Sections: 
Pregame
Basic Game Rules
Scoring
Passing
Running
Receiving
Pitchbacks/Laterals
Rushing
Live Ball / Dead Ball
Flag Pulling
Penalties


 Pregame/Postgame
• The Home Team: For the first game of the day, setting up the field. For the last game of the day it is in charge of cleaning up the field;
• All players must be wearing a mouthpiece
• Jerseys must be tucked in, flags on hips
• No pockets on shorts or pants, if they have pockets they must be taped
• Skull caps, winter hats, soft shell helmets OK. No hats with bills.
• Coin Toss: Visitor calls toss, winner of toss has the choice of offense or defense. There is no defer option. The loser of the coin toss has the choice of direction for first half.
• Referees will only deal with head coaches. Once the ball is spotted, there is no discussion with the referees. You may call a timeout and issue a challenge if you wish. If correct, you retain your timeout

Basic Game Rules
• 2 24 minute halves with 2 Minute Half Time
• Timeouts: Each team has Two (2) 30-second timeouts per game
• The clock does not stop for any reason except timeouts, injuries or the official’s discretion
• Clock restarts when an injured player has been removed from field of play
• When ball is spotted, the offense has 40 seconds to run a play. The play clock will be counted aloud from 10 seconds down to zero
• Coaches On Field: 5-6 and 7-9 Leagues, Yes. 10-12 and 13-16 No. Defensively, do your best to set the defense and vacate the field.
• The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has four (4) downs to cross midfield.Once a team crosses midfield, it has three (3) downs to score a touchdown.
• If the offense fails to score, after crossing midfield, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team starts its drive on its own 5-yard line.
• If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, on 3 downs, and elects to "punt" on 4th down, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive from its own 5-yard line.
• If the offensive team goes for it on 4th down and does not cross field, the opposing team will start itspossession from the spot.
• Line of gain is spotted by the ball. Players are not allowed to dive to advance the line of gain.
• Overtime: Home team calls coin toss. Teams choose to attempt a 1 point (5 yd line) or 2 point play (10 yd line) to score. Double OT and beyond, both teams must attempt a 2 Point play.
• Ball must be snapped between the legs
• There are No-Run (Pass Only) Zones before crossing the 50 and the scoring End Zone

Scoring
• A touchdown is 6 points
• Extra point is 1 point from the 5 Yard line or two points from the 10 yard line
• A safety is worth 2 points
• Returned Interceptions in Regulation are 6 Points 
• Overtime Returned Interception: 2 Points
• If either team gains a 35 point advantage, the game is ended. Teams can continue to play a practice game but top players from the winning team should come off the field if both teams agree to keep playing

Passing
• All passes, except backwards passes, that do not cross the line of scrimmage, whether received or not, are illegal forward passes, unless touched by a defender. Pass must go beyond the line of scrimmage.
• Direct handoffs, pitches, and laterals are permitted behind the line of scrimmage only. Lateral is defined as a backward or sideway toss of the ball by the ball-carrier.
• Shovel passes are OK as long as they are received beyond the LOS. A shovel pass is not a two-handed pass. It must be delivered forward with one hand only.
• Ball must be out of hand prior to QB breaching the line of scrimmage
• QB can get rid of the ball to avoid a sack but it must go beyond the LOS. It does not need to be in bounds and a player is not required to be in the area. (no grounding penalty)
• The QB has 7 seconds to throw the ball. The 7 second clock does not begin until the quarterback has touched the ball. Referees will call the seven 7 seconds aloud. If the time expires, it’s a loss of down and treated like an incomplete pass.
• A legal hand-off in the backfield eliminates the 7 second pass clock
• QB can receive a snap, Handoff to Another Player, then receive the ball back to run or pass
• Have your receivers check with the LOS referee to be sure they are behind the LOS prior to the play. Referees will also alert you to move back before everyone is set
• Once the ball is beyond the line of scrimmage, the remaining offensive players may not impede the defense from attempting to pull the ball carrier’s flag and should stop running with the play.

