Official Rules - Revised, 2006
1. Field, Players, Equipment.
1. General Provisions
1. Eligibility - open to all women college members regardless of their experience.
2. The game shall be played between two teams of no more than eight players each. A team must have 6 players to play the game. Any team with less than 6 players will forfeit. The score of a forfeit will be recorded as 2-0.
3. Officials
1. The game shall normally be played under the supervision of no fewer than three officials.
2. With the agreement of both team's captains, fewer than three officials may supervise the game. (See Appendix B, Situation III.)
3. It is strongly recommended that no fewer than four officials supervise any playoff games. The fourth official will take the position of Field Judge.
4. Each team shall designate to the referee two players - one offensive and one defensive - as its captains. One player at a time shall speak for her team in all dealings with the officials. A captain's first announced choice of any options offered her team shall be irrevocable.
5. All players, coaches, trainers, and other persons affiliated with the teams are subject to the rules and shall be governed by the decisions of the officials. Affiliated persons are those authorized within the team area.
2. The Field
1. The field shall be a total of 120 yards long which includes ten yard end-zones at both ends of the playing field (100 yards). The field should be marked at ten yard intervals. The field should be 50 yards wide, with hash marks 20 yards from each sideline. With the agreement of both team's captains, a shorter field may be used. If an 80 yard field is used, the width of the field should be reduced to 40 yards. See section 2.5 for alternate field lengths and corresponding ball spots.
2. A yardage chain and down indicator shall be operated on a sideline.
3. The Ball
1. The ball shall be a regulation NCAA, youth or junior size football.
2. Before the game, the referee must approve all balls to be used.
3. Each team is responsible for providing legal balls.
4. If a team attempts to use an unapproved ball, a delay of game penalty will be assessed. If the newly substituted ball conforms to rule 1.3.1, it may then be approved for play by the referee. Otherwise, a previously approved ball must be used. (See Appendix B, Situation VI.)
4. The Players and Playing Equipment
1. Numbering is mandatory. There will be no restrictions on numbers.
2. Players of opposing teams shall wear jerseys of contrasting colors. All players of the same team shall wear the same color jerseys.
3. All players must wear the flag belts provided by the league. In the event that league flags can not accommodate all players, individual team flags may be worn. Individual team flags are restricted to defensive players.
4. Padding, tape or any bandage on a hand, wrist, forearm, elbow or knee is considered illegal equipment unless it is used to protect an injury and is approved before the game by the referee in the presence of the opposing team's captain. (See Appendix B, Situation I.)
5. Illegal equipment also includes, but is not limited to, the following:
1. Any equipment worn by a player which would confuse her opponents or endanger other players.
2. Jewelry or any other projection of metal from a player's person or clothing.
3. Shoe cleats that are over one-half inch in length and/or are metal.
4. Head protectors, jerseys, or attachments which tend to conceal the ball by closely resembling it in color.
5. Grease or any other slippery or adhesive substance applied to a player's person or clothing.
6. Any question of the legality of a player's equipment shall be decided by the referee.
2. The Season
1. During the season, each team shall play every other team once.
2. At the end of the season, the top four teams will advance to the playoffs.
1. Ranking is determined by overall record.
2. In case of a tie between two teams, the result of the regular season meeting between those teams shall determine relative ranking. If the result of this meeting was a tie, ranking shall be determined according to section 2.2.3.
3. If more than two teams are tied, ranking shall be determined by the following method: the highest ranked team is the holder of the most total offensive points after the number of points scored against them is subtracted for the games between the tied teams. If the point differential between teams is still tied, the team that allowed the least number of points in games involving the tied teams will advance. If the points allowed between two of the three teams is still tied, the highest ranked team will be the winner of a shortened game utilizing the rules of overtime.
3. The Structure of the Game
4. Games shall consist of four twelve minute quarters, with four minutes between quarters and ten minutes between halves. Referees should never “shave time” from a game. Game time can only be shortened if both teams agree.
5. For the first play of the game and after each touchdown, the ball shall be set on the 35 yard line of the offense (assuming a 100 yard playing field). The 30 yard line will be used for a 90 yard playing field and the 25 yard line will be used for an 80 yard playing field.
6. The captains of the teams shall meet with the referees prior to the game to review regulations and flip the coin. The winner of the coin flip prior to the game shall have the option of choosing possession of the ball or goal to defend. The team may also defer their choice until the second half. The loser of the coin flip will exercise the option not chosen by the winner.
7. The game will be conducted with a running clock except for the last two minutes of the second and fourth quarter. During these times, the clock will be run according to NCAA rules. Referees should review these rules before games. The clock will be stopped for a referee's time-out, to move the chains and for injuries. After a touchdown, the clock is stopped until the referee declares the ball ready for play.
