TEXAS
AMATEUR ATHLETIC FEDERATION
FLAG FOOTBALL RULES
(APPROVED by the T. A. A. F. General Body for the 2002 State
Tournaments)
The Game
Article
1. a. The game shall be played between two teams of no more than eight (8)
players each, on a rectangular field with a properly shaped, sized and inflated
ball.
b.
A team may legally play with no fewer than six (6) players.
Winning Team and Final Score
Article
2. a. The teams are awarded points based on values established by rules.
Forfeited games are given a different value and depending on circumstances, may
alter the outcome of the game.
b.
The game is ended and the score is final when the referee declares the game
complete.
Supervision
Article
3. a. The game is conducted under the supervision of two, three, four or five
officials including: a referee, a linesman, a back judge, line judge and a side
judge. Use of the line judge and side judge is optional.
b.
Officiating crews will be assigned from an approved agent from the tournament
host and/or the state commissioner. Officials will have completed training as
set by guidelines outlined in the TAAF Cavalcade.
Team Managers and Captains
Article
4. a. Each team shall designate to the referee one or more players as its field
captain(s) and one player shall speak for the team in all dealings with
officials. There shall be no more than four captains from each team at the coin
toss.
b.
A field captain’s first announced choice of any options offered his team shall
not be reversed.
c. Any player that participated in the last play, and is
still on the field of play, may call for a team charged time-out.
Persons
Subject to the Rules
Article 5. All players, captains, managers, or persons
affiliated with the teams on the field, involved with a tournament or contest
are subject to the rules and shall be governed by the officials and/or the
tournament director, staff or appointed agents.
TAAF
Members and Tournament Host Sites Subject to the Rules
Article 6. a. TAAF Member Cities conducting contests
shall adhere to rules set forth by the Cavalcade and TAAF Flag Football Rules.
b. Non-TAAF Members wishing to conduct contests
utilizing TAAF Flag Football Rules, Logo must have approval of the Executive
Director, State Office, State Commissioner and/or meet the requirements set
forth by the TAAF Cavalcade. If approved contests must adhere to the guidelines
set forth by the Cavalcade as well as the TAAF Flag Football Rules.
SECTION
2. THE FIELD
Dimensions,
Markings and Area Designation
Article 1.a. 80 yards from
goal line to goal line with two end zones of 10 yards each.
b.
Field shall be divided into 4 zones of 20 yards each.
c. Field shall be a minimum of
40 yards wide and a maximum of 53 1/3 yards wide.
d.
Marking the three (3) yard line and ten (10) yard line are optional for use
during the PAT. These may be marked as hash marks in the center of the field no
more than five (5) yards in width
e.
Lines should be clearly marked and use of cones or yard line markers along the
sideline to signify zone lines are strongly recommended for use during
championship play.
f. Teams shall use opposite sides of the field to use as
their team area during the game. The team area stretches from twenty (20) yard
line to twenty (20) yard line and no less than ten (10) yards wide of the
playing field. Only the team manager, captains and players are allowed within
the team area. Persons associated with the team and are not the Manager,
captains or players must be removed from the immediate playing field and team
area. Where grandstands, bleachers or seating areas are available this is the
preferred area for these non-players.
g. When teams and players are in the team area, adequate
room along the sideline must be made available in order for officials to work
the sideline and properly officiate the contest.
SECTION
3. THE BALL
Specifications
Article
1. It is recommended that teams use the Wilson Official NFL Ball or its equal.
(Official NCAA or the R5) However, each team must provide an official size
leather covered football, which is properly inflated.
Administration and Enforcement
Article
2. a. 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 one play. If the illegal ball is discovered prior to
snap, there will be a 10 yard penalty, no reversal of possession
and removal of ball. (S-19)
b. Each team is responsible for their own ball as to retrieving it after an incomplete pass and keeping it dry during adverse weather conditions. The center may carry the ball to the huddle.
SECTION 4. PLAYING EQUIPMENT
AND UNIFORMS
Uniforms
Article 1. a. Shall be each team's choice as long as it does not include any hard or unyielding surface.
b. Jewelry: No jewelry of any kind may be worn by players. No headwear with an extended bill may be
worn. (Ex: caps, visors. etc.).
c. Jersey/Shirts: All members of the same team must
wear the same color jersey with non-duplicating numbers including at least an
eight (8) inch number on the back. The
number on the front is recommended but not mandatory. Jerseys must be tucked in. The midriff shirt is legal, if in the
judgment of the referee, it does not hinder the defense from pulling the
flag. No article of clothing may cover
any portion of a player's flag.
