Football

Coed Rules

Official Co-ed Flag Football Rules

OVERVIEW

8 players on the field (5 Males/3 females) You can play with a minimum of six players (at least two must be women and you can never have more than 5 men)
Two 20-minute halves
A first down will be achieved each time the ball reaches the 2nd cone from where the ball was originally spotted on first down
6 point touchdowns
Choice of 1, 2, or 3 extra points on PAT's
Dead ball on all fumbles
Quarterbacks cannot snap the ball to themselves
Running clock except for final two minutes of 2nd half and last 1 minute of first half.
Ties during regular season stay as a tie
ONLY 2-Point and 3 conversion attempts may be intercepted and returned (for 2 points and 3 points respectively)
Laterals may be intercepted and run back for a touchdown or yardage.
Referees are responsible for shouting out the rush count for teams
The rush will be as follows:
"COORS LIGHT, 2-COORS LIGHT, 3-COORS LIGHT, 4-COORS LIGHT, 5-COORS LIGHT, GO!"
Defense may rush on the word GO.
Players acting as offensive linemen must have their hands behind their back or at their side when protecting the quarterback from rushers.
There is no contact at or behind the line of scrimmage.
Four-Downs-and-Out format applies for ties in the playoffs.
Receivers need only one foot in-bounds with possession of the ball to be considered a catch

Rule Clarification: The clock does not stop for a 2 minute warning unless there is a dead ball situation when the clock hits 2 minutes.

Rule Clarification: Offsides on the defense will be a free play for the offense. After the play the offense will decide to take the 5 yard penalty or the result of the play

COIN FLIP/BEGINNING OF GAME

The beginning of the game will start with the PBSSC staff using an odd/even, or coin flip. The winning team will then have one of three options: 1) offense; 2) defense; or 3) direction. Teams flip flop direction, at the start of the second half. The team that started the game on defense will start the second half on offense. There are no kick-offs. Play starts 10 paces/yards from the designated goal-line.

PAID REFEREE LEAGUES

Each week PBSSC will provide referee(s) for each game.

TEAM SIZE

Each team shall field 8 players on the field at one time (no more than 5 men). PBSSC rules allow a team to play a legal game shorthanded with 6 players, (at least 2 females). Teams may have as many players on their roster as they want. There is no maximum limit on the amount of females on the field at one time. All rosters must be finalized by the second week of the regular season. Players added after the second week that are not on the team roster or waiver will not be eligible for playoffs.

FORFEITS

Teams will have until 10 minutes past the designated start time to field a legal team. Shorthanded teams may play a legal game with a minimum of 6 players, with at least 2 of them being females. Teams fielding less than 6 players or without at least 2 women will receive a forfeit. Exception: Teams may play a legal game with less than 6 players or less than 2 females with the opposing teams consent. Teams who agree to play under these conditions will lose the option of receiving a forfeit win. Teams may pick up players during the regular season in order to field a full team so long as the number of players picked up does not exceed their opponent’s number of players. The use of non-roster players will not be allowed during playoffs. Each team’s waiver will be used as its final roster. Only players on the waivers may play in the playoffs. In the event of a forfeit, the winning team will receive 7 points. A $50 forfeit fee will be assessed for No Call/No Shows. Teams that have 2 or more forfeits may not make the playoffs.

SUBSTITUTIONS

If a team substitutes players during the game, they must do so from the same sideline the entire game. Eligible receivers must be on the playing field before the cadence is started.

TIME

Play will be divided into (2) 20-minute halves. Teams flip flop direction at the start of the second half. The team that started the game on defense will start the second half on offense. Teams will have 2 time-outs per game that may be used at any time. There will be a running clock until the final 2 minutes of the second half maintained by a referee. During the first 38 minutes, the clock runs continuously with the exception of time-outs and serious injury. If a team calls a timeout after a touchdown the clock will not start again until the defensive team takes possession and snaps the ball on offense. During the final 2 minutes of the game or 1 minute of first half, the referee shall stop the game clock if:

An incomplete pass is thrown
A player ends a play by going out of bounds
Either team scores (clock will remain off until the opposing team snaps the ball after the PAT attempt; the clock does not run during extra points)
Change of possession
A penalty which must be marked off occurs
A team calls a time out.

The clock will not stop for a 1 minute or 2 minute warning unless there is a dead ball situation when the clock hits 1 minute or 2 minutes.

