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MAISL Touch Football Rules - 2010
>>> See new rules for 2008 under Touchback <<<
1 - LENGTH of GAME -- TIME FACTORS
A - PLAYING TIME -- 40 minutes: 10 minutes for Quarters, with five (5) minutes between halves and two (2) minutes between quarters. Coaches are allowed on the field to talk to team members on all time-outs and between quarters.
B - During the first nine (9) minutes of play the clock will continue to run except for incomplete passes. It will stop for an incomplete pass, and will start again with the ready for play signal. You then have 30 seconds from the ready to play signal to snap the ball.
C - During the last minute of each quarter the clock will STOP for ALL out of bounds as well as all incomplete passes. In the above situations, the clock will now start on the snap.
D - OVERTIME -- In the case of a tie, each team will be given four (4) downs from the same 20 yard line; the team advancing the ball the farthest in the four (4) downs shall be declared the winner. Repeat in case of a tie. In the event one teams scores a touchdown the remaining downs are eliminated and the opponents are then given their four (4) downs to score a touchdown and obtain a tie. In the event of an intercepted pass the remaining downs are eliminated for that team, but the team receives credit for the number of yards gained before the interception.
The four (4) downs must be played unless there is an interception, or a touchdown is made
E - TIME-OUT -- Time out may be called twice during each half (four times during the game) by each captain. Two (2) minutes are allowed for each time-out. Additional time-out shall be penalized five (5) yards.
Time shall be taken out:
1 - When the ball goes out of bounds
2 - When the referee calls time-out for a team captain
3 - After a score is made
4 - At the discretion of the referee
5 - On an incomplete pass. Time is in when the referee places that ball on the line of scrimmage
OVERTIME GAMES
Each team will be granted one (1) time-out, three (3) minutes in length, for each overtime period that is played
F - Huddle -- 30 seconds will be allowed to put the ball unto play. Time shall be taken from the moment the ball is placed on the line of scrimmage by the referee until the ball is snapped. The penalty for taking too much time is five (5) yards. The down remains the same, no option by the opponents.
2 - SCORING
A - Touchdown - 6 Points
B - Safety - 2 Points
C - After Touchdown - 1 Point (2 Points if attempted from 5 yards -- Sept. 06)
NOTE: The point after touchdown can be scored by a pass or a run from the 3 yard line in case there are no goal posts
3 - SAFETY
A - A safety is scored when a ball legally in possession of a player guarding their own goal becomes dead on or behind his goal line, impetus putting it there being given a player of their own team
4 - YARDAGE and DOWNS
A - The playing field shall be zoned into sections of ten (10) yards
B - It is necessary for a team to cross two (2) zone lines in four (4) downs to get a first down
C - The ball is considered to be in the next zone if any point of it is on, over or above the line at the point furthermost advanced when declared dead by the referee
5 - NUMBER of PLAYERS
A - Seven (7) players shall constitute a team
B - At least three (3) players are required to be on the line of scrimmage on offense when the ball is snapped. Penalty for less than three (3) players will be five (5) yards. (Officials are requested to use judgement in situations where the line of scrimmage is difficult to determine. Penalties should not be called unless there are obviously more than four (4) players playing in the backfield)
C - A team may start the game with not less than five (5) players.
6 - SUBSTITUTIONS
A - A substitute may not enter the field when ball is in play and they may not enter while the ball is dead unless the substitution can be completed before the snap or free-kick.
NOTE: - A substitution is completed when the new player has entered the field and the replaced player has left the field on their own side in such a way that neither is used as a decoy to deceive opponents through the sleeper type of play. Referee should not permit any legal substitution to delay his establishment of the neutral zone. Teams substitute at their own risk of not being able to complete any substitution before the snap or free-kick.
B - A substitute becomes a player when they communicate with the huddle, or is waived on by an official or when the replaced player withdraws. The exiting player may not return until after one (1) down.
