1. Currently, players must be at least 8 years of age or no more than 12 years of age to participate.  Parents/Legal Guardians will be required to complete and sign our Under 18 Liability Exemption Form: Form MSU18-E prior to playersr their child(ren) participating.
    
2. Participants and parents are assuming ALL RISKS  with their participation.  It is the intent of the designated Officials assigned to playersr child's game to provide them with a safe level of competition, however, injuries may and can occur, including death.  A general liability insurance policy protects the league and venue from being held liable for any injuries or damages sustained as a result of playing this game.
    
3. Discussion of rules or calls made by Officials during a game by non-Coaches to Game Officials is strictly prohibited. If any disputes arise concerning an Official's ruling during the game, it must be relayed through the team Coach ONLY.  Any attempt by a player(s) or spectator who is/are not a team Coach, to "argue" with the Official will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and possible ejection from the game and venue.  NO WARNINGS!!!  NOTE: The Game clock is a running clock and any Coach seeking to discuss a call/penalty/rule must call a timeout.  IT IS AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE HEAD OFFICIAL TO CALL AN OFFICIAL'S TIMEOUT when making a judgment, ruling, or determination.
    
4. FIELD DIMENSIONS: Field length: 64 yards Field width: 33 yards End Zones:  7 yards deep.  (Subject to change)
    
5. GAME LENGTH: :40 minutes (2 x 20 minutes per half) - 2 minute halftime. Game clock is a running clock.  Teams will have a :30 second play clock.   Each team will have 3 timeouts per half (2 Full Timeouts and 1 Clock Stoppage Timeout). Timeouts are not to exceed 1 minute.  During the final minute of the second half only, the game clock will stop on incomplete passes, first downs, plays out of bounds, and penalties. 

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.

A team (whether on offense or defense) cannot use an injury to stop the clock, however clock stoppages will be honored and enforced based on score and injured side of the ball.  EXAMPLE: 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.

START OF THE CONTEST:
UPDATED! Four (4) players at a minimum must be present to begin an official game. 

GENERAL MERCY RULE
If a team trails by more than 40 points at any point during a game, the game shall be over.

6. Scoring (will vary based on Division)
   1. Touchdown = 6 Points
   2. PAT from 3 yard line = 1 Point
        PAT from 7 yard line = 2 Points
        PAT from 10 yard line = 3 Point
   3. Safety = 2 Points
    
7. Games will begin with a coin toss, called Heads or Tails by the visiting team's Coach.  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 in the first half.  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.
    
8. OVERTIME: If at the end of the second half the score is tied, the game will enter overtime.  Overtime is played similar to that of the collegiate ranks.  Each team will have one possession (4 downs) to score starting from 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 three possessions in overtime.  If after a second (2) attempt by both teams still results in a tie score, on the teams' third attempt they must automatically attempt a two-point conversion.  If after three (3) attempts the score remains tied, the game will end in a tie.
    
9. Once a ball carrier is down [tackled] and the play has been whistled dead, the ball is then placed at the SPOT OF THE PULL (HIPS), not the spot of the ball.  NOTE: A player is down when his or her flag(s) have been pulled, or in the event of a flag(s) "falling out" he or she is tagged with one hand by an opposing player. In the event of a fallen ball carrier, the Officials will blow the play dead, to maintain safety and minimize potential injuries. 
   
   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 above the head of the defender who has possession of the flag until the game Official can mark the proper spot. If players are the tackler and players choose to hold the flag above playersr head, please DO NOT MOVE, if players choose to drop it, please drop it where players pulled it.  It's understood that it is courteous and sportsmanlike to hand a player his or her flag, however this rule is in place for proper spotting of the ball, this also aids in signaling 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 1 second without an immediate attempt to release and re-pull the flag. Players cannot hold any part of a player's uniform to attempt a flag pull, which is different than an accidental hold that must be released immediately. 
    

