Divisions 1 & 2 Rules and Penalties
Equipment Rules
No metal cleats.
No pockets or belt loops on pants or shorts.
All shirts must be tucked in.
No arm pads, hands or wrist pads. Soft kneepads may be worn on knee.
Flags must be worn on the hips and be pointing away from the body.
A junior size football will be used
No pockets or belt loops on pants or shorts.
All shirts must be tucked in.
No arm pads, hands or wrist pads. Soft kneepads may be worn on knee.
Flags must be worn on the hips and be pointing away from the body.
A junior size football will be used
Roster
Each team should field 6 players on the field at any time.
A team that has a minimum of 4 of players from their team may recruit players from a team roster that is the same division or lower in order to have 6 players.
A team with less than 5 players will be given 10 minutes past the official start time of the game in order to recruit players.
No team can make their team larger than six players through recruitment.
No team can play with less than four of their own players.
Coaches must register the name and original division and team of the recruited player with the official score keeper.
If original team members do arrive during the game, the actual team members must replace the recruited players within ten minutes of arrival.
A team that has a minimum of 4 of players from their team may recruit players from a team roster that is the same division or lower in order to have 6 players.
A team with less than 5 players will be given 10 minutes past the official start time of the game in order to recruit players.
No team can make their team larger than six players through recruitment.
No team can play with less than four of their own players.
Coaches must register the name and original division and team of the recruited player with the official score keeper.
If original team members do arrive during the game, the actual team members must replace the recruited players within ten minutes of arrival.
Coaches
Division 1 coaches are not allowed on the field during game play.
Division 2 coaches are only allowed on the field when their team is on offense during the first 5 weeks of play. After week 5, division 2 coaches will not be allowed on the field during game play.
Division 2 coaches are only allowed on the field when their team is on offense during the first 5 weeks of play. After week 5, division 2 coaches will not be allowed on the field during game play.
Coin Toss
During the pre-game meeting with the officials, the official will flip a coin with the visiting team calling heads or tails.
The team winning the toss may choose to start on offense or defense, may choose to defer to the second half, or may choose to go a particular direction. If a team defers, they only have the choice of playing offense or defense in the second half. Teams will automatically switch directions at the half.
The team winning the toss may choose to start on offense or defense, may choose to defer to the second half, or may choose to go a particular direction. If a team defers, they only have the choice of playing offense or defense in the second half. Teams will automatically switch directions at the half.
Scoring
Each touchdown counts for 6 points
Point After Tries (PAT) will be scored as follows:
- 2 points—by touchdown from 10 yards out
- 1 point—by touchdown from 3 yards out
A safety counts as 2 points.
Point After Tries (PAT) will be scored as follows:
- 2 points—by touchdown from 10 yards out
- 1 point—by touchdown from 3 yards out
A safety counts as 2 points.
Timing
There shall be two 20-minute halves.
During the first 18 minutes of each half, the clock only stops after touchdowns. The clock remains stopped until the balled is snapped after the change of possession.
At the 2 minute mark remaining in the each half, there shall be a 30 second timeout.\
After the 2 minute warning, the clock shall stop for: timeouts, an incomplete forward pass, a live ball that is run out of bounds, penalty enforcement, a score, and during a point after attempt.
The clock restarts with the next snap of the ball ONLY on incomplete passes, ball-out-of-bounds, touchbacks and following timeouts. All others start when the official starts the play clock.
After the official has given the ready-for-play signal, the offensive team has 30 seconds in which to snap the ball.
Each team is given 2 timeouts per half.
Tie games are decided by the shoot out method. Each team is given the ball an equal number of times. Each team gets 4 downs from the 20-yard line. Defense cannot return the ball for a touchdown.
During the first 18 minutes of each half, the clock only stops after touchdowns. The clock remains stopped until the balled is snapped after the change of possession.
At the 2 minute mark remaining in the each half, there shall be a 30 second timeout.\
After the 2 minute warning, the clock shall stop for: timeouts, an incomplete forward pass, a live ball that is run out of bounds, penalty enforcement, a score, and during a point after attempt.
The clock restarts with the next snap of the ball ONLY on incomplete passes, ball-out-of-bounds, touchbacks and following timeouts. All others start when the official starts the play clock.
After the official has given the ready-for-play signal, the offensive team has 30 seconds in which to snap the ball.
Each team is given 2 timeouts per half.
