Règlements – Ligue de Touch Football de Buckingham

Les règlements sont en anglais seulement mais ils seront bientot disponibles en francais aussi. Merci de votre patience.

League rules

Coming soon

Standings Tie Breaker

When two or more teams are tied (same point total) in the standings at the conclusion of the regular season schedule, preferential ranking for playoff purposes shall be determined on the basis of the following descending-order priorities and shall be awarded to the team that:

has won the greater number of games played against all teams, then,
has the higher winning percentage in all games played against all of the other tied team(s), then,
has scored the higher net aggregate of points (i.e. points scored for less points scored against) in all games played against all of the other tied team(s), then,
has scored the higher net quotient of points (i.e. points scored for divided by points scored against) in all games played against all of the other tied team(s), then,
has scored the higher net aggregate of points in games played against all teams of the League, then,
has scored the higher net quotient of points in games played against all teams of the League, then,
has won a coin toss against the other tied Club.

Note: If two Clubs remain tied after other Club(s) are eliminated during any step, tie breaker reverts to first step.

Buckingham’s Touch Football rules

(Note that those rules are from touch football Canada and have been adapted to this league, all rules concerning linemen will be added shortly.)

TOUCH FOOTBALL OVERVIEW

Touch Football is played with seven on-field players per team. The team that has possession of the ball is termed the offence (team O), and the team that doesn’t is called the defence (team D). The offence has three downs to obtain 10 yards, keep possession of the ball and attempt to score. If it fails to gain the ten yards and a first down, the ball goes to the defence which, in turn, becomes the offence and has three downs to obtain 10 yards, keep possession of the ball and attempt to score.

The game begins at the offensive team own 20 yard line. The offensive team is determined by a coin toss before the game. The winner either chooses to play offense or defense or; chooses the side of the field

To begin the series of three downs, the ball is placed on the ground at the 20 yard line. This is called the line of scrimmage. All offensive players must take a position on or behind the line of scrimmage. All defensive players must take a position at least one yard from the line of scrimmage on the opposite side. A player designated as the centre will then begin the play by snapping the ball between the legs to the quarterback, who must receive the ball at least five yards behind the line of scrimmage. All players on the offence, except the O-Lines, are allowed to be in motion prior to the snap, but are not permitted to cross the line of scrimmage until after the snap. The game is mainly a passing game, with all players on the offence being eligible receivers. The Offensive team is allowed to block any player trying to reach the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage. Blocking is allowed by the defensive team for the first 5 yards from the line of scrimmage. The play is terminated when a defender touches the ball carrier with one hand. Two-hand touches are permissible as long as there is no rough touch.

Bean bags are used by the officials to mark the line of scrimmage and the first down line. Officials will place these bags at the appropriate spot prior to the start of each play.

Teams are permitted only one forward pass on each scrimmage play. No forward passes are permitted after punts. The ball may be passed laterally among teammates as many times as they wish during a play. A lateral is a pass by which the ball travels parallel to or, in the direction of, the passer’s dead-ball line. An attempted lateral that results in the ball going forward to a teammate is illegal, and is ruled an offside pass when touched by a teammate.

Fumbles are not recoverable in touch football. The ball is considered dead when it hits the ground during a scrimmage play, except on the initial centre-quarterback exchange when the ball is snapped, and on a lateral to an offensive player that occurs behind the line of scrimmage and before a forward pass is thrown. In the latter case, in order for the ball to be considered live, it must touch the intended player first before hitting the ground.

Scoring

Points are awarded for touchdowns, converts, safety touches and rouges.

A touchdown is scored when a team gets the ball into the opponent’s end zone by running with the ball across the goal line or by gaining possession of the ball in the end zone through a completed pass from a teammate. Touchdowns count for six points.

After a touchdown, the scoring team attempts a two-point convert from the five yard line. All converts must be passing or running plays. Kicking is not permitted on convert attempts.

A safety touch counts for two points, and is awarded to a team when its opponents cause the ball to go into their own end zone and the play is ruled dead prior to the ball being taken out of the end zone.

