ACFL Flag Football 8-ON-8 TWO-COUNT League Rules

ACFL Flag Football 8-ON-8 Immediate Rush League Rules

(Revised Aug 21, 2008<= i>)

2 Referees per game =3D $55 per team, per game.

1. HEAD COACH: The head coach is responsible for making every player aware of every rule prior to any participation in any game or = any portion of a game or activity.

2. PLAYER: Every player must sign both the pre-seas= on insurance waivers/registration forms and the on-field insurance waiver/game registration form prior to participating&n= bsp; or receiving a forfeit win in any ACFL game or activity. The pre-= season waiver must be presented to the league at the league address (ACFL, 48 Bi-S= tate Plaza, #136, Old Tappan, NJ 07675) or in person to a league official prior = to the start of season. The league provides no medical insurance of any form. = If you do not have personal medical insurance, the league recommends that you = do not play or participate. If you choose to play or participate you do so at = your own risk with the understanding that the league does not provide medical insurance.

3. WAIVER: Every participant must sign a game-day waiver prior to participation.This in= cludes a team receiving a forfeit win . Participation by a player without h= aving signed the on-field waiver will disqualify the team from further play and c= ause a forfeit in that particular game. The waiver, provided to all coaches, mus= t be signed by the entire team and turned in to the referee before the start of = the game. For players arriving late, the team has the option of using a time-ou= t to allow that team member(s) to sign the waiver and join the game OR wait until halftime to sign the player in. Of course, if the team chooses to wait until half-time, that player(s) can not play until the= y sign in. If there are no time-outs remaining, the team may opt to take a Delay of Game penalty to allow the player to sign in. Should a player play without signing the game day waiver, the team will be assessed a 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

4. ROSTERS: Rosters will be limited to a maximum of = 18 players. At mid-way point of the season, all rosters will be frozen. Keep in mind, whenever adding players, that the new player must sign an individual insurance waiver/registration form and submit it to the league prior to participation. A player must play in at least half of the team's regular season games to be considered eligible for the playoffs. That playe= r's name and signature must appear on half of the game day sign in forms to be eligible. However, in the case where a player is injured and is unable to p= lay for the half of the regular season games but can come back in time for post season, there is an exception. Injured players can receive attendance credi= t by being present at the game and printing and signing name on waiver and writi= ng "IR" next to it (signature must match that which was submitted on= the Preseason Waiver). If the injured player signs his name on half of the Gameday Waivers, he will be eligible come playoff tim= e. In the event that it is not physically possible for a player to attend half the games to sign in for eligibility, special circumstances may be reviewed by = the league. (Head coaches must call Jeff Thomas at 201-845-4555 ext 507 prio= r to eligibility expiration.)&nbs= p; Any player on a team that forfeits a game will NOT receive credit for a game pl= ayed (to determine playoff eligibility). All players on the team that rece= ives a forfeit win will receive credit for a game played.

4a. Each " B" Flag league team roster may contain a maximum of five ( 5 ) active "A" flag league team players .. A player who quarterbac= ks (QBs) in the "A" flag league may not throw a forward pass in any "B" flag league game.

VIOLATION OF RULE 4a WILL RESULT IN THE = GAME BEING FORFEITED

.

5. LEAGUE: The league reserves the right to allow whomever it chooses and to refuse whomever it chooses.

5a. Home Field Schedul= ing:

=

ACFL will do everything possible to schedule teams at their '"home field" during the regular season.

The ACFL reserves the right to schedule all post season/ play-= off games in accordance with the weekly match-ups.

" Home field" will be taken into consideration when scheduling post season match-ups but cannot be guaranteed.

5a. Inclement Weather

If you have any doubt about a game in inclement weather, call the appropriate Weather Phone number, currently (201) 767-6054 starting at 6:30am on Sunday morning. If the field is extremely wet and there is a real chance that the field will be destroyed by use, league officials could cancel a game sight unseen due to extreme wet conditions. (We need to keep our fields.) Every a= ttempt will be made to reschedule games postponed due to weather conditions.

6. DIMENSIONS: The dimensions of the eight-on-eight flag league will be 80 yards long (plus 10-yard end zones) and 40 yards wide. Fi= rst downs will be at the 20-, 40-, and 20-yard lines.

7. DELAYED STARTS/FORFEIT: If one team has less than eig= ht players, the other team has the option of taking a forfeit win or playing 8= on 7, 7 on 6, or 6 on 5. If both teams are short they can play all the way dow= n to 5 on 5. Anything less than 5 is a forfeit. The player formations in these situations will be as follows: 8 on 7: Three linemen. 7 on 6 and 6 on 5: Two linemen. The team that forfeits is required to pay for both referees ($1= 10) before they will be allowed to play again. After two forfeits the league ho= lds the right to drop the team from the league and all league fees paid will be forfeited. The team that wins by forfeit will receive a 28-10 victory. The = ACFL is not responsible for forfeits and NO refunds will be given to any team af= ter the kickoff of your first game. Referees will wait fifteen minutes after ga= me time for late arriving players. However, once eight players are available t= he game will start. The time spent waiting to start the ga= me will be deducted from the first half. The “on-time” team wins the toss and a 15-yard penalty is assessed on the kickoff.