Tie games are decided by the shoot out method. Each team is given the ball an equal number of times. Each team gets 4 downs from the 20-yard line. Defense cannot return the ball for a touchdown.
Game Play
When a team begins a possession following a score or to begin a half, the ball will be placed on the 15-yard line.
There will not be kickoffs.
The offensive team has 4 downs in which to move the ball into the next 20-yard zone.
There must be 3 players set within 1 yard of the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball. Players in motion are considered backfield players.
Offsides (offensive or defensive) and false start are the only two penalties in which the play should be immediately whistled dead. These penalties are automatic.
The ball is spotted where the hips are when the flag is pulled, not the ball.
A snapped ball that hits the ground after touching a player is dead where the person is standing. A snapped ball that hits the ground without being touched can be picked up by the offense and played.
A defender may not strip the ball from the ball carrier.
The snapper may not receive a hand-off unless he has turned 180 degrees to face his own endzone.
Center must snap ball between his legs.
At least one ball exchange must occur before the ball can be run across the line of scrimmage.
A safety will be awarded if the offensive team’s flag is pulled in their own endzone, if the ball is dropped in the endzone, or if an offensive penalty occurs in the endzone. The defensive team will be given 2 points and possession of the ball at the 35-yard line.
There will not be kickoffs.
The offensive team has 4 downs in which to move the ball into the next 20-yard zone.
There must be 3 players set within 1 yard of the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball. Players in motion are considered backfield players.
Offsides (offensive or defensive) and false start are the only two penalties in which the play should be immediately whistled dead. These penalties are automatic.
The ball is spotted where the hips are when the flag is pulled, not the ball.
A snapped ball that hits the ground after touching a player is dead where the person is standing. A snapped ball that hits the ground without being touched can be picked up by the offense and played.
A defender may not strip the ball from the ball carrier.
The snapper may not receive a hand-off unless he has turned 180 degrees to face his own endzone.
Center must snap ball between his legs.
At least one ball exchange must occur before the ball can be run across the line of scrimmage.
A safety will be awarded if the offensive team’s flag is pulled in their own endzone, if the ball is dropped in the endzone, or if an offensive penalty occurs in the endzone. The defensive team will be given 2 points and possession of the ball at the 35-yard line.
Ball Carrier
The ball carrier must make an attempt to go around a defender who has established position.
Players may dive to catch the ball.
Diving and hurdling by the ball carrier are not legal maneuvers. Spinning is not hurdling.
If a player dives or hurdles, the play shall be stopped and the ball spotted at the point the runner left the ground. The clock will be managed as if the player’s flag had been pulled at the spot they left the ground.
It is guarding the flags anytime:
- the ball carrier’s arms or hands go below the waist and ANY contact is made between the defender and the ball carrier
- the hand or arm is used to push away the defender
- the ball is used to hold a defender’s hand away
- the flags are held or moved by the ball carrier
- the flag belts are worn so that the flags do not point outward from the waist
Players may dive to catch the ball.
Diving and hurdling by the ball carrier are not legal maneuvers. Spinning is not hurdling.
If a player dives or hurdles, the play shall be stopped and the ball spotted at the point the runner left the ground. The clock will be managed as if the player’s flag had been pulled at the spot they left the ground.
It is guarding the flags anytime:
- the ball carrier’s arms or hands go below the waist and ANY contact is made between the defender and the ball carrier
- the hand or arm is used to push away the defender
- the ball is used to hold a defender’s hand away
- the flags are held or moved by the ball carrier
- the flag belts are worn so that the flags do not point outward from the waist
Blocking
There are 2 legal ways in which to block:
- Hands and arms extended—the arms may be used to keep the rusher in front of them; if the arms are brought in to absorb contact, they can not go back out in a shoving motion
- Hand and arms against the body—the hands and arms must remain in contact with the body; the elbows must not extend away from the body
Elbows can not be used to block
You can’t leave your feet when you block
All contact must occur between the shoulders and the waist
No excessive force to be used in blocking
- Hands and arms extended—the arms may be used to keep the rusher in front of them; if the arms are brought in to absorb contact, they can not go back out in a shoving motion
- Hand and arms against the body—the hands and arms must remain in contact with the body; the elbows must not extend away from the body
Elbows can not be used to block
You can’t leave your feet when you block
All contact must occur between the shoulders and the waist
No excessive force to be used in blocking
Defense
The rusher must push or pull the blocker to the side using only the hands
The rusher may not push or pull the blocker to the ground
The rusher may not push the blocker straight backwards
The rusher may not use shoulders, forearms or elbows to make contact with a blocker
All contact must occur between the shoulders and the waist
No 3 or 4-point stances on the line of scrimmage
Defensive players may not impede an offensive player as they leave the line of scrimmage.
