*The officiating will be done by officials who are in absolute control of the game.
*Teams are responsible for keeping their spectators under control. Misconduct of spectators, players or coaches can result in assessment of a penalty, ejection or forfeiture of the game. Spectators must also remain in the area designated by the officials.
*The official and or supervisor/commissioner have the power to make decisions on any matters or questions.
*Captain’s are required to assist in stat keeping
1. Team Requirements
- A team shall consist of at least 6 players. A team can play with a minimum of 4 players.
- Substitutions are allowed between plays and during time outs.
- Eligible players will be those that were drafted to the team on draft night, there is no picking up players after the draft has concluded. Playing a game with players not on your drafted roster will result in disqualification.
2. Equipment and Facilities
- Rubber/plastic cleated shoes will be allowed. Open toe, open heel or hard soled shoes will not be allowed. No metal cleats.
- Towels may not hang from a participant’s waist or otherwise interfere with the removal of a flag.
- Covering Flags: A team will get 1 warning, then a 15 yard penalty will be assessed.
- All flag belts must be free of knots. Penalty: Unsportsmanlike Conduct
- Each team must provide their own football. There are no requirements regarding ball pressure and markings. The referee shall be the sole judge of any ball offered for play and may change the ball during play at his or her discretion. During the game each team must use a legal ball of its choice when in possession.
- Teams must use adult flags. All team members must wear the same color shirt. Shirts may not have pockets and may not be tied in knots.
3. Start of the Game and Timing
- Toss of the Coin- Two minutes before the start of the game, the referee will conduct a captain’s meeting in which he or she will designate which captain shall call the toss of the coin. The captain winning the toss will have a choice of options for the first half or shall defer his/her option to the second half:
- to choose whether his or her team will start on offense or defense.
- to choose the goal his or her team will defend
- The captain, not having the first choice of options for a half, shall exercise the remaining option.
- One time-out a half is allowed per team. Time outs will be 90 Seconds. If time out is not used in first half, it rolls over to second half.
- The ball must be put into play no more than 30 seconds after the official has placed the ball.
- Games will be played first team to 70 points or 1 hour: Whichever occurs first, half time when one team reaches 35 points or 30 mins. Half time will be no more than 5 mins.
- Pro Clock will go into effect during the final minute of each half: Clock will stop on incomplete passes, ball being run out of bounds, and change of possession
4. Game Rules
- The ball will be placed on the 1 point conversion line after every touchdown.
- A team shall have four consecutive downs to advance to mid field to gain (and earn a first down).
- A new series of downs will be awarded when a team moves the ball past mid field. If a penalty is enforced pushing a team backwards across the mid field line: they cannot earn another 1st down.
- Turnover on Downs: If before the first down line; team receives ball 5 yards before the first down line (First and Short). If after the first down line; team receives the ball at the 5 yard line. Interceptions or fumble recoveries will be spot of ball.
- Team may elect to punt: “Receiving Team” take over at 1 point conversion line.
- Flag Belt Removal
- When the flag belt is taken from the runner, the down shall end and the ball is declared dead. The spot of the ball is determined at the point where the clip of the flag belt becomes detached, not where the belt falls to the ground.
- If a flag belt inadvertently falls off, a one hand tag between the shoulders and the knees constitutes a capture.
- A player may leave their feet to remove a flag.
- The ball becomes dead when:
- a legal deflagging occurs.
- the ball carrier touches the ground with any part of their body other than the hands or feet.
- The ball carrier runs out of bounds.
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- Each member of the offensive team is eligible to receive a pass unless the player voluntarily goes out of bounds during the play.
- Before the snap, all offensive players must come to a complete stop for at least 1 full second. Only one offensive player may be in motion, and may not be moving towards the opponent’s goal line at the time of the snap. If two or more players go in motion before the snap, then this is considered a shift and all players must come set for one full second prior to the snap.
- For a legal catch, a pass receiver must come down with at least one foot in bounds.
