Grand Bahama Flag Football League Rule Book

7 on 7 (No Contact) Womens Rules 9 on 9 (Semi-Contact) mens Rules - Linemen Ineligible

Establishing Principles of Good Sportsmanhip While the code attempts by rule and penalty to prohibit all forms of unnecessary roughness, unfair tactics and unsportlike conduct, it is impossible to list every conceivable dishonorable or unethical act which might take place. It is the responsibility of players, coaches, officials and team supporters to maintain the highest ethical standards. Deliberately violating the rules in the hope or expectation of not being detected is deplorable and indefensible. No true athlete should violate any of the unwritten rules which exist for the good of the game. Coaches need to be responsible for conduct of their players as they all are a reflection of the GBFFL and all its athletes. The negative actions of a few individuals may ruin the reputation, enjoyment and integrity of the sport for all.

Code of Ethics Respect to opponents, officials, organizers and own teammates - off the field as well as on. Fans who show disrespect to opposing players become a liability rather than asset. Therefore, fans need to be educated and included in the code of ethics to promote a healthy, positive atmosphere for all involved. Courteous treatment of all opposing players, fans, officials and administrators. Refraining from acts of discourtesy, such as derogatory remarks addressed toward players, taunting action, jeering for decisions made by officials against the opposing team. Graciously accepting the decisions of the officials. Being humble in victory and gracious in accepting defeat.

Player/team waiver and release of liability: Each player, coach, and official must sign: waiver & release of liability portion of the GBFFL membership forms, acknowledging that they are participating in a flag football event and agree not to hold the GBFFL or any sanctioned GBFFL leagues and events liable for any injuries or harm that may result from their participation. Once signing the membership forms, they will be honored for rest of year, requiring members for remainder of that year to sign only once during the year to expedite participation in additional tournaments

GENERAL RULES After a scoring play the ball is set at the 15 yard line. End-zones are 10 yards deep. Team area-all coaches and players must be between the 20-yard lines with players 3 yards from the field of play. First downs are obtained by crossing the 20-40-20. All rosters are final once submitted with registration at the start of the regular season. Max roster 24 players A player can only play on one team during the season. ( Not including Tournaments) No littering on the fields. Excessive littering is grounds for disqualification. We reserve the right to suspend any player or team for unsportsmanlike conduct. All money will be forfeited. Suspended players will not be permitted on the field or sidelines, but they can watch from the spectator areas. Game time is forfeit time! One minute after game time, if team has less than 7 on field, game will be forfeited and score will be 8 0. If opposing teams do not have minimum of 7 players, game will be forfeited and score will be tied 0 0. Player ineligibility: All Players, coaches, managers need to be active members of the GBFFL and listed on game roster. If it is discovered during competition that a team member is not an active member, the game will be forfeited immediately. If opposing team was winning, game score stands. Otherwise score will be 8 0 in favor of opposing team The ball is dead when it hits the ground. No fumbles. Receivers must have 1 foot in bounds and cannot advance the ball after a diving catch. If ball carrier's knee touches the ground as he runs and falls, and has the clear field, he may get up to advance the ball until his flag is pulled. If he falls and there is/are defender's around, defender simply needs to "touch" player (with one hand) to down him. If a player inadvertently loses the flag belt, one hand touch prevails. If the player starts the play without a belt, the penalty is a loss of down. Inadvertent whistles-play is blown dead at the spot where the ball carrier was at the time the whistle was blown. In the event that the ball carrier is behind the line of scrimmage, the ball will be placed at the line of scrimmage and the down replayed. No lineman, except the center, can get into a three-point stance. Ball is spotted where flag is pulled, not the ball (players cannot roll into the end zone). Offensive players must keep their shirts tucked into their pant; otherwise the referee can rule you down. Only 1 player allowed in motion at the snap. Shift is not allowed. It is the action of one or more offensive players who after a huddle or after taking set positions, move to a new set position before the ensuing snap

During the last 2 minutes of a game, after the trailing team scores, they can elect to give the leading team the ball with only 20 yards to a touchdown. This prevents the leading team from running out the clock.

