2007
RMFL Rules and Administration
The
RMFL has elected to follow NCAA football rules with some exceptions. Unless otherwise noted below, the NCAA rules
will govern. Rule exceptions and changes
are listed below. They are broken into
three areas: 1) rule changes, exceptions, and officials, 2) timing of the game,
and 3) emphasis on rule differences for NCAA versus RMFL rules. Only the major areas of rules that cause the
most problems are covered. If any of you
have had problems in other areas or if you think a ruling has been misapplied,
please make your comments to David Sire, Head of Officials. Areas
that continue to cause problems have been bolded. Please give special attention to these.
New Rules for 2007
There
are two rule changes for this year.
Blocking
below the waist.
Game Time Rule
Review
Either team may request that
the referee conduct a conference with either the league commissioner or the
head of officials during a game for rule clarification. These clarifications should be limited to
rule enforcements that will occur regularly throughout the game. An example would be proper starting and
stopping of the game clock. The
requesting team must supply the cell phone and have the phone numbers
available. It is not up to the referee
to have a phone or the phone numbers. If
the request is made during the first half, the conference shall occur no later
than half-time. If the request occurs in
the 3rd period, the conference will be held no later than the end of the third
period. If a conference is requested
during the 4th quarter, the requesting team must use a time-out for
the conference. If the decision is
reversed, no time-out will be charged.
New Rules and
Emphases since 2006 Year
9-1-2-d Restrictions on blocking in the rectangular area
centered on the middle offensive lineman
(a) A player in the rectangular area may not block an
opponent with the force of the initial contact from behind and at or below the
knee.
9-1-2-q All players protected
from injury caused by leaping players
q. No defensive player, in an attempt to gain an
advantage, may step, jump or stand on an opponent. No defensive player who runs
forward from beyond the neutral zone and leaps from beyond the neutral zone in
an obvious attempt to block a field goal or try may land on any player(s). It
is not a foul if the leaping player was originally lined up within one yard of
the line of scrimmage when the ball was snapped.
SUBSTITUTION
RULES—The basic principle of
intercollegiate football is that all players have the right to compete on an
equal basis. With this in mind, it is obvious that offensive and defensive
teams must maintain a balance so that neither phase of
the game gains an advantage when the ball is snapped. The NCAA Football Rules
Committee has received many comments that the substitution of skilled offensive
players is timed so closely to the snap that the defense has little or no
chance to place personnel in proper positions. The previous rule prohibiting
‘late substitution(s) and snapping the ball with an obvious attempt to create a
defensive disadvantage’ was changed to allow the defense time to place its
personnel without having to request a charged team timeout or being penalized
for having too many players on the field.
SIDELINE
CONTROL—NCAA member institutions and conferences are strongly
encouraged to develop plans to enforce the rules regarding the team area and
coaching box (Rule 1-2-4-a, back of the limit lines between the 25-yard lines),
and the space between the limit lines (Rules 1-2-3-a and b, 12 feet outside the
sidelines and the end line) and the sidelines. These plans should focus on keeping these
field-level positions clear of persons who have no game responsibilities.
This includes keeping coaches and players not in the game off the
field. This means coaches and players
not in the game are not allowed on the field to question or debate calls or
penalties without the referee’s permission or unless they take a team
timeout. THIS ONE IS OF SPECIAL
EMPHASIS. Normal
procedure is to assess the team a sideline warning. The first two sideline warnings are simply
warnings. The third sideline warning is
a 5 yard penalty from the succeeding spot.
Each additional sideline warning is a 15 yard penalty from the
succeeding spot. If a coach or player is
significantly out of control, an unsportsmanlike penalty may be administered
instead of a sideline warning.
UNIMPEDED
OPPORTUNITY TO CATCH A KICK—Players positioned to receive kicks who are
concentrating on the downward flight of the ball are in the most unprotected
and defenseless position on the field. These players are protected from being
contacted by rules and should not have to be concerned about getting hit while waiting to catch the kick.
PROTECTION
OF DEFENSELESS PLAYERS—Football players are well conditioned, skilled
athletes involved in aggressive, contested competition. Players also have
responsibilities to their teams and their opponents to play within the rules.
