The following acts are defined and classified as Rough Play, and are illegal:
Article 1 – Kicker, Passer, Receiver
The deliberate charging of a kicker, passer, or receiver of a kick or pass in such a way as to cause calculated injury.
Article 2 – Striking, Kicking or Kneeing
The striking of an opponent with the fist, heel of the hand, knee or elbow, or kicking an opponent.
Article 3 – Head Leading Blocking, Head Leading Tackling or Spearing
Head leading blocking, head leading tackling or spearing, if done deliberately in such a way as to cause calculated injury may be penalized under this section
Article 4 – Face Mask / Helmet
Grasping the helmet as covered in Section 3, Article 5, may be penalized under this section, if in the opinion of the Official it was a deliberate attempt to injure an opponent.
Article 5 – Other Acts
Any other act of roughness or unfair play considered by the Referee to warrant disqualification may be penalized under this section.
Articles 1 to 6. Disqualification of the offending player, and L25 from the appropriate point as covered in . If the official is unable to identify the offender, the distance penalty only shall be applied. Automatic 1D to Team A for Team B Rough Play. If both teams offend, the players involved shall be disqualified but no distance penalty shall be applied. Play shall be resumed at the appropriate point as outlined in Dual Penalties. .
Article 6 – Targeting
No player shall target and make forcible contact to the head or neck area of an opponent with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulder. This foul requires that there be at least one indicator of targeting (See Note below). When in question, it is a foul.
Note
"Targeting" means that a player takes aim at an opponent for purposes of attacking with forcible contact that goes beyond making a legal tackle or a legal block or playing the ball. Some indicators of targeting include but are not limited to:
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- Launch a player leaving their feet to attack an opponent by an upward and forward thrust of the body to make forcible contact in the head or neck area
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- A crouch followed by an upward and forward thrust to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area, even though one or both feet are still on the ground
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- Leading with helmet, shoulder, forearm, fist, hand or elbow to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area
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- Lowering the head before attacking by initiating forcible contact with the crown of the helmet.
L25 Player Disqualified from game. Levels U14 and below the player will received a
Article 7 – Disqualification
A player shall be disqualified from further participation in the game, with substitution permitted, if:
a) the player has been called for Rough play
warning for first offense.
b) the player has been called for physical abuse of an official
The disqualification penalty cannot be declined by the non-offending team