Field

Abridged

• Each team can field six players at a time. At least two must be female unless both teams are short girls.
• Each team donates a referee for a quarter.
• Intentional contact is not permitted. Dangerous play is not permitted.
• Players cannot flag guard, dive, or jump.
• The defense may rush the quarterback after four seconds (ref count) or immediately after a handoff, pass, or fumble.
• By third down the offense must have at least one passing play and at least one play involving a girl.
• Running plays are permitted, but not by the quarterback.

Penalties

• Minor penalties result in the ball being moved half the distance to the next first down marker for a defensive penalty and the previous first down marker for an offensive penalty.
• Major penalties result in the ball being spotted at the next first down marker with an immediate first down for a defensive penalty and the previous first down marker with no change in down for an offensive penalty.

Teams

• Starters are presumed to attend most games, a team lacking starters will incur disadvantages described below.
• Reserves are alternates that can only occasionally attend or are called to fill in for starters.
• Fill-ins are any player not on the team roster. Only one fill-in per team is permitted on the field at a time unless both coaches agree otherwise prior to game start. If multiple fill-in players are necessary to field a full team, none of these players may play quarterback.

Officiating

Contact

The Jeff rule

Flag guarding

Kickoffs

• Kickoffs are taken from the tee, placed at the goal line for male kickers or quarterfield for female players.
• The kickoff team must remain behind the quarterfield line until the ball has been kicked, a running start is permitted.
• If the kicking team is offsides or the kick travels out of bounds before the opposing goal line, the receiving team can opt for a rekick or to take possession at quarter-field.
• If the kicking team is offsides on a rekick, or the ball does not land inbounds, the receiving team takes possession at midfield. If the ball lands inbounds but then travels out, the receiving team takes possession where the ball left play.
• A receiver can signal for a fair catch.
• A kickoff that touches a receiving player can be recovered by either team, however contact rules are be enforced strictly.

Onside kicks

• If the kicking team elects to perform an onside kick, they select a kicker and receiver of opposite sex. The receiving team selects a receiver to match the gender of the receiver from the kicking team.
• The ball is placed on the tee at the goal line (centered), and the kicker is permitted no more than three practice kicks (without receivers).
• The referee takes position at quarterfield, half way between the tee and sideline. The receiver from the kicking team lines up behind the goal line, outside of the referee. The receiver from the receiving team lines up behind quarterfield, inside of the referee. This creates two lanes, divided by the referee.
• At no time may either receiver cross the dividing line created by the referee; the kicking team gets the inside position, the receiving team gets the outside position.
• The play is started when the kicker touches the ball, if either receiver crosses their start line before the kick, they are charged with a penalty, described below.
• To convert the onside kick, the kicking team must recover the ball beyond the quarterfield line, in bounds, and within their lane. To recover the onside kick, the receiving team must prevent the above conditions by deflecting the ball from within its lane.
• The receiving team is successful if the ball travels out of bounds, never crosses quarterfield, or comes to rest.
• If the kicking team converts, they take possession at midfield. If the kicking team fails to convert, the receiving team takes possession on their opponent's quarterfield line.
• If the kicking team is charged with a penalty the attempt ends and the receiving team takes possession. If the receiving team is charged with a penalty, the kick is retaken without the receiving team player.
• If the receiving team player leaves his lane in such a way that it materially interferes with the receiver from the kicking team, the referee may determine that the onside kick was successfully converted by the kicking team.

Play start

• There are no restrictions on formation so long as every player is on the correct side of the ball.
• The offense, except for a single motion player, must set for a full second prior to snapping the ball. Since there is no immediate rush, this rule need only be enforced if the offense appears to have gained an advantage because of the false start, e.g. a receiver getting a running start or a team getting to the line hastily. If the defense is clearly lined up and ready, the offense need not set for a full second.
• Once the offense has set, the motion player can only move parallel to the line of scrimmage.
• The play is initiated when the center snaps the ball between his legs to the quarterback.

Running

• The ball may only be run past the line of scrimmage if it has changed possession at least once after the snap. If the ball is carried past the line of scrimmage without changing possession the offense will be given a minor penalty and loss of down.
• Running is not permitted within five yards of the goal line.

