Rules & Regulations

1. The Field

1. All games are played on a field 40 yards wide and 80 yards long marked with four 20 yard zones. Endzones are 10 yards each.
2. Two ball spotters will be used to mark the line of scrimmage. The first ball spotter will mark the offensive line of scrimmage and the second spotter will be placed one yard from the offensive spot to mark the defensive line of scrimmage. Players may not cross their line of scrimmage before the snap. Crossing the line of scrimmage on offense or defense is a dead ball 5 yard penalty.

2. Players

1. Teams may have a maximum of 7 players on the field at one time. Teams are required to have 5 players present to start or continue a game. Having less than 5 players at the start of a game will result in a forfeit.
2. To be considered as a present member for the team, you must be on the team roster and have signed an waiver form.

3. Uniforms

1. All players on a team are required to wear matching jerseys.
2. All members of the team are required to wear the same color jersey with the same decoration. The display of your team’s name must be done in a respectable manner. If the KFFL deems your jerseys inappropriate, you will be asked to change.
3. All jerseys must be long enough to remain tucked in throughout the down OR be short enough so the bottom of the jersey is 2 inches from the top of the flag belt.
4. Numbers are not required on the back of your jerseys.
5. Players may wear either pants or shorts. However, the bottoms can not have pockets, belt loops, or exposed drawstrings.

4. Officials

1. There will be at least two officials for all games played. Each team is required to pay the referees $20.00 at the coin toss of each game.

5. Equipment

1. All games will be played using a regulation college-size ball. All teams are required to supply their own ball. Teams may share a ball during a game.
2. Flag belts will be provided. However, if you choose to provide your own flag belts they must be Triple Threat style belts with no knots (one piece with three flags permanently attached, the entire belt comes off when one flag is pulled.) All flag belts worn by a team may not be the same color as the team’s shorts or pants.
3. Flag belt must be worn so that player has a flag down each hip and one in the middle in the back.
4. Shoes must be worn at all times. Shoes with metal cleats are not allowed.

6. Coin Toss

1. Teams will designate a captain at the coin toss before the start of each game. The captain is the only player that will confer with the referee during the game.
2. The winner of the coin toss (team A) will receive first option of kicking, receiving, defending a goal, or deferring their decision to the second half. The loser of the coin toss (team B) will have second option of kicking, receiving or defending a goal and will have first option at the beginning of the second half unless team A deferred.

7. Regulation Game

1. Games will be played as 2 halves of 20 minutes each with a 5 minute halftime. An overtime period will be played if teams are tied at the end of regulation.
2. The clock will run continuously for the first 18 minutes of each half. Only a time-out or referees time-out can stop the clock during this time.
3. The clock will stop at the 2 minute warning of each half. Inside 2 minutes the clock will stop for time-outs, incomplete forward passes, change of possession, player going out of bounds, touchdowns (will remain stopped during the PAT attempt), first downs until referee sets the spotters, and penalties. The clock remains stopped only while the referee marks off the penalty will start when the new line of scrimmage is established only if the clock was running when the penalty occurred.

8. Timeouts

1. Each team has 3 time-outs per entire game.
2. Time-outs are 1 minute 30 seconds.

9. Mercy Rule

1. If a team is leading by 40 or more points at any time after the 10 minute mark in the second half, the game is over. Additionally, if a team is leading by 19 points at any time after the 2 minute warning, the game will be over.

10. Overtime

1. The winner of overtime is ultimately decided by advancement. Each team will have 4 plays to advance the ball as far as they can with the first offensive team starting at the 40 yard line. Lets assume Team A possesses the ball first to begin overtime.Team A’s possession will end either following the completion of their 4th play or following a touchdown, whichever occurs first. Assuming Team A does not reach the end zone, Team B will take over possession at the dead ball spot following Team A’s forth play. Team B will now play backwards toward the 40 yard line. If Team B crosses the 40 within their allotted 4 plays, they win. If Team B comes up short of the 40 yard line, Team A wins.
2. Should Team A score a touchdown, Team B will take possession on the 40 yard line as well with 4 downs to score a touchdown.Should Team B score a touchdown, they will then need to either match Team A’s extra point attempt to force a second overtime or complete an attempt worth more points to end the game. Should a turnover occur on this drive, the game is over and Team A is declared the winner once the play is complete.
3. All extra point rules apply. There are no field goals available in overtime.

11. Beginning Possession

1. Each half will begin with the offensive team beginning play first and 10 from the 10 yard line.

12. Momentum Rule

1. Any ball that is caught on a kickoff or interception inside the 5 yard line and the player’s momentum carries him into the endzone and the ball is downed behind the goal line, the ball is spotted at the point of the catch. This includes a player that is deflagged trying to make an attempt to leave the endzone.
2. Once a player leaves the endzone, they cannot return to the endzone and down the ball. This would result in a safety.

