1. Equipment/Score Sheets:

▪     Team captains are responsible for bringing a set of flags, bean bag and a football provided by the league to each game.

▪     Each team should bring both light and dark coloured shirts to each and every game, and a water bottle as well.

▪     Cleats are allowed but no metal spikes!!!

▪     Each player must sign a wavier before the first game, if you add a player to your team throughout the year, the player must sign a wavier before they play, even if it is only for one game.

▪     It is the responsibility of both team captains to submit at the end of the game or by email the score of the game and spirits score by 5:00pm the following day. If this does not occur, a loss will be recorded. 

▪     Each convener has a basic first aid kit (ice packs, band aids and tensors) stored in the convener's equipment bag.  The convener is the person who blows the whistle to start the game.

2. Game Time/Default:
▪     Please arrive 15 minutes early to warm up and start your games on time.

▪     Games are played rain or shine (but no lightning), cancelled games are not rescheduled. Always show to the game even if it's raining as the weather can change very quickly. At the start of the game the captains are to make the decision if the games are to be cancelled.   

LIGHTNING POLICY:   If thunder is heard within 30 seconds of seeing lightning, games will be postponed.   All participants must leave the playing area and seek shelter in a building or an automobile.  Never stand under trees, in an open field or under an umbrella.  Games will resume 15 minutes after the thunder and lightning have moved away.   If thunder and lightning are still present 15 minutes after, the game will be cancelled and the score counts as it was when the game was stopped.  Halfway point of the game must be reached (22 minutes) in order for the game to count towards the league standings.

▪     A default will occur if any team cannot field a squad 10 minutes after the official start time.

▪     A team can play with a minimum of 4 people, as long as two (2) of the players are women and two (2) of the players are men.

▪     The captains may agree to waive the rules regarding minimum people but this should be decided before the game begins. IF IT IS SPECIFICALLY AGREED THAT THE GAME COUNTS, IT COUNTS!  Agreeing to play does not infer that the game counts.

▪     If teams have the same number of points at the end of the pool play, the tiebreaker will be awarded to

a) Head to head.  If the two teams tied played each other, the winner of the game places higher.

b) Point differentials, counting only games against common opponents

c) Points scored, counting games against all common opponents.

d) Points against, counting games against all common opponents.

e) Spirit Average

f) Flip a coin

If three or more teams are tied Pool play then the following is to be used to decided who places higher.

a) Head to head.  

b) Point differentials, counting only games against the tied teams.

c) Points scored, counting games against against the tied teams.

d) Points against, counting games against against the tied teams.

e) Point differentials, counting only games against common opponents

f) Points scored, counting games against all common opponents.

g) Points against, counting games against all common opponents.

h) Flip a coin

However if two teams have a perfect pool play record (4-0), a tiebreaker game will be played

3. General Rules: 

1. Captains do a rock, paper, scissor game to decide who kicks and who receives.  

 

2. The kicking team will kick-off from their own 15 yard line. If the ball is kicked out of bounds, the offensive team will start their drive at the spot where the ball left the playing area - there is NOT an option to ask for a re-kick.  On all kick-offs the kicking team must be situated on their 15 yard line.  All players on the receiving team must be on their own side of midfield.  All kicks are to be of a 'punt' style.

3. If the ball is dropped on a kick off, it is considered a fumble and the ball is dead where it is dropped and remains in the receiving teams possession.  On a kickoff, if the ball bounces without touching anyone then a receiving player may pick up the ball and run.

4. If a player (or players) of the kicking team reaches the ball before any member of the receiving team does, then the kicking team player(s) cannot come within 3 yards of the ball before it is touched by a player from the receiving team.

5. Lateral passes (both over and underhand) are allowed on the kick off and during offensive plays (provided the lateral is passed backwards).  If the lateral pass is forwards the play is dead where the pass was made.