Due to the combative nature of the game, players usually are alert and aware of
legal contacts by opponents. Therefore, injuries are minimized. However,
certain aspects of play require a higher level of concentration. The resulting
vulnerability places players involved in these aspects in an unprotected
(defenseless) status. The following are situations in which defenseless players
are susceptible to serious injury:
• The quarterback
moving down the line of scrimmage who has handed or pitched the ball to a
teammate, and then makes no attempt to participate further in the play;
• The kicker who
is in the act of kicking the ball, or who has not had a reasonable length of
time to regain his balance following the kick;
• The passer who is in the act of throwing the ball, or who has not had a reasonable length of time to participate in the play again after releasing the ball;
• The pass
receiver whose concentration is on the ball;
• The pass
receiver who has clearly relaxed when the pass is no longer catchable;
• The kick
receiver whose attention is on the downward flight of the ball;
• The kick
receiver who has just touched the ball;
• The player who
has relaxed once the ball has become dead; and
• The player who
is obviously out of the play.
These players are protected by rules that have been in
place for many years. It is of the utmost importance that participants, coaches
and game officials carefully and diligently observe safety rules. Intentional
helmet-to-helmet contact is never legal, nor is any other blow directed toward
an opponent’s head. Flagrant offenders shall be disqualified.
RMFL Playing Rules
and Emphases
NCAA
rules with the following exceptions:
·
Down by contact. The ball
carrier shall only be ruled to be down if he is contacted by an opponent. A ball carrier slipping or diving to catch or
recover a ball, and who is untouched by an opponent, may rise and play will
continue (same as NFL rule). When a player is down but not by contact and an
official sounds his whistle, the play will be treated as if the player was down
by contact. That is, the play is NOT an inadvertent whistle. The play counts,
the ball will be placed at the spot where it was when the whistle sounded, and
the play will stand. If a player is down
but not by contact, and an opponent "drills" the player while he is
still on the ground, the opponent will be called for a personal foul; and if
severe enough, the player may be ejected.
·
Offensive players eligible to catch a pass will be eligible
by position. A
player with a normally non-eligible number will be eligible if he is in an
eligible position. Players are to be numbered
by their primary offensive
position.
·
Player equipment requirements will be relaxed. Helmets and shoulder pads will be required. Shoulder pads may be altered. Other pads and mouth guards may be altered or
not used. Tinted visors will be allowed;
mirrored visors will not be allowed.
Taping jerseys will be allowed.
·
A kicking tee conforming to High School rules may be used
for field goal and extra point kicks.
·
Completed catch is the NCAA rule requiring only one foot
in-bounds.
·
It will be the league’s responsibility to ensure that uniforms are
standardized (e.g., same color helmets, same color and style jerseys). Teams are requested to advise the referee to
make note of non-standard uniforms. The
referee will not take any action regarding non-standard uniforms, but can
report his observations to the commissioner as an impartial observer.
·
Safety is essential, but the RMFL’s intent is to let the players
play. Report to the Head of Officials
any problems with player or field equipment.
For example, the Board has ruled that the game will still be played if
there is no cushioning on goal posts.
This condition should be reported as soon as possible after the game is
completed.
·
Football. Either
an NCAA or NFL approved ball may be used. A concern was raised that over worn and under
inflated balls are being approved for use and should not be allowed. A definition for over worn was not provided –
official’s decision as to what is over worn.
Official’s decision as to what is under inflated.
·
Celebration.
The league supports allowing players to celebrate including
choreographed celebrations. Celebration
will be allowed; taunting will be penalized.
Celebration will include, but not be limited to, spiking the ball in the
end zone, tossing the ball high into the air in the end zone, “dunking” the
ball over the goalposts, dancing (individual or group, spontaneous or choreographed). Celebration should be limited to scoring
plays. However, “big” plays during the
game (e.g., sacks, tackles or gains on 4th and short, 1st
downs during the two minute drill) will still allow a lesser amount of
celebration. Taunting will include, but
not be limited to, spiking the ball at an opponent or his feet, waving the ball
at an opponent, tossing or throwing the ball at an opponent, pointing or
“shooting” at an opponent, running in front of an opponent or opponent’s
sideline in a “show”, any delayed, prolonged, or excessive acts such standing
over an opponent or any other act intended to intimidate, insult, or taunt an
opponent. Once again, the officials are
being asked to use discretion. After a
fumble recovery or measurement for a first down, it is normal for players to
spontaneously wave their arms and signal a first down for their team. After a big catch or a long run, a player who
makes an extravagant gesture as to a first down is not celebrating, but
taunting.