13. Offense

1. The offensive team has four downs from where a first down was gained to cross into the next twenty-yard zone or the endzone. Should a penalty move an offensive team back into another zone, that team is still required to cross the initially established first down zone.
   1. Clarification – A live ball penalty (i.e. illegal forward pass, flag guarding) is considered part of that down. The down is not considered over until the player either scores, is considered down by flag pull or going out of bounds and then the penalty is enforced. The first down to gain line does not change until a team establishes itself across that line without penalty. Therefore, a loss of down penalty on fourth down that requires the penalty yardage to marked back behind the first down line will be a change of possession.
2. Change of possession can only occur on scores, punts, turn over on downs, or interceptions (forward passes or laterals).

14. Player Motion

1. Any player may go in motion but the motion cannot simulate the start of play.
2. Only one player may be in motion at the time of the snap as long as the motion is not towards the line of scrimmage.
3. The player in motion is not considered one of the four players required to be on the line of scrimmage.

15. Play Clock

1. The offense will have 25 seconds to snap the ball from the time the ball is declared ready for play.

16. The Snap

1. The center is not required to snap the ball between his legs. However, the ball must be snapped from the ground in one continuous motion traveling at least two yards to behind the line of scrimmage. Direct snaps (Quarterback directly under center) are not allowed. A snap is dead where it initially hits the ground.

17. Blocking (Screen)

1. Players may only use “screen blocking”. No player may initiate contact or dip a shoulder in attempt to block another player. A blocker may not extend his hand, arms, or legs to prevent a rusher from getting around them.
2. The blocker may not initiate contact by jumping in front of a defensive player so closely that the defender has no opportunity to change direction.

18. Forward Pass

1. Forward passes must be thrown from behind the line of scrimmage.
2. The player taking the snap (aka “Quarterback”) may run across the line of scrimmage and run back behind it to complete a forward pass. A player may not however, run across the line of scrimmage and lateral the ball back to a player behind the line of scrimmage and then have a forward pass thrown. This will be considered an illegal forward pass penalty.
3. A pass is considered forward if the ball travels ahead of the passer, even if the reception is made behind the line of scrimmage. A team may not attempt two forward passes in one play. If a second forward pass is attempted, a live-ball penalty will be assessed from where the second pass was thrown. This includes “forward laterals”. Should an illegal forward pass occur at the end of a half, there will be no replay of down, the half will simply expire.
4. Forward passes must be caught with at least one foot coming down in bounds.

19. Ball Carrier

1. An offensive player possessing the ball may not use any part of their body to prevent a defender from pulling his flag. The ball is considered an extension of a players body. This includes stiff-arming and ducking your shoulder to shield your hips. Flags must be attached so that one pull will release the flag belt. Tying or twisting the belts together is not allowed. Any player caught tampering with his flag will be ejected.
2. The player with the ball may leave his feet but can not jump/dive into or over a defender.
3. After a score, the player with the ball must raise his hands so the nearest official can de-flag the scorer.

20. Laterals

1. A lateral is only legal if the direction of ball travels sideways or behind where it leaves the ball carrier’s hands.
2. A player may not intentionally lateral the ball out of bounds to conserve time.

21. Fumbles

1. There are no live fumbles. If the ball is dropped or a backward lateral falls incomplete, the ball is dead at that spot. If a ball is dropped forward or an attempted forward lateral beyond the line of scrimmage falls incomplete, no penalty is assessed and the ball is spotted where the ball left the ball carriers hands.

22. Downing the Ball

1. A player is considered down and play is stopped if a player is de-flagged, goes out of bounds, or his knees, hips, shoulders, or elbows touch the ground.
2. The ball carrier may use his hands to maintain balance. The ball carrier may also use the ball to maintain balance provided he never loses complete control of the ball.

23. Scoring

1. A touchdown (6 points) is scored once the ball breaks the vertical plane of the goal line while in possession of an offensive player.
2. The front goal pylons are considered part of the endzone. A touchdown is scored if a front pylon is touched with the ball before the ball carrier goes out of bounds.
3. After the offense scores a touchdown, the offense has the option of going for a one, two or three point conversion. The final decision will come from the offense’s quarterback. A time-out is required to change the decision.
4. A one-point try will be placed at the 3 yard line and the offense will have one down to score.
5. A two-point try will be placed at the 10 yard line and the offense will have one down to score.
6. A three-point try will be placed at the 20 yard line and the offense will have one down to score.
7. A team that intercepts a ball and returns it for a touchdown on a conversion attempt will be awarded 2 points, regardless of what the offensive team was attempting to try.

