2009 8FL RULES
The following are the 2009 8FL rules and penalties.
DEFINITIONS
1.
Chucking: Warding off an opponent who is in front of a defender by contacting him with a quick extension of arm or arms, followed by the return of arm(s) to a flexed position, thereby breaking the original contact.
Chucking: Warding off an opponent who is in front of a defender by contacting him with a quick extension of arm or arms, followed by the return of arm(s) to a flexed position, thereby breaking the original contact. 2.Clipping: Throwing the body across the back of an opponent’s leg or hitting him from the back below the waist while moving up from behind unless the opponent is a runner or the action is in close line play.
Clipping: Throwing the body across the back of an opponent’s leg or hitting him from the back below the waist while moving up from behind unless the opponent is a runner or the action is in close line play. 3.Close Line Play: The area between the positions normally occupied by the offensive tackles, extending three yards on each side of the line of scrimmage. It is legal to clip above the knee.
Close Line Play: The area between the positions normally occupied by the offensive tackles, extending three yards on each side of the line of scrimmage. It is legal to clip above the knee. 4.Crackback: Eligible receivers who take or move to a position more than two yards outside the tackle may not block an opponent below the waist if they then move back inside to block.
Crackback: Eligible receivers who take or move to a position more than two yards outside the tackle may not block an opponent below the waist if they then move back inside to block. 5.Dead Ball: Ball not in play.
Dead Ball: Ball not in play. 6.Double Foul: A foul by each team during the same down.
Double Foul: A foul by each team during the same down. 7.Down: The period of action that starts when the ball is put in play and ends when it is dead.
Down: The period of action that starts when the ball is put in play and ends when it is dead. 8.Encroachment: When a player enters the neutral zone and makes contact with an opponent before the ball is snapped.
Encroachment: When a player enters the neutral zone and makes contact with an opponent before the ball is snapped. 9.Fair Catch: An unhindered catch of a kick by a member of the receiving team who must raise one arm a full length above his head and wave his arm from side to side while the kick is in flight.
Fair Catch: An unhindered catch of a kick by a member of the receiving team who must raise one arm a full length above his head and wave his arm from side to side while the kick is in flight. 10.Foul: Any violation of a playing rule.
Foul: Any violation of a playing rule. 11.Free Kick: A kickoff or safety kick. It may be a placekick, dropkick, or punt, except a punt may not be used on a kickoff following a touchdown, successful field goal, or to begin each half or overtime period. A tee cannot be used on a fair-catch or safety kick.
Free Kick: A kickoff or safety kick. It may be a placekick, dropkick, or punt, except a punt may not be used on a kickoff following a touchdown, successful field goal, or to begin each half or overtime period. A tee cannot be used on a fair-catch or safety kick. 12.Fumble: The loss of possession of the ball.
Fumble: The loss of possession of the ball. 13.Game Clock: Scoreboard game clock.
Game Clock: Scoreboard game clock. 14.Impetus: The action of a player that gives momentum to the ball.
Impetus: The action of a player that gives momentum to the ball. 15.Live Ball: A ball legally free kicked or snapped. It continues in play until the down ends.
Live Ball: A ball legally free kicked or snapped. It continues in play until the down ends. 16.Loose Ball: A live ball not in possession of any player.
Loose Ball: A live ball not in possession of any player. 17.Muff: The touching of a loose ball by a player in an unsuccessful attempt to obtain possession.
Muff: The touching of a loose ball by a player in an unsuccessful attempt to obtain possession. 18.Neutral Zone: The space the length of a ball between the two scrimmage lines. The offensive team and defensive team must remain behind their end of the ball.
Neutral Zone: The space the length of a ball between the two scrimmage lines. The offensive team and defensive team must remain behind their end of the ball. Exception: The offensive player who snaps the ball.
19.Offside: A player is offside when any part of his body is beyond his scrimmage or free kick line when the ball is snapped or kicked.
Offside: A player is offside when any part of his body is beyond his scrimmage or free kick line when the ball is snapped or kicked. 20.Own Goal: The goal a team is guarding.
