ARTICLE 01

Section 01.01 

FIELD

•80x47 yard fields. 

•10 yard end zones first downs at 20-40-20.

Section 01.02

TIME

•32 minute halves

•3 minute half time

•Each team can call 2 time outs per half (1 minute) to stop the clock.

•At 2 minutes left in the 1st and 2nd halves there will be a 2 minute warning. The last 2 minutes of the game, clock will stop for out of bounds and incomplete passes.

Section 01.03  

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

•All players must be 17 years of age and a senior in high school at the time of their 1st game. 

Section 01.04  

PLAYOFF ELIGIBILITY

•We will utilize the “3 STRIKE RULE”. If you exceed the limit, the board of directors have the right to disqualify you from the playoffs. This includes play during the playoffs.

* All players must meet the 3 game minimum to make the playoffs. Participating in 3 different Christian Educations on 3 seperate days qualifies. 

Section 01.05  

JERSEYS

•Home team has choice of jersey color. Visiting team MUST wear contrasting color.

•Pockets are not allowed on shorts or pants. Sewn pockets are the ONLY authorized alteration.

Section 01.06 

GAME START/CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

•Christian Education is considered game time (30 minutes prior to posted game time). Any team member not present at the start of Christian Education, that person will sit out the 1st half. If less than 8 players are present for Christian Education, late arrivals will be allowed to start the game, however a 7 pt. penalty will be imposed for every player participating. The 1st 8 players ONLY will be allowed to play the 1st half. The 9th player must wait until the 2nd half.

•If the team responsible for Christian Education is unprepared and does not conduct Christian Education. The result is a FORFIET and the team leader MUST sit out that game. The game will be played.

•FORFIET –if you have less than 7 players at the time of Kick off, game is a forfeit.

•The point system is a league matter. Both team leaders must discuss this prior to starting the game>advise officials>but if one team disagrees, start the game and contact league directors ASAP.(Doug Barney).

Section 01.07

RULES

•USFTL with modifications for Safety and Sportsmanship.

•Common sense football rules default to NFL rules.

Section 01.08 

FINAL STANDINGS

•If Necessary, we will use the tiebreaking system found on NFL.com

Section 01.09 

CLEAN UP

•Each team is responsible to make sure their sideline is CLEAN at the end of the game.

•Teams with the last game are 100% RESPONSIBLE for the cleanliness of the sidelines.

PENALTY: If complaints are received, BOTH TEAMS WILL BE PENALIZED 7PTS. THE FOLLOWING WEEK.

Second offense: Loss of 14 points.

Third offense: NO PLAYOFFS.

ARTICLE 02. GAME PLAY

Section 02.01 

LOOSE BALL

•Fumbles are dead on the ground.

•Fumbles that do not touch the ground are LIVE.

•Kickoffs can only be received by the receiving team ONLY. The kicking team can not recover a kickoff. REFS MUST BLOW WHISTLE WHEN DEFENDERS ARE WITHIN 10 YARDS OF RECEIVING TEAM RECOVERING A GROUNDED BALL.

•All bad snaps are DEAD. [except on punts]

Section 02.02 

KICKING AND PUNTING

•Kickoff will be from the 20 yard line, at least one player from the receiving team shall be within the 10 yard restraining line (10 Yards).

•On declared punts NO ONE can leave the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. No notification is required. Fake punts are allowed but not on declared punts. Rushing is LEGAL but not on declared punts. (b1) A DROPPED SNAP ON A PUNT MAY BE PICKED UP AND KICKED. Declared Punts: A team may choose to declare a punt. It is the obligation OF THE OFFENSE TO DECLARE THE PUNT. They will not be asked if they are punting; they will only be advised it is 4th down. A team may not choose to declare a punt. A declared punt is for the protection of the punting team.

•On a declared punt the defense cannot rush, the defense must have 4 men on the line. If a penalty occurs on a declared punt, you are not required to kick the ball after the penalty is assessed but for it to be a declared punt you must declare it again. On declared punts the ball must be kicked immediately or a delay of game will be assessed.

MUFFS 

•Dropped or deflected punts or kicks can be picked up and returned (by any receiving team member). If a ball is loose and a defender is within 10 yards, the official will blow the whistle and the play is dead. A loose ball can NEVER be recovered by the kicking team.

KICKOFFS

•Teams have 45 seconds from the extra point to kick the ball. If the time limit is exceeded, A 5 yard penalty DELAY OF GAME will be assessed and the kicking team has 20 seconds to kick the ball.

•If ball is kicked out of bounds on kickoffs the receiving team takes the ball at the 30 yard line or where it went out of bounds. There is no RE-KICK. Each additional kickoff out of bounds will result in an additional 5 yards. IE. 2nd penalty 35 yard line,3rd 40 yard line.

