AJBFL RULEBOOK 2003

Formations, Motion, and Contact

1. Every play must have a starting signal of “Down” before the receivers cross the line of scrimmage, a play may begin at any point after that when the QB moves the ball. At which point the defense may start their rush count.

2. Only one man may go in motion at a time that motion can be in any direction the receiver pleases

3. It is illegal to set a pick or interfere with another defender

4. It is illegal to cross the line of scrimmage before the start signal and before the ball has moved.

5. A player is ruled ineligible to touch a pass if he steps out of bounds on his own power, if he snaps the ball, if it is a punt and another teammate is already down field, or if the player began the play with out flags, unless the defense touches the ball first.

6. Blocking must be done in between the waste and shoulders. It is illegal to hold, leave your feet, or block in the back when blocking.

7. 25 second play clock that starts as soon as the ball is placed at the LOS.

Passing-The QB Position

1. The QB is allowed one QB sneak per every 3 down set, and is not allowed to do a sneak on a fourth down set or extra point. Exceptions to this rule include when the QB is being rushed, when the QB is not being guarded by someone within five feet, or when the QB receives the ball from another player during a play (not snaps).

2. The QB must hold the ball out during the start of each play then use the signal down, this signifies that when the ball moves the play has begun.

3. All backwards passes are live balls if dropped. No two passes can be thrown and caught ahead of where the previous ball was thrown.

4. All forward passes must pass the line of scrimmage and must be in the direction of a WR, however the pass is allowed to be underthrown or over thrown in the direction of a WR.

Receiving-The WR Position

1. The receiver must have one foot in bounds to catch a pass.

2. The receiver is ineligible if he runs out of bounds on his own power.

3. It is illegal for the receiver to set a pick for his other receiver.

4. The receiver has 5 steps of bump and run ability, as does the CB.

5. The ball must still and possessed when going out of bounds or hitting the ground in order for it to be complete.

6. A receiver may not push off, swat, or make hand contact with a defender at any time while the ball is in the air or after the 5-step period.

7. If at any time during a play a flag falls off at the spot of the catch the player is down.

Running- Running with the Football

1. All stiff arms must be below the neck of the defender

2. You can spin, juke, or try to run someone over

3. You are not able to guard your flags; you however are able to swing your arms in a running motion past your flag. (Officials will be trained to look for a bend in the offhand arm of at least 120 degrees)

4. You’re flags must be to the side and tucked in to the selected line.

5. You are down if a defender pulls your flag, if a flag falls out as you run, or if your knee or elbow is down and you are touched by a defender.

Special Teams and Downs

1. You have 3 downs to score

2. On 4^th down your allowed to punt or try to go to the end zone for a field goal

3. Only one man is allowed down field on a punt

4. A punt is a live ball after it travels past two white lines/orange cones.

5. No crowding the punt return or interfering after he calls a fair catch. Halo rule.

6. PAT-You can choose a 1 point freebie or go for two point conversion from 5 steps away

7. Kickoff’s can be skipped and the other team takes the ball at the 20 or touchback line, this is the choice of the kicking team.

8. Onside kicks must pass the halfway line.

Offensive Penalties

· Holding-10 step penalty

· Pass Interference-10 step penalty

· Illegal Forward Pass-5 step penalty

· False Start-5 step penalty

· Ineligible Receiver- 10 step penalty loss of down

· Flag Hiding- 15 step penalty

· Illegal contact- 15-step penalty loss of down.

· Intentional Grounding – 5-step loss from spot of throw and loss of down. If spot of throw is in the end zone it is a safty

· Illegal Motion- 5 step penalty

· Delay of Game- 5 step penalty

· Illegal pick- 10 step penalty

· Illegal QB Sneak- 5 step penalty

Special Team Penalties

· Illegal Man Down Field- 5 step Penalty Redo down

· Halo rule infraction- 10 step penalty

· Illegal touch or kick-ball is placed at the halfway line.

Defense

Rushing the QB

1. On defense you are allowed a 3 second rush a 4 second rush and a 5 second rush.

2. On 4^th down you are only allowed to use a 5 second rush

3. If the ball is handed off you are allowed to rush immediately

4. If no one is within 5 steps of the QB the QB is allowed to run

5. Multiple players are allowed to rush the QB

Tackling

1. All tackling is to take place when the player has the ball not before or long periods after

2. Tackling doesn’t include the grabbing of shirts or other body parts

3. Tackling is for flag pulling it is illegal to bring someone to the ground with intent.

Coverage

1. All types of coverage are allowed.

2. There’s a 5 Step bump period

3. It is illegal to make contact after that point or block a receivers view. You must be looking at the ball in order to not be called for blocking a players view.

Fumble and Interceptions

1. A fumble is ruled a fumble if the ball is loose before the play is ruled dead, unless it’s ruled that the ground caused the fumble or the passer’s hand was moving forward

2. Extra Points can be returned for two points.

Timing and Scoring

1. Games are played in 2 running clock 15-minute halves, with a 2-minute halftime, and time will be stopped within two minutes of each half.

2. Each team gets 3 1 minute time outs in addition to the clock stopping at the 2 minute mark of each half.

3. Scoring TD-6 Freebies-1 2 point conversion- 2 EP returned by Def- 2 FG-3

Other

· Each Captain is responsible to make sure one of their team members signs up to do stats once per a 2-week period.

· Each Captain is responsible to sign up to officiate per week.

· Each winning captain is responsible to write a game summary to be placed on the website.

· Each Captain is responsible to do his part in the phone tree in case of game cancellations.

· Substitutions for when players can’t make a game will be picked by a predetermined pool of players designated by each captain.

· Shirts must be tucked in or not covering up any part of the flag. Gym shorts are to be worn and tied. And ABSOLUTELY NO CLEATS ALLOWED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

Defensive Penalties

· Holding- 10 step penalty

· Pass Interference- Spot of the foul

· Illegal tackle- 15 step penalty

· Illegitimate rush- 5 step penalty

· Offsides- 5 step penalty

· Illegal Contact- 15 step penalty

Other Penalties

· Personal Penalty- 20 Steps

· Fighting- Ejection

· Action causing delay in play-

§ 1^st offense-15 steps

§ 2^nd offense- Ejection

All penalties are to be carried out to their fullest possible distinction. Any penalty, which places a team in their end zone, will be cut short so that the team is able to play so the ball is completely out of that end zone. There will be no half the distance to the goal in this league or arguing with the officials

All officials will be forced to uphold a code of conduct in which if broken will have lasting affects for the team in which they participate on. Yardage will by considered by using the lines on the field. Each line will be placed what we will consider as 10 yards apart it is up to that statistician to take an approximate guess as to how many yards were covered by a play.