Own Goal: The goal a team is guarding. 21.Play Clock: 40/25-second clock.
Play Clock: 40/25-second clock. 22.Pocket Area: Applies from a point two yards outside of either offensive tackle and includes the tight end if he drops off the line of scrimmage to pass protect. Pocket extends longitudinally behind the line back to offensive team’s own end line.
Pocket Area: Applies from a point two yards outside of either offensive tackle and includes the tight end if he drops off the line of scrimmage to pass protect. Pocket extends longitudinally behind the line back to offensive team’s own end line. 23.Possession: When a player controls the ball throughout the act of clearly touching both feet, or any other part of his body other than his hand(s), to the ground inbounds.
Possession: When a player controls the ball throughout the act of clearly touching both feet, or any other part of his body other than his hand(s), to the ground inbounds. 24.Post-Possession Foul: A foul by the receiving team that occurs after a ball is legally kicked from scrimmage prior to possession changing. The ball must cross the line of scrimmage and the receiving team must retain possession of the kicked ball.
Post-Possession Foul: A foul by the receiving team that occurs after a ball is legally kicked from scrimmage prior to possession changing. The ball must cross the line of scrimmage and the receiving team must retain possession of the kicked ball. 25.Punt: A kick made when a player drops the ball and kicks it while it is in flight.
Punt: A kick made when a player drops the ball and kicks it while it is in flight. 26.Safety: The situation in which the ball is dead on or behind a team’s own goal if the impetus comes from a player on that team. Two points are scored for the opposing team.
Safety: The situation in which the ball is dead on or behind a team’s own goal if the impetus comes from a player on that team. Two points are scored for the opposing team. 27.Shift: The movement of two or more offensive players at the same time before the snap.
Shift: The movement of two or more offensive players at the same time before the snap. 28.Striking: The act of swinging, clubbing, or propelling the arm or forearm in contacting an opponent.
Striking: The act of swinging, clubbing, or propelling the arm or forearm in contacting an opponent. 29.Sudden Death: The continuation of a tied game into sudden death overtime in which the team scoring first (by safety, field goal, or touchdown) wins.
Sudden Death: The continuation of a tied game into sudden death overtime in which the team scoring first (by safety, field goal, or touchdown) wins. 30.Touchback: When a ball is dead on or behind a team’s own goal line, provided the impetus came from an opponent and provided it is not a touchdown or a missed field goal.
Touchback: When a ball is dead on or behind a team’s own goal line, provided the impetus came from an opponent and provided it is not a touchdown or a missed field goal. 31.Touchdown: When any part of the ball, legally in possession of a player inbounds, breaks the plane of the opponent’s goal line, provided it is not a touchback.
Touchdown: When any part of the ball, legally in possession of a player inbounds, breaks the plane of the opponent’s goal line, provided it is not a touchback. 32.Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Any act contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Any act contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship. SUMMARY OF PENALTIES
Automatic First Down
1.Awarded to offensive team on all defensive fouls with these exceptions:
Awarded to offensive team on all defensive fouls with these exceptions: 2.Offside.
Offside. 3.Encroachment.
Encroachment. 4.Delay of game.
Delay of game. 5.Illegal substitution.
Illegal substitution. 6.Excessive time out(s).
Excessive time out(s). 7.Incidental grasp of facemask.
Incidental grasp of facemask. 8.Neutral zone infraction.
Neutral zone infraction. 9.Running into the kicker.
Running into the kicker. 10.More than 8 players on the field at the snap.
More than 8 players on the field at the snap. Five Yards
1.Defensive holding or illegal use of hands (automatic first down).
Defensive holding or illegal use of hands (automatic first down). 2.Delay of game on offense or defense.
Delay of game on offense or defense. 3.Delay of kickoff.
Delay of kickoff. 4.Encroachment.
Encroachment. 5.Excessive time out(s).
Excessive time out(s). 6.False start.
False start. 7.Illegal formation.
Illegal formation. 8.Illegal shift.