·
All ejections shall be reported to the Head of
Officials. Further disciplinary action will be
administered by the commissioner’s office.
Officials
The RMFL board has voted to use a minimum of 5
officials for their games during the regular season. Minimum payment is $50 per
official per game. For post season play, the league will assign and pay the
officials to work the games and will use at least 5 officials. The head official from each team is
responsible for obtaining a crew to work their home games. The Greater Salt
Lake City Official’s Coordinator for teams in that area will assign crews.
Official’s dress will be uniform throughout the crew (each team’s head official
will decide on dress). Shorts are
permitted in lieu of pants (black or white are acceptable). As already mentioned, the intent is to let
the players play. If, for some reason,
only three or four officials show up for the game, use your discretion. Wait 15 minutes. If the other official has not shown by then,
the Board has agreed to allow the game to proceed with a 3 or 4 man officiating
crew. If only two officials are present
for the game, you might wait a little longer.
If no other officials show, discuss it with
both head coaches. The Board has further
agreed because of travel and schedule conflicts that you should still try to
get the game in even if there are only 2 officials. Head officials should always verify with
their crew the time, date, and place of the game.
These
are points of emphasis that the league wants for official’s conduct.
- The league feels it is inappropriate for the
officials to “hang out” in either team’s area before the game, during half
time, or after the game. Typically, the visiting team feels that
we are being too friendly to the home team and the visitors will not be
getting a fairly called game. The
league is asking officials to display an image of impartiality.
- Several teams have reported that some officials
are addressing players inappropriately by contacting them (finger in the
chest), baiting them, or talking to them in a manner that would get a
player penalized if he were to address an official in the same way. Basically, the league is asking the
officials to treat the players with the same respect officials expect from
players and coaches. Sometimes a coach or player pushes the wrong button
and officials overreact. And that
turns into a lose-lose situation. But also remember that sometimes it is
necessary for officials to take control of a situation and actions not
suitable for a player are necessary for an official to keep things under
control. As a last resort, an official may have to push or pull a player with as minimal force necessary to
prevent an incident from escalating.
Timing of the Game
This is the most misapplied rule application throughout the league. Timing of the game will be 15 minutes for each of the four periods. Starting and stopping the game clock will follow High School rules with the following exceptions. It is simple High School timing rules (except for 15 minute quarters). There are only three differences. PLEASE study, understand them, and know how to apply them.
·
If the game clock is running, it will NEVER be stopped to award
a first down.
·
A one-minute
official’s timeout will be taken for the two-minute warning at the end of each
half.
Teams
will have all the privileges of a charged team timeout (i.e., coaches in the
huddle). The clock
will start when the ball next becomes live unless the next play is a free
kick. The clock will then start when the
ball is first legally touched.
·
The game clock will stop for a ball carrier or fumble going out of
bounds. The game clock will re-start with the ready
for play signal (not the snap). Once the game clock reaches five
minutes remaining in each half, the clock will restart on
the snap for a ball carrier or backward fumble going out of bounds.
Just a few reminders on timing rules.
- The
referee must have
concurrence from both head coaches to change the timing rules (e.g., the game score becomes lop-sided). If either coach does not agree, regular
timing rules will be applied. Both head coaches must
also agree as to how the timing rules will be changed. A typical example of changing the timing
rules would be to run the clock straight through including incomplete
passes and changes of possession.
Remember, it is both coach’s decision to change the timing
rules. Even though the game score
may be lop-sided, either or both coaches may want to run regular timing
rules to allow playing time for those players that normally would not see
much playing time.
Rules Emphasis
Blocking Below the Waist
Intentional Grounding
·
If the quarterback is outside the tackles, he may throw the ball
away. As long as the thrown ball goes
beyond the line of scrimmage, it is not intentional grounding. If the pass goes out-of-bounds short of the line of
scrimmage or strikes the ground short of the line of scrimmage, it can be
intentional grounding (all other considerations for intentional grounding must
apply). Penalty is loss of down at the
spot of the foul.