** THE CLOCK DOES NOT STOP ON FIRST DOWNS OR FUMBLES.

** If a team is up by 17 points or more, the clock runs continuously during the last two minutes of play.

The offense has 15 seconds to snap the ball once the ball has been spotted. If the referee feels that this is being taking advantage of the referee will then stop the clock, and penalize the offense 5 paces/yards.

STANDINGS

Standings will be posted at the league and on-line at: www.playinthebay.com a few days after the games are completed.

CO-ED SPECIFIC RULES

There is no maximum limit to the amount of females allowed on the field. To ensure coed participation, a penalty will ensue if the offensive team fails to use a female as an operative player within 3 consecutive downs (This does not reset after a first down it is every three plays).

An Operative Player is defined as a player who:

Is the intended receiver in the eyes of the official
Runs the ball as the primary runner (does not have to cross line of scrimmage)
Receives the snap as the QB and throws the ball forward towards the line of scrimmage. (ball does not have to cross line of scrimmage)
Receives the snap and immediately spikes the ball at her feet in order to stop the clock in the last 2 minutes.

An Operative Player is NOT defined as a player who:

Hands off the football
Snaps the ball into play
Receives a hand-off only to give it back to a male before crossing the line of scrimmage

Examples:

A pass deflected by a male and caught by a female is a female play
A pass intended for a female (in the eyes of the referee) that is deflected by a female, and caught by a male counts as a female play
A pass thrown by a male, caught by a male, immediately pitched to a female (the hook and ladder) does not constitute a female play - no matter how far the female advances with the ball after the pitch
A pass intentionally grounded by a female in the last 2 minutes of the second half in order to stop the clock counts as a female play
If a female pitches the ball to a male behind the line of scrimmage, it will not result in a female play
If a female pitches the ball to a male behind the line of scrimmage and then he throws it to a female it will count as a female play

The penalty for running 3 consecutive plays without a female as an Operative Player will be loss of down (i.e. if it was 1st down during the penalty, it is now 2nd down) and the female must now be the operative player on the next play. If on this play a male catches or runs the ball: loss of down, the play is ruled "dead", and the ball is brought back to the line of scrimmage, and the next play must be a female play.

Plays utilizing a female and resulting in loss of down penalties will still be considered female plays.

The slate is clean for extra points and punts and everyone is eligible.

THE DREADED SACK

If a male is the QB on a play which could either be to a male or female and the QB is sacked the ball is spotted where he was sacked and the play stands as a male play, no matter who was the intended receiver. Only if a female QB is sacked will the play be counted as a gender play.

GENERAL RULES

TIE GAMES/SCORING

Games ending in a tie score will be recorded as tie games during regular season play. Please refer to the OVERTIME section for ties during the playoffs. One-point conversion attempts CANNOT be returned.

FIRST DOWNS

Each team shall have 4 downs to either score or earn another first down. First downs are earned each time the ball reaches the 2nd cone from where the ball was originally spotted on the first down. If a team fails to score or earn a first down, possession will go to the other team. Offensive teams may elect to punt on fourth downs.

PUNTS

A punt must be declared and cannot be faked. All punts are "free" punts. A team need not snap the ball during a punt, a dropped snap during a punt is not a fumble. Punts must be kicked. Punts cannot be thrown. Punts are open plays meaning, there are no Male/Female rules for punts. There is no minimum number of players required on the line of scrimmage during a punt. NO DOWNFIELD BLOCKING or BLOCKING AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE. The kicking team may not cross the line of scrimmage until the ball is kicked. The receiving team may not raise hands or jump to block a punt. If a punt is shanked and caught it is a live ball and is returnable. If the ball comes into contact with the ground after it has been punted it is a dead ball, spotted at the point where it hit the ground, and may not be returned. A punt through the endzone comes back to 10 paces/yards off the goal line. If a player drops the ball in the endzone, the ball is again spotted 10 paces/yards out from the goal line and is not counted as a safety.

CONTINUANCE OF PLAY

Play shall continue until:

Ball-carrier has at least one flag pulled by an opponent (see flag specifics for the few exceptions/additions concerning flag pulling)
Ball-carrier leaves the field of play
Ball-carrier scores
Ball touches the ground as a result of a fumble, punt or incomplete pass (the ball is not an extension of the arm. If the ball is pinned between the ground and the ball-carrier's hand, the play is dead)
Ball-Carrier’s knee touches the ground

SPOT OF THE BALL

The ball will be spotted where the ball is at the time the ball carrier's flag has been pulled. If the ball crosses the plane of the goal line before the ball carrier is touched, it will result in a touchdown (ball extension).

