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The Game Men (NFL/CFL)
The game shall be played between two teams of seven (7) players each. Five (5) players are required to avoid a forfeit.

NOTE: Women may play on a Men’s team.

The Game Coed Play
The game shall be played between two teams of seven (7) players, of which at least two (2) must be females. Five players are required to avoid a forfeit. A minimum of two females must be present. If there are six players present, then at least two women are needed to play. Possible combinations include 4M/2W, 4W/2M, 4M/2W, 4W/2M, 3M/3W, 3M/2W and 3W/2M. If a female scores a touchdown or is responsible for the initial forward pass that leads to a touchdown, it is worth nine (9) points. The extra point is still attempted regardless of who scores the touchdown. At least every third play must go to a female.

Section 2 The Field

Zone Markings
The field shall be a rectangle area 80 yards long and 40 yards wide with 2 10 yard end zones. However, in case of facility limitations, distances of field length and width can be modified. The length of the field should be lined at 20 yard intervals from goal line to goal line. These zone markings may be changed according to field dimensions. There shall be one inbound hash mark dividing the field into halves. The hash mark shall run parallel with each sideline. The three (3), ten (10) and twenty (20) yard try for-point lines shall be one (1) yard wide.

Inbound/Out of bounds
The lines bounding the sidelines and the end zones are out of bounds in their entirety, and the inbound area is bound by the lines. The entire width of each goal line shall be part of the end zone.

Ball Spotters
Two ball spotters (i.e. rubber discs, orange and yellow) are required. One, which shall be orange in color, will mark the forward most point of the football. The second will be one yard from the offensive spotter and will be where the defense lines up behind. The yard distance between the two all spotters will be considered the neutral zone and no players are allowed in that area before the play starts. Ball spotters should be constructed of a soft, pliable material.

Section 3 The Ball

Specifications
The official ball shall be pebble grained leather or rubber covered and shall meet the recommendations of size and shape for a regulation college football.

Administration
The Referee shall be the sole judge of any ball offered for play and may change the ball during play at his/her discretion. Teams must agree if another ball is chosen, separate of the REC supplied balls.

Section 4 Legal Player Equipment

Shorts/pants
No shorts with belt loops and no belts can be worn. Participants are also required to where shorts that do not have any pockets. Any player not wearing the proper equipment will not be allowed to play.
Jersey
Players of opposing teams must wear contrasting colored jerseys with numbers. Jerseys must be either:
A Long enough so they remain tucked in the pants/shorts during the entire down or
B Short enough so there is a minimum of 4" from the bottom of the jersey to the players waistline.

Flag belts
Each player must wear a one piece belt at the waistline with three flags permanently attached, one flag on each side and one in the center of the back. The flags should be a minimum of 2 inches wide and 14 inches long. The flags must be of a contrasting color to their clothing.

Shoes
Each player must wear shoes. They must be of soft, pliable materials (canvas, leather, or synthetic) which cover the foot attached to a one piece molded composition rubber bottom with molded rubber or screw-in cleats. Street shoes are not permitted. No hiking-style shoes/boots are allowed. No metal cleats or spikes.

Knee pads
Players may wear soft, pliable basketball or wrestling knee pads on the leg, knee and/or ankle.

Ace bandage
Players may use an ace bandage no more than two turns thick in any given area. It can be anchored at each end by tape not to exceed two turns.

Headgear
Players may wear the Navy Watch style knit or stocking cap. The cap may have no bill. No bandanas.

Gloves
Players may wear gloves as long as they are made of a soft pliable and non abrasive material.

Section 5 Definitions of Playing Terms

Live Ball
A live ball is a ball in play and a dead ball is a ball not in play. A pass or fumble which has not yet touched the ground is a live ball in flight and therefore can be caught and advanced by either team.

Dead Ball
When the ball touches the ground it is considered dead.

Batting
Batting is intentionally striking or slapping with the hand, arm, leg, or knee:

A A loose ball except in a legal kick
B A ball in player possession, by a player of the team in possession.

Catch
A catch is an act of establishing player possession of a live ball in flight.
A If one foot first lands inbounds and the receiver has possession and control of the ball, it is a catch or interception even though a subsequent step or fall takes the receiver out of bounds.
B A catch by any kneeling or prone inbounds player is a completion or interception.
C A loss of ball simultaneously with returning to the ground is not a catch or interception.
D When in question, the completion or interception IS a completion or interception.

Fair Catch
A fair catch is a catch of a free or protected scrimmage kick, which is beyond free kick line or scrimmage line (first ball spotter orange) and between the goal lines, by a player of the receiving team. The player must signal intention by extending one arm above his/her head and waving it laterally from side to side more than once. No fake fair catches are allowed. If a player signals for a fair catch and then attempts to run after the catch and unsportsmanlike penalty will be enforced from the spot of the catch.

