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.

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 4th game 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.

If you are on the final roster (4th Week Roster Form) you are eligible for the playoffs.

Team classification shall be determined by the League Director or League Operating Committee.

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.

If a team exceeds its time-out limit in either half they will receive a 5-yard penalty.  Teams calling a timeout within the last 2 minutes that do not have a timeout and are losing will also receive a 30 second time penalty.

NOTE: During a team's charged time-out, a team representative may confer with their team either on the field or at the sidelines.

The ball will be placed on the 20-yard line. Each team will have 4 consecutive plays to score.

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.

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.

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.

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.

NO two on one blocking is permitted at any time.

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).

The Quarterback is 100% protected on every play.  There may be no contact whatsoever whether the ball has been tipped or not.  The Quarterback 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

• Kicking, running or passing  (ball spotted at 3-yard line) = 1 point
• Kicking, running or passing  (ball spotted at 10-yard line) = 2 point
• Defensive team returns an extra-point for a score = 2 points

• Kicking team must have at least five (4) players on the line of scrimmage.
• Defensive team may only rush from outside the guards to block the kick.
• Diving to block a kick is legal once a player has made it through the offensive line.
• Using a Kicking pad / block is legal.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 commissioners 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 

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!

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:

1. Using fist, kicking or kneeing
2. Illegal use of hands, forearms, or elbows
3. Tackling
4. Any deliberate or flagrant act which could cause injury
5. Any act of unsportsmanlike conduct
6. Abusive, profane or insulting language
7. Any act of unfair or rough play
8. Threats or harassment of other players/officials/league representatives
9. Verbal badgering of officials

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.

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.