Rulebook
- OVERVIEW
This
rulebook is listed here as an OVERVIEW of the USFTL
National Rulebook. Unless specifically changed in the Northwest Ohio
Rulebook the USFTL National Rulebook is the official rulebook of our league.
If a discrepancy
exists between the rules listed here and the Official Rulebook, The Official Rulebook takes precedence. All rules and interpretations are
subject to review by the league / tournament director.
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Click on rule |
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Rule 2 - The Games (USFTL page 34) |
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Rule 3 - The Playing Fields (USFTL page 38) |
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Rule 4 - Equipment (USFTL page 42) |
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Rule 5 - Periods, Time Factors and Overtime (USFTL page 44) |
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Rule 6 - Substitutions (USFTL page 48) |
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Rule 7 - Ball in Play, Dead Ball, Out of Bounds (USFTL page 49) |
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Rule 8 - Series of Downs, Number of Downs, Zone line to Gain and Team Possession after Penalty (USFTL page 51) |
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Rule 9 - The Scrimmage, Snapping, Handing and Passing the Ball (USFTL page 53) |
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Rule 10 - The Kicking Game (USFTL page 59) |
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Rule 11 - Scoring (USFTL page 68) |
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Rule 12 - Conduct of Players and Others Subject to the Rules (USFTL page 71) |
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Rule 13 - Enforcement of Penalties (USFTL page 78) |
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Rule 14 - Formula for Identical Records (USFTL page 84) |
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Rule 15 - Protests (USFTL page 84) |
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Rule 16 - Ranking System (USFTL page 85) |
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ABBREVIATED
CONTENT |
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LOS - LINE
OF SCRIMMAGE |
EOR - END
OF RUN |
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POI -
POINT OF INFRACTION |
AFD - AUTOMATIC
FIRST DOWN |
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Rule 1 -
Definitions (USFTL page 27)
This section to come.
Please temporarily refer to the USFTL for this section. Rule 2 - The Games (USFTL page 34) At this time Northwest Ohio
Flag Football offers only the 8 Man Eligible Linemen form of flag
football. The game
of flag football shall be played between 2 teams of 8 players each. 6
players are required to avoid a forfeit. The type of blocking that is
used shall be contact blocking. All players are eligible
receivers. At this point Toledo will offer 3 divisions (Upper, Middle,
Lower) of Adult flag football. The game shall use scoring similar to
traditional football with only minor differences that may be found in these
rules. A regulation sized professional or college football will be used
and must be provided by each team. The game shall be played on a
regulation sized field (53 1/3x100 yds). The game
length will consist of (2) 24 min. halves with a continuous clock for all but
the last 2 minutes of each half. ***Field
modifications are allowed in situations / locations that cannot accommodate a
full size field. 2.1 Players ON THE
FIELD: The game is to be played
by two teams of eight (8) players each. More than eight (8) players on the
field is illegal. Less than eight (8) players is legal. Must have at least six (6) players to play a
game. Teams may
carry up to (30) players on their roster. Coaches
must turn in their Teams Roster Form before the start of the first game. Team
Roster Form must have all the players listed in Legible Print with Birth Date
and Signed by each player before they may compete in the Contact Flag
Football League. Give your
Roster Form to the concession stand prior to your first game NOT at the coin
toss. In
addition, Players may switch to another team up to the start of the middle
game of the season only if the coach releases his player to do so. If coach
does not sign a (Release Form) the player may not play for any other team.
Once on a team you are bound to that team until released. No new
player may be added to a team's regular playing roster after the start of the
teams 4th game without dropping a player. (Teams must turn in their
Finalized Roster on the 4th game). It is the coaches
responsibility to make sure the roster has all the players listed and all
print is readable (No Nicknames). Full Names Printed Clearly & Signed.
Coaches be sure you have the Roster Form ready to turn
in at the start of the 1st & 4th games. All games will start on time.
This means if you do not have the Roster Form ready at the coin toss the
clock will start running at the time the game should start. Form must be
turned in before play may begin on the 1st & 4th game. No Exceptions. If you are
on the final roster (after middle game of season) you are eligible for the
playoffs. Team
classification shall be determined by the League Director or League Operating
Committee. Rule 3 - The
Playing Fields (USFTL page 38)
3.0 The Field (USFTL Rule 3, page 38) The game shall be
played upon a rectangular field 100 yards in length and 53 yards in width.
