ROSTER REQUIREMENTS

• Teams will consist of a maximum of 10 players (5 on field at one time) Super Senior teams will consist of a maximum of 14 players (7 on field at one time)
• Each player must play a minimum of 20 minutes.
• Each player must have a starting position for each game (exceptions: A player who is on disciplinary action and coach has submitted the form to the Board by 9pm on the Friday prior to game and must have board approval prior to game OR a player arriving to the game after it has started.  Players arriving late must wait until a quarter break or a sub timeout to enter the game.
• Teams must start ALL games with a coach present
• Teams can start and play with 4 players but no less, opponent still plays with 5 players. A five-minute grace period will be allowed by the officials for an extra player to arrive before the forfeit is called. Any team with less than 4 players at the start of a game will lose the game by forfeit.  All forfeits are recorded as a 0-6 loss.
• Any game started that is unable to be completed due to the inability to maintain field minimum of 4 players (injury or illness during the game) will be rescheduled.  Game will resume at the point at which it was stopped with only the players on the original lineup card eligible to finish the game.

PLAYING TIME RULES: 
The following rules are in place to ensure players have equal playing time throughout the game:

• At the beginning of each quarter the coaches must submit a line-up card to the referee. The line-up card (Supplied by NPSC) will consist of offensive and defensive designated players. Each player on a team must be designated as a starter on either offense or defense.
• Prior to the beginning of each subsequent quarter (2nd, 3^rd, and 4^th), coaches have the ability to submit a new line-up card to the referee. Once the line-up card is submitted, no changes or player substitutions will be permitted unless a timeout has been called. Once again, each player on a team must have a designated position on either offense or defense and play the entire quarter in that capacity (offense or defense).
• During each half player substitutions will be as follows: A coach can use one timeout to change his lineup card for the duration of that particular quarter. Every player must still have a starting position on either offense or defense.
• Substitutions will only be permitted for a coach who calls the timeout. The opposing coach must stay with his/her original lineup for the quarter unless he/she informs the referee that he/she would also like to use a timeout (simultaneous to the other timeout) to change the quarter’s lineup card team. Only one timeout is allowed per half for player substitutions; each substituting team will be charged for a timeout (even if the actual timeout occur at the same time).
• Referee’s will collect the line-up cards at the beginning of each quarter and conduct player line-up verifications.
• Referees have the ability to stop the game at any time to conduct a “Line-up” check if they believe an illegal substitution has been made.
• If an opposing coach believes an illegal substitution was made, he/she may use a timeout (if they still have any timeouts in their possession) and request for the referee to conduct a line-up check. If a coach is out of timeouts then he/she will not be able to request a “line-up” check.
• If the coach calling a timeout check is correct, then he/she will be awarded their timeout back.
• Illegal substitutions will be enforced as an “unsportsmanlike” conduct penalty.
• Two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties per game, including those from a coach misusing the playing time rule, will result in the ejection of the teams head coach. 
• At the start of each game, captains from both teams shall meet at midfield for the coin toss to determine who shall start with the ball.  The visiting team shall call the coin toss.
• Teams change sides after the first half.  Possession changes to the loser of the coin toss.
• The winner of the coin toss will have the option to be on offense first, defense first, or defer the choice of possession to the loser of the coin toss.  After possession of the ball has been determined, the team that did not choose possession will choose which end zone to defend.
• The Instructional and Rookie divisions NO-RUN zones have been eliminated. All divisions have 3 plays to cross midfield and 3 thereafter to score a touchdown.  (Exception:  Instructional division. This division has 6 plays to score.)
• The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has three (3) plays to cross midfield.  Once a team crosses midfield, it has three (3) plays to score a touchdown.
• If the offense fails to score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over on the closest 5-yard line.
• If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive from the closest 5-yard line.
• All possession changes, except interceptions, start on the offense’s 5-yard line.
• There are no kickoffs or punts.
• No blocking, tackling, or intentional contact is allowed.