24. Punting

1. Declaring for a punt will result in a 30yard walk-off by the officials to establish the new line of scrimmage.b) If a punt is declared with the current line of scrimmage on or inside the 30 yard line, the walk-off will be half the distance to the goal.

25. Inadvertent Whistle

1. If a whistle is blown before the play is legally dead, play will stop and the team possessing the ball will have the option of replaying the down or taking the results of the play where the play was blown dead.
2. If a penalty occurs on a play before an inadvertent whistle was blown and is accepted, all options are disregarded.
3. If an inadvertent whistle is blown while the ball is still in flight during a pass or kick, the down will be replayed automatically.

26. Defense

1. The defensive team may line up in any formation they choose as long as all defenders remain out of the neutral zone.
2. The defense may rush as many players they choose.

27. Defensive Contact

1. A defender may not initiate contact with any offensive player at any time. Conversely, should an offensive player run into a stationary defensive player, the penalty will result in an offensive penalty.
2. A defender may not try to strip or knock the ball away from the ball carrier at any time.

28. Flag Pulling

1. A defensive player may pull on a flag or on the flag belt to de-flag an offensive player.
2. The defender may not grab and hold any part of the offensive player’s body or uniform to remove the flag. Should a defender grab an offensive player’s uniform without grabbing the flag as well, he must release immediately or the play will result in a live ball defensive holding.
3. A defender may leave his feet to de-flag an offensive player.
4. A defensive player may not intentionally de-flag an offensive player without the ball. This includes defenders de-flagging receivers while the ball is still in flight. This is considered Defensive Pass Interference.
5. Should an offensive player’s flag fall off without a defender touching it, the play remains live and a one-hand touch between the knees and shoulders by a defensive player is required to stop play. Touching below the knees, above the shoulders, or on the arms will not stop play.
6. The ball is spotted where the ball is at the time the flag belt is broken, not where it falls off (i.e. if a flag is pulled behind the first down line, but the ball was stretched across the line at the time, the result of the play is a first down.)

29. Interceptions

1. A pass or lateral that is intercepted by a defensive player may be returned.
2. A pass or lateral that is intercepted in the endzone may be returned. Once a player leaves the endzone, he cannot go back into the endzone to down the ball for a touchback.
3. If a pass intercepted and his momentum carries him into the endzone, the ball can be downed in the endzone, but will be spotted at the point of the catch. (See “Momentum Rule”) The officials will determine whether the momentum that carried the defender into the endzone could have been stopped before reaching the goal line. If it is ruled that the defender could have stopped before reaching the endzone, but the ball is downed in the endzone, the play results in a safety.
4. Interceptions that are legally downed in the endzone will be a touchback and brought out the 15-yard line.
5. Interceptions that occur on an extra point attempt can be run back for a two point score.

30. Roughing the Passer

1. Any time the passer is hit by a defensive player, it is considered roughing the passer. This includes hitting the passer’s arm or the ball while it is still in the passer’s hand while he is in the throwing motion.
2. Should a defender tip or bat down an attempted pass and make contact with the passer afterward, the play is still considered roughing the passer.

31. Pass Interference

1. Once a ball is in flight, the offensive and defensive player have equal right to the ball. Neither player may attempt to go through and make contact with a player in position to make the catch.
2. Incidental contact may occur and will be up to the discretion of the officials if the contact could have been avoided. All rules regarding “Defensive Contact” still apply.
3. Defensive pass interference is a “spot of foul” penalty and is an automatic first down regardless of where the foul occurred. If the defensive pass interference occurs in the endzone, the ball is placed on the one yard line and is an automatic first down. Also see “Automatic Touchdown”.

32. Safety (Scoring)

1. A safety is recorded when an offensive player’s flag is pulled or fumbles in his own endzone. (A safety will also be recorded if the snap travels through the back of the endzone. This does not include a player who has fielded a punt, kick or interception in the endzone and has not yet left the endzone.
2. Any offensive penalty occurring in their own endzone will result in an automatic safety.
3. A safety is recorded for the offensive team if a defender intercepts in the field of play and goes back into the endzone and is then downed.
4. Following a safety, the ball will placed on the 15 yard line of the team recording the safety and will gain possession.

33. Automatic Touchdown

1. An automatic 9 point touchdown will recorded for the offensive team if an intentional penalty is called on the last defender between the ball carrier and the endzone.
2. An automatic 9 point touchdown will be recorded if an intentional defensive pass interference occurs in the endzone.
3. It is the referees judgement whether the defender made an intentional penalty to prevent a score. All penalties on the last defender are not automatically deemed intentional.

