THE GAME:

It is the object of the game for one team to carry or pass the ball across the opponent’s goal line. The game is won by the team which accumulates the most points.

THE FIELD:

• The field shall be a rectangular area with dimensions, lines (if possible), zones, goals and markers.
• Yard markers should be no closer than 5 yards to the sidelines.
• The playing field must be no smaller than 35 yards wide and 80 yards long between the goal lines. Both end zones must be no smaller than 8 yards. The maximum size is 40 yards wide by 80 yards long with 10 yard end zones.

EQUIPMENT:

• Shoes must be rubber soled cleats or tennis shoes that must be laced up. No Slip on shoes.
• Game Ball – The home shall provide a game ball, in good condition. However, the offense of the visiting team may use their own ball. The official shall decide if the game ball is acceptable.
• Middle School will use the intermediate or youth size and the Elementary shall use the junior size.
• Flags – are to be 2’’ wide and at least 16’’ in length at the shortest part. They must be of the type in which the flags are attached at each hip with Velcro and detach from the belt when pulled. Flags must be of a different color from the pants worn by a team. For example, visiting team in red and the home team in yellow.
• Uniforms – All players on a team will wear shirts of the same color.
• Shirts must be tucked into the shorts or pants. Belts must be tucked in.
• It is strongly recommended that each school provide mouth pieces for its players.

GAME TIME:

• Any team not appearing on the playing field 15 minutes after the scheduled starting time shall forfeit the game to the opposing. (Subject to league ruling).
• Any decision to cancel or postpone a game for other than a good reason will be considered a forfeiture. For example, rain, smog alerts and bereavement are considered good reasons.
• Time: The officials shall control the game clock, unless a clock by the home team is provided, they are the official time.
• Quarters: 10 minute running time. Stop time shall be used the last two minutes of the game.
• Between Quarters: Shall be one minute.
• Time Outs: Shall be (2) two 1^st half and  (3) three for the 2^nd half.
• Between Halves: Shall be five minutes. Officials start play promptly.
• The clock will stop after touch downs and during the extra points. The clock will restart on the kick off once the ball is touched by the receiving team, not on the kick.

OFFICIALS:

• Officials shall be from an assigned organization.
• Official’s fee shall be paid prior to the start of the game.

KICK OFF:

• All kick offs shall be from the 30 yard line. Receiving team will line up at the 40 yard line. There must be a minimum of 5 players on the 40 yard line. There are no on side kicks. The ball becomes dead once the ball comes to a complete stop. ‘Muffs” are permitted
• After a touch back the ball is placed on the 20 yard line.
• If a kick off goes out of bounds, the federation book rule will be in effect. The return team gets a choice.

PUNTS:

• The punt must be declared before the team breaks the huddle. The official must give the defensive team time to set up a special defensive unit, if they so desire. This is not a time out. All punts must be long snapped. All kicks must be kicked within 4 seconds from the time of the snap. A ball that is not kicked within 4 seconds will be place at the line of scrimmage. It is a turnover.
• The defense must have 5 players within five yards of the line of scrimmage during punts. If a ball hits the ground it can still be picked up and punted.
• If the ball is hiked into the end zone but punted before the four seconds it is not a safety.
• The receiving team may pick the ball up off the ground and run so long as the ball is moving. Muffs are permitted
• The ball is dead once it comes to a complete stop.
• Any two offensive players may go downfield and may be blocked by the receiving team

OFFENSE:

• Each team shall consist of eight players.
• First downs are made by moving the ball past the next 20 yard marker.
• The ball may be run directly by the quarterback, handed off or passed to another player.
• The ball carrier may spin, jump, and hurdle while running down field. A player may not charge into another player
• The ball carrier may not protect his flags. Any time the ball carrier hits a defender’s hand or arm, it is considered flag guarding.
• Any ball that is fumbled or touched without gaining possession is a dead ball. A bad snap from the center that touches the ground is considered dead at the point where it first touches the ground.
• The quarterback may use his voice to draw the defense offside.
• The ball carrier is considered down if his knee touches the ground whether or not a defensive player touches him.
• The ball carrier is considered down if his flag falls off by means other than being taken by a defender.
• If a player’s flag is inadvertently lost and the player without the flag handles the ball, it becomes dead immediately. It shall be illegal for a player to deliberately withdraw an opponent’s flag.
• The play will be considered live and playable if the pass receiver catches the ball after the defender has taken one or both of his flags. If both flags have been taken illegally he must be tagged with two hands in the back. If the player still has on a flag, that flag must be taken to down the player.
• A team may throw no more than one forward pass during a single play.
• A team is allowed 30 seconds from the time the referee places the ball down to the snap of the ball from the center.
• A fumble shall be dead where the ball first hits the ground.

DEFENSE:

• The ball carrier may not run through a defensive player but must make an attempt to evade the defensive player. The defensive player must not hold, push or run through the ball carrier but must play the flag rather than the man.
• Tackling is not permitted. The ball is declared dead when the defensive player pulls one of the runner’s flag. Any action against the runner other than merely pulling the flag is unnecessary roughness.
• The ball carrier may not be pushed out of bounds by any defensive player. This is considered unnecessary roughness.

FORMATIONS:

• All players are eligible receivers, except three offensive linemen, who do not wear flags.
• Balanced and unbalanced lines are permitted. The center is never eligible.
• There must be a minimum of five players on the offensive line. The offensive linemen must be within one yard behind the ball.
• The three offensive linemen must remove their flags.
• All backs and ends are eligible receivers. There shall be no cover ups.
• Any player that is lined up in the slot must be off the line in the backfield in order to be eligible. Any player lined up on the line inside the ends is never eligible even if they have flags on.
• One man playing in the backfield may be in motion before the snap from the center as long as he does not move toward the line prior to the snap.

BLOCKING:

• Line blocking shall be the same as regulation tackle football. In the open field or away from the line of scrimmage, no part of the blocker’s body except his feet shall be in contact with the ground throughout the block. The blocking shall be a type of body checking with the blocker in an upright position and without using hands or extending arms. Hands shall not be extended beyond the plane of the elbows. Any rough tactics such as attempting to run over or batter down an opponent must be penalized as unnecessary roughness. Crab blocking shall not be allowed.

INFRACTIONS / PENALTY

• In the case of conflicting penalties the down will be replayed.
• In the case of a premature whistle by the referee, the offense can take the play or they can take the play over.
• Please refer to the assessment chart for penalty and yardage.

OVERTIME:

• If the game should end in a tie, the tie break format shall be as follows:
• Each team will get 4 downs from the 10 yard line to score
• If a team scores, they may go for one (1) point or two (2) points
• The only way a tie will occur is if darkness sets in or weather conditions are poor.

SCORING:

• Each touch down is worth 6 points.
• Extra points may be running or passing plays.
• 2 point conversion shall be from the 5 yard line.
• 1 point conversion shall be from the 3 yard line.
• No field goals.