PLAYOFF TIE BREAKERS (only applicable to spring seasons-every team makes the postseason tournament during the fall seasons):

o   1^st- Overall record

o   2^ND Head to head winner

o   3^RD Points Differential - To determine the best combined ranking among team's in points scored and points allowed, add a team's position in the two categories, and the lowest score wins. For example, if Team A is first in points scored and second in points allowed, its combined ranking is "3." If Team B is third in points scored and first in points allowed, its combined ranking is "4." Team A then wins the tiebreaker. If two teams are tied for a position, both teams are awarded the ranking as if they held it solely. For example, if Team A and Team B are tied for first in points scored, each team is assigned a ranking of "1" in that category, and if Team C is third, its ranking will still be "3."

4^TH Coin toss

●       The PAT (Point after Touchdown) can be attempted for 1 point (from the 5-yard line) or 2 points (from the 12-yard Line).

o   1 point PAT is passing only.

o   2 point PAT can be a run or pass.

●       Safety: 2 points

o   A safety occurs when the ball carrier is declared down in his/her end zone.  A ball carrier is declared down when their flags are pulled by a defensive player, their flag falls out, they step out of bounds or they hit the ground with their knee or arm, or ball is dropped in the end zone.  In order to be considered down in the end zone BOTH flags must be behind the goal line at the time the ball carrier is deemed down by the official. 

o   A safety also occurs when there is an offensive penalty in the end zone.

o   The team that scores a safety will also receive offensive possession of the football at the nearest 5 yard line.

●       A team that scores a touchdown must declare whether it wishes to attempt a 1-pt conversion (from the 5 yard line) or a 2-pt conversion (from the 12-yard line).  Any change, once a decision is made to try for the extra point, requires a charged time out.  If the team is out of timeouts, the decision will not be changed.  Decision cannot be changed after a penalty. Interceptions on conversions cannot be returned.

●       Mercy Rule: During the regular season, after one team is winning by twenty-eight points or more at halftime or later, the game will be declared over, and the game will go into Scrimmage mode. During a playoff game the losing team has the option to continue playing or goi into scrimmage mode

●       Scrimmage Mode:  The losing team gets the ball for the first possession with a running clock until the game is completed

REGULATION:

• Games are played on a 40 minute continuous clock.  The clock stops for time outs, and all penalties until the ball is spotted for play by the referee.  During the last two minutes of the game the clock will restart on the snap of the ball after each penalty.
• Game clock will stop after touchdowns and will not run during extra point attempts. Clock will restart once the ball is spotted and referee signals play to begin. Clock will not stop on safeties.
• Halftime is 10 minutes long. One minute break between quarters.
• Each time the ball is spotted, a team has 30 seconds to snap the ball.  This 30 second play clock is started as soon as the ball is spotted by the official. 
• Each team has two 60 second time outs per half.
• Officials can stop the clock at their discretion.
• In the event of an injury the clock will stop and then restart when the injured player is removed from the field of play.
• If the score is tied at the end of 40 minutes, teams move directly into overtime.

OVERTIME:

• Overtime periods will be 10 minutes in length.  In any overtime period each team will be guaranteed at least one possession and awarded one 60 second timeout.  If the game is tied after each team has had one possession then the remainder of the overtime period will be Sudden Death and the first team to score will win the game.
• The first overtime possession is determined by coin toss.
• During the regular season only one overtime period will be played.  If the game is tied at the end of the overtime period, it will remain a tie and the game will be finalized and scored as a tie.
• In playoff and championship games overtime will continue until a winner has been determined.  If the game is tied after each team has had its first possession, the game will move into Sudden Death and the first team to score will win.

●       The ball is live at the snap of the ball and remains live until the official whistles the ball dead.

●       The official will indicate the neutral zone and line of scrimmage.  It is an automatic dead ball foul if any player on defense or offense enters the neutral zone.  In regards to the neutral zone, the official may give both teams a “courtesy” neutral zone notification to allow their players to move back beyond the line.

●       Any official can whistle the play dead.

 Play is ruled “dead” when:

o   The ball hits the ground

o   The ball carrier’s flag is pulled

o   The ball carrier steps out of bounds

o   A touchdown, PAT or safety is scored.

o   The ball carrier’s knee hits the ground.

o   The ball carrier’s flag falls out

o   The receiver catches the ball while in possession of one flag

o   The 7 second pass clock expires. (Clock is off once the ball is handed off.)

o   An inadvertent whistle is performed (at the spot where the ball was whistled dead).  In the case of an inadvertent whistle, the offense has two options:

●       Take the ball where the whistle blew.