6. Each offensive play starts at the line of scrimmage, in the center of the field.  The ball MUST be in contact with the beanbag prior to the "snap" - i.e. a play CANNOT be started with the ball in the hands of the Quarterback behind the line of scrimmage or in the huddle.  The quarterback can "snap" the ball to him/herself, but must shout "Hut" loud enough for everyone on the field to be aware that the play has started.

7. An offensive player CAN turn their bodies from side to side , but CANNOT spin in a 360 degree circle.  If a player spins accidentally spins then the ball is dead at the point where the spin occurred.

8. Picks/Crossing Patterns - Teams MUST AVOID running pick plays (intentional or not), which often involve teams on offence running crossing pass patterns.  No offensive player may move in such a manner to cause a defensive player guarding a receiver to be obstructed by another player. Obstruction may be the result of contact with, or the need to avoid, the offending player. The obstructed defensive player must be within three meters of the receiver in order for it to be a "pick".  In the event of a pick: the obstructed player must immediately call "Pick" loudly.  A pick results in a re-down.
9. Blocking - Offensive players may not block or otherwise intentionally obstruct any defensive players.  In the event of a block the ball is dead where the infraction occurred. An offensive player is entitled to his/her stationary position and physical contact is to be avoided.  On a kick off, running play or after a receiver has caught the ball, the offensive players without the ball must not block for the runner - they must either stand still or get behind the runner for a lateral pass.  The runner is allowed to use the stationary players as blocks, as long as they were ahead of the ball carrier before they caught the ball and do not move during the play. If an offensive player without the ball (that is within 3 meters of the ball carrier), moves in such a way as to create a pick the obstructed player must immediately call "Pick" loudly and the ball is dead at the point where the ball carrier has the ball when the pick was called.

10. Offensive players cannot protect/cover/hide/block his/her flag. If the person with the ball blocks the defenders hand from grabbing their flag, the play is dead where the block occurred.

11. After each play players should check make sure their flags are on their hips.  The flag must be on top of all clothing.  For safety, shirts must be tucked in, especially if a loose, baggy shirt is being worn.  Players are asked not to wear shorts with pockets, to avoid hands being caught in the pocket.  If a flag of an offensive player with the ball inadvertently falls off, the play is stopped at that location with no re-down.  An offensive player that is missing a flag is not an eligible receiver/carrier.  If the flag of a defensive player falls off, that player may still play defensively, but is not eligible to make interceptions. If an interception is made then the missing flag is noticed after the fact, the throw is regarded as an incomplete pass and the offensive team retains possession.

 

12. Fumbles are dead balls, and are taken from the spot of the fumble and remain in the possession of the offense.

13. An offensive player can dive or jump to catch a ball, but once in possession he/she cannot leave their feet at any time.  This includes all forms of jumping and diving.  If the ball carrier breaks this rule, the play is dead at the point where the player stood before the infraction.

14. First point of contact:  A receiver is determined to be "in" or "out" based on their first point of contact with the ground.  If a player lands first with one foot in-bounds, and then the other foot touches down out-of-bounds, it IS a fair catch, but the play ends where they touched the out of bounds line.  If a player catches the ball, but is straddling or lands straddling the sideline, it is NOT a catch. Only a ONE foot landing is needed - as long as that foot touches down in-bounds first.

15. When a player carrying the ball slips or falls and any part of his/her body touches the ground (excluding the hand), the play is dead and the defense does not have to remove a flag for the play to stop. 

16. Scoring: Six points are scored when a player catches any legal pass or runs the ball into the defensive end zone prior to having one of their flags stripped.  Please note that it is not enough to have the "plain of the end zone" broken by the ball - to score a player must step over the line in the end zone.

17. The offensive team has three (3) downs to get to half or to the endzone once the line of scrimmage is past the midfield.

18. The offensive team may punt on the 3rd down only, and need to notify the defense of their intentions to do so, otherwise they must pass or run the ball.