34. Unsportsmanslike Conduct

1. Any activity which involves excessive verbal or physical action will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. This rule applies to action taken against an official, player, or spectator. This includes any type of taunting towards an official, player, or spectator.
2. Profanity will not be tolerated and will be considered excessive verbal abuse whether it was directed at an individual or not.
3. Any player receiving two unsportsmanlike penalties in one game will be ejected and subject to further suspension. If action persists in following games, the player will be banned from league play.
4. The League reserves the right to suspend any player or team for unsportsmanlike conduct. All money will be forfeited.
5. Any player who is ejected must leave the park entirely. This means the ejected player may not stand on the sideline or in the parking lot. If that player has additional games that day, they will be ineligible for those games as well.
6. If teams who have been warned by the officials, and if unsportsmanlike conduct becomes excessive to the point where the game is thought to be out of control, the official may stop the game and the game will be deemed a forfeit by one or both teams.

35. Fighting

1. Fighting of any kind will not be tolerated. This includes shoving, wrestling, slapping, or punching. Any player involved in any type of fight will be immediately ejected and subject to further suspension and possible banishment.
2. If a player throws any punches, that player will be automatically suspended.
3. Any players entering a fight will be automatically ejected and suspended.

36. Penalties

1. 5-yard dead ball
   1. Offside (offense and defense) – from line of scrimmage
   2. Delay of Game – from line of scrimmage
   3. Illegal Motion – from line of scrimmage
   4. Illegal Snap (snap not continuous or not 2 yards back from line of scrimmage) – from line of scrimmagev)
   5. NOTE: Multiple violations of either offsides, delay of game, or illegal motion can result in increased penalties should the violation be considered deliberate. Example: Team A has possession of the ball but only has 6 players and has a 7th on the way. Team A attempts to “buy time” or stall in order to give their 7th player time to arrive by taking multiple delay of game penalties. Any deliberate violation like this will result in an unsportsmanlike penalty against the violating team. Should the defense be the violating team, the refs will stop the game clock following the 2nd violation, mark off the penalty, and not start the clock until the snap. Upon the 3rd deliberate violation, an unsportsmanlike will be assessed along with the accompanying automatic 1st down.
2. 5-yard live ball
   1. Illegal Formation (less than 4 on line) – from line of scrimmage
   2. Illegal Flag Pull (intentionally pulling flag off player without ball) – from spot of foul
   3. Flag Guarding – from spot of foul – loss of down
   4. Illegal Forward Pass – from spot of foul – loss of down
   5. Lateral Out of Bounds Trying to Stop Clock – from spot of foul – clock rolls
   6. Holding/Stripping Ball Carrier – from spot of foul
   7. Holding Player without Ball – from previous spot – auto first down
3. 10-yard live ball
   1. Roughing the Passer – from line of scrimmage – auto first down
   2. Pass Interference (Offense) – from previous spot – loss of down
   3. Illegally Secured Flag – from previous spot – loss of down – ejection
4. 15-yard dead ball
   1. Excessive Celebration/Taunting – from next spot
   2. Unsportsmanlike Conduct – from line of scrimmage – auto first down
5. 15-yard live ball
   1. Illegal Contact (Offense) – from spot of foul – loss of down
   2. Illegal Contact (Defense) – from spot of foul – auto first down
6. Spot of Penalty Foul
   1. Pass Interference (Defense) – auto first down

37. Field Goals

1. Declaration: In order to declare for a field goal attempt, the offensive team must first set up in a legal offensive formation and then declare for the attempt
2. Procedure: The officials will leave the line of scrimmage marker at it’s current spot. They will pick up the Neutral Zone marker and use it during the field goal attempt. (if the declaration occurs inside the 2 Minute warning, the officials will stop the clock immediately upon the declaration and restart the clock once the markers are set for play) The officials will not reset the 25 second play clock, but will continue running the original 25 second clock once the markers are set for play.
3. A field goal will consist of one timed, live down from either the 10 yard line (if declared with the line of scrimmage between the 40 and the 20 yard lines) or the 5 yard line (if declared with the line of scrimmage on or inside the 20 yard line).
4. The try will be for 3 points
5. If the try is failed, change of possession occurs back at the original line of scrimmage

 

38. On the Clock

1. Following a score and prior to the spotting of the ball for the next offensive series following the extra point attempt (assuming the score was a touchdown), the scoring team may declare to put the other team “On The Clock”. Once a team is put On The Clock, they will remain On The Clock for the rest of the game with NO EXCEPTION.
2. A team that is On The Clock will begin every offensive possession following an opponent score first and goal from the 20yard line. A change of possession resulting from a turnover on downs, interception, penalty, or punt will be played as normal.
3. Should both teams be placed On The Clock, all possessions will begin from the 20 yard line first and goal. The only exception would be an interception that is returned for a touch down.