ENCROACHMENT: Defensive player may cross over the line of scrimmage before the snap as long as: Defender does not make contact with anyone on offensive team and Must be behind the line of scrimmage at the snap OVERTIME: In the event the 2nd half ends in a tie. One overtime will commence after a 2-minute intermission. A coin toss shall decide who receives ball first. Each team will get ONE possession EACH, starting at the 40 yard line, of which the referee will declare field direction. No team timeouts will be granted. Teams may go for 1 or 2 points after a touchdown is scored. Games may end in a tie due to time. Mercy Rule: If the point deficit is greater than 20 points with 2 minutes or less remaining the game is over. Game may play out if both teams are in agreement for play. OFFICIAL'S AUTHORITY: An official assumes authority 10 minutes prior to the scheduled game time, and until they have left the field. The officials have the authority to rule on any situation not specifically covered in the rules. His/her decision is final, the official has the right to eject players or have a player sit out part or all of the game. Fans, coaches, and spectators are a part of a team and any fouls they commit will go against their team. Player Transfer: No registered player will be allowed to transfer from one team to another once the regular season has begun regardless of not playing any games for the current team. The player can elect to sit out the remainder of the season but the team will be unable to fill the spot on the roster. GAME LENGTH 1. Running clock until last 2-minutes of each half. Clock will stop for a 30 seconds time out at the start of the 2-minute warning. After the 2-minute warning the clock will stop: a. To award first down, also after a change of possession. b. To complete a penalty. c. A ball or ball carrier goes out of bounds. d. A pass becomes incomplete. e. A score is made. f. A charged timeout is granted. 2. Each team will have 2 time outs per half only

3. A time out will last one minute from the time the clock stopped until the referee blows the whistle and marks the ball ready for play. 4. Time outs may be called by any on-field player or the Coach but not by sideline players. 5. Play clock will run at 25 seconds from the spot of the ball. 6. Half time will be 5 minutes. EQUIPMENT (Each player is responsible for each item listed unless otherwise noted): 1. Shoes - General Requirements: Must be soft pliable upper material (i.e. canvas/synthetic) that completely covers the foot and is attached to a one-piece molded composite bottom (i.e. tennis shoes). Turf Shoes or Soccer style cleats NO Metal Cleats Allowed. 2. Shorts / Pants - General Requirements: May NOT have pockets. (if unable to provide non-pocketed shorts, players must tape or stitch pockets closed) 3. Shirts / Jersey - General Requirements: Must cover the players shoulders, chest and back (No Tank Tops). Must be long enough be able to be tucked into pants. Each player must have a number on the back of the jersey, and that number must be unique, there may not be two players or more with the same number on the team. Further the color of the number and the color of the jersey must be of contrasting colors so that the number can be readily seen and identifiable. While not required, teams may have numbers on the front and back, and if they so desire, they may also have the players name on the back of the jersey above the number, only. Team names may be on the front of the jersey above the number (if one is on the front) or on the arms of the jersey. Baseball style caps are discouraged. IF BASEBALL STYLE CAPS ARE WORN THEY MUST BE WORN BACKWARDS. Novelty hats may not be worn at any time. 4. FLAGS -General Requirements Pop flag belt (Flag Tag Sonic Boom) Provided by The GBFFL 5. FOOTBALL - General Requirements: Standard leather or composite football. MUST be of OFFICIAL or Junior size. Provided by the GBFFL

PLAYERS

Minimum age for eligibility is 18. A 17 year old can be eligible for play, if the 17 year old is turning 18 before the next registration period. Such player must provide a copy of birth certificate and a signed permission waiver by parent and/or legal guardian. A Player must play in at least three regular season games to be eligible to play in the Playoffs.

