About the Mid American 8 Man Football League

Last Modified: March 1, 2018

MID-AMERICAN EIGHT MAN

FOOTBALL LEAGUE RULES

- Signed or contract arena player(s) are not allowed to play in the MA8FL. Unless they are released from signed/contract arena team or team/arena league season has completed

- League Approved Footballs (Nike, Wilson, Rawlings - Leather or Composite – NFHS, NFL or NCAA stamped & approved)

- Lower leg pads are OPTIONAL. Highly advised (NO Penalty)

- Players can wear any color tint visor. (NO Penalty)

- Timing of Quarters/Periods: Four (4) 12 minutes – 1 minute intermission between the 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th quarters/periods – 15 minutes for halftime

- A 40 point plus lead will result in a running clock

- 2 Minute Warning in 4^th quarter/period

- Play Clock is 25 seconds (NFHS/IHSA)

- 15 yards between each yard line (Once ball crosses each 15-yard line it’s a first down. Unless penalty(ies) moves the ball backwards. Example 2nd & 2 [sticks] 15 yard lines)

- 4 Offensive players must be on the line of scrimmage at each snap. (5yd penalty)

- 2 feet in bounds for awarded catch

- Offensive ball carrier must be down by defensive contact

- All Cut Blocks (blocking below the waist) are illegal – NO Free-Blocking Zone. (15 yard penalty)

- Offensive Linemen (Guard) catching passes eligibility (Guard must be last player on the line of scrimmage. He must also report at the start of each offensive series or before snap if substitution occurred by raising hand and having Umpire or Referee confirm eligibility)

- ALL face masks are 15 yard penalties (Half the distance to the goal if ball is on defense 15 or less yard line)

- Kickoffs are from the 5-yard line (Including free kicks after safety) – Receiving team lines up on the 15-yard line. (Half the distance to the goal if Kicking team commits a foul)

- Returners can bring the ball out of the end zone. (NOT an automatic touchback)

- A kickoff kicked out of bounds the receiving team as the option of either:

a) Re-kick

b) The ball being placed on the 30-yard line

- A kickoff kicked out of bounds 2 (two) times consecutively will result the ball being placed on

the 30-yard line

- All touchbacks will result the ball being placed on the 15-yard line

- 1pt conversions are from the 3-yard line

- 2pt conversions are from the 7-yard line

- 1st Overtime: Coin toss for possession – 8 minute period - Regular play - Each team 1 time out per overtime - Team scoring the greater points in overtime is declared the winner

- 2nd Overtime: If tied after 8 minutes has expired the first team on defense will become the offensive team with the ball placed on 15-yard line - A series for Team A and a series for Team B - If Team A scores and Team B does not match score and or PAT game is over. If Team B (Defense) gains possession, the ball becomes dead immediately and Team's A (Offense) series of downs is ended – Both teams will use the same 15-yard line (same end of field to ensure equal game conditions and conserve time) – Continue this format until a team scoring the greater points in overtime is declared the winner.

- Field Dimensions: 40 yards wide, 80 yards long, 60 yards goal line to goal line (15 yards in between each yard line)

*Hash marks 15 yards from each sideline and 3 yards long on each 15-yard line. (OPTIONAL)

MA8FL Bylaws (Games, Officials, Playoffs)

- ARTICLE IV: GAMES -

1. The MA8FL will play all games in accordance with the rules of the NFHS when applicable.

a) Four (4) 12 Minute Periods, 15 Minute Halftime

b) A 40 point plus lead will result in a running clock

2. The MA8FL maintains the right to make exceptions to any NFHS Rules.

3. Field accommodations will meet the requirements set forth by the MA8FL.

a) 240 feet / 80 yards from the back of the end zone, to the back of the opposite end zone;

b) 120 feet / 40yards from sideline to sideline;

c) There will be at LEAST 10 yards of free space between the out of bounds lines (end zones and sidelines), or the home team is required to pad the fences or walls within the 10 yards.

