Rules

Saturday 4on4 League

League Rules

The Game
• No contact allowed.
• NO BLOCKING/SCREENING anytime or anywhere on the field. Offensive players not involved with a play down field must attempt to get out of the way.
• A coin toss determines first possession.
• The offensive team takes possession of the ball at their 5-yard line and has three (3) plays to cross mid-field. Once team crosses mid-field, they will have three (3) plays to score a touchdown.
• If the offensive team fails to cross mid-field or score, possession of the ball changes and the opposite team starts their drive from their 5-yard line.
• All possession changes start on the offenses 5-yard line (Exception: Interceptions may be returned and the ball will be marked where the play ends).
• Each time the ball is spotted a team has 30 seconds to snap the ball. Games consist of two 14 minute halves. Teams will flip sides at beginning of 2nd half. Half time will be 30 seconds. Team that started the first half on offensive will begin 2nd half on defense.
• Coin Toss: There are NO DEFERMENTS. The winner of the coin toss has the following options: 1) offense, 2) defense or 3) choice of goal to defend. Loser of the coin toss has one of the remaining options.
• Running clock: except injuries & time-outs. In the last minute of the game, if the difference in score is less than 9 points, a pro clock is used (stoppage on out of bounds, incomplete passes, defensive penalties, and scores) The clock does not stop for offensive penalties.
• Mercy Rule: If a team is ahead by 17 points or more during the last 2 minutes of the game, the game will be called. No extra point tries will be attempted after a team has a 17 point lead in the last two minutes.

Attire
• NO POCKETS! For the safety of all players, if your shorts or pants have pockets you will not be allowed to participate.
• Cleats are allowed, except for metal spikes. Inspections can and will be made.
• Shirts must be tucked in shorts, pants, etc.
• Flags will be provided by league. Teams may use their own flags, however, if the other team objects, they will have to use official league Flags.
• No headgear with an extended bill may be worn (ex: caps, visors, etc). Exceptions will be made if the bill is backwards.

Rosters
• Official Rosters must be approved by a league representative. After the 6th game of the season a roster has been declared, rosters cannot be changed.
• Teams have four players each on the field, and can have rosters of up to eight players. Substitutions are unlimited, and can be made between plays.
• Players can play on multiple teams in different divisions, but cannot play on multiple teams in the same division. However, scheduled games can not be delayed to accommodate players or teams participating in multiple divisions. (We will do our best to schedule all games without conflict in schedule.)
• All players must be 18 years of age or older.
• If a team has only 3 players they may pick up 1 player to make 4 from within their division or a lower division. If a fourth player from the scheduled team arrives the pick up player must leave the game.

Season 11 Roster Rule / Player Eligibility
• DIVISION 1 (TOP GUN) - This is an open division - all players are eligible.
• DIVISION 2 (COMP) - Only two Div. 1 players may be on a Div. 2 team.
• DIVISION 3 (REC) - Only two Div. 2 and NO Div. 1 players may be on a Div. 3 team.
• Players are classified based on the highest level of participation for the current season. For Example: If you play on a Division 1 team, you are considered a Division 1 player.

Players/Game Schedules
• Teams must field a minimum of three (3) players at all times.
• If a team or teams are more than 5 minutes late for their scheduled games they will be forfeited.
• We reserve the right to reduce, shorten, or reschedule games due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances. 
• All players must carry I.D. for proof of age and identity.
• If a team is late or does not show up to play for 3 games, they will be ejected from the league.
• Due to 17 point mercy rule teams must arrive 30 minutes before scheduled game time.

Scoring
• TD=6 points
• Extra Point=1 (5 yards out); 2 (12 yards out)
• Safety=2 points
• Extra Point returned for touchdown by Defense = 2 points

Time Outs
• Each team has one: 60-second time out per half, in which the clock stops.
• Officials can stop the clock at their own discretion.

Rushing the QB
• Before each play the referee will mark off seven yards from the line of scrimmage. All players that rush the passer must be a minimum of 7 yards and 1 yard over from the center position (either side) from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Any number of players can rush the QB.
• Players not rushing the QB may defend on the line of scrimmage.
• Once the ball has been handed off, the 7 yard rule is no longer in effect and all defenders are eligible to rush.
• Rusher has a direct line to the quarterback and may not be impeded any offensive player.
• If the offense is lined up in a tight formation rusher must choose a path on the outside of receivers to maintain a direct unimpeded path to the QB.

Center Snap
• All center snaps must be made between the center’s legs. A false movement of the football by the center after he is set shall constitute a false start. At all times the ball shall be snapped from the spot marked by the official ball marker.

Running
• Only one direct hand-off behind the line of scrimmage is allowed.
• Only one direct hand-off behind the line of scrimmage is legal. NO laterals or pitches of any kind.
• The player who takes the hand-off can throw the ball as long as he does not pass the line of scrimmage.
• "No Running Zones" are located 5 yards before the end zone and 5 yards before mid-field in each offensive direction.
• "No Running Zones" are designed to avoid short yardage power running situations.
• Spinning is allowed but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive player.
• The ball will be spotted at the point where the players hips were when his flag was pulled, unless the player is running backwards, in which case it will be spotted at the point of the ball. Ball & flags must break the plane for a 1st down and touchdown.