9. Under no circumstance should a player "tie" or secure their flag in a manner not consistent with the proper wearing of the flag to gain an unfair advantage over the tackler.  If a player is in violation of this rule, he or she will be disqualified from the game.  ALL PLAYERS MUST WEAR TAFFL™ PROVIDED or APPROVED FLAG BELTS - Any player in violation of the flag belt rule must either replace that belt immediately or leave the field until a TAFFL™ sanctioned/approved 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 players are on offense and players choose to leave the field and a player is substituted players run the risk of an illegal substitution penalty (See Offensive Rule #10).  If players are on defense, the offense if free to run their play as normal...if the play is ran and players 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.  Untucked jerseys will result in illegal participation penalties. (PENALTY: 5 Yards and Replay of Down)
     
11. FLAG GUARDING IS NOT ALLOWED! PLAYERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO STIFF-ARM DEFENDERS TO THE FACE OR THE CHEST.  Ball carriers are not allowed to 'lead' with their head/shoulders down in a charging/ball protecting motion. (PENALTY: 5 Yards From the Spot (gained yards) and next down.)
     
12. Once the whistle is blown all play ceases immediately, it is still recommended that players 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, players 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 offense will have the option of taking the ball at the spot of the whistle or replaying the down.
     
13. UPDATED! ROSTERS: Rosters must be a minimum of 6 players and a maximum of 16 players. 
     
14. A kick-off from the 15-yard line will begin each contest and after each score.  Teams will have 4 Downs to advance the ball past the designated first down markers.  Upon advancing past a first down marker, teams will receive an additional four down to advance past the next marker.  This continues until either a team scores or is forced to punt or is held to advancing past the first down after 4 plays.  On 4th Down, if a team elects not to punt and they do not achieve a first down, then the ball will be turned over on downs and placed at the midfield marker.
     
15. After a touchdown a team will have one opportunity to earn extra points (see scoring above).
    If the extra point play results in an interception by the opposing team and is returned into their own endzone, they will be awarded 2 points (regardless of which extra point attempt the offense goes for).  EXTRA POINT STATS DO NOT COUNT TOWARD STATISTICAL TOTALS.  EXTRA POINTS ARE CONSIDERED OPEN PLAYS.
    
    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 with a punt from the opponent (15 yard line).
     
16. End zone pylon is part of the end zone.  Although the hip/body determines the spot of the ball on a pulled flag or out of bounds, a play will be scored a TOUCHDOWN in the event the ball or any part of the body touches the pylon and playersr flag has not been pulled and players are within bounds.
     
17. 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 MIDFIELD 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; however, they must be at least 5 yards off the ball (even at an angle).
     
18. Players are not allowed to dive at any time for yardage or for the endzone,  An offensive player will be allowed to dive to catch a ball and a defensive player will be allowed to dive in the attempt to pull a ball carrier's flag.  
     
19. PLEASE NOTE: Fumble’s are not allowed.  Any fumbled ball that hits the ground will result in a dead ball and the ball will be placed at the spot of the fumble.  EXCEPTION: The only dropped/fumbled ball that is allowed will be on the snap.  If a snap is not fielded cleanly and hits the ground this ball can be picked-up and played.
     
20. Stripping the football is illegal and will result in an Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty (PENALTY: 10 yards Automatic First Down)
     
21. Football Size:  All footballs will be provided by TAFFL™ Youth.

 OFFENSE

1. Possession begins with a kick-off (at the start of the game and after a scoring drive) or by result of a punt.
    
2. At the start of each play on offense, there must be at least 3 players on the line of scrimmage.  Not having 3 players on the line of scrimmage will result in an illegal formation penalty.  IT IS THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE OFFICIALS TO GIVE A "WARNING" TO A TEAM BUT THE OFFICIALS WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THAT PLAYERS HAVE 3 Players 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. (PENALTY: 5 Yards Replay Down-THIS IS NOT A DEAD BALL FOUL.)
    
3. All plays must originate with a snap from the center.  The ball must be snapped between the legs of the "center."  Quarterbacks are allowed to "go under" center.  The center may not receive the snap.  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 either the left or right 'hashmark'.
    