Kicking Game
·
Scrimmage kick enforcement spots for fouls. If the foul is committed by the receiving
team and occurs in or behind the expanded neutral zone and before the kick has
crossed the neutral zone, enforcement spot is previous spot (e.g., roughing or
running into kicker, defensive holding in the expanded neutral zone). If either team commits any other foul during
the loose ball period, the enforcement spot is the spot where the kick ends
(spot where kick is caught, or the 20-yard line if
kick results in a touchback). If the
kicking team contacts the kick receiver prior to his touching the ball, the
enforcement spot is the spot of the foul.
Any fouls after the kick has ended are enforced from the all-but-one
principle.
·
Opportunity to catch a kick. Returners must be given an unimpeded opportunity to catch
the kick. The penalty for failing to do
that or for contacting a player who has signaled for a fair catch will be 15
yards. Remember the enforcement spot is
the end of the kick. For example, if the
kicking team impedes the returners
opportunity to catch the kick, but the receiver gains 20 yards on the run back,
the receiving team will decline the penalty since the penalty would only gain
them 15 yards from the end of the kick.
The advance of 20 yards from the end of the kick is more advantageous to
the receiving team. Any and all fouls
may be declined.
·
On a free kick, offsides by either team is a
live ball foul. The offended team may
take the results of the play or enforce the penalty and replay the free kick.
·
For a kick-off, the kicking team’s free kick line is K’s 35-yard line unless moved by penalty.
·
For a free kick out of bounds and untouched by the receiving team, the
receiving team may take the ball where it went out-of-bounds, enforce a five
yard penalty and replay the down, or take the ball 30 yards in advance of the
free kick line (R’s 35 yard line unless moved by penalty). If the ball goes out-of-bounds after being
touched by the receiving team, the ball belongs to the receiving team at the
inbound spot.
·
Kicks into the receiver’s end zone.
1) If a kick touches the ground in the receiver’s end zone and is
untouched by R, it is a touchback. The
ball becomes dead immediately. 2) If the
kick is touched by R, and thereafter touches the ground in the end zone, the
ball remains live and may be recovered by either team. R can also advance the ball out of the end
zone or down the ball in the end zone for a touchback. If K recovers in the end zone, it is a
touchdown for K. Touching of a scrimmage
kick by R behind the neutral zone is ignored for application of this rule. 3) If R catches the ball in the end zone
prior to the ball touching the ground in the end zone, the ball is live and may be advanced or downed for a touchback.
·
If a field goal is unsuccessful, crosses the neutral zone, and is
untouched by R, R will have the ball 1st and 10 from the previous
spot or R’s 20 yard line, whichever is most advantageous to R.
·
An unsuccessful try for point (one or two point try) may be recovered
by R and advanced for a two point score.
If a failed kick strikes the ground in the end zone untouched, the ball
is dead immediately (touching in or behind the neutral zone is ignored). K may only advance a failed try for point
kick if it is recovered behind the line of scrimmage.
Fumbles
·
Fumbles out-of-bounds. If the fumble goes out-of-bounds beyond the spot of the
fumble, the ball is returned to the spot of the fumble. Clock starts on the ready for play.
·
If the fumble goes out-of-bounds behind the spot of the fumble, the
ball is spotted at the out-of-bounds spot.
Clock will start on the ready for play except for the last five minutes
of each half when the clock will start on the snap.
·
Fumble on a fourth down play. If
the ball is fumbled on fourth down, any member of the defense can
recover/advance the ball. Of the
offensive players, only the fumbler can recover/advance the ball. If any other member of the offensive recovers
the fumble, the ball becomes dead and is returned to the spot of the fumble
unless the spot of recovery is behind the spot of the fumble. Then the ball is placed at the spot of
recovery. This is in effect no matter
where the fumble occurs. If it is 4th
and 1 on the 50-yard line, and the ball carrier advances to the 20-yard line
where he fumbles. If any offensive
player other than the fumbler recovers the fumble at the 15-yard line, the ball
will be spotted at the 20-yard line.
Offside/False Start
·
Offside by the defense is a live ball foul. If the defense breaks their line of scrimmage
but return to their side before the snap, there is no penalty.