Passing
• All passes must be forward and received beyond the line of scrimmage.
• Shovel passes are allowed, but must be received beyond the LOS.
• Backward Laterals, screen passes behind the line of scrimmage, or downfield pitchers are not allowed.
• A Forward Pass/Lateral is defined as a live ball thrown towards the opponents goal line.
• QB has a 5-second "pass clock". If a pass is not thrown within the 5 seconds, play is dead, loss of down, ball returns to line of scrimmage. Once the ball is handed off or rusher has crossed the LOS the 5-second rule is no longer in effect.
• Interceptions may be returned. Interceptions during Extra Point may be run back for 2 points. If an interceptions occurs in the end zone, and the player's flag is pulled before he leaves the end zone, the ball will be spotted on the 5-yard line.
• If a pass is deflected by the rusher and caught by the quarterback, the quarterback may run the ball but not pass the ball. 

Receiving
• All players are eligible to receive passes (including the QB if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage).
• Only one player is allowed in motion at a time.
• Player must have at least one foot in bounds when making a catch.
• Once a player receives the ball and 1 foot touches the ground it will be a reception.
• Once reception has been established ball may not be stripped by defender.
• Once receiver has touch a ball and his flag is pulled player will be down were the flag is pulled when ball is bobbled in the field of play.
• A player may not intentionaly tip a ball to a teammate (Offense to Offense OR Defense to Defense). This is up to the discretion of the referee. A tipped ball may be intercepted. This is not a penalty, but is a dead ball.

Dead Balls
• Play is ruled "DEAD" when:
- Offensive player’s flag is pulled.
- Ball carrier steps out of bounds.
- Touchdown is scored.
- Ball carrier's hand, knee or the ball hits the ground.
• If an Offensive or Defensive Player's flag falls out:
- after reception, hand-off or interception, a defensive player must touch him for the ball to become dead.
- prior to reception, hand-off or interception, offensive player is down at the spot where ball is received.
• Equipment Violation: The play will be called dead at the snap if any player begins the play without both flags attached to the belt.
- Defensive Penalty: 10 yards and automatic first down
- Offensive Penalty: 10 yards and loss of down
• There are no fumbles. Ball is spotted where it hits the ground. Anytime the ball touches the ground it is dead. Exceptions: a. Any ball dropped in a forward motion will be brought back to last point of contact.
• A Safety (offensive player downed in own end zone, or penalized in own end zone) will result in two points for the defense, and a change of possession.

Overtime
• If the score is tied at the end of 28 minutes, teams move directly into overtime.
• Overtime winners will be determined by an extra-point shoot-out in which points are awarded to teams for successful conversions.
• Coin toss determines possession for the first round.
• Each team will have the option to go for a one-point conversion (5 yards) or a two-point conversion (12-yards). The team who has the most points at the end of the overtime round will be declared the winner.
• Interceptions may be returned for two-points.
• If each team has attempted a conversion and the score is still tied, the team which went on offense 1st in the previous round will start out on defense in the next round, and vice-versa. This will continue until a winner is declared.
• After the second round of overtime, the game is over and is a tie.

Sportsmanship/Roughing
• FOUL LANGUAGE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! Inappropriate language will not be allowed. Referees will be instructed to penalize teams and players for using foul language. First offense is an unsportsmanlike penalty and 3-minute ejection from the game. If there is less than 3-minutes left in the game, the time remaining will carry over to the next game. Repeated offenses will result in players being ejected from individual games. Third foul will result in ejection from the field.
• If the field monitor or referee witnesses any acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking, or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player can be ejected from the game. Field monitor may decide to eject players from the game. FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
• Trash talking is illegal. Official has the right to determine language that is offensive. (Trash talk is that which may be offensive to official, opposing team, or spectators). Referee can eject players from the game for trash talking.
• Fighting: Immediate ejection from the league and a 15 yard penalty.
• Taunting: Fifteen yard penalty and expulsion for multiple repeat offenders.
• Unsportsmanlike conduct / referee abuse: Fifteen yard penalty. One warning followed by expulsion from the game.
• THESE RULES WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED TO MAINTAIN ORDER OF FACILITIES.
• ANY PHYSICAL CONTACT OR THREATS TOWARDS AN OFFICIAL OR ANY LEAGUE PERSONNEL WILL RESULT IN PERMANENT EJECTION FROM THE LEAGUE.
• NO EXCEPTION

Offensive Penalties
- Illegal Snap: 10 yards, loss of down
- Illegal Motion: 10 yards, loss of down
- False Start: 10 yards, loss of down
- Impeding Rusher: 10 yards, loss of down
- Blocking/Screening Downfield: 10 yards (L.O.S.), loss of down
- Illegal Pick: 10 yards (L.O.S.), loss of down
- Flag Guarding: 10 yards from the spot of infraction, loss of down; A flag guarding infraction in the team's own end-zone will be ruled a safety.
- Lowering Head/Shoulder: 10 yards from the spot of infraction, loss of down
- Pass Interference: 10 yards (L.O.S.), loss of down
- Illegal Forward Pass: 10 yards (L.O.S.), loss of down
- Illegal Hand-off/Pitch: 10 yards (L.O.S.), loss of down
- Delay of Game: 10 yards (L.O.S), loss of down

Defensive Penalties
- Off-sides: 10 Yards, automatic first down
- Illegal Rush: 10 Yards, automatic first down
- Illegal Contact: 10 Yards, automatic first down
- Holding: 10 Yards from end of play, automatic first down
- Pass Interference: Spot Foul, automatic first down
- Roughing the QB,: 10 yards, automatic first down
- Delay of Game: 10 yards (L.O.S.), automatic first down
- Illegal Push: 10 yards (L.O.S.), automatic first down