Rouges count for one point and is awarded when the ball is punted into the opposing
team’s end zone and the receiving team is unable to get the ball out of the end zone. Or, a team can score a rouge if the ball goes through the end zone and out of bounds

Game Procedures

A game is divided into 2 half of 25 minutes each. The clock runs continuously during the halves. The referee lets the teams know when there is 2 minutes left in the half. When the timer reaches 0, there are 6 plays left. At the end of the first half there is a rest period of an agreed-upon length and the second half begins at the offensive team own 20 yard line of the team that started the game on defense.

Each team has 2 timeouts; one 60-second time out per half and one 30-second time out per half. Officials may call time outs to deal with measurements, rule explanations or injuries.

A team must have a minimum of five players on the field at the designated starting time, to begin a game, or it will forfeit the game.

Punts

Teams may punt the ball on any down and in doing so they give up possession of the ball to the receiving team. After the ball is punted, members of the kicking team must be at least five yards away from the ball when it is touched by a member of the receiving team. Failure to do so will result in a ten-yard, “no yards” penalty.

If the ball touches the punt receiver, then goes forward and hits the ground, the play will be whistled dead. If the ball touches the punt receiver, then hits the ground behind or lateral to the receiver, the ball is live to the receiving team only.

If a punt is blocked by the defensive team, the play is dead when the ball hits the ground or is caught by a member of the kicking team, and the non-kicking team takes possession at the point where the ball was blocked.

General Information

Participants in the game of Touch Football must consider the safety of all players in the game. Aggressive play must be tempered with control in order to avoid unnecessary body contact and the possibility of injury to opponents. Players who show no regard for this concept will be penalized for the unnecessary contact they cause. Sportsmanship and consideration for the well-being of others is an integral part of the game of Touch Football.

The rules of Touch Football exist to ensure that no team creates an unfair advantage over the other team. Therefore, infractions such as interference, tripping, unnecessary roughness, contacting the passer or punter, obstruction, offside and objectionable conduct will be called by the officials, when committed by players during a game. It is imperative that all participants display sportsmanship during a game. Persistent arguing, obscene language, threats to players, officials or spectators bring disgrace to the sport and will not be tolerated.

TOUCH FOOTBALL RULE BOOK

Rule 1 – Kick-off

There is no kickoff, the game begins at the offensive team own 20 yard line. The offensive team is determined by a coin toss before the game. The winner either chooses to play offense or defense or chooses the side of the field

Rule 2 – The Scrimmage

2.1 A huddle is not compulsory except in the following circumstances: after any time out; after a change in possession; after change of ends at the end of a period. The offensive team has 20 seconds to snap the ball after the referee has blown the play in. Failure to do so will result in a five yard time count penalty.

2.2 Teams are allowed to have a partial huddle where some players are huddled and others are not, however, “sleeper” plays are illegal and subject to an illegal procedure penalty. The officials will call a “sleeper” play when the offense deliberately attempts to deceive the defense as to which players are legally on the field.

2.3 To begin a play from scrimmage, the ball must be placed on the ground, between the hash marks, and then snapped through the legs of the centre to the quarterback, who is defined as the first player to touch the ball after it is snapped. If the ball is taken to the huddle or not left on the ground it will become in play as soon as the centre lifts it off the ground after placing it on the ground. If the ball is left on the ground the centre is permitted to lift it off the ground once and then it is in play as soon as the centre lifts it off the ground after having placed it back on the ground. The quarterback must receive the snap at least five yards behind the line of scrimmage. Prior to the snap, the centre must position the ball between the legs next to the bag that marks the line of scrimmage that is also between the legs. Failure to do so will result in a five yard illegal procedure penalty.

2.4 Contact is allowed 5 yards from the line of scrimmage on the defensive side and no limit on the offensive side. The Offensive lineman is allowed to block any player trying to reach the quarterback.

2.5 Players are not allowed to cross the line of scrimmage to listen to the opponent’s huddle. These infractions would result in a five yard illegal procedure penalty.