4. Receivers of passes must have at least one foot in bounds and unquestionable control of the ball.
    
5. Laterals of the football by ball carriers are allowed.  A lateral can only be received by a player who is behind the ball carrier. 
   (PENALTY: 5 Yards Forward laterals will be penalized (see penalties).
    
6. MOTION:  Can only be from sideline to sideline.  No ARENA FOOTBALL STYLE MOTION.  Only one offensive player may be in motion at the time of the step. Players may not be moving forward toward the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped.  This will result in an illegal motion penalty (see penalties).  More than one player may be shifting at once as long as all get set before the snap of the ball.  Only one player is allowed in motion at the snap of the ball. (PENALTY: Illegal Procedure or Illegal Motion 5 Yards Replay Down)
    
7. INELIGIBLE RECEIVER:  Only if a receiver steps out of bounds on his own accord will he/she not be allowed to be the first person to touch the ball.   If a player 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. (PENALTY: 5 Yards Replay Down)
    
8. 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 illegal substitution penalties.  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 players will not be allowed to substitute. (PENALTY: Illegal Substitution 5 Yards Replay Down)
    
9. DOWNING THE BALL - Teams wishing to "run the clock out" may call a DOWN BALL play by announcing to the Official who will announce to both teams that a DOWN BALL play is ready to 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 and the :30 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.
    
10. 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 the second half.
     
11. A player will be ruled down if they are in possession of the football and any part of the body (besides feet) touches the ground or they fall down.
     
12. BLOCKING
    Blocking will be by SCREENING ONLY.  A blocker must hinder a defender's movement through positioning rather than body contact.  No part of the body except the feet shall be in contact with the ground and the feet must remain on the ground for the duration of the block.  During a block, the body must remain upright with elbows and hands touching the body at the side or behind the back.  While incidental contact may occur, blocking/rushing penalties will be called against the player who initiate contact.

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. PLEASE NOTE: Male defenders are not allowed to blitz female quarterbacks. (PENALTY: 5 Yards Replay Down). 
    
2. Defenders who have intercepted a ball may lateral the ball to a teammate as long as the lateral is not deemed forward. (PENALTY: 5 Yards from spot of illegal lateral)
    
3. STRIPPING THE FOOTBALL IS ILLEGAL (PENALTY: Illegal Stripping: 10 yards Automatic First Down)

PENALTIES

1. NO CONTACT ALLOWED! Contact that is deemed legal and unavoidable ( i.e. a legal rusher who bumps a legal screen blocker will make contact with each other) and as solely determined legal by the game Officials will not be penalized.  However, contact that can be avoided, PUSHING, TRIPPING, and any extending or locking of the elbows in a pushing or blocking manner will be illegal and deemed Illegal Contact (different from illegal contact of a receiver) and penalized 5 yards.  The instances of illegal contact mentioned above is not an exhaustive list and other instances of illegal contact can occur.
    
2. Blocking and Contact to the face!   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 be penalized and reviewed by the League.
    
3. 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. 
    
4. 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.
    
5. Pass Interference: When a defensive player makes any contact with a receiver attempting to catch a pass while the ball is in the air and not attempting to make a play on the ball, after 5 yards off the line of scrimmage. If a receiver pushes off from a defender to gain separation to receive a pass, this is offensive pass interference. Offensive interference will result in a 10 yard penalty and replay of the down from the original LOS;  defensive interference will result in an automatic 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.
    
6. ILLEGAL RECEIVER SCREENS:  Receivers are not allowed to screen defenders in a way such that a teammate can free himself/herself to catch a pass.
    
7. Illegal Contact (by the defense):  A defender may not make any contact with an eligible receiver after that receiver has ran five yards past the line of scrimmage unless contesting a pass, that is not deemed pass interference.  This results in 5-yard penalty and an automatic first down.
    
8. 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.
    
9. 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.
    
10. 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 Coaches 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 (10 YARDS OR MORE) OCCURRING INSIDE THE 15 YARD LINE WILL BE ASSESSED AT HALF THE DISTANCE TO THE GOAL LINE.

PENALTY INDEX:

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