2010 Bylaws and Rules

2010 Eightman Football League Bylaws

UPDATED 04/13/2010 02:17:55

 ARTICLE I: The League

 

SECTION I: Organization

 

The Eightman Football league (8FL) is a Not-for-profit Semi-Professional Football Organization.

 

SECTION II: Purpose

 

The intent of the Eightman Football League is to provide an opportunity for people to participate in all aspects of football at the Semi-Professional level.

 

SECTION III: League Membership

 

1.       Annual dues for member teams are $400 payable at the January meeting.

2.       Late fee of 10% per calendar week will be assessed for failure to pay the annual fee at the assigned time.

3.       Failure to pay all fees by April 1^st of each year will be the cause for automatic dismissal from the league. Reinstatement to the league will require:

a.       Approval by three-quarters (¾) of all teams within the league structure.

b.       Payment of two (2) seasons' worth of dues.

c.        Maintain payments of two seasons for the next two (2) calendar years.

4.       All member teams shall submit, in the month of January each calendar year, a detailed report on team management including owners, board of directors, and officers of the member team. This report shall include contact phone numbers, addresses and e-mail addresses of management personnel.

5.       No one involved in with the 8FL may receive compensation; participation in the 8FL will be completely voluntary. The 8FL will not be liable for any type of workers' compensation, as no member of the 8FL shall employ anyone.

 

SECTION IV: New Members

 

1.       To become a member team in the Eightman Football League, prospective members will require two-thirds (⅔) approval vote of the 8FL teams that have a minimum of one-year membership within the organization.

2.       Prospective new members of the league must alert the 8FL Commissioner prior to the November meeting, and make a presentation at the December league meeting.

3.       All prospective teams must be able to provide documented proof of an adequate playing field upon application. An 8FL official must be given the opportunity to tour the facility and speak with the facility's owners to verify the statements made by the prospective teams.

4.       Upon acceptance into the league, the new teams must pay a $100 membership fee and the annual dues for the first year.

5.       Upon acceptance into the league, the new team may not forfeit a game or they will be removed from the league at the conclusion of the season.

 

ARTICLE II: Meetings

 

            SECTION I: Procedure

 

1.       The Eightman Football League will conduct all meetings in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order.

2.       The League will conduct monthly, starting two (2) months after the All-Star Game.

3.       The Commissioner may call emergency meetings with a seventy-two (72) hour notice by telephone and internet posting on the league website.

 

SECTION II: Meetings, Attendance and Voting

 

1.       Teams are required to send at least a representative to each league meeting.

a.       Teams that do not send a representative will be assessed a $50 fine, unless severe weather is a factor.

b.       Each team present will have one vote on decision making regardless of how many representatives they send to the meeting.

2.       Regardless of the number of teams represented, the majority rule will carry a vote on an issue. For example- if there are less than half of the teams in the league represented, the issues will be voted on, and the league members will be bound by the decisions.

 

ARTICLE III: Officers

 

All officers of the league are required to have at a minimum of home phone, work phone, address and e-mail address.

 

SECTION I: League Board Members

 

The officers of the Eightman Football League shall be as follows:

1.       Commissioner

2.       Vice Commissioner

3.       Treasurer

4.       Secretary

 

SECTION II: Terms of Officers

 

1.       Offices will be held for a two (2) year term.

2.       Elections will be held at the first meeting prior to the start of the season.

3.       Elections are the majority rules vote. Each member team shall receive one vote per officer election.

 

ARTICLE IV: Rosters

 

SECTION I: Coaching Roster

 

1.       All member teams shall submit a coaching roster to the league no later than one (1) week prior to the start of the season.

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

 

SECTION II: Sideline Roster

 

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

2.       All players must sign the Letter of Intent (LOI) and Waiver Form provided by the League.

a.       Any Letter of Intent that is signed at or before and closest to 12:01 AM on December 1^st of every year becomes the BINDING LETTER OF INTENT on December 1^st at 12:00 midnight for the said player. Any letter signed after that is NULL and VOID.

b.       In the circumstance the player has NOT SIGNED a LOI as of December 1^st then the FIRST LOI with signature shall be the BINDING LETTER OF INTENT.

c.        Once a BINDING LETTER OF INTENT has been signed, it is at the TEAM OWNERSHIP'S DISCRETION whether or not to release a player, not the player's.

d.       Minutes played in ANY LEAGUE CONTEST, INCLUDING THE JAMBOREE, shall constitute a BINDING LETTER OF INTENT, regardless of whether any document is present.

e.       Instances of forgery of a LETTER OF INTENT or falsification of a LETTER OF INTENT will be dealt with harshly regarding both the ORGANIZATION and the PLAYER with penalties at the Executive Board's discretion of UP TO AND INCLUDING THE LIFETIME BAN.

f.         Instances of players under a LETTER OF INTENT sabotaging or otherwise harming a team with which they are under a LETTER OF INTENT (i.e. giving away playbooks) will be dealt with on case-by-case basis by the Executive Board.

3.       Changes to the roster notifications must be made forty-eight (48) hours prior to the week's game. The team rosters will be locked in Week 7. In event of any team's notification of lock-out roster is not made, the most recent notification of said team will be used as a lock-out roster.

4.       No player within the Eightman Football League shall have their name on a second football roster.

5.       All players must be a minimum of eighteen (18) years of age and older, and not playing a high school sport.

6.       A player may only be added to a roster to replace an injured player. Once a player is declared injured and replaced, the injured player is ineligible for league play the remainder of the season. All injured reserve players shall be documented by acting team and all league teams notified with detailed account of the action taken prior to the next league game.

7.       Non-roster personnel suited for a game upon discovery will be ejected from the game. Head coach will be ejected from the game and the team will be assessed a fifteen (15) yard penalty for the unsportsmanlike conduct. The team in violation will also forfeit the game, pay one hundred (100) dollar fine payable to the League Treasurer within one month of the offense. Ten (10) dollars a month will be assessed for late payment. Failure to pay the fees within three (3) months of the infraction may be the cause for expulsion by the League executive committee at an emergency meeting.

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

a.       Any player switching teams in-season will have a two (2) game suspension imposed on that said player. NO EXCEPTIONS!

9.       Payment to the players and coaches is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Per current league rules, ONLY THE DIRECT TRANSFER OF MONEY (OR OTHER MONETARY PROCEEDS- e.g. checks, money orders and cash) IS CONSIDERED A LEAGUE VIOLATION at this point in the development of the rule.

 

SECTION III: Player Roster Checks

 

1.       Player roster checks can be initiated by either head coach.

2.       Referees are responsible for conducting the roster check.

3.       Referees will only use the player rosters originating from an Eightman Football League official or website, not from any player or coach.

4.       The list will contain the team's name and the players' names. Referees will compare the individual to the player roster.

5.       If the player cannot be validated against the player roster, that player cannot participate in any league game.

 

ARTICLE V: Games

 

[Note: For complete Game Rules, see the "2010 Eightman Football League Game Rules" at the end of this 2010 Eightman Football League Bylaws below.]

 

1.       The Eightman Football League will play all games in accordance with the rules of the National Football League (NFL) when applicable.

2.       The Eightman Football League maintains the right to make exceptions to any NFL Rules.

3.       There will be no instant replay.

4.       Field accommodations will meet the requirements set forth by the 8FL.

a.       240 feet/80 yards from the back of the end zone to the back of the other end zone.

b.       120 feet/40 yards from sideline to sideline

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

d.       All teams are required to enforce the Sideline box- and the home teams are required to paint sideline box on both sides. They shall be marked from fifteen (15) yard line of one side to fifteen (15) yard line of the other side, and must be at least 3 yards from the sideline.

5.       The Official Game Ball shall be any composition (either leather or composite) legal for game play, as long as they were approved by the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), or the National Football League (NFL).

6.       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.

a.       The Game Clock shall be forty-eight (48) minutes. This translates as twelve (12) minutes per quarter. All other rules are applied to NFL Timing Rules.

b.       All teams are required to have a scoreboard.

c.        All home teams are to provide a proof of scoreboard activity by taking a photograph of it and sent to the 8FL League. Using Cell Phone camera as a means to do so. It’s also Home team’s responsibilities to provide the backup plan.

d.       Any home team found failing to provide the scoreboard or using the backup plans for the scoreboard will be assessed a $100 fine per game, payable to the League. It’s a zero-tolerance rule.

7.       The home team can choose which jersey (the traditional home/dark jersey or the road/light jersey) they wear for home games.

