This event is intended to bring together the community to raise funds for a great cause. While this tournament should be competitive, keep in mind it is a charity event and any misconduct detrimental to the game and/or event will NOT be tolerated. These rules are to be followed by each participant. We are all here to play fair, be safe, and have tons of fun!
*Alcoholic beverages are NOT permitted at this event
Official Uniform:
All registered team members are responsible to come up with their own team shirts. Each player on the team must have the same colored shirt. The shirt must display the team name clearly on the front, as well as, a number for each player displayed on the both sides of the shirt big enough for the referees to see. Each player on the team must have their last name or nickname on the back of the shirt.
*Other accessories such as headbands, skull caps, arm bands, arm sleeves, leg sleeves are allowed.
*Cleats are recommended
*Each team upon registration will be given a team color for their shirts
Official Football:
Footballs are provided by the “Flagging Down” Cancer organization. The game ball is an official high school football (11.6 x 6.9 x 6.7 inches; 1.2 pounds).
Flag Belts:
Each player on the field must wear a flag belt around their waist. The flag belt consists of 3 velcro flags that can easily be pulled off by a simple tug. Shirts are NOT permitted to hang over the belt. The belt must be properly worn and will be checked by the referee upon entering the field of play.
*IF THE FLAG BELT OR ANY FLAG FALLS OFF OF THE BALL CARRIER, THEY ARE AUTOMATICALLY DOWN. IF THE FLAG FALLS OFF BEFORE A PLAYER CATCHES THE BALL, THEN THEY CAN BE RULED DOWN BY A 1 HAND TOUCH BY THE DEFENDER. BUT, THE PLAYER CAN PICK THE FLAG UP DURING THE PLAY AND PUT IT BACK ON IF THEY DO NOT HAVE THE BALL.
Illegal Equipment:
- Jewelry: Earings, Necklace, Bracelet, Watch, Rings
- Hooded sweatshirts
- Any hat with a brim
Field Dimensions:
The playing field with be 45 yards long x 30 yards wide, divided into three 15 yard sections. Each end zone is 7.5 yards deep x 30 yards wide. There are 2 first down markers. The ball will be placed in the center of the field for each play. There is no hash marks.
Number of Players:
Each team must consist of 8 players. The game is played with 6 team members on the field at once (6 vs. 6).
Offense: The offense must consist of:
- At least 1 Offensive Lineman (Center): The center must snap/throw the ball back to the Quarterback for the play to start.
- 1 Quarterback
- At least 2 wide receivers (on the line of scrimmage)
- 2 utility players (WR or RB)
*There needs to be at least 3 offensive players on the LOS
*There CAN be more than 1 offensive lineman and 2 wide receivers
*All players on the offensive side of the ball are ELIGIBLE receivers.
Defense: The defense must consist of:
- 6 defensive players that can line up anywhere on the field
*The defense can only have as many players on the LOS as the Offense
Length of Game:
Each game is 24 minutes in length consisting of two 12 minute halves. There will be a 4 minute halftime in between both halves. The clock will run continuously except under the 1 minute mark at the end of both halves, after a touchdown is scored, when there has been a change in possession, and when a time-out is called.
Scoring:
- Touchdown = 6 points
- Extra Point from 3 yard line= 1 point
- Extra Point from 10 yard line = 2 points
- Interception/Fumble Return for a Touchdown on PAT = 2 points
- Safety = 2 points
Time-Outs:
Each team is allowed 1 time-out per half. Time-outs DO NOT carry over.
Coin Toss:
Before each game, one person from each team will come to the center of the field for a coin toss. Whichever team calls the correct side of the coin facing up wins the toss and has the option to start on offense or defense. The team that loses the coin toss picks which side of the field they would like the game to start on. The ball will be placed on the 7.5 yard line at the start of each half. Whichever team starts the game on defense has the option to start on offense in the second half.
Kick-Offs:
There are NO kick-offs. The ball will be placed on the 7.5 yard line at the beginning of each half and after each score.