1. The Field

1. All games are played on a field 40 yards wide and 80 yards long marked with four 20 yard zones. Endzones are 10 yards each.
2. Two ball spotters will be used to mark the line of scrimmage. The first ball spotter will mark the offensive line of scrimmage and the second spotter will be placed one yard from the offensive spot to mark the defensive line of scrimmage. Players may not cross their line of scrimmage before the snap. Crossing the line of scrimmage on offense or defense is a dead ball 5 yard penalty.

2. Players

1. Teams may have a maximum of 7 players on the field at one time. Teams are required to have 5 players present to start or continue a game. Having less than 5 players at the start of a game will result in a forfeit.
2. To be considered as a present member for the team, you must be on the team roster and have signed an waiver form.

3. Uniforms

1. All players on a team are required to wear matching jerseys.
2. All members of the team are required to wear the same color jersey with the same decoration. The display of your team’s name must be done in a respectable manner. If the KFFL deems your jerseys inappropriate, you will be asked to change.
3. All jerseys must be long enough to remain tucked in throughout the down OR be short enough so the bottom of the jersey is 2 inches from the top of the flag belt.
4. Numbers are not required on the back of your jerseys.
5. Players may wear either pants or shorts. However, the bottoms can not have pockets, belt loops, or exposed drawstrings.

4. Officials

1. There will be at least two officials for all games played. Each team is required to pay the referees $20.00 at the coin toss of each game.

5. Equipment

1. All games will be played using a regulation college-size ball. All teams are required to supply their own ball. Teams may share a ball during a game.
2. Flag belts will be provided. However, if you choose to provide your own flag belts they must be Triple Threat style belts with no knots (one piece with three flags permanently attached, the entire belt comes off when one flag is pulled.) All flag belts worn by a team may not be the same color as the team’s shorts or pants.
3. Flag belt must be worn so that player has a flag down each hip and one in the middle in the back.
4. Shoes must be worn at all times. Shoes with metal cleats are not allowed.

6. Coin Toss

1. Teams will designate a captain at the coin toss before the start of each game. The captain is the only player that will confer with the referee during the game.
2. The winner of the coin toss (team A) will receive first option of kicking, receiving, defending a goal, or deferring their decision to the second half. The loser of the coin toss (team B) will have second option of kicking, receiving or defending a goal and will have first option at the beginning of the second half unless team A deferred.

7. Regulation Game

1. Games will be played as 2 halves of 20 minutes each with a 5 minute halftime. An overtime period will be played if teams are tied at the end of regulation.
2. The clock will run continuously for the first 18 minutes of each half. Only a time-out or referees time-out can stop the clock during this time.
3. The clock will stop at the 2 minute warning of each half. Inside 2 minutes the clock will stop for time-outs, incomplete forward passes, change of possession, player going out of bounds, touchdowns (will remain stopped during the PAT attempt), first downs until referee sets the spotters, and penalties. The clock remains stopped only while the referee marks off the penalty will start when the new line of scrimmage is established only if the clock was running when the penalty occurred.

8. Timeouts

1. Each team has 3 time-outs per entire game.
2. Time-outs are 1 minute 30 seconds.

9. Mercy Rule

1. If a team is leading by 40 or more points at any time after the 10 minute mark in the second half, the game is over. Additionally, if a team is leading by 19 points at any time after the 2 minute warning, the game will be over.

10. Overtime

1. The winner of overtime is ultimately decided by advancement. Each team will have 4 plays to advance the ball as far as they can with the first offensive team starting at the 40 yard line. Lets assume Team A possesses the ball first to begin overtime.Team A’s possession will end either following the completion of their 4th play or following a touchdown, whichever occurs first. Assuming Team A does not reach the end zone, Team B will take over possession at the dead ball spot following Team A’s forth play. Team B will now play backwards toward the 40 yard line. If Team B crosses the 40 within their allotted 4 plays, they win. If Team B comes up short of the 40 yard line, Team A wins.
2. Should Team A score a touchdown, Team B will take possession on the 40 yard line as well with 4 downs to score a touchdown.Should Team B score a touchdown, they will then need to either match Team A’s extra point attempt to force a second overtime or complete an attempt worth more points to end the game. Should a turnover occur on this drive, the game is over and Team A is declared the winner once the play is complete.
3. All extra point rules apply. There are no field goals available in overtime.

