CAROLINA NATIONALS 2008

BASIC RULES

1. You must be 18 years of age or older to play.
    
2. You are playing at your OWN RISK!    YOU WILL ALSO ENCOUNTER PHYSICAL CONTACT WHILE PLAYING THIS GAME.   It will be the intent of the officials assigned to your game, to provide a safe level of competition, however injuries may occur.  You will be required to sign a waiver before participating alleviating MOC SPORTS,  TAFFL, and named venue of any monetary expenses incurred due to injury.  A general liability insurance  policy protects the league and venue from being held liable for any injuries or damages sustained.  (THIS IS NOT HEALTH INSURANCE)
    
3. It is the team Captain's responsibility to make sure their players fully understands these rules. Discussion of rules or calls made by officials during a game by non-captains to Game Officials is strictly prohibited.   If a player or players has/have a dispute concerning an Official's call during the game, it must be relayed through the team captains ONLY.  Any attempt by a player, who is not a team captain, to "argue" with the Referee will result in a penalty and possible ejection from the game (see penalties). NO WARNINGS!!!  KEEP IN MIND THAT THE PLAY CLOCK AND THE GAME CLOCK WILL CONTINUE TO RUN DURING ANY DISCUSSIONS AND IT IS AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE HEAD OFFICIAL TO CALL AN OFFICIAL'S TIMEOUT.
    
4. FIELD DIMENSIONS: Field length: 64 yards Field width: 33 yards End Zones:  7 yards deep.
    
5. GAME LENGTH: 24 Minutes (12 minutes per half) - 2  minute halftime. Game clock is a running clock. Each team will have 2 timeouts per half – Timeouts are not to exceed 1 minute.  During the final minute of each half, the game clock will stop on incomplete passes, first downs, and plays out of bounds. 
   In the event of an injury during the last minute of the game, the following conditions will be observed.
   Offensive Injury: If the offensive team has timeouts left, then a timeout will automatically be used.  Please note the following in regards to fairness.  In the event that an offensive team is trailing (in terms of score) and an injury occurs and that team has no time outs, then there will a 10 second runoff of the game clock.
   Defensive Injury: If an injury to the defensive team occurs and they have timeouts, then a timeout will automatically be used.  In the event that a defensive team is trailing (in terms of score) and an injury occurs and that team has no time outs, then there will be a 10 second runoff of the game clock.
   
   In other words, a team (whether on offense or defense) cannot use an injury to stop the clock.  An offensive team who is winning has no reason to 'fake' an injury to stop the clock and therefore will not be penalized the runoff, whereas the runoff in this case would penalize the defense.
   
   NOTE:  YOUR TEAM'S GAME WILL START APPROXIMATELY AT THE TIME SCHEDULED OR 6 MINUTES AFTER THE PREVIOUS GAME HAS ENDED.  TEAM CAPTAINS PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR TEAM HAS SIGNED IN WITH THE STATISTICIAN AND YOUR TEAM IS READY TO PLAY.  THE GAME CLOCK WILL BEGIN WHETHER YOUR TEAM IS "READY" OR NOT.  TEAMS WHO ARE AT RISK OF FORFEITING DUE TO LACK OF PLAYERS WILL HAVE 10 MINUTES AFTER THE CLOCK HAS STARTED TO FIELD THEIR TEAM OR THEY MAY CHOOSE TO PLAY THE GAME WITH A HANDICAPPED NUMBER OF PLAYERS.  NO TEAM WILL PLAY A GAME WITH FEWER THAN 4 PLAYERS AND THE OPPOSING TEAM HAS THE RIGHT TO PLAY WITH THE ALLOWED 6 AT A TIME.  IN THE EVENT THAT A SHORTHANDED TEAMS PLAYS THIS TYPE OF HANDICAPPED GAME, A 21-POINT RULE WILL BE PLACED IN EFFECT AND THE GAME IS CONSIDERED AN OFFICIAL GAME PLAYED AND LOSS.
    
6. Games will begin with a coin toss, to be called Heads or Tails by the visiting team's Captain.  The winner of the coin toss then has the option to choose whether to begin the game on offense or defense.  The loser of the toss elects which end of the field to defend.  The second half will start opposite of the first. I.E. Team A wins toss and chooses Offense.  Team B chooses which side to defend.  At the start of the second half, Team A is now on Defense and both teams are going in the opposite direction they were in the first half.
    