When games are at a facility that does not have a regulation size football
field, the field size will be 80 yards in length and 40 yards in width. First down
markers are positioned at the 20, 40, 40, 20, yard lines. First downs are
achieved by crossing these markers. Players
must position themselves within the two 20-yard lines when not on the playing
field. Rule 4 - Equipment (USFTL page 42) 4.1
The Ball (USFTL Rule 4, Section 1, page42) Each team
must provide an FULL size ball (NFL, College or High School) fully inflated.
The Referee shall be the sole judge as to whether all balls offered for play
comply with these specifications. Jr. Sized balls are prohibited. An
infraction of using too small of a football will be an automatic penalty of
reversing possession of the football at the place of the last snap prior to
discovery of the illegal ball, if the ball was used for 1 play. If the
illegal ball is discovered prior to the snap, there will be a 10-yard
penalty, no reversal of possession and removal of the ball. Each team
is responsible for their own ball (keeping it dry during adverse weather
conditions). Offense
must retrieve there own ball after a incomplete
pass. 4.2
Uniforms (USFTL Rule 4, Section 3, article 1, page43) Uniforms
shall be each team's choice as long as it does not include any hard or
unyielding surface. All members of the same team must wear the same like
color jersey/shirt with at least an 8-inch high number on the back.
Jerseys/shirts must be tucked in. The midriff shirt is legal, if in the
judgment of the referee, it does no hinder the defense from pulling the flag.
No article of clothing may cover any portion of a player's flag (Flag
Guarding). Officials should warn violators of this between plays.
This incurs a 10-yard penalty from Point Of Infraction (P.O.I.)
or Line Of Scrimmage (L.O.S.). The lower
uniform may be shorts, warm-ups, pants or any other type of athletic wear.
Pants/Shorts with belt loops, or pants/shorts with front, side or back
pockets will not be allowed. Players caught with illegal pants/shorts
are removed from the game until they get legal pants/shorts on. There will be
no taping over pockets this rule will be enforced with no
exceptions. Uniform/Equipment penalty: 5-yard penalty No jewelry
of any kind may be worn by players. Players caught with jewelry are removed
from the game until the jewelry is removed and the team is penalized a Uniform/Equipment
penalty: 5-yard penalty No
headgear with an extended bill may be worn. Baseball caps
with the visor turned to the back of the players head is
acceptable. Sunglasses may not be worn
at any time. Players with illegal headgear are removed from the game until
the headgear is removed, and the team is penalized a Uniform/Equipment
penalty: 5-yard penalty 4.3
Shoes (USFTL Rule 4, Section 3, article 3, page43) Any
flat-soled or completely molded cleat shoes are acceptable. Baseball or track
spikes or any shoes that have steel or metal tips are prohibited. All players
must wear shoes. Players with illegal footwear are removed from the game
until the footwear is removed and the team is penalized a Uniform/Equipment
penalty: (a charged time-out or 5-yard penalty if no time-outs remain). 4.4 Protective Equipment (USFTL Rule 4, Section
4, page43) Helmets,
shoulder pads are prohibited. Knee or thigh pads are allowed if made from a
soft material. Any question as to the legality of players' equipment shall be
decided by the referee of that game. The use of any unyielding hard substance
cannot be used to protect an injury, no matter how well covered or padded.
Therapeutic or prevention knee braces can be used if covered from direct
external exposure (No metal braces). Players with illegal protective equipment
are removed from the game until the protective equipment is removed, and the
team is penalized a Uniform/Equipment penalty: 5-yard penalty All
players on the field of play must wear approved "Triple Threat
Flags" at the waist. No part of the flag belt may hang down off
the belt as it must be cut off or wrapped up. The flags must be
securely sewn to the belt and the entire belt must be able to be freely
pulled off. If a
player is not wearing proper flags or has his/her belt tied or secured to
his/her waist in a fashion to hinder defenders from pulling it will incur the
following penalties:
Illegal
alteration, securing, or substitution of flags or belts will result in removal
of player(s) from the game and a 10-yard penalty from the L.O.S. of
last snap if against the offense, and if against the defense from P.O.I. Should a
flag fall off inadvertently, The player will be
ruled down by two hand touch. The flags
must be a different color than the players' lower uniform. (Pants/Shorts
Stripes may not be the same color as the flags). Any
hanging object on the ball carrier (such as towels, or playbook etc.) shall
be considered illegal and shall be removed immediately. Uniform/Equipment
penalty: 5-yard penalty Rule 5 - Periods,
Time Factors and Overtime (USFTL page 44) 5.0
Coin Toss (USFTL Rule 5, Section 1,
page 44) Each team
must designate it captains, one for the offense and one for the defense.
Captains act as sole representatives of their team in all communications with
the officials. No other players may question the officials. Not more
than two-(2) minutes before the kickoff, the referee, in the presence of both
team captains, shall toss a coin at the center of the field. The toss shall
be called by the captain of the visiting team. The winner of the toss must
choose one of three choices and the loser is given the other. THE
THREE CHOICES ARE:
The length
of the game is 48 minutes, divided into two
halves of 24 minutes each. Running time with no clock stoppage is used for
the first 22 minutes of each half. The USFTL
rulebook incorrectly states in Rule 5, section 1, article 5 that the clock
runs continuously for the first 46 minutes of the game. The clock DOES
stop in the last 2 minutes of EACH Half. This rule has been corrected
both locally and Nationally. Time
periods may be modified during Tournament/Post-Season play and during adverse
weather conditions. Clock
Regulation:
Inside
the 2:00 Minute Warning:
At the end
of the first half, there shall be an intermission of three (3) minutes.
During the intermission, play is suspended, and the teams may leave the
field. For the
second half, the captain who lost the pregame toss is to have first choice,
receive or goal to defend unless the winner of the toss deferred. Prior to
the start of the second half, the captains of both teams must inform the
referee of their respected choices. 5.3
Time Outs (USFTL Rule 5, Section 3, page 34-35) Each team
shall have 3 time-outs per half. 1 timeout must be used prior to the 2 minute
warning of each half or be lost. Time-outs will be 30 seconds in
length. Time-outs may be called by any player that participated in the last
play and is on the field of play. The USFTL rulebok incorrectly states in Rule 5, Section 3, Article 4,
page 46, that teams are allowed 3 timeouts per game. The rule should
read per half and administered as noted above. Additional
Time-outs
- Additional time-outs may be called by the officials at their discretion to
attend to an injured player. NOTE:
During a team's charged time-out, a team representative may confer with their
team either on the field or at the sidelines. 5.4 Overtime Tie Breaker (USFTL Rule 5, Section
5 page 36) The ball
will be placed on the 20-yard line. Each team will have 4 consecutive plays
to score. Rule 6 - Substitutions (USFTL page 37) There will
be free substitution as long as players being substituted for are off the
field prior to the next snap, or are out of the area of play and are
departing the field in haste. Offense may not break the huddle with more than
the legal number of players. "Sleepers"
on substitution will not be allowed on any play. No player may line up closer
than 5 yards from the sideline. Players
leaving the field of play must go to their teams
side of the field. Rule 7 - Ball in
Play, Dead Ball, Out of Bounds (USFTL page 49) 7.0 Inadvertent Whistle (USFTL Section 1, Article
3, page 38) If the
official whistles the play dead prematurely, the offense shall have the
choice of: 1) accepting the ball where it was whistled dead, or 2) replaying
the down. Pretending
to pull an opponent's flag (raising empty hand intentionally) resulting in
official's "Quick Whistle", will be penalized 10 yards and
offense's choice of either #1 or #2 above. Offensive
and defensive fouls, if they were committed before a "Quick
Whistle", have priority over a "Quick Whistle". In an
event a ball carrier loses a flag or flag belt inadvertently, single hand
touching of the ball carrier will constitute a legal tackle. Rule 8 - Series of Downs,
Number of Downs, Zone line to Gain and Team Possession after Penalty (USFTL page 39) A team
will be allowed 4 downs to advance the ball from on zone to the next. A Zone
is 20 yards. The zone will be considered reached when the ball is on or over
the line marking the next zone, or in this case "the line to gain"
when the play is declared dead. If, after
4 consecutive downs, a team has failed to advance the ball into the next
zone, possession shall go to the defense at the spot where the 4th down
ended. Rule 9 - The Scrimmage,
Snapping, Handing and Passing the Ball (USFTL page 41) After the
official marks the ball "ready-for-play", the offense will have 25
seconds to put the ball in play or else be penalized 5 yards for a
Delay Of Game. If is not necessary to huddle after a play if a team
wishes to use predetermined plays or audible. It shall be the
responsibility of the offensive team to retrieve their own
ball and get it back to the huddle after each play. Offense
may not break the huddle with more than (8) players. Two or
more offensive players may be shifting their position at the same time prior
to the snap. Their movement may be in any direction but they must become set
for one full count (1 second) before the ball is snapped or before another
player may go in motion prior to the snap. Only 1
player is allowed to be in motion and his movement must be parallel to or
away from the L.O.S. in a continuous motion at the snap. Encroachment
Offside shall be called if either the offense or the defense passes over the
plane of the L.O.S prior to the snap. A false movement of the
football by the center shall constitute offensive encroachment. These are
Dead Ball Fouls and the play shall be immediately whistled dead before play
begins and 5 yards automatically marked off against the encroaching team unless
a first down would occur (Captain's Choice). If a
player on either side lines up offside, the official will point toward that
player's team side. It is the player's responsibility to look at the referee.