7a. Procedure to Avoid Forfeit Fee

Any team that forfeits m= ust send in the entire referee fee for the

>forfeited game ($110= ) to the League Office (48 Bi-State Plaza, #136, Old

>Tappan, NJ 07675) an= d ensure that the payment arrives no later than the Friday following the missed game= .

>   If a te= am realizes that they will not be able to field a team for a game,

>they can avoid payin= g the forfeit fee by notifying the League Office

>= by calling the following number, 201-767-6054, no later than the Friday( before the game) prior to 7PM and leaving a message stating that you = are forfeiting that Sunday's game.

>If these two calls a= re made in time then you (forfeiting team) will not be

>= responsible for the $110 forfeit fee. Keep in mind that if you forfeit

>twice during the sea= son the league reserves the right to expel you from the

>= league. If a team forfeits their last game of the season they must pay the

>forfeit fee before p= laying the following year. The head coach will be

>responsible so if th= e team disbands and comes back scattered the following

>year the team that t= he head coach goes to will not be allowed to play until

>satisfying the forfe= it fee requirement.

8. COUNT: Immediate rush.

9. BLITZ:    Not Applicable .

            9a. = Bullrushing is allowed. This is when a defensive player attempts to push back the offensive blocker= in pursuit of the quarterback or during any kicking play including a punt , field goal attempt or extra point try. The = rusher is not limited to merely running around or evading the blocker. HOWEVER, the rusher cannot get a running start at the stationary offensive player. And as always, there can be no lowering the shoulder or use of forearms. Even on a= bullrush the hands must be open and away from the bod= y

10. BLOCKING: Blocking must be openhanded and thrust outward from chest, with open hands, and not "loaded up" from the side. There is no blocking below the waist or above the shoulders. There wi= ll be no chop-blocks. You cannot leave your feet to block.

11. There are no fumbles. A ball is considered "dead" when it hits the ground (including a fumbled exchange betw= een the center and quarterback). The same is true if a receiver touches -- but = does not catch -- a kick or punt. The ball will be spotted where it hits the gro= und or is touched , which ever spot is furthest from initial spot of touching. In addition, a ball is considered dead at the spo= t it "touches" the ground even while in the possession of the runner.<= i> A fumble can be intercepted ( caught in the air) a= nd advanced by either team.

NOTE: If a kick or punt hi= ts the ground and touches a receiver ,that player is th= e only one who can catch the muff and advance. If subsequent to the muff the ball = hits the ground or is caught by any other player the ball is dead and is placed = at the furthest spot from the LOS , either spot of initial muff or final dead ball spot.

12. CHUCKING: Chucking is allowed off the line of scrimmage. Multiple chucks are allowed, but they must occur no more than fi= ve yards from line of scrimmage.

13. D-LINEMEN: During all plays from scrimmage ,the defensive linemen must line up head-to-head and be one yard back from their offensive opponent.

14. O-LINEMEN: The offensive line must be balanced (tac= kle, center, tackle), not more than one foot apart, and the ball must be snapped between the center's legs. Offensive linemen cannot catch passes including tipped balls. If this action occurs on or behind line of scrimmage it is illegal touching. If it occurs down field, beyond neutral zone extended (2 yards from line of scrimmage), it is offensive pass interference. Offensive lineman may bat a tipped pass down to prevent an interception. At the snap,= the tackles may be upright or in a three-point stance.

   &= nbsp;        14a . Offensive Line Blocking Restrictions during Forward Pass Play :

·=       =    During a play that results in a forward <= span class=3DSpellE>pass,offensive linemen cannot go beyond neutral zone extended (2 yards from line of scrimmage)&= nbsp; until the forward pass has been thrown ( this includes screen passes= ).

o   If = any ineligible O-lineman is beyond neutral zone extended (2 yards from line of scrimmage) before a forward p= ass is thrown and is not making contact with a defensive player, or is making cont= act with a defensive player and the forward pass does not go beyond LOS( screen pass), the penalty is ineligible receiver downfield.<= /p>
o   If = any ineligible O-lineman is beyond neutral zone extended (2 yards from line of scrimmage) before a forward pass is thrown and is making contact with a defensive pla= yer , and the pass goes beyond the LOS, the penalty is offensive pass interferenc= e.

Definition:
After becoming set, it is a false start (dead ball) penalty if an O-lineman moves before the snap or any offensive player makes any movement that simulates action at the snap

15. OFFENSIVE ALIGNMENT: At the snap the offense must line up in a balanced line (both offensive tackles covered by an eligible receiver) with a minimum of five players on the line of scrimmage. The tack= le, center, and tackle are ineligible. To be a legal participant, a player must have been in the previous play or be in the huddle. No players can "sneak" into the play from the sideline. This is considered illeg= al participation.

Definitions:

- It is an illegal motion (li= ve ball) penalty if a player is moving toward the line of scrimmage at the tim= e of the snap or if two players are in motio= n at the time of the snap.
- It is an illegal shift penalty (live ball) if after a huddle or shift all= offensive players do not come to a comple= te stop for at least one (1) second before the snap.

15 a. It is illegal participation<= /span> wh= en a player goes out of bounds, returns to the field and touches the ball. This = is a 10-yard penalty assessed from the line of scrimmage. If bumped out, a player may come back in and participate in the play, providing he does so immediat= ely.

15 b. It is also illegal if a team has too many men on the field.

