1.1All penalties are 5-yards, the down will be repeated, and will be assessed from the line of scrimmage unless otherwise noted.
1.2All penalties may be declined except dead ball fouls and penalties that stop the current play (Flag guarding, false start, etc.)
1.3Penalties will not exceed half the distance to the opposing team's goal line from the line of scrimmage unless it is a spot foul. The ball can never be placed closer than the 1-yard line.
1.4Game officials determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play. Except as noted most penalties will be applied from line of Scrimmage.
1.5Games cannot end at half time or the end of the game on a defensive penalty unless the offense declines it.
1.6Penalties after an interception shall be assessed after the return is over and/or the play is blown dead.
2. Defensive Penalties
2.1Offside player(s) lined up across or crossing the Line of Scrimmage at the snap of the ball.
2.2Disconcerting Signals signals to distract or simulate offensive signals prior to snap.
2.3Illegal Rushing player(s) not lined up at least 12 inches on 1 side from rusher bean bag or rushing & crossing the Line of Scrimmage from inside the 7-yard rusher bean bag.
2.4Pass Interference both contact & non-contact that interferes with an offensive player catching a ball while it is in air, also includes screening & pushing off at Spot of Foul (Automatic First Down).
2.5Illegal Contact physical contact such as impeding, redirecting, obstruction, blocking, holding, & tackling as well as any upper body contact with an offensive player throwing the ball including the ball in their hand at Spot of Foul (Automatic First Down).
2.6Illegal Flag Pull pulling a flag of a player before they have the ball at Spot of Foul (Automatic First Down).
3. Offensive Penalties
3.1Delay of Game ball is not snapped within 30 seconds, play whistled dead.
3.2Delay of Pass ball is not passed by Quarterback in 7 seconds, play whistled dead.
3.3Offside player(s) lined up across or crossing the LOS at the snap of the ball.
3.4Illegal Snap Center lifting or moving ball to simulate a snap.
3.5Flag Guarding, Jumping or Diving ball carrier uses any part of their body or ball to prevent flags from being pulled or advancing the ball, play is whistled dead at Spot of Foul.
3.6Rusher Interference impeding a rusher's direct path to Quarterback.
3.7Player Out of Bounds player goes out of bounds by themselves, returns in bounds & then touches the ball in bounds.
3.8Interference impeding, redirecting, obstruction, blocking with no contact, play whistled dead at Spot of Foul.
3.9Illegal Contact physical contact such as impeding, redirecting, obstruction, blocking, holding & tackling (Loss of Down).
3.10Pass Interference both contact & non-contact that interferes with a defensive player's catching a ball while it is in air, also includes screening, pushing off & pick plays (Loss of Down).
3.11Illegal Running Play a quarterback running with the ball across the Line of Scrimmage without any transfer of the ball. A forward handoff is an Illegal Run Play in U18 and below only.
3.12Illegal Forward Pass when a second forward pass occurs, or when a forward pass occurs after the ball has crossed the Line of Scrimmage.
4. General / Major Penalties
4.1Illegal Substitution any player substitutions by either team after the Center has touched ball in preparation for the snap to start play.
4.2Leaving Team Area players or coaches leaving their designated team sideline area or crossing the middle of the field into the opponent's team area.
4.3Objectionable Conduct players, coaches, teams or spectators using profane language or gestures, threats, demeaning or intimidating remarks & actions, persistent arguments, fake injuries, delay of game or targeting players to initiate contact will result in a 5-yard penalty. Any player, coach, team or spectator receiving a second Objectionable Conduct penalty during a game will be ejected from that game.
4.4Personal Foul any act of roughness or unfair play by players, coaches, teams or spectators that is not considered by the officials to be a major foul is a personal foul and will result in a 15-yard penalty being assessed against their team as well as LOD or AFD.
4.5Major Foul / Unsportsmanlike Conduct players, coaches, teams or spectators striking an opponent or an official with the deliberate intent to cause bodily harm as well as any acts of roughness or unfair play considered by officials to threaten the safety of participants will result in ejection from the game, a 15-yard penalty being assessed against their team & LOD or AFD.