Officials should warn violators of this between plays. If a shirt/jersey becomes untucked during a
play, it must be re-tucked before the next play.
d. Shorts/Pants: Any shorts or pants worn during
flag football league play must not have pockets located flags would normally
hang from the flag belt. This is to
reduce the risk of injury when pulling flags.
If discovered during a game or a pocket becomes ripped during a play (an
attempt at deflagging a player), if successful, player will be ruled down as if
he were legally deflagged from a flag belt.
Any shorts or pants that have striping, piping or a
design that camouflages a player's flags or flag belt will not be allowed.
e. Shoes: Any flat soled or completely molded cleat shoes are acceptable. Removable cleats, baseball or track spikes or any shoes that have steel or metal tips are prohibited. All players must wear shoes.
f. Protective Equipment: Helmets, shoulder pads, thigh pads are prohibited. Any questions 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.
g. Flags - The "Sonic" type of flag belts are recommended, but the choice of type, material, and securing mechanism used shall be the choice of each local league or local tournament. The Adult and Youth Flag Football State Tournament teams must use the "sonic" type flag belts. (Triple Threat and Velcro type flag belts are acceptable alternatives, but must be approved by tournament director. Ball & Socket type flag belts are illegal and cannot be used.)
Each player on the field (8 offensive and 8 defense) will wear 2 flags at the waist, one on each side. Flags must be attached to a belt and the belt will be worn snug around the waist to eliminate being turned partially around the waist during an attempted deflagging.
The flags must be a minimum of 12 inches (flag
itself) in length and 1 1/2 inches in width and must be a different color than
the players lower uniform. It is
preferred that teammates must wear the same color of flags.
h. Gloves work by a player must be approved and
inspected by game officials in the case any illegal substance has altered the
gloves with the intent to enhance a player’s performance.
Playing
Equipment And Uniforms Enforcement
Article 2. a. If any player has improper attire,
said player may not play in the game until he complies with these rules. If discovered during the game, player must be
removed from play until compliance occurs.
(Uniform violations: 5 yard penalty for someone who gains possession of
the football). (S-19)
b. Treat item Section 4 Article 1e & Article 1f
as dead ball fouls with a 5yard penalty and remove equipment or player.
c. Illegal alteration, securing, or substitution of
flags or belts will result in removal of a player or players from the game and
a 10 yard penalty from L.O.S. of last snap if offense and if defense from
P.O.I. (S-19) Any player with less than two (2) flags in the proper position at
the snap shall be ruled deflagged immediately at the point where he gains
possession of the football.
RULE 2. ROSTERS, PLAYERS, ELIGIBILITY AND CONDUCT
SECTION 1. TEAM & PLAYERS
Eligibility
Article 1. a. TAAF flag football
is 8 men with everyone eligible. A team
may field no less than 6 players at any time.
b. Team Roster: Teams regular playing
roster shall not exceed twenty (20) players including a playing
manager. There will be no drafting of
players for Regional or State Tournament.
c. No new player may be
added to teams regular playing roster after October 15th and be eligible to
compete in the T.A.A.F. Regional and State Tournaments. If a regional
tournament occurs after October 15, the roster for that tournament becomes
final and official. Player additions to rosters may only occur within the
guidelines set by the TAAF Cavalcade.
d. Eligibility: No player shall be
permitted to play T.A.A.F. Flag Football
if he is presently or has, during the current season, been a member of any
semi-professional, (This includes arena football), high school varsity,
B team, 9th grade, or college football team. Any player who has played professional
football shall be ineligible to participate for one year after his last
day as a member of a professional team.
All
players must be eligible under General Regulations of the current T.A.A.F.
Cavalcade of Sports.
Classifications
Article
2. a. ADULT: CLASS "A" - Teams are not restricted by number of
ex-professional and ex-collegiate players on the roster. CLASS "B" - Teams are restricted to
three (3) ex-collegiate players who lettered in football and no
ex-professional football players.
b. YOUTH: Current age divisions include:
8 & Under Mixed, 10 & Under Mixed, 12 & Under Mixed and 14 &
Under Mixed.
Team & Player Enforcement
Article 3. Any team or players found
violating these rules shall forfeit all games played in by the ineligible
player or players. If in Regional or
State Tournament play, team will be removed from the tournament.