          &n= bsp; 1). In the huddle before the snap, dead ball foul , 5 yard penalty( Illegal substitution)

          &n= bsp; 2). After the snap , live ball foul, 10 yard pen= alty if accepted.( Illegal participation)

16. TACKLE-ELIGIBLE: The tackle (ONLY ONE) can be= come eligible during a play IF the referee is made aware AND a running back or t= ight-end fills the same space vacated by the tackle (you still must end up with three ineligible linemen). The defense DOES NOT have to be made aware of a tackle-eligible play.

17. RECEIVER: A receiver must have two feet in bounds = to make a reception. A receiver cannot step out of bounds, on his own, and com= e back onto the field and touch the ball. This is considered illegal participa= tion. The player may return to block or “tackle” the ball carrier.

". There is no ball-stripping or def= lagging a receiver before the ball arrives”

18. FORWARD PASS: There is only one forward pa= ss per play. Ball must be snapped to the QB or another back. Intentional groun= ding will not be called if the QB is outside the tackles AND THE FORWARD PASS REACHES THE PROXIMITY OF THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE( LOS). During the last two(2) minutes of each half, the QB may spike the ball (from under center or shotgun), immediately upon catching the snap, to stop the clock. This is defined as a “quick spike.” Ineligible receiver(s) may not proc= eed down field, beyond two (2) yards from line of scrimmage (neutral zone extended) until the forward pass, including a screen pass, is in flight. The penalty = is ineligible receiver down field if the pass is untouched or offensive pass interference if the pass is touched by the ineligible receiver(s). You m= ay not lateral back to someone behind the line of scrimmage once you've crosse= d it and have that person throw a forward pass. Nor can you step over the line of scrimmage and go back behind it and pass.

19. BALL CARRIER: The spot of the ball is alwa= ys the torso of the ball carrier at the time of flag remov= al OR THE = FLAG FALLING TO THE GROUND. Ball Is dead at the spot.= It is illegal for the ball carrier= to: 1). Flag shield 2). Run directly at a defender including lowering head and/= or shoulders (charging) 3). Crawl 4). Dive, (defined as not landing on your feet). A “ stiff arm “ may be used (open hand between shoulders and waist of defender). Should contact be made above the shoulders , to the   neck, face , head, etc , this will be considere= d an illegal stiff arm and be penalized 15 yards from the spot of the foul and the down counts . A ball carrier that falls to the g= round may get up and advance unless “ one hand t= ouched “ while on the ground.

The defense cannot push a ball carrier out of bounds. If a ball carrier loses his flag for any reason , th= e ball is dead at the spot. The defense cannot use contact to break up a p= ass play, they must truly be "going for the ball. You cannot hold the jersey to pull the flag or tackle a ball-carrier (if it prevents a TD, the ref can award a TD). You cannot "stand up" the ball carrier to pull a flag.

NOTE 1: If any player either starts a play without one or two flags, or loses one or two flags du= ring the play and subsequently becomes a ball carrier, the play ends and th= e ball is dead at the spot of possession.

Note 2: Should a defe= nder deflag a receiver (per Rule 17 ) ,the play is dead at the spot of the one hand touch. A 10 yard penalty will= be assessed from the end of the run and the down counts.=

19a: INADVERTENT WHISTLE :

During a down ,or during= a down in which the penalty for a foul is declined , if an inadvertent whistle occ= urs while:

a). A legal forward pass or snap is in flight, or duri= ng a legal kick, the down shall be replayed.

   b). The ball is loose following a backward pass, fumble, illegal forward pass or illegal kick, the team last in possession may choose to put the ball in play where possession was lost or replay the down.

    c). The ball is in player possession, that team may choose to accept the play at th= at spot or replay the down.

If an inadvertent whistle occurs during a down in w= hich a foul occurs prior to the inadvertent whistle,   and the penalty is accepte= d, the inadvertent whistle is ignored.

20. FIELD GOALS: Immediate Rush. Upon announcing a FG attempt, the offense must send two players, from their sideline, out to hold up the portable goal posts on fields with no regular = goal posts The holder must set up a minimum of seven = yards from the center. The defense cannot rush through either lane next to the ce= nter unless the center or guard steps out to block an outside opponent ignori= ng the man head up from him, leaving a natural gap ( this is referred to as an “A” Gap infraction) The defense cannot dive to block th= e kick or come in contact with the holder or kicker. Players can jump, as long as = they land on their feet, but remember there can be no contact with the center. T= hese are defensive penalties and the offense can elect to accept the penalty ( 15 yards and an automatic 1^st down) or accept the 3 points for the fie= ld goal that would be automatically "good" and a 15-yard penalty from the succeeding spot on the ensuing kickoff. The referee has the option of ejecting any player who comes in contact with the kicker or holder. Kicking blocks are legal. Kicking shoes are legal. The play is dead immediately after all missed FG attempts. Any miss= ed FG within the 20-yard-line will come out to the 20. A missed FG from outside the 20-yard-line will be placed at the previo= us line of scrimmage. Fake FG's are not allowed. If a snap is fielded cleanly, even if it hits the ground first, the kick may still be attempted. If the holder fumbles (drops) the snap the play is dead.

