker is any player who punts or kicks-off. ARTICLE 2.25.3. A lineman is any player on his scrimmage line when the ball is snapped; a back is any player who is at least one yard behind that line when the ball is snapped. ARTICLE 2.25.4. A passer is a player who has thrown a legal forward pass. The player remains a passer while the ball is in flight or until that player moves to participate in the play. ARTICLE 2.25.5. A player is any one of the participants in the game. ARTICLE 2.25.6. The ball carrier is a player in possession of a live ball. ARTICLE 2.25.7. The snapper is the player who snaps the ball. ARTICLE 2.25.8. A substitute is a replacement for a player or player vacancy. ARTICLE 2.25.9. A disqualified player is one who becomes ineligible for further participation in the game. ARTICLE 2.25.10. A non-player is a coach, trainer, or other attendant who is authorized to be in the team area. SECTION 26 - Touching Touching is the placing of one or both hands anywhere between the shoulders and knees of an opponent with the ball. The foot of the toucher must be in contact with the ground throughout the touch. Pushing, striking, and slapping are not permitted. SECTION 27 - Tripping Tripping is using the lower leg or foot to obstruct an opponent (including the ball carrier) below the knee. SECTION 28 - Yardline A yardline is a line in the field of play parallel to the end line between the goal lines. RULE 3 - PERIODS, TIME FACTORS, AND SUBSTITUTIONS SECTION 1 - The Start of Each Period ARTICLE 3.1.1. Each half shall start with a kick-off. Three minutes before the start of the game, the Referee shall toss a coin in the presence of the opposing Field Captains, after first designating which Captain shall call the fall of the coin. a. The Captain winning the toss shall choose one of the following options: 1. To kick-off or receive. - 7 -
2. To designate which goal his team will defend. 3. To defer either of the above options for the start of the second half. b. The loser of the toss shall make a choice of the remaining option. c. Before the start of the second half the choice of options will be reversed unless option 3 was selected in which case the choice of the options will be made by the designated team. ARTICLE 3.1.2. Between the first and second periods and between the third and fourth periods the teams shall exchange goals and the ball shall be relocated in a spot corresponding to its location at the end of the previous period. Possession of the ball and the down and distance to be gained shall remain the same. SECTION 2 - Playing Time and Intermissions ARTICLE 3.2.1. Playing time shall be 40-minutes in duration, divided into four quarters of 10-minutes each with 1-minute between the first and second and third and fourth quarters and 5-minutes between the second and third quarters. In case of a tie there shall be a 1-minute intermission before the start of an overtime period. ARTICLE 3.2.2. Straight running time is employed and the clock will only be stopped for timeouts except during the final 2-minutes of each half. During the final 2-minutes of each half, the clock will also be stopped in accordance with official Federation rules. A summary of how the final 2-minutes of each half are administered follows: a. Following a kick-off, the game clock shall be started when the ball is legally touched. On a scrimmage down the game clock shall be started when the ball is snapped or on prior signal by the referee. The clock shall not run during a try-for-point or during an extension `of a period. b. The Referee shall signal and the game clock starts when the ball is ready-for-play, if it was stopped: 1. By a violation of the substitution rule, an excess time-out, or an illegal delay. 2. To complete a penalty. 3. To award a first down. 4. After both teams are ready, following a change of possession. 5. At the Referee's discretion. If any of these incidents occur in conjunction with a time-out or any other incident in which the clock would not start until the ball is put in play, it shall be started when the ball is put in play. c. If the game clock has been stopped by a charged team timeout, a score, a touchback, an incomplete forward pass, a live ball going out of bounds, or after a fair catch, the clock will again start immediately when the ball is put into play by a snap. In those instances the referee will not give a hand signal indicating the clock has again started. ARTICLE 3.2.3. Anytime during the game, the playing time of any remaining period or periods may be shortened by mutual agreement of the opposing captains and the Referee. When weather conditions are hazardous, the officials are authorized to delay or suspend the game. ARTICLE 3.2.4. No period shall end until the ball is dead and in the case of a touchdown, the try for point shall be attempted. If a penalty is accepted for a foul by either team on the last timed down of a period, the quarter will be extended for an untimed down. - 8 -