2.6 If both teams go offside as the ball is snapped, the play is whistled dead and the down is replayed with no penalty.

Rule 3 – Passing

3.1 All players are eligible to receive a forward pass. There can be only one forward pass on each scrimmage play. A forward pass is one in which the ball is intentionally thrown or handed towards the opponent’s goal line. A forward pass is legal, if it is the first pass thrown from behind the line of scrimmage. A forward pass cannot be thrown after the ball has been punted.

3.2 A pass is considered complete if the player has possession and control of the ball prior to going out of bounds. To be considered in bounds the receiver must touch the ground in bounds with some part of the body prior to any part of the body touching an out of bounds area. The boundary lines, which mark the outer limits of the field, are considered to be out of bounds.

3.3 If a receiver could have landed in bounds but was pushed out of bounds by an opponent, the catch will be awarded to the receiver. It is the official’s judgment as to whether the receiver could have landed in bounds.

3.4 A pass caught simultaneously by players on opposite teams will be awarded to the team that had possession prior to the pass.

3.5 A player who bobbles the ball and is touched while bobbling the ball will be considered to be touched if and when the player finally gains possession of the ball and is still in bounds. If yards were gained, the ball will come back to the point where the receiver was first touched by the opponent. The intent of this rule is to prevent players from intentionally bobbling the ball to avoid a touch and gain yards.

3.6 Players can lateral the ball at any time during a play. A lateral pass is a pass that travels parallel to, or in the direction of, the passer’s dead ball line. An attempted lateral that results in the ball going forward and being caught by a teammate is illegal and is ruled an offside pass. If a player makes an offside pass, the ball comes back to the point from where the pass was initiated.

3.7 When an offensive player touches a lateral pass behind the line of scrimmage before any forward pass is thrown and the ball then touches the ground, the ball is live to the offense only. The defense may touch the last offensive player that touched the ball or they may touch the loose ball and down it to end the play.

3.8 A pass is incomplete when the ball touches the ground, the goal post or an official or lands out of bounds.

3.9 When the passer deliberately throws a pass to an area where there is no receiver in an obvious attempt to avoid a loss of yards, the team will be penalized for grounding the ball. The penalty is a loss of down at the point the ball was thrown.

3.10 If a defender intercepts a pass in their end zone, no points are awarded and the team that intercepted the ball is awarded first down on their 10 yard line.

Rule 4 – Scoring

4.1 A touchdown counts as 6 points; a convert from the five yard line is 2 points; a safety touch is 2 points; and a rouge is 1 point.

4.2 A touchdown is scored by carrying the ball into the opponent’s end zone or by catching the ball in the opponents’ end zone prior to it touching the ground. The ball is considered to be in the end zone when any part of the ball touches or crosses the plane of the goal line.

4.3 After a touchdown is scored, the scoring team may try a convert attempt. The scoring team will attempt a 2 point convert from the five yard line. The unrestricted yardage on Personal/Major Foul rule does not apply on the convert attempt so that the distance remains the same. Converts are passing or run attempts; no kicking is allowed. The unrestricted yardage penalty does apply if the penalty occurs during a convert attempt.

4.4 On a convert attempt, the ball is scrimmaged in the centre of the appropriate yard line. If there are goal posts on the field the scoring team has the right to move the ball to either hash mark (24 yards in from either sideline).

4.5 After a convert attempt, the non-scoring team starts at their own 20 yard line.

4.6 A safety touch is awarded to a team when the offense causes the ball to go into their own end zone and the play is ruled dead prior to the ball being brought out of the end zone. A ball is considered to be in the end zone if any part of the ball is still in the end zone.

4.7 After a safety touch, the scoring team starts back, first and ten, from their own 20 yard line.

4.8 A rouge is scored when a team legally kicks the ball or deflects an opponent’s lateral into the opponent’s end zone and the ball is not brought out of the end zone.

4.9 After a rouge is scored, the non-scoring team will scrimmage the ball, first and ten, from their own 20 yard line.

Rule 5 – Punts

5.1 For a ball to be considered a punt it must be deliberately dropped and then kicked with the foot or leg before the ball touches the ground.