PUNTING All punts are declared. It is a free kick. No fake punts. Punter must be at least 3 yards behind the center. Defense must have 3 players on the line No one may move until the ball is kicked. Open hands blocking is allowed by the receiving team. Center will shot-gun snap the ball between legs to punter who kicks the ball to receiving team Fair catch: During a punt or kick, to catch cleanly with no desire to advance ball, receiver must signal to official that he/she is attempting a fair catch, as ball is in mid-air, by extending the arm above the head and waving it from side to side. Once declaring a fair catch, receiver may not try to advance ball. EXTRA POINTS Extra point option: 2 points if run or pass from the 10 yard line or 1 point if run or pass from the 3 yard line. The captain must tell the referee which extra point option is desired. Once declared, it costs a timeout to change this choice. You may not change the choice after a penalty. Defense can return an interception on the extra point for same amount of points the offense attempted points. KICKOFFS Toss choices the team can receive, kick and call direction. Receiving team to begin first half, will automatically become kicking team to start second half. Teams will switch goal to defend for second half. All kickoffs must be from the 25 yd. line unless there is a penalty. Starts each half, or follows a safety or extra point conversion Ball can be kicked using kicking tee, or held upright in the dirt by another player Teams kick from their own 25-yard line. A kick must travel at least 10 yards before the kicking team can recover; otherwise the ball is dead at the spot it is downed. Any kickoff that travels out of bounds is placed on the 35. Touchbacks are placed at the 15. No passing, except laterals are allowed on the kickoff.

Scoring: Touchdown: 6 points (the ball) must break the plain of the goal line before being deflagged.

Point After Touchdown: 3 yards = 1 point / 10 yards = 2 points. During a PAT attempt, the ball remains live, allowing the intercepting team to return the try for equal points of the attempted conversion to the other end of the field.

Safety: 2 points Safety Scenarios If the ball catcher gets caught in the end zone, has not downed the ball by kneeling and is de-flagged in the end zone by kicking team, it becomes a safety for kicking team. Exception: If receiver is carried into end zone, by the momentum of play and is then de-flagged by kicking team, it is considered a touchback and the ball comes out to the 20 yard line. Ex.: at the 4 yard line, a receiver is backing up to catch the ball, and with momentum carries the receiver into end zone with ball, a defender comes and de-flags receiver, then play will be blown dead and considered a touchback and the ball comes out to the 20 yard line. If in another case, the receiver who with momentum faded into end zone elects to attempt to run ball out of end zone, and kicking team de-flags while in end zone, then it becomes a safety for the kicking team

GAME PLAY RULES - OFFENSE BLOCKING (AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE): Players are allowed to screen block only. NO intentional contact will be allowed. (This is at the Head Refs Discretion between incidental and intentional contact) Blocker must keep their arm behind their backs or to their sides while screening the quarterback from the rushers. Screen blocker may not: Take a position closer than a normal step when behind a stationary opponent. Make contact, nor lean forward to draw contact when assuming a position at the side or in front of a stationary opponent. Take a forward position so close to an opponent that they cannot avoid contact by stopping or changing direction. Take a stationary stance with feet wider than shoulder width. BLOCKING (BEYOND THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE): Players are allowed to block down field using the following criteria: NO contact between the blocker and defender. Blocker CANNOT continue moving once they reach the defender (i.e. No Moving Picks).

PASSING: The offensive team may NOT make more than one forward pass per play. The offensive team MAY throw an unlimited number of backward passes during any one play.

The QB cannot throw the ball forward once they have crossed the line of scrimmage (LOS). (Pass is still legal as long as one foot remains behind LOS) The QB cannot intentionally ground the ball by throwing the ball into the ground to avoid a sack. If the ball is thrown laterally or backwards it is considered a fumble and the ball will be placed at the spot where the ball crossed the out of bounds demarcation or hits the ground. If the pass is thrown forward it is considered an incomplete pass and will be placed at the previous spot.

HIKING: The ball must be hiked from the ground, but does not have to be hiked between the legs. The ball may be hiked to any person at least 1yard behind the LOS. RUSHING ALL players are eligible receivers and running backs. NO limit on the number of rushing attempts by a team by any player. Out of bounds play is down where the PLAYER goes out of bounds, NOT the ball. RECEIVING A reception is deemed made if: o The receiver possesses the ball before the ball makes contact with the ground. o The receiver has at least one foot in the field of play after possessing the ball. The receiver may NOT use their hands or arms to move a defender in order to make a reception (i.e. No Pushing Off)