ARTICLE 3.2.5. Playing time shall be maintained by an official. ARTICLE 3.2.6. The game clock shall be stopped and time is out when after each period ends. ARTICLE 3.2.7. Approximately two minutes before each half ends the Referee shall inform each Field Captain and Coach of the playing time remaining in that half. He may order the clock stopped for that purpose if necessary. If a field clock is the official timepiece, notification is not required. SECTION 3 - Time-Outs ARTICLE 3.3.1. The Referee shall declare a time-out when he suspends play for any reason. Each time-out shall be charged either to the Referee or to one of the teams. ARTICLE 3.3.2. The Referee may declare an official's timeout for any contingency not elsewhere covered by the rules. If a time-out is for repair or replacement of player equipment which became illegal through play and is considered dangerous to other players, the Referee shall charge himself; otherwise he shall charge the team whose player is wearing the illegal equipment. The Referee shall charge himself when an injured player is designated and removed for at least one down. ARTICLE 3.3.3. Each team is entitled to three time-outs during each half without penalty. Successive time-outs may be granted during a dead ball period. ARTICLE 3.3.4. After a team's three time-outs have been exhausted, subsequent requests by its Field Captain may be allowed only for the benefit of a designated injured player who must leave the game for at least one scrimmage down. Such time-out, if allowed, is an official time-out. ARTICLE 3.3.5. A time-out requested by the Field Captain shall not exceed 1-minute. Other time-outs shall be no longer than the Referee deems necessary to fulfill the purpose for which they are declared, but any time-out may be extended by the Referee for the benefit of a seriously injured player. ARTICLE 3.3.6. The Referee shall warn both teams 30 seconds before a free time-out expires and five seconds later shall declare the ball ready-for-play. When three legal time-outs have been charged to a team in the same half, the Referee shall notify the Field Captain and the Coach of that team. ARTICLE 3.3.7. During a time-out charged to a team, one player at a time may confer with the coaching staff at the sideline near the team area or one coach at the team huddle between the inbounds lines. ARTICLE 3.3.8. A player may request a time-out for the purpose of the coach and the referee reviewing a ruling. The request must be made prior to the time the ball becomes alive following the play to be reviewed. If the conference results in the referee altering a ruling, the opposing coach will be notified, the correction made and the time-out will be charged to the official. If the referee's ruling prevails, the team requesting the conference will be charged with a time-out. SECTION 4 - Delays ARTICLE 3.4.1. Each team shall have its players on the field for the opening play at the scheduled time for the beginning of each half. All players must have their flag in legal position. ARTICLE 3.4.2. The ball must be put in play promptly and legally and any action or inaction by either team which tends to prevent this is illegal delay of the game. This includes: - 9 -
a. Consuming more than 25 seconds in putting the ball in play after it is ready-for-play. b. Failing to remove an injured player for whose benefit an officials time-out has been granted. c. Deliberately advancing the ball after it has been declared dead. d. A coach-referee conference after all permissible charged time-outs have been used and no change in ruling results. e. Failure of a team to play within two minutes after being ordered to do so by the referee shall result in forfeiture of the game. Penalty: For delay of game - 5 yards. ARTICLE 3.4.3. The Referee may order the game clock started or stopped whenever, in his opinion, either team is trying to conserve or consume playing time by tactics obviously unfair. SECTION 5 - Substitutions ARTICLE 3.5.1. No substitute shall enter during a down. Between downs any number of eligible substitutes may replace players provided the substitution is completed by having the replaced players off the field before the ball becomes alive. An incoming substitute must enter the field directly from his team area. A replaced player must leave at the sideline nearest his team area. ARTICLE 3.5.2. During the same dead ball interval, no substitute shall become a player and then withdraw and no player shall withdraw and then re-enter as a substitute. ARTICLE 3.5.3. Each substitution shall be in uniform ready for play. Substitutes who become players must remain in the game for at