SECTION 2. PLAYER CONDUCT
Players Behavior
Article 1. a. Any verbal badgering of
officials or derogatory language between opposing players after officials have
asked once for team captain's control can result in player or
players involved in action being disqualified.
1. First derogatory
action or language should be penalized 10 yards and captain
warned. (S-33)
2. Second
derogatory action or language will cause players to be disqualified plus
10 yards. (S-32 & 33)
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 actions of his players,
game can be forfeited.
b. Fake Excessive Contact: Any player,
who in the judgment of the officials, fakes excessive contact for the sole
purpose of drawing a penalty may be warned once by the officials and then
penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct on the next offense. Enforcement: A warning to one player
may be applied to a team as a whole if the officials so state that this warning
is to the team. Penalty - (Treated
as a dead ball foul) 10 yards (S-33)
c. Begging A Call – During the course of a game, managers, players and
participants on or off the field of play may decide to solicit unnecessary
comments, badgering or complaints towards officials. If in the official’s
judgment, the unsolicited information is interpreted as “begging the call,” a
team may be penalized for such actions. The sideline must able to be worked by
game officials. When this hindrance comes into play, either verbally or
physically, Sideline interference may be warned and penalized as such.
Enforcement: a
penalty of 5 yards can be tacked on to the end of the play. This penalty will be marked off as a dead
ball foul even if it occurred while play was in progress. (S-33)
RULE 3. DEFINITIONS/PLAYING REGULATIONS
SECTION
1. APPROVED RULINGS AND OFFICIAL’S SIGNALS
Article 1. a. An approved ruling is an official decision on a given statement
of facts made by the state commissioner, tournament director and/or the TAAF
Cavalcade. This is to illustrate the spirit and application of rules. If there
is a conflict between an approved ruling and the official rule, the official
rules take precedence.
b. Official’s signals are outlined in the mechanics portion of the
Official TAAF Flag Football Rules.
c. Protest: Judgment calls/interpretation
of rules cannot be protested. Enforcement of penalties may be questioned and
confirmed at the time of enforcement, but not protested. Player eligibility may be protested and must
be filed with referee before end of the half in which said player is playing.
SECTION 2. LENGTH OF GAMES, SCORING AND TIME OUTS
Coin Toss
Article 1. At the beginning of each half, a coin toss will be held. The winner of the coin toss will have the following options: (1) offense, (2) defense or (3) choice of goal to defend. The loser of the opening toss will have choice of the remaining options for the first half and will have the first choice of all options in the second half.. The loser of the toss shall have first choice at the beginning of the second half. The winner of the toss has remaining second half options. There is NO DEFERRMENT to the second half.
Game
Time
Article 2. a. Clock Management and Regulations:
(1) (1) Game clock will start each half when the official
puts the ball in play.
(2) (2) The official’s whistle makes the ball ready for play
and starts the play clock prior to each down throughout the games. The play
clock is twenty-five seconds in length.
(3) (3) After a team time-out, the game clock will start at
the snap of the ball.
(4) (4) Because the game clock is a continuous click, it
does not stop during P.A.T. attempts.
(5) (5) The game clock will stop for team time-outs,
official time-outs, and at the discretion of the official to retrieve long
incomplete passes.
(6) (6) The play clock is 25 second and starts once the
official marks the ball ready for play. (Delay of Game penalty if exceed 25
seconds)
(7) (7) Half time - A minimum of 5 minutes and
a maximum of 10 minutes.
The on-field captain or quarterback may request the amount of time left
in the game from the officials at any time.
Officials will be expected to give the correct time.
b. Periods of play include Regulation, Point After
Touchdown (PAT), 7 Play Period and
Tiebreaker.
c.
Regulation Period - The game shall be
played in 2 halves of 20 minutes in length.