Interception
A catch of an opponent's pass or fumble is an interception.

Simultaneous Possession
SP is a catch where a player from both teams appear to catch a ball at same time. The possession will be maintained by the offensive team at the location of the catch.

Clipping
Clipping is running or diving into the back, or throwing or dropping the body across the back of the leg or legs of an opponent or pushing an opponent in the back.

Encroachment
Encroachment denotes the position of a player, except the snapper, any part of whose person is beyond their scrimmage line or their retaining line when the ball is about to be played.

Foul
A foul is a rule infraction for which a penalty is prescribed.

Legal and Illegal Kicking
A legal kick is a punt by a player of the team in possession when such a kick is permitted by rule. Kicking the ball in any other manner is illegal. Any kick continues to be a kick until it is caught by a player or becomes dead.

Neutral Zone
The neutral zone is the distance between the two ball spotters and is established when the ball is ready for play. This zone is marked by two disks.

Passing
Passing is the act of throwing the ball. A pass continues to be a pass until caught, intercepted or the ball becomes dead. The initial direction determines whether a pass if forward or backward.

Forward and Backward Pass
A forward pass is a live ball thrown towards the opponent's end line. A backward pass is a live ball thrown toward or parallel to the passers endline. A pass continues to be a pass until it is caught or strikes the ground. A backward pass that hits the ground is ruled the same as a fumble. It will be dead at the spot where it strikes the ground.

Penalty
A penalty is a loss imposed by rule upon a team which has committed a foul.

Screen Blocking
Screen blocking is legally obstructing an opponent without contacting him/her with any part of the screen blocker's body.

Scrimmage Line
The scrimmage line for Team A is the yard line and its vertical plane which passes through the point of the ball nearest its own goal line. To be on the scrimmage line an offensive line player's head must break the plane of the line drawn through the waistline of the snapper.

Shift
A shift is the action of more than one offensive player who, after a huddle or after taking set positions, move to a new set position before the ensuing snap.

Snapping the Ball
Snapping the ball is handing or passing it back from a position on the ground. In a legal snap, the movement must be a quick and continuous motion of the hand or hands during which the ball actually leaves the hand or hands. The person who receives the snap must be a minimum of two yards from the center. There must be a clear transfer of possession between players (ie: NO quarterback sneaks over center). No center sneaks are permitted.

Ejection
The disqualified player is one who becomes ineligible from further participation in the game.

Tripping
Tripping is using the lower leg, foot or arm extended in an obvious manner to obstruct an opponent, including the runner, below the knee.

Section 6 Field Goal
When the offense has the ball on their opponent’s side of the field, they have the option of attempting a “Field Goal.” Upon notifying the Official of their intent to attempt a “field goal,” the ball will be placed at either the 5 or 14 yard line (see below) pending the line of scrimmage, and the offense will be given one play from scrimmage to score. The score will be worth 3 points.
A. If the original line of scrimmage is between the opponent's 40-yard line & 20-yard line, the "field goal" attempt will be from the defense's 14-yard line.
B. If the original line of scrimmage is between the opponent's 20-yard line & the Goal line, the "field goal" attempt will be from the defense's 5-yard line.
C. If the ball is on the 20-yard line, the attempt will be from the 5-yard line.

If the attempt is successful, the defense will take over at their 14-yard line.

If the attempt is unsuccessful, the defense will take over on downs. The team gaining possession of the ball will have the following options:
A. Take the ball at the 14-yard line.
B. Take the ball at the spot/result of the play.
C. Take the ball at the original line of scrimmage.

Foul On a Score If there is a foul by the defensive team during a down which results in a successful touchdown or Try, the penalty will be enforced from the succeeding spot.

The "field goal" option, although normally attempted on 4th down, may be exercised on any down if the offense chooses. Once the team captain has informed the Official that the team will attempt a "field goal", the decision cannot be changed unless a time-out is called or a penalty is called on either team.

If a defensive penalty occurs during the attempt, the offense will have the three choices:
A. Accept the penalty and enforce the yardage from the original line of scrimmage and no longer attempt a field goal.
B. They may choose to reattempt the field goal with the penalty yardage added on to the original field goal attempt spot.
C. Or they may decline the penalty and take the result of the play.

If an offensive penalty occurs during the attempt, the defense may either:
A. Decline the penalty and take the result of the play.
B. Or they may accept the penalty, move the field attempt back, and retry the down.

A "field goal" attempt will be an untimed down in the last two minutes of the second half. In the first half the clock will not stop, so a team trying to score at the end of the first half will need to use a timeout.

