The Game

• No contact allowed.
• No Blocking.
• A coin toss determines first possession.
• Ball must be snapped between the legs to start play.
• The offensive team takes possession of the ball at their 5-yard line and has three (3) plays to cross mid-field. Once a 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 except interceptions start on the offenses 5-yard line.
• Teams change sides after the first 20 minutes, possession will change at half along with direction. Each team will have two timeouts per half along with a 2 minute pro-clock in second half.
• Each time the ball is spotted a team has 25 seconds to snap the ball. 
• Interceptions can be returned for a touchdown (6) score. Extra points are allowed to be returned for a score of (2) points.
• All plays will start from the line of scrimmage. Before a play begins the line of scrimmage must be set. In the event of a hurry up offense, the rusher can rush anywhere the 7 yard referee is located on the field.
• THE 5V5 DIVISION WILL BE THE ONLY DIVISION WHERE THEIR ARE LATERALS.

Attire

• Cleats are allowed, except for metal spikes. Inspections can and will be made.
• Shirts must be tucked in shorts, pants, etc.
• Shorts must not have pockets. (Will not be allowed to play)
• Mouthpiece (optional)
• All teams who are not in uniforms by week 2 will start the game down 0-2. All players not in uniform will not be eligible for stats.
• Flags that are unable to be pulled will be down from the point of attempt and will be considered illegal equipment front the point of the infraction the player will be penalized 10 yards and a loss of down.

Player Changes

• All player changes must be made prior to your first scheduled game and must be approved by Polk Sports Personnel. 
• All players must have played in five scheduled games to be eligible for playoffs.
• You are only allowed to roster eight (8) players on each 4on4 Team and (10) on each 5on5 Team.

Flags

• 4on4 Teams must field a minimum of three (3) players at all times.

• 5on5 Teams must field a minimum of four (4) players at all times.

• 4on4 Teams consist of 8 players (4 on the field with 4 substitutes).

• 5on5 Teams consist of 10 players (5 on the field with 5 substitutes).

• ALL SUBSTITUTIONS MUST COME ON A DEAD-BALL AND MUST OCCUR ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE FIELD.

• All forfeits are scored 14-0.

• We reserve the right to reduce, shorten, or reschedule games due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances. In the event of inclement weather or unforeseen circumstance all regular season games that are seven (12) minutes in the second half will be considered a completed game. Playoffs will be rescheduled and picked up where left off.

• All players must carry I.D. or proof of age.

• All teams must be ready to play at game time. All teams who report to the field 10 minutes late will loose their timeouts for the game.

• If the team reports to the field 15 minutes late, their game will be forfeited.

• All players that rush the passer must be a minimum of 7 yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Any number of players can rush the quarterback..
   
•  The rusher must rush from an angle. There are no heads up rushing aloud. This will result in a defensive penalty (5 yards and a first down). In the event of a team running a tight formation play the rusher must rush from the outside of the formation. **Players must be close together**
   
• Players not rushing the Quarterback may defend beyond 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.
  A special marker, or the referee, will designate 7 yards from the line of scrimmage.
   
• All rushers must make an attempt at the quarterback to be considered a rush. ( Referees Judgment) If the rusher decides to cover the receiver in the back field without making an attempt at the quarterback the 5 second rule will be in effect.
   
• In order to be called a sack the quarterback must have the ball in his hand. All TIES will go to the quarterback, this will be a judgment call.
   
• In the event of a hurry offense the rusher may rush from anywhere the 7 yard referee is located. The rusher must be behind the 7 yard referee at all times. If the rusher is off sides this will result in a 5 yard penalty and a 1st down.

• 4on4: The Quarterback CANNOT run the ball. Only direct hand-offs behind the line of scrimmage are legal. NO laterals or pitches of any kind. Offense may use multiple hand-offs behind the line of scrimmage. The player who takes the hand-off can throw the ball as long as he does not pass the line of scrimmage.    

• 5on5: The Quarterback CAN run the ball when Rushed ONLY. Unlimited Hand-offs and backwards laterals are allowed in 5on5. The player who recieves a hand-off or backwards lateral can throw the ball as long as he does not pass the line of scrimmage. If a forward lateral is made behind the line of srimmage, the player must run and can no longer pass the ball.
   
• "No Running Zones" are located 5 yards before midfield and 5 yards before the end zone 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 is spotted where the ball carriers belt is when the flag is pulled, not where the ball is. Ball & flags must break the plane for a 1st down and touchdown.

Passing

• 4on4: All passes must be forward and received beyond the line of scrimmage. Shovel passes are allowed but must be received beyond the line of scrimmage. All passes behind the line of scrimmage is a dead ball and loss of down.

• 5on5:Passes behind the line of scrimmage are allowed. As long as pass is backwards, the player may choose to run or pass the ball.

• Quarterback 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 the 5 second rule is no longer in effect. If there is a rush the 5 second “pass clock” is not in enforced.
   

• Interceptions are a live play which will be allowed to be returned.
   

•  If the quarterback crosses the line of scrimmage before he releases the ball it will result in a penalty. The penalty will be 5 yards back and a loss of down. (Play will continue until the whistle is blown).
   