•Intentionally kicked balls out of bounds on a kickoff will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Section 02.03  

MERCY RULE

•If a team is leading the game with 19 points or more the game will end with 2 minutes or less remaining in the game.

Section 02.04  

TIE BREAKER

•Each team will begin at the 20 yard line and have 4 downs. Touchdowns and extra points will determine the tie breaker. Play will continue until a winner is determined.

•An interception by the defense will end the offensive possession.

Section 02.05  

ON-SIDES KICK

•This method of on-side kicks can only take place in the last 2 minutes of the game. The kicking team regains possession if the returning team fails to gain the 20 yard line.

*penalties resulting in a mark off of yardage that result inside the 20 yard line is also a successful attempt

***Penalties such as flag guarding outside of the 20 yard line will NOT result in a successful attempt because yardage was gained before penalty occured.

•This is ONLY if the kicking team is losing team.

•Possession will be the 40 yard line.

Section 02.06 

DOWNS; DISTANCE SCORING AND EXTRA POINTS 

•The offense has 4 downs to reach the next 20-yard marker for a first down, or to score in the final 20 yards of the field before the goal line

•Touchdowns = 6 points.

•Extra points = 3 yards – 1 point  8 yards – 2 points.

•Blocked extra points (interception) ARE DEAD.

Section 02.07  

LINE PLAY 

•Offense – at least 4 men on the line of scrimmage. Defense – at least 1 man on the line of scrimmage.

•Offensive Line – All interior linemen must remain motionless once set, until the snap of the ball. The play will be whistled dead immediately upon violation. The two guards need only have one foot on the line (defined by the heel of the center). There is NO pulling guards on run or pass plays. No 3 or 4 point stances.

ARTICLE 03. PENALTIES

Section 03.01  

PASS INTERFERENCE

•Spot of foul, automatic first down(in the end zone, on the one yard line).

•Only one bump within the first 5 yards, not a heavy chuck or an attempt to knock down a receiver. No contact before a catch other than players going for the ball. On tipped passes all players must play the ball. You can not knock down, go through, punch, strike a player attempting to recover a tipped pass.

•Offense – 10 yard penalty from line of scrimmage and the play stands.

•Defense – spot of foul and 1st down.

* Defence- Holding reciever downfield 10 yard penalty from line of scrimamage and 1st down.

Section 03.02 

ADDITIONAL PENALTIES

•If a trip or tackle to save a touchdown occurs it will be an automatic touchdown.

•Holding ball carrier to get flag- 10 yard at end of run.

•Illegal Rush (rushing beyond 5 yds. Of the line of scrimmage/rushing on declared punts.)- 5 yds. Play over.

•Pushing out of Bounds by defensive player. – 10 yards at the spot of the foul. If the defender is the last line of defense and is preventing a touchdown, a touchdown will be awarded.

•On declared punts- Offense leaving line of scrimmage prior to punt. – 5yd penalty

•Illegal Substitution: at snap – 5 yds, participating in play 10 yds.

•Tripping of a player (including the ball carrier)-Tripping includes sliding with feet out in front of you. 10 yards.

•Player entering the field to participate in a fight- ejection from the game and 10 yard penalty and a 1 game suspension.

•Holding: offensive holding, illegal use of hands will be enforced from spot of foul- 10yards

•Defensive holding: No grabbing on to any jersey- 10 yards (line play and deflagging).

•Delay of game- 5yards – play over.

•Flag guarding- This includes lowering of the head and any unnatural body movement to use any part of the body to guard flags- 10 yards from spot of foul and the play and down counts.

•Illegal block downfield- 10 yards

•Illegal forward pass: 5 yards from spot of pass and loss of down.

•No jewelry: 10 yard penalty.

Section 03.03  

DELIBERATE FLAGRANT FOULS(SUSPENSION FROM GAME) 

•Whenever, in the judgment of any game official, the following acts are deliberate or flagrant the players involved shall be disqualified from the game. Examples include but are not limited to:

•Intentionally contacting a game official physically during the game by persons subject to the rules.

•Roughing the kicker or center.

•Tackling the ball carrier as in regulation football.

•Using fists, kicking and fighting.

•Using locked hands, elbows or any part of the forearm or hand.

•Any other deliberate or flagrant act.

PENALTY: Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 10 yards and if FLAGRANT , the offender shall be disqualified.

Section 03.04  

PROHIBITED ACTS

•There shall be no unsportsmanlike conduct by players, coaches, substitutes or others subject to the rules. Examples include, but are not limited to:

•Any acts of unfair play.

•Intentionally kicking at the ball other than during a legal kick.

•Using disconcerting acts or words prior to the snap in an attempt to interfere with Team A’s signals or movements.

•Leaving the field between downs to gain an advantage unless replaced or with permission of the referee.