7. OVERTIME: If at the end of the second half the score is tied,  the game will enter overtime.  Overtime will be played similar to that of the collegiate ranks.  Each team will have one possession (4 downs) to score  starting at the 20 yard line.  A coin toss will determine who will decide the first choice of possession (Offense or Defense), the team that scores more points on their possession including conversion attempts will win.  If each team does not score or scores equally, the cycle begins again, however the choice of being first on offense or defense will alternate between teams. Each team will get at least one possession in overtime. 
    
8. This is a flag football league and once your flag has been pulled you are down [tackled] and the play is whistled dead.  The ball is then placed at the SPOT OF THE PULL (HIPS), not the spot of the ball.  NOTE:  A player is ONLY down when his flag has been pulled or in the event of a flag(s) "falling out" he is tagged with one hand by an opposing player.  A fallen ball carrier is considered down once he is tagged by an opposing player.  NO PLAYERS WILL BE ALLOWED TO "ROLL" IF THEY FALL DOWN.  Rolling will result in a penalty.
   
   PULL:  Seizing an opposing ball carrier's flag:  Once a defender gains control of a ball carrier's flag it must be dropped immediately OR held high above the head of the defender who has possession of the flag.  This aids in proper spotting of the ball and also signals where a person is down and not where the ball may be.  Any attempts to mislead the spot of the grab (i.e. throwing the flag AWAY from the pull will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.)   
   
   PLEASE NOTE:  Under no circumstances should a flag puller hold any part of another player's uniform for more than 2 seconds without an immediate attempt to release and re-pull the flag.  This situation is different than when a player's momentum is stopped by an opposing player (i.e. standing in "the way", gang "tackle", contact, etc.).
    
9. A player may not under any circumstances "tie" or secure their flag in a manner not consistent with the proper wearing of the flag to gain an unfair advantage over the flag grabber.  If a player is in violation of this rule he will be disqualified from the game.  ALL PLAYERS MUST WEAR TAFFL PROVIDED FLAG BELTS - NO PLAYER WILL BE ALLOWED TO WEAR THEIR OWN FLAG BELT.  Any player in violation of the flag belt rule must either replace that belt immediately or leave the field until a TAFFL sanctioned belt is worn.  If a player chooses to change his belt rather than leaving the field the following can and may occur:  If on offense the play clock will continue to run if a player chooses to change his flag belt and remain on the field.  Be mindful that if you are on offense and you choose to leave the field and a player is substituted you run the risk of an illegal substitution penalty (See Offensive Rule #10).  If you are on defense, the offense if free to run their play as normal...if the play is ran and you have an illegal belt on, while on defense, this will result in an illegal participation penalty.
   
   PLEASE REMEMBER TO LEAVE FLAG BELTS ON THE FIELD AFTER THEIR USE.
    
10. Jerseys must be TUCKED in at all times while playing.
     
11. FLAG GUARDING IS ALLOWED!  This is the traditional football "STIFF-ARM" equivalent, a proper flag guard is open handedly deterring a player from pulling your flag.  YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO STIFF-ARM DEFENDERS TO THE FACE OR THE CHEST, NOR CAN YOU FLAG GUARD WITH CLOSED FISTS, SUCH AS  "PUNCHING" A PLAYER'S HANDS AWAY, the proper Flag Guard is regarded as "slapping" a defenders hands away.  Also ball-carriers will not be allowed to 'lead' with their head/shoulders down in a charging motion.
     
12. Once the whistle is blown all play ceases immediately, it is still recommended that you are aware of the situation in case of an inadvertent whistle. For example, if it is obviously clear that a ball carrier still has both of his flags, you should still make an attempt to pull at least one, even though the whistle has been blown.  In the obvious cases that flags are pulled and the whistle has blown, then all play should cease immediately.
    
    INADVERTENT WHISTLES:  In the event of an inadvertent whistle, the officials will conference to determine if the results of the play would have been affected any differently with a nonwhistle.  For example, if a player would have been clearly unabated to the endzone and a whistle was blown, this play will result in a Touchdown as it would have without any reasonable doubt resulted in a Touchdown had the whistle not been blown.  These instances will be on a case-by-case basis and the Officials will not take more than 1 minute to conference.  The play must be undisputable and the official's decision is final.
     
13. The offense has 25 seconds after the ball has been spotted until the next snap, if not this will result in a delay of game penalty. 
     
14. CONTACT: No contact with hands (or elbows) above the shoulders, whether blocking or defending. Hands to the face will not be tolerated. Line blocking must be open-handed and in the chest.  It is understood linemen will be engaged more physically at times and this will be tolerated, as well as contact made by a rushing defender who may make a spin-like maneuver.  Downfield blocking, which is allowed, will only be legal if the blocking is open-handed.  This is the type of rule that will be subject to misinterpretation and all players are encouraged to seek a better visual example if questions arise. (Just remember although this is a Contact league, be mindful and conscious of your fellow players - most of the players are Fathers and Husbands, who have kids and must work - with that said make contact with somebody - but do not try to injure anyone, because in most cases you will be the one that is injured.)
     