11. Beginning Possession

1. Each half will begin with the offensive team beginning play first and 10 from the 10 yard line.

12. Momentum Rule

1. Any ball that is caught on a kickoff or interception inside the 5 yard line and the player’s momentum carries him into the endzone and the ball is downed behind the goal line, the ball is spotted at the point of the catch. This includes a player that is deflagged trying to make an attempt to leave the endzone.
2. Once a player leaves the endzone, they cannot return to the endzone and down the ball. This would result in a safety.

13. Offense

1. The offensive team has four downs from where a first down was gained to cross into the next twenty-yard zone or the endzone. Should a penalty move an offensive team back into another zone, that team is still required to cross the initially established first down zone.
   1. Clarification – A live ball penalty (i.e. illegal forward pass, flag guarding) is considered part of that down. The down is not considered over until the player either scores, is considered down by flag pull or going out of bounds and then the penalty is enforced. The first down to gain line does not change until a team establishes itself across that line without penalty. Therefore, a loss of down penalty on fourth down that requires the penalty yardage to marked back behind the first down line will be a change of possession.
2. Change of possession can only occur on scores, punts, turn over on downs, or interceptions (forward passes or laterals).

14. Player Motion

1. Any player may go in motion but the motion cannot simulate the start of play.
2. Only one player may be in motion at the time of the snap as long as the motion is not towards the line of scrimmage.
3. The player in motion is not considered one of the four players required to be on the line of scrimmage.

15. Play Clock

1. The offense will have 25 seconds to snap the ball from the time the ball is declared ready for play.

16. The Snap

1. The center is not required to snap the ball between his legs. However, the ball must be snapped from the ground in one continuous motion traveling at least two yards to behind the line of scrimmage. Direct snaps (Quarterback directly under center) are not allowed. A snap is dead where it initially hits the ground.

17. Blocking (Screen)

1. Players may only use “screen blocking”. No player may initiate contact or dip a shoulder in attempt to block another player. A blocker may not extend his hand, arms, or legs to prevent a rusher from getting around them.
2. The blocker may not initiate contact by jumping in front of a defensive player so closely that the defender has no opportunity to change direction.

18. Forward Pass

1. Forward passes must be thrown from behind the line of scrimmage.
2. The player taking the snap (aka “Quarterback”) may run across the line of scrimmage and run back behind it to complete a forward pass. A player may not however, run across the line of scrimmage and lateral the ball back to a player behind the line of scrimmage and then have a forward pass thrown. This will be considered an illegal forward pass penalty.
3. A pass is considered forward if the ball travels ahead of the passer, even if the reception is made behind the line of scrimmage. A team may not attempt two forward passes in one play. If a second forward pass is attempted, a live-ball penalty will be assessed from where the second pass was thrown. This includes “forward laterals”. Should an illegal forward pass occur at the end of a half, there will be no replay of down, the half will simply expire.
4. Forward passes must be caught with at least one foot coming down in bounds.

19. Ball Carrier

1. An offensive player possessing the ball may not use any part of their body to prevent a defender from pulling his flag. The ball is considered an extension of a players body. This includes stiff-arming and ducking your shoulder to shield your hips. Flags must be attached so that one pull will release the flag belt. Tying or twisting the belts together is not allowed. Any player caught tampering with his flag will be ejected.
2. The player with the ball may leave his feet but can not jump/dive into or over a defender.
3. After a score, the player with the ball must raise his hands so the nearest official can de-flag the scorer.

21. Fumbles

1. There are no live fumbles. If the ball is dropped or a backward lateral falls incomplete, the ball is dead at that spot. If a ball is dropped forward or an attempted forward lateral beyond the line of scrimmage falls incomplete, no penalty is assessed and the ball is spotted where the ball left the ball carriers hands.

22. Downing the Ball

1. A player is considered down and play is stopped if a player is de-flagged, goes out of bounds, or his knees, hips, shoulders, or elbows touch the ground.
2. The ball carrier may use his hands to maintain balance. The ball carrier may also use the ball to maintain balance provided he never loses complete control of the ball.

23. Scoring

1. A touchdown (6 points) is scored once the ball breaks the vertical plane of the goal line while in possession of an offensive player.
2. The front goal pylons are considered part of the endzone. A touchdown is scored if a front pylon is touched with the ball before the ball carrier goes out of bounds.
3. After the offense scores a touchdown, the offense has the option of going for a one, two or three point conversion. The final decision will come from the offense’s quarterback. A time-out is required to change the decision.
4. A one-point try will be placed at the 3 yard line and the offense will have one down to score.
5. A two-point try will be placed at the 10 yard line and the offense will have one down to score.
6. A three-point try will be placed at the 20 yard line and the offense will have one down to score.
7. A team that intercepts a ball and returns it for a touchdown on a conversion attempt will be awarded 2 points, regardless of what the offensive team was attempting to try.