TURNOVERS

A change of possession can only occur on an interception of a forward pass or a lateral. A fumble is not a turnover. The ball is dead at the point of the fumble and the offense retains possession. NEW RULE: A lateral is not a forward pass and can be picked off in mid-air. A picked off lateral will result in a change of possession, and can be returned for a touchdown.

RUSH

In order to better standardize the rush, all referees will be responsible for shouting out the rush count for both teams.

The rush will be as follows:

"1-COORS LIGHT, 2-COORS LIGHT, 3-COORS LIGHT, 4-COORS LIGHT, 5-COORS LIGHT, GO!"

(Other acceptable variations can be used: i.e. 1-One thousand, 1-Mississippi, etc.) Each referee will have a different pace and type of count but as long as their count is consistent there will be no standard speed that will be asked of them. The defensive team may cross the line of scrimmage after the ref/counter says Go.

NO CONTACT AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE

Players acting as offensive lineman must have hands behind their back or at their side when protecting their quarterback from pursuing defensive rushers. There is no contact at or behind the line of scrimmage. Offensive lineman can position their body at any particular angle in an attempt to the direct the rushers to a particular area, but they may not physically direct them or initiate contact. Defensive players cannot initiate contact with the offensive player. They must try to go around the player.

PENALTIES

Normal rules and penalties of the NCAA apply unless exceptions have been made herein.

Some Common Examples of Penalties:

Illegal Contact - At or Behind the Line of Scrimmage: In cases where the person(s) acting as the offensive lineman, initiates any contact (at the ref’s discretion), it will be ruled a 5 pace/yard penalty from the line of scrimmage and we will replay the down. If this contact is deemed excessive by the ref, an unnecessary roughness penalty of 10 paces/yards can be assessed in addition to the illegal contact. Thus making the total penalty 15 paces/yards.
Illegal Contact - Down Field: If the illegal contact occurs during play when the offense is advancing the ball the penalty will be a mark off of 5 paces/yards from the point where the ball carrier is at the time of the infraction. If this occurs during a pass play when the pass is incomplete, the penalty will be a mark off of 5 paces/yards from the line of scrimmage.
Offsides/Illegal or Early Rush (Offensive): 5 paces/yards, play is ruled dead immediately, no option to decline, down is replayed.
Offsides/Illegal or Early Rush (Defensive): Play will be a free play and will NOT BE BLOWN DEAD. If the penalty is accepted by the offense, there is a five pace/yard mark-off from the line of scrimmage against the defense and the down is repeated. If the penalty is accepted any yardage gained on the play will be nullified. If the penalty is declined, the play will stand and it will be the next down.
Illegal Motion: Players may not be in motion towards the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. This will result in a dead ball, 5-yd penalty on the offense and repeat of the down.
Offensive Picking/Interference: The offensive team may not initiate a pick/block while in motion. The penalty for this is a 5 pace/yard penalty from the line of scrimmage. If a catch is made after a clear pick, it will be ruled no catch, 5 pace/yard penalty from line of scrimmage. Remember: Some acceptable incidental contact will occur while running routes and within the normal course of play, and will not be called.
Unnecessary Roughness (Offense): Unnecessary roughness by the offense during a play will result in a 10 yard/pace mark off from the line of scrimmage and a loss of down. If the penalty occurs after the play the penalty will result in a 10 pace/yard marked off at the end of the play. Extreme roughness will result in ejection from the game and or league if deemed necessary by the referee and league staff.
Unnecessary Roughness (Defense): This includes any illegal tag such as grabbing jerseys or excessive pushing etc. If the play is dead at the time the penalty is committed and the offense has not advanced the ball the penalty will be 10 pace/yard marked off from the line of scrimmage and an automatic first down will be awarded. If the play is on going or the offense has advanced the ball at the time the penalty is committed the penalty will be 10 paces/yards added on to the end of the play and an automatic first down will be awarded. Extreme roughness will result in ejection from the game and or league if deemed necessary by the referee and league staff.
Defensive Pass Interference: Ball is spotted at the point of the infraction and offense is awarded an automatic first down. If the pass interference is in the endzone, the ball comes out to the 1 pace/yard line and it will be 1st down.
Defensive Holding: 10 pace/yard penalty from line of scrimmage, replay down. Offense can accept or decline the penalty.
Defensive Checking: 5 pace/yard penalty from line of scrimmage, replay down. The bump and run will not be allowed. No player may initiate contact at the line of scrimmage. There is no 5-yard Bump Zone.