15. ROSTERS: Rosters must be a minimum of 6 players and a maximum of 14 players.
    The TAFFL trade and Free Agent signing deadline is typically by the last two games of the season, as any new player can only be eligible for playoff participation if...
     
16. There are NO kick-offs or punts in TAFFL.  The offense will have only 4 downs (penalties excluded) to gain a first down or to score a touchdown.  First downs will be predetermined spots (25 yard marker) on the field. The offense will begin on the 5 yard line.  The 25 yard marker will be the next first down, you have 4 downs (excluding penalties) to reach the 25 yard marker or further.  If you do not score and you make the first down at the 25 yard marker, then you have another 4 downs to score a touchdown (penalties excluded).  PLEASE NOTE:  If there is a turnover on downs prior to reaching the 25 yard FIRST DOWN marker (including a sack on fourth down), then the opposing team will start it's offensive drive on the 25 yard (mid-field).  If a team turns the ball over on downs and they have passed the 25 yard FIRST DOWN marker, the opposing team will begin its offensive drive at the spot of the turnover. 
    
    Scenario 1: TEAM A does not secure a first down by reaching the 25 yard FIRST DOWN marker and the ball is turned over on downs, then TEAM B will begin its drive on the 25 yard line.  TEAM B will then have 4 downs to score from the 25 yard marker.
     
    Scenario 1a:  If TEAM B scores, then TEAM A begins its drive on the 5 yard line.
    
    Scenario 1b:  If TEAM B.. 
    a) Fails to advance the ball pass the 25 yard line, TEAM A will begin on the 25;
    b) Advances the ball pass the 25 yard line but fails to score, then TEAM A will begin its drive where the ball was turned over.
    
    Scenario 2:  TEAM A does reach the 25 yard FIRST DOWN marker and subsequently reaches their opponent's 10 yard line but fails to score, the ball is turned over on downs.  TEAM B will then begin its drive on their own 10 yard line and play continues following the given Scenarios above. 
     
17. SCORING: Touchdown: 6 points / Extra Points will be awarded as such:  After a touchdown a team will have one play (penalties excluded), to try for 1 extra point by reaching the End Zone from the 5 yard line or 2 extra points from the 10 yard line.  If the extra point play results in an interception or fumble recovered by the opposing team and is returned into their endzone, they will be awarded 2 points.
    
    Safety:  If a player's flag is removed while they are in the opposing team's endzone, this will result in a safety, which is worth 2 points.  After a safety, the team that was awarded the safety will subsequently begin their offensive drive from their 5 yard line.
     
18. End zone pylon is part of the end zone.  In the event your flag has not be pulled and and you are within bounds, any part of the ball touching the End Zone cone is a Touchdown.  As the body and not the ball determines the spot "reaching" for the End Zone means nothing if the flag has been pulled prior to getting in the End Zone.
     
19. The defense is allowed to rush as many players as they wish on ANY down.  Blitzes however MUST come from behind the 5 yard BLITZ ZONE marker.   Blitzing from any radial angle of 5 or more yards is LEGAL.
    
    IMPORTANT NOTE:  WHENEVER THE OFFENSE IS WITHIN 5 YARDS OF THE ENDZONE OR THE 25 YARD FIRST DOWN MARKER THE BLITZ ZONE IS ELIMINATED AND DEFENDERS MAY LINE UP AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE, HOWEVER THEY MAY NOT INVADE THE NEUTRAL ZONE BEFORE THE SNAP OF THE BALL. 
    
    A player may line up inside of the BLITZ ZONE marker, however any player(s) inside the BLITZ ZONE at the snap of the football is/are not allowed to cross the line of scrimmage, UNLESS A HAND-OFF OCCURS.  The BLITZ ZONE is 5 yards.
    
    NOTE:  Cornerbacks are allowed to blitz off the corners (even in bump and run or man coverage),  however they must be at least 5 yards off the ball (even at an angle).
     
20. Players are not allowed to dive at any time for yardage, for the end-zone, or fumbles.  A player will be allowed however to dive in the attempts to pull a ball carrier's flag.  However, in respect to fumbles, it is understood that a natural football move is to dive on the ball if a player is unable to pick it up, therefore it will be the sole discretion of the officiating team to deem if a player has made an intentional and unsafe dive for a fumble.  If a defender makes an illegal dive for a fumble and gains possession, the illegal dive will nullify the change of possession and will result in a 5 yard penalty for the offense (down replayed).
     