C - For illegal substitution -- loss of 5 yards For illegal participation -- loss of 15 yards (includes to many players on the field during a play; or using sleeper type of play
7 - ELIGIBLE PASS RECEIVER
A - All players of both teams
8 - EQUIPMENT of PLAYERS (Official “YOUTH” size football to be used – rubber or leather are approved)
A - For playground and MAISL leagues (players below high school age) all types of cleats are prohibited
B - Soccer or any type of molded cleat will be allowed, Tennis and/or running shoes are OK, but not recommended, as a player could slip on damp or wet grass
C - No padding of any type may be worn (exception of a physical injury which must be approved by an official)
D - MAISL will allow players to wear elbow pads
E - All players are required to wear mouthguards
F - All teams are responsible for providing their own first-aid kits
9 - TOUCHING (tagging)
A - Touching -- The ball is dead immediately upon the runner/receiver being touched by both hands simultaneously between the shoulders and the knees, including shoulders and arms, provided he has control of the ball
B - No holding of any kind will be permitted while tagging or to retard a players progress until the tag is completed. See Rule 9e(2) for penalty
C - Tackling is not allowed. Leaving the feet to tag a runner, whether successful or not is subject to penalty. See Rule 9e(2) for penalty
D - Pushing a runner unnecessarily hard is considered unnecessary roughness. Penalty - 15 yards. Disqualification if flagrant
E - Penalties
(1) The player guilty of holding or tackling a ball carrier is not a legal tagger and play my
continue until a legally tagged. The runner may not rise from a fallen position and the ball will be
blown dead at that spot.
(2) A 10 yard penalty for the above foul is to be enforced from the spot where the ball is finally
blown dead. Half the distance inside the 30 yard line. This penalty can not result in a touchdown
NOTE: - Players are requested to stop immediately when they have made a legal tag and raise both hands over their head to aid officials
F - Leaving of the feet to tag a runner
A player WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE THEIR FEET to make a tag
a - If a player is caught leaving the feet to make a tag 10-yard penalty for “Leaving the Feet” will be
called
b - Stumbling or falling will not be allowed
H - Unnecessary rough tags, (pushing a runner) will be penalized as unnecessary roughness, (officials judgement) a 15-yard penalty will be called
I - Any TAGS BELOW the knees will be considered as Tackling - 15 yard penalty
J - Grasping an opponents jersey will be declared as a 10-yard holding penalty
K - Rushers MAY NOT STRIKE an offensive player above the shoulders. Any blows to the neck or head area will be judged as personal fouls - 15-yard penalty
10 - BLOCKING
A - Must be done without “following through” or without leaving the feet. This rule means that blocking is limited to the “screen” of “check” block, or what may be described as a “delaying” block. The blocker must maintain their balance with both feet on the ground until after contact is made. Violations will be ruled unnecessary roughness - Penalty 15 yards
B - On a wide end run no more than one (1) player may immediately proceed the ball carrier until after they reach the line of scrimmage - Penalty 5-tards from previous spot.
11 - DEFENSE - USE of HANDS
A - While on defense, hold or push an opponent unless such act is use of hands or arms to ward off an obstructing opponent or to push or pull them out of the way in an actual attempt to get at the runner or the ball - Penalty 10-yards
B - There shall be no striking with the fists, locked hands or elbows, kicking, kneeing or meeting with the knee, striking with the heel, tripping, back side of the hand to the head, face or neck of the opponent. Penalty 10-yards, Disqualified if flagrant
C - No defense player may touch the offensive center in any manner until he has passed the ball and moved one (1) foot from their original position and becomes a blocker. Penalty 15-yards, Disqualified if flagrant
D - Neither a player or non-player may interfere with the play by any act which is PALPABLY UNFAIR and which is not specifically provided for in these rules. Penalty - Referee enforces any penalty they consider equitable
12 - KICKOFF
A - Kickoff if from kicking teams thirty (30) yard line on any 80 yard field. Restraining line is 40 yard line (or middle of the field)
B - If the ball goes out of bounds between the goal lines (except after being caught and fumbled or kicked by a player) the opponents shall have the option of putting it in scrimmage anywhere on their own 30-yard line (rule modified for clarification 2008)
C - After the kickoff crosses the restraining line it is in play and shall be treated in the same manner as a punted ball. That is, it is not a free ball and cannot be recovered or advanced by the kicking team. If, after being touched by a player of the receiving team, the ball touches the ground, it shall be blown dead at that point
D - Teams will not be held to the interscholastic rule requiring that five (5) players of the team receiving kickoff or free kick must remain within 5-yards of their restraining line until the kick is actually made.
E - If the kick returner slips and falls down, the ball will be blown dead at the spot where the runner touches the ground
12 - KICKOFF INFORMATION and ADDITIONS
A - Holding of a ball during a free kick - On a free kick (or kickoff) a tee should be used. If no tee as available, a single player may hold the ball in an upright position while resting it on the ground. The holder may not use their feet to elevate the ball, this is a safety rule.
B - The defensive player can not move once the Offensive Center has placed his hands on the ball for his final snap. All Defensive Backs may move if a player goes in motion, or if a back moves to flanker or shifts wide.
Question:On a 4th Down situation kick, Must the posts stand back when the kick is made?