5.2 Any player may punt the ball, even after catching a pass over the line of scrimmage. Once the ball is legally punted, the punting team gives up possession of the ball.
5.3 After a punt, players of the punting team cannot touch the ball or be touched by the ball until an opponent touches the ball. They must also be at least five yards away from the ball when it is first touched by an opposing player. Failure to do so will result in a ten yard “no yards” penalty from the point the ball was first touched. Players on the punting team who are within 5 yards but are making an attempt to give 5 yards and do not make a play on the ball will not be penalized for “no yards”.

5.4 Any player on the receiving team can catch a punt and advance it. There is no blocking permitted on a punt return. If a player attempts to catch a punt and the ball touches the player then hits the ground, the play will be live if the ball goes in the direction of, or parallel to, the receiver’s dead ball line. If the receiver touches the ball and the ball goes forward and hits the ground, the play is dead when the ball hits the ground and is brought back to where it was touched.

5.5 A punt is considered blocked by the opposing team when a player of that team strikes the ball and the ball travels in the direction of, or parallel to, the punting team’s dead ball line and hits the ground or is touched by a player of the punting team. The play is ruled dead and the non-punting team will take possession of the ball at the point the ball was blocked.

5.6 If a punt is deflected and the ball travels in the direction of the receiving team’s dead ball line, the punt is legal and the play continues. The deflection is ignored and “yards” must be given by members of the kicking team.

5.7 When a punted ball hits the ground behind the line of scrimmage or behind the kicker’s goal line, the play is dead. If this occurs in the field of play, the opposing team will take possession of the ball at the point the ball hits the ground. If this occurs in the end zone the opposing team will be awarded a safety touch if it is a scrimmage play OR a single point, if it is a return punt from the end zone.

5.8 When a punt is blocked in the field of play, the non-punting team is considered to be in possession. If the punt is blocked in the end zone, the punting team is considered to be in possession.

5.9 If a player accidentally or deliberately kicks the ball with the foot or leg without having had control of the ball in the hand, the ball becomes an onside or offside pass depending on its direction and will remain live until it hits the ground.

5.9 A short punt falling within a group of players can be blown dead for safety reasons.

Rule 6 – Timing & Time outs

6.1 The game consists of two 25 minutes halves. At the end of the first half, teams switch ends. A half will end when the referee has no time left on the clock and the last 6 plays have been played (when the clock runs out of time there is 6 plays left in the half). If, at the end of the previous play, the referee has at least some time left on the clock, there will be at least one more play in the game time (7 plays instead of 6). If there is a touchdown scored on the last play of a half, the convert will be attempted.

6.2 At the end of the first half, there is an agreed upon rest period (half time) and the second half begins with a scrimmage at the 20 yard line.

6.3 Time runs continuously. The clock will be stopped in the following situations:

a. when an official calls a timeout – clock starts on the snap on the subsequent play.

b. team time out – clock starts on the snap on the subsequent play.

c. Injury – at the referee’s discretion. See rule 6.11

6.4 2 timeout each team per half, one 60 seconds and one 30 seconds.

6.5 Any player or coach can request the Referee to call a time out. Time outs can only be called during dead ball situations.

6.6 The referee will notify each team when there are 15 seconds left in the time out. A time out may be shortened if both teams agree.

6.7 All offensive players must huddle after a time out or be penalized five yards for illegal procedure.

6.8 After a time out, the clock will not start until the snap of the ball on the subsequent play.

6.9 A team cannot call two consecutive time outs without a play occurring between the time outs.

6.10 The Referee may stop the clock when it is deemed necessary by any of the officials. The clock will start after the Referee whistles the next play in.

6.11 If the Referee takes a time out for an injury to one of the players, the injured player must be removed for at least one play unless the team decides to use a time out.

6.12 In regular season, if the game is tied after regulation time, the game ends as a tie. In the playoffs, a winner must be declared and overtime can be played. Converts will be used to break the tie, with each team being given three convert attempts, alternating on offense then defense. If there is still a tie, each team get an additional convert attempt until the tie is broken.

