League Rules

Game Duration

• Games are 40 minutes total, divided into two 20-minute halves.

Play Clock

• 25-second play clock after the ball is spotted.
• 40 seconds after extra-point attempts or a change of possession.

Continuous Game Clock

• The game clock runs continuously during each 20-minute half.
• The clock stops only for timeouts, serious injuries, and at the referee or commissioner’s discretion.

End-of-Half Procedure

• At the end of each half there will be 7 untimed plays.
• The play clock remains active during these untimed plays.

Timeouts

• Each team is permitted two (2) timeouts per half.
• Timeouts are 30 seconds in duration.

Game Start Delay & Forfeit Enforcement

• Games will start no later than 5 minutes past the scheduled time.
• If a team does not have at least 5 players, including at least 1 female, by the end of the 5-minute grace period, that team automatically forfeits.

General

• Referees will aim for consistent rulings but may not see every infraction.
• Referees and the on-site commissioner have final say on rules interpretation and discipline.

Assignments

• Games will have a minimum of two (2) referees assigned.
• A maximum of four (4) referees may be used for larger events or playoffs.

Ball Spotting

• The ball is spotted at the approximate location of the ball carrier’s hips when a flag is pulled.
• If the ball carrier steps out of bounds, the ball is spotted where the foot crosses the boundary line.

Catches & Reviews

• Catches are based on the perception of the referee.
• At least one foot must be in bounds for a legal catch.

Female Operative Requirement

Every three (3) consecutive offensive plays are treated as one set. Within each set, a female player must be the operative player on at least one play.

• A set is always three plays in a row (Plays 1–3, 4–6, 7–9, etc.).
• The set does not reset early, even if a female is operative on Play 1 or Play 2.
• After the third play is completed, the next set begins.

What Counts as a Female Operative Play

A female is considered the operative player on a given play if she is clearly involved in advancing the ball.

• She is the quarterback and throws or runs the ball in an attempt to advance the play.
• She is the intended receiver on a pass (as judged by the referee), even if the pass is incomplete.
• She is the ball carrier and attempts to gain positive yards.
• A male catches the ball and laterals to a female who then attempts to advance the ball.
• A pass is tipped or deflected and a female ultimately catches the ball and advances or attempts to advance.

What Does Not Count

• A handoff to a female who makes no attempt to advance the ball.
• A female who immediately hands or laterals the ball back to a teammate behind the line of scrimmage without attempting to advance.
• A female who is on the field but is not a meaningful part of the play.

Penalty for Non-Compliance

• If no female operative play occurs during a 3-play set, the offense is charged with a loss of down.
• The ball is returned to the original line of scrimmage prior to the third play of that set.
• The next play must be a female operative play to begin satisfying the requirement for the next set.

Field Layout

• The field is divided into five (5) 20-yard segments marked by cones.

First Downs

• A first down is awarded each time the offense reaches the next cone.
• The offense has four (4) downs to gain a first down by reaching the next cone.

Touchdowns

• Male touchdowns are worth six (6) points.
• Female touchdowns from the 10-yard line or further are worth nine (9) points.
• Female touchdowns scored inside the 10-yard line are worth seven (7) points.

Extra Points (PAT)

• 1-point conversion: ball at the 5-yard line, must be a pass.
• 2-point conversion: ball at the 10-yard line.
• 3-point conversion: ball at the 15-yard line.
• If a female scores on a PAT, the team receives one (1) additional bonus point.

Defensive Scores on Conversions

• An interception returned for a score on a PAT is worth the same value as the attempted conversion.

Field Goals

• Male field goals are worth three (3) points.
• Female field goals are worth four (4) points.

Restrictions

• Fake kicks are not allowed.
• The defense may attempt to block field goals.

Safeties

• Safeties are worth two (2) points.

Onside Kicks

• Onside kicks are allowed only in the second half.
• Only the team that is losing may attempt an onside kick.
• The ball is placed at the opponent’s 20-yard line for an onside kick play.
• The offense has one (1) play to score, worth five (5) points if successful.

Dead Ball Situations

• A play is dead when a flag is pulled.
• A play is dead when a player without flags is touched by a defender.
• A play is dead when the ball carrier steps out of bounds.
• A play is dead when a fumble touches the ground.
• A play is dead when a player’s knee, butt, or forearm touches the ground.

Fumbles

• All fumbles are dead once the ball hits the ground.
• The ball is spotted at the location where it became dead.

Illegal Forward Pass (Enforcement)

• If a forward pass is thrown from beyond the line of scrimmage, it is an illegal forward pass.
• The ball is dead at the spot of the throw. No additional yardage penalty is enforced.