●       Replay the down from the original line of scrimmage

●       Any ball dropped behind the line of scrimmage is considered a fumble.  The ball is then spotted at the point where the ball hits the ground and is a dead ball.  If the ball is fumbled beyond the line of scrimmage it will be spotted where the ball carriers furthermost flag are when the fumble occurs and will be a dead ball.  All fumbles are considered a dead ball.

• An offensive team must have a minimum of one player on the line of scrimmage (the center) and up to four players on the line of scrimmage at the start of the play.
• The quarterback must be off the line of scrimmage at the start of the play.
• One player at a time may go in motion 1-yard behind and parallel to the line of scrimmage.
• No motion is allowed towards the line of scrimmage.
• Offensive players must come to a complete stop for one second before the ball is snapped unless he/she is the one player in motion.
• Movement by a player who is set or a player who runs toward the line of scrimmage while in motion is considered a false start.
• The center must snap the ball with a rapid and continuous motion between his/her legs to a player in the backfield, and the ball must completely leave his/her hand. Push backs from QB are not allowed.

●       All players who rush the passer must be a minimum of seven yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped.  Any number of players can rush the quarterback.  Players not rushing the quarterback may defend on the line of scrimmage.

●       Once the ball has left the quarterback’s hand the seven yard rule no longer is in effect and all defenders may go behind the line of scrimmage.

●       A special marker or the wing judge will designate rush line seven yards from the line of scrimmage.  Defensive players should verify they are in the correct position with the official on every play.

●       A legal rush is:

o   Any rush from a point seven yards beyond the line of scrimmage.

o   A rush from anywhere on the field AFTER the ball has left the hand of the quarterback.

o   If a rusher leaves the rush line early, they may return to the rush line, reset and then legally rush the quarterback.

o   If a rusher leaves the rush line early and the ball leaves the quarterback’s hand before they cross the line of scrimmage, they may legally rush the quarterback.

●       A penalty will be called if:

o   The rusher leaves the rush line before the snap and crosses the line of scrimmage before a handoff, toss, or pass- (Illegal Rush).

o   Any defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped- (Offside).

o   Any defensive player not lined up at the rush line crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is out of the quarterback’s hand- (Illegal Rush).

●       Special Circumstances:

o   Teams are not required to rush the quarterback.

o   Teams are not required to identify their rusher before the play.

o   If the rusher leaves the seven yard rush line before the snap, he/she may immediately drop back to act as a defender with no offside penalty enforced.

●       Players rushing the Passer may attempt to block a pass. 

●       Attempting to block the pass and then striking the passer will result in a penalty.  Contacting the ball while still in the passer’s hand will result in a penalty.

●       A sack occurs if the QB’s flags are pulled behind the line of scrimmage with the QB still in possession of the ball.  The ball is placed where the furthermost flag is when the sack occurs.

●       A Safety is awarded if the sack takes place in the offensive team’s end zone.

●       If the referee witnesses any acts of unsportsmanlike conduct as defined below, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty will be enforced, the game will be stopped and the player will be warned or ejected from the game.  The decision is made at the referee’s discretion.  No appeals!  FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

●       Offensive or confrontational language is illegal.  Officials have the right to determine offensive language.  If offensive or confrontational language occurs, the referee may give one warning.  If it continues, the player, coach or spectator will be ejected from the game.

●       Players, coaches and spectators may not physically or verbally abuse any opponent or official.

●       Ball carriers MUST make an effort to avoid defenders with an established position.

●       Defenders are not allowed to run through the ball carrier when pulling flags.

●       Players who intentionally hurt or injure another player will be ejected from the game.

●       Fans are required to keep field’s safe and kid friendly.

●       ALL UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT PENALTIES RESULTING IN A PLAYER, COACH OR PARENT GAME EJECTION WILL BE REVIEWED BY THE NPSC BOARD. Players, coaches or parents ejected from a game will serve a minimum of an additional one game suspension to be served at their next regularly scheduled game. Furthermore, the NPSC Board has the discretion to increase the suspension from one game to a season ending suspension. Individuals serving a season long suspension must come before the NPSC Board to petition reinstatement if so interested.

●       Upon ejection, ejected coach, parent, or player will be asked to leave the NPSC facilities.

●       All penalties (except unsportsmanlike conduct) will be enforced half the distance to the goal when the entire distance cannot be enforced.