least one play and replaced players must remain out of the game for at least one play except during the interval between periods, after a score or during a try for point. ARTICLE 3.5.4. During a down a replaced player who attempts unsuccessfully to leave the field, but does not participate in the play, constitutes an illegal substitution. Penalty: For illegal substitution 5 yards. RULE 4 - BALL IN PLAY, DEAD BALL, AND OUT OF BOUNDS SECTION 1 - Ball in Play ARTICLE 4.1.1. To start each half and to resume play after a try for point, the ball shall be put in play by a kick-off. ARTICLE 4.1.2. A snap shall put the ball in play on all other situations other than a kick-off. ARTICLE 4.1.3. The ball remains dead and a down is not begun if a snap or kick-off is attempted before the ball is ready for play or there is an illegal snap or other snap infraction. ARTICLE 4.1.4. The ball shall be put in play within 25 seconds after it is declared ready for play, unless during that interval, play is suspended by the referee. Penalty: 5 yards. - 10 -
SECTION 2 - Dead Ball ARTICLE 4.2.1. A dead ball, after having been declared ready-for-play, becomes a live ball when it is snapped or kicked-off legally. ARTICLE 4.2.2. A live ball becomes a dead ball as provided in the rules or when an official sounds his whistle (even though inadvertently), or otherwise declares the ball dead. ARTICLE 4.2.3. A live ball becomes dead: a. When it goes out-of-bounds or when it touches the goal line (vertical plane) of the Ball Carrier's opponents. b. When any part of the Ball Carrier's person other than a hand or foot touches the ground. c. When a touchdown, touchback, safety, or successful try-for-point is made. d. When, during a try-for-point, Team B obtains possession of the ball. e. When a player of the kicking team catches or recovers any kick-off or punt which is beyond the neutral zone or when a kick-off or an untouched punt comes to rest on the ground and no player attempts to secure it. f. When a forward pass strikes the ground or is caught simultaneously by opposing players. g. When a backward pass or fumble by a player touches the ground. Note: A ball snapped from scrimmage, which hits the ground before or after getting to the intended receiver, is dead at the spot at which it hits the ground. Exception: On a declared kick down, a snap which hits the ground before or after getting to the intended kicker remains alive for the purpose of being kicked. It must be kicked from the spot where it is recovered by the kicker. h. When a legal forward pass is completed, or a loose ball is caught or recovered by a player on, above, or behind the opponents' goal line. i. When a Ball Carrier has a flag removed legally by a defensive player. j. When a kicked ball is muffed and strikes the ground. k. Following a valid fair catch signal when the kick is caught or recovered between the goal lines by any receiver beyond kicker s line (unless the kick has been touched by one of the kicker s team beyond the line). l. When an official inadvertently blows the whistle. ARTICLE 4.2.4. Inadvertent whistles. a. When there is an inadvertent whistle and the penalty for a foul which occurred during the down is not accepted or a legal pass or snap is in flight, or during a kick, or while the ball is loose behind the line, and before hitting the ground, the down will be replayed. b. If the ball was loose and before hitting the ground following a backward pass or fumble beyond Team A's line of scrimmage, or behind Team A's line following a change of team possession, the ball will be awarded to the team last in possession at the spot where possession was lost and the down will be counted. - 11 -
c. When a player is in possession, the team may choose to accept the play at that point or choose to replay the down. ARTICLE 4.2.5. The dead ball spot is the spot under the foremost point of the ball when it becomes dead by rule or is declared dead. ARTICLE 4.2.6. When the ball becomes dead in a side zone, play is resumed at the inbounds spot under the previous spot or an option is designated by rule. SECTION 3 - Out-of-Bounds ARTICLE 4.3.1. A player is out-of-bounds when any part of that player touches-anything other than another player or a game official which is on or outside a boundary line. A runner is out-of-bounds when either the ball or any part of the runner touches the ground or anything else, except a player or game official, which is on or outside a boundary line. ARTICLE 4.3.2. A loose ball (other than a kick which scores a goal) or a forward pass is out-of-bounds when it touches the ground, a player or anything else which is on or outside a boundary line. ARTICLE 4.3.3. If a live ball crosses a boundary line and is then declared out-of-bounds, it is out-of-bounds at the crossing point. ARTICLE 