- Rush/Blitz-The defense may rush the quarterback after a 4 second stall count. The defense may use one blitz per set of down. Defense does not need to line up in any specific spot to be eligible to rush/blitz.
- Quarterback must begin their play verbally – person with the ball must be the one to verbally start the play
- The Quarterback may only run if the defense rushes at 4 seconds or use their blitz.
- There is no snapper in the NEFL: However if a team decides to use one on a play it will be treated as a “Pitch” play. The person receiving the backward pass will be able to throw or run. The defense will be able to rush the runner without waiting till 4 or using their blitz.
- Offense still needs to get the ball across the line of scrimmage before the 7 stall count
- All offensive players must be momentarily within 15 yards of the ball. It must be clear who the six offensive players are on each play. The intent of this rule is to eliminate all sleeper or hideout plays. These plays will result in a 10 yard penalty for illegal participation.
- 3 or more Players are Required to line up on the LOS for a legal formation
- Fumbles
- Fumbles are live.
- Offense may not advance a recovered fumble
- Defensive players must follow the “One Swipe Rule”: A defender may make one attempt at the ball before going for the flag, this is to ensure safety and avoid unnecessary aggressive acts.
- A ball fumbled and recovered into the offensive team’s end zone will result in a safety. If the ball is fumbled into the opponent’s end zone the result is a touchback (opponent’s ball on 1 point conversion line).
- Extra Point Attempts- A try for 1 point will be taken from the 5 yard conversion line. A try for two points will be taken from the 5 yards back from the 1 point line. If the defense should intercept a pass/pick up a fumble, they may return it for a score. A score will equal two points, regardless of whether or not the attempt is for one,or two points.
- Defense can blitz on a 2 point try if they still have their blitz from the drive
5. Blocking
Blocking is legally obstructing an opponent via contact with hands or body. Blockers must be on their feet before, during and after contact is made with an opponent. A blocker is allowed to contact only that portion of the opponent’s body between the waist and shoulders and the blocker’s hands must be in front or to the side of the player being blocked. (Exceptions: When the opponent turns his back to the blocker during the block or after the blocker is committed to his charge or if a blocker who loses personal body control due to an opponent’s aggressiveness after contact shall not be penalized if he contacts an opponent other than as specified). This initial point of contact against an opponent must be with open hands with palms contacting an opponent. Hands must always be in advance of the elbows and the arms must be flexed at the elbows. Players must block with hands within the frame of their body. Players are not allowed to cross their arms and thrust forward (flipper block).
Illegal Blocks: Any contact that is made outside of safe blocking zone. Blocks cannot be made above the shoulders or below the waist. Hooking, Hugging, Pulling, Tripping, laying on downed defenders. Contact made with elbows-No “Flipper Blocks” Crack Back Block. Contact must be made within the safe blocking frame. No Lunging or leaving feet to enact a block. Any contact/blocking below the waist (i.e. clipping, chop block). Contact that begins from behind, above the shoulders, or below the waist is illegal.
Stiff arms are legal, but must occur below the neck and no lower than the ribs (Shoulders/chest/middle torso) Stiff arms below the ribs will be considered flag guarding and result in a penalty. Stiff arms to the Neck/Face will be assessed a unsportsmanlike penalty and could result in ejection from the game. Offensive players may not lead with their shoulder to initiate contact – ball carrier may cover up the ball, but may not use body to make contact with defender
6. Flag Belt Removal
- In an attempt to remove the flag belt from the ball carrier, defensive players may contact the body of an opponent with his or her hands. A defensive player may not hold or knock the ball carrier down in an attempt to remove the flag. Defensive player is permitted to force ball carrier out of bounds on the sidelines.
- No player shall attempt to trip an opponent, contact an opponent who is on the ground, make unnecessary contact with an opponent, deliberately dive into an opponent or tackle the ball carrier. Penalty: personal foul, 15 yards (flagrant offenders will be ejected from the game and possibly suspended for the remainder of the season).