Safeties

A safety will be scored if a player is:

Tagged down in their own endzone (not on a punt return)
Runs out of bounds in their own endzone
Snaps the ball out of the endzone
If the offense fumbles the ball in their own endzone

As a result, the team on defense, receives 2 points, and the team on offense must now punt a free kick from their own 10 paces/yard line. Also, a player having intercepted a pass or received a punt in the endzone, cannot be tagged in the endzone for a safety unless he/she has previously crossed the plane of the endzone with the ball.

Intentional Grounding

This penalty will be called when a passer facing an imminent loss of yardage because of pressure from the defense, throws a forward pass, without a realistic chance of completion. This will result a loss of down (i.e. if it was 1st down during the penalty, it is now 2nd down). And the ball being spotted at the point of infraction (QB’s point of release).

Fighting

Fighting is not allowed and will NOT be tolerated. All parties involved in fighting will be subject to ejection from the game at the referees discretion and subject to ejection from the league at PBSSC staff discretion.

FLAG SPECIFICS

No flag guarding *** Will result in a 5 paces/yard penalty from the spot of infraction. Defensive player returning an interception, who flag guards, will be penalized 5 paces/yards from the spot of infraction.
Shirt must be tucked in and flags must be securely attached. Loose hanging articles (i.e. sweatshirts, long T-shirts, etc.) that are held/ripped will not result in a holding penalty, unless in ref’s eyes player was not attempting to go for flag.
Any ball-carrier whose flags are (in ref’s opinion) not accessible to be pulled will be down at 1st point of contact with the defense.
Any ball-carrier who has a flag or both flags missing for whatever reason (falls out, accidentally pulled before reception, not noticed before snap, etc.) will be down at the first point of contact.
Players may leave their feet to pull flag.
Spin moves will be allowed.
Belt grabbing will result in a 5 paces/yard penalty from end of play.

*Any belt grabbing at the end of a half or game will result in a 5 paces/yard penalty from point of infraction and replay of down. If this penalty occurs within 5 paces/yard of the endzone, the ball will be spotted at the one yard line and the offense will receive one play.

MISCELLANEOUS

If the player calling the cadence does not receive the snap, the play will not stand and will result in a 5 pace/yard penalty and repeat of the down .
One person must call the cadence and receive the snap violation of this will result in a 5 pace/yard penalty and repeat of down.
Silent snaps will not be allowed violation of this will result in a 5 pace/yard penalty and repeat of down.
The QB may not be in motion and then receive the snap this will result in a 5 pace/yard penalty and repeat of down.
If the QB crosses the line of scrimmage and then throws a forward pass the defense can either decline the penalty or it will be a 5 pace/yard penalty from the line of scrimmage and loss of down (i.e. if it was 1st down during the penalty, it is now 2nd down).
If the ball hits the ground on the snap for either a pass or running play, the play is "dead", the ball is spotted where it hit the ground, and it is a loss of down (i.e. if it was 1st down during the bad snap, it is now 2nd down).
The QB may NOT snap the ball to him/herself. If the QB does snap to him/herself, play will stop immediately and it will result in a 5-yd penalty and repeat the down.
Loss of down penalties which occur on 4th down will result in change of possession.
Receivers need only one foot in bounds for a reception. If in the referees eyes a receiver would be able to legally catch a pass but, was pushed out of bounds by a defender while in the air a catch will be awarded.
Receivers intentionally leaving the field of play are ineligible to receive a pass if they are the first person to touch the ball. This includes the back of the endzone.
Diving is allowed. Offensive players may dive to further advance the ball as long as they do not initiate contact. When this occurs the ball will be spotted where it is whenever the ball carrier is touched with two hands his/her knee touches the ground, or when the ball touches the ground. Diving into or over a defensive player, will result in the player being down at the point of takeoff and there will be a 5 pace/yard mark-off against the Offense and loss of down.
A player who catches the ball and lands with 1 or 2 feet across the goaline, but is tagged after possession and before he/she pulls the ball across the plane of the goal will not be awarded a touchdown. The ball will be spotted at the point of where the ball was at the time he/she was called down.
Only the ball needs to cross the plane of the goal-line in order for a touchdown to be awarded.
Any player who attempts to knock the ball out of the quarterbacks arm or hits the arm of the quarterback while in delivery will receive an Unnecessary Roughness penalty. If contact is made on the quarterback’s follow through there will be no penalty.

PLAYOFFS

Playoffs will follow the last week of regular season and will be single elimination.