8.       All helmets, jerseys and pants must be color-matched within a team. Teams can have all logos or no logos on their helmets.

a.       The PRIMARY and SECONDARY colors must match on the uniforms and the helmets.

b.       No player is allowed to play in any sanctioned game if the uniform code is not met, or has a mismatched uniform.

c.        Any team in violation of the uniform code will automatically forfeit the game.

9.       Arranging for game officials shall be the responsibility of the home teams. Home teams are responsible for the payment of officials, with the exception of playoff games.

10.    The home teams are responsible for providing a down marker.

11.    The possession or use of illegal drugs, paraphernalia, and physical altering substances or equipment, including illegal or concealed weapons on the premises of an 8FL game are prohibited and will be grounds for automatic expulsion from the league.

12.    The use of alcoholic beverages and/or tobacco on game fields (including sidelines and locker rooms) before, during and after an 8FL game is strictly prohibited. Fields that support the selling of alcoholic beverages to the fans are allowed within the fan-designated area, such as bleachers.

13.    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 the league officials as soon as possible, in order to be posted on the League web site.

14.    Home teams must post kick-off times one (1) week prior to each game.

15.    No game shall start before twelve o'clock noon (12:00 PM).

16.    Each team will provide the Commissioner as requested. Failure to comply will result in a twenty-five dollar ($25.00) fine.

17.    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.        If the League is shown that a player, coach or team representative's acts were "flagrant and violent", the person ejected will be ineligible for the next league game, possibly more. The process to follow for reviewing these incidents will be as follows:

                                                                           i.      Game film will be supplied to the Commissioner/League Board upon request.

                                                                          ii.      After the review of the film, the board will impose an extended suspension if deemed necessary.

d.       A second ejection within the same season will be the cause for dismissal from the League for the remainder of the season. The person ejected for a second time must appear before the League 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.       Addendums covering the Article V, Section 17, Subsections a, b, c and d are as follows:

                                                                           i.      For the first offense, the Executive Board can impose a suspension of up to and including ONE (1) YEAR.

                                                                          ii.      For the subsequent offenses, the Executive Board can impose a suspension of up to and including lifetime ban. Clarification would be made when issuing such disciplinary action to be cumulative LIFETIME or OVER ONE SEASON.

                                                                        iii.      Both disciplinary actions above can be imposed at the discretion of the Acting Executive Board.

18.    Forfeitures

a.       Teams are expected to work out scheduling concerns two (2) weeks prior to the game's scheduled time and date.

b.       Teams forfeiting a minimum of five (5) days prior to the scheduled game will pay the opposing team's referee fees and any field fee.

c.        Any forfeiture of a game within the five (5) day grace period will be fined fifty dollar ($50) fine by the league. The forfeiting team will also pay the opposing team fifty dollars ($50).

d.       A team's first forfeit can result in an expulsion from the league; if it does not, the team will be on probation for the next entire season.

e.       A team's second forfeiture of a game within the same season will result in an immediate and mandatory expulsion from the league.

 

ARTICLE VI: Game Officials

 

1.       The game will have five (5) field officials.

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

b.       A game can be played with a minimum of four (4) officials. Two (2) of them being certified by the 8FL.

c.        Each official shall be dressed in accordance to the 8FL Rules.

d.       Each official shall be knowledgeable in the NFL Rules.

e.       Each official shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age,

2.       The game will have clock operator who will be knowledgeable of and apply NFL time rules. For example:

Clock stops: Change of possession- after a punt, kickoff or turnover

Clock starts: Next Snap

 

Clock stops: Incomplete Pass

Clock starts: Next Snap

 

Clock Stops: Play ends out of bounds

Clock starts: When the ball is placed by referee except with 2 minutes left in the first half and 5 minutes left in the game, clock starts at next snap.

 

Clock stops: Penalty

Clock starts: Depends on the previous play (see above)

 

Clock does not stop for first downs, unless the play ends out of bounds, and restarts when the ball is placed by referee. Players must wait for the referee to get the down marker in place. Referee can stop the clock momentarily if the people carrying the down markers have difficulty moving them to their new setting.

 

3.       Each team is required to submit a list of all game officials to the League on or before December first of each year.

a.       The list shall identify:

                                                                           i.      The Head Crew official with all contact information.

                                                                          ii.      Each official with contact information,

b.       Each official shall sign a league waiver.

 

ARTICLE VII: League Championship Playoffs

 

SECTION I: Playoff Format

            Top three (3) teams from each conference make the playoffs

 

1. Tie-Breakers- if, at the end of the regular season, two (2) or more clubs in the same division (conference) finish with identical won-lost-tied percentages (WLT), the following steps will be taken until a champion is determined.

 

Two Teams

a.       Head-to-head (Best WLT in games between the clubs).

b.       Best WLT in games played within the division (conference).

c.        Best WLT in common games.

d.       Best WLT in games played outside of division (conference).

e.       Combined wins of all opponents.

f.         Number of playoff opponents on schedule. Only teams qualified without the need of tiebreaker count.

g.       Number of wins by playoff opponents on schedule. Only teams qualified without the need of tiebreaker count.

h.       Best WLT percentage in away games. (Could also be home games)

i.         Coin toss by Commissioner.

 

Three or more teams (Note: If two clubs remain tied after third or other clubs are eliminated during any step, the tie breaker procedure reverts to step one (1) of the two-club format.)

a.       Head-to-head (Best WLT in games between the clubs).

b.       Best WLT in games played within the division (conference).

c.        Best WLT in common games.

d.       Best WLT in games played outside of division (conference).

e.       Combined wins of all opponents.

f.         Number of playoff opponents on schedule. Only teams qualified without need of tiebreaker count.

g.       Number of wins by playoff opponents on schedule. Only teams qualified without need of tiebreaker count.

h.       Best WLT in away games (Could also be home games).

i.         Coin toss a la Friday Night Lights.

 

2.   First Round of the Playoffs

a.       The teams with the best record in their conference will receive a bye week in the first round of playoffs.

b.       The team with the best record in their division that did not receive the bye week will host the team that received the wild card n their conference in the first round.

 

3.       Second Round of the Playoffs

a.       The second round will be the Conference Championship.

b.       The team with the best record in the conference will host the winner of the first round conference playoff game.

 

4.       Third Round of the Playoffs

a.       The third round will be the Championship Game.

b.       The team with the highest seed will host the championship game.

 

5.       Championship Game

a.       All league rules of a host team will apply in the championship game.

b.       All league officials are encouraged to attend the championship game.

 

6.       Playoff Referee Fees- the referee fees will be split by the home and visiting teams throughout the 8FL Playoffs.

 

 

2010 Eightman Football League Game Rules

 

Section A: OFFICIALS' JURISDICTIONS, POSITIONS, AND DUTIES

1.       Referee-General oversight and control of game. Gives signals for all fouls and is final authority for rule interpretations. Takes a position in backfield 10 to 12 yards behind line of scrimmage, favors right side (if quarterback is right-handed passer). Determines legality of snap, observes deep back(s) for legal motion. On running play, observes quarterback during and after handoff, remains with him until action has cleared away, then proceeds downfield, checking on runner and contact behind him. When runner is downed, Referee determines forward progress from wing official and, if necessary, adjusts final position of ball.
On pass plays, drops back as quarterback begins to fade back, picks up legality of blocks by near linemen. Changes to complete concentration on quarterback as defenders approach. Primarily responsible to rule on possible roughing action on passer and if ball becomes loose, rules whether ball is free on a fumble or dead on an incomplete pass.
During kicking situations, Referee has primary responsibility to rule on kicker's actions and whether or not any subsequent contact by a defender is legal. The Referee stays wide and parallel on punts and will announce on the microphone when each period has ended.

2.       Umpire-Primary responsibility to rule on players' equipment, as well as their conduct and actions on scrimmage line. Lines up approximately four to five yards downfield, varying position from in front of weak side tackle to strong side guard. Looks for possible false start by offensive linemen. Observes legality of contact by both offensive linemen while blocking and by defensive players while they attempt to ward off blockers. Is prepared to call rule infractions if they occur on offense or defense. Moves forward to line of scrimmage when pass play develops in order to insure that interior linemen do not move illegally downfield. If offensive linemen indicate screen pass is to be attempted, Umpire shifts his attention toward screen side, picks up potential receiver in order to insure that he will legally be permitted to run his pattern and continues to rule on action of blockers. Umpire is to assist in ruling on incomplete or trapped passes when ball is thrown overhead or short. On punt plays, Umpire positions himself opposite Referee in offensive backfield-5 yards from kicker and one yard behind.