In all games the clock will be running continuous. (S-2&3)
d. The period of time after a touchdown is made is
known as the PAT or Point After Touchdown. During regulation game time, the
game clock does not stop. During the Seven (7) Play Period OR the Tie Breaker
Period, the PAT is not counted as a numbered play, but will use the play clock
as a guide.
e. With two minutes remaining in regulation period {eighteen
(18) minute into the half} of the first and second half, teams will be
given a two minutes warning and be instructed that the seven (7) play period
will begin. The seven (7) play period
has only the twenty-five (25) second play clock to use as a time guideline
between plays. The officials will give down, distance, and play number
on all plays remaining. Teams must
continue to make first downs if they want to keep possession, as it is with
using the clock. However, if they do not
make a first down, the defense has a chance to gain possession and use the
remainder of the seven plays. P.A.T.
tries will not count as one of the seven plays.
f. Tiebreaker - In the event of a tie game
at the end of the second half the following method will be used:
(1) After an official's time out of two (2)
minutes, during which time officials and team captains will have a coin toss,
the winner will have choice of playing offense or defense first. Both teams will go in the direction of the
wind or if no wind in the direction chosen by the loser of the toss.
(2) Ball will be placed on the 40yard line and each team
will have 4 consecutive plays unless terminated by an interception, in which to
score the most points or gain the most yards.
If no team scores, the team that gains the most additional positive
yardage shall be the winner. Positive
yardage is defined as yardage gained while on offense only and must be in
advance of the 40yard line. If after 4
consecutive downs each, the two teams remain tied in all of the above
combinations, additional downs will be played, one down at a time, alternating,
until a winner is decided.
(3) If a team scores a touchdown, it will be allowed to
use its remaining downs, beginning again at the 40 yard line. A free down will be granted for P.A.T.
attempts after each touchdown.
(4) During Tie Breaker, teams will
be allowed one time out each.
(5) An interception terminates the offensive team
chances. The offensive team is credited
with positive yardage gained to point of the last snap prior to the
interception. The defense may not
advance the interception. Play stops.
(6) Winner of the Tie Breaker
shall be given one point.
Article 3. a. Touchdown - 6 points (S-4)
(Hips in which flags are attached must be on or in advance of the goal line
before any points can be awarded.)
b. Point After Touchdown - 1 point - run or pass
from 3 yard line 2 point - run or pass from 10 yard line. Teams must declare
before the official marks the ball ready for play. Once the ball is marked ready for play, a
team may only “re-declare” if team uses a time out first. The PAT period is a separate period of the
game. During regulation time, the game
clock continues to run. During the 7 -
Play period and Overtime Period, the PAT does not count as a numbered play. If infractions occur during the PAT, proper
penalty enforcement may cause a re-play of the PAT and in some cases may be
marked from the succeeding spot.
Enforcement depends on type of infractions that occurs.
c. Safety - 2 points (Punt ball from 20 yard
line, Rule VI-R applies.) (S-5) (This is
a guaranteed punt. The ball must be put
in play by a snap.)
d. Forfeited Game - Score is 7 - 0.
e. Winner of Tie Breaker - 1 point.
f. "17 Point Rule" - If either team
is ahead by 17 points or more points by the second half's 7 play period warning
or at any time during the second half's 7 play period, the game is over.
Time Outs
Article 4. a. (1) Each
team shall have two (2) time outs per half.
(2)
Each time out will be one (1)
minute in length.
(3)
Each team will be allowed only one (1) time out during a tiebreaker period.
(4) A “time out” to be called from any player that
participated on the playing field during the previous play is allowable. Said
player may not have left the field and returned prior to the request.
(5) A team may use a time out to change their option
during the PAT.
(6) A team MAY NOT use a time out to change
any 4th down option (Punt or Play).
b. Officials may call additional time outs at their
discretion. If a team exceeds their time out limits per half or during a
tiebreaker. Delay of Game 5 yard penalty (S-17).
c.
NOTE: During a team charged time out, a team representative may confer with
their team either on the field or at the sidelines.
SECTION
3 THE BALL: LIVE, DEAD, LOOSE
Live
Ball
Article1.A live ball is a ball in play. A pass, lateral , kick or a
fumble that has not touched the ground is a live ball in flight.
Dead
Ball
Article 2. A dead ball is a ball not in play.
Loose
Ball
Article 3. A loose ball is a ball not in player possession:
a. Following the snap and prior to a player fielding the ball cleanly in
order to keep the ball live and in play.
b. Following a punt that has hit the ground and has not been fielded by
the receiving team or touched by the
punting team.
When a
Ball is Marked Ready for Play
Article 4. A dead ball becomes ready for play once the referee:
a. If time is in, sounds his whistle and signals ready for play. The 25
second play clock begins on that whistle, Delay of Game (5 yards LOS) enforced
if exceed time to put ball in play.
b. If time is out, sounds his whistle and either signals “start the
clock” or “ready for play.”