•Spiking the ball, taunting opponents or other similar theatrics before or after a touchdown.

•Using profanity, abusive, insulting, or vulgar language or gesture.

•Holding an unauthorized conference, or being on the field illegally.

•Indicating objections to the official’s decision.

•Intentionally kick the ball.

•Spike the ball into the ground.

•Coaches or others on the field of play at any time.

•Players leaving the field of play other than during the intermission at half.

•A substitute or any other person interfering with a player or any play when the ball is live.

•The punter delaying the kick, after requesting protection.

•Using the “Hide-out play” by placing a player or players near the side line who were not within 5 yards of the side line from the time of the ready-for-play signal to the snap.

•Attempting to substitute a suspended player.

•Pulling or removing a flag from an offensive player without the ball by a defensive player intentionally.

PENALTY: Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 10yard penalty, and if flagrant, the offender shall be disqualified.

Section 03.05 

DEAD BALL PLAYER FOULS

•When the ball becomes dead in possession of a player, he shall not:

•Intentionally kick the ball.

•Spike the ball into the ground.

•Throw the ball high into the air.

•Fail to return ball into the huddle.

PENALTY: Unsportsmanlike Conduct 10 yard penalty, and if flagrant, offender shall be disqualified.

Section 03.06  

UNFAIR ACTS

•No player shall block in a manner that would cause his or her feet, knees, or legs to strike an opponent. All blocking shall be done with the feet in contact with the ground.

•There shall be no high-low blocking.

•Two on one blocking is LEGAL.

•There shall be no contact with a player on the ground.

•The runner shall not be thrown to the ground.

•There shall be no hurdling to advance the ball, hurdling to avoid injury is acceptable.

•There shall be no tripping.

•There shall be no clipping.

•No player shall contact an opponent obviously out of the play either before or after the ball is declared dead.

•The ball carrier shall not deliberately drive or run into a defensive player.

•There shall be no unnecessary roughness of any nature.

•Tackling.

•Using fists.

•Knocking out of bounds.

•Punch strike, strip, steal, or attempt to steal the ball from a player in possession.

•Position himself on the shoulders or body of a teammate to gain an advantage.

•Making any contact with an opponent which is deemed unnecessary of any nature including the fists, locked hands, elbows or any part of the forearm or hand.

PENALTY: 10 yards and if flagrant, the offender shall be disqualified.

Section 03.07 

ROUGHING THE PASSER

•Defensive players MUST make a definite effort to avoid charging into the passes[or anyone acting as the passer] after it is clear the ball has been thrown. No defensive player shall contact the passer who is standing still or fading back as he is considered out of the play after the pass.

PENALTY: Roughing the passer: incomplete pass>10 yards and 1st down. Completed Pass> 1st down and yardage gained plus 10 yards.

Section 03.08 

CONTACT BLOCKING

•Contact blocking is legally hindering the progress of an opponent in a fair and safe manner. Blockers must be on their feet before, during and after contact is made with their opponents. You may not dive to block. Two on one blocking is permitted at the line of scrimmage and elsewhere. Under no conditions shall a high-low block, cross body block or rolling block be permitted. The blocker is allowed to contact only that portion of the opponents body between the waist and shoulders. An open hand, straight arm block, within the lacework of the blocker’s body, is the ideal block to avoid unnecessary rough play. You may not grab the jersey of an opponent while attempting to block. The blocker’s hands may not be locked together. The blocker may not swing, throw or flip the elbow or forearm. There shall be no contact of any kind to the head and/or shoulders in the attempt to block an opponent. The main concept to keep contact blocking under control is to stress safe, clean, sportsmanlike contact between opponents. In general, players:

•In all instances , blockers must be on their feet when blocking, accidentally falling when attempting to block is not illegal.

•The blocker’s hands may not be locked.

•The blocker may not swing, throw, or flip the elbow or forearm.

•The palms must be facing the opponent being blocked.

•Blocking below the waist is Illegal.

•Neither the offensive or defensive team may make contact with an opponents head.

•Line: open handed, arms not extended.

•Bull Rushing is legal during initial rush (7 yards up field towards the QB).

•You can not bull rush the center.

•In other cases , the defender must not directly collide with the blocker or run through the blocker:

•On kick off coverage, coverage team must try to avoid the blockers and not bull rush through them.

•Rusher can not bull rush blocking backs lined up in the backfield.

•Downfield Blocking:

•Open Handed, arms extended

•Two on One blocking is permitted.

Section 03.09

CENTER PROTECTION: ROUGHING THE CENTER

•You cannot line up directly over the center. Minimum 1 yard buffer.

•If you line up in the center guard gap, you cannot cross over the centers path and rush the other gap.

•The center cannot go forward with his head down.