First Downs:
Each team on offense has 4 downs to advance the ball past two 1st down markers. Each first down is marked at 15 yards from either end zone. Once the offensive team passes a first down marker, it is no longer used as a valid first down marker on the current offensive possession. For example; if the offense passes the first down marker and then gets a penalty or fumbles for a loss of yardage passed the original first down marker, they will not be able to get a first down by passing the same marker.
Punts:
On fourth down, the offensive team must make it clear to the opposing team on defense and the referees whether they are going to run an offensive play to try and pick up the first down or if they are going to punt the ball to the opposing team. Once the offense makes their choice they cannot change it unless there is a penalty on either side of the ball. For example; if the offense chooses to punt the ball and then changes their mind, there must be a penalty on defense or the offense must let the clock run down and take a delay of game penalty.
If the offensive team decides to punt the ball: There are only two active players during a punt; the punter and the punt returner. The kicking team designates a punter to punt the ball. The receiving team designates a punt returner to catch the ball. There are NO punt returns. Once the punter either punts the ball, the returner can either catch it in the air or field it off the ground. Since the returner is not allowed to advance the ball, the return team will take over on offense from where the ball was caught or stopped rolling. If the ball rolls into the end zone it will be placed at the 7.5 yard line. If the punt returner fumbles the catch, the ball will be placed at the 7.5 yard line. If the attempted catch occurs inside the 7.5 yard line then the ball will be placed where the attempted catch occurred. There is no center snap during a punt. The punter must stay behind the line of scrimmage when punting the ball to the opposing team.
Huddle/Play Clock:
The offensive team has 20 seconds to snap the ball after the ball has been spotted by the referee.
Line of Scrimmage:
There needs to be at least 3 offensive players on the line of scrimmage.
Center Snap:
The ball must be snapped by the center either through their legs or from their side in order for the play to start.
*If there is a bad Center/Quarterback exchange, the play will be dead. So if the ball hits the ground before it touches the Quarterbacks hand, the play is whistled dead.
Blocking:
The team with the ball is allowed to block the opposing team. There is NO contact above the shoulders or below the waist of the opposing player. Punching, hitting, pushing, or grabbing is NOT permitted. The blocker must using their palms to block.
Rushing the Passer/Blitzing:
All players on defense are allowed to pass the line of scrimmage at any point once the ball is snapped. Therefore there are an unlimited amount of blitzes.
Substitutions:
Substitutions can be made in between plays, during timeouts, or in between halves.
Forward Passes:
A player attempting to catch a pass must secure the ball with complete possession and get at least one foot in bounds for it to be a catch.
- If possession of the ball is lost simultaneously when the player hits the ground, it is not a catch
- If a pass is caught simultaneously by members of opposing teams, the ball is dead at that spot and belongs to the Offensive team.
Laterals:
Laterals passes are allowed. A lateral pass is a movement backwards from or parallel to the point where the ball is. Any number of lateral passes are allowed during a play.
Illegal Passes:
- The Quarterback cannot throw a pass to themself in order to advance the ball.
- Once the ball is over the line of scrimmage, forward passes are NOT allowed.
Illegal Formation:
- The Offense must have at least 3 players on the LOS (1 Offensive Lineman & 2 Wide Receivers)
- The Defense can only have as many players on the LOS as the Offense. So if the Offense has 3 players on the LOS, then the Defense can only have 3 players on the LOS.
Pass Interference:
Any contact between the receiver and opposing defender that interferes with the attempt to catch the ball, in the opinion of the referee.
Bump & Run:
The defense is allowed to make contact with the offensive player at the snap of the ball. This must occur within 1 yard of the LOS and may continue for 3 yards. The contact must be between the waist and shoulder. Punching, hitting, pushing, or grabbing is NOT permitted. The defender must using their palms.
Intentional Grounding:
The ball must cross the LOS and/or be in the vicinity of a receiver. This is the referee’s decision.
Charging:
This is when an Offensive player runs into or through a defensive player who has established position. This is illegal.