If that player does not get back on side before the ball is snapped, he will
be considered as having been offside at the moment of the snap. If an
official has not "offside warned" a team for lining up offside by
pointing at the team side, he should not call offside on them at the snap of
the ball. Penalty: 5-yard penalty from L.O.S. or captain's choice after
play is over. OFFENSE:
Any stance is permitted DEFENSE:
Any stance is permitted EXCEPTIONS At no time
on any kick is a 3 or 4 point stance allowed LINE OF
SCRIMMAGE: Offensive team must have at least 4 players on the line of
scrimmage, ELIGIBLE RECEIVERS:
All players are eligible receivers. During a
legal block, defense and offense must initiate contact with open hands; arms
extended outward (no elbows or loading up). Open hands can be thrust forward
initially to contact an opponent inside the body frame (chest area only).
Hands can not be thrust forward above the shoulders to contact an opponent on
the neck, face, or head. As the play develops, a blocker is permitted to work
for and maintain position on an opponent as long as he does not push from
behind or clip. If a defensive linemen turns his back to the offensive
linemen while in contact there will be no penalty for blocking in the back.
Open hand blocking is allowed on all portions of the field and is not
restricted to the line of scrimmage. Two on one blocking is permitted anywhere on the field!! (USFTL page 62, Rule 12, Section 4) 9.8 Defensive
Formation FORMATION:
Defense may line up in formation. There are no requirements for players on
the LOS. The
Defensive linemen must be no more than 1-yard off the L.O.S. and must
initiate open-hands to the Offensive line in pursuit of getting to the
quarterback, runner, holder, kicker or punter. Full rush
is allowed by defense on every down. One bump is allowed
on a receiver within five (5) yards of the line of scrimmage by only one
defensive player. There can
be only one forward pass per play. There can be as many exchanges of the
football in the air (lateral or behind the player with the ball). A forward pass
is defined as a live ball thrown toward the opponent's goal line. If the
passer/runner is beyond the L.O.S. and the football is released forward, an
illegal Forward/Pass has occurred, this will result
in a 5-yard penalty and loss of down if accepted. Illegal forward passes will
be marked from L.O.S. / P.O.I. Once the
ball has crossed the L.O.S., in the air or in possession of a player, it
cannot be passed forward, even if the ball is brought back behind the L.O.S.
(Illegal Forward Pass). ROUGHING
THE PASSER: This
is when the passer is hit above the waist before, during, or after a pass.
Penalty will be tacked on to the end of the play. The
Quarterback is 100% protected on every play. There may be no contact
whatsoever whether the ball has been tipped or not. The
Quarterback 9.12 Intentional Grounding (USFTL Rule 9, Section 6,
Article 6, Page 57) Intentional
Grounding shall constitute an illegal forward pass. This when a quarterback
throws the ball away to avoid a sack and there is not a receiver in the
area. 5 yards loss of down. The ball
must be snapped to the Quarterback between the centers legs and without
touching the ground. Should the ball touch the ground is shall be
declared dead at the spot. A false
movement of the football by the center after he is set shall constitute encroachment.
At all times the ball shall be snapped from the center of the field or the
spot marked by the official ball marker. Direct
Snaps are Legal; but there must be a clear and immediate exchange of the ball
between the center and the quarterback. No center
sneaks The
responsibility of avoiding contact rests with the ball carrier. He must show
the officials he made an effort to avoid contact. The ball carrier will not
deliberately run or drive into a defensive player. A ball carrier may spin or
jump, but must realize that while spinning or jumping he is in a "State
of Non-Control" and should contact occur as a result of his uncontrolled
momentum, he will be penalized. The ball carrier may jump over a player on
the ground. The "Stiff Arm" is illegal. Penalty: 10 yards from
L.O.S. (if behind the line) and repeat the down. Or from P.O.I. (if beyond
the L.O.S.) and loss of down. A player
may not jump forward to advance the football. The ball
carrier shall not protect his flags by blocking with his hand, arm, head or
ball. The defensive player must have a clear opportunity to pull his flags.