SEEDING

Teams will be seeded based upon their winning percentage throughout the season. In most cases all teams will advance to the playoffs as long as they are not in violation of the forfeit policy. *Note: In some situations the last ranked team in the league may not be eligible for playoffs. This will be decided on a league by league basis.

PLAYOFF GAMES

Playoff games will follow the same format during regulation as the regular season. If teams are tied at the end of regulation in playoffs an overtime will be used. Non-roster players will not be allowed for playoffs. All players must have signed the waiver, and/or have been placed at the roster at the beginning of the season.

OVERTIME

In the playoffs the Four-Downs and Out format will apply. The beginning of the game will start with the PBSSC staff using an odd/even, or coin flip with the winning team deciding on offense or defense, (there is no option to decline). The losing team will decide which endzone to use. Teams will attempt to score in the same end zone. Each team will then have 4 downs to score from 10 paces/yards out from the goal-line. If a team scores, they will have the opportunity to go for one or two on the PAT. A female must be used once within the first three plays or on the 1st and 4th downs when applicable. An interception will result in a team losing its possession. The game will be decided when one team scores more points in the rotation. No 1st downs will be awarded except in the case of a penalty. Interceptions will result in a turnover and may not be returned for any points. If the score is still tied after two complete overtime periods, each team must attempt a two point conversion after they score a touchdown. From this point on all subsequent overtime periods will continue with each team attempting a two point conversion after they score a touchdown.

LEAGUE POLICIES

WAIVERS

In order to participate in the league, each participant must sign the team waiver. Waivers are provided and must be completed and handed in no later than the first night of play. Players not present the first week of play will still be required to sign a waiver with our staff before participating. Players must sign the waiver in order to be eligible for playoffs.

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

Any questions regarding rules, policies, or eligibility of players must be addressed before the start of the game. Any team that would like to challenge the eligibility of an opposing player must do so before the start of the game. Players who have been placed on the roster and signed the waiver are eligible for playoffs. A formal protest may be filed before a game if an opposing player’s eligibility is in question. The player in question will be required to provide his/her player information (name, address, phone #, signature) in writing to a PBSSC staff member prior to the start of the game. This qualifies as an official protest. Any protest made during a game or after a game will NOT be considered a formal protest. The game will then be played in its entirety as scheduled. Teams will be notified of all rulings on the identified eligibility discrepancy by the following business day decisions will not be made on site. If the protest is proven to be legitimate, it will result in the forfeiture of the game in question. Games subsequent to the protested game may be rescheduled. The above procedure will also apply for any other logged protests. All rulings by PBSSC staff are considered final.

SPORTSMANSHIP

The idea of PBSSC is to have fun. We hope that all participants keep that in mind when becoming involved. Although the games may become intense, you still can be competitive while maintaining good sportsmanship. With this said, any behavior deemed unacceptable by staff may result in suspension and/or ejection from a game or the league. Abuse of officials, referees, and other staff will not be tolerated. PBSSC reserves the right to remove a player from a game or a league if they are considered to be bringing down the quality of the league. PBSSC will not tolerate fighting! Fighting will be an automatic ejection from any game and in most cases ejection from the league for the remainder of the season.

STAFF

To coordinate and run the league, our refs and/or staff will be available at all times to help the league run as smoothly as possible. If you have questions regarding schedules, policies, rule interpretations, directions to the bar, etc. please ask.

LEAGUE CANCELLATION/RAINOUT

Leagues may be cancelled due to existing weather conditions, dangerous or unplayable field conditions, facility constraints, etc. PBSSC staff makes every effort to play all scheduled games, thus we will not cancel games until absolutely necessary. Therefore, if you are calling concerning a decision on a cancellation, remember we will not have an answer until close to the start of the league.

If the league is cancelled, PBSSC staff will email the league immediately. PBSSC will then email or text all of the captains to let them know. It is then the captain’s responsibility to inform all teammates of the cancellation. If a league is cancelled on site, PBSSC staff will attempt to contact those teams still scheduled to play the remainder of the league day/night. Depending on the time of cancellation, some teams will have to be notified on site. If we do cancel, follow next week’s schedule unless otherwise notified, (i.e. If April 13 is cancelled teams should follow the April 20 schedule for their next game). The games that are cancelled will be made up towards the end of the season if time allows. In extreme circumstances, PBSSC reserves the right to run a shortened season without a refund. PBSSC also reserves the right to schedule games on days other than your regularly scheduled league day/night if necessary