3.       Head Linesman-Primarily responsible for ruling on offside, encroachment, and actions pertaining to scrimmage line prior to or at snap. Generally, keys on closest setback on his side of the field. On pass plays; Linesman is responsible to clear his receiver approximately seven yards downfield as he moves to a point five yards beyond the line. Linesman's secondary responsibility is to rule on any illegal action taken by defenders on any delay receiver moving downfield. Has full responsibility for ruling on sideline plays on his side, e.g., pass receiver or runner in or out of bounds. Together with Referee, Linesman is responsible for keeping track of number of downs and is in charge of mechanics of his chain crew in connection with its duties.
Linesman must be prepared to assist in determining forward progress by a runner on play directed toward middle or into his side zone. He, in turn, is to signal Referee or Umpire what forward point ball has reached. Linesman is also responsible to rule on legality of action involving any receiver who approaches his side zone. He is to call pass interference when the infraction occurs and is to rule on legality of blockers and defenders on plays involving ball carriers, whether it is entirely a running play, a combination pass and run, or a play involving a kick. Also assists referee with intentional grounding.

4.       Line Judge-Straddles line of scrimmage on side of field opposite Linesman. Keeps time of game as a backup for clock operator. Along with Linesman is responsible for offside, encroachment, and actions pertaining to scrimmage line prior to or at snap. Line Judge keys on closest setback on his side of field. Line Judge is to observe his receiver until he moves at least seven yards downfield. He then moves toward backfield side, being especially alert to rule on any back in motion and on flight of ball when pass is made (he must rule whether forward or backward). Line Judge has primary responsibility to rule whether or not passer is behind or beyond line of scrimmage when pass is made. He also assists in observing actions by blockers and defenders who are on his side of field. After pass is thrown, Line Judge directs attention toward activities that occur in back of Umpire. During punting situations, Line Judge remains at line of scrimmage to be sure that only the end men move downfield until kick has been made. He also rules whether or not the kick crossed line and then observes action by members of the kicking team who are moving downfield to cover the kick. The Line Judge will advise the Referee when time has expired at the end of each period. Also assists referee with intentional grounding and determines whether pass is forward or backward.

5.       Back Judge-Takes a position 25 yards downfield. In general, favors the tight end's side of field. Keys on tight end, concentrates on his path and observes legality of tight end's potential block(s) or of actions taken against him. Is prepared to rule from deep position on holding or illegal use of hands by end or back or on defensive infractions committed by player guarding him.
Back Judge times interval between plays on 40/25-second clock plus intermission between two periods of each half; makes decisions involving catching, recovery, or illegal touching of a loose ball beyond line of scrimmage; is responsible to rule on plays involving end line; calls pass interference, fair catch infractions, and clipping on kick returns; together with Field Judge, rules whether or not field goals and conversions are successful; and stays with ball on punts.

Section B: DEFINITIONS

1.       Chucking: Warding off an opponent who is in front of a defender by contacting him with a quick extension of arm or arms, followed by the return of arm(s) to a flexed position, thereby breaking the original contact.

2.       Clipping: Throwing the body across the back of an opponent's leg or hitting him from the back below the waist while moving up from behind unless the opponent is a runner or the action is in close line play.

3.       Close Line Play: The area between the positions normally occupied by the offensive tackles, extending three yards on each side of the line of scrimmage. It is legal to clip above the knee.

4.       Crackback: Eligible receivers who take or move to a position more than two yards outside the tackle may not block an opponent below the waist if they then move back inside to block.

5.       Dead Ball: Ball not in play.

6.       Double Foul: A foul by each team during the same down.

7.       Down: The period of action that starts when the ball is put in play and ends when it is dead.

8.       Encroachment: When a player enters the neutral zone and makes contact with an opponent before the ball is snapped.

9.       Fair Catch: An unhindered catch of a kick by a member of the receiving team who must raise one arm a full length above his head and wave his arm from side to side while the kick is in flight.

10.    Foul: Any violation of a playing rule.

11.    Free Kick: A kickoff or safety kick. It may be a placekick, dropkick, or punt, except a punt may not be used on a kickoff following a touchdown, successful field goal, or to begin each half or overtime period. A tee cannot be used on a fair-catch or safety kick.

12.    Fumble: The loss of possession of the ball.

13.    Game Clock: Scoreboard game clock.

14.    Impetus: The action of a player that gives momentum to the ball.

15.    Live Ball: A ball legally free kicked or snapped. It continues in play until the down ends.

16.    Loose Ball: A live ball not in possession of any player.

17.    Muff: The touching of a loose ball by a player in an unsuccessful attempt to obtain possession.

18.    Neutral Zone: The space the length of a ball between the two scrimmage lines. The offensive team and defensive team must remain behind their end of the ball.
Exception: The offensive player who snaps the ball.

19.    Offside: A player is offside when any part of his body is beyond his scrimmage or free kick line when the ball is snapped or kicked.

20.    Own Goal: The goal a team is guarding.

21.    Play Clock: 40/25-second clock.

22.    Pocket Area: Applies from a point two yards outside of either offensive tackle and includes the tight end if he drops off the line of scrimmage to pass protect. Pocket extends longitudinally behind the line back to offensive team's own end line.

23.    Possession: When a player controls the ball throughout the act of clearly touching both feet, or any other part of his body other than his hand(s), to the ground inbounds.

24.    Post-Possession Foul: A foul by the receiving team that occurs after a ball is legally kicked from scrimmage prior to possession changing. The ball must cross the line of scrimmage and the receiving team must retain possession of the kicked ball.

25.    Punt: A kick made when a player drops the ball and kicks it while it is in flight.

26.    Safety: The situation in which the ball is dead on or behind a team's own goal if the impetus comes from a player on that team. Two points are scored for the opposing team.

27.    Shift: The movement of two or more offensive players at the same time before the snap.

28.    Striking: The act of swinging, clubbing, or propelling the arm or forearm in contacting an opponent.

29.    Sudden Death: The continuation of a tied game into sudden death overtime in which the team scoring first (by safety, field goal, or touchdown) wins.

30.    Touchback: When a ball is dead on or behind a team's own goal line, provided the impetus came from an opponent and provided it is not a touchdown or a missed field goal.

31.    Touchdown: When any part of the ball, legally in possession of a player inbounds, breaks the plane of the opponent's goal line, provided it is not a touchback.

32.    Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Any act contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship.

Section C: SUMMARY OF PENALTIES

Sub-section I: Automatic First Down

• Awarded to offensive team on all defensive fouls with these exceptions

1.       Offside.

2.       Encroachment.

3.       Delay of game.

4.       Illegal substitution.

5.       Excessive time out(s).

6.       Neutral zone infraction.

7.       Running into the kicker.

8.       More than 8 players on the field at the snap.

Sub-section II: Five Yards

1.       Defensive holding or illegal use of hands (automatic first down).

2.       Delay of game on offense or defense.

3.       Delay of kickoff.

4.       Encroachment.

5.       Excessive time out(s).

6.       False start.

7.       Illegal formation.

8.       Illegal shift.

9.       Illegal motion.

10.    Illegal substitution.

11.    First onside kickoff out of bounds between goal lines and untouched or last touched by kicker.

12.    Invalid fair catch signal.

13.    More than 8 players on the field at snap for either team.

14.    Less than four men on offensive line at snap.

15.    Offside.

16.    Failure to pause one second after shift or huddle.

17.    Running into kicker.

18.    More than one man in motion at snap.

19.    Player out of bounds at snap.

20.    Ineligible member(s) of kicking team going beyond line of scrimmage before ball is kicked.

21.    Illegal return.

22.    Failure to report change of eligibility.

23.    Neutral zone infraction.

24.    Loss of team time out(s) or five-yard penalty on the defense for excessive crowd noise.

25.    Ineligible player downfield during passing down.

26.    Second forward pass behind the line.

27.    Forward pass is first touched by eligible receiver who has gone out of bounds and returned.

28.    Forward pass touches or is caught by an ineligible receiver on or behind line.

29.    Forward pass thrown from behind line of scrimmage after ball once crossed the line.

30.    Kicking team player voluntarily out of bounds during a punt.

31.    Nine (9) men in the huddle

Sub-section III: Ten Yards

1.       Offensive pass interference.

2.       Holding, illegal use of hands, arms, or body by offense.

3.       Tripping by a member of either team.

4.       Helping the runner.

5.       Deliberately batting or punching a loose ball.

6.       Deliberately kicking a loose ball.

7.       Illegal block above the waist.

Sub-section IV: Fifteen Yards

1.       Cut block.

2.       Chop block.

3.       Clipping below the waist.

4.       Fair catch interference.

5.       Illegal crackback block by offense.

6.       Piling on.

7.       Roughing the kicker.

8.       Roughing the passer.

9.       Twisting, turning, or pulling an opponent by the facemask.

10.    Unnecessary roughness.

11.    Unsportsmanlike conduct.

12.    Delay of game at start of either half.

13.    Illegal low block.

14.    Tacklers using his helmet to butt, spear, or ram an opponent.

15.    Any player who uses the top of his helmet unnecessarily.

16.    A punter, placekicker, or holder who simulates being roughed by a defensive player.

17.    Leaping.

18.    Leverage.

19.    Any player who removes his helmet after a play while on the field.

20.    Taunting.

21.    Contact to the head of a defenseless receiver.

22.    A blindside block delivered with a helmet, shoulder or forearm to an opponent's head or neck.

Sub-section V: Five Yards and Loss of Down (Combination Penalty)

1.       Forward pass thrown from beyond line of scrimmage.

Sub-section VI: Ten Yards and Loss of Down (Combination Penalty)

1.       Intentional grounding of forward pass (safety if passer is in own end zone). If foul occurs more than 10 yards behind line, play results in loss of down at spot of foul.

