The Game

Article 1 – Length of Game

The game shall consist of 60 minutes of actual playing time, divided into 4 periods of 15 minutes each. For players at the High School level or equivalent and below, the game shall consist of 48 minutes of actual playing time, divided into 4 periods of 12 minutes each.

Article 2 – Choice of Kick Off, Receiving Kick Off, or End of Field

At the start of the game, the captain of the visiting team, or the team winning the coin toss, shall declare whether to have first choice at the start of the first or second half.

The captain of the team having first choice at the start of the first half shall have the option of one of the three following choices:

• 1. Kicking Off
• 2. Receiving the kick off
• 3. Defending an end of the field

The captain of the other team shall have the option of the 1 or 2 remaining choices.

At the start of the 3rd period, the procedure shall be reversed. The team captain having the first choice for the 2nd half shall have the option of the 3 choices above, and the other captain the option of the remaining 1 or 2 choices.

After a touchdown, the captain of the team scored against shall have the choice of kicking off, or receiving the kick off.

Article 3 – Change of End

At the end of the 1st and 3rd periods, the teams shall change ends. At the start of the 2nd and 4th periods, the ball shall be put into play by the team entitled to do so, at a point corresponding exactly to the point where the ball became dead at the opposite end of the field, and in exactly the same manner as if play had not been interrupted by the end of the previous period.

Article 4 – Half Time

At the end of the 2nd period, a 20-minute rest period shall be allowed – or such other rest period as the league shall decide.

Article 5 – Late Start

The game shall start promptly at the time scheduled. If a team is late appearing on the field at the start of the 1st or 3rd period:

Article 6 – Tie Game

When the score is tied at the end of the 4th period and it is necessary to declare a winner, the procedure to break the tie shall be the prerogative of the governing football association, with the consideration that the safety of the athlete is of prime importance.

Any such procedures shall be communicated in writing to both teams, and to the Referee, prior to the game in which the procedure may be used. In the event that no such regulations have been prepared, the following procedure shall be used.

Amateur football playing rules apply with the following exceptions:

• a) Immediately after the conclusion of the fourth quarter, officials will instruct both teams to retire to their respective team areas. The officials will assemble at center field and review the tie-breaking procedure.
• b) The officials will escort captains to the center of the field for the coin toss. The winner of the toss shall choose one of the following options:
  • 1. Offense or defense.
  • 2. Which end of the field shall be used for the overtime period.
• c) The loser of the toss shall exercise the remaining option for the first extra period and shall have the first choice of the two options for subsequent even-numbered extra periods.
• d) Extra periods: An extra period provides each team the opportunity to put the ball in play by a snap, on or between the hash marks of the opponent's 35-yard line, except if team B scores during a team A possession. Each team retains the ball until it scores or fails to make a first down. The ball remains alive after a change of team possession until it is declared dead.
• e) Scoring: The team scoring the greater number of points during an extra period shall be declared the winner. Any touchdown must be followed by a two-point conversion attempt.
• f) There shall be no team time-outs during overtime play.