●       Flag Obstruction- All jerseys must be tucked in before each play begins unless the jersey is at or above the belt line.  The flags must be on the player’s hips (angled away from the body) and free from obstruction.   A player whose jersey is untucked at the start of a play and hang below the belt line will be called for flag guarding at the point at which he/she gains possession of the ball.  If the jersey comes untucked during the play the player will not be called for flag guarding.

●       If the midfield line to gain is reached and then an offensive spot foul occurs beyond the line to gain the first down will be awarded prior to penalty enforcement.  The penalty will be enforced from the spot and the current down that will be lost will be the first down that was gained.  Therefore, in this unique situation, it would become second down and goal to go, even if the penalty moves the ball back behind the midfield line to gain.  A down must be lost on an offensive penalty and a team cannot gain a first down twice in a single possession, except by a penalty that awards an automatic first down.

●       In regards to penalties, CONTACT shall be defined as physical contact above and beyond what is expected within the framework of the game of flag football OR any contact caused by a player sacrificing control of his/her body in any way (ex. sliding, jumping, spinning, hurdling, etc.).

●       A team is allowed to use a time out to question an official’s rule interpretation.  If the rule is interpreted incorrectly, the time out will not be charged and the proper ruling will be enforced.  Officials should all agree upon any controversial call in order to give each team the full benefit of each call.  If the ruling is correct the team will be charged a time out.

●       All coaches will be awarded one "coach’s challenge" per game. This challenge will not be used on judgment calls.  The challenge must be called prior to another play starting. A coach must show the referee his rulebook to challenge a call (coaches with no rule book can't show the referee the correct call and therefore will be ineligible to challenge the call).  A coach will have one minute....if they can't find the rule or show that a different call should be made, the challenge is lost.  If the coach is awarded the ruling, the referee will make the necessary corrections and the challenge is still lost (only one challenge per game).

●       COACHES HAVE THE RIGHT TO DECLINE PENALTIES.

●       OFFENSIVE PENALTIES

o   FLAG GUARDING- (1) Any attempt by the ball carrier to impede a defender’s access to his/her flags using any part of their body or the football, including lowering the shoulder, head, or elbow.  (2) Flag obstruction (defined above). ENFORCEMENT:  10 yards from the spot of the foul and loss of the current down.

o   CHARGING- The act of a ball carrier running into or causing contact with a defender who has established his/her position in the field of play (including lowering the head or making contact with the shoulder, chest, or forearm) OR the act of a ball carrier running into or causing contact with a defender caused by the ball carrier giving up control of his/her body in the act of making football move (jumps, dives, spins, etc.).  ENFORCEMENT:  10 yards from the spot of the foul and loss of the current down.

o   BLOCKING - Any attempt or contact by an offensive player to impede a defender’s access to the ball carrier by moving into the path of the defender. This includes any stationary offensive player extending any part of his/her body in an attempt to slow or impede a defender’s progress to the ball carrier, or running with the ball carrier downfield and/or impeding the path of the defensive rusher to the quarterback. ENFORCEMENT: 10 yards from the spot and loss of the current down.

o   ILLEGAL MOTION- (1) A movement of any offensive player toward the line of scrimmage prior to the snap (false start).  (2) Motion by two or more offensive players within one second of the snap.  ENFORCEMENT:  5 yards from the line of scrimmage and loss of the current down.

o   ILLEGAL FORWARD PASS- (1) Throwing a pass from beyond the line of scrimmage (a player is considered beyond the line of scrimmage when his/her furthermost flag has gone beyond the line of scrimmage, even if they then return to a position behind the line of scrimmage).  (2) A pass received behind the line of scrimmage and then advanced by the ball carrier beyond the line of scrimmage on a play that began in a No-Run Zone.  (3) A pass thrown and then received by the same offensive player without first being touched by a defender.  ENFORCEMENT:  5 yards from the line of scrimmage and loss of the current down.

o   ILLEGAL CONTACT- (1) The act of an offensive player using contact with a defender to create separation or establish position prior to the ball being thrown by the passer.  (2) Any contact caused by an offensive player with a defender due to either the offensive player giving up control of his/her body in the act of making a football move (jumps, dives, spins, etc.) OR an angle taken by a receiver that carries him/her into a defender.  ENFORCEMENT:  5 yards from the line of scrimmage and loss of the current down.