“In
Possession”
Article 5. a. A player is “in possession” when in the judgment of the
covering official, the player exhibits control or is holding the ball.
b. A team is “in possession” of the ball when its players is “in
possession” or attempting to punt; while a pass or lateral is in flight; or
when one of its players was last in possession during a loose ball.
Catch
or Interception
Article 6. a. A catch is the act of establishing player possession of a
live ball in flight.
b. A catch of an opponent’s pass, lateral or fumble (prior to touching
the ground) is an interception.
c. Simultaneous catch or a double reception of an offensive pass or lateral always goes to the offense.
Fumble
Article 7. a. When a backward pass hits the
ground between the goal lines or a fumble occurs, the ball becomes dead and
belongs to the team last in possession at the spot where the ball hits the
ground or at the spot where the ball goes out of bounds (if in the air).
b. When a forward fumble occurs and hit the ground, it is
considered dead. The End of the Run in this case would return to the point and
which control was lost or from where the fumble originated. If the offensive
fumbles forward and crossed or hits the ground beyond the next line-to-gain or
goal line, the result will bring the ball back to where the fumble occurred and
next down will be played.
SECTION
4. LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
Article 1. a. Is the plane of the ball that extends from sideline to
sideline and ninety (90) degrees from the plane face of the field, once an
official places his ball marker and signal the ball “ready for play.” Once the
ball marker is set, the neutral zone becomes established.
b. If a change of team possession occurs between the five (5) yard line and the goal line due to an interception or a kick catch and the original momentum of the player catching the ball carries him into the end zone where he is downed by any means, the ruling will be a touchback.
SECTION
5. NEUTRAL ZONE
Article 1. The neutral zone is the space between the between the end of
the ball when in t a normal resting position on its long axis while parallel to
the sidelines and one yard beyond the line of scrimmage. This zone extends from
sideline to sideline and is established once the ball is marked ready for play.
SECTION
6. SERIES OF DOWNS/LINE TO GAIN
Line to Gain
Article 1. The line to gain is the established line
designating the twenty yard zones as well as the ten yard end zones. The
zone shall be considered reached when the hips (flags) are on or in advance of
the line marking the next zone or in this case "the line to gain"
when the play is declared dead. (S-7)
Series of Downs
Article 2. A team will be allowed four
downs to advance the ball from one zone to the next. (A zone is to be 20 yards.) If after four (4) consecutive downs, a team has
failed to advance the ball into the next zone, possession shall go to the
defense at that spot.
SECTION
7. POSITIONING, MOTION, SHIFT, SUBSTITUTION
Huddle/Lining up on Offense or Defense
Article
1. a. Teams may choose to huddle prior to a play. It is not necessary to huddle
after a play if a team wishes to use predetermined plays or audible signals.
b. Lining up: Any number of players may be
on the offensive or defensive L.O.S. at the snap. Defense line must be one (1)
yard off the ball at the snap. No defensive player may be within
4 yards of the ball if lined up directly in front of the center or within one
yard of the ball if lined up to the side of the center at the snap. (S-19) (5
yards)
Substitution
Article 2. There will be free substitution as long as players being
substituted for are off the field prior to the next snap OR player is out of
the area of play and is departing the field in haste.
"Sleepers"
on substitutions will not be allowed on any play. No player may line up closer than 5 yards
from the sideline unless he came out of the huddle or unless he was on the
field of play during the previous play and did not leave the field of play.
(S-18) (5 yards)
Shift
Article
3. 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 before the
ball is snapped or before another player can go in motion prior to the snap.
(S-16)(5 yards)
Motion
Article
4. Only one player is allowed to be in motion at the snap and his movement must
be parallel or away from the L.O.S. and must be continuous. (S-16)(5
yards)
Stance
Article
5. Any stance is permitted. Any number of players may be on the offensive or
defensive L.O.S. at the snap. Defense line must be one (1) yard off the
ball at the snap. No defensive player may be within 4 yards of
the ball if lined up directly in front of the center or within one yard of the
ball if lined up to the side of the center at the snap. (S-19) (5 yards)
Encroachment / Off-sides
Article
6. Shall be called if either the offense
or the defense passes over the plane of their L.O.S. before the
ball is snapped. 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. (S-14) (Exception:
Defensive encroachment resulting in an offensive first down will become an
offensive captain's choice penalty.)