Quarterback Cadence

• The quarterback must use an audible cadence to initiate the snap.
• Silent snaps are illegal.

Motion

• Only one player may be in motion at the snap.
• Motion must be lateral or backward; any forward motion at the snap is illegal.

Rush Line

• The defense must line up at least three (3) yards off the line of scrimmage before the snap.
• The referee will count “1-one-thousand, 2-one-thousand, 3” before a standard rush may begin.

Blitzing

• The defense is allowed one (1) blitz per four-down series.

Contact & Physical Play Penalties

Illegal Contact

• Penalty: 5 yards.
• On the offense, this may result in a loss of down.
• On the defense, this results in an automatic first down.

Unnecessary Roughness

• Penalty: 15 yards.
• May result in player ejection or suspension depending on severity.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

• Penalty: 10 yards.
• May result in suspension depending on the nature of the conduct.

Procedural & Pre-Snap Penalties

Delay of Game

• Failure to snap the ball within 25 seconds.
• Penalty: 5 yards.

False Start (Offense)

• Offensive movement prior to the snap.
• Penalty: 5 yards; dead ball.

Offside (Defense)

• Defensive player enters the neutral zone before the snap.
• Penalty: 5 yards.

Illegal Motion

• More than one player in motion at the snap, or any forward motion at the time of the snap.
• Penalty: 5 yards.

Illegal Substitution / Sideline Interference

• Non-active players or personnel interfering with play from the sideline.
• Penalty: Referee discretion (typically 5–10 yards).

Passing Penalties

Illegal Forward Pass (Corrected Enforcement)

• Any forward pass thrown from beyond the line of scrimmage.
• Penalty: The ball is dead at the spot of the throw. No additional yardage penalty is enforced.

Offensive Pass Interference

• Penalty: 10 yards and loss of down.

Defensive Pass Interference

• Penalty: 10 yards and an automatic first down.

Flag & Ball-Handling Penalties

Flag Guarding

• Includes swatting hands, covering flags, stiff-arming, or otherwise preventing a defender from pulling the flag.
• Penalty: Spot foul; the ball is placed at the spot of the infraction.

Holding (Offense or Defense)

• Penalty: 5 yards.
• The offended team may decline the penalty.

Stripping / Forced Fumbles

• Attempting to strip or forcibly dislodge the ball from a ball carrier is illegal.
• Penalty: 5 yards and an automatic first down.

Co-Ed Specific Penalties

Failure to Meet Female Operative Requirement

• If no female operative play occurs during a 3-play set, the offense receives a loss of down.
• The ball is returned to the original line of scrimmage prior to the third play of that set.
• The next play must be a female operative play to begin satisfying the requirement for the next set.

Special Play Penalties

Sleeper Plays

• Running plays with a hidden or non-disclosed player or formation designed to deceive in a way not allowed by the rules.
• Penalty: 15 yards and replay of the down.

Illegal Equipment (Corrected Enforcement)

• Includes missing flags, incorrectly worn belts, unsafe or non-approved gear, or belts that are not secured properly.
• Penalty: The ball is declared dead at the spot where the player is touched. No yardage penalty is enforced.
• The player must correct the equipment issue before returning to play.

Defensive Rush & Blitz Penalties

Early Rush / Illegal Blitz

• Rushing before the referee completes the “1-one-thousand, 2-one-thousand, 3” cadence, or exceeding the allowed blitzes per series.
• Penalty: 5 yards and an automatic first down.

Illegal Contact on the Quarterback

• Illegal contact with the quarterback’s arm or body while in a throwing motion.
• Penalty: 5 yards and an automatic first down.

Dead-Ball & Safety Penalties

Diving, Jumping, or Leaping (Corrected Enforcement)

• Diving, jumping, or leaping in a manner that creates an unsafe situation or unfair advantage is illegal.
• Penalty: Dead-ball spot foul; the play is blown dead at the spot of the illegal action. No additional yardage penalty is enforced.

Dead-Ball Contact

• Any contact that occurs after the whistle.
• Penalty: 5–15 yards depending on severity and referee judgment.

Illegal Snap / Silent Snap

• The quarterback must use an audible cadence to initiate the snap. Silent snaps are illegal.
• Penalty: 5 yards.

Cleats

• Metal cleats are strictly prohibited.
• Molded or plastic cleats are recommended.

Sidelines

• Substitutes and non-active players must remain clear of the field of play.
• Sideline interference may result in penalties as judged by the referees.