Illegal shift. 9.Illegal motion.
Illegal motion. 10.Illegal substitution.
Illegal substitution. 11.First onside kickoff out of bounds between goal lines and untouched or last touched by kicker.
First onside kickoff out of bounds between goal lines and untouched or last touched by kicker. 12.Invalid fair catch signal.
Invalid fair catch signal. 13.More than 8 players on the field at snap for either team.
More than 8 players on the field at snap for either team. 14.Less than four men on offensive line at snap.
Less than four men on offensive line at snap. 15.Offside.
Offside. 16.Failure to pause one second after shift or huddle.
Failure to pause one second after shift or huddle. 17.Running into kicker.
Running into kicker. 18.More than one man in motion at snap.
More than one man in motion at snap. 19.Grasping facemask of the ball carrier or quarterback.
Grasping facemask of the ball carrier or quarterback. 20.Player out of bounds at snap.
Player out of bounds at snap. 21.Ineligible member(s) of kicking team going beyond line of scrimmage before ball is kicked.
Ineligible member(s) of kicking team going beyond line of scrimmage before ball is kicked. 22.Illegal return.
Illegal return. 23.Failure to report change of eligibility.
Failure to report change of eligibility. 24.Neutral zone infraction.
Neutral zone infraction. 25.Loss of team time out(s) or five-yard penalty on the defense for excessive crowd noise.
Loss of team time out(s) or five-yard penalty on the defense for excessive crowd noise. 26.Ineligible player downfield during passing down.
Ineligible player downfield during passing down. 27.Second forward pass behind the line.
Second forward pass behind the line. 28.Forward pass is first touched by eligible receiver who has gone out of bounds and returned.
Forward pass is first touched by eligible receiver who has gone out of bounds and returned. 29.Forward pass touches or is caught by an ineligible receiver on or behind line.
Forward pass touches or is caught by an ineligible receiver on or behind line. 30.Forward pass thrown from behind line of scrimmage after ball once crossed the line.
Forward pass thrown from behind line of scrimmage after ball once crossed the line.31.Kicking team player voluntarily out of bounds during a punt.
Kicking team player voluntarily out of bounds during a punt.32.Nine (9) men in the huddle
Nine (9) men in the huddle10 Yards
1.Offensive pass interference.
Offensive pass interference. 2.Holding, illegal use of hands, arms, or body by offense.
Holding, illegal use of hands, arms, or body by offense. 3.Tripping by a member of either team.
Tripping by a member of either team. 4.Helping the runner.
Helping the runner. 5.Deliberately batting or punching a loose ball.
Deliberately batting or punching a loose ball. 6.Deliberately kicking a loose ball.
Deliberately kicking a loose ball. 7.Illegal block above the waist.
Illegal block above the waist. 15 Yards
1.Cut block.
Cut block.2.Chop block.
Chop block. 3.Clipping below the waist.
Clipping below the waist. 4.Fair catch interference.
Fair catch interference. 5.Illegal crackback block by offense.
Illegal crackback block by offense. 6.Piling on.
Piling on. 7.Roughing the kicker.
Roughing the kicker. 8.Roughing the passer.
Roughing the passer. 9.Twisting, turning, or pulling an opponent by the facemask.
Twisting, turning, or pulling an opponent by the facemask. 10.Unnecessary roughness.
Unnecessary roughness. 11.Unsportsmanlike conduct.
Unsportsmanlike conduct. 12.Delay of game at start of either half.
Delay of game at start of either half. 13.Illegal low block.
Illegal low block. 14.A tackler using his helmet to butt, spear, or ram an opponent.
A tackler using his helmet to butt, spear, or ram an opponent. 15.Any player who uses the top of his helmet unnecessarily.
Any player who uses the top of his helmet unnecessarily. 16.A punter, placekicker, or holder who simulates being roughed by a defensive player.
A punter, placekicker, or holder who simulates being roughed by a defensive player. 17.Leaping.
Leaping. 18.Leverage.
Leverage. 19.Any player who removes his helmet after a play while on the field.