Sub-section VII: Fifteen Yards and Loss of Coin Toss Option

1.       Team's late arrival on the field prior to scheduled kickoff.

2.       Captains not appearing for coin toss.

Sub-section VIII: Fifteen Yards (and disqualification if flagrant)

1.       Striking opponent with fist.

2.       Kicking or kneeing opponent.

3.       Striking opponent on head or neck with forearm, elbow, or hands whether or not the initial contact is made below the neck area.

4.       Roughing kicker.

5.       Roughing passer.

6.       Malicious unnecessary roughness.

7.       Unsportsmanlike conduct.

8.       Palpably unfair act. (Distance penalty determined by the Referee after consultation with other officials.)

Sub-section IX: Fifteen Yards and Automatic Disqualification

1.       Using a helmet (not worn) as a weapon.

2.       Striking or purposely shoving a game official.

Sub-section X: Suspension From Game For One Down

1.       Illegal equipment. (Player may return after one down when legally equipped.)

Sub-section XI: Touchdown Awarded (Palpably Unfair Act)

1.       When Referee determines a palpably unfair act deprived a team of a touchdown. (Example: Player comes off bench and tackles runner apparently en route to touchdown.)

Sub-section XII: Spot of Enforcement for Fouls

1.       There are four basic spots at which a penalty for a foul is enforced:
(a) Spot of foul: The spot where the foul is committed.
(b) Previous spot: The spot where the ball was put in play.
(c) Spot of snap, backward pass or fumble: The spot where the foul occurred or the spot where the penalty is to be enforced.
(d) Succeeding spot: The spot where the ball next would be put in play if no distance penalty were to be enforced.
Exception: If foul occurs after a touchdown and before the whistle for a try, succeeding spot is spot of next kickoff.

2.       All fouls committed by offensive team behind the line of scrimmage (except in the end zone) shall be penalized from the previous spot. If the foul is in the end zone, it is a safety.

3.       When the spot of enforcement for fouls involving defensive holding or illegal use of hands by the defense is behind the line of scrimmage, any penalty yardage to be assessed on that play shall be measured from the line if the foul occurred beyond the line.

Sub-section XIII: Double Foul

1.       If there is a double foul during a down in which there is a change of possession, the team last gaining possession may keep the ball unless its foul was committed prior to the change of possession.

2.       If double foul occurs after a change of possession, the defensive team retains the ball at the spot of its foul or dead ball spot.

3.       If one of the fouls of a double foul involves disqualification, that player must be removed, but no penalty yardage is to be assessed.

4.       If the kickers foul during a kickoff, punt, safety kick, or field-goal attempt before possession changes, the receivers will have the option of replaying the down at the previous spot (offsetting fouls), or keeping the ball after enforcement for its fouls

Sub-section XIV: Penalty Enforced on Following Kickoff

1.       When a team scores by touchdown, field goal, extra point, or safety and either team commits a personal foul, unsportsmanlike conduct, or obvious unfair act during the down, the penalty will be assessed on the following kickoff.

Section D: FIELD

1.       Sidelines and end lines are out of bounds. The goal line is actually in the end zone. A player with the ball in his possession scores a touchdown when the ball is on, above, or over the goal line.

2.       The field is rimmed by a white border, along the sidelines. All of this is out of bounds.

3.       The field is 60 yards long and 40 yards wide. The end zones are 10 yards deep. The lines used for try-for-point plays are three yards (1pt.) and seven yards (2 pt.) out from the goal line.

4.       Down marker, scoreboard, and ball runners must be provided by the home team.

5.       See the illustration of the field at the bottom of this page.

Section E: ADDENDUMS

2009 NEW NFL RULES

1.       Rekicks: No more rekicks after an illegal onsides kick (someone on the kicking team touches the ball before it travels the necessary 10 yards, etc.). It immediately becomes the other team's ball. If a team messes up an onside kick, that team shouldn't be rewarded with a second chance to gain possession, it's over, and the other team gets the ball.

2.       Out-of-Bounds Ball: If a fumble or lateral goes out of bounds, the clock will stop only until the referee signals ready for play.

3.       Kickoff Wedges: Forming a "wedge" on a kickoff return is no longer legal. If three or more players line up shoulder-to-shoulder within two yards of each other, it will be a penalty. Traditionally, kickoff return teams line up about four guys in a wedge in front of a kick returner, and tell them to stay lined up, run as fast as they can, and clear a path for the ball carrier. Meanwhile, the kicking team will send players down the field, running as fast as they can, with instructions only to hit the players in the wedge as hard as they can. If that sounds extremely violent to you, it's because it is. The owners determined it was causing too many injuries. I know that big hits happen on a football field, and that's fine, but we should probably avoid situations where we purposely set up people to hit each other with as much force and contact as two massive human beings possibly can muster.

4.       Onside Kick Bunching: On onside kicks, the kicking team can't have more than five players bunched together. After reviewing tape, owners also concluded that too many guys were getting hurt on onside kicks. And it makes sense. You've got one group of guys that will be just standing there, waiting for the football, and a group of other guys running directly at them, just trying to take them out, one-by-one. That danger's still there, but it's been lessened.

5.       Blindside Blocks: A blindside block cannot be delivered with a helmet, shoulder or forearm to an opponent's head or neck. That'll be a 15-yard penalty. I don't get the controversy at all about this one. You can still crack back on somebody, just don't lead with your head, and don't aim at another guy's head. I love the rule. Heads and necks are important. Let's keep them intact.

6.       Head Contact: Contact to the head of a defenseless receiver will also draw a 15-yard penalty.

7.       Lunging: A defensive player on the ground may no longer lunge or dive at the quarterback's lower legs. And last but not least, "The Brady Rule," 100 percent influenced by Bernard Pollard's (formerly) perfectly legal hit that sidelined Tom Brady for a full year. If you're going to sack a quarterback now, you've just got to do it while you're standing. Quarterbacks are the most vital ingredient to good football, so if it keeps more good quarterbacks healthy, I consider it a good thing.

 

2008 NEW NFL RULES

 

1.       Incidental facemasks: The foul for incidental grasp and release of the facemask has been eliminated. Twisting, turning or pulling the facemask will remain a 15-yard personal foul.

2.       Force-out rule: The force-out rule has been eliminated. A player who receives or intercepts a ball must land with both feet inbounds. This affords the receiver and defender equal opportunity to complete the play.

3.       Second half coin toss: Clubs will now have the option to defer the opportunity to kick or receive the kickoff to the second half.

4.       Muffed snap: It will now be a live ball when a direct snap from center to a player who is in position to receive a hand-to-hand snap goes untouched. It was previously called a false start, but now either team may recover and advance the untouched snap.

 

2008 NFL RULES CLARIFICATION

 

1.       Grasping the facemask by all players, including offensive players, will continue to be strictly enforced. Specific attention is to be given to the runner who twists, turns, or pulls the facemask of the defender who is trying to make the tackle. Runners and tacklers are to be treated identically when this occurs. This action is a personal foul and a 15-yard penalty.

2.       NFL'S "third-quarterback" rule -- sometimes misunderstood:
Seventeen years ago (1991) the third-quarterback rule was instituted to enable teams to have an emergency quarterback available who was not on the 45-man game-day active roster, since many teams, for strategic purposes, only carried two quarterbacks on their game-day roster. Everybody thinks they understand the NFL's "third-quarterback" rule. But do they? The rule states that if a third quarterback is inserted before the fourth quarter, a team's first two quarterbacks cannot be used in the game at any position. Another aspect of the rule is sometimes misunderstood. It is a coach's decision as to whether a third quarterback will be used. The active quarterbacks do not have to be injured for a team to use its third quarterback.