21. EXTRA POINTS: : Immediate Rush. A one (1) point try may be kicked = or attempted with a run/pass play with the line of scrimmage being the three-yard-line. Upon announcing an extra point kick attempt, the offense m= ust send two players, from their sideline, out to hold up the portable goal pos= ts on fields with no regular goal posts The holder = must set up a minimum of seven yards from the center. The defense cannot rush through either lane next to the center unless the center or guard steps out to block an outside opponent ignoring the man head up from him, leaving a natural gap.( this is referred to as an “A” Gap infraction)   If a snap is fielded cleanly,= even if it hits the ground first, the kick may still be attempted. If the holder= fumbles (drops) the snap the play is dead. The defense cannot dive to block the kic= k or come in contact with the holder or kicker. Players can jump, as long as they land on their feet, but remember there can be no contact with the center. T= hese are defensive penalties, the extra point will be ruled = " good" automatically and a 15-yard penalty assessed from the succeeding spot on the ensuing kickoff. The referee has the option of eject= ing any player who comes in contact with the kicker or holder. Kicking blocks a= re legal. Kicking shoes are legal. The play is dead immediately after all missed Extra Point attempts. A two point try may = be attempted with a run/pass play from the ten-yard-line. If the defense intercepts the ball on an extra-point attempt they can return the ball and = if they score they will be awarded the same number of points that the offense = was attempting.

21a. GAME CLOCK AFTER EXTRA POINT (KICK) ,= Successful Field Goal <= span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> or Safety, the kicking team = has 60 seconds within which they must kickoff to the receiving team. However, the = kicking team may kick the ball in under that allotted time (for example, in 15, 20 = or 25 seconds). In this way, the offense determines the start of play assuming they do not go past 60 seconds (delay of game, 5 yards). This 60-second allotment works much the same as the 30-second play clock, where there is no requirement to wait the full 30 seconds. As with the 30-second play clock, = the kicking team must wait for the official's "ready" whistle after t= he ball has been set.

22. PUNTS: Immediate Rush A t= eam may declare to punt the ball at any time. A snap is man= datory . The defensive team can rush the punter immediately after the snap = but not through the A gap.( The penalty op= tions are to 1). accept result of the play or 2).. acc= ept a 15 yard penalty from the LOS and replay the down ) . You cannot fake a punt. If a team declares they want to punt and then decides to go for it instead, a time-out must be used to declare the switch. If the team wants to switch and they don't have any time-outs left, they can take a delay of game penalty and then switch. When the snap hits the ground, touched or untouche= d by an offensive player, the ball is dead at the spot. The teams will again lin= e up for a punt with this spot as new line of scrimmage. The receiving team must have a minimum of four (4) players on the line of scrimmage. There will be = no movement down field by either team until the ball is punted. A punt may be advanced out of the endzone.

NOTE : A PUNT ,TOUCHED BY ANY MEMBER OF THE KICKING TEAM= ,THAT CONTINUES TO MOVE, IS CONSIDERED A “LIVE” Ball AND= MAY BE PICKED UP AND ADVANCED BY THE RECEIVER

23. KICKOFFS: Kickoffs will be from the 25-yard line. Tees are allowed. Kic= king off a teammates foot is not allowed. If no tee is available, teammate may hold ball on ground. The receiving team (R ) will= line up at their 35-yard line and must have a minimum of four players within 5 yard= s of its restraining line. Note: There will always be a 20-yard restraining zone. There are no onsides kicks. Any kick that lands between the restraining lin= es is live and may be advanced. Any kick that goes out of = bounds ,untouched by R, before the goal line co= mes in to play at the receiving teams restraining line. Any kick that touches t= he ground in the endzone and is not returned will = be declared a touchback and will come out to the 20-yard-line. . Any player(s) crossing their restraining line before the kick will be flagged for offsides. This is considered a &q= uot; live " ball foul and a five-yard penalty will be enforced, if accepted, and the ball will be rekicked

&n= bsp;

NOTE 1 : A KICKOFF/ FREE KICK   TOUCHED BY ANY MEMBER OF THE KICKING TEAM<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> IN THE NEUTRAL ZONE IS DECLARED DEAD IMMEDIATELY . THE RECEIVING TEAM H= AS THE OPTION OF 1). ACCEPTING A= 15 YARD UNSPORTSMANLIKE PENALTY FROM THE SPOT OF THE TOUCH AND PUTTING BALL IN PLAY   ,FIRST DOWN OR 2). ACCEPTING A 10 YARD PENALTY ENFORCED FROM THE SPOT OF THE KICK AND HAVING T= HE BALL REKICKED.

REMEMBER, THERE ARE NO ONSIDE KICKS.

