Please review the rules and note that anything missed in this explanation can be added as the games progress.
First Downs:
- There will be 3-first down hash marks written on to the field.
- No matter where you start your possession, when you pass a first down marker you, gain a first down.
- If you do not pass a first down marker at the completion of 4-downs the ball is given to the other team.
- If you pass a first down marker and due to a penalty or a negative play fall behind it, you cannot gain a first down passing said marker a second time.
- You have 4-downs to pass a first down maker or else the other team gains possession of the ball
Punting:
- You may punt the ball on 4th down, but it must be declared to the referee before lining up for the play. The defense will then be notified well before the ball is snapped.
- No defense may rush the punt. The punt must be made within 5-seconds of snapping the ball or the play is blown dead.
- The offense can make no attempt to gain positive yards on the play.
Fumbles:
- There are no fumbles. When a player drops the ball as soon as it hits the ground the play is blown dead at the spot of the fumble.
o An offensive player may not move the ball forward by fumbling.
- If a defensive player catches the ball before it hits the ground it does result in a change of possession.
- Muffing a football is legal. On a snap the ball hits the ground first without anyone dropping it, that is a muff. A muffed football is still in play.
Falling Down:
- As soon as a player falls to the ground the play is over. If any part of the body touches the ground other than their hand the play is over: Elbow, knee, thigh, butt, back, head, etc.
Interceptions:
- The rules are no different. If a defensive player catches an interception and falls to the ground the play is over.
Jumping:
- There is no jumping allowed. If a player possesses the ball and jumps, the play is immediately blown dead at that spot. There is no yardage penalty, just the end of the play.
Formation and eligible receiver rules:
- There are no mandatory formations and all players on the field are eligible receivers.
Flags and Guarding:
- The offensive player cannot knock away a hand attempting to grab their flag.
- The offensive player cannot use their hand, elbow, stomach, knee or any body part to guard their flag. Accidental or Intentional there is no difference.
- The flag must be properly installed on the belt. If a player is found to have tied their flags to their belt they will be immediately disqualified for the game. A second time and the player is ejected from the tournament.
Play Clock:
- The offense will have 35-seconds to snap the ball after it is placed down by the referee or acknowledged as being placed down.
- The time keeper will verbally yell out when there is 10-seconds left.
- When the clock expires the time keeper will blow an air horn thus informing the referee.
- If a play has already started before the horn, continue on at the discretion of the referee. Stop if the referee blows their whistle, the air horn is not the official signal.
Kicking and Extra Points:
- There is no kick offs, the ball is placed on the X mark to signal the start of the possession.
- For extra points, there is only the 1-point try and that is one single play (excluding penalties) to cross the goal line with the ball. No 2-point conversion.
o If the defense intercepts the ball and returns it to the opposite touchdown it will count as 1-point for the defense on the extra point play.
Forward Passing:
- The Quarterback must have at least 1-part of his body behind the line of scrimmage to throw a legal forward pass.
o If the quarterback fully passes the line of scrimmage and attempts a pass it is an illegal forward pass.
Rushing the Quarterback and QB scrambling:
- The Quarterback cannot scramble unless a defensive player rushes the quarterback by crossing the line of scrimmage, then the quarterback may rush past the line at any time.
- Any defender that attempts to rush the quarterback must start 3-feet back from the line of scrimmage. They may begin their rush as soon as the ball is snapped, but must be the required distance from the line. The distance will be marked off by the referee and signified by a flag on the ground.
Blocking:
- Offensive players may block using their hands, but cannot hold, hit the defender in the neck or head, and extend their arms while blocking.
- If the blocker holds or extends their arms making contact with a defender that will be an illegal blocking penalty
Tackling:
- No tackling is allowed. (Forcibly driving a person’s body to the ground, or significant contact with a players body similar to the NFL Tackle)
- If an offensive player and a defensive player run into each other it is up to the referee to determine if it was an attempt at a tackle by the defender.
- If the referee deems the attempt by the defender to be an attempt at a tackle then it will result in a 15-yard penalty.
- If the attempt at a tackle is ruled severe by the referee the player may be ejected from the game. A second such violation at this level or severity will result in ejection from the tournament.
Indirect Snaps:
- The first person to receive the snap is the quarterback and is limited by the QB scrambling rules.
- If the QB lateral rolls the ball to another, that person may still throw a forward pass but also run with the ball without defense rushing the passer.
o This is a way to empower the passer to have the ability to scramble without defense rushing that person.
Penalties and yards:
Yards will be marked off by the referee in steps.
Offense:
- Offsides: 5- steps
- Flag Guarding 5-steps
- False Start 5-steps
- Holding by Offense 5-steps
- Offensive Pass Interference: 5-steps
- Illegal Block 5-steps
- Unsportsmanlike Conduct 15-steps
- Illegal Forward Pass 5-steps
- Jumping Play Ends at that spot
Defense:
- Offsides 5-steps
- Holding 5-steps and First down
- Pass Interference Spot Foul and First Down
- Illegal Contact Downfield 5-steps and First Down
- Unsportsmanlike Conduct 15-steps and First Down
- Illegal Tackle 15-yards and Ejection Warning,
If severe the referee may eject the player. A second ejection results the ejection from the tournament.