8. Clarifications
8.1 Overtime: Coin flip to determine who starts with ball. Teams can attempt a 1 or 2 point try. If first team goes for 1 and converts, second team may try for 2 to win – if neither team converts, possession of next series changes, team that went second goes first.
8.2 A defensive player may not remove an offensive receiver’s belt prior to the receiver touching the ball. Penalty: defensive pass interference, 5 yards and automatic first down.
8.3 A defensive player may not push a receiver who is in mid air: This will result in an unsportsmanlike penalty and ejection from the game.
8.4 A defensive player may attempt to strip the ball from the quarterback during a pass, fumbles are live and this will not result in a roughing the passer penalty
8.5 An offensive player may not dive or hurdle over, through or into an opponent who is on their feet.
8.6 Any dead-ball penalty occuring after a touchdown will be assessed on the extra point. Any dead ball penalty occurring after a conversion will be assessed on the next play from scrimmage.
8.7 An offensive player may stiff arm below the neck and as low as the ribs but may not guard his or her flags by blocking them with their hands or the ball. Flag guarding will result in a penalty.
8.8 All players on the field must wear flags. Failure to do so will result in a five yard penalty, if noticed prior to the ball being snapped. If noticed after the ball has been snapped, then the player without a flag belt must be touched with one hand between the shoulders and the knees.
8.9 The offensive team is responsible for retrieving the ball after a play. The offensive team, if they choose, may bring the ball into the huddle.
8.10 The 25 second clock begins when the official signals “ready for play.”
8.11 On extra points: if the defense has their blitz they are able to use it on a Two Point try
8.12 There is a “Last-Man Rule” in the NEFL. If a defender commits a penalty and they are the last possible defender that prevents a player from scoring a touchdown the offense will be awarded the score
8.13 Onside Kick rule: once per game in the second half, the trailing team may attempt an onside kick following a scoring drive
- team will inform official following their extra point attempt
- team will have 1 play from 5 yards to get past mid field, if converted they will retain possession at the spot the play is ruled dead past mid field. If they do not convert, defending team will take possession 5 yards from midfield (1st and short)
- Defense may not Blitz on the onside, they may only go after the QB after 4 seconds
8.14 Upon a deflagging, the spot will be placed where the ball is – IE player may extend ball across the plane to score
SUMMARY OF FOULS AND PENALTIES
Loss of 5 Yards:
1. Required equipment worn illegally.
2. Delay of game.
3. False start.
4. Encroachment.
5. Illegal Procedure
6. Illegal Blocking – Loss of Down, 5 from LOS
7. Illegal Forward Pass/Over Line Of Scrimmage (5 Yards and Loss of Down)
8. Flag Guarding (Spot Foul) Loss of Down
9. Offensive Holding – 5 yard penalty from LOS
10. Defensive Holding – 5 yard penalty from LOS repeat down OR 5 yards from end of run, down stands
Loss of 15 Yards:
1. Delaying the start of either half.
2. Illegal participation. (Loss of down)
3. Offensive pass interference. ( Loss of down)
4. Defensive pass interference. (Automatic 1st down – Spot Foul)
6. Illegally secured belt on touchdown. (Revoke touchdown and loss of down)
7. Unsportsmanlike Conduct.
- 7.1 Excessive Holding calls grounds for unsportsmanlike conduct
8. Hurdling.
9. Unnecessary contact of any sort.
10. Roughing the passer – attempting to strip ball from QB is not grounds for Roughing
11. Personal foul.
12. Flagrant Unsporstmanlike Conduct. (Disqualification)
13. Flagrant Personal Fouls. (Disqualification)
14. Intentionally Tampering with Flag Belt. (Disqualification)
15. Illegal Equipment. (Disqualification)
16. Arguing with Officials/Opposing Team (Grounds for Forfeiting Game/Ejection)
2 unsportsmanlike/personal fouls in a game will result in disqualification of the player. Any penalty deemed Flagrant will result in disqualification.
Any extreme behavioral issue that arise will be addressed by the Commissioner. Commissioner has the right to suspend players indefinitely in extreme cases.