4. The home team will provide a working scoreboard and a qualified attendant. This attendant becomes a part of the officiating crew and takes direct instruction from the head referee. If a team cannot meet these qualifications, the referee crew will keep score and game clock statistics.

5. Arranging for game officials shall be the responsibility of the home team. Home team is responsible for payment of officials.

6. The home team is responsible for providing a down marker.

7. The use of alcoholic beverages and / or tobacco on game fields (including sidelines and locker rooms) before, during and after a MA8FL game is strictly prohibited for players. Fields that supports the selling of alcoholic beverages to fans are allowed within the fan-designated area (bleachers).

8. Game day is Sunday. Another day and time can be arranged between the two teams. Notification of a change in the schedule should be given to league officials as soon as possible, in order to be posted on the league web site.

9. No game shall start before 1 PM or after 3 PM.

a) Maximum Admission Fee is $3 (Not Required)

10. This League will not tolerate fighting.

a) Any player, coach or representative of a member team fighting shall be ejected from the property of the game.

b) Names of all ejections shall be submitted to the League Board who will then notify all head coaches in this league.

c) Player(s), coach(es), team representative(s) or fan(s) ejected from any game will result in a two (2) game suspension following current contest ejected from. After ejection individual(s) must leave the field and entire property of game location (NFHS/IHSA Rule). During suspension individual(s) cannot be present at games (including field, stands and entire property of games).

d) A second ejection within the same season will be cause for dismissal from the league for the remainder of the season. The person ejected for a second time must appear before the MA8FL Executive Board for approval to play the following year.

e) Any ejection on the final two games of the season shall be counted for the following season.

f) For disciplinary purposes, all League Post Season Play shall be considered the same season play.

g) Excessive or life-threatening violence including a weapon or the act of using a weapon at any MA8FL games/events will result in a life time ban. MA8FL Executive Board will rule decision.

11. If there is a tie at the end of regulation, an overtime period lasting 8 minutes will be played. If there is still a tie at the end of the overtime period, the game will be decided using NFHS overtime rules, with the exception of the possession beginning at the 15-yard line.

12. A team’s second forfeit result in expulsion from the league.

13. Game Uniforms – Same helmet (shell) color, jersey and color football pants.

a) No shorts or sweat pants.

14. Only players, coaches, team representatives and team assigned personal to be on the field and sidelines during the game. Including half time, unless there is a half time show or presentation. All fans will be required to stay in their designated area(s) for both teams.

15. No protest of any game based on if the complaint is about the officiating. Officials have jurisdiction of the game once they arrive and until they leave the field. All calls are final. (NFHS/IHSA Rule)

- ARTICLE V: GAME OFFICIALS -

1. The game will have a minimum of 4 field officials. At least one NFHS patched.

a) Teams are expected to have a set fee for refs and home team is responsible for those fees prior to the start of the game.

b) Each Official shall be dressed in accordance of the MA8FL Rules.

c) Each Official shall be knowledgeable in the NFHS Rules.

d) Each Field Official shall be at least 18 years of age.

2. The game will have a Clock Operator who will be knowledgeable of and apply the NFHS time rules. The only exception will be the use of the 2-minute warning.

- ARTICLE VI: PLAYOFFS -

1. Playoff Official’s Fees – The official’s fees and payments will be handled by the League throughout the MA8FL playoffs.

2. Championship Game Location – Will be set & approved by the League. If not, the championship game will be held at the home location of the higher seed.

3. The M8AFL will charge a gate and will use the revenues to pay for officials.

4. The playoff pairing format will be as follows:

Top four (4) teams from each Conference (American and National) based on overall conference record.

1 vs 4 | 2 vs 3
#1 Division Winner (Overall Conference Record)
#2, #3 and #4 (Overall Conference Record)
Tie Breaker

Overall League Record

Head to Head

Coin Toss

Conference champions will play each other in the MA8FL Championship Game.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Last Modified: March 1, 2018

MA8FL Bylaws (Full Details)

- ARTICLE I: THE LEAGUE -

Section I Organization

The MA8FL is a Not for Profit Semi-Professional Football Organization.