•No stunting across the centers path.

•If you line up in the center guard gap, you must set, and remain set.

•You cannot bump the center going out for a pass until he is 1 yard off the line of scrimmage. Incidental contact with the center while rushing the center guard gap is legal. Impeding the centers forward movement within 1 yard of the line of scrimmage is not legal.

•You cannot bull rush the center.

PENALTY: 10 yards and if flagrant, the offender shall be disqualifiedP

Section 03.10 

FLAG GUARDING

•Runners shall not flag guard by using their hands, arms, or fail to deny the opportunity for an opponent to remove the flag. Flag guarding includes:

•Swinging the hand or arm over the flag to prevent an opponent from de-flagging.

•Place the ball in possession over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from de-flagging.

•Lower the shoulders in such a manner which places the arm over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from de-flagging.

PENALTY: 10 yards from the spot of the foul and the play stands.

Section 03.11 

HELPING THE RUNNER

•The runner shall not grasp a team-mate or be grasped, pushed or pulled by a teammate.

PENALTY: Helping the runner 5 yards replay the down.

Section 03.12 

STIFF ARM

•The runner shall be prohibited from contacting an opponent with extended hand or arm. This includes the use of a “stiff arm” extended to ward off an opponent attempting to de-flag/tag. 

PENALTY: Personal Foul 10 yards at spot of the foul play stands

Section 03.13 

OBSTRUCTION OF RUNNER

•The defensive player shall not hold, grasp, or obstruct the forward progress of a runner when in the act of removing the flag or making a legal tag. If defender is the last line of defense and the referees feel the runner would have scored, officials can award a touchdown.

PENALTY: Personal Foul 10 yards from end of the run.

Section 03.14

DIVING TO ADVANCE THE BALL

•Diving to advance the ball is an illegal advancement

PENALTY: Personal Foul 10 yards from spot of the foul

Section 03.15

LEGAL AND ILLEGAL FLAG REMOVAL

•There are basic rules which are established for flag football because of legal or illegal removing of the flag.

•Players must have possession of the ball before they can legally be de-flagged. When a runner loses his flag either accidentally, inadvertently(not removed by grabbing or pulling), or on purpose, play continues. The de-flagging reverts to two handed touch of the runner between the shoulders and the knees.

•In circumstances where a flag is removed illegally, play should continue with the option of the penalty or the play.

•Defensive player intentionally pulling a flag from an offensive player without the ball is illegal.

PENALTY: Personal Fouls, 10 yards

Section 03.16 

TAMPERING WITH THE FLAG

•Tampering with the flag in any way to gain an advantage including tying or using foreign materials, or other such acts is illegal.

PENALTY: Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 10 yards from the previous spot, loss of down and player disqualification.

ARTICLE 04

Section 04.01 

PLAYER CONDUCT 

•Trash talkers rule-Bating/Taunting- unsportsmanlike conduct, when a player’s continually and belligerently lashing out with derogatory remarks to an opposing team player or players that team will receive an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty of 10 yards and a warning to that player. If the actions continue the player’s involved will receive an immediate ejection from the game and the player’s will serve a 1 game suspension in the following week’s game, NOTE: PLAYERS MUST ATTEND PRAYER AND CHRISTIAN EDUCATION THE FOLLOWING WEEK TO FULFILL THE SUSPENSION. If players miss that weeks prayer and Christian Education, the suspension carries forward until the players have fulfilled the suspension. THERE WILL BE NO MINIPULATING THIS SUSPENSION. You must attend prayer and Christian Education AND miss an actual game that players would have participated in.

 1st violation- warning to players

 2nd violation- Warning to on field Captain and ejection from the game to players.

 3rd violation- Ejection to the on field Captain and Players. The team WILL be subject to review by the League Administration.

•Swearing, abusive language, or taunting directed at any player or an official. SWEARING AT AN OFFICIAL IS AN AUTOMATIC 1 GAME SUSPENSION BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER A GAME.

 1st violation- 10 yards and player sits out 1 full quarter.

 2nd violation- 10 yards and player ejected from the game and players conduct will be reviewed by the league.

IF A PLAYER DOES NOT LEAVE THE FIELD OF PLAY WITHIN 1 MINUTE THE GAME IS A FORFEIT.

•All other unnecessary roughness, unsportsmanlike conduct or illegal play as determined by the officials shall result in a 10 yard penalty, first down and/or expulsion from the game of the player or players involved.

•Deliberate personal fouls that are flagrant shall result in a 3 game suspension and players conduct will be subject to review. Example of such fouls are: Deliberate contact to the head or neck with a forearm or elbow. Deliberate contact below the waist or to an injured body part. Any deliberate contact to an official by a player shall result in a 1 year suspension for the player and the teams’ participation will be under review by the League.

©2011