·
If the defense breaks their line of scrimmage and a threatened player
reacts immediately to protect himself, it is offside on the defense. A threatened player is the offensive player
on either side of the defensive player when the defensive player lines up in
the gap. A threatened player is also the
offensive player directly in front of the defensive player and the offensive
player to either side of the defensive player when the defensive player lines
up on a player.
·
If a defensive player breaks the line of scrimmage, and an offensive
player that is not threatened reacts, it is a dead ball, false start on the
offense.
·
If a defensive player breaks his line of scrimmage and contacts an
offensive player, it is a dead ball, offside penalty on the defense.
·
If a defensive player breaks his line of scrimmage, does not contact an
offensive player, and has an unimpeded path to the quarterback, it is a dead
ball; offside penalty on the defense and the whistle will be sounded
immediately.
Pass Interference/ Defensive Holding
·
To have pass interference, there must be contact. Face guarding, etc. is permitted under NCAA
rules.
·
The defense may legally contact an eligible receiver beyond the line of
scrimmage until the thrown ball is in the air.
There is no 5-yard restriction. If the ball has not been
thrown, the defensive can legally contact an eligible receiver anywhere on the
field including the end zones.
·
A defensive player may legally block a receiver behind the line of
scrimmage even if the ball is in the air.
The defensive player may not hold the receiver.
·
Incidental contact (tangling of feet) is not pass interference.
·
To have pass interference, the official must rule that the pass was catchable. If the
pass is not catchable, there is no pass
interference. You could, however, have a
personal foul.
· The penalty for defensive holding of an eligible receiver is 10 yards from the previous spot, and an automatic first down.
·
The penalty for offensive pass interference is 15 yards from the
previous spot, but NO loss of down.
·
The penalties for defensive pass interference are as follows. 1) 15 yard penalty or the spot of the foul,
whichever is less, and an automatic first down.
2) If the ball is snapped at or inside the defensive 30-yard line and
defensive pass interference occurs, the ball will be placed at the spot of the
foul or 15 yards (not half the distance).
The ball will not be placed closer than the 2-yard line. For example, the ball is snapped from B’s
22-yard line and there is defensive pass interference in the end zone. It will be 1st and goal from B’s
7-yard line. If the ball is snapped
anywhere between B’s 17-yard line and 2 yard line and there is defensive pass
interference in the end zone, it will be 1st and goal from B’s 2
yard line. 3) If the ball is snapped
from between B’s goal line and the 2-yard line, it will be 1st and
goal at the spot of the foul or half the distance to the goal, whichever is
less.
Other Special Penalty Enforcements
·
Fouls by the offense behind the line of scrimmage are enforced from the
previous spot. Keep this in mind when
informing the defense of their options.
For example, offense runs an end around on 1st and 10. The play ends in a 9-yard loss. During the play, there is holding by the
offense. If the defense accepts the
penalty, it will be 1st and 20.
If the defense declines the penalty, it will be 2nd and
19. There are two exceptions to this enforcement
spot, 1) illegal forward pass (e.g., intentional grounding) and a foul by the
offense in their own end zone. Both are
spot fouls. The foul by the offense in
their end zone is a safety if accepted.
·
Fouls during scoring plays. 1) A
defensive foul on a try for point may be declined and the points accepted. If the penalty is accepted, any points scored
will be cancelled, the penalty enforced, and the try replayed. 2) For defensive personal fouls on a try for
point against the snapper, holder, kicker, or passer, the points may be kept
and the penalty enforced from the succeeding spot. The penalty can also be accepted, any points
scored cancelled, the ball moved half the distance to the goal, and the try
replayed. 3) A penalty by the offense on
a try for point that includes loss of down will cancel any score, the try will
not be replayed, and no yardage will be assessed on the kickoff. 4) For personal fouls by the defense on a
touchdown, the offense may have the penalty enforced on the try for point or on
the succeeding kickoff. 5) To accept
points on a successful field goal, the offense must decline any foul by the
defense. The penalty may also be
accepted, any points cancelled, and the down replayed. The number of the down will be based on whether
the line to gain has been made or if it is an automatic first down by rule.
·
Any personal foul on the defense results in an automatic first down for
the offense.
Overtime Procedure
For
games ending in a tie score at the end of regulation, overtime will be played
until a winner is decided. To start
overtime, the visitors will call the coin toss.