24. Punting

1. Declaring for a punt will result in a 30yard walk-off by the officials to establish the new line of scrimmage.
2. If a punt is declared with the current line of scrimmage on or inside the 30 yard line, the walk-off will be half the distance to the goal.

25. Inadvertent Whistle

1. If a whistle is blown before the play is legally dead, play will stop and the team possessing the ball will have the option of replaying the down or taking the results of the play where the play was blown dead.
2. If a penalty occurs on a play before an inadvertent whistle was blown and is accepted, all options are disregarded.
3. If an inadvertent whistle is blown while the ball is still in flight during a pass or kick, the down will be replayed automatically.

26. Defense

1. The defensive team may line up in any formation they choose as long as all defenders remain out of the neutral zone.
2. The defense may rush as many players they choose.

27. Defensive Contact

1. A defender may not initiate contact with any offensive player at any time. Conversely, should an offensive player run into a stationary defensive player, the penalty will result in an offensive penalty.
2. A defender may not try to strip or knock the ball away from the ball carrier at any time.

28. Flag Pulling

1. A defensive player may pull on a flag or on the flag belt to de-flag an offensive player.
2. The defender may not grab and hold any part of the offensive player’s body or uniform to remove the flag. Should a defender grab an offensive player’s uniform without grabbing the flag as well, he must release immediately or the play will result in a live ball defensive holding.
3. A defender may leave his feet to de-flag an offensive player.
4. A defensive player may not intentionally de-flag an offensive player without the ball. This includes defenders de-flagging receivers while the ball is still in flight. This is considered Defensive Pass Interference.
5. Should an offensive player’s flag fall off without a defender touching it, the play remains live and a one-hand touch between the knees and shoulders by a defensive player is required to stop play. Touching below the knees, above the shoulders, or on the arms will not stop play.
6. The ball is spotted where the ball is at the time the flag belt is broken, not where it falls off (i.e. if a flag is pulled behind the first down line, but the ball was stretched across the line at the time, the result of the play is a first down.)

29. Interceptions

1. A pass or lateral that is intercepted by a defensive player may be returned.
2. A pass or lateral that is intercepted in the endzone may be returned. Once a player leaves the endzone, he cannot go back into the endzone to down the ball for a touchback.
3. If a pass intercepted and his momentum carries him into the endzone, the ball can be downed in the endzone, but will be spotted at the point of the catch. (See “Momentum Rule”) The officials will determine whether the momentum that carried the defender into the endzone could have been stopped before reaching the goal line. If it is ruled that the defender could have stopped before reaching the endzone, but the ball is downed in the endzone, the play results in a safety.
4. Interceptions that are legally downed in the endzone will be a touchback and brought out the 15-yard line.
5. Interceptions that occur on an extra point attempt can be run back for a two point score.

30. Roughing the Passer

1. Any time the passer is hit by a defensive player, it is considered roughing the passer. This includes hitting the passer’s arm or the ball while it is still in the passer’s hand while he is in the throwing motion.
2. Should a defender tip or bat down an attempted pass and make contact with the passer afterward, the play is still considered roughing the passer.

31. Pass Interference

1. Once a ball is in flight, the offensive and defensive player have equal right to the ball. Neither player may attempt to go through and make contact with a player in position to make the catch.
2. Incidental contact may occur and will be up to the discretion of the officials if the contact could have been avoided. All rules regarding “Defensive Contact” still apply.
3. Defensive pass interference is a “spot of foul” penalty and is an automatic first down regardless of where the foul occurred. If the defensive pass interference occurs in the endzone, the ball is placed on the one yard line and is an automatic first down. Also see “Automatic Touchdown”.

32. Safety (Scoring)

1. A safety is recorded when an offensive player’s flag is pulled or fumbles in his own endzone. (A safety will also be recorded if the snap travels through the back of the endzone. This does not include a player who has fielded a punt, kick or interception in the endzone and has not yet left the endzone.
2. Any offensive penalty occurring in their own endzone will result in an automatic safety.
3. A safety is recorded for the offensive team if a defender intercepts in the field of play and goes back into the endzone and is then downed.
4. Following a safety, the ball will placed on the 15 yard line of the team recording the safety and will gain possession.

33. Automatic Touchdown

1. An automatic 9 point touchdown will recorded for the offensive team if an intentional penalty is called on the last defender between the ball carrier and the endzone.
2. An automatic 9 point touchdown will be recorded if an intentional defensive pass interference occurs in the endzone.
3. It is the referees judgement whether the defender made an intentional penalty to prevent a score. All penalties on the last defender are not automatically deemed intentional.