GAME PLAY RULES -DEFENSE RUSHING: Player(s) can rush from any position on the field from the line of scrimmage. Rusher must attempt to avoid any blockers / Players. NO intentional Contact is allowed. (i.e. No Bull Rushing) - (This is at the Head Refs Discretion between incidental and intentional contact) (NOTE: Rusher does NOT have clear right and must avoid hitting the QB arm, even through the follow-through motion. PASS DEFENSE: Receivers are allowed a free release from the line of scrimmage. NO Bump and Run coverage. Defenders are NOT allowed to play through the receiver to make a play on the ball. Interceptions occurs if: a. See RECEIVING RULES De-Flagging / Tackling - When de-flagging the ball carrier: The defender may NOT impede the ball carriers progress while attempting to pull that players flag. The ball carrier is down at point where the flag is pulled, not where defender is standing

Defender must show proper sportsmanship and hand flag back to the ball carrier. In the event a ball carrier inadvertently loses their belt, or flag, single hand touching of the ball carrier (between shoulders and knees) will constitute a legal tackle.

Kicking: Kick-offs o There will be a kick off at the beginning of each half. o Kicking team will kick from their 20 yard line. o Receiving team must have at least 4 players lined-up on the 40 yard line. o Touchbacks will be brought out to the 15 yard line. Punting o Punts must be declared (i.e. no fake punts). o Punts can NOT be blocked (i.e. no rushing). o Players can NOT move prior to the punt o Punts landing in the end zone are considered touchbacks and will be spotted at the 15 yard line. Receiving the Punt o Once the receiver catches the kick they are allowed to advance the ball. o If the receiver drops the kick, the ball is dead, and will be spotted at that point. SPECIAL RULES 7 ON 7 7 Players per side, less than 5 would result in a forfeit. You may start with 5 players. Field of play will be marked 100 yard long ( 80 yards of field + 2 end zones (10 yards each) Field of play will be marked 35 yards wide. Game consists of two 20 minute halves (running time), with stopped clock only in the last 2 min of each half. SPECIAL RULES 9 ON 9 9 Players per side, less than 7 would result in a forfeit. You may start with 7 players. Field of play will be marked 100 yard long ( 80 yards of field + 2 end zones (10 yards each) Field of play will be marked 40 yards wide. Game consists of two 25 minute halves (running time), with stopped clock only in the last 2 min of each half. Offense must have 5 players on the line of scrimmage (WR/G/C/G/WR). TE must be a step in the backfield if receiver lines up on the line.

Offensive line must be balanced (Tackle-Center-Tackle) they should be at least one foot apart Defense Line needs to line up at least half-way over Offensive Line (Tackle-Center-Tackle) Blocking on Defensive line is OPEN HANDS ONLY. Open means open hands extended from the elbow, not loaded-up from the sides. Open hand is enforced on kickoffs/ punts or any scrimmage play. There is no blocking allowed downfield past 10 yards from the line of scrimmage. Only one bump/chuck is allowed and it must be within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage. Any tackling or holding within 20 yards of the end zone or in a "last defender" situation, officials can judge the play a touchdown.

OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE LINE BLOCKING: You are allowed to: Block your opponent between their shoulder and waist, in front of them and /or on their side. Blocker must stay inside his body frame (cannot extend arms to the sides to make block). You may: push with hands open / use upper arm / cross your arms to use forearms / 2 on 1 blocking is allowed. You are not allowed to: Punch, Hold, Use Elbows, Interlock arms with opponent, Trip, block in the back /block above the shoulders / block below the waist ENFORCEMENT OF PENALTIES All penalties not included in the flag/touch rules will be enforced as in the NCAA. Defender must hand flag back to opponent- if not it could result in a 10 yard penalty Head Referee can overturn calls by the other officials. Trash talking, racial or religious remarks will not be tolerated. Players will be ejected immediately

LOSS OF 15 YARDS UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT Tackling (If in the judgment of the officials, the act prevented a score, the ball will placed on the one 1 yard line, first and goal) Roughing the passer Any contact with the passer above his waist (Automatic first down) You are considered a passer only when behind the line of scrimmage with intent on passing the ball Roughing the ball carrier - Pushing the ball carriers out of bounds (Automatic first down) Illegal contact - A defender cannot use contact to break up a pass (Automatic first down) Slapping at the ball, when it is the ball carrier's hands (Automatic first down) Sleeper plays (Also loss of down) Any player receiving 2 Unsportsmanlike fouls in any 1 game will be ejected on the second foul and suspended for the following game.