Section 7 Coed Rules
Gender Plays-
A gender play must be completed once every three downs during an offensive series. A gender play consists of the following:

• A female throwing a pass forward beyond the line of scrimmage to another player
• A female catching/being thrown a forward pass from behind the line of scrimmage
• A female running the ball from the backfield making an attempt to advance the ball.

NOTE: A female hiking the ball, handing off to another player, and tipping the ball to someone else will not count as a gender play and will result in a penalty

Covering a female-
A male player may not line up against a girl on the line of scrimmage before a play. Once a play has started a male is allowed to cover a female player downfield.

Female lining up on the offensive line-
A female can line up anywhere on or off the line as the long as the minimum number required are on the line.

Forced Gender Play -
• On a forced gender play a male defensive player must line up within five yards of an offensive male player and stay within five yards of that player for the duration of the play.
• A male can not intercept a ball thrown to a female on a forced gender play.
• A male can bat it down if he remains within five yards of the male he is covering
o Exception to all of these rules is a female QB.

Section 8 1 Playing Field
The field consists of four 20 yard zones totaling 80 yards. There are two 10 yard end zones; the field width will be approximately 40 yards.

2 Team
Each team will consist of 7 players on the field. You may start a game with 5 players (at least one female on the field for coed play). Coed play must have at least 2 females on the field at a time to play with a full 7 person team. If a coed team has only one female, that team must also play down a male (5 total players).

3 Time
Games will consist of two sixteen (16) minute halves with continuous running time for fifteen minutes. Officials may stop the clock for injuries or consultations on disputed calls. The last minute of each half is stop time, and a one minute warning will be given. Team will have a two minute half time. During the playoffs overtime will consist of each team getting four (4) plays from their opponents 10 yard-line until a winner is determined. A coin toss will be done prior to each overtime period to determine which team will have possession and on which end of the field the overtime will take place.

4 Equipment
Game jerseys and flag belts are provided by the Office of Rec Sports. Teams are encouraged to use their own matching jerseys when possible. No one with a cast will be allowed to play. The ball used shall be the ball provided by the Recreation Office or a ball deemed acceptable by the head referee and both captains.

5 Substitutions
Unlimited substitution is permitted, provided it does not delay the game.

6 Playing Regulations
A All players on the field are eligible to be receivers. A team may throw only one forward pass per down.

B All offensive players must line up a minimum of five yards from the sideline to participate in the play. Illegal substitutions will be penalized as unsportsmanlike conduct.

C There must be a minimum of four players on the offensive line of scrimmage, including the center.

D A player is considered down at the point at which his/her flag belt is removed. The ball is positioned where the ball is and not where the flag belt was pulled, hence if the ball is just over the first down line and the belt is pulled on the other side of the line a first down would be awarded. The ball becomes dead when any part of the ball carrier's body other than hands, and/or feet touches the ground. The ball may touch the ground as long as it is still in the hand and controlled by that person.

E Defenders may not block, hold, trip, or push the runner in an attempt to remove his/her flag belt (unnecessary roughness/holding). A player may dive for an opposing teams flags.

F In the event of an inadvertent whistle, play is dead at that point. The team in possession at the time of the inadvertent whistle can either replay the down or take the ball at the point the whistle was blown.

G The runner may not protect his/her flag with his/her arm or by running with head and shoulder down (flag guarding). Covering the flag belt with the ball or the hand is also a form of flag guarding. There does not have to be contact for there to be a flag guarding penalty.

H The runner may not dive with possession of the ball or to run into an opposing player.

I A pass is complete if caught with at least one foot inbounds. On a pass play, if the receiver is missing the flag belt when catching the ball is spotted at the location of the catch. If ball carrier accidentally loses their flag belt while running with the ball it then becomes one hand touch between the shoulders and the knees.

J After crossing the line of scrimmage, an offensive player may not retreat over the line of scrimmage to throw a forward pass.

7 Kickoffs
A There will be no kickoffs. The team winning the coin toss can select to defend a goal line, choose offense/defense or defer their choice to the second half. Play will begin at the 14-yard line.

B After a safety, the team scoring the safety starts with the ball at the 14-yard line.

8 Punt
A Each team must have a minimum of four players on the line for punts. Those players on the line must wait for the ball to be kicked before leaving the line of scrimmage. If they leave early the ball will become dead and a 5-yard penalty will be enforced.

B A punt is an automatic play, it has to be announced and no one can cross the line of scrimmage until the ball is punted. The choice of punting is irrevocable once it has been announced. The ball must be punted behind the line of scrimmage.

C A punt is not dead; if the punt hits the ground before being picked up by the receiving team. It may be run back whether caught in the air or on the bounce or roll. It is dead if it hits a receiving team member and hits the ground.