Any player who removes his helmet after a play while on the field. 20.Taunting.
Taunting. Five Yards and Loss of Down (Combination Penalty)
•Forward pass thrown from beyond line of scrimmage.
Forward pass thrown from beyond line of scrimmage.10 Yards and Loss of Down (Combination Penalty)
•Intentional grounding of forward pass (safety if passer is in own end zone). If foul occurs more than 10 yards behind line, play results in loss of down at spot of foul.
Intentional grounding of forward pass (safety if passer is in own end zone). If foul occurs more than 10 yards behind line, play results in loss of down at spot of foul.15 Yards and Loss of Coin Toss Option
1.Team’s late arrival on the field prior to scheduled kickoff.
Team’s late arrival on the field prior to scheduled kickoff. 2.Captains not appearing for coin toss.
Captains not appearing for coin toss.15 Yards (and disqualification if flagrant)
1.Striking opponent with fist.
Striking opponent with fist. 2.Kicking or kneeing opponent.
Kicking or kneeing opponent. 3.Striking opponent on head or neck with forearm, elbow, or hands whether or not the initial contact is made below the neck area.
Striking opponent on head or neck with forearm, elbow, or hands whether or not the initial contact is made below the neck area. 4.Roughing kicker.
Roughing kicker. 5.Roughing passer.
Roughing passer. 6.Malicious unnecessary roughness.
Malicious unnecessary roughness. 7.Unsportsmanlike conduct.
Unsportsmanlike conduct. 8.Palpably unfair act. (Distance penalty determined by the Referee after consultation with other officials.)
Palpably unfair act. (Distance penalty determined by the Referee after consultation with other officials.) 15 Yards and Automatic Disqualification
1.Using a helmet (not worn) as a weapon.
Using a helmet (not worn) as a weapon. 2.Striking or purposely shoving a game official.
Striking or purposely shoving a game official.Suspension From Game For One Down
•Illegal equipment. (Player may return after one down when legally equipped.)
Illegal equipment. (Player may return after one down when legally equipped.) Touchdown Awarded (Palpably Unfair Act)
•When Referee determines a palpably unfair act deprived a team of a touchdown. (Example: Player comes off bench and tackles runner apparently en route to touchdown.)
When Referee determines a palpably unfair act deprived a team of a touchdown. (Example: Player comes off bench and tackles runner apparently en route to touchdown.) Spot of Enforcement for Fouls
1.There are four basic spots at which a penalty for a foul is enforced:
There are four basic spots at which a penalty for a foul is enforced: (a) Spot of foul: The spot where the foul is committed.
(b) Previous spot: The spot where the ball was put in play.
2.(c) Spot of snap, backward pass or fumble: The spot where the foul occurred or the spot where the penalty is to be enforced.
(c) Spot of snap, backward pass or fumble: The spot where the foul occurred or the spot where the penalty is to be enforced. (d) Succeeding spot: The spot where the ball next would be put in play if no distance penalty were to be enforced.
Exception: If foul occurs after a touchdown and before the whistle for a try, succeeding spot is spot of next kickoff.
3.All fouls committed by offensive team behind the line of scrimmage (except in the end zone) shall be penalized from the previous spot. If the foul is in the end zone, it is a safety.
All fouls committed by offensive team behind the line of scrimmage (except in the end zone) shall be penalized from the previous spot. If the foul is in the end zone, it is a safety. 4.When the spot of enforcement for fouls involving defensive holding or illegal use of hands by the defense is behind the line of scrimmage, any penalty yardage to be assessed on that play shall be measured from the line if the foul occurred beyond the line.
When the spot of enforcement for fouls involving defensive holding or illegal use of hands by the defense is behind the line of scrimmage, any penalty yardage to be assessed on that play shall be measured from the line if the foul occurred beyond the line.Double Foul
1.If there is a double foul during a down in which there is a change of possession, the team last gaining possession may keep the ball unless its foul was committed prior to the change of possession.
