1.1The Head Official is responsible for the adherence to the rules and regulations by both teams and all officials. The Head Official will make the final decision on any on-field situation not covered by the rules and regulations in this book.
1.2Approximately 3 minutes prior to the scheduled start time of the game, and immediately following the rest period, at least 1 captain from each team will meet with the Head Official at center field to review the field conditions and field markings and conduct the coin toss.
1.3The winner of the coin toss shall choose if they would like to start with the ball, choose a side, or defer their choice to the beginning of the 2nd half.
2. General Play
2.1The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has 3 plays to cross midfield. When a team crosses midfield, it has 3 plays to score a touchdown. If the offense fails to score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over on its 5-yard line.
2.2To begin a play, the ball must be snapped by the offensive Center, from the point of scrimmage to the quarterback, which is the first person on the offense to obtain possession of the ball behind the line of scrimmage. There is no minimal distance required by the quarterback who can be either up close to the center or in shot-gun formation.
2.3There is a 1-yard neutral zone extending 1-yard forward from the Line of Scrimmage that the defensive players cannot line up in or enter before the snap of the ball.
2.4An automatic first down by penalty will overrule the other requirements regarding 3 plays to make either a first down or score.
2.5If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive from its 5-yard line.
2.6All possession changes, except interceptions from scrimmage play, start on the offensive 5-yard line. Defensive interceptions that give the defense possession between their own 1- and 4-yard line will be brought to the 5-yard line for the start of their next possession. Penalties that occur after interceptions will have the point of possession as the LOS for enforcement purposes.
2.7When the offense gains a first down by crossing midfield, another first down will not be awarded except through a penalty.
2.8"No Run Zones" are located 5-yards in front of each end zone . When the offense starts a play within the No Run Zone closest to their opponent's end zone, the play must result in a legal forward pass.
2.9The quarterback, defined as the player that gains possession of the ball from the Center, cannot run with the ball past the line of scrimmage, unless the ball has been handed off, tossed, pitched or lateraled to another player and then returned.
2.10Once the ball carrier has crossed the line of scrimmage or a forward pass has occurred, the ball cannot be handed off, tossed, pitched or passed forward in any way.
2.11Forward passes and handoffs are allowed behind the line of scrimmage. The offense may elect to throw a legal forward pass after a handoff has taken place. See Legal Forward Pass.
2.12Legal Forward Pass The first forward pass thrown that originated from behind the line of scrimmage. See Pass definitions.
2.13Kickoffs are do not occur in 5v5. Rules that outline kicking are found in the 7v7 section.
2.14To start the second half, either the team that lost the opening coin toss or the team that deferred their choice to the second half will have the option to start with the ball or choose a side to begin play.
2.15Prior to a forward pass, the offense may use multiple handoffs or lateral passes behind the line of scrimmage.
2.16The game time can be altered based on the skill level of the athletes, number of participants and size of the playing surface.
2.17If an offensive penalty in the "No Run Zone" occurs that takes the team outside the "No Run Zone", then the team still cannot run.
2.18Once an offensive play starts in the No Run Zone, the No Run Zone rules apply for the remainder of the possession or until a touchdown is scored.
3. Touch Downs
3.1A touchdown is scored when a player has legal possession of the ball in the opponent's end zone.
3.2The ball is considered to be in the end zone when any part of the ball touches the plane of the goal line.
3.3When the ball is in the end zone, it is considered to be still in the end zone until the entirety of the ball has passed the plane of the goal line.
3.4The team scoring the most points during regulation time is declared the winner. If the teams are tied after regulation time and a winner must be declared, the team scoring the most points during overtime is declared the winner.