D A receiver may signal for a fair catch while any kick is in flight and is beyond the line of scrimmage.

9 Timeouts
Each team has two timeouts per half. Timeouts do not carry over to the second half. For overtime, each team is given one timeout per overtime. Each timeout will be 30 seconds in length.

10 Dead Ball/Fumble
A The ball is declared dead when it hits the ground (exception see punts). The last team maintaining possession gets the ball at the spot where it touches (unless it is the fourth down or a forward fumble in which case the ball is spotted at the spot the offensive player lost the ball). If the ball is fumbled in the offensive team's end zone, a two point safety is awarded. If fumbled into opponent's end zone, it is a touchback. Opponent puts the ball in play at the 14-yard line.

B A safety is given to a team if the following occurs: the offensive team has its flags pulled in its own end zone; the offense commits a penalty in its own end zone; fumbles the ball in its own end zone.

C After a touchback the ball is placed at the 14-yard line.

11 First Downs
A first down is awarded when a team advances the ball in four downs or less into the next zone. The line to gain in any series shall be the original zone in advance of the ball at the beginning of the series. In case of penalties during play, final ball placement shall not be established until all penalties have been assessed.

12 Blocking
A Three and four point stances are allowed by the offensive or the defense. There must be a one yard neutral zone between the line of scrimmage and the defensive line (determined by ball spotters).

B No down field blocking is permitted.

C No contact blocking of any sort may occur on or behind the line of scrimmage.

D Ball carriers may not stiff arm defensive players (flag guarding/unnecessary roughness).

E The defense can rush from wherever they choose.

13 Putting the Ball in Play
A team has twenty five seconds to run a play from the time the referee places the ball to when the quarterback takes the snap. Delay of game is penalized by a five (5) yard penalty on the first occurrence. If it happens two times consecutively, it is a ten (10) yard penalty and the clock stops automatically. Offensive team must come to a "set" position for one second prior to the start of play. The snap can be to anyone as long as the person receiving it is at least two yards from the snapper.

14 Forfeits
Forfeit time is ten (10) minutes after scheduled game time. If neither team can field the required minimum lineup, it will be a double forfeit. Forfeit score is 28 0.

15 Scoring
Teams may score in the following manner:
Touchdown 6 points
TD Throw, Run or Catch by a female (Coed play only) 9 points (PAT then attempt)
Safety 2 points
Try for extra point:
From the 3-yard line 1 point
From the 10-yard line 2 points
From the 20-yard line 3 points
Intercepted run back try for extra point 2 points
Field Goal 3 points

16 Penalties

Loss of 5 Yards
A Delay of game (two plays in a row, there is a ten-yard penalty for the second infraction and the clock is stopped)

B. False start: Play is blown dead (from the line of scrimmage) (down is repeated).

C Offensive and Defensive Offside: Play is blown dead (from the line of scrimmage) (down is repeated).

D Illegal Motion or Procedure: (from the line of scrimmage) (down is repeated).

E Illegal formation: too few players on the line (from the line of scrimmage) (down is repeated).

F Illegal forward pass or forward lateral: (point of infraction) (loss of down).

I Diving/jumping/running into a defender (point of infraction) (down is repeated).

J Illegal Equipment - shirt of a player that is directly involved in the play is un-tucked (automatic first down) (from the line of scrimmage).

Loss of 10 Yards
A Fair Catch Interference: must leave a 2 yard cushion (point of infraction).

B Offensive Pass Interference: (from line of scrimmage) (loss of down).

C. Defensive Pass Interference (from line of scrimmage) (automatic first down)

C Offensive Holding: (point of infraction) (down is repeated).

D Intentional grounding: (point of infraction) (loss of down).

E Flag Guarding: (from line of scrimmage) (down is repeated).

F Defensive Holding (point of infraction) (down NOT repeated)

Any penalty that would take the ball within the five yard line will be marked off at half the distance to the goal line

*Fouls committed by both teams during the same play result in off setting penalties.
*When two or more fouls are committed by the same team (multiple fouls) the offended team may only choose one of the penalties.

17 Ejections for Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Referees have been instructed to eject players IMMEDIATELY who persist in rough and dangerous play or who leave the sidelines during any on-field altercation. Players removed from a game will serve a one game suspension in this activity and possible ejection from the tournament.

18 Mercy Rule
If a team is winning by 19 or more points in the last minute and has possession or comes in to possession of the ball the game will be declared over and the score will remain as is. The margin for a Coed mercy rule is 25 points.

Rules: NIRSA rules are followed with UMBC Intramural inclusions and exceptions

QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS CAN BE FORWARDED TO THE
INTRAMURAL OFFICE (410) 455-3122