o   PASS INTERFERENCE- (1) Any moving screen or pick by an offensive player in an attempt to impede a defender’s ability to cover a receiver, whether by play design or player decision.  (2) The act of an offensive player using contact with a defender to create separation, establish position, or gain advantage after the ball has been thrown.  ENFORCEMENT:  5 yards from the line of scrimmage and loss of the current down.

o   OFFSIDES- Any stationary offensive player with any part of his/her body beyond the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball.  ENFORCEMENT:  5 yards from the line of scrimmage and loss of the current down.

o   DELAY OF GAME- Failure of the offense to snap the ball before the play clock has expired.  ENFORCEMENT:  5 yards from the line of scrimmage and loss of the current down.

o   UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT- (1) Unnecessary Roughness--An illegal play in which a player, in the judgment of the officials, uses tactics above and beyond what are necessary to perform his/her responsibilities during the play.  (2) Rude, confrontational, inappropriate language, offensive behavior, taunting, contact with the intent to injure or harm another player.  (3) Any coach not controlling his sideline, including assistant coaches, players, and spectators.  (4) Failure to start a player, failure to give a player his/her required playing time, illegal substitutions.   ENFORCEMENT:  15 yards from the line of scrimmage (ball will be placed on the 1 yard line where 15 yards cannot be enforced) and loss of the current down.

●       DEFENSIVE PENALTIES

o   STRIPPING- An intentional attempt by any defensive player to remove the football from the ball carrier’s control.  ENFORCEMENT:  10 yards from the spot and replay the down.

o   PASS INTERFERENCE- The act of a defensive player using contact with a receiver to create separation, establish position, or gain advantage after the ball has been thrown.  ENFORCEMENT:  The ball is placed at the spot of the foul and the offense is awarded an automatic first down.

o   ILLEGAL CONTACT- (1) The act of a defensive player using contact with an offensive to create separation or establish position prior to the ball being thrown by the passer.  (2) Any contact caused by a defensive player with an offensive player due to either the defensive player giving up control of his/her body in the act of making a football move (jumps, dives, spins, etc.) OR an angle taken by a defender that carries him/her into a receiver.  ENFORCEMENT:  5 yards from the spot and replay the down.

o   OFFSIDES-  Any defensive player with any part of his/her body beyond the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball.  ENFORCEMENT:  5 yards from the line of scrimmage and replay the down.

o   HOLDING- (1) A defender attempting to slow the progress of the ball carrier by holding either the clothing of the ball carrier or any part of the ball carrier’s body.  (2) The act of a defender reaching across the body of the ball carrier to the far flag and slowing the ball carrier with his/her arm.  ENFORCEMENT:  5 yards from the spot and replay the down.

o   ILLEGAL FLAG PULL- A defender pulling the flag of an offensive player who does not possess the ball at the time of the flag pull (an illegal flag pull will not be called if, in the judgment of the officials, the pull was a result of deception by the offense and the defender was unable to determine possession).  ENFORCEMENT:  5 yards from the spot and replay the down.

o   ILLEGAL RUSH- A defender crossing the line of scrimmage while the quarterback is still in possession of the ball when any part of the defender was in front of the 7 yard blitz line at the snap and he/she has not reestablished position behind the 7 yard blitz line.  ENFORCEMENT:  5 yards from the line of scrimmage and replay the down.

o   ROUGHING THE PASSER- Contact by a defender with the passer during the act of the throw or contact with the ball while still in the hand of the passer during the act of the throw.  ENFORCEMENT:  10 yards from the line of scrimmage and replay the down.

o   UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT- (1) Unnecessary Roughness--An illegal play in which a player, in the judgment of the officials, uses tactics above and beyond what are necessary to perform his/her responsibilities during the play.  (2) Rude, confrontational, inappropriate language, offensive behavior, taunting, contact with the intent to injure or harm another player.  (3) Any coach not controlling his sideline, including assistant coaches, players, and spectators.  (4) Failure to start a player, failure to give a player his/her required playing time, illegal substitutions.  (5) Mimicking the offensive cadence in an attempt to confuse the offense.   ENFORCEMENT:  15 yards from the line of scrimmage (ball will be placed on the 1 yard line where 15 yards cannot be enforced) and loss of the current down.