Rule 7 – Pass Interference

7.1 Pass interference is defined as one player taking away the positional advantage of another player. This can occur:

a. through direct contact whereby one player makes contact with an opponent and causes the opponent to move off stride or away from the opponent’s intended direction;

b. when a player steps into the intended and declared path of an opponent, causing the opponent to slow down or change direction;

c. during a deliberate attempt to block the opponent from reaching the arrival point of the ball.

d. holding onto a player, preventing them from getting to their intended path.

7.2 Pass interference is considered to be in the target zone when the interference occurs in close proximity to the intended arrival point of the ball and the receiver, while the pass is in the air. All other pass interference will be assessed as remote zone interference.

7.3 If a player is not playing the ball and extends the arms or waves a hand in an attempt to distract a receiver or block the vision of the receiver or to touch the ball that player is considered to have committed pass interference in the remote area. If the ball is touched or if the receiver’s direct line of vision is blocked, it is considered to be pass interference in the target zone.

7.4 If pass interference occurs while the pass is in the air and the official rules that the ball would not have been caught without the interference then the pass interference is considered to be in the remote zone rather than the target zone. This applies regardless if the interference is committed by the defender or the receiver.

7.5 Both offensive and defensive players can be called for pass interference. If the defense commits pass interference in the target zone, the offense is awarded the ball at the point of the infraction or ten yards in advance of the point of last scrimmage. If the offense commits pass interference in the target zone and the penalty is accepted, the defense is awarded the ball at the point of the foul or if on third down at the point of last scrimmage. If either team commits remote zone pass interference, the penalty is 10 yards from the point of last scrimmage.

Rule 8 – Equipment

8.1 Teams use their own football during the game or, if they agree, one game ball may be used by both teams. No team or player is permitted to make alterations to the natural surface of the ball being used. Teams doing so will be penalized ten yards for objectionable conduct.

8.2 Players are not permitted to use paste stick’em on their hands or uniforms. Players who do so will be penalized ten yards for objectionable conduct and will be removed from the game until it is removed.

8.3 If two teams are using similar sweaters, the winner of the coin toss has the option to change sweaters. Uniforms cannot contain any equipment that would cause injury to any player. The Referee will be the final authority on equipment that may be injurious to participants or on any equipment or devices that are not covered in the rules.

8.4 Jewelry must be removed prior to the start of the game. If it is not possible to remove the jewelry it must be covered up completely. Medical bracelets may be worn but they must be fastened securely so as not to cause injury. The Referee will have the final decision as to the acceptability of equipment.

8.5 It is not mandatory to wear cleats but shoes with heels are not acceptable. Spikes or similar sharp pointed type shoes such as track spikes, metal baseball cleats or golf shoes are not permitted. If cleats are worn, there is no minimum or maximum number of cleats to be worn, but the cleats must be a part of the natural design of the shoe.

8.6 If a player is wearing unacceptable equipment or shoes, the player must leave the game for at least one play and remove the equipment before returning. If the player returns to the game with the unacceptable equipment, the team will be penalized for objectionable conduct and the player will be ejected.

8.7 If a participant has incurred a wound that is bleeding or if there is enough blood on a participant or on the participant’s uniform to such an extent that it may be transferred to another individual, the participant must leave the playing field until the problem is resolved to the satisfaction of the Referee.

Rule 9 – Procedures

9.1 The standard field is 90 yards long and 30 yards wide with 10 yard end zones at each end. Centre field is at the 35 yard line.

9.2 Goal posts are not required for the game of touch football.

9.3 They should be a minimum of five yards back from the sideline and they cannot pass the 20 yard line. Players must stay in their bench area when off the field or be penalized ten yards for objectionable conduct.

9.4 Each team may have a maximum of seven players on the field during play although teams can play with less than seven players on the field during the game. If a team has more than seven players on the field during a play, the team will be penalized ten yards for illegal substitution.

9.5 Substitute players may enter the field only when the play is dead. Substitutes must enter from the bench side and players leaving the field must go directly to the bench area. Substitutes may not enter the field after the offense has broken its huddle. A player who enters the field to communicate a play to a teammate must remain on the field for the next play. The penalty for violating these rules is ten yards for illegal substitution.