Passing

• A reception consists of two feet inbounds with the ball under control.
• The offense may pass/lateral the ball in any direction behind the line of scrimmage. Beyond the line of scrimmage or on a change of possession, only sideways and backwards passes are permitted (overhand or underhand).
• Only a forward pass can result in an incompletion, all other balls are live.
• There is not intentional grounding penalty, other than embarrassment.
• Offensive pass interference will result in a minor penalty and loss of down.
• Defensive pass interference will result in the ball being spotted where the penalty occurred with an automatic first down.
• There is no tuck rule. The tuck rule is an aberration on human history.
• Similarly, the passer is sacked when his flag is pulled if he has control of the ball, regardless of ball motion.

Rushing

• The referee will time four seconds after the snap and then announce "rush", indicating the defense may rush the quarterback.
• If the quarterback relinquishes possession of the ball by throwing, lateraling, handing off, or fumbling, the defense may immediately cross the line of scrimmage.
• If a snap bounces before touching a player, the defense may immediately cross the line of scrimmage.

Blitzing

• Each team is alotted two blitzes per half.
• To execute a blitz, a defender must announce it at any point after the snap, prior to crossing the line of scrimmage. At this point at least two defenders must enter the backfield (often leaving a receiver open).
• A defensive penalty on this play results in a free play after which the offense may accept or decline the penalty. If the penalty is accepted, the defense is not charged a blitz.

Play composition

• If a female player has not run the ball past the line of scrimmage, been thrown to, or attempted a forward pass beyond the line of scrimmage by third down, a female player must be involved in one of the aforementioned plays. Failing to do so results in a loss of down, no yardage change, and the same requirement for fourth down.
• If a forward pass has not been attempted by fourth down, the fourth down play must be a forward pass attempt (punting will not be permitted in this case).

Punting

• If the play composition requirements have been met on fourth down, the offense may choose to punt by declaring their intention to punt.
• Fake punts are permitted, however the player receiving the snap may not cross the line of scrimmage. This is to maintain parity as the defense has dropped a player to return the punt.
• A punt that touches a receiving player can be recovered by either team, however contact rules will be enforced strictly.

Scoring

• Touchdown: When any part of the ball crosses the goal line in a player's possession. The coach can opt for an automatic seven points or attempt a two point conversion. For a two point conversion the ball is spotted halfway between the goal line and quarterfield. A single play is attempted to convert. Defensive points cannot be scored from a two point conversion attempt.
• Field goal: If a team is on their opponent's half of the field the coach may opt to attempt a three point field goal on any down. If it is successful it is worth three points. If it is unsuccessful the opposing team is given the ball at the next first down line in the direction of midfield. A field goal is not a kick attempt, rather a small-sided touchdown attempt. The offense selects a quarterback and two receivers, one of whom must be female. The defense selects two defenders, one of whom must be female. The quarterback must complete a pass to a teammate in the end zone within five seconds to complete the field goal. Running plays are not permitted, passes caught anywhere but the end zone result in a failed attempt. A defensive interception is a live play like any other interception.
• Safety: A flag pull or penalty within a team's defended end zone results in two points for the defense. The defense will then receive a normal kickoff.
• Creative excessive celebration is permitted. A player who injures himself in the course of celebrating excessively will receive a beer from the commissioner after the game.

Play completion

• The ball is spotted where the carrier's flag is pulled.

Turnovers

• Forced fumbles are permitted, however contact rules will be enforced strictly.
• If a turnover occurs and the defense is not wearing flags (due to availability) they will take possession at the spot of the recovery.

Timeouts

• Each team is permitted one 30-second timeout per half.

Overtime

• The team that was in the lead before the game was tied can opt to drive first or last.
• Each team attempts a single four-down drive with no first downs. This constitutes an overtime round.
• For the first round, the ball is spotted at quarterfield (nearest the target end zone).
• Both teams drive toward the same end zone, determined by the referee.
• At the end of a round, if one team has more points than the other, that team wins the match.
• If the score remains tied at the end of a round where both teams scored, the next round begins with the ball spotted one marker farther from the target end zone; at their own goal line max.
• If the score remains tied at the end of a round where neither team scored, the next round begins with the ball spotted one marker closer to the target end zone; no closer than quarterfield.
• Each team gets one blitz per round.

Catch all

Golden rule of contact