Running
• The QB cannot directly run with the ball. The QB is whomever receives the snap.
• Direct handoffs, pitches, and laterals are permitted behind the line of scrimmage only. Definition of a “Legal Handoff” - Total loss of possession directly from 1 offensive play to another.
• Handoffs must be a direct change of possession. In a Run, Pass Option (RPO), two players may not be touching the ball simultaneously and moving forward
• Any player receiving a handoff, pitch or lateral is eligible to pass
• Multiple handoffs are OK
• Players spinning out of control will be called for flag guarding.
• Runners are not permitted to jump, leap or hurdle, in the officials 
judgement, while advancing the ball. The play is to be blown dead and ball spotted where it was when they left the ground.
• Ballcarriers may leave their feet and the play will continue for spinning, jump cuts, QB’s passing 
progression or if there is a clear indication that he/she has done so to avoid a collision with another
player and the play will continue without stoppage. However, if while leaving the ground, contact
is made unnecessary roughness or an illegal contact penalty may be enforced by the official. Play will be blown dead if the Ball-carrier leaves their feet diving or to hurdle a player.
• No blocking or “screening” is allowed at any time. Offensive players in close proximity of the ball-carrier must stop their motion once the ball has crossed the line of scrimmage. No running with the ball-carrier.
• The Center cannot be the first person to receive a direct hand off, pitch or lateral from the QB
• No Run Zones are 5 Yards prior to Midfield and End Zone. Handoffs, pitches and laterals in these zones are OK but still must pass to advance the ball. 
• If a team achieves a first down by crossing midfield, the midfield no run zone is a dead area if a flag pull or penalty pushes them back to it on a subsequent play (they cannot achieve another first down at midfield)
• If a team is in the No Run Zone by the goal line and a flag pull or penalty pushes them back to on a subsequent play, the offense can now run or pass on their next play
• Once the ball has been handed off in front, behind or to the side of the quarterback, all defensive players are eligible to rush.
Receiving & Formations
• All players are eligible receivers including the QB if the ball has been handed off behind the LOS
• In the case of simultaneous possession by both an offensive & defensive player, possession is awarded to the offense.
• Only one player is allowed in motion at a time and must be at least one yard behind the line of scrimmage. Teams may shift formations but must be set for a 1 count prior to the snap
• Movement by a player who is set or a player who runs toward the line of scrimmage while in motion is considered a false start.

Rushing the Passer
• Teams are not required to rush the passer or identify the pass rusher
• Rushers must be lined up behind the referees 7 yard Mark for 10-12 and 13-16 leagues and 10 yards for the 7-9 league. There is no limit to how many can rush.
• If a pass rusher leaves the rush line early, that rusher may NOT return to the rush line, “reset” and legally rush the passer. They are considered out of the play as a pass rusher. However, any other defender that began the play beyond the LOS 7 yards (or 10) may rush instead. Jumping the rush is not a penalty until the rusher crosses the line of scrimmage prior to the handoff or passed ball.
• Once the ball is handed off, any defensive player May Cross the Line of Scrimmage
• Defensive players can check with the referee to make sure they are properly lined prior to the play
• Players not rushing the passer may defend on the line of scrimmage but may not enter the backfield unless the ball is handed off
• Players rushing the passer may attempt to block the pass, however no contact can be made with the QB in anyway unless ruled incidental by the officials.
• The offense cannot impede the rusher in any way. The rusher has the right to a clear path to the quarterback, regardless of where they line up prior to the snap. The Rusher’s PATH is set pre-snap from the rusher or rushers directly to the QB. PATH does not move once the quarterback moves. If the “path or line” is occupied by a moving offensive player, then it is the offense’s responsibility to avoid the rusher. Any disruption to the rusher’s path and/or contact will result in an impeding the rusher penalty. If the offensive player does not move after the snap, then it is the rusher’s responsibility to go around the offensive player and to avoid contact.
• Illegal rush is 5 yard penalty and automatic first down

Flag Pulling
• Defenders may dive to pull a flag
• Defenders cannot hold, tackle, or run through the ball carrier
• It is illegal to strip the ball from the ball carrier
• Players must be given free release off the line of scrimmage – both offense and defense - (1 warning, penalties after that)
• Tackles can result in disqualification
• Flag guarding is an attempt by the ball-carrier to obstruct the defender’s access to the flags by stiff arming, dropping the head, hand, ball, arm, or shoulder or intentionally covering the flags with the football jersey.

Live Ball / Dead Ball
Plays are ruled dead when:
• An incomplete pass, stepping out of bounds, a flag pull, after a score, if a player’s arm or knee touch the ground. A hand may be used to keep balance from falling
• If a ball carrier’s flag falls out, ball is spotted where the flag fell out
• If a player has one or no flags when receiving the ball, the ball is spotted where the player took possession(there is no penalty). If a reception happens in the end zone in this scenario, it’s still a TD
• Ball-carrier leaves their feet diving or to hurdle a player.
• Fumbles, drops, or muffed snaps: Ball is spotted where it lands which may include a Safety if in End Zone. If the ball is fumbled forward, the spot goes where the ball carrier lost possession. 
• Inadvertent whistles: Offense can take possession when the whistle blew or replay from original LOS

Penalties

All Offensive penalties (unless there is a defensive offsetting penalty) include a loss of down. 
There is no “replaying” a down as exists in tackle football.
• If the field monitor or referee witnesses any acts of intentional tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player will be ejected from the game. The decision is made at the referee’s discretion. No appeals will be considered. FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!
• Offensive or confrontational language is NOT allowed. Officials have the right to determining offensive language and trash talking. If it occurs, the officials will determine if a warning or immediate ejection is warranted.
• Players may not physically or verbally abuse any opponent, coach or official.