Flag guarding will be marked 10 yards from L.O.S. (if behind the line) and
repeat the down. Or from P.O.I. (if beyond the L.O.S.) and loss of down. On
kickoffs and punt returns any of the above will be marked off from the P.O.I.
and first down. Ball
carriers may not diveor jump forward in an effort to gain
extra yardage. Diving is defined as a player clearly leaving both feet
stretched out in an aggressive attempt to gain extra yards. Jumping is
allowed to avoid contact, however jumping into or on a defensive player is
illegal. Forward
offensive fumbles will result in ball being marked dead at the point of
fumble, backward fumbles will be marked at point where ball hits the ground
or goes out of bounds. Pass
Interference Rules shall apply to any pass made from behind the L.O.S.,
whether it is a forward pass or a lateral pass, and applies to both offensive
and defensive players. After the pass is in the air, neither
pass receiver or defender may touch the other until one of them
touches the ball, or else offensive or defensive pass interference may be
called. If contact occurs after one of them touches the ball, then pass
interference cannot be called unless one of them catches the ball and the
other "strips" or attempts to "strip" the ball from his
hands. Receiver
stripping (slapping at the ball) is defined as attempting to take the ball
from the grasp of a receiver after he has placed both hands on the ball and
has brought the ball into a possessive position, in which case, stripping
will be called. If the player established possession of the football, the
defender must go for the flag and not the ball. (Officials judgement will determine if a catch has taken place). Penalty
is 10-yards & AFD. Any
contact that occurs after the pass is touched (excluding Receiver Stripping)
and is either complete or incomplete, must be judged by the officials as
either unavoidable contact caused by both players "playing the
ball" or avoidable contact which shall be penalized. Penalty will be 10
yards from P.O.I. If incomplete or complete, or judged to be flagrant, the
penalized player may be removed from the game with a 10 yard unsportsmanlike
penalty. If pass is judged to be uncatchable, penalty will be accessed form
the L.O.S. All pass
interference calls, whether offensive or defensive will be Captain's choice
penalties. If the captain refuses the penalty, the play will stand. All
offensive pass interference calls which are accepted by the defensive
captain shall be marked off 10 yards from L.O.S. with loss of down. All
defensive pass interference calls which are accepted by the offensive captain
shall be marked at the P.O.I. and awarded an automatic first down. Screening
a receiver's eyes by a defender without playing the football is pass
interference and shall be penalized as such. One foot
must be "in-bounds" to constitute a legal pass reception. The lines
marking the sidelines and the extreme back of the end zone shall be
considered out of bounds if stepped on any degree. Two or
more offensive receivers or defensive players may touch a pass in succession,
resulting in a completion. After a pass is thrown, it is too much to expect
of the officials to keep track of exactly who touched the ball. The
official(s) will determine (1) did pass interference occur? (2) who caught the ball? And (3) was receiver inbounds with
both feet at moment of possession? A double
reception always goes to the offense. 9.19 Deflagging The ball
carrier is down and the ball is dead when either flag is detached from the
ball carrier's belt or when the ball touches the ground. A defensive player's
feet may leave the ground to pull the offensive player's flag, but he may not
make contact while doing so. When a defensive player pulls the ball carrier's
flag, he should stop and hold it above his head for officials to see. A ball
carrier who falls to the ground inadvertently is considered down and not
allowed to get back up. Tackling
is prohibited. Tackling is defined as grasping or encircling the body of the
ball carrier with a hand or arm. Grabbing the ball carrier's clothing shall
be penalized as holding. If the defensive player reaches across the body of a
ball carrier to pull his flag and contact is made, the responsibility
of the contact lies with the defensive player. The penalty for tackling will
be as follows: 10 yards for impeding (encircling of body); 15 yards for
tackling with automatic first down (if tackling) from P.O. I. or L.O.S; and
if, in the opinion of the officials, the act prevented a score, the ball will
spotted at the one yard line and a first down will be awarded. The offender
will be ejected if the act was in the officials
judgment to be flagrant. The
intended receiver of either a forward or lateral pass may be deflagged only after first touching the
ball - even while fumbling or bobbling the ball and before possession is
established. If the receiver has not gained possession of the ball when flag
is pulled play will continue. Receiver can then be downed by single hand
touching after gaining possession. In the event a receiver has not gained
possession of the ball (bobbling) when flag is pulled and a defensive player
intercepts the pass it will be defenses ball. If the
ball is in the hand of the Quarterback and flag is pulled, the passer shall
be down at the spot. Illegal Deflagging is prematurely pulling an opponent's flag with
the intent of making the offensive player ineligible to become a ball
carrier. Penalty: 10 yards from L.O.S. or E.O.R. A defender may not push or
knock a ball carrier out of bounds, (a form of illegal deflagging).