If a
player on either side lines up off sides, the official will point
toward that player's team side. If that
player does not get back on-sides before the ball is snapped, he will be
considered as having been off sides at the moment of snap. If an official has not "off sides
warned" a team for lining up off-sides, by pointing at them, he should
not call off-sides on them at the snap of the ball. Play continues in this instance and following the play, this becomes a
captain’s choice penalty. This is a 5 yard penalty from
L.O.S. (S-14)
SECTION 8. CENTER SNAP
Article
1. a. A center snap may touch the ground before it gets to the
quarterback and remain playable if the quarterback fields it cleanly off of a
bounce (one or more) or from the ground.
However, if quarterback muffs the ball to the ground or the ball goes
past the quarterback it is dead where the ball touches the ground.
b. All
center snaps must be made between the center's legs. A false movement of the football by the
center after he is set shall constitute encroachment. No direct snap may be taken at anytime. The snap must travel a minimum of 5 yards to
be legal (either backwards or sideways). (S-15) At all times the ball shall be
snapped from the spot marked by the official ball marker.
SECTION
9. SCREENING AND RUSHING
Screening
Article 1. a. Only screen blocking is
permitted. Screen Blocking: shall be defined
as obstructing the rushers path to the quarterback or ball carrier, as long as
it is done behind the L.O.S., with any part of the body except head, hips, and
legs. There can be no independent
movement of the elbows.
b.
Techniques: The screener must use one of the two following methods: 1) Screener must have his thumbs hooked in
his pants and holding the flag belt with each hand OR 2) Screener must hold his
arms behind his back with arms locked together in some manner. A screener may not leave his feet to
screen.
c.
Type of screening includes: Moving Screens and Stationary screens.
1.
1. Moving screens are when a player is in motion in an
attempt to prevent the rusher from maneuvering to de-flag a player. These are
only legal behind the L.O.S. when protecting the passer or potential passer.
2.
2. Stationary
screens are screens set by players in a manner that places the screener in a
position that attempts to prevent the rusher or defender from maneuvering to
de-flag a ball carrier, receiver or potential receiver or ball carrier. A
stationary screen is legal behind the LOS. Once the passer or potential passer
or ball carrier crosses the L.O.S., all downfield screens must be stationary screens.
3.
3. As the
ball crosses the L.O.S., offensive players may maneuver for laterals behind the
ball but in doing so must not be deliberately screening any defensive
players. They must be clearly
in the act of positioning for a lateral.
d.
Enforcement (Infractions Behind the LOS): A penalty will automatically be
called if a screener's hand leaves his pants and flag belt or if arms are
separated from behind his back while in the process of screening within 2 yards
of the rusher. Although this method of
screening cuts down on excessive contact by the screener, it nevertheless
places the screener in very vulnerable position; therefore; THE MAIN
RESPONSIBILITY OF AVOIDING CONTACT RESTS WITH THE RUSHER. (S-14) (10 yards)
The
screener may not step into the rusher. (Added for interpretation)
Illegal screen, behind LOS, 5 yards from LOS, if excessive 10 yards and loss of
down.
e.
Enforcement (Beyond the LOS) Moving screens shall be penalized from the end of
run (E.O.R.) or the point of infraction (P.O.I.), whichever hurts the offensive
team the most. If the illegal screen is
judged to have caused excessive contact, it will be penalized 10 yards
and loss of down. (Cannot have
loss of down if penalty leaves ball in front of line-to-gain and 1st down.)
(S-24, 29 & 8) (If Not Excessive- 5 yards)
"Pick
Plays" by receivers on defensive backs or linebackers are
illegal if set by receivers within 5 yards of defender (a form of
downfield screening).
Rushing
Article
2. a. Rushing is defined as the act of a defensive player pursuing the
offensive player who is in possession of the ball.
b. The
rusher may not run over the screener.
The rusher may not pull the screener toward him or push the screener
away from him.
c. Enforcement:
Illegal Rushing - A penalty will be automatically called if
the rusher touches the screener's head as long as the screener is screening
upright. (S-31)(10 yards)
Roughing
the passer when the pass is incomplete will be marked off 10
yards from the L.O.S., when the pass is complete the
penalty will be 10 yards marked off from the E.O.R. and automatic
first down in either case.
If the rusher touches the quarterback in the head in his
attempt to block the pass a penalty will be called. This will also go for striking the passer's
arm when in a forward motion while attempting to block a pass. Roughing the passer will be called when the
rusher, if while attempting to de-flag the quarterback or block a pass, lets
his momentum carry him into the passer.
