(1) NUMBER OF DOWNS
For all games teams will play 4 down football with
the one yard neutral zone. The offence must
throw a legal forward pass on at least one of the
first three downs in each series of downs.
Failure to do so will result in an
"Illegal Procedure" penalty. Officials will not stop play until the
ball is dead. Attempting to pass and getting sacked or being forced to run will
not satisfy this rule. The ball must be thrown as a legal forward pass. Any
pass that is little more than a glorified handoff
will not satisfy this rule. A
lateral pass will not satisfy this rule. Officials should point this out to a
team that has just thrown a lateral pass. A five yard penalty will be applied
and the down repeated. The offensive team will still be obligated to pass the
ball again after the penalty has been applied.
The defensive team has the option to decline the
penalty, let the play stand and bring up fourth down. The offensive team can run
the ball on fourth down.
In order to avoid this penalty teams
are strongly advised to pass on either first or second down.
(2) PRESSURE DEFENCE RESTRICTIONS
The defence can have as many defensive lineman as the offense has interior
offensive lineman (ie. C, G, T, TE). Linebackers and
defensive backs are not allowed to blitz.
Defensive ends cannot line up wider than an "outside
shade" on the most outside interior offensive lineman, (i.e.
T, TE). The defensive end's inside foot cannot be outside of the offensive
lineman's outside foot.
There is no
restriction on where linebackers or defensive backs can line up.
Linebackers and
defensive backs cannot cross the line of scrimmage until the quarterback no
longer has the ball or has left the pocket.
If this rule is violated the defence will
be penalized 5 yards for "illegal defence".
This rule is not in effect when there is
two yards or less to go for a first down or when the offense is scrimmaging
inside the defensive team's 2 yard line.
Note from
officials:
Any
End player lined up on
the line of scrimmage
must be at least 3 yards outside the
T on
the snap to NOT be
classified as a TE for the purposes of this rule. Any player lined up behind
the line of scrimmage
(other than the QB) must be at least 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage OR 3
yards outside the T,
TE on
the snap to NOT be
classified as a TE for the purposes of this rule.
(3) SPECIAL TEAMS
There
will be kickoffs. No short kickoffs.
There will be punts. No fake punts
or onside players are allowed. No rush on the punter is allowed. The receiving
team can put a maximum of two players back to receive the punt. All others are
to remain in the line of scrimmage area until the ball has been snapped. The
receiving team is to concentrate on punt return and not punt block.
There will be kicked converts. Successful
kicked converts will be
worth two points. Successful converts by run or pass will be
worth one point. For games in Moncton this is reversed.
(4) GAME LENGTH
When possible games will consist of four 12
minute quarters, timed according to the rulebook. Otherwise games will consist
of four 15 minute quarters straight time, except for the last three minutes of
each half which will be timed according to the rulebook.
(5) COACHES ON THE FIELD
Each team can have two coaches on the field
to help "develop" players skills. Coaches are not on the field to help
officiate the game.
(5) FAIR PLAY RULE
No
player is allowed to play both offence and defence, in the same quarter,
unless the following conditions exist:
(1) A team has less than 24 players available at start of
game or due to injury, etc.
(2) A team with 24 or more players dressed lacks suitable
bodies for certain positions, most likely linemen. Coaches of the two teams
should attempt to reach agreement in such situations, with player safety being
the most important factor. The referee will decide if the coaches can't agree.
This program is
"developmental" so coaches are to concentrate on getting all players
ample playing time rather than trying to win the game.
5) MERCY
RULE
Once a team takes and
maintains an 18 point lead, the starting running backs can no longer play
offence. They are still permitted to play defence.
Once a
team takes and maintains a lead of 30 points the trailing coach will have the
option of timing being straight time. The referee can enforce straight time if
he feels conditions warrant.
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