Section F: BALL

1.       Each club shall have 2 balls for outdoor games and 2 for indoor games available for testing with a pressure gauge by the referee one half hour prior to the starting time of the game to meet with League requirements. 

2.       Any balls used specifically for kicking also need to be available to be checked by the officials one hour prior to the starting time of the game to meet with League requirements.

Section G: COIN TOSS

1.       The toss of coin will take place within three minutes of kickoff in center of field. The toss will be called by the visiting captain before the coin is flipped. The winner may choose one of two privileges and the loser gets the other:
(a) Receive or kick
(b) Goal his team will defend
(c) Defer the opportunity to kick or receive the kickoff to the second half.

2.       Immediately prior to the start of the second half, the captains of both teams must inform the officials of their respective choices. The loser of the original coin toss gets first choice.

Section H: TIMING

1.       The official time will be kept by the Line Judge. If there is a stadium game clock is official. In case it stops or is operating incorrectly, the Line Judge takes over the official timing on the field.

2.       Each period is 12 minutes. The intermission between the periods is two minutes. Halftime is 12 minutes, unless otherwise specified.

3.       On charged team time outs, the Field Judge starts watch and blows whistle after 40 seconds.

4.       The Referee will allow necessary time to attend to an injured player, or repair a legal player's equipment.

5.       Each team is allowed three time outs each half.

6.       Time between plays will be 40 seconds from the end of a given play until the snap of the ball for the next play, or a 25-second interval after certain administrative stoppages and game delays.

7.       Clock will start running when ball is snapped following all changes of team possession.

8.       With the exception of the last two minutes of the first half and the last five minutes of the second half, the game clock will be restarted following a kickoff return, a player going out of bounds on a play from scrimmage, or after declined penalties when appropriate on the referee's signal.

9.       Consecutive team time outs can be taken by opposing teams but the length of the second time out will be reduced to 40 seconds.

10.    When, in the judgment of the Referee, the level of crowd noise prevents the offense from hearing its signals, he can institute a series of procedures, which can result in a loss of team time outs or a five-yard penalty against the defensive team.

Section I: TIMING IN FINAL TWO MINUTES OF EACH HALF

1.       On kickoff, clock does not start until the ball has been legally touched by player of either team in the field of play. 

2.       A team cannot buy an excess time out for a penalty. However, a fourth time out is allowed without penalty for an injured player, who must be removed immediately. A fifth time out or more is allowed for an injury and a five-yard penalty is assessed if the clock was running. Additionally, if the clock was running and the score is tied or the team in possession is losing, the ball cannot be put in play for at least 10 seconds on the fourth or more time out. The half or game can end while those 10 seconds are run off on the clock.

3.       If the defensive team is behind in the score and commits a foul when it has no time outs left in the final 40 seconds of either half, the offensive team can decline the penalty for the foul and have the time on the clock expire.

4.       Fouls that occur in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter as well as the last two minutes of the first half will result in the clock starting on the snap.

Sub-section I: Foul on Last Play of Half or Game

1.       On a foul by defense on last play of half or game, the down is replayed if penalty is accepted.

2.       On a foul by the offense on last play of half or game, the down is not replayed and the play in which the foul is committed is nullified.
Exception: Fair catch interference, foul following change of possession, illegal touching. No score by offense counts.

Section J: TRY

1.       After a touchdown, the scoring team is allowed a try during one scrimmage down. The ball may be spotted anywhere between the inbounds lines, three or seven yards from the goal line. The successful conversion counts for one point from the three; two points for a successful conversion from the seven by touchdown; or one point for a safety.

2.       The defensive team never can score on a try. As soon as defense gets possession or a touchdown is not scored, the try is over.

3.       Any distance penalty for fouls committed by the defense that prevents the try from being attempted can be enforced on the succeeding try or succeeding kickoff. Any foul committed on a successful try will result in a distance penalty being assessed on the ensuing kickoff.

4.       Only the fumbling player can recover and advance a fumble during a try.

Section K: SUDDEN DEATH

1.       The sudden death system of determining the winner shall prevail when score is tied at the end of the regulation playing time of all 8FL games. The team scoring first during overtime play shall be the winner and the game automatically ends upon any score (by safety or touchdown) or when a score is awarded by Referee for a palpably unfair act.

2.       At the end of regulation time the Referee will immediately toss coin at center of field in accordance with rules pertaining to the usual pre-game toss. The captain of the visiting team will call the toss prior to the coin being flipped.

3.       Following a three-minute intermission after the end of the regulation game, play will be continued in 12-minute periods or until there is a score*. There is a two-minute intermission between subsequent periods. The teams change goals at the start of each period. Each team has three time outs per half and all general timing provisions apply as during a regular game. Disqualified players are not allowed to return.
Exception: In preseason and regular season games there shall be a maximum of 12 minutes of sudden death with two time outs instead of three. General provisions that apply for the fourth quarter will prevail. Try not attempted if touchdown scored. If there is no score in the 12 minutes, the game shall end in a tie.

Section L: PLAYERS-SUBSTITUTIONS

1.       Each team is permitted 8 men on the field at the snap.

2.       Unlimited substitution is permitted. However, players may enter the field only when the ball is dead. Players who have been substituted for are not permitted to linger on the field. Such lingering will be interpreted as unsportsmanlike conduct.

3.       Players leaving the game must be out of bounds on their own side, clearing the field between the end lines, before a snap or free kick. If player crosses end line leaving field, it is delay of game (five-yard penalty).

4.       Offensive substitutes who remain in the game must move onto the field as far as the inside of the field numerals before moving to a wide position.

5.       With the exception of the last two minutes of either half, the offensive team, while in the process of substitution or simulated substitution, is prohibited from rushing quickly to the line and snapping the ball with the obvious attempt to cause a defensive foul; i.e., too many men on the field.

Section M: KICKOFF

1.       The ball is to be placed at the 5 yard line for a Kickoff.  Following a Safety, the ball is to be kicked from the goal line.

2.       In addition to a kickoff, the other free kick is a kick after a safety (safety kick). A punt may be used (a punt may not be used on a kickoff).

3.       On a safety kick, the team scored upon puts ball in play by a punt, dropkick, or placekick without a tee. No score can be made on a free kick following a safety, even if a series of penalties places team in position.

4.       A kickoff may not score a field goal.

5.       A kickoff is illegal unless it travels 10 yards OR is touched by the receiving team. Once the ball is touched by the receiving team or has gone 10 yards, it is a free ball. Receivers may recover and advance. Kicking team may recover but NOT advance UNLESS receiver had possession and lost the ball.

6.       When a kickoff goes out of bounds between the goal lines without being touched by the receiving team, the ball belongs to the receivers at the 30 yard line or at the out-of-bounds spot unless the ball went out-of-bounds the first time an onside kick was attempted. In this case, the kicking team is penalized five yards and the ball must be kicked again.

7.       When a kickoff goes out of bounds between the goal lines and is touched last by receiving team, it is receiver's ball at out-of-bounds spot.

8.       If the kicking team either illegally kicks off out of bounds or is guilty of a short free kick on two or more consecutive onside kicks, receivers may take possession of the ball at the dead ball spot, out-of-bounds spot, or spot of illegal touch.

9.       All Touchbacks place the ball at the 15-yard line.

Section N: SAFETY

• The important factor in a safety is impetus. Two points are scored for the opposing team when the ball is dead on or behind a team's own goal line if the impetus came from a player on that team.

1.       Examples of Safety:
(a) Blocked punt goes out of kicking team's end zone. Impetus was provided by punting team. The block only changes direction of ball, not impetus.
(b) Ball carrier retreats from field of play into his own end zone and is downed. Ball carrier provides impetus.
(c) Offensive team commits a foul and spot of enforcement is behind its own goal line.
(d) Player on receiving team muffs punt and, trying to get ball, forces or illegally kicks (creating new impetus) it into end zone where it goes out of the end zone or is recovered by a member of the receiving team in the end zone.