Answer - YES - The reason is that when a “post Kick” is announced, the posts must be 5-yards deep and 10-yards apart or a 5-yard penalty will be called for an illegal formation
4th DOWN KICK SITUATION
Officials are asked to enforce this rule to prevent injury
1) NO PLAYER shall move until the ball is kicked - Penalty 5-yards
2) On a 4th Down center ball that hits the ground -- Our league has adopted the rule that “The kicker shall pick up
the ball and kick it”
3) Please alert your players to this situation, all officials are asked to call a 5-yard Penalty for Illegal Procedure.
13 - TOUCH BACK (see change for 2008 in this section)
A - Free ball or ball legally in possession of player guarding his own goal becomes dead on or behind his goal line, impetus putting it there being given by an opponent (After a touch back, the team making it shall put the ball in play by scrimmage anywhere on it’s own 10-yard line – NEW for 2008)
B - Elimination of touch back - When the 4th Down forward pass becomes incomplete on or behind the opponents goal line
14 - FUMBLED BALL
Any ball that touches the ground during any of the following plays is to be blown dead at that spot and belongs to the team last in possession
A - A pass from Center that touches the ground before or after being touched by a player
B - A fumbled ball that touches the ground during a play
C - A punt or kickoff that is touched by a member of the receiving team and then touched the ground (Receivers ball - 1st Down)
D - A muffed ball that touches the ground during a lateral or backward pass
E - A blocked punt - that touches the ground behind the scrimmage line
15 - PASS INTERFERENCE
A - During a forward pass play there shall be no interference beyond the line of scrimmage with any player of either team who is eligible to catch the pass except such interference as may occur when two or more eligible players make a simultaneous and bona fide effort to catch and/or bat the ball. Interference by players of the passing team is prohibited from the time the ball is snapped until the pass is touched. Interference by opponents is prohibited from the time the pass is made until it is touched. Penalty - 15-yards from previous spot, and automatic 1st Down if penalty is on the Defense. If on Offense, 15-yards from previous spot and loss of down. Roughing the passer is an automatic 1st Down
B - If the ball strikes the ground in the field of play or in the end zone or any obstruction on or back of the goal line or goes out of bounds the pass is incomplete and the ball becomes dead
C - A forward pass may be thrown from any point behind the line of scrimmage on the playing field or in the end zones
D - The Center may receive a forward pass or a lateral pass at any time, but may not be handed the ball by any player while he is still in the position he held when the play started
E - Two or more offensive players may touch a forward pass
NOTE: - Any number of forward passes may be thrown as long as the passer is behind the line of scrimmage when the ball is thrown
16 - KICKING
A - A kick from beyond the line of scrimmage is illegal
B - Penalty for flagrant unnecessary roughness to the kicker -- 15-yards and possible suspension
C - Called Kick - Punt -- A team that wishes protection for it’s kicker during a kicking play must announce their intention to kick to the officials, who in turn must call time-out and announce the play to the opposing team. The kicking team must then station two (2) backs 5-yards behind the line of scrimmage and a minimum of 10-yards apart. These backs are to act as “Posts” and remain stationary until the ball is kicked. Penalty for moving the feet from this position - 5-yards from the previous spot. Penalty for defense running into or between the “Posts” is 5-yards from the previous spot, Down remains the same.
On a Called Kick: the Defensive team shall have two (2) players on the line of scrimmage and NO PLAYER shall move until the ball is kicked - Penalty 5-yards and Down remains the same.
D – New for 2007
5/6 Grade League – No punting inside the 20 yard line
7/8 Grade League – No punting inside the 30 yard line
17 - OFFICIALS
A - Officials should use colored flags to drop when a foul has occurred. Whistles should be blown only to kill the ball
B - If an Official’s whistle is accidentally blown and the ball is behind the line of scrimmage, the ball will be returned to the original line of scrimmage.
C - Inadvertent Whistle - When the penalty is declined for a foul which occurred during the down and there is an inadvertent whistle while:
a - A legal pass or snap is in flight, or during a kick, or while the ball is loose behind the line, the
down shall be replayed:
b - The ball was loose following a backward pass or fumble beyond A’s line of scrimmage, or
behind A’s line following a change of team possession, the ball will be awarded to the team last in
possession at the spot where possession was lost and the down will be counted:
c - A player is in possession, the team may choose to accept the play at that point or replay the
down
18 - OTHER RULES
A - Aside from these special rules, the regular official interscholastic football rules will apply.
B - Home team will be responsible for the Down & Distance Markers, we ask that this be an adult or an individual at least over the age of 16
C - Coaches are allowed on the field in the 5/6 Grade League (they may be in the team huddle to give instruction, once the team breaks the huddle a coach must back away from the play). 7/8 Grade League coaches must coach from the sideline and stay within the Coach's Box.
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