LOSS OF 10 YARDS Flag Guarding (Spot foul/loss of down)

Interference with opportunity to catch a kick Offensive pass interference o Offense pass interference in offensive team's end zone: defense has option to accept penalty or a touchback and thus getting the ball on their 20-yard line Striking, kicking, kneeing, elbowing Persons illegally on the field Illegal blocking Defensive charging Tripping Hurdling/Jumping (Spot foul) Intentional Tackling (Immediate suspension) Illegal use of hands or arms by offense / Illegal contact Illegal use of hands or arms by defense / Illegal contact Defensive Pass Interference; o If pass incomplete (Automatic first down) o If pass complete (Automatic first down)

LOSS OF 5 YARDS Off-sides Illegal delay of game Illegal snap Illegal kick Infraction of scrimmage formation Encroachment Infraction of free kick formation Illegal shift False start or simulating start of play Defensive holding (Automatic first down) LOSS OF DOWN Illegally handling ball forward (also loss of 5 yards) Illegal forward pass (also loss of 5 yards) Intentional grounding pass (also loss of 5 yards) Offensive pass interference (also loss of 10 yards) SPOT FOUL Defensive pass interference Diving to advance the ball (also loss of down) Jumping / Hurdling (also loss of down)

CONDUCT OF PLAYERS AND OTHERS SUBJECT TO PENALTY

DELIBERATE OR FLAGRANT FOULS - Whenever, in the judgment of any game official, the following acts are deliberate or flagrant, the players involved shall be suspended from the game; Using fists, kicking or kneeing. Fighting will not be tolerated. If one player from your team is involved in a skirmish, he/she will be immediately suspended. If 2 or more players get into a shoving/wrestling match, THE ENTIRE TEAM will be suspended. If any player/coach bumps assaults a referee, his team will be suspended. Using locked hands, elbows or any part of the forearm or hand, except according to rule. Tackling the ball carrier as in regulation football. UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT - There shall be no unsportsmanlike conduct by players, substitutes, coaches or others subject to the rules including: Abusive or insulting language. Verbal abuse of the officials will not be tolerated by any player or coach. The offender will be ejected from the game and suspended from league play. If conduct persists from the same team, official has the right to declare a forfeit. This applies to fans as well. Any acts of unfair play. Managers, coaches or others on the field of play at any time without permission or their interference of any nature with the progress of the game. A substitute or any other person interfering with a player or play while the ball is alive. Using a "hide out play" by placing a player or players near the sideline who were less than 5 yards from the sideline. Failure by offensive player to secure flag belt prior to the snap. A defensive player removing the flags from an offensive player as the ball is snapped or during a play with the obvious intent of making the offensive player ineligible to become a pass receiver or a ball carrier. Any player tying his/her belt in such a way that it will not come off freely when pulled / Inverted Flags are an unsportsmanlike foul, 15 yards from previous spot & loss of down. UNFAIR ACTS - The referee may enforce any penalty considered equitable including the awarding of a score in the following situations: If a team refuses to play within two minutes after ordered to play by the referee. If play is interfered with by an obviously unfair or unsportsmanlike act not specifically covered by the rules. If a team repeatedly commits fouls which can be penalized only by halving the distance to its goal line. If any member of a team commits a foul to prevent an apparent touchdown. For refusal to play, for repeated fouls or for ejected team member failing to leave playing field within two minutes, the referee shall, after a warning, forfeit the game to the opposing team. STIFF ARM - The offensive team shall be prohibited from obstructing an opponent with extended had or arm. This includes the use of a "stiff arm" extended to ward off an opponent.