2.       Examples of Non-Safety:
(a) Player intercepts a pass with both feet inbounds in the field of play and his momentum carries him into his own end zone. Ball is put in play at spot of interception.
(b) Player intercepts a pass in his own end zone and is downed in the end zone, even after recovering in the end zone. Impetus came from passing team, not from defense. (Touchback)
(c) Player passes from behind his own goal line. Opponent bats down ball in end zone. (Incomplete pass)

Section O: POSITION OF PLAYERS AT SNAP

1.       Offensive team must have at least four players on line.

2.       Offensive players, not on line, must be at least one yard back at snap.
Exception: player who takes snap.

3.       No interior lineman may move abruptly after taking or simulating a three-point stance.

4.       No player of either team may enter neutral zone before snap.

5.       No player of offensive team may charge or move abruptly, after assuming set position, in such manner as to lead defense to believe snap has started. No player of the defensive team within one yard of the line of scrimmage may make an abrupt movement in an attempt to cause the offense to false start.

6.       If a player changes his eligibility, the Referee must alert the defensive captain after player has reported to him.

7.       All players of offensive team must be stationary at snap, except one back who may be in motion parallel to scrimmage line or backward (not forward).

8.       After a shift or huddle all players on offensive team must come to an absolute stop for at least one second with no movement of hands, feet, head, or swaying of body.

9.       Quarterbacks can be called for a false start penalty (five yards) if their actions are judged to be an obvious attempt to draw an opponent offside.

10.    Offensive linemen are permitted to interlock legs.

Section P: USE OF HANDS, ARMS AND BODY

1.       No player on offense may assist a runner except by blocking for him. There shall be no interlocking interference.

2.       A runner may ward off opponents with his hands and arms but no other player on offense may use hands or arms to obstruct an opponent by grasping with hands, pushing, or encircling any part of his body during a block. Hands (open or closed) can be thrust forward to initially contact an opponent on or outside the opponent's frame, but the blocker immediately must work to bring his hands on or inside the frame.
Note: Pass blocking: Hand(s) thrust forward that slip outside the body of the defender will be legal if blocker immediately worked to bring them back inside. Hand(s) or arm(s) that encircle a defender-i.e., hook an opponent-are to be considered illegal and officials are to call a foul for holding.

3.       Blocker cannot use his hands or arms to push from behind, hang onto, or encircle an opponent in a manner that restricts his movement as the play develops.

4.       Hands cannot be thrust forward above the frame to contact an opponent on the neck, face or head.
Note: The frame is defined as the part of the opponent's body below the neck that is presented to the blocker.

5.       A defensive player may not tackle or hold an opponent other than a runner. Otherwise, he may use his hands, arms, or body only:
(a) To defend or protect himself against an obstructing opponent.
Exception: An eligible receiver is considered to be an obstructing opponent ONLY to a point five yards beyond the line of scrimmage unless the player who receives the snap clearly demonstrates no further intention to pass the ball. Within this five-yard zone, a defensive player may chuck an eligible player in front of him. A defensive player is allowed to maintain continuous and unbroken contact within the five-yard zone until a point when the receiver is even with the defender. The defensive player cannot use his hands or arms to push from behind, hang onto, or encircle an eligible receiver in a manner that restricts movement as the play develops. Beyond this five-yard limitation, a defender may use his hands or arms ONLY to defend or protect himself against impending contact caused by a receiver. In such reaction, the defender may not contact a receiver who attempts to take a path to evade him.
(b) To push or pull opponent out of the way on line of scrimmage.
(c) In actual attempt to get at or tackle runner.
(d) To push or pull opponent out of the way in a legal attempt to recover a loose ball.
(e) During a legal block on an opponent who is not an eligible pass receiver.
(f) When legally blocking an eligible pass receiver above the waist.
Note: Once the quarterback hands off or pitches the ball to a back, or if the quarterback leaves the pocket area, the restrictions (illegal chuck) on the defensive team relative to the offensive receivers will end, provided the ball is not in the air.

6.       A defensive player may not contact an opponent above the shoulders with the palm of his hand except to ward him off on the line. This exception is permitted only if it is not a repeated act against the same opponent during any one contact. In all other cases the palms may be used on head, neck, or face only to ward off or push an opponent in legal attempt to get at the ball.

7.       Any offensive player who pretends to possess the ball or to whom a teammate pretends to give the ball may be tackled provided he is crossing his scrimmage line between the ends of a normal tight offensive line.

8.       An offensive player who lines up more than two yards outside his own tackle or a player who, at the snap, is in a backfield position and subsequently takes a position more than two yards outside a tackle may not clip an opponent anywhere nor may he contact an opponent below the waist if the blocker is moving toward the ball and if contact is made within an area five yards on either side of the line. (crackback)

9.       A player of either team may block at any time provided it is not pass interference, fair catch interference, or unnecessary roughness.

10.    A player may not bat or punch:
(a) A loose ball (in field of play) toward his opponent's goal line or in any direction in either end zone.
(b) A ball in player possession.
Note 1: If there is any question as to whether a defender is stripping or batting a ball in player possession, the official(s) will rule the action as a legal act (stripping the ball).
Exception: A forward or backward pass may be batted, tipped, or deflected in any direction at any time by either the offense or the defense.
Note 2: A pass in flight that is controlled or caught may only be thrown backward; if it is thrown forward it is considered an illegal bat.

11.    No player may deliberately kick any ball except as a punt, dropkick, or placekick.

Section Q: FORWARD PASS

1.       A forward pass may be touched or caught by any eligible receiver. All members of the defensive team are eligible. Eligible receivers on the offensive team are players on either end of line (other than center, guard, or tackle) or players at least one yard behind the line at the snap. A T-formation quarterback is not eligible to receive a forward pass during a play from scrimmage.
Exception: T-formation quarterback becomes eligible if pass is previously touched by an eligible receiver.

2.       An offensive team may make only one forward pass during each play from scrimmage (Loss of 5 yards).

3.       The passer must be behind his line of scrimmage (Loss of down and five yards, enforced from the spot of pass).

4.       Any eligible offensive player may catch a forward pass. If a pass is touched by one eligible offensive player and touched or caught by a second offensive player, pass completion is legal. Further, all offensive players become eligible once a pass is touched by an eligible receiver or any defensive player.

5.       The rules concerning a forward pass and ineligible receivers:
(a) If ball is touched accidentally by an ineligible receiver on or behind his line: loss of five yards.
(b) If ineligible receiver is illegally downfield: loss of five yards.
(c) If touched or caught (intentionally or accidentally) by ineligible receiver beyond the line: loss of 5 yards.

6.       The player who first controls and continues to maintain control of a pass will be awarded the ball even though his opponent later establishes joint control of the ball.

7.       Any forward pass becomes incomplete and ball is dead if:
(a) Pass hits the ground or goes out of bounds.
(b) Pass hits the goal post or the crossbar of either team.

8.       A forward pass is complete when a receiver clearly possesses the pass and touches the ground with both feet inbounds while in possession of the ball. If a receiver would have landed inbounds with both feet but is carried or pushed out of bounds while maintaining possession of the ball, pass is complete at the out-of-bounds spot.

9.       On a fourth down pass an incomplete pass results in a loss of down at the line of scrimmage.

10.    If a personal foul is committed by the defense prior to the completion of a pass, the penalty is 15 yards from the spot where ball becomes dead.

11.    If a personal foul is committed by the offense prior to the completion of a pass, the penalty is 15 yards from the previous line of scrimmage.

Section R: INTENTIONAL GROUNDING OF FORWARD PASS

1.       Intentional grounding of a forward pass is a foul: loss of down and 10 yards from previous spot if passer is in the field of play or loss of down at the spot of the foul if it occurs more than 10 yards behind the line or safety if passer is in his own end zone when ball is released.

2.       Intentional grounding will be called when a passer, facing an imminent loss of yardage due to pressure from the defense, throws a forward pass without a realistic chance of completion.

3.       Intentional grounding will not be called when a passer, while out of the pocket and facing an imminent loss of yardage, throws a pass that lands at or beyond the line of scrimmage, even if no offensive player(s) have a realistic chance to catch the ball (including if the ball lands out of bounds over the sideline or end line).

Section S: PROTECTION OF PASSER

1.       By interpretation, a pass begins when the passer -- with possession of ball -- starts to bring his hand forward. If ball strikes ground after this action has begun, play is ruled an incomplete pass. If passer loses control of ball prior to his bringing his hand forward, play is ruled a fumble.

2.       When a passer is holding the ball to pass it forward, any intentional movement forward of his arm starts a forward pass. If a defensive player contacts the passer or the ball after forward movement begins, and the ball leaves the passer's hand, a forward pass is ruled, regardless of where the ball strikes the ground or a player.