NOTE 2 : A KICKOFF/ FREE KICK, FIRST TOUCHED BY ANY MEMBER OF THE KICKING TEAM<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> ,BEYOND THE NEUTRAL ZONE, THAT CON= TINUES TO MOVE, IS CONSIDERED A “LIVE” BALL AND MAY BE PICKED UP AND ADVANCED BY THE RECEIVERS

23A. . Safeties are allowed.= Th= ey are two points and the team who scored the safety receives the ball on a kickof= f.. A safety is also scored when the offensive team com= mits a penalty in the end zone or commits a fumble in the end zone. The safety kic= koff alignment is the same as a regular kickoff. The ball may be place kicked (f= rom tee or while being held on the ground by a teammate) or punted in the proxi= mity of the center of the yard line. This is considered a free kick.<= /span>

24. GAME CLOCK: Games will consist of two 35-minute, running time, halves with a two-minute warning at the end of each half. Neither half can end on a defensive penalty that is accepted. I= nside two minutes, normal football clock-stoppage rules will apply and is defined as follows: The clock will not stop for a first down when the play = ends in the field of play. The clock stops after change of possession, incomplete passes (including “quick spikes”), plays ending out of bounds, time-outs and touchbacks and restarts on the ensuing sn= ap . The clock stops for all scores, and restarts when receivers touch the ensui= ng kickoff. and advance the ball in the field of pl= ay. Clock doesn't run during extra points. The clock stops for all referee time-outs including penalty enforcement and restarts on "ready" whistle unless play dictates otherwise. For "delay of game" penal= ties the clock starts on the snap. When a fumble occurs the clock is stopped, ba= ll is reset, and clock restarts on the ” ready” whistle. If the clock is stopped for an injury timeout, the te= am is charged with a timeout. If no timeouts are left, the team is assessed a = five (5) yard delay of game penalty. The clock restarts on the “ ready” whistle. If an inadvertent whistle is sounded inside two minutes of either half, the clock will be sto= pped to administer the result of the inadvertent whistle. The clock will then be= restarted when the ready-for-play whistle is sounded.

Note: During the first thirty-three(33) minutes of either half, the clock is stopped and restarted on the ” ready” whistle for an injury timeout

25. MERCY RULE: If a team is winning by 18 or more points, at the two-minute warning of the second half, the game will be ended.

26. TIME-OUTS: Each team receives three (3) time-outs p= er half and they cannot be carried over to next half or overtime period.

27. 30-SECOND PLAY CLOCK: The defense has 30 seconds to return the ball to the line of scrimmage after completion of the play. Once= the ball is set, and the “ready” whistle is sounded, the offense ha= s 30 seconds to snap the ball. The Line Referee will issue a fifteen (15) second warning and continue the count down with a silent hand motion and will anno= unce the ten (10 ) second time point. He will continu= e the silent hand motion until the five(5) second point at which time he will both motion and announce the last five (5) seconds as 5, 4, 3, 2,1 .Delay of Game (5 yards) is the pe= nalty for the violation of either of these offenses.

28. OVERTIME GAMES: If the game is tied after regulation, there is a one-minute intermission and the captains are bro= ught to the center of the field for a coin toss. The winner of the toss can eith= er choose 1.) to go on offense, 2.) to go on defense, or 3.) to defend a goal. Each tea= m will have four plays starting from the 20-yard line (in an equal number of sets)= to go for a touchdown AND the conversion. After each completed set the option = to pick from the three choices alternates to each team. A winner is declared w= hen one team scores more points than the other during a complete set. An interception returned for a TD ends the game. If an interception is not returned for a touchdown, it comes back to the 20-yard line. Sets are repea= ted until a winner is declared. Each team gets one (1) time-out during each overtime set. A team can go for either one or two points in an extra-point conversion attempt.

29. EQUIPMENT: . EQUIPMENT:<= /b> Ma= tching (same color, at least) numbered jerseys, must be worn by all team members.Sonic Boom ( &#= 8220;POP “ ) Flagbelts only. The flagbelts must be of a contrasting color to leg covering (sweat pants, shorts, football pants). Any headgear/hats must not extend outward, "cutoff" jerseys must not cover flagbelt.

Anybody found IMPROPERLY tyin= g flagbelt will be ejected and the team will be assessed a 15-yard penalty. No football pads or hard knee braces/casts, no metal cleats, no foreign substances on football or hands. Receiver gloves a= re legal. Mouth guards are suggested. It is suggested that each c= oach have a First-Aid kit.<= /o:p>

NOTE : There wi= ll be one warning issued to each team at the coin toss to ensure that all players keep flag belts fully accessible. If during a play , the official deems that a ball carrier’s flag belt is not accessible,= the ball carrier will be ruled as being “tackled” at the spot of a = one hand touch by the opposing team.!!

Equipment Details :

     =        29a UNIFORMS ;

     =        . A team may wear any color as their team color. Colors must remain the s= ame throughout the season unless league approval is granted. . A= ny player not in the proper color may not be allowed to play. The final decisi= on is up to the referees as to what is acceptable. An opposing coach will want= to bring it to the attention of the referee before the start of a game. Once a player starts a game with a different color shirt, he will be allowed to complete the game this way. Coaches may want to keep some extra shirts of t= heir color just in case.

If two teams have similar color play EACH OTHER and one has the official ACFL football jersey, the team with the official ACFL football jer= sey will NOT have to wear the pinnies ( regular season and post season). Teams can also purchase official AC= FL patches for their existing jerseys and NOT have to wear pinnies. If both teams have the official ACFL football jersey then the team with more ACFL years in regular season and better record= in the playoffs have the choice. If a determination cannot be made to t= he satisfaction of the referees, the winner of a coin toss with decide which t= eam wear the pinnies.

NOTE : OFFICIAL ACFL FOOTBALL JERSEY MEANS A JE= RSEY THAT HAS THE ACFL PATCH AFFIXED TO IT.