Runner Down:
The ball carrier is ruled down when one of their flags is pulled off their belt, their flag belt is removed or falls off, the player goes out of bounds, or when the ball carriers knee, elbow, or forearm touches the ground.
Obstructing the Runner:
A defensive player is NOT allowed to hold, grasp, or obstruct the forward progress of the ball carrier when attempting to remove their flag.
Stiff Arming:
The ball carrier is NOT allowed to use their arm to elude a defender.
Guarding the Flag Belt:
Runners are NOT allowed to flag guard by using any part of the body or ball to deny the opportunity for an opponent to pull or remove the flag belt. Flag guarding includes but is not limited to:
- Swinging the hand or arm over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from deflagging.
- Placing the ball in possession over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from deflagging.
- Lowering the shoulders in such a manner that flag guards.
- Batting the defenders hand away from making an attempt to remove the flag
- Holding a flag with your hand to avoid it being removed
Stripping:
Defenders are NOT allowed to strip or knock the ball away from the ball carrier. The defender can only try to make a play on the ball when it is in the air or when the receiver has not maintained complete possession of the ball.
Clipping:
Any contact to the back of a defender is NOT allowed.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct:
Foul language, taunting, forceful/intentional contact during or in between a play, and not obliging and/or excessive arguing with the referee will result in a penalty and possible ejection.
Overtime:
If a game ends in a tie, the ball will be placed at the 15 yard line going into the end zone. There will be a coin toss before overtime to determine who starts on offense and defense. Each team gets 4 downs to score a touchdown. There are NO first downs in overtime. After each score in overtime, the scoring team must go for a 2 point conversion from the 10 yard line. The first overtime will consist of both teams having ONE opportunity to score a touchdown. If both teams end the first overtime with the same score, the game will proceed to a second overtime and the team that started on defense in the first overtime will now start on offense in the second overtime.
5 Yard Penalties:
Offense
- Clothing covering the flag belt
- False Start or Illegal act by the snapper
- Intentional Grounding
- Delay of Game
- Illegal Motion (2 players moving at once before the ball is snapped)
- Illegal Pass
- Illegal Substitution
- Illegal Equipment
- Illegal Formation
Defense
- Offsides
- Illegal Substitution
- Holding
- Delay of Game (not allowing the ref to spot the ball)
- Illegal Formation
10 Yard Penalties:
Offense
- Pass Interference
- Clipping
- Charging (Running into opponent)
- Flag Guarding
- Stiff Arm
Defense
- Pass Interference
- Stripping the Ball
- Obstructing the Runner
15 Yard Penalties
- The use of foul language toward another player
- Taunting
- Tackling
- Tripping
- Striking above the shoulder or below the waist
- Continuous arguing with referee
- Not obliging with the call by the ref
Ejections:
- Forceful blow to the opponent with clear intent
- Continuous arguing with referee
- Physically fighting
Referees:
There will be 4 referees calling each game.
Head Linesman: Is positioned on the line of scrimmage and is responsible to keep time on the play clock. The Head Linesman will make the call on the field and spot the ball after each play and penalty. They are also in charge of the coin toss. They are responsible to watch all the players and action that occurs at the LOS and behind it.
Linesman: Is positioned on the line of scrimmage opposite of the Head Linesman and is responsible to keep time on the game clock and the score of the contest. They must stop and start the game clock at the necessary times and signify when the 1 minute warning is in both halves. They are responsible to watch all the players and action that occurs at the LOS and behind it.
Side Judge: Is position in the secondary on the same sideline of the Head Linesman. They are responsible to watch all the players and action that occurs in the secondary on their side of the field.
Field Judge: Is positioned in the secondary on the opposite sideline of the Side Judge. They are responsible to watch all the players and action that occurs in the secondary on their side of the field.
Thank you to The Lemon Bowl organization for kindly assisting us in putting together this event. You can visit their webpage at www.TheLemonBowl.org for more info on their successful events.