4.4.4. If a live ball is declared out-of-bounds because of contact with a player or anything else, and the ball does not cross a boundary line, it is out-ofbounds at the ball's most forward point when it was declared dead. RULE 5- SERIES OF DOWNS, ZONE TO GAIN AND TEAM POSSESSION AFTER PENALTY SECTION 1 - A Series of Downs and Zone to Gain ARTICLE 5.1.1. A down is a unit of the game which starts with a snap and ends when the ball next becomes dead. Between downs is any period when the ball is dead. ARTICLE 5.1.2. A team, in possession of the ball, shall have four consecutive downs to advance to the next zone by scrimmage. Any down may be repeated if provided for by the rules. ARTICLE 5.1.3. The line to gain in any series shall be the zone in advance of the ball, unless distance has been lost due to penalty or failure to gain. In such case, the original zone in advance of the ball at the beginning of the series of downs is the line to gain. The most forward point of the ball, when declared dead between the goal lines, shall be the determining factor. ARTICLE 5.1.4. The most forward point of the ball when declared dead between the goal lines shall be the determining point in establishing distance gained or lost by either team in a down. ARTICLE 5.1.5. A new series of downs shall be awarded when a team moves the ball into the next zone on a play free from penalty or a penalty against the opponents which moves the ball into the next zone. SECTION 2 - Down and Possession After a Penalty - 12 -
ARTICLE 5.2.1. When a play from scrimmage follows the penalty for a foul committed during a kick-off or punt, the down and distance established by that penalty shall be first down with next zone to gain. ARTICLE 5.2.2. After a penalty which leaves the ball in possession of Team A beyond its line-to-gain, or when a penalty stipulates a first down, the down and distance established by that penalty shall be first down with next zone to gain. ARTICLE 5.2.3. If a penalty is incurred during a down and before any change of team possession, the down shall be repeated unless the penalty involves a loss of a down or leaves the ball on or beyond the zone line-to-gain. If the penalty involves loss of a down, the down shall count as one of the four in that series. ARTICLE 5.2.4. After a penalty for a foul committed during a down and after team possession has changed during that down, the ball belongs to the team in possession when the foul occurred and the down and distance established by that penalty shall be first down with zone to gain. ARTICLE 5.2.5. If a penalty is declined, the next down shall be whatever it would have been if that foul had not occurred. ARTICLE 5.2.6. After a penalty incurred between downs, the next down shall be the same as that established before the foul occurred unless enforcement for a foul by Team B leaves the ball on or beyond the zone line-to-gain. ARTICLE 5.2.7. A scrimmage play following a penalty incurred after a series ends and before the next series begins shall be first down but the zone line-to-gain shall be established before the penalty is enforced. ARTICLE 5.2.8. If offsetting fouls occur during a down, or while the ball is ready-for-play for such down, that down shall be repeated. If each offsetting foul occurs between successive downs, the next down shall be the same as it would have been had no fouls occurred. Exception: if there is a change of team possession during a down or at the end of a down, the team last gaining possession may decline offsetting fouls and retain possession after completion of the penalty for its infraction providing that team had not fouled prior to possession. If each team fouls during a down in which there is a change of team possession, the team last gaining possession may retain the ball, provided its foul was not prior to the final change of possession and it declined the penalty for its opponents foul. RULE 6- KICKS AND FAIR CATCHES Section 1 Free Kicks ARTICLE 6.1.1. A kick-off begins each half of a game and begins play following a touchdown or safety (a punt may also be used following a safety). The ball shall be put in play by a place kick from some spot on or behind the kicker s restraining line and between the inbounds lines. Unless relocated by penalty, the kicking team s restraining line on kickoffs or following a safety shall be its 20-yard line and the yard line at the spot of a fair catch if elected. ARTICLE 6.1.2. When the ball is legally kicked, all players of the kicking team must be in bounds and all players (except the holder and kicker of a place kick) must be behind their restraining line. At least five players of the receiving team must be within five yards of their restraining line after the ball is ready for play and until the ball is kicked. Penalty: 5 yards. - 13 -