     =        29b FOOTBALLS<= /i> ;

        &= nbsp;   The following are the only acceptable footballs= allowed in an official ACFL game: the official Wilson NCAA 1001, 1005 or 12= 05 ball , the official Wilson NFL ball AND the Wilson Classic Including tackified versions. The b= all must be properly inflated to the referees' satisfaction (12 to 13 pounds). =

        A team can switch balls a= t any time assuming it is for a league-approved football and it is done within the 30-second play clock.

30. SIDELINES: All players and coaches must stay in the area between the 20-yard-lines. All coaches are responsible for keeping all spectators 5 yards from sideline. Anytime a coach enters the playing field = to question a call a time-out will be assessed. If a coach requests a timeout = to question a rule and the rule is not changed, the team is charged with a tim= eout or assessed a five (5) yard delay of game penalty if no timeouts are left. = All coaches should have garbage bags to clean up their sidelines before leaving= the field. Leaving garbage on the field will result in a $50 fine, which must be paid before the next week's game or the team will forfeit until they pay fi= ne.

<= span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>30a= .   The home team ( team that secures the field ) has the option to choose a sidelin= e

31. PROTESTS: If a possible rule misinterpretation directly affects the outcome of the game, a protest may be filed in the following manner: 1) Coach informs Head Referee immediately (before next pl= ay) of the protest 2). Head referee will note the exact conditions at the time = of protest, including time, team in possession, spot of ball, down, distance a= nd reason for the protest. He will obtain signature of both coaches signifying agreement. 2) Coach & Head Referee call league office and a decision wi= ll be rendered by the league office as early in the following week as possible. Upheld protests will be played at a time and place designated by the league office from the point in the game when the protest was declared with condit= ions as defined in sentence 2)above. Remember, a prot= est cannot be lodged for a judgment call. All decisions are final and not subje= ct to appeal.

32. THE TOSS: The visiting team always has first choice of toss, at start of game and first overtime session.

The team that wins the toss may elect to: 1) receive, 2) kick,= 3) choose direction, or 4) defer. Captains bring their sign-in sheets & ref fees to the toss.

In overtime, the choices at the toss to start the first overtime sess= ion = are to 1). Go on offense, 2) Go on defense or 3). Choose direction. =

If the game remains tied after the first overtime session , the first choice of the toss options goes to= the team that lost the toss to start the overtime.

If game still remains tied the first choice of the toss options alternates between the teams at the start of every new session.<= /span>

Note: There is only one coin toss in the overtime segment of t= he game and it occurs at the start the first overtime sess= ion .

. 33. SCORING: Touchdown =3D 6 points...Field Goal =3D 3 points. Safety =3D 2 points (ensuing kickoff may be punted or kicked, with = tee, from 25-yard-line). PAT =3D 1 point (kick/run/pass from 3-yard-line) ...OR.= .. 2 points (run/pass from 10-yard-line).

34. HEAD REFEREE: Head ref can reverse any oth= er referee's call. Can elevate any potentially hazardous p= lay to "unnecessary roughness" status and expulsion if necessary.= Has the right to terminate any game at any point, without refund of fees if game conditions warrant it. Physical contact with a referee will result in immed= iate expulsion of the player(s)/ coach(es) involved for the remainder of the game and the next scheduled game. This ac= tion could also result in an immediate forfeit of the game.

35. 5-YARD PENALTIES: Offside, false start, encroachment, equipment, illegal procedure, illegal chuck, ineligible recei= ver, illegal substitution, illegal motion, illegal shift, delay of game, defensi= ve holding (and first down).

35a. Should the defense go offside, t= he offense has the option of accepting the results of the play or the penalty = with or without the distance ( 5 yards) being enforce= d. Should the defense continue to go offside during the same down, an unsportsmanlike conduct (15-yard) foul may be assessed.=
   &= nbsp;        35b= . False<= b> Start , = Def= inition :

After becoming set, it is a false start (dead ball) penalty if= an O-lineman ( Center and the two players adjacent to the center ) moves before the s= nap or any offensive player makes any movement that simulates action at the snap.<= o:p>

NOTE : if= a defensive player is in the neutral zone at the time of the false start or offensive offsides, the ball is declared dead a= nd a defensive offsides penalty is declared.<= /i>

35c. Offside ,= Definition :

1). Defensive offside occurs when any defensive player enters the neutral zone prior to the snap. This is = a live ball foul unless there is contact before the snap or= the official dec= lares the rush is unabated to the QB, at which time the whistle will blow declari= ng the play dead.

2). Offensive offside occurs when any pla= yer ( other than the center and= the two players adjacent to the center ) enter the neutral = zone before the snap.The whistle will b= low declaring the play dead

36. 10-YARD PENALTIES: Illegal participation, offensive holding, offensive pass interference, defensive holding on offensive blocker(s), charging/lowering of head and/or shoulder by runn= er (spot minus 10 and down counts), ball stripping,(from the end of run   and down counts) , flag shield (spot minus 10 a= nd down counts), diving ( spot player leaves his feet minus 10 and down counts) , deflagging/early flag removal (from end of run= after one hand touch is accomplished and down counts), hold of runner (from the e= nd of run and down counts), tackle( pull-down) of runner (from the end of the = run and down counts). Note: if in judgment of Referee, a touchdown was prevented, the Referee can award a touchdown

37. 15-YARD PENALTIES : Clipping, , Illegal stiff arm ( penalized from the spot of the foul and the down counts ), kicker/holder contact on extra points and field goals (enforced on kickoff), illegal bloc= k, pushing out of bounds, illegally tied flag belt (including immediate ejecti= on) , Unsportsmanlike conduct , and

. Roughing kicker or holde= r or an “= ;A” Gap infraction   on extra point , the extra poin= t will be ruled " good" automatically and a 15-yard penalty assessed from the succeeding spot on the ensuing kickoff .