8. The offense will have twenty-five seconds to snap the ball after it is declared ready for play by the referee.
9. Each team is allowed three time-outs per half. Each time-out will be of one minute in duration.
10. If the game ends with a tie score, the overtime period will be conducted in the following manner: (See Appendix B, Situation II.)
1. The referee will conduct a coin toss. The winner of the coin toss will choose one of the following options:
1. Offense or defense, with the offense at the opponent’s 20 yard line, first down and ten yards to go.
2. Which end of the field shall be used for both series of that overtime period.
2. The loser shall exercise the remaining option for the first overtime period and shall have the first choice of the two options for subsequent even-numbered overtime periods. The winner of the toss will have the choice for all subsequent odd-numbered periods.
3. If the offensive team scores, they will have the option of attempting a one or two point conversion. (See Rule 4.3.)
4. A team scoring a touchdown in the third overtime or after is NOT required to attempt a 2 point try.
5. The defensive team will take possession of the ball in the same manner.
6. This overtime period is not sudden death. Each team will have an equal number of chances to score.
7. Both the offense and the defense will have one time-out during each round of overtime play.
3. Scoring
1. Teams shall be awarded points as follows:
1. Touchdown -- 6 points
2. Safety -- 2 points
3. Conversions -- 1 or 2 points
2. A one point conversion consists of one play from the three yard line. The ball must be advanced across the goal line successfully. Running plays from this point are subject to the limitations defined in Rule 5.4.1.
3. A two point conversion consists of one play from the ten yard line. The ball must be advanced across the goal line successfully. There is no limitation on running plays.
4. During a try, the defending team can return an interception for 2 points.
4. The Play of the Game
1. Fumbles and Safeties.
1. A dropped snap is dead where the ball hits the ground.
2. A fumbled ball is dead at the point where the fumble occurs, unless the ball is fumbled backwards, which means that the ball is down where the ball hits the ground.
3. In the case of a safety, the team who is tackled in the end zone will place the ball on their own twenty yard line and kick.
2. Punts
1. A punt is to be carried out as a free kick. There will be no rushing of punts.
2. The defense must be aware that a punt is going to be made before the ball is snapped.
3. Should the ball be mishandled by the punter, she can pick it up and continue with the punt.
4. There is a ten second time limit on the punt so as to avoid a stalling situation. If it is obvious that the punting team is taking too much time, they will be assessed a delay of game penalty and the clock will be stopped until the ball is kicked.
5. No offensive player may cross the line of scrimmage during a punt. This violation shall constitute offsides. The defense must have at least five players on the line until the ball is kicked.
6. The ball is considered down (and the game clock will stop; in last two minutes of a half) where it is either batted forward, taken possession of, or stops forward progress downfield. It is not down if it is touched, batted, or deflected but continues downfield.
7. A touchback will result in the ball being spotted at the 20 yard line.
3. Limitations on Contact
1. Legal blocking is from the shoulders to the waist. Players may not be blocked in the back. Players may not intentionally turn their back on a blocker in order to draw a penalty. This is at the discretion of the referee.
2. While blocking, offensive players must simulate grasping their jerseys. Elbows must remain down and by the sides of the body.
3. Players are not allowed to dive while blocking.
4. Blocking is not permitted on the defensive secondary downfield while a pass is in the air.
5. Defensive players may use their hands, but cannot hold onto the opposing team's jerseys. She is never allowed to contact an offensive player above the shoulders.
6. Receivers may be hit once by one defender within five yards of the line of scrimmage.
7. Rushing or blocking in an unnecessarily rough manner may be cause for a personal foul without prior warning from the referee.
4. Limitations On Play and Formations
1. If the yardage needed for a touchdown is less than three yards, this rule is in effect: The ball cannot be run along a path through a point within three yards to either side of the spot at which the ball was snapped. Extra points may be run through this zone.
2. At least four and as many as seven players of the offensive team may begin each play on the line of scrimmage. Only the players on the ends of the line and in the backfield are eligible receivers; this means interior lineman cannot go downfield until the ball crosses the line of scrimmage or a forward pass is caught.
3. No player can hand the ball forward except in the following manner:
1. A player behind her scrimmage line may hand the ball forward to a backfield teammate who is also behind the line.
2. A player behind his scrimmage line may hand the ball forward to a teammate who was on the scrimmage line, provided that the player left the scrimmage line by a movement of both feet that faced her towards her own end line and was at least two yards behind the scrimmage line when she received the ball.
4. All offensive players that are going to participate in the next play must be within twenty yards of the ball at some point before the ball is snapped.
5. All players on the line of scrimmage must be stationary for at least one full second before the ball is snapped.
6. No defensive player is permitted to be in the neutral zone at the snap of the ball. The neutral zone is defined as a zone one yard wide, extending from sideline to sideline on the defensive side of the line of scrimmage.
7. Early Removal of Flags
1. Players must have possession of the ball before they can be deflagged legally by an opponent.
2. When a runner loses her flag belt either accidentally, inadvertently (nor removed by grabbing or pulling), or on purpose (prematurely), play continues. The deflagging reverts to a one hand tag of the runner (anywhere except the head and neck).
3. In circumstances where a flag belt is removed illegally, play should continue with the option of the penalty or the play (Penalty – personal foul; 15 yards).
4. An opponent intentionally pulling a flag belt from a player without the ball is illegal (Penalty – personal foul; 15 yards).
5. If a player begins a play with a flag missing, the opposing team has the option of accepting a 5-yard penalty or accepting the result of the play.
5. Penalties
1. Five yard penalties:
1. False start
4. Illegal procedure, which includes:
2. Illegal snap.
3. Illegal motion.
4. Failure to observe the three yard zone of demarcation to either side of the center.
5. Offsides.
6. Encroachment.
7. Unintentional charging. (See Appendix B, Situation IV.)
8. Illegal forward pass, (also loss of down) which includes:
2. Two forward passes on the same play.
3. Throwing a forward pass after having crossed the line of scrimmage.
9. Intentionally fumbling the ball backwards out of bounds (also loss of down.)
10. Ineligible receiver downfield (also loss of down.)
2. Ten yard penalties:
1. Holding. (See Appendix B, Situation V.)
2. Flag guarding.
3. Illegal block.
5. Hurdling.
3. Fifteen yard penalties
1. Personal fouls, which include:
3. Intentional charging. (See Appendix B, Situation IV.)
2. Clipping.
4. Offensive pass interference
5. Unsportsmanlike conduct.
1. This includes illegal equipment.
Appendix A: Definitions of Terminology
When an offensive player in possession of the ball initiates contact with a defensive player, one of the following may be called:
Unintentional charging: Non-deliberate contact. (5 yard penalty)
Intentional charging: Deliberate contact. (15 yard penalty, personal foul)
Running or diving into the back, or throwing or dropping the body across the back of the legs of an opponent. (15 yard penalty)
Failure to put the ball in play before expiration of the play clock. (5 yard penalty)
If an offensive player is in or beyond the neutral zone when the ball is snapped, encroachment shall be called. (5 yard penalty)
All offensive players on the line of scrimmage must remain in a set position for at least one count before the ball is snapped. (5 yard penalty)
Any arm action or motion that inhibits the defensive player's access to the flag (the ball is an extension of the arm). (10 yard penalty)
The use of hands or arms to grasp, pull, encircle, or push in any way that illegally impedes or obstructs any opponent. (10 yard penalty)
An attempt by a player to jump with one or both feet or knees foremost over an opponent who is still on her feet. (10 yard penalty)
Any formation that fails to conform to Rules 5.4.1 - 5.4.4. (5 yard penalty)
Any motion by an offensive player before the snap toward the opponents' goal line. (5 yard penalty)
Any motion by more than one offensive player that is not concluded at least one full second before the snap. (5 yard penalty)
Any snap that does not pass between the center's legs, or is not received first by a member of the offensive backfield. (5 yard penalty)
When any player, offensive or defensive, strikes an opponent in the head or neck area, illegal use of the hands may be called.
Any otherwise legal contact initiated by a defensive player on an eligible receiver:
After the first such contact within five yards of the line of scrimmage or
More than five yards downfield. (10 yard penalty)
Throwing a forward pass into an area unoccupied by an eligible receiver in order to prevent loss of yardage. (5 yard penalty, loss of down)
Offsetting Penalties
If members of both teams commit fouls during a down or while the ball is ready for play for such a down, that down shall be repeated. If offsetting fouls occur between successive downs, the next down shall be the same as it would have been had no fouls occurred.
When a defensive player is in or beyond the neutral zone when the ball is snapped, contacts an opponent beyond the neutral zone before the ball is snapped, or contacts the ball before the snap, she is offsides. If the player crosses the line of scrimmage or is in the neutral zone before the snap, but gets back to her side of the line of scrimmage without making any contact and before the ball is snapped, she is not offsides.
After the pass is in the air, neither the pass receiver nor the defender may touch the other until one of them touched the ball. If contact occurs, interference - either offensive or defensive - can be called. The pass must be deemed catchable to constitute interference. (Offensive: 15 yard penalty; Defensive: Spot of foul or 15 yard penalty – whichever is lesser). For defensive pass interference where the original line of scrimmage is between the 17 yard line and 2 yard line, the ball is spotted at the two yard line. Defensive pass interference results in an automatic first down.
Quick Whistle
If an official whistles the play dead prematurely, the team with possession of the ball at that point shall have the choice of accepting the result of the play with the ball at the spot where it was prematurely whistled dead or taking the play over as the same down.