3.       No defensive player may run into a passer of a legal forward pass after the ball has left his hand (15 yards). The Referee must determine whether opponent had a reasonable chance to stop his momentum during an attempt to block the pass or tackle the passer while he still had the ball.

4.       No defensive player who has an unrestricted path to the quarterback may hit him flagrantly in the area of the knee(s) or below when approaching in any direction.

5.       Officials are to blow the play dead as soon as the quarterback is clearly in the grasp and control of any tackler and his safety is in jeopardy.

Section T: PASS INTERFERENCE

1.       There shall be no interference with a forward pass thrown from behind the line. The restriction for the passing team starts with the snap. The restriction on the defensive team starts when the ball leaves the passer's hand. Both restrictions end when the ball is touched by anyone.

2.       The penalty for defensive pass interference is an automatic first down at the spot of the foul. If interference is in the end zone, it is first down for the offense on the defense's 1-yard line. If previous spot was inside the defense's 1-yard line, penalty is half the distance to the goal line.

3.       The penalty for offensive pass interference is 10 yards from the previous spot.

4.       It is pass interference by either team when any player movement beyond the line of scrimmage significantly hinders the progress of an eligible player of such player's opportunity to catch the ball. Offensive pass interference rules apply from the time the ball is snapped until the ball is touched. Defensive pass interference rules apply from the time the ball is thrown until the ball is touched.

Sub-paragraph I: Actions that constitute defensive pass interference include but are not limited to:
(a) Contact by a defender who is not playing the ball and such contact restricts the receiver's opportunity to make the catch.
(b) Playing through the back of a receiver in an attempt to make a play on the ball.
(c) Grabbing a receiver's arm(s) in such a manner that restricts his opportunity to catch a pass.
(d) Extending an arm across the body of a receiver thus restricting his ability to catch a pass, regardless of whether the defender is playing the ball.
(e) Cutting off the path of a receiver by making contact with him without playing the ball.
(f) Hooking a receiver in an attempt to get to the ball in such a manner that it causes the receiver's body to turn prior to the ball arriving.

Sub-paragraph II: Actions that do not constitute pass interference include but are not limited to:
(a) Incidental contact by a defender's hands, arms, or body when both players are competing for the ball, or neither player is looking for the ball. If there is any question whether contact is incidental, the ruling shall be no interference.
(b) Inadvertent tangling of feet when both players are playing the ball or neither player is playing the ball.
(c) Contact that would normally be considered pass interference, but the pass is clearly uncatchable by the involved players.
(d) Laying a hand on a receiver that does not restrict the receiver in an attempt to make a play on the ball.
(e) Contact by a defender who has gained position on a receiver in an attempt to catch the ball.

Sub-paragraph III: Actions that constitute offensive pass interference include but are not limited to:
(a) Blocking downfield by an offensive player prior to the ball being touched.
(b) Initiating contact with a defender by shoving or pushing off thus creating a separation in an attempt to catch a pass.
(c) Driving through a defender who has established a position on the field.

Sub-paragraph IV: Actions that do not constitute offensive pass interference include but are not limited to:
(a) Incidental contact by a receiver's hands, arms, or body when both players are competing for the ball or neither player is looking for the ball.
(b) Inadvertent touching of feet when both players are playing the ball or neither player is playing the ball.
(c) Contact that would normally be considered pass interference, but the ball is clearly uncatchable by involved players.

Note 1: If there is any question whether player contact is incidental, the ruling should be no interference.
Note 2: Defensive players have as much right to the path of the ball as eligible offensive players.
Note 3: Pass interference for both teams ends when the pass is touched.
Note 4: There can be no pass interference at or behind the line of scrimmage, but defensive actions such as tackling a receiver can still result in a 5-yard penalty for defensive holding, if accepted.
Note 5: Whenever a team presents an apparent punting formation, defensive pass interference is not to be called for action on the end man on the line of scrimmage, or an eligible receiver behind the line of scrimmage who is aligned or in motion more than one yard outside the end man on the line. Defensive holding, such as tackling a receiver, still can be called and result in a 5-yard penalty and automatic first down from the previous spot, if accepted. Offensive pass interference rules still apply.

Section U: BACKWARD PASS

1.       Any pass not forward is regarded as a backward pass. A pass parallel to the line is a backward pass. A runner may pass backward at any time.

2.       A backward pass that strikes the ground can be recovered and advanced by either team.

3.       A backward pass caught in the air can be advanced by either team.

4.       A backward pass in flight may not be batted forward by an offensive player.

Section V: FUMBLE

1.       The distinction between a fumble and a muff should be kept in mind in considering rules about fumbles. A fumble is the loss of player possession of the ball. A muff is the touching of a loose ball by a player in an unsuccessful attempt to obtain possession.

2.       A fumble may be advanced by any player on either team regardless of whether recovered before or after ball hits the ground.

3.       A fumble that goes forward and out of bounds will return to the fumbling team at the spot of the fumble unless the ball goes out of bounds in the opponent's end zone. In this case, it is a touchback.

4.       On a play from scrimmage, if an offensive player fumbles anywhere on the field during fourth down, only the fumbling player is permitted to recover and/or advance the ball. If any player fumbles after the two-minute warning in a half, only the fumbling player is permitted to recover and/or advance the ball. If recovered by any other offensive player, the ball is dead at the spot of the fumble unless it is recovered behind the spot of the fumble. In that case, the ball is dead at the spot of recovery. Any defensive player may recover and/or advance any fumble at any time.

5.       A muffed hand-to-hand snap from center is treated as a fumble.

Section W: KICKS FROM SCRIMMAGE

1.       Any kick from scrimmage must be made from behind the line to be legal.

2.       Any punt or missed field goal that touches a goal post is dead.

3.       During a kick from scrimmage, only the end men, as eligible receivers on the line of scrimmage at the time of the snap, are permitted to go beyond the line before the ball is kicked.
Exception: An eligible receiver who, at the snap, is aligned or in motion behind the line and more than one yard outside the end man on his side of the line, clearly making him the outside receiver, replaces that end man as the player eligible to go downfield after the snap. All other members of the kicking team must remain at the line of scrimmage until the ball has been kicked.

4.       Any punt that is blocked and does not cross the line of scrimmage can be recovered and advanced by either team. However, if offensive team recovers it must make the yardage necessary for its first down to retain possession if punt was on fourth down.

5.       The kicking team may never advance its own kick even though legal recovery is made beyond the line of scrimmage. Possession only.

6.       A member of the receiving team may not run into or rough a kicker who kicks from behind his line unless contact is:
(a) Incidental to and after he had touched ball in flight.
(b) Caused by kicker's own motions.
(c) Occurs during a quick kick, or a kick made after a run behind the line, or after kicker recovers a loose ball on the ground. Ball is loose when kicker muffs snap or snap hits ground.
(d) Defender is blocked into kicker.
The penalty for running into the kicker is 5 yards. For roughing the kicker: 15 yards, an automatic first down and disqualification if flagrant.

7.       If a member of the kicking team attempting to down the ball on or inside opponent's 5-yard line carries the ball into the end zone, it is a touchback.

8.       Fouls during a punt are enforced from the previous spot (line of scrimmage).
Exception: Illegal touching, fair-catch interference, invalid fair-catch signal, or personal foul (blocking after a fair-catch signal).

9.       While the ball is in the air or rolling on the ground following a punt and receiving team commits a foul only before or after gaining possession, receiving team will retain possession and will be penalized for its foul.

10.    It will be illegal for a defensive player to jump or stand on any player, or be picked up by a teammate or to use a hand or hands on a teammate to gain additional height in an attempt to block a kick (Penalty: 15 yards, unsportsmanlike conduct).

11.    A punted ball remains a kicked ball until it is declared dead or in possession of either team.

12.    Any member of the punting team may down the ball anywhere in the field of play. However, it is illegal touching (Official's time out and receiver's ball at spot of illegal touching). This foul does not offset any foul by receivers during the down.

13.    Defensive team may advance all kicks from scrimmage (including unsuccessful field goal) whether or not ball crosses defensive team's goal line. Rules pertaining to kicks from scrimmage apply until defensive team gains possession.

14.    When a team presents a punt formation, defensive pass interference is not to be called for actions on the widest player eligible to go beyond line. Defensive holding may be called.

Section X: FAIR CATCH

1.       The member of the receiving team must raise one arm a full length above his head and wave it from side to side while kick is in flight. (Failure to give proper sign: receivers' ball five yards behind spot of signal.)
Note: It is legal for the receiver to shield his eyes from the sun by raising one hand no higher than the helmet.

2.       No opponent may interfere with the fair catcher, the ball, or his path to the ball. Penalty: 15 yards from spot of foul and fair catch is awarded.