. Roughing kicker or holder or an “A” Gap infract= ion   on field goal attempt . The offense= has 2 options :

1) accept . the field goal for 3 points which is ruled " good" automatically and a 15-yard penalty assessed from the succeeding spot on the ensuing kickoff

        =             &nb= sp; OR

2) elect to accept the penalty ,15 yards from LOS and an automatic 1^st do= wn .

37a). 15&= nbsp; YARD Personal Foul PENALTIES ALSO RESULTING IN AUTOMATIC FIRST DOWN OR LOSS OF DOWN:

Personal Fouls / Unnecessary Roughness of any kind, i.e= ., barreling a player over when blocking, on a kickoff or at any time, rough tackle/flag pull, contact with potential receiver (offense or defense), including fighting of any kind including thr= owing of punches whether there is contact or not and contact used to break up a pass pl= ay and roughing the passer (15 YARDS added on to end of run if completed pass or f= rom previous spot if pass is incomplete) .

. Roughing kicker or holder or an “A” Gap infract= ion   on field goal attempt . The offense= has 2 options :

1) accept . the field goal for 3 points whic= h is ruled " good" automatically and a 15-yard penalty assessed from the succeeding spot on the ensuing kickoff

        =             &nb= sp; OR

2) elect to accept the penalty ,15 yards from LOS and an automatic 1^st down .

Definition of Personal Foul/Unnecessary Roughness : No player may roughly contac= t or shove any player   in order to prevent a recepti= on or interception. -- after any player touches the ball -- in hopes of jostling the ball free. This is trea= ted as a live ball unnecessary roughness foul . If on defense, a 15-yard penalty will be assessed from the line of scrimmage if t= he ball is dropped, or from the end of the run if it is caught and an automatic first down will also be declared . This is not a pass interference penalty since it occurs after the BALL IS TOUCHED. If the penalty is on the offense 1). If pass is incomplete or caught by offense, catch is nullified, a 15 yard penalty is enforced from L= OS and a loss of down is declared.

THE NAME OF THE GAME IT TO PLAY THE BALL AND NOT THE MAN !.

Definition of Roughing the Passer :

Roughing th= e passer is defined as while the passer is in the act of throwing a forward pass:

·      =    Any contact is made with the passer’s throwing h= and whether the ball is touched or not

·      =    Any contact is made above the passer’s shoulders, including an attempt to make a “tackle”.<= /p>
·      =    Any physical contac= t is made to the passer including pu= shing , shoving ,lowering of shoulder to knock the passer over,etc. while attempting to = make the flag-pull.

38. Defensive and Offensive pass interference penalties can only = be called when the pass is ruled "catchable" . Defensive Pass Interference (DPI) will result in an automatic= first down and the ball being placed at the spot of infraction ( if the DPI occur= s in the endzone, place the ball at the one(1) yard = line) . Offensive pass interference will result in a 10-yard penalty from the lin= e of scrimmage. Either penalty could result in an ejection at the referee's discretion.

NOTE: Face Guarding is a form of Pass Interference (PI) . Face guarding is defined as a player ( offense or defense) who turns his back to the ball and directs his attention to = his opponent and waves his arm(s) to block the vision of the potential receiver= or interceptor. There is no attempt by the player ( offense or defense= ) to look back at the ball. No con= tact need be made for PI to be called.

39. ILLEGAL FORWARD PASS/ ILLEGAL TOUCHING/ ILLEGAL FORWARD= HANDING : 5 yards from spot of infract= ion and loss of down.

Note: When penalty yardage exceeds 50% of the yardage to a TD = mark off only half the distance to the goal line.

40. Penalty Enforcement Clarification: Sh= ould an offensive penalty be accepted, the penalty will be enforced from the spo= t of the foul. If the result of the play established a new first down, the penal= ty yardage will be marked off, line of scrimmage established and it will be 1st down to newly established first down marker.

Example: 3rd down and 10 yards to go for a first down at mid-field (40-yard line). Offense completes a pass/run and flag is pulled at the oppo= sing 26-yard line. New first down is established as 20-yard line.

A "live ball" penalty for a clip against the offense occurs during = the play at the defensive team's 30-yard line. This is a 15-yard penalty. The b= all will be placed at the 35-yard line of the offense and it will be 1st down a= nd 25 yards to go to the 20-yard line of the defense.

A dead ball unsportsman-like foul is called on the offense. The ball will be placed on the 39-yard line of the offense and it = will be 1st down and 21 yards to go to the 20-yard line of the defense.
Please realize that this enforcement is for acceptance of offensive penalties by the defensive during a play from scrimmage.

It does not apply to penalties accepted during kickoffs or change of possession plays such as scrimmage kick returns or interceptions.