ARTICLE 6.1.3. For any free kick formation, the kicking team s restraining line shall be the yard-line through the forward-most point from which the ball may be kicked. The receiving team s restraining line shall be the yard line 20 yards beyond that point. It is encroachment for any player other than the kicker and the holder to be beyond the free kick line after the ball is ready for play and until it is kicked. ARTICLE 6.1.4. If any member of the kicking team recovers or catches a kick-off, the ball becomes dead and belongs to that team, however, no player of the kicking team shall touch a kick-off before it reaches the receiver's restraining line. Thereafter, all players of the kicking team become eligible to touch, recover, or catch the kick. No player of the kicking team may interfere with the receiving team's opportunity to catch the ball. A free kick touched by a player of the kicking team which then touches the ground is dead at the spot at which it touches the ground. If first touched before reaching the restraining line of the receiving team, it belongs to the receiving team. If first touched after reaching the restraining line of the receiving team, the ball belongs to the kicking team. A free kick touched by a player of the receiving team which then touches the ground, is dead at the spot at which it touches the ground and belongs to the receiving team. ARTICLE 6.1.5. If a kick-off is caught or recovered by a player of the receiving team in the field of play, the ball continues in play unless any member of the receiving team has given a valid, invalid or illegal fair catch signal. Should that occur, the ball becomes dead when caught or recovered. If caught or recovered by the kicking team, the ball becomes dead. ARTICLE 6.1.6. If a kick-off comes to rest inbounds and no player of either team attempts to secure it, the ball becomes dead and belongs to the receiving team at the dead ball spot. SECTION 2 Kick-off Out-of-Bounds ARTICLE 6.2.1. If a kick-off goes out-of-bounds untouched between the restraining lines, the receiving team will put the ball in play on the in-bound spot on the line opposite the out-of-bounds spot. ARTICLE 6.2.2. If a kick-off goes out-of-bounds untouched beyond the receiving team's restraining line, but between the goal lines, the ball is put in play at the receiving team's restraining line. ARTICLE 6.2.3. If a free kick goes out-of-bounds behind the end line, it is a touchback and the ball belongs to the team defending that goal line at their 20-yard line. SECTION 3 - Scrimmage Kicks ARTICLE 6.3.1. A legal scrimmage kick is a punt by Team A from behind its scrimmage line before team possession has changed. ARTICLE 6.3.2. When punt is to be made, the kicking team must announce it to the referee before the ball is declared ready-for-play. After such an announcement, the kick must be attempted. ARTICLE 6.3.3. Until the punt is made, both teams must maintain at least five players on the line of scrimmage. Penalty: 5 yards - Illegal Procedure ARTICLE 6.3.4. The kicker must be at least 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage when receiving the snap. After receiving the snap, the kicker must punt the ball immediately and in a continuous motion (maximum of 4 steps). Penalty: Delay - 5 yards. If repeated, Unsportsmanlike Conduct - 10 yards arid loss of down. ARTICLE 6.3.5. No player of the kicking team shall touch a punt which goes beyond the neutral zone before it touches an opponent. Such illegal touching is a violation which gives the receiving team the option of taking the - 14 -
ball at the spot of the touching when the ball becomes dead. However, if a penalty incurred by either team before or as the ball becomes dead is accepted, the option is cancelled. ARTICLE 6.3.6. When a punt that has crossed the neutral zone touches a player of the receiving team, any player may catch the ball. ARTICLE 6.3.7. A punt which touches a player of either team and then touches the ground is dead at the spot of touching the ground and belongs to the receiving team at that spot, or at the spot of first touching by the kicking team. ARTICLE 6.3.8. A player who is pushed or blocked into a punt which has crossed the neutral zone shall not be considered as having touched the kick unless the player's hand touched it. ARTICLE 6.3.9. If a punt is caught, or recovered after hitting the ground, by a player of the receiving team, the ball continues in play. Note: If muffed, it becomes dead at the spot of hitting the ground after being muffed. ARTICLE 6.3.10. If a player of the punting team who is beyond the neutral zone catches or recovers a scrimmage kick, the ball becomes dead and belongs to the receiving team. ARTICLE 6.3.11. If a punt goes out-of-bounds between the goal lines or comes to rest inbounds untouched and