3.       A player who signals for a fair catch is not required to catch the ball. However, if a player signals for a fair catch, he may not block or initiate contact with any player on the kicking team until the ball touches a player. Penalty: snap 15 yards.

4.       If ball hits ground or is touched by member of kicking team in flight, fair catch signal is off and all rules for a kicked ball apply.

5.       Any undue advance by a fair catch receiver is delay of game. No specific distance is specified for undue advance, as ball is dead at spot of catch. If player comes to a reasonable stop, no penalty. For penalty, five yards.

6.       If time expires while ball is in play and a fair catch is awarded, receiving team may choose to extend the period with one fair catch kick down. However, placekicker may not use tee.

Section Y: EMERGENCIES & UNFAIR ACTS

Sub-section I: Emergencies -- Policy

The Eight Man Football League requires all League personnel, including game officials, League office members, players, coaches, and other club members to use best effort to see that each game -- regular season and postseason -- is played to its conclusion. The League recognizes, however, that emergencies may arise that makes a game 's completion impossible or inadvisable. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to, severely inclement weather, natural or manmade disaster, power failure, and spectator interference. Games should be suspended, cancelled, postponed, or terminated when circumstances exist such that commencement or continuation of play would pose a threat to the safety of participants or spectators. Authority of Commissioner's Office to cancel, postpone, or terminate games is vested only in the Commissioner and the League President (other League office representatives and referees may suspend play temporarily (See Section X, Sub-section I, paragraph 3 and Section X, Sub-section II, paragraph 1 below). The following definitions apply:

. Cancel. To cancel a game is to nullify it either before or after it begins and to make no provision for rescheduling it or for including its score or other performance statistics in League records.

. Postpone. To postpone a game is (a) to defer its starting time to a later date, or (b) to suspend it after play has begun and to make provision to resume at a later date with all scores and other performance statistics up to the point of postponement added to those achieved in the resumed portion of the game.

. Terminate. To terminate a game is to end it short of a full 60 minutes of play, to record it officially as a completed game, and to make no provision to resume it at a later date. The Commissioner or League President may terminate a game in an emergency if, in his opinion, it is reasonable to project that its resumption (a) would not change its ultimate result or (b) would not adversely affect any other inter-team competitive issue.

. Forfeit. The Commissioner, (except in cases of disciplinary action; see Section X: Removing Team from Field below), League President, and their representatives, including referees, are not authorized unilaterally to declare forfeits. A forfeit occurs only when a game is not played because of the failure or refusal of one team to participate. In that event, the other team, if ready and willing to play, is the winner by a score of 2-0.

If an emergency arises that may require cancellation, postponement, or termination (see above), the highest ranking representative from the League Office that can be contacted should be contacted by phone.  The Team Representatives from both teams and the officiating crew should confer and come to a common decision, and then wait for approval of the League Office in order to make the appropriate decision. 

1.       In circumstances where safety is of immediate concern, the League Office representative may, after consulting with the referee, authorize a temporary suspension in play and, if warranted, removal of the participants from the playing field. The representative should be mindful of the safety of spectators, players, game officials, non-player personnel in the bench areas, and other field-level personnel such as photographers and cheerleaders.

2.       If possible, the League-office representative should consult with authorized representatives of the two participating clubs before any decision involving cancellation, postponement, or termination is made by the Commissioner or League Officers.

3.       If the Commissioner or League Officers decide to cancel, postpone, or terminate a game, his representative at the game or the game-day duty officer will then determine the method(s) for announcing such decision, e.g., by public-address announcement over referee's wireless microphone, by public-address announcement by home club, or by communication to radio, television, and other news media.

Sub-section II: Authority of Referee

1.       If a referee determines that an emergency warrants immediate removal of participants from the playing field for safety reasons, he may do so on his own authority. If, however, circumstances allow him the time, he must reach the highest ranking full-time League office representative working at the game in a "control" capacity or the game-day duty officer designated by the League (by telephone, if that person is not in attendance) and discuss the actual or potential emergency with such representative or duty officer. That representative or duty officer then will make the final decision on removal of participants from the field or obtain a decision from the Commissioner or League Officers.

2.       If a referee removes participants from the playing field under Section X, Sub-section II, Paragraph 1 above, he may order them to their respective bench areas or to their locker rooms, whichever is appropriate in the circumstances.

3.       After appropriate consultation under Section X, Sub-section II, Paragraph 1 above, the referee must advise the two participating head coaches of the nature of the emergency and the action contemplated (if the decision has not yet been reached) or of the final decision.

4.       The referee must not, before a decision is reached, make an announcement on his microphone concerning the possibility of a cancellation, postponement, or termination unless instructed to do so by an appropriate representative of the Commissioner's office.

5.       The referee must not discuss a forfeit with head coaches or club personnel and must not use that term over the referee's microphone (see definition of forfeit in Section X, Sub-section I above).

6.       The referee must not assess an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty on the home team for actions of fans that cause or contribute to an emergency.

7.       The referee should be mindful of the safety of not only players and officials, but also of the spectators and other non-participants.

8.       If an emergency involves spectator interference (for example, non-participants on the field or thrown objects), the referee immediately should contact the appropriate club or League representative for additional security assistance, including, if applicable, involvement of the League's security representative(s) assigned to the game.

9.       The referee may order the resumption of play when he deems conditions safe for all concerned and, if circumstances warrant, after consultation with appropriate representatives of the Commissioner's office.

10.    Under no circumstances is the referee authorized to cancel, postpone, terminate, or declare forfeiture of a game unilaterally.

Sub-section III: Procedures for Starting and Resuming Games Subject to the points of authority listed above, League personnel and referees will be guided by the following procedures for starting and resuming games that are affected by emergencies.

1.       If, because of an emergency, a regular-season or postseason game is not started at its scheduled time and cannot be played at any later time that same day, the game nevertheless must be played on a subsequent date to be determined by the Commissioner.

2.       If an emergency threatens to occur during the playing of a game (for example, an incoming tropical storm), the starting time of the game will not be moved to an earlier time unless there is clearly sufficient time to make an orderly change.

3.       All games that are suspended temporarily and resumed on the same day, and all suspended games that are postponed to a later date, will be resumed at the point of suspension. On suspension, the referee will call timeout and make a record of the following: team possessing the ball, direction in which its offense was headed, position of the ball on the field, down, distance, period, time remaining in the period, and any other pertinent information required for an orderly and equitable resumption of play.

4.       For postseason postponements, the Commissioner will make every effort to set the game as soon as possible after its originally scheduled date and at the same site. If unable to schedule at the same site, he will select an appropriate alternative site.

5.       Whenever postponement is attributable to negligence by a club, the negligent club is responsible for all home club costs and expenses, including, subject to approval by the Commissioner.

6.       Each home club is strictly responsible for having the playing surface of its stadium well maintained and suitable for 8FL play.

Section Z: UNFAIR ACTS

Commissioner's Authority
The Commissioner has sole authority to investigate and to take appropriate disciplinary or corrective measures if any club action, non-participant interference, or emergency occurs in an 8FL game which he deems so unfair or outside the accepted tactics encountered in professional football that such action has a major effect on the result of a game. No Club Protests the authority and measures provided for in this section (Section Y: UNFAIR ACTS) do not constitute a protest machinery for 8FL clubs to dispute the result of a game. The Commissioner will conduct an investigation under this section only to review an act or occurrence that he deems so unfair that the result of the game in question may be inequitable to one of the participating teams. The Commissioner will not apply his authority under this section when a club registers a complaint concerning judgmental errors or routine errors of omission by game officials. Games involving such complaints will continue to stand as completed. Penalties for Unfair Acts. The Commissioner's powers under this section (Section Y: UNFAIR ACTS) include the imposition of monetary fines, suspension of persons involved, and, if appropriate, the reversal of a game's result or the rescheduling of a game, either from the beginning or from the point at which the extraordinary act occurred. In the event of rescheduling a game, the Commissioner will be guided by the procedures specified above in Section X, Sub-section III. In all cases, the Commissioner will conduct a full investigation, including the opportunity for hearings, use of game videotape, and any other procedures he deems appropriate.

Section AA: REMOVING TEAM FROM FIELD

No player, coach, or other person affiliated with a club may remove that club's team from the field during the playing of any game, including preseason, except at the direction of the referee. Any club violating this rule will be subject to disciplinary action by the Commissioner, including possible game forfeiture and sole liability for financial losses suffered by the opposing club and any other affected member clubs of the League.

 

 

Field Dimensions