Teams consist of 8 players maximum.
Games are played 8 vs. 8.
A team must have at least 5 players to play. Fewer than 5 = forfeit.
Priories are listed on the official Intramural website.
Players from other priories may not substitute, even if they are in the same House.
Varsity football players are not eligible.
An illegal or ineligible player results in an automatic forfeit.
Every player present must play.
A team of 8 must have:
At least 3 freshmen/sophomores
At least 1 freshman
A team playing with 6–7 players must have:
At least 2 freshmen/sophomores
At least 1 freshman
Games begin 10 minutes after the class before lunch ends.
Captains meet with the referees before the game.
Captains will determine possession by coin toss or rock-paper-scissors.
The opening throwoff starts from the top of the numbers.
No onside attempts.
All players must remain behind the throwoff line.
A throwoff out of bounds gives the receiving team 1st down at the cone, 1 yard behind midfield.
A ball untouched into or through the end zone is a touchback.
Games are 8 vs. 8.
The midfield line is the only first-down marker.
Teams have 4 downs to cross midfield.
Once across midfield, teams have 4 downs to score.
The quarterback may run at any time.
There are no fumbles. If the ball hits the ground, the play is dead and the ball is spotted where it hit.
The defense must wait for the referee's 5-second "alligator" count before rushing.
Each team receives one blitz per four-down series.
A blitz allows the defense to rush before the 5-second count ends.
Once the blitz has been used, rushing early again is illegal.
If the QB:
Leaves the pocket by approximately 5 yards,
Runs with the ball, or
The offense runs a handoff or pass behind the line of scrimmage,
the 5-second count ends and defenders may rush.
A premature rush after the blitz has already been used results in the offense choosing:
3-yard penalty and replay the down, or
Result of the play.
The offense must have one offensive lineman within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage.
The defense must have one defensive lineman within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage.
The center must snap the ball from the ground.
The center is eligible to receive a pass after snapping.
Teams with fewer than 5 players may self-shotgun.
Teams must tell the referee when they intend to punt.
A punt is a throw, not a kick.
No fake punts.
A punt into or through the end zone is a touchback.
Touchdown: 6 points
The player must have both feet in bounds in the end zone.
Extra Points:
1 point = try from 3 yards
2 points = try from 6 yards
A defensive return on a 2-point attempt is worth 2 points.
Safety: 2 points
A safety occurs when an offensive player is downed in their own end zone.
After a safety, the team that was awarded the points receives possession through a throwoff.
Players may NOT:
Cover their flags with their hands or arms.
Pull their shirt over their flags.
Tie or alter their flag belt.
Prevent a defender from pulling a flag illegally.
Players may swat at a defender's hands while attempting to protect their flag.
Penalty: 5 yards from the spot of the foul.
Screen blocking is the only legal block.
Players may keep their hands near their chest.
Players may NOT extend their arms to push, shove, or make contact.
No physical contact is allowed.
Fighting, threatening, abusive behavior, or physical contact with players/referees may result in:
15-yard penalty
Automatic first down
Ejection
A second unsportsmanlike penalty in the same game results in ejection.
A player ejected from multiple games may be removed from the roster and/or become ineligible for playoffs.
The referees and Intramural Director have discretion on disciplinary decisions.
Teams must have 6 players ready to play.
If a team does not have 6 players 15 minutes after the bell, the game is forfeited.
Using an ineligible player results in an automatic forfeit.
Forfeits count as official losses.
Games end 2–5 minutes before the first bell, at the referee's discretion.
The Intramural Director will attempt to give a 2-minute and 1-minute warning.
Referees control the official ending of the game.
If the game is tied:
Each team receives a 1-point attempt from the 3-yard line.
Continue sudden death until there is a winner.
After 3 attempts, move to the 6-yard line for 2-point attempts.
Free blitzing is allowed during 2-point overtime.
An interception during overtime is an automatic 6 points and ends the game.
The line judge manages:
Line of scrimmage
5-second count
Downs and distance
Blitzes
Offsides
Blocking
Flag guarding
The secondary judge manages:
Pass interference
Completions/incompletions
Interceptions
Out-of-bounds spots
Scoring
Downfield blocking
If no official is available for an upper-division regular-season game, teams may self-officiate with the Intramural Director settling disputes.
No freshman game will be played without an official.
The winning team must return:
Cones
Flags
Football
to the Intramural Director near midfield.
Referees must submit:
Final score
Game MVP
immediately after the game.
THE DIRECTOR OF INTRAMURALS HAS FINAL SAY ON ALL RULES, DISPUTES, ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS, AND DISCIPLINARY MATTERS.
Season 2026:
Season 2027:
Season 2028:
Season 2029:
Season 2030: