1.1The game starts with a kick-off (1 team kicks the ball to the opposing team). The receiving team becomes the offensive team and the kicking team becomes the defensive team.
1.2To begin a play, the ball must be snapped by the offensive center, from the point of scrimmage to the quarterback. The quarterback must be at least 5-yards from the line of scrimmage when they first touch the ball.
1.3The offensive team tries to bring the ball to the opponent's end zone by passing or running it (touchdown or kick). The offensive team has 3 tries or downs to gain 10-yards and complete 1 pass. If they succeed, the offensive team has earned a 1st down and gets another set of 3 downs to move the ball downfield. If they do not score or get a 1st down, the offensive team loses possession of the ball and becomes the defensive team.
1.4If the offensive team thinks that they will not get a 1st down, they can decide to give the ball back to the opponent by kicking the ball to them, as far away as possible from their own end zone.
1.5The defensive team on the field tries to prevent the offense from scoring or getting a first down. To do so, they have to stop the ball carrier by flagging him or her or by knocking down a pass before it is completed.
1.6When the defensive team succeeds in preventing the offense from getting a first down or by intercepting a pass, the teams exchange roles on the field. Offense becomes defense and vice versa.
1.7A defensive team can also score points. If the offensive team is stopped in its own end zone, the defense scores a safety. If the defensive team intercepts a pass and runs the ball back to the opponent's end zone, they score a touchdown.
1.8The team that scores a touchdown gets an extra down to try to score a convert: they can choose to try and score either 1 or 2-points on a convert.
1.9After the convert, play resumes with a kick-off by the scoring team (now the defensive team) who will try to prevent the opponent from scoring or getting a 1st down during their ball possession.
1.10The quarterback can run with the ball past the line of scrimmage.
1.11Once the ball carrier has crossed the line of scrimmage the ball can be handed off or lateraled.
1.12An offense may use multiple handoffs behind the line of scrimmage. Only backward & lateral handoffs are allowed during the down.
1.13Forward pass Ball must be thrown from behind the line of scrimmage to be legal.
2. Choice of Kick-Off
2.1For the first half, the captain of the visiting team shall choose to kick off, receive the kick or defend an end of the field. The captain of the home team shall then choose 1 of the 2 remaining choices.
2.2For the 2nd half, the captain of the home team shall choose to kick off, receive the kick off or defend an end of the field. The captain of the visiting team shall then choose 1 of the 2 remaining choices.
2.3After the captain's choice has been given by the Referee to the opposing captain, the choice cannot be changed.
3. Down
3.1After the ball becomes dead on a kick off, the team in possession shall be awarded a first down and will have 3 attempts or downs to gain 10-yards. The ball shall be advanced by carrying it or throwing it using legal scrimmage play. If the offense gains the required distance in the series of 3 downs, a first down is awarded again.
3.2If the required distance for a first down is not gained in the 3 attempts, the ball is awarded to the defense at the point where the ball becomes dead after the third attempt.
3.3The Referee is the sole judge as to whether or not a first down has been gained by the offense. The captain of either team may ask for a measurement, but the Referee has the authority to ignore the request if the Referee is convinced that a correct decision can be made without the aid of measurement.
4. Equipment
4.1The kicking tee must not raise the lowest part of the ball more than 2 inches off the ground. The penalty is illegal procedure. The kicking team is responsible for removing the kicking tee from the field after the play is dead. Failure to do so will result in an objectionable conduct penalty against the team.
5. Bean Bags
5.13 bean bags are needed. One to indicate the line of scrimmage and another to indicate the 5 yard rusher's line. A third bean bag of a different color is needed to mark the first down.