Section II Purpose

1. The intent of the MA8FL is to provide an opportunity for adults to participate in football at the Semi Professional level.

Section III League Membership

1. Annual dues for member teams are $300 due in October. A $50 late fee will be added. Failure to pay by January 1^stwill result in being dropped from schedule and league.

a) Dues for new member teams are $300 due January 1^st. Failure to pay by January 1^stwill result in being dropped from schedule and league.

b) Previous League Champion dues will be waived by the league for the next season.

- ARTICLE II: MEETINGS -

Section I Procedure

1. The majority may call emergency meetings with a seventy-two hour notice by telephone and Internet posting on the league web site.

Section II Meetings, Attendance and Voting

1. Each team present will have one vote on decision making (regardless of the amount of representatives they send to a meeting).

2. Regardless of the amount of teams represented, the majority rule will carry a vote on an issue

3. No show or missing a meeting will result in a fine of $50 each. Fine(s) to be paid before start of season. Team(s) will forfeit game(s) until paid.

- ARTICLE III: PERSONNEL -

Section I Coaches

1. All coaches shall adhere to the standard of conduct as players, sideline personnel and officials.

Section II Sideline Roster

1. All personnel on the sidelines of a League Game must be placed on a personnel roster.

2. All sideline Personnel shall be required to meet the same standards of conduct as players, coaches and officials.

Section III Player Rosters

1. Team Rosters must be submitted to the League one week before the start of the season.

2. All players must sign the Letter of Intent and Waiver Form provided by the league.

3. Changes to rosters must be made each game week by Friday at midnight.

a) Roster locks are at Friday Midnight of game week 5. If not turned in, team(s) will use previous week 4 roster.

4. No player within the MA8FL shall have their name on a second football roster.

5. All players must be a minimum of eighteen (18) years of age or older before start of M8AFL season.

6. Non-Rostered Personnel suited for a game upon discovery will be ejected from the game. The team in violation will also forfeit the game.

7. Non-Rostered Players may participate in a game with the agreement of the opposing team.

8. Players may be released from a team’s roster with the Coaches approval, and the player’s return of equipment, and the payment of any dues owed to his previous team.

9. No team may add no more than 3 players from previous season team(s) to their roster. Unless said team has folded. Then no team may add no more than 5 players from the folded team(s) to their roster.

10. Team roster max is 43.

Section IV Player Roster Checks

1. Player roster checks can be initiated by either head coach before the start of the game.

2. Referees are responsible for conducting the roster check.

3. This list will contain the teams name and players’ names. Referees will compare the individual to the player roster.

4. If the player cannot be validated against the player roster the player cannot participate in any league game.

Section V Team

Every team is to conduct itself to the standards and rules of the MA8FL. Every team is responsible for the actions of its members (coaches, players and fans). It is the responsibility of each team to discipline members for any internal problems that may arise. Issue(s) that have external effects to the MA8FL or any team(s) may result in penalties taken against the entire team or player(s) by the MA8FL Executive Board.

1. Any team or player in violation of MA8FL rules or action perceived as harmful or damaging to the image or public perception of the MA8FL and/or that puts any individual or team at physical risk will be handled with an Administrative Hearing by the MA8FL Executive Board. Team(s) or player(s) in violation can be placed on probation, be subject to suspension, penalty or league ban by the MA8FL Executive Board.

a) During probation, team(s) or player(s) may not be eligible for certain allowances during the period of probation. Teams may still be represented at league meetings, however, “certain” voting rights may be taken away at the discretion of the MA8FL Executive Board. Team(s) or player(s) are to conduct themselves to the standards and rules of the MA8FL during the period of probation. They also are subject to complete or adhere to any requirements given by the MA8FL Executive Board. If any violation of terms occur during the period of probation, team(s) or player(s) will be banned from the league.

2. Any appeals regarding disciplinary actions must be submitted in writing to the MA8FL Executive Board within one week of the sanction.