9.6 Teams are permitted a maximum of four captains per game. Only the captains are permitted to discuss rule applications with the Referee, to request measurements, and to choose options on penalty applications.

9.7 Bean bags are used to mark the line of scrimmage and the first down marker. Each bag should be at least 3″ square.

9.8 If there is an inadvertent whistle by the officials on a play, the play will stand if the whistle did not affect the outcome of the play. If the outcome was affected by the whistle, the team that was affected can let the play stand as of the whistle or repeat the play from the point of last scrimmage. If it is not possible to determine who was adversely affected, the play will be repeated.

9.9 If the ball touches an official during a play, it will be treated as if the ball touched the ground during the play and the appropriate ruling will be made.

Rule 10 – Live Ball/Dead Ball

10.1 If the ball hits the goal post the play is whistled dead.

a. If it is a punt from the field of play, the ball is placed at the 10 yard line and no points are awarded. If it is the initial punt from the team’s own end zone, it is a safety touch.

b. If it is a forward pass from behind the line of scrimmage, the play is dead and the ball comes back to the line of scrimmage and loss of down (i.e. incomplete pass).

c. If it is an onside lateral by the offense and the ball hits goal post in flight, it is a safety touch.

10.2 If a ball lies motionless on the ground for three seconds and there is no attempt to play the ball, the play shall be whistled dead.

10.3 Players are not allowed to extend the ball using their arms, to gain additional yards while the play is live. There is a five yard penalty for doing so and the ball is considered dead at the point the extension began.

10.4 Players who have possession of the ball are not permitted to dive forward in an effort to gain additional yards. The penalty is 15 yards and the ball is considered dead at the point the dive began.

10.5 When the play is live and a member of the defensive team deliberately touches the ball carrier, the ball, or any part of the ball carrier’s equipment, the play will be whistled dead. The official must see the touch for the whistle to be blown. The touch can be with one hand only, although a two handed touch is permissible provided it is not unduly harsh.

10.6 If a defender jumps over a fallen ball carrier in order to avoid a collision, a touch will be awarded to the defense and the play is whistled dead.

10.7 If the quarterback mishandles the snap or the snap travels over the quarterback’s head without being touched, the ball is live to the offense only.

Rule 11 – Penalties (alpha listing)

Delay of Game – This is a 10 yard penalty. It is called when a team does not have five players to begin the game or when a team is deliberately delaying the game.

Deliberate Grounding of the Ball – If a player deliberately grounds the ball to avoid being touched, the ball will be placed at the point the passer released the ball with the loss of that down.

Diving – The ball carrier is not allowed to dive with the ball in order to gain extra yards. This will be considered a 15 yard personal foul and is applied as a live or dead ball foul from the point where the dive began.

Extension – The ball carrier is not allowed to extend the ball with the arms in an effort to gain extra yards. This is applied as a dead ball foul from the point of the torso of the ball carrier when the extension took place. It is a five yard penalty.

Illegal Participation – If a defensive player illegally enters the field while a play is in progress and affects the outcome of the play, the opponents will be awarded a touchdown and the player is ejected from the game. If a fan illegally participates in the game and a touchdown would have been scored without the participation, then the touchdown must be awarded. If the fan did not affect the outcome of the play, the play stands. If the fan affected the outcome of the play, the team has the option to repeat the play from the point of last scrimmage.

Illegal Re-Entry – A player is not permitted to leave the field of play during a play, return to the field of play, and then participate in the play. The penalty is 10 yards for illegal re-entry.

a. by the offense on a scrimmage play – if a first down was not made, the penalty is applied at the point of last scrimmage, down repeated. If a first down was made prior to the infraction, the penalty is applied at the point of foul, down is not repeated. If a catch is made by the offending player then the defense has the option of making it an incomplete pass.

b. by the offense on a convert – no score is allowed and no repeated attempt is given.

c. by the defense on a scrimmage play – the offense has the option to apply the penalty at the point of last scrimmage with the down repeated or at the point the ball was held at the time of the infraction and downs continue.

d. by the defense on a convert attempt – if the foul occurred in the end zone, the point or points are awarded. If the foul occurred in the field of play, the penalty is applied at the point of last scrimmage and a repeat attempt is given.

e. if the foul occurs after a change of possession on a scrimmage play, the penalty is applied at the spot the ball was held at the time of the infraction.

f. on any play, if a score would have been made without the illegal re-entry, then the score is awarded.