FLAG GUARDING - Runner shall not flag guard by using their hands, arms, or the ball to deny the opportunity for an opponent to pull the flag belt. Flag guarding includes; Swinging the hand or arm over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from de-flagging. Placing the ball in possession over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from deflagging. Lowering the shoulders in such a manner that the defender is shielded from the flag. A player cannot jump to avoid a defender from pulling his flag/her flag. (It is not ruled jumping if there is no defender attempting to pull the flag or if he is trying to avoid running over one of his/her team mates. HOLDING - The defensive player shall not hold, grasp, or obstruct forward progress of a ball carrier when in the act of removing a flag. HOLDING DOWNFIELD - Defenders may inadvertently grab short / pant of ball carrier in attempting to grab flag, and should not be confused with an intentional hold. If inadvertent hold does not slow down the runner or impede in any way, then such a situation should not be penalized. Intentional Holding by any team is illegal. ILLEGAL BLOCKING- if a player in any way initiates contact with a defensive player who has established a path to the ball carrier. The player screening or blocking must move his/her body in such a manner as to cause the defensive player to travel the greatest distance to down the ball carrier. An offensive player may not leave his/her feet to screen. DDEFENSIVE CHARGING- occurs if in attempting to down the ball carrier they charge over or use their hands on an offensive player in order to get to the ball carrier. An offensive player who established a position cannot be run over. An offensive player may establish a path that follows the movement of the ball behind the line of scrimmage. INTENTIONAL GROUNDING - It is Illegal to avoid a sack by throwing the ball to an area where there are no receivers. PASS INTERFERENCE - When the ball is thrown, potential receivers should not have obstruction by opposing player. This means their vision should not be blocked and physical contact is illegal. The ball must be catch able and is decision of official. If both players jump up for the ball & inadvertently make contact it is legal. END ZONE CELEBRATIONS - Are acceptable if the player celebrating does not taunt his opponent. Judgment of official. PENALTY: First offense - Official shall give verbal warning SECOND PENALTY - Unsportlike conduct - 10 yard penalty assessed at kick-off MULTIPLE FOULS If team commits more than one foul, only one can be accepted and penalized. The stiffer, more severe penalty will be taken. HALF THE DISTANCE RULE If there is not enough distance on field to cover penalty, then half the distance will be applied.

Handling the ball prior to set- The Center may tilt the ball for lateral rotation to get a better grip (ball must not leave the ground) and may not rotate end for end, change the location or fail to keep the long axis of the ball at right angles to the line of scrimmage. INJURED PLAYER A player who is bleeding, has an open wound will be considered an injured player, who must go off the field and not allowed back onto field until bleeding has stopped and wound is covered. Once an Official calls time out for injury. That injured player must come off the field for at least one play. False Start: When an offensive player moves before the ball is snapped / hiked. (Movement outside of a traditional motion play) Illegal Contact: When an offensive player attempting to block a defensive player makes intentional physical contact with that player - 10 yard penalty from line of scrimmage, repeat down. Illegal Stance: a. When a blocker takes a stance wider than shoulder width b. 5 yard penalty from line of scrimmage, repeat down Offensive Pass Interference: When an offensive player hinders a defensive players ability to catch a pass by making physical contact with the defensive player - 10 yard penalty from the line of scrimmage, repeat down. Illegal Motion: When an offensive player in motion moves towards the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped / hiked. (Only one player may go in motion at a time) Illegal Formation: When the offensive team does not have at least 5 players on the line of scrimmage Hurdling/Jumping: A player leaving his feet in the proximity of a defender - 10 yard penalty from the spot the offensive player is deemed to have left the ground and down counts. Diving: When a player leaves his feet and dives forward into the end zone - 10 yard penalty from spot the offensive player is deemed to have left the ground and down counts. Illegal Rush / Off-sides: When a defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped or rushes within 7 yards of the line of Unnecessary Roughness: a. Where a player, in the judgment of the officials, uses tactics that are above and beyond what is necessary to block or tackle another player. Defensive Pass Interference: See Offensive Pass Interference above - Ball is placed at the spot of the foul and an automatic first down is awarded.

Not Returning Flag: Throwing flag to the ground or away from the offensive player can be interpreted as an act of unsportsmanlike conduct. (at the discretion of the head official) 10 yard penalty from place of down. Last Defender: Any effort to hold up the offensive player outside of normal flag pull within 10 yards of end zone, the Official can rule as Touchdown. Player Conduct: Players who are excessive in disputes of referee calls may be assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. A warning should be given prior to this penalty being enforced. The result will be 10 yards from the spot of the ball at the end of the play (no loss of down). If a player has a second offense, they may be ejected for the remainder of the game. As before, team captains should be the ones to address the officials. In the case of an ejection, the team captain or coach must leave and escort ejected player from field area. Team Captain may return to play.