Defensive player may not have any contact with the passer when he is
passing. The defensive may rush as many
players as it wishes. (S-26) NOTE:
OFFICIALS SHOULD BE AWARE IF CONTACT IS CAUSED BY PASSER STEPPING UP OR MOVING
INTO RUSHER.
IT IS ASKED
THAT BOTH THE SCREENER AND THE RUSHER STRIVE FOR NON-CONTACT AT ALL TIMES.
SECTION 10. PASSING
REGULATIONS
Passing
Article
1. a. There can be only one forward pass per play. There can be only two (2) exchanges of
the football in the air (forward pass or lateral) which are initiated from
behind the L.O.S. After the 2nd exchange
of the football in the air, if completed behind the L.O.S., the football must
be run across the L.O.S. A forward
pass is defined as a live ball thrown toward the opponents goal line.
b. A
completed direct handoff, even if bobbled, shall not be considered an exchange
of the football in the air.
c. If
the passer is beyond the L.O.S. when the football is released, or if a 3rd
exchange of the football in the air is initiated from behind the L.O.S., an
illegal Forward Pass has occurred and will result in a 5 yard penalty and
loss of down if accepted.
Illegal forward passes will be marked from P.O.I. (S-27 & 8)
d.
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 first returned back across the
L.O.S. (Illegal Forward Pass) (S-27 & 8)
e. Intentional grounding shall also constitute an illegal forward pass.
(S-28 & 8)
f. A
lateral will be any pass thrown overhand or underhand perpendicular or away from
the direction of advancement of team in possession. Forward laterals are treated as an illegal
forward pass if beyond L.O.S. (S-27 & 8)
g. Push or Shovel Passes thrown
in any direction is legal if initiated behind the L.O.S. Once a player crosses the L.O.S., push or
shovel passes are legal if thrown parallel or behind the ball carrier.
Receiving
Article
2. All players of both teams are eligible pass receivers. Each player is eligible, even if he steps out
of bounds or out of end zone, as long as he catches the ball in bounds or comes
down first in bounds with at least one (1) foot. If a receiver comes down with one foot in
bounds and one foot out of bounds simultaneously, the pass is incomplete. The lines marking the sidelines and the
extreme end of the end zone shall be considered out of bounds if stepped on to
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 and in what order,
if receivers and defenders are battling for possession. Therefore, the only things that will be
judged will be (1) did pass interference occur, (2) who caught
the ball, and (3) was receiver in bounds with at least one foot at
moment of possession.
Pass Interference
Article
3. a. 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 the pass receiver nor the defender may touch
the other player 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.
b.
Receiver stripping is attempting to take the ball from the grasp of a receiver
after he has caught the ball, but before he has brought the ball into a
possessive position. In which case, Pass Interference will be called: If player
established possession of the football, the defender must go for the flag and
not the ball.
Pass Interference
Enforcement
c. 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
Non-Intentional contact caused by both players "playing the ball"
or Intentional contact/pass interference which shall be penalized from
the point of infraction.. Penalty
will be 5 yards if incomplete or complete, and if judged to be flagrant,
the penalized player may be removed from the game and penalty
will be 10 yards.
d. All
pass interference plays, offensive or defensive, whether they occur during the "Regulation
Play Period", "7-Play Rule", "Tie Breaker
Period", or the "P.A.T. Try Period", will be
captain's choice penalties. If the
captain refuses penalty the play will stand.
e. All
offensive pass interference plays, whether they occur during the "Regulation
Play Period", "7-Play Period", "Tie Breaker
Period", or the "P.A.T. Try Period" which are accepted
by the defensive captain shall be marked 5 yards from L.O.S. with
a loss of down (and loss of play number if during Tie Breaker). (S-25
& 8)
f.
Defensive pass interference plays, which occur on the playing field, during the
"regulation play period", "7-Play Rule Period",
and the "Tie Breaker Period", and are accepted, shall
be marked 5 yards from P.O.I., automatic first down (except
in Tie Breaker), and play number will be run again. (S-25 & 7)
Defensive pass interference that occurs in the end zone
during the "Regulation Play Period" and accepted: ball will be
placed on one (1) yard line, and 1st down. (S-25 & 7)
Defensive pass interference that occurs during the "P.A.T.