Illegal substitution – This occurs when a player illegally enters the field. Players are not allowed to enter the field on a scrimmage play after the offense breaks its huddle. If there is no huddle, substitutions should be made immediately after the end of the last play and before the official signals no substitutions (linesman’s gates or head- referee’s hand is raised). If a team has more than seven players on the field during a play, it is illegal substitution.

Illegal Use of hands – Players are not permitted to grab the goal posts in order to change direction or take an unfair advantage. Penalty is 10 yards for illegal use of hands.

Major Foul – These are acts which threaten the safety of participants and will result in the ejection of the player responsible. They include: deliberate tripping of an opponent; striking or attempting to strike an opponent; any attempt to injure a participant in the game. Major fouls are 25 yard fouls and are considered to be live or dead ball fouls at the option of the non-offending team.

Application of Major fouls will be unrestricted inside the 35 yard-line therefore not subject to the half-way to the goal line rule. The full 25 yards will be applied up/back to the 1 yard line. If against the defense, an automatic first-down is awarded.

No Yards – This occurs when the punting team encroaches within the five yard restraining zone on a punt. Members of the punting team must not come within a five yard radius of the punt receiver prior to the touching of the ball by the receiving team. This is a 10 yard penalty, to be applied from the point the ball was first touched by the receiving team. Players on the punting team who are within 5 yards but are making an attempt to give 5 yards and do not make a play on the ball will not be penalized for “no yards”.

Objectionable conduct – These penalties are applied as 10 yard dead ball fouls. The following actions are considered to be objectionable conduct fouls: the use of profane language, taunting opposing players, demeaning remarks made to opposing players, persistent arguments to officials, deliberately delaying the game, faking an injury or contact to draw a penalty or delay the game, or any action which brings disrepute to the game.

Obstruction – Players are not permitted to block or obstruct an opponent’s direct path to the ball carrier. Contact does not have to occur for this penalty to be called. Penalty is 10 yards for obstruction.

Players are permitted to take a stationary position in order to avoid being called for a penalty, providing it is taken in sufficient time to allow the opponent to adjust to it.

Offside – If a player encroaches in the one yard neutral zone as the ball is snapped, it will result in a 5 yard offside penalty. The neutral zone extends one yard back from the line of scrimmage on the defensive side of the ball.

Offside Pass – The ball is brought back to the point the pass originated and downs continue.

Pass Interference – If the defense commits it in the target zone, the ball is awarded to the offense at the point of the foul or ten yards in advance of the point of last scrimmage and an automatic first down is awarded to the offense. If the offense commits it in the target zone and the penalty is accepted, the defense is awarded the ball at the point of the foul or if on third down at the point of last scrimmage. If it is in the remote zone, by either team, the penalty is applied from the point of last scrimmage with the down repeated.

If the defense commits target zone pass interference, in the end zone, on a convert attempt, the convert will be awarded. If it is target zone interference in the field of play or if it is remote zone interference, the convert attempt can be repeated after the penalty is applied. If the offense commits pass interference, target zone or remote zone, no repeat attempt is given.

Personal fouls – These are acts of roughness or unfair play. Players must control their momentum and try to avoid collisions with opponents. A shove, a heavy handed slap or a swinging arm slap when touching the ball carrier shall be considered a personal foul. Charging, elbowing or throwing the body into a group of defenders by the ball carrier is also considered to be a personal foul.

The defender will be called for a Personal Foul if there is ANY kind of contact with the Quarterback’s throwing arm OR hand OR above the Quarterback’s shoulders while the Quarterback is attempting to make a pass, this includes the Quarterback’s natural follow-through motion.

Personal fouls are 15 yard fouls and can be live or dead ball fouls at the option of the non- offending team.