Defensive players may dive for a flag.
There is no minimum number of players the defense must have at the line of scrimmage.
The rusher may not push or pull the blocker to the ground
The rusher may not push the blocker straight backwards
The rusher may not use shoulders, forearms or elbows to make contact with a blocker
All contact must occur between the shoulders and the waist
No 3 or 4-point stances on the line of scrimmage
Defensive players may not impede an offensive player as they leave the line of scrimmage.
Defensive players may dive for a flag.
There is no minimum number of players the defense must have at the line of scrimmage.
Tackling
Tackling should be called any time the runner’s progress is impeded causing him to break stride or lose momentum. The following are examples of tackling:
- Tripping a runner
- Pushing a runner out-of-bounds
- Pushing another player into the runner
- Grasping the runner and/or clothing
- Tackling him by knocking or pulling him to the ground
A runner, who is tackled by the last player between them and the goal line, shall be awarded a touchdown.
- Tripping a runner
- Pushing a runner out-of-bounds
- Pushing another player into the runner
- Grasping the runner and/or clothing
- Tackling him by knocking or pulling him to the ground
A runner, who is tackled by the last player between them and the goal line, shall be awarded a touchdown.
Punting
In order to declare a punt, 2 halfbacks must create a touch-off zone by aligning themselves in the backfield and touching fingertips while both feet are on the ground without changing position of the feet afterward. The halfbacks cannot move until the ball has passed the line of scrimmage.
You can fake punt, but the touch-off men still cannot move until the ball has crossed the line of scrimmage.
The punter cannot go past the touch-off men when punting.
Only one rusher can go passed the touch-off men when punting. If it is obvious they are faking the punt, they can rush two.
The kicking team may not interfere with the receiving team’s right to catch the ball.
Nobody can go into the touch-off zone, which is the box between the touch-off men and the line of scrimmage.
You can fake punt, but the touch-off men still cannot move until the ball has crossed the line of scrimmage.
The punter cannot go past the touch-off men when punting.
Only one rusher can go passed the touch-off men when punting. If it is obvious they are faking the punt, they can rush two.
The kicking team may not interfere with the receiving team’s right to catch the ball.
Nobody can go into the touch-off zone, which is the box between the touch-off men and the line of scrimmage.
Summary of Penalties
5 Yards – DOWN OVER FROM LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
10 YARDS – DOWN OVER FROM LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
10 YARDS – LOSS OF DOWN FROM POINT OF INFRACTION
10 YARDS – LOSS OF DOWN FROM LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
10 YARDS – FIRST DOWN FROM POINT OF INFRACTION
FIRST DOWN FROM POINT OF INFRACTION
- Illegal substitution
- Extra Player (No effect on game)
- Touch-off violation during a punt
- Blocking punt
- Simulation action of snap
- Snapping irregularities
- Three of four point stance on line of scrimmage (offense or defense)
- Illegal formation (not 3 players on the line of scrimmage)
- Illegal motion (players not in motion must be set for one full second)
- Illegal center return hand-off
- Offsides (Offense or defense) NO PLAY
- No ball exchange before a run
- Illegal forward pass (behind the line of scrimmage)
- Guarding the flag
- Illegal forward pass (beyond the line of scrimmage)
10 YARDS – DOWN OVER FROM LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
- Illegal participation
- Out of bounds player participating
- Kicking into rusher
- Interference of kicking team to let receiving team field the ball (beyond the line of scrimmage)
- Illegal block or use of elbows or forearms (behind the line of scrimmage)
- Defensive holding
- Stealing the ball from the ball carrier
- Offensive holding
- Personal fouls
- Unsportsmanlike conduct
10 YARDS – LOSS OF DOWN FROM POINT OF INFRACTION
- Illegal blocking (beyond the line of scrimmage)
- Running over defender
10 YARDS – LOSS OF DOWN FROM LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
- Offensive pass interference
10 YARDS – FIRST DOWN FROM POINT OF INFRACTION
- Tackling (possible TD if last man to goal line)
FIRST DOWN FROM POINT OF INFRACTION
- Defensive pass interference (at the 1-yard line if it occurs in the endzone)