Try Period", and accepted: ball will be placed on one (1) yard
line - P.A.T. try will be rerun, plus one (1) free P.A.T. try will be awarded
if needed. (S-25) Point value will be what ever was declared prior to original
P.A.T.
Defensive pass interference which occurs in the end zone
during the "Tie Breaker Period", or "7-play Rule
Period" and accepted: ball will be placed on the one (1) yard
line - same play will be run again, plus one (1) free down
will be awarded, if needed, to score. (S-25)
Shielding/screening a
receiver's eyes by a defender without playing the football is pass interference
and shall be penalized as such. (S-25)
Bump and Run, or
checking an offensive receiver during a passing play will be a 5 yard
penalty from P.O.I. and captain's choice. (S-31)
SECTION 11. RUNNING WITH THE
BALL
Ball Carrier
Article
1.a. 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 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 "Stiff Arm"
is illegal. Penalty: 10 yards from P.O.I. (added
for interpretation) and loss of down (S-29 & 31).
b. The
ball carrier shall not protect his flags by blocking with his hand, arm or
head, the opportunity to pull his flags.
Flag guarding will be marked 10 yards from P.O.I./L.O.S.
(if behind line) and loss of down. (S-30)
c. If any of the above acts are judged to have caused
excessive contact, 10 yards and loss of down. (S29-30 & 8)
Deflagging the Runner
Article 2. a. The ball carrier is down and
the ball is dead when either flag is detached from his belt or when the ball or
either knee touches the ground. A
defensive player may leave his feet to pull the offensive player's flag but 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. If the act of deflagging a player is simulated
or faked, the infraction will be treated as a delay of game penalty.
b. Tackling is prohibited. Tackling is grasping or encircling the body
of the ball carrier with a hand or arm.
Grabbing the ball carrier's clothing shall be penalized as
tackling. If the defensive player
reaches across the body of a ball carrier to pull his flag, and contact occurs,
the responsibility of the contact lies with the defensive
player. Penalty: 5 yards
for impeding - 10 yards for tackling (encircling of body)
with automatic first down if tackling from P.O.I. or L.O.S. If in the opinion of officials, the act
prevented a score, the ball will be placed on the one (1) yard line,
first down and goal. The offender will
be disqualified if the act was flagrant. (S-29 & 31 & 7)
c. Illegal deflagging is
prematurely pulling an opponent's flag with the intent of making the offensive
player ineligible to become a ball carrier. Penalty - 5 yards
from L.O.S. or E.O.R. (S-31) Runner Stripping occurs when a defender
attempts to strip or take the ball from the grasp of a player in possession.
This is a form of Illegal Deflagging. (S-31)
d. The
intended receiver of either a pass or lateral may be deflagged only
after first touching the ball - even while fumbling
or bobbling the ball and before possession is established. That receiver will
be considered downed at the point he was deflagged.
e. If
the quarterback's arm was in forward motion when his flag was pulled, the pass
is allowed. If the passer is legally deflagged
as he is passing the football, and later in that play receives the ball back,
he shall be downed at that spot. If he
is deflagged after he has released the football and he then
receives the ball back, illegal deflagging should be called.
f. A defender
may not push or knock a ball carrier out of bounds. A form of illegal deflagging, if
excessive contact - 10 yards. (S-31 & 29)
g. Illegal Advancement - 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 a 5
yard penalty. (S-23)
SECTION 12. PUNTS
Punt
Article
1. a. If a punt is to be made, the offense must announce it to the referee
before the ball can be declared ready for play.
Offense must declare within 10 seconds after asked by referee on 4th
down play. (Penalty delay of
game.) After offense declares,
the referee will mark ball ready for play whereupon the offense will have 15
seconds to punt the ball. (S-17)
b. When the offense declares the punt, it
becomes a guaranteed punt, and only if a defense penalty
occurs after the offense declares punt can the offense reconsider, due to
change in field position.
c. The
ball will not be dead if it touches the ground before the punt is made even if
muffed by the punter. After a punt has
been declared, it must be made and neither team may cross the L.O.S. until the
ball is kicked. The offense may have any
number of players on the L.O.S. The punt
returning team must have 5 players within 5 yards of the L.O.S. and they must
remain in that zone until the punt returner enters that zone, at which time
they may provide stationary screens or maneuver for a lateral. These 5 men may not attempt to screen any
member of the punting team as they pass through this 5 yard zone. (Penalty - 5 yards from EOR/POI) (S-24)