no player attempts to secure it, the ball becomes dead and belongs to the receiving team at that spot. ARTICLE 6.3.12. When any punt touches anything while the kicked ball is on or behind the receiver's goal line (plane), it is dead immediately and is a touchback. ARTICLE 6.3.13. The touching of a punt is ignored if it occurs in the neutral zone or on the punter s side of the neutral zone. SECTION 4 - Touchback ARTICLE 6.4.1. If any punt or kick-off touches anything while on or behind receiver s goal line (plane) it becomes dead and is a touchback. ARTICLE 6.4.2. If any punt or kick-off becomes dead in the end zone while no player has possession, it is a touchback or safety. SECTION 5 - Fair Catch ARTICLE 6.5.1. Any receiver may signal for a fair catch while the kick (kick-off or punt) is in flight and is beyond the kicker's free kick line if a free kick, or the scrimmage line if a punt. Any receiver who so signals is prohibited from blocking until the kick has ended. ARTICLE 6.5.2. If any receiver makes a valid signal for a fair catch and catches the kick beyond the kicker's line and between the goal lines, it is a fair catch and the ball becomes dead. Only the receiver who makes a valid signal is afforded protection. If, after a receiver signals, the catch is made by a teammate beyond the line, it is not a fair catch but the ball becomes dead. ARTICLE 6.5.3. When a player makes a fair catch, the ball becomes dead where caught and belongs to the receiving team at that spot. - 15 -
ARTICLE 6.5.4. No player of a team or teammate who has signaled for a fair catch may carry the ball more than two steps in any direction. Penalty: 5 yards. ARTICLE 6.5.5. A valid catch signal is the extending of one arm at full arm's length above the head and waving the hand from side to side of the body more than once. ARTICLE 6.5.6. An invalid fair catch signal is a five yard penalty from the previous spot and the down replayed if accepted. ARTICLE 6.5.7. A muffed fair catch shall be declared dead when the ball makes contact with the ground. RULE 7- SNAPPING, HANDING AND PASSING THE BALL SECTION 1. The Snap ARTICLE 7.1.1. All plays from scrimmage must be started by a legal snap from a point between the inbounds lines, unless the rules provide for a kick-off. In a legal snap the ball must leave the hands) of the snapper and touch a back field player or the ground before it touches a lineman. An illegal snap causes the ball to remain dead. ARTICLE 7.1.2. Any infraction of the following is a foul: a. Before the ball is snapped: 1. The Snapper, after assuming the position for the snap and adjusting the ball, may neither move nor change the position of the ball in a manner simulating the beginning of a play until it is snapped. An infraction of this provision may be penalized whether or not the ball is snapped and the penalty for any resultant encroachment or contact foul by an opponent shall be cancelled. 2. All offensive players must be within fifteen yards of the ball when it is declared ready-for-play. 3. After the ball is ready-for-play and until it is snapped, there shall be no encroachment. 4. No player of the offensive team shall make a false start. A false start includes feigning a charge, or a play. An infraction of this rule may be penalized whether or not the ball is snapped and the penalty for any resultant encroachment or contact foul by an opponent may be cancelled. 5. In a snap preceded by a huddle or shift, all players of the offense must come to a complete stop and remain stationary in legal position without movement of feet, body, head or arms, for a least one full second before the ball is snapped. 6. All players, except the Snapper, must assume a position with neither hand nor knees touching the ground. (No 3 or 4 point stance.) Penalty: 5 yards and ball remains dead. b. When the ball is snapped: 1. At least five offensive players must be on the scrimmage line. The remaining players must be either on their scrimmage line or behind their backfield line, except as follows: One player may be between the scrimmage line and the backfield line if placed in a position to receive a hand-to-hand snap from between the Snapper's legs. When in such position, that player may receive the snap himself or it may go directly to any back. 2. All players must be inbounds and only the Snapper may be encroaching on the neutral zone, but no part of their persons may be beyond the neutral zone and their feet must be stationary behind the ball. 3. One offensive player may be in motion, but not in motion toward the opponent's goal line. If such player starts from the scrimmage line player must be at least five yards behind that line when the ball is snapped. Other offensive players must be stationary in their positions without movement of the feet, body, head or arms.