34. Unsportsmanslike Conduct

1. Any activity which involves excessive verbal or physical action will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. This rule applies to action taken against an official, player, or spectator. This includes any type of taunting towards an official, player, or spectator.
2. Profanity will not be tolerated and will be considered excessive verbal abuse whether it was directed at an individual or not.
3. Any player receiving two unsportsmanlike penalties in one game will be ejected and subject to further suspension. If action persists in following games, the player will be banned from league play.
4. The League reserves the right to suspend any player or team for unsportsmanlike conduct. All money will be forfeited.
5. Any player who is ejected must leave the park entirely. This means the ejected player may not stand on the sideline or in the parking lot. If that player has additional games that day, they will be ineligible for those games as well.
6. If teams who have been warned by the officials, and if unsportsmanlike conduct becomes excessive to the point where the game is thought to be out of control, the official may stop the game and the game will be deemed a forfeit by one or both teams.

35. Fighting

1. Fighting of any kind will not be tolerated. This includes shoving, wrestling, slapping, or punching. Any player involved in any type of fight will be immediately ejected and subject to further suspension and possible banishment.
2. If a player throws any punches, that player will be automatically suspended.
3. Any players entering a fight will be automatically ejected and suspended.

36. Penalties

1. 5-yard dead ball
   1. Offside (offense and defense) – from line of scrimmage
   2. Delay of Game – from line of scrimmage
   3. Illegal Motion – from line of scrimmage
   4. Illegal Snap (snap not continuous or not 2 yards back from line of scrimmage) – from line of scrimmagev)
   5. NOTE: Multiple violations of either offsides, delay of game, or illegal motion can result in increased penalties should the violation be considered deliberate. Example: Team A has possession of the ball but only has 6 players and has a 7th on the way. Team A attempts to “buy time” or stall in order to give their 7th player time to arrive by taking multiple delay of game penalties. Any deliberate violation like this will result in an unsportsmanlike penalty against the violating team. Should the defense be the violating team, the refs will stop the game clock following the 2nd violation, mark off the penalty, and not start the clock until the snap. Upon the 3rd deliberate violation, an unsportsmanlike will be assessed along with the accompanying automatic 1st down.
2. 5-yard live ball
   1. Illegal Formation (less than 4 on line) – from line of scrimmage
   2. Illegal Flag Pull (intentionally pulling flag off player without ball) – from spot of foul
   3. Flag Guarding – from spot of foul – loss of down
   4. Illegal Forward Pass – from spot of foul – loss of down
   5. Lateral Out of Bounds Trying to Stop Clock – from spot of foul – clock rolls
   6. Holding/Stripping Ball Carrier – from spot of foul
   7. Holding Player without Ball – from previous spot – auto first down
3. 10-yard live ball
   1. Roughing the Passer – from line of scrimmage – auto first down
   2. Pass Interference (Offense) – from previous spot – loss of down
   3. Illegally Secured Flag – from previous spot – loss of down – ejection
4. 15-yard dead ball
   1. Excessive Celebration/Taunting – from next spot
   2. Unsportsmanlike Conduct – from line of scrimmage – auto first down
5. 15-yard live ball
   1. Illegal Contact (Offense) – from spot of foul – loss of down
   2. Illegal Contact (Defense) – from spot of foul – auto first down
6. Spot of Penalty Foul
   1. Pass Interference (Defense) – auto first down

37. Field Goals

1. Declaration: In order to declare for a field goal attempt, the offensive team must first set up in a legal offensive formation and then declare for the attempt
2. Procedure: The officials will leave the line of scrimmage marker at it’s current spot. They will pick up the Neutral Zone marker and use it during the field goal attempt. (if the declaration occurs inside the 2 Minute warning, the officials will stop the clock immediately upon the declaration and restart the clock once the markers are set for play) The officials will not reset the 25 second play clock, but will continue running the original 25 second clock once the markers are set for play.
3. A field goal will consist of one timed, live down from either the 10 yard line (if declared with the line of scrimmage between the 40 and the 20 yard lines) or the 5 yard line (if declared with the line of scrimmage on or inside the 20 yard line).
4. The try will be for 3 points
5. If the try is failed, change of possession occurs back at the original line of scrimmage

38. On the Clock

1. Following a score and prior to the spotting of the ball for the next offensive series following the extra point attempt (assuming the score was a touchdown), the scoring team may declare to put the other team “On The Clock”. Once a team is put On The Clock, they will remain On The Clock for the rest of the game with NO EXCEPTION.
2. A team that is On The Clock will begin every offensive possession following an opponent score first and goal from the 20yard line. A change of possession resulting from a turnover on downs, interception, penalty, or punt will be played as normal.
3. Should both teams be placed On The Clock, all possessions will begin from the 20 yard line first and goal. The only exception would be an interception that is returned for a touch down.