• All quarterbacks must have the ball released from their hand in order to avoid a sack. All TIES will go to the quarterback.

• When the ball is snapped and the quarterback rolls out of the pocket and contact is made this will be called an offensive penalty. Once the quarterback rolls the rushers angle changes. 

Receiving

• All players are eligible to receive passes (including the QB if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage). Please note in 5on5 the ball does not need to be handed off, unlimited laterals in effect.
   
• Only one player is allowed in motion at a time. (Ball must be set)
   
• Player must have at least one foot in bounds when making a catch.
   
• Pass may not be intentionally tipped in any direction to another teammate.
   
• In the event of a defensive tip ball any receiver is eligible to receive the deflected pass. This includes a player who happens to step out of bounds and come back in the field of play.
   
• If a defensive player is stationary and the receiver initiates contact it is illegal contact, this penalty will result in a loss of 10 yards from the point of contact.

        Dead Ball:

       Play is ruled "DEAD" when: –

• Offensive player’s flag is pulled.
•  Ball carrier steps out of bounds.
• Touchdown is scored.
• At the point of an interception when under 2 minutes left in game 
• Ball carrier’s knee, elbow or the ball hits the ground.
• Ball carrier’s flag falls out.
• Receivers flag falls out. (play is dead at point of reception.)
• If the quarterback takes a snap without flags, the ball is dead where he or receives the snap.
• If there is an illegal flag pull prior to the catch of the football , You must pull the other flag in order to be down. If both flags are pulled you must touch the player one hand below the waist.
• There are no fumbles. Ball is spotted where it hits the ground. Anytime the ball touches the ground it is dead.
• If flag is pulled before football leaves the Quarterbacks hand, Quarterback is down.
• The center must have both flags before he snaps the ball. One flag is unacceptable.
• All teams will have one sideline in which they will substitute from. You my only substitute from that sideline, otherwise you will receive a loss of 5 yards on the play. All substitute players must be inside the two 5 yards sidelines. No players will be allowed in the end zone area.

Sportsmanship

Time/Overtime

• Games will consist of two (2) tweny (20) minute halves. A running clock format will be used, except for the last two (2) minutes of the game, provided the point differential is less than seventeen (17) points. There is a 25 second play clock.

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• Each team will have two (2) thirty (30) second time-outs per half. If a timeout is called before an extra point is attempted the clock will start when the ball is hiked, unless the score is less then (17) points and in the second half.

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• Each Team will have a two (2) minute pro-clock in the second half of play. If the score is greater than sixteen (16) the clock will run. If a timeout is called on a touchdown the clock will not run until after the extra point. 

• Officials may stop the clock at any time for administrative purposes.

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• Should the score remain tied at the end of regulation; the teams will go directly into overtime. A coin toss will determine starting possession. The winner of the toss will have choice of starting on offense or defense. The loser of the toss will have choice of direction for the entire overtime. Each team will be provided one (1) time-out for the entire over-time (no carry over).
  
  1) Each team will have one (1) extra point play from their five (5) yard line. (A team may elect to go for 2 points from the twelve yard line.) Should the defense return an interception for a touchdown, the game is over.
  2) Should the score remain tied at the end of the first overtime period, the teams move directly into the second overtime period? The team that started on defense will now start on offense. Each team will have one (1) extra point play from their twelve (12) yard line, Should the defense return an interception for a touchdown, the game is over.
  3) Should the score remain tied at the end of the second overtime period, the teams move directly into the third overtime period! Each team will have one (1) play from the five (5) yard line, and the team that gains the most yardages will be declared the winner. The winner in overtime will be awarded the points accordingly (1) point from the five, (2) points from the twelve, (1) point for the longest yard, these points will be added to the final score.

  
  ** The clock will never benefit the team who is winning the game. **Any offensive penalty inside the two (2) minute pro clock will stop the clock. **

Penalties

     Offense:

• False start: 5 yards, repeat down​​​​​​​
• Illegal Motion: 5 yards, loss of down
• Illegal forward pass: 5 yards, loss of down
• Offensive Pass Interference: 10 yards, loss of down
• Flag Guarding: 5 yards from the spot of the foul, loss of down
• Impeding the rusher: 5yards ,loss of down
• Illegal Contact/ Charging by an Offensive player-10 yards from the spot of the foul.
• Blocking or screening: 5 yards from the spot of the foul.
• Stiff arm rule: 5 yards from the spot of the foul.
• Delay of game: Clock stops, loss of 5 yards, down repeated.
• Illegal Attire 5 yards loss of down, line of scrimmage foul.

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      Defense:

• Encroachment: 5 yards, first down
• Defensive Pass Interference: Automatic first down at spot of foul. If the foul occurs in the end zone, the ball is placed at the one-yard line.
• Illegal Contact: 10 yards, first down
• Holding: 5 yards from the spot of the foul, first down
• Illegal flag pull: 5 yards, first down
• Illegal rush: 5 yards, first down
• All penalties are enforced from the line of scrimmage, unless noted.
• Officials will determine incidental contact, that may result during play
• The last man rule is applied at all times of the game.
• Games cannot end a defensive foul, unless declined.