19. The defensive team must count out loud five (5) "steamboats" before rushing the quarterback.  When counting steamboats, the defender must be situated within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage.  Steamboat calling cannot be rushed, a steamboat is the equivalent to one second of time.  If the steamboats are is rushed, the offensive can call "fast count" and the defense must back it up by one count and continue at a proper speed.  If they continue to "fast count", they must start over again.

20. The quarterback may only run the football at the end of the 5 "steamboats" when and if the defense crosses the line of scrimmage.   The defense must loudly count 5 steamboats before rushing the quarterback.  When counting steamboats, the defender must be within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage.  When the defense crosses the line of the scrimmage the steamboats are done.  A beanbag will be used to mark the line of scrimmage.  If the quarterback has not thrown the ball after 10 steamboats, then the play is dead with a loss of down. 

21. Teams receive 6 points for a touchdown.  Teams can select to have an automatic 1 point convert or to attempt a 2 point convert taken from the 5 yard line.  No kicking for converts. After each touchdown, teams switch sides and kick off (as there is no halftime in the game).

22. The offense has 30 seconds to start the next play.  It is not acceptable to run down the clock with an unnecessarily long huddle.

23. Defensive players may not create an unsafe play by stepping in front of the ball carrier or block a running lane.  As well offensive players should not run with their head down, in an attempt to run through the defenders.  Incidental contact is inevitable, but players should not be run over.  Please play safe.

24. If the offensive team is flagged in their own endzone, the down is complete and the next play shall be scrimmaged from the one yard line; no points are awarded to the defense.

25. If the ball is kicked through the end zone on either a punt or kick-off the offensive team will start their drive 10 paces out from their end zone, in the centre of the field. 

26. Minor NFL or CFL rules not stated will not apply.  For example: it is NOT a foul if a defensive player has his/her back to the ball and inadvertently blocks a pass with their arms or back of their head. 

27. A defensive player cannot intentionally put their hands in front of the face of the receiver to block their vision.  If the defense blocks a pass but in doing so physically interferes with the intended receiver, including hands close the face of the receiver, it should be deemed a catch at the point of interference and a first down, if uncontested by the defense. Slight incidental contact should not be considered interfere in most cases.  If contested by the defense it is a redown at the original line of scrimmage.  If it occurs in the endzone and is uncontested it goes to the goal line and becomes a first down.

28. Ending the Game - When the whistle blows after 30 minutes, there are 4 plays left in the game (converts and kickoffs do not count in the four plays).

29. Games in the regular season can end in a tie.  In the playoffs, if a game is tied at the end of regulation time, the game continues until a team has scored a touchdown to break the tie.  (i.e. play continues with the current line of scrimmage, the current down count and with the current team in possession of the ball).

30. Teams can call one (1) minute time-out per game if needed except during the last 10 minutes of play.

31. Only a CFL regulation ball may be used for the games.

4. Discrepancies:

▪     All games are self officiated (no referees), so teams are required to call their OWN violations, and are expected to be honest and keep a high level of sportsmanship and safety at all times.  If you feel your opponent is not being accountable, your team captain may politely intervene to discuss rules called or uncalled.  We rely on your spirit of sportsmanship and honesty to keep the matches fun and enjoyable for all. If there is a dispute and agreement cannot be reached, don't waste time arguing the play - simply redo the down.

5. Abuse/Alcohol: 

▪    Any abuse, whether it be physical, sexual or mental is not acceptable in any manner.  If this kind of abuse is reported, the player or team will receive a verbal warning.  If a second incident occurs the player or team will be asked to leave the league or tournament without refund.   Teams are responsible for other teammates actions, as a teammate, please encourage good sportsmanship at all times.  Perpetual Motion Sports & Entertainment Inc. reserves the right to eject a player or team without a warning and without a refund.  Guelph Flag Football is a coed-league for everyone to have a great night out, lets keep it that way. Alcohol is not permitted at any game or event, offenders will be asked to leave the league without refund. Playing while intoxicated is prohibited.