If there is a double foul during a down in which there is a change of possession, the team last gaining possession may keep the ball unless its foul was committed prior to the change of possession. 2.If double foul occurs after a change of possession, the defensive team retains the ball at the spot of its foul or dead ball spot.
If double foul occurs after a change of possession, the defensive team retains the ball at the spot of its foul or dead ball spot. 3.If one of the fouls of a double foul involves disqualification, that player must be removed, but no penalty yardage is to be assessed.
If one of the fouls of a double foul involves disqualification, that player must be removed, but no penalty yardage is to be assessed. 4.If the kickers foul during a kickoff, punt, safety kick, or field-goal attempt before possession changes, the receivers will have the option of replaying the down at the previous spot (offsetting fouls), or keeping the ball after enforcement for its fouls.
If the kickers foul during a kickoff, punt, safety kick, or field-goal attempt before possession changes, the receivers will have the option of replaying the down at the previous spot (offsetting fouls), or keeping the ball after enforcement for its fouls. Penalty Enforced on Following Kickoff
•When a team scores by touchdown, field goal, extra point, or safety and either team commits a personal foul, unsportsmanlike conduct, or obvious unfair act during the down, the penalty will be assessed on the following kickoff.
When a team scores by touchdown, field goal, extra point, or safety and either team commits a personal foul, unsportsmanlike conduct, or obvious unfair act during the down, the penalty will be assessed on the following kickoff.FIELD
1.Sidelines and end lines are out of bounds. The goal line is actually in the end zone. A player with the ball in his possession scores a touchdown when the ball is on, above, or over the goal line.
Sidelines and end lines are out of bounds. The goal line is actually in the end zone. A player with the ball in his possession scores a touchdown when the ball is on, above, or over the goal line. 2.The field is rimmed by a white border, along the sidelines. All of this is out of bounds.
The field is rimmed by a white border, along the sidelines. All of this is out of bounds. 3.The field is 60 yards long and 40 yards wide. The end zones are 10 yards deep. The lines used for try-for-point plays are three yards (1pt.) and seven yards (2 pt.) out from the goal line.
The field is 60 yards long and 40 yards wide. The end zones are 10 yards deep. The lines used for try-for-point plays are three yards (1pt.) and seven yards (2 pt.) out from the goal line. 4.Down marker, scoreboard, and ball runners must be provided by the home team.
Down marker, scoreboard, and ball runners must be provided by the home team. Ball
Each club shall have 2 balls for outdoor games and 2 for indoor games available for testing with a pressure gauge by the referee one half hour prior to the starting time of the game to meet with League requirements. Any balls used specifically for kicking also need to be available to be checked by the officials one hour prior to the starting time of the game to meet with League requirements.
Coin Toss
1.The toss of coin will take place within three minutes of kickoff in center of field. The toss will be called by the visiting captain before the coin is flipped. The winner may choose one of two privileges and the loser gets the other:
The toss of coin will take place within three minutes of kickoff in center of field. The toss will be called by the visiting captain before the coin is flipped. The winner may choose one of two privileges and the loser gets the other: (a) Receive or kick
(b) Goal his team will defend
2.Immediately prior to the start of the second half, the captains of both teams must inform the officials of their respective choices. The loser of the original coin toss gets first choice.
Immediately prior to the start of the second half, the captains of both teams must inform the officials of their respective choices. The loser of the original coin toss gets first choice. TIMING
1.The official time will be kept by the Line Judge. If there is a stadium game clock is official. In case it stops or is operating incorrectly, the Line Judge takes over the official timing on the field.
The official time will be kept by the Line Judge. If there is a stadium game clock is official. In case it stops or is operating incorrectly, the Line Judge takes over the official timing on the field. 2.Each period is 12 minutes. The intermission between the periods is two minutes. Halftime is 12 minutes, unless otherwise specified.
Each period is 12 minutes. The intermission between the periods is two minutes. Halftime is 12 minutes, unless otherwise specified. 3.On charged team time outs, the Field Judge starts watch and blows whistle after 40 seconds.
On charged team time outs, the Field Judge starts watch and blows whistle after 40 seconds.