Application of Personal fouls will be unrestricted inside the 30 yard-line therefore not subject to the half-way to the goal line rule. The full 15 yards will be applied up/back to the 1 yard line. If against the defense, an automatic first-down is awarded.

Time count violation – the offensive team has 20 seconds after the play is blown in by the Referee to snap the ball. Failure to do so results in a five yard time count violation penalty which is applied from the point of last scrimmage with the down repeated.

Rule 12 – Application of Penalties

12.1 A penalty can be refused by the non-offending team. However, if there is an ejection given by the Referee that player must leave the game.

12.2 If the non-offending team refuses a penalty, the play stands and downs continue. If the penalty is accepted, the Referee will explain the options to the non- offending team’s captain. Once a team has given its choice to the Referee, it cannot change it. If they have been given the wrong options by the Referee, they must appeal to the Referee prior to the ball being put into play on the next down.

12.3 If a team commits two or more live ball fouls during the same play, the non- offending team can only accept to apply one of the fouls as a live ball foul. However, the non-offending team may have an option to apply one or more of the live ball fouls as a dead ball foul.

12.4 If there is more than one dead ball foul called against the same team during one play, all fouls can be applied. If each team commits a dead ball foul on the same play, only the difference in yardage will be applied.

12.5 The application of a penalty will not result in the ball being placed closer than the one yard line. When a single fixed distance penalty (excluding a Major or Personal foul) is applied inside the opposing team’s twenty yard line, the ball cannot be brought more than half the distance to the goal line. If the fixed distance penalty is applied from outside the opposing team’s twenty yard line, it cannot bring the ball closer than the ten yard line. If the normal penalty yardage were to be applied and the ball would have reached the goal line due to the penalty, a first down will be awarded to the offense. The half the distance rule also applies to offensive penalties inside their own twenty yard line.
12.6 On a third down play, the offense cannot be awarded a first down by the application of a dead ball foul. Possession changes to the defense and the penalty is then applied.
12.7 If the defense commits a live ball foul that results in a first down being awarded by the application of the penalty yardage, the first down cannot be taken away if the offense commits a dead ball foul on the play. The first down would be awarded and the penalty yardage for the dead ball foul would then be applied. It would be first down and ten after the application of the dead ball foul.
12.8 If a team commits a dead ball penalty on a play that results in a touchdown or on a convert attempt, the non-penalized team has the option to apply the penalty on the convert attempt or the repeated convert attempt, if there is one, or on the subsequent kick off.
12.9 If a team accepts a live ball foul that occurs on the last play of the half (other than an offside pass or obstruction after a first down is gained), there will be one more play given to the team that has possession.
12.10 Fixed distance penalties are applied in the following manner unless a previous rule states otherwise:
a. If the foul occurs before the ball is put into play, as the ball is put into play or before a first down is gained , the penalty will be applied at the point the ball was last put into play and the down will be repeated.
b. If the foul occurs after a first down has been gained, the penalty will be applied from the spot the ball was held at the time of the infraction. The offense will be awarded a first down.
c. If a foul is committed after the offense loses possession of the ball, the penalty will be applied from the spot the ball was held at the time of the infraction. A first down will be awarded to the team that has possession of the ball. If the penalty was called when the ball was in the air as the result of a punt, the penalty will be applied at the point the ball is first touched by the receiving team.
12.11 If both teams commit Personal/Major fouls where the total number of fouls are the same for each team then all offsetting fouls must be applied as dead-ball fouls.

Rule 13 – General

13.1 If a team refuses to start or continue a game at the request of the referee, the referee can award the game to the non-offending team after two warnings to the captain of the offending team. If the game is tied or the offending team is leading at the time, the game will be forfeited by a score of 1-0. If the non-offending team is winning at the time, the score will count.
13.2 If there are goal posts on the field and the ball is scrimmaged within the offensive team’s twenty yard line, the ball must be moved to the closest hash mark.
13.3 If a team scrimmages within five yards of the opposing team’s goal line and there are goal posts on the field, the ball must be scrimmaged at the closest hash mark.
13.4 The referee will decide on any on-field ruling which is not covered by this Rule/Case book.