Defensive players may not have any unreasonable contact with the passer while she is passing or immediately after. If the defensive player contacts the passer's throwing arm while she is in the motion of throwing the ball, roughing the passer should be called. (15 yard penalty; automatic first down)
Unnecessary roughness is reckless or malicious contact which, in the opinion of the referee, poses unnecessary risk of injury to any player. (15 yard penalty; automatic first down)
Appendix B: Situations
Failure to check illegal equipment with the referee before the game
Midway through the first quarter, Team B's defensive captain points out to the referee that a member of Team A's offensive line is wearing a forearm pad. The referee immediately assesses a 15-yard illegal equipment penalty (Rule 5.3.4.1), since the Team A player did not get the pad approved prior to the start of the game. (Rule 1.4.4) It is the responsibility of the players request referee approval of all additional equipment before the start of the game. After the penalty is assessed, the Team A player with the forearm pad may continue to wear the pad if the pad is being used to protect an injury.
At the end of regulation play, Team A and Team B have played to a tie score of 14-14. Each team sends their captains to the center of the field to conduct a coin toss. Team A wins the coin toss and elects to start on offense. The ball is placed on Team B's 20-yard line, first down and ten to go. Team A gains 12 yards on their first play, resulting in first down and goal to go from the 8-yard line. First down results in an incomplete pass, but Team A gains 6 yards on second down. Team B's defense prevents Team A from scoring on third or fourth downs (which were limited by the 3-yard zone of demarcation described in Rule 5.4.1), thus ending Team A's drive. Team B then takes possession of the ball on the same 20-yard line. Four incomplete passes end Team B's opportunity to score in the first overtime period. The officials assemble the captains again for the start of overtime period 2. Team B, now with the choice, chooses to play defense first. Team A chooses the end to play on. Team A begins the second overtime period by once again taking possession of the ball at the 20-yard line. One their first play from scrimmage, Team A runs the option and breaks away from the defense for a touchdown. Team A elects to attempt a one-point conversion and successfully scores the conversion. Since Team A's offense began the overtime period, Team B's offense has another opportunity to tie or win the game. (Rule 3.6.5) Team B scores a touchdown but fails in their attempt to gain a two-point conversion from the 10-yard line. Team A is the winner of the game by a score of 21-20.
In a different game, at the end of regulation play, Team A and Team B are tied with a score of 7-7. Team A chooses first possession in the overtime period. Other than on a try, Team B intercepts a pass or fumble and returns it for a touchdown. The game is over, with Team B winning 13-7.
In yet another game, at the end of regulation play, Team A and Team B are tied with a score of 13-13. Team A chooses first possession in the overtime period. Team A scores a touchdown, making the score 6-0. On Team A’s try, Team B intercepts a pass and returns it for a 2 point touchdown. Team B will now start its possession on the 20 yard-line, with the score 6-2 in favor of Team A.
Fewer than three officials are present at game time
At game time, only one official is present. The lone official has made attempts to contact her waylaid colleagues, but she has been unsuccessful. A fan on Team A's sideline is a qualified official, so the referee asks both team captains to join her for a conference. Both team captains agree that the fan can impartially don the zebra stripes and the game begins on time with only two officials.
Intentional and unintentional charging
Team A's running back breaks through the line of scrimmage and runs over Team B's free safety. The back judge calls a 15-yard personal foul, since the runner failed to make any attempt to avoid the contact. The penalty is assessed from the spot of the foul and the down is repeated. On the next play, the same runner breaks through the line of scrimmage and collides into the free safety. Both women fall to the ground, and the back judge once again throws a flag. The referee announces that the infraction will only be a 5-yard penalty because the runner attempted to avoid the free safety, but contacted her in spite of her efforts. (Rule 5.5.1.7, Rule 5.5.3.3)
Holding
In an attempt to grab a flag, Team B's linebacker grabs a handful of the Team A runner's shorts. Realizing her violation of the rules the linebacker releases her hold on the runner's garment, and the runner continues unimpeded. The shorts are obviously pulled, and Team A's sideline immediately begins decrying the obvious incompetence of the officiating crew. Since the runner's progress was not impeded by the alleged holding, no foul was committed. Later in the series, the linebacker attempts to take advantage of this seeming loophole in the rules. She grabs a handful of shorts, but is not quite so quick to let go. The linebacker quickly grabs the flag, but cringes when she sees three yellow flags flying her direction. (Rule 5.5.2.1)
When calling holding penalties referees (and cacophonous fans) should be aware that just because the shorts are pulled, holding has not necessarily occurred.
Attempted Use of an Unapproved Ball
Team A is stopped on third down and elects to punt. As the Referee places the ball at the line of scrimmage, he notices that Team A has substituted an unapproved rugby ball in place of the regulation ball they had been using. (Rule 1.3.1) The Referee therefore immediately assesses a 5-yard Delay of Game penalty and fourth down is repeated.