Winner of the coin toss may elect to go on offense first, defense first,
or elect which end of the field the overtime will be played on. For subsequent overtime periods, teams will
alternate first choice. The team to go
on offense first will start 1st and 10 from B’s 25-yard line. Play will continue (with regular game rules
including first downs) until a score is made, there is a change of team
possession, or the ball turned over on downs.
The ball remains live if there is a change of possession and the defense
can score. Team A may not have a 1st
and 10 after a change of team possession.
After the first team has had its opportunity to score in overtime, its
opponent will have an opportunity to score starting 1st and 10 from
the 25 yard line. If the score is still
tied after this first overtime period, succeeding overtime periods will be
played until a winner is determined. If
the score is still tied after a second overtime, teams must attempt a two-point
conversion after a touchdown in all subsequent overtime periods.
Penalty Summary
Following
is a brief summary of some the penalty summary and enforcements. This list includes those that are most likely
to be misinterpreted.
LOSS OF A DOWN
Forward pass illegally touched by player out of bounds
[previous spot, no loss of yardage]
Illegal forward
pass by Team A [spot foul, also loss of five yards]
Illegal scrimmage kick [previous spot, also loss of five
yards]
Illegally batting ball [spot foul,
also loss of 15 yards]
Illegally handing ball forward [spot
foul, also loss of five yards]
Illegally kicking ball [spot foul, also loss of 15
yards]
Intentionally
grounding forward pass [spot foul, no loss of yardage]
Intentionally throwing backward pass out of bounds [spot
foul, loss of five yards, clock starts on ready]
Planned loose ball play w/o advising referee [previous
spot, also loss of five yards]
LOSS OF FIVE YARDS
Alteration of playing surface for an advantage
Delay after three timeouts expended
Disconcerting offensive signals
Forward pass illegally touched
Free kick out of bounds [or 30-yard option]
Illegal forward pass [also loss of down if by Team A]
Illegally handing ball forward [also loss of down if by
Team A]
Ineligible receiver downfield
Infraction of free kick formation (live ball)
Interference with opponent or ball
Offside (defense) (can be live ball)
Player on scrimmage line receiving snap
Player out of bounds when ball free-kicked
Putting ball in play before declared ready for play
Taking more than two steps after fair catch
Team A blocking during a free
kick
Team A player illegally goes
out of bounds (free kick, scrimmage kick)
LOSS OF 10 YA R D S
Holding or obstruction (defense, offense, during loose
ball)
Illegal block in the back (defense, offense)
Illegal use of hands (defense, offense)
Locked hands
Holding of an eligible receiver [first down if by
defense]
LOSS OF 15 YA R D S
Blocking a free-kicker
Blocking below the waist [first down if by defense]
Butting or ramming with helmet [first down if by
defense]
Chop blocking [first down if by defense]
Clipping [first down if by defense]
Contacting receiver on an obviously uncatchable
pass [first down if by defense]
Continuous contact to opponent's helmet [first down if
by defense]
Grasping face mask or helmet opening of opponent [first
down if by defense] [also five yards]
Grasping of face mask or helmet opening of opponent
[offensive]
Hurdling [first down if by defense]
Illegal contact with snapper [first down if by defense]
Illegally batting loose ball [also loss of down]
Illegally kicking ball [also loss of down]
Intentionally contacting an official [also
disqualification]
Meeting with knee, striking with open hand, etc. [first
down if by defense]
Pass interference [first down if by defense]
Pass interference [offense]
Piling on [first down if by defense]
Roughing the kicker or holder [first down if by defense]
Roughing the passer [first down if by defense]
Running into opponent out of play [first down if by
defense]
Simulated replacements or substitutions
Simulating roughed or run into
Spearing [first down if by defense]
Stepping on opponent for an advantage [first down if by
defense]
Striking, kicking, kneeing, elbowing, etc. [first down
if by defense]
Tackling out of bounds [first down if by defense]
Top of helmet striking [first down if by defense]
Tripping [first down if by defense]
LOSS OF HALF
DISTANCE TO GOAL LINE
If distance penalty exceeds half the distance (except on
defensive pass interference)
OFFENDED TEAM’S
BALL AT SPOT OF FOUL
Defensive pass interference (if less than a 15-yard
penalty) [first down if by defense]
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