4. No offensive player, while on the scrimmage line, may receive a snap. Penalty: For all above - five yards. SECTION 2 - Handing the Ball ARTICLE 7.2.1. No player may hand the ball forward except as follows: A Team A player, who is behind the scrimmage line, may hand the ball forward to a backfield teammate who is also behind that line; or to a teammate who was on the scrimmage line when the ball was snapped, provided that teammate left the line position, faced his or her own end line and was at least one yard behind the scrimmage line when player received the ball. Penalty: 5 yards from spot of foul and loss of down. Loss of down penalty does not apply when there has been a change of team possession. ARTICLE 7.2.2. A ball carrier may hand the ball backward at any time. SECTION 3 - Backward Pass and Fumble ARTICLE 7.3.1. A Ball Carrier may pass the ball backward or lose player possession by a fumble at any time except if intentionally thrown out-of-bounds to conserve time. ARTICLE 7.3.2. A backward pass or fumble may be caught in flight inbounds by any player and advanced. ARTICLE 7.3.3. A backward pass or fumble which goes out-of-bounds between the goal lines belongs to the team last in possession at the out-of-bounds spot. If it goes out-of-bounds behind a goal line it is a touchback or safety. ARTICLE 7.3.4. A backward pass or fumble which touches the ground between the goal lines is dead at the spot where it touches the ground and belongs to the team last in possession unless lost on downs. SECTION 4 - Forward Pass ARTICLE 7.4.1. All players are eligible to receive a forward pass. During a scrimmage down and before team possession has changed, a forward pass may be thrown provided the ball, when it leaves the passer's hand, is on Team A's side of the defensive team's line of scrimmage. Team A may make as many forward passes as desired from in or behind the neutral zone. ARTICLE 7.4.2. A forward pass is illegal: a. If the passer is beyond the neutral zone when the ball leaves the hand. b. If thrown after team possession has changed during the down. Penalty: 5 yards from spot of foul; also loss of down if by Team A before change of team possession during a down. ARTICLE 7.4.3. All players of both teams are eligible to touch or catch a pass. ARTICLE 7.4.4. An offensive player who goes out-of-bounds during a passing down loses eligibility until the ball has been touched by an opponent. Penalty: Loss of down at previous spot. - 17 -
ARTICLE 7.4.5. A forward pass is completed when caught by any player of the passing team who is inbounds and the ball continues in play. If the pass is caught inbounds simultaneously by opponents, the ball becomes dead and belongs to the passing team at spot of simultaneous catch. ARTICLE 7.4.6. A forward pass is incomplete when the ball touches the ground or goes out-of-bounds. It is also incomplete when a player jumps from inbounds and catches the pass but lands on or outside a boundary line. An incomplete legal forward pass belongs to the passing team at the previous spot unless lost on downs. An incomplete illegal forward pass belongs to the passing team at the spot of the pass unless lost on downs. ARTICLE 7.4.7. Contact by a player which interferes with an eligible receiver who is beyond the neutral zone during a legal forward pass is pass interference unless it occurs: a. When two or more players are making a simultaneous and bona fide attempt to reach, catch, or bat the pass. b. When, immediately following the snap, opposing players charge into and contact opponents within one yard beyond the neutral zone. c. When a Team B player contacts an opponent before the pass is thrown. b. Interference beyond the line of scrimmage is prohibited by Team A from the time the ball is snapped until the pass is touched by any player. Interference by Team B is prohibited from the time the pass is thrown until it is touched by any player. The restriction does not apply if the pass does not cross the line of scrimmage. Penalty: For pass interference - 10 yards. If by A, the down counts. II by B if is first down for A. Note: If the pass interference is intentional or unsportsmanlike, the team shall be penalized an additional 10 yards. RULE 8- SCORING, TOUCHBACK, SAFETY, AND TIE GAME SECTION 1 - Value of Scores ARTICLE 8.1.1. The following methods shall be used in scoring a game: a. Touchdown - 6 points b. Safety 2 points c. Successful try for point by running - 2 points d. Successful try for point by passing 1 point e. Penetration - 1 point f. Forfeited game 2-0 SECTION 2 - Touchdown ARTICLE 8.2.1. When a runner with the ball in his/her possession advances from the field of play so that the ball breaks the vertical plane of the opponents goal line, it is a touchdown, or when a loose ball is caught by a player while the ball is on or behind the opponents goal line. SECTION 3 - Try for Point ARTICLE 8.3.1. An opportunity to score one or two points, while time is out, shall be granted a team scoring a touchdown. There shall be a scrimmage play from any point between the inbounds line or behind the opponent's three yard line, unless the point is changed by penalty. - 18 -
ARTICLE 8.3.2. The point(s) shall be awarded if the try results in what would have been a touchdown or safety under rules governing play at other times. ARTICLE 8.3.3. The try for point ends when B secures possession, it is apparent that the attempt will not be successful, or the ball becomes dead for other reasons. ARTICLE 8.3.4. If offsetting fouls occur while the ball is ready-for-play, or during the down, the down shall be replayed. When a distance penalty is incurred by Team B during a successful try, Team A shall have the option of declining the score and repeat the try following enforcement or accepting the score with enforcement of the penalty from the spot of the next kickoff. A replay after a penalty against Team B may be from any point between the inbounds lines on the yardline where the penalty leaves the ball. ARTICLE 8.3.5. After a try for point the next play shall be a kickoff. SECTION 4 - Force-Touchback-Safety ARTICLE 8.4.1. The responsibility for forcing the ball from the field of play across a goal line is attributed to the player who carries, snaps, passes, kicks or fumbles the ball unless a new force is applied. Muffing or batting a pass, kick or fumble in flight is not considered a new force. ARTICLE 8.4.2. Touchback a. When any kick becomes dead on or behind receiver s goal line. b. When a player fumbles the ball prior to reaching the endzone and the ball first touches the ground in the endzone, it shall be ruled a touchback and the defensive team will earn possession of the ball on the 20-yard line. c. When a ball is intercepted in the endzone and no attempt is made to return the interception out of the endzone. ARTICLE 8.4.3. Safety a. It is a safety when a runner carries the ball from the field of play to or across his own goal line and it becomes dead there in his team's possession. Exception: When a Team B player intercepts a forward pass or catches a scrimmage kick or free kick between his 5-yard line and the goal fine and his original momentum carries him/her into the end zone where the ball is declared dead in his/her possession. The ball belongs to Team B at the spot where the pass was intercepted or the kick caught. b. It is a safety when a player either in the field of play or in his/her end zone forces a loose ball from the field of play to or across the goal line by a kick, pass, fumble, snap, muff or bat and the ball becomes then in his team's possession, or the ball is out-of-bounds when it becomes dead. This does not apply to an incomplete legal forward pass. c. It is a safety if a player on offense commits any foul for which the penalty is accepted and measurement is from a spot in his end zone; or throws an illegal pass from his end zone. d. After a safety the ball belongs to the defending team at its own 20-yard line and that team shall put the ball in play-by a free kick which may be a punt or kick-off. - 19 -