21. A receiver and a defender may "bump" each other and engage in contact for 5 yards after the snap of the football.   Keep in mind however that the defender has to be the player to initiate the contact, unless in the event of a running play originating behind the line of scrimmage.
     
22. Only official sized footballs are legal.  NO PEE-WEE, YOUTH, OR JUNIOR SIZES ALLOWED! Size and "flatness" will be checked by Officials prior to the start of the game.  Footballs are the responsibility of the  team.
     

OFFENSE

1. Possession starts on the 5 yard line.
    
2. At the start of each play on offense there must be at least 3 men on the line of scrimmage.  Not having 3 men on the line of scrimmage will result in a illegal formation penalty (see penalties).  IT IS THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE OFFICIAL TO GIVE A "WARNING" TO A TEAM BUT THE OFFICIALS WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THAT YOU HAVE 3 MEN ON THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE.  A player may ask an official if they are positioned correctly.  There will be one designated line judge who will be solely responsible for making sure the line is legal.  He will announce himself as such and all line of scrimmage issues should be directed to him.
    
3. The ball must be snapped between the legs of the "center."  Quarterbacks are allowed to "go under" center.  The officials will spot the ball in the middle of the field, however, teams are not required to snap the ball from the middle of the field and can move to other 'hashmarks'.
    
4. A quarterback is free to run anytime he chooses.
    
5. Receivers of passes must have at least one foot in bounds and unquestionable control of the ball.
    
6. Laterals of the football by ball carriers is allowed.  The lateral can only be caught by a player behind the ball carrier.  Forward laterals will be penalized (see penalties).
    
7. MOTION:  Can only be from sideline to sideline.  No ARENA FOOTBALL STYLE MOTION.  You may not be moving forward before the ball is snapped.  This will result in an illegal motion penalty (see penalties).
    
8. INELIGIBLE RECEIVER:  Only if a receiver steps out of bounds on his own accord will he not be allowed to be the first person to touch the ball.  If a receiver is pushed out of bounds he is still an eligible receiver and can RECEIVE the forward pass from the Quarterback (i.e. catch the ball).  If a players has stepped out of bounds on his own, he is allowed to block and he can participate in and receive any laterals as long as he is not the first to touch the ball from the Quarterback.  An offensive  player who touches the ball first after stepping out of bounds (on his own) is committing an illegal touching infraction.
    
9. A snap that hits the ground before being touched by the quarterback or is snapped over the quarterbacks head is a fumble and is considered a live ball.
    
10. SUBSTITUTIONS:  The offense is free to substitute players at their discretion.  Substitutions can be made in and out of a huddle, however once the huddle has broken and a team is lined up or lining up on the line of scrimmage, substitutions cannot be made.  These types of substitutions will result in an illegal substitution penalty, which is a dead ball penalty.  In the event of a NO-HUDDLE offense, even though a huddle was not formed and broken, if the ball has been set by the officials you will not be allowed to substitute.
     
11. DOWNING THE BALL - Teams wishing to "run the clock out" may call a DOWN BALL play by announcing to the official who will announced to both teams that a DOWN BALL play is ready occur.  Once a DOWN BALL play has been called, there cannot be any attempts by the offense to fake the play.  The game clock will still run, however the 25 second play clock is still active (time permitting).  DURING A DOWN BALL PLAY - IF THERE IS A BAD SNAP, I.E. MUFFED SNAP, BALL SNAPPED OVER THE HEAD OF THE QB, ETC. THIS WILL THEN TURN THE PLAY LIVE AND THE DEFENSE CAN ATTEMPT TO RECOVER.  IF THE SNAP IS FIELDED CLEANLY THEN THE WHISTLE WILL BE BLOWN IMMEDIATELY TO SIGNAL A STOPPAGE IN PLAY.
     
12. SPIKING THE BALL - A team may stop the clock by spiking the ball.  However, the clock will only stop on a spiked ball if there is one minute or less left in each half.

DEFENSE

1. May blitz as many players as desired, as long as the blitzing player(s) do/does not penetrate the BLITZ ZONE prior to the snap.
    
2. Defenders who have intercepted a ball, recovered a fumble, etc. may lateral the ball to a teammate as long as the lateral is not deemed forward.
    
3. STRIPPING THE FOOTBALL IS LEGAL.  It is the defense's option to either go for the flag or the ball as long as no other infractions are being committed in doing so.  The ball is always considered live until the whistle is blown. A fumble can be advanced as long as the recovering players flag has not been pulled. NO DIVING FOR FUMBLES!
    