Penalty: 10 yards from P.O.I. and AFD Runner
Stripping occurs when a defender attempts to strip the ball from the grasp of
a player who has the ball in a possessive position. This is a form of Illegal
Deflagging. Rule 10 - The Kicking
Game
(USFTL page 47)
The
offensive team must declare they are going to punt immediately after the
official whistles ball ready for play. The punt is a protected kick meaning
that there is no rush. Both offense and defense are required to have 4
players on the line of scrimmage prior to the snap of the ball. No
player is allowed to move until the ball is kicked. Player movement on
either side will result in a 5 yard illegal procedure penalty. The ball
may not hit the ground before it reaches the punter, should the ball at any
time go behind the punter or be snapped short of the punter it will be ruled
dead at the spot. For a legal punt ball must be shotgun snapped- 5 yard
minimum. Punting
team must give a 2-yard halo around a player attempting to catch the ball.
Defense is not allowed to rush to punter - it is a free kick. Fake punts
are not legal. Kickoffs
are from the kicking teams own 40-yard line, the ball is ruled dead at the
point it touches the ground with the receiving team taking possession at this
spot. Receiving team must have five (4) linemen on the 40. After a
P.A.T. attempt kicking team has 30 seconds to kick the ball (Penalty 5 yards
delay of game) NOTE: Kicking team
supplies there own football. KICKING
ON-SIDE
KICKS: Onside
kicks are illegal as in traditional football. Onside kicks may only
occur in the last two minutes of the game by the following procedure: In the
last 2 minutes of the game the losing team after scoring a touchdown, kicks
off to the team with the lead. The team with the lead must return the
football past there own 20 yd. line. Failure to return the the ball past the 20 will result in the losing team
regaining possession at the 50 yard line. OUT OF
BOUNDS KICKOFFS If a
kick-off goes out of bounds past the receiving teams 35-yard line the ball
will be placed at the receiving teams 35-yard line.
Out of bounds kickoffs that do not travel to the receiving teams
35-yard line will be downed at the point the ball went out of bounds. Dropped
Kickoffs in the end-zone will result in the ball being spotted at the 20-yard
line. All other "dropped" kickoffs will be ruled dead at the spot. Rule 11 - Scoring (USFTL page 56) 11.1 Touchdown = 6 points 11.2 Field Goals = 3 points (USFTL Rule 11, Section
4 page 69, 70) All field
goals attempted and missed will be spotted at the original line of scrimmage
unless the original line of scrimmage is inside the 20-yard line, in which
case, the ball will be spotted at the 20-yard line. 11.2 Extra Points (USFTL Rule 11, Section
3 page 68, 69) The
scoring team must declare prior to marking the ball ready for play whether
they will Kick the P.A.T., or go for 1 from the 3, or go for 2 from the
10-yard line. Scoring team may reconsider choice by calling a time-out or
taking a Delay or Game Penalty (if no time-outs remain).
FORMATION
FOR EXTRA POINTS AND FIELD GOALS
Running/Diving
into the kicker or holder, even if the ball is tipped or blocked, 10 yards will be assessed on the ensuing
kickoff for Running/Diving into the kicker or holder if declared flagrant by
the official with a possible ejection. Snaps may
not bounce off the ground on field goal and extra point attempts. If the ball
bounces the play will be ruled dead at the
spot. The ball may be placed on the ground and pulled back up by the
holder for a fake attempt if fielded cleanly. 11.4 Fake Extra
Point or Field Goal Attempt
11.5
Safety
= 2 points The team
scored against may kick/punt the ball from their own
20-yard line. Receiving team must have 4 players on the 40 yard line. The
winning team shall have a final score of 7-0 posted as the margin of victory
(for net point purposes) for the forfeited game. Referees can and will award
forfeits to one or both teams as a result of players fighting. It is the coaches responsibility to maintain his players composure
and immediately break up any fighting that occurs. Please be advised that
referees are not paid to break up fights and will walk off the field if team
coaches do not take control of the situation. 11.7 Mercy Rule (USFTL Rule 11, Section 7 page 70) Should a
team be trailing by 17 or more points at the 2 minute warning in the second
half, the referees shall end the game immediately.
There will be no exception to this Mercy rule. Local
modification: 34 pt. lead at any time during the second half will end
the game. Rule 12 - Conduct of
Players and Others Subject to the Rules (USFTL page 59) 12.1 Player Behavior (USFTL Rule 12) Any verbal
badgering of officials or derogatory language between opposing players after
officials have asked once for Team Captains' control may result in player(s)
involved in the action being disqualified. The first derogatory action or
language will be penalized 10 yards and the team captain warned. The second
derogatory action or language will cause player(s) to be ejected for a (2)
game minimum, and a 10-yard penalty against the team of the disqualified
player(s) plus a $50.oo fine to be reinstated. Sideline
players are subject to the same disqualification for abusive, obscene, or
badgering language to either opposing players or officials. If the Captain or
Coach of the penalized team cannot control the action of his players, the
game can be forfeited at the discretion of the game officials. Any player
that has paid a Fine to be reinstated and is ejected a 2nd time will be
suspended at least 1-year or banished from the league. Illegally
kicking or throwing the ball will result in a 10-yard penalty unsportsmanlike
penalty. No trash
talking or taunting of opponents and/or referees either on the field or from
the sidelines this will result in an 10-yard penalty and a team warning the
next offense will be a automatic two (2) game suspension with a $50.oo fine.
If conduct persists from the same team, official has the right to declare a
forfeit. This applies to fans as well. All fines will be donated to a charitable
cause of the commissioners choice. All fines will be
paid in a form of a money order. Second offense banishment..
Referees can penalize a team for remarks from the sideline. This means
players or fans. Any fan that makes remarks to the field will have to leave
the premises. That means no religious or racial remarks will be tolerated.
Players will be ejected immediately! The above goes for before, after or
during any N.W.O.F.F. game. League reserves the right to suspend or banish a
player(s) and/or team for verbal abuse and/or misconduct. 12.3 Threatening or Touching an
Official Any verbal
abuse of an official and/ or league representatives will result in an 10-yard penalty and a automatic two (2) game suspension
with a $50.oo fine. If conduct persists from the same team, official has the
right to declare a forfeit. This applies to fans as well. All fines will be
donated to a charitable cause of the commissioners’ choice. All fines
will be paid in a form of a money order. Second offense banishment. Any
player that touches an official in anger will result in police charges being
filed by the league, as well as lifetime banishment from the N.W.O.F.F. The
above goes for before, after or during any N.W.O.F.F. game. League reserves
the right to suspend or banish a player(s) and/or team for verbal abuse
and/or misconduct. Fighting,
which is described as pushing, shoving, punching or taunting an opposing
player, fan or spectator, will result in that individual being thrown out of
the specific game. Any player that throws one punch regardless of the
circumstance (retaliation, etc.) will be automatically suspended by the
league for two (2) games. If two or more punches are thrown, the applicable
player will be suspended for a minimum of three (3) games and a maximum of
the remaining portion of the season. Once a player has been ejected for
fighting the player must pay a $100.oo fine to be eligible to play in the
N.W.O.F.F. The above goes for before, after or during any N.W.O.F.F. game. If
conduct persists from the same team, official has the right to declare a
forfeit. This applies to fans as well. All fines will be donated to a
charitable cause of the commissioner’s choice. All fines will be paid
in a form of a money order. Players that leave their sidelines during a fight
risk being thrown out of that specific game by the referees pending the
circumstances involved. The referees will be the sole judge in question. A
second infraction by a player on any of the above will result in banishment
from the league. NWOFF,
LLC. Reserves the right to suspend or banish player(s) and/or team
involved in fighting and/or any of the above infractions. ALL LEAGUE
VENUES: NO ALCOHOL IS
ALLOWED AT ANY LEAGUE EVENT IF CAUGHT BOTH THE
PLAYER AND TEAM WILL BE IMMEDIATELY EJECTED FROM THE LEAGUE WITHOUT REFUND OF
ENTRY FEE. IT IS INCREDIBLY TOUGH TO FIND PLACES TO PLAY AND HAVING
ALCOHOL AT EVENTS MAKES IT EVEN TOUGHER. IF YOU ARE CAUGHT THERE IS NO
APPEAL AND NO EXCEPTION. Consumption
of alcoholic beverages or smoking on the sidelines by Players, Managers,
Coaches or Fans is prohibited 12.6 Trash or Litter on the Fields Teams must
clear/clean their sidelines of all "litter" immediately after the
game has ended. There will be a $25 Fine For Littering Sidelines Or Parking
Lot. Littering
will be reported by Teams that play behind you and also the Referees. If you
do not report a team for trashing a field, then you may get blamed for it. WE
CAN AVOID ALL PROBLEMS BY KEEPING THE FIELDS CLEAN. THE TEAM MUST PAY THE
FINE BEFORE YOUR NEXT GAME. Your help
in this matter will be appreciated! Rule 13 - Enforcement of
Penalties (USFTL page 66) All live
ball fouls (fouls which occur while play is in progress) are Captain's
choice. All dead ball fouls (fouls which occur prior to the snap or after the
ball is blown dead) will automatically be marked off (except in the case a
first down would occur-captains choice). This means that if a foul occurs
during a down and is a live ball foul, and then a dead ball foul occurs, both
fouls will be enforced. They do not offset, even if against different teams. After a
penalty is called, only the Captain of the penalized team may discuss it with
the officials. The officials making the call is obligated to give the players'
number and the act they committed (without discussion) to the penalized team
captain. The official will then give the opposing team captain his options on
the penalty. That Captain's first choice will be final. If, in the
judgement of any game official, the following acts
are deliberate or flagrant, the player(s) involved shall be ejected from the
game:
Note:
Warning is not required. This is
your Warning! There will
be a minimum 2-game suspension for any person ejected from a game for any
reason. Local and tournament rules may be more severe. Once a
player has had a 2-game suspension, a 2nd offense will result in a minimum
(1) year suspension from the league. Advancement
may not occur as a result of the ball being slapped, kicked, pitched, or
pushed by either team in the direction of their goal line. The ball will be
declared dead at the spot of such illegal advancement and there will be a
5-yard penalty plus loss of down. Rules not
covered in the N.W.O.F.F.'s Official Rules and Regulations book will
automatically defer to USFTL rules and procedures. Rule 14 - Formula for
Identical Records (USFTL page 84) At the end
of the regular season, divisional tie breakers are determined as follows:
Rule 15 - Protests (USFTL page 84) Any
protests for misinterpretation or application of playing rules must be
settled on the spot before the next play. The Manager or Coach must have a
copy of the rules in order to validate his protest. Otherwise, "Delay of
Game" will be called. If coach/manager is wrong in the protest there
will be a loss of a time-out, if no time-outs remain a 5-yard penalty will be
assessed. Remember only the Captain, coach/manager
may confer with the officials. Judgement calls are
not protestable. Tournament or League
Director may assist in protest. All game
results are final with the exception of a roster challenge (see section 5.5). N.W.O.F.F.
referees are certified and paid very fairly. Should any coach have a concern
about any official, you must submit this concern in writing or E-mail (no
telephone calls) and forward to the league office. All written inquiries will
be responded to by the League Commissioner. Teams that
want to challenge the opposing teams roster may do
so after posting a $25 Fee to verify a teams roster. A team that wants to
challenge another teams roster must do so during
Half-time only, notify the Commissioner or Head Referee before the start of
the 2nd Half. Do not wait until the 2nd Half has started or you will void
your right to a roster challenge. A Roster Challenge will be done by checking
a player(s) driver license if player does not have a Drivers License player
must show proof before the next game or team will forfeit that game. This
rule is only valid after the 4th week of regular season play and in the
playoffs. A team caught playing a illegal player
(Not on the Roster) will forfeit the game played. It's the coaches
responsibility to keep up with who is playing. So be sure
all your players are on the roster before you start the game. Please see
the USFTL league constitution for more information on protests. Rule 16 - Ranking System (USFTL page 85) All
league information including scores, standings and schedules will be posted on the leagues web site
(www.nwoflagfootball.com) by the Tuesday evening following sundays games. |