In these cases, the penalty is enforced and the result of the enforcement establishes a new Line of Scrimmage and first down yard marker.<= span style=3D'mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>

Example:

Kickoff, punt and /or interception are returned to the receivers/defenders 30-yard l= ine.

<= span style=3D'color:black'>Case 1). No penalty, receivers/defenders go on offense 1^st down and 10 yards= to go to the 40-yard line

Case 2). Penalty on receivers/defenders for a clip at = the 25-yard line is accepted. Penalty is enforced to 121/2-yard line, receivers= go on offense, 1^st down and 81/2 yards to go to the 20 yard line .

<= span style=3D'mso-bidi-font-size:14.0pt'>

41.   Foul on Last Play of Half or Game

1. On<= /span> a foul by defense on last play of half or game, the down is replayed if pen= alty is accepted.

2. On<= /span> a foul by the offense on last play of half or game, the down is not replayed and the play in which the foul is committed is nullified.

Exception: Fair catch interference, foul following change of possession, illegal touching. No score by offense counts

41a : INADVERTENT WHISTLE ON LAST PLAY OF HALF OR GAME :

If there is an inadvertent whistle during the last = timed down of e= ither half, the half must be extended by an untimed down.

42. SCORE CALL-IN: The coach of the winning team must call the score in to (201)-767-6054, by 5 p.m. on Sundays or post it on the ACFL Message Board at h= ttp://members4.boardhost.com/ACFL/. Games not called in will go down as 0-0 in the standings. You may call the = same phone number, after 6 p.m. on Sundays, for a recap of the entire day's resu= lts. The same number will also serve as the “Weather Phone” on Sunday mornings after 6:45 am.

43. CONDUCT: Conduct

There will be absolutely zero tolerance for unsportsmanlike conduct. Anyone who engages in unsportsmanlike conduct, as defined below, will severely disqual= ify his team and his chances for resuming play this or any season. A player who throws a = punch will be suspended for the entire season. 8 regular season games (which can overlap seasons) and you are ineligible for the pl= ayoffs in the season in which the punch was thrown. Mandatory 3 ga= mes for verbally abusing/threatening refs.

Coaches are alerted to the fact that they should not bring a potential problem play= er onto their team. These players tend to show themselves more than once during the course of a season and will adversely affect your team's chances for success. Avert the problem, don't sign him. This is meant to be a friendly league. We will let no one player or one team jeopardiz= e our good-natured, recreation pursuits of the league, our use of fields and insurance privileges.

Unsportsmanlike conduct is any conduct that is not contingent to the game. Any participant = of a fight will unquestionably be expelled from the game. It will be up to the referee as to whether or not that player is to return the following week, or any game thereafter (upon consultation with league management). If a precipitator can be determined, he will be ejected. If not, both players wi= ll be automatically ejected. Any player ejected from a game is to leave the fi= eld property entirely or the team will suffer a forfeit. A referee and league officials can hold a team accountable (in the form of forfeit) for any unsuitable actions taken by the player after he is ejected.

The second player from the same team engaged in a second fight will automatical= ly be ejected for that game plus the following game. It will be up to the discretion of the official whether or not a team should be held accountable= for the actions of the second ejected player by levying a t= eam forfeit of the current game.

A major responsibility of the refs is to watch out for cheap shots. This will lead to an automatic ejection. Anyone developing a reputation for committing cheap shots or any chronic conduct violation will be monitored closely by t= he league and will probably not finish the season.

The referee can request a mandatory forfeit for a subsequent week of any team engaging as a whole or majority in unsportsmanlike actions. This can only be upheld, however, after consultation with league management. The same rules apply for any verbal assault on a referee.

The only players allowed to question the call of an official is be the coach or= the designated captain. All else are subject to ejection for all or part of a g= ame at the ref's discretion. The preface of any confrontation with a referee mu= st be to ask for an explanation of a rule or a call -- not to chastise the official.

This is not a "rough touch" league. However, if you feel you were unju= stly rough-touched, you may not confront the accused offender to express your displeasure. All calls by the officials are final. If the official does not call a penalty for a rough touch, there was none in the eyes of the league.=

Harassing verbal confrontation will also not be tolerated. It will be up to the offic= ial whether or not language is fight provoking and if action need be taken. Any player abusive in this manner may be asked by the official to sit out the remainder of the half. If this persists, he may then be asked to leave the = game by the official. Trash talking is discouraged as it could be considered fight-provoking behavior.

Appeals may be made to league management. A vote of all coaches and league advisors will determine the outcome of the appeal. Appeals may be made of rulings on= ly, not an officials on-field call. Do not call leag= ue officials to complain of a particular call by a referee (other than a rule interpretation). All calls by officials are final and will not be overturne= d by league management.

If a possible rule misinterpretation directly affects the outcome of the game, a protest may be filed in the following manner: 1) Coach informs Head Referee immediately (before next play) of the protest 2). Head referee will note the exact conditions at the time of protest, including time, team in possession, spot of ball, down, distance and reason for the protest. He will obtain signature of both coaches signifying agreement. 2) Coach & Head Referee call league office and a decision will be rendered by the league office as early in the following week as possible. Upheld protests will be played at a time and place designated by the league office from the point in the game w= hen the protest was declared with conditions as defined in sentence 2)above. Remember, a protest cannot be lodged for a jud= gment call. All decisions are final and not subject to appeal.