PENALTIES

1. Blocking and Contact to the face! We understand that there will be the occasional incidental contact to the face and those situations will be tolerated.  Contact to the face by the offense, will result in a 10 yard penalty from the original Line of Scrimmage (LOS). Contact to the face by the defense will result in a 10 yard penalty added to the end of the play and an automatic 1st down.  Intentional hands to the face will penalized and reviewed by the league.
    
2. Tackling:  ABSOLUTELY NO TACKLING.  Tackling by the offense on a turnover will result in a 15 yard penalty from the spot of the dead ball.  Tackling by the defense will result in a 15 yard penalty from the spot of the dead ball and an automatic 1st down.  This again is going to be different when blocking downfield.  TAFFL does not encourage any direct tackling - but you may and will be blocked.
    
3. Holding. Holding by the offense will result in a 10 yard penalty from the LOS, regardless of the result of the play.  Holding by the defense will result in a 5 yard penalty from the dead ball spot and an automatic 1st down.  Holding on a turnover (interception, fumble) will result in a 10 yard penalty from the spot of the hold.
    
4. Pass Interference: When a defensive player makes any contact with a receiver attempting to catch a pass while the ball is in the air, after 5 yards off the line of scrimmage. If a receiver pushes off from a defender to gain separation to catch a pass, this is offensive pass interference. Offensive interference will result in a 10 yard penalty and replay of the down from LOS;  defensive interference will result in a 1^st down at the spot of the foul.  NOTE:  Defensive pass interference may not be called if the defender has a clear and legitimate opportunity to intercept the ball.  In other words if the defender is "looking" for the ball, he has just as much opportunity as the receiver and as such may not be called for defensive pass interference, however a defender does not have to be looking at the ball, i.e. a DEFENDER may put his hands up as to block the sight of a receiver as long as no contact is being made.  PLEASE NOTE:  If a ball is tipped at the line of scrimmage or on a catch attempt, pass interference will not be called in case of  contact by a defender or the receiver.
    
5. ILLEGAL RECEIVER SCREENS:  Receivers are not allowed to screen defenders in a way such that a teammate can free himself up to catch a pass.
    
6. Illegal Contact (by the defense):  A defender may not make any contact with an eligible receiver 5 yards pass the line of scrimmage after the snap of the ball, unless contesting a pass, that is not deemed pass interference.  This results in 5 yard penalty and an automatic first down.
    
7. Leg blocks of any kind are not allowed. Meaning, no clipping, tripping, no chop blocks etc.  Leg blocks by the offense will result in a 10 yard penalty and a loss of down.  Legs blocks by the defense will result in a 10 yard penalty and an automatic first down for the offense.
    
8. Blocking in the back by the offense (or defense after a turnover) will result in a 10 yard penalty taken from the original line of scrimmage on offense or at the spot of the foul for the defense.
    
9. Intentional Grounding.  Intentional grounding of a forward pass is a foul: This infraction will simply result in a 10 yard penalty and a loss of a down.

   a. Intentional grounding will be called when a passer, facing an imminent loss of yardage due to pressure from the defense, throws a forward pass without a realistic chance of completion, while still in the pocket.

   b. Intentional grounding will not be called when a passer, while out of the pocket and facing an imminent loss of yardage, throws a pass that lands at or beyond the line of scrimmage, even if no offensive player(s) have a realistic chance to catch the ball (including if the ball lands out of bounds over the sideline or end line).

   c. Intentional grounding will not be called when a screen pass is developing and the quarterback throws the ball in the vicinity of the screen receiver.
    

10. Un-sportsman like conduct. i.e. Fighting, Official Abuse (only team captains are allowed to discuss any calls with the official during a game - any other player disputing or directing any negative comments to the Officials will result in a penalty, any deliberate actions to cause undue harm to opposing players will not be tolerated and will result in penalties, ejections, and suspensions.  THE RESULTS OF THESE PENALTIES WILL START AT 15 YARDS AND WILL ALSO  BE AT THE FAIR DISCRETION OF THE REFEREES THROUGH DISCUSSION WITH TAFFL OFFICIALS BASED ON THE SEVERITY OF THE INFRACTION. 
     
11. Ineligible receiver. If an ineligible receiver is the first to touch the ball the result of the play will not count and the offense is penalized 10 yards from the original line of scrimmage.  
     
12. No Taunting or excessive celebration allowed!
     
13. ANY PENALTY OCCURRING WITHIN THE 15 YARD LINE WILL BE ASSESSED AT HALF THE DISTANCE TO THE GOAL LINE.
     

               PENALTY INDEX: