Section 5: Rules of Play
Game Length
- Two 20-minute halves (running clock; clock-stops in final 2 minutes of each half)
- 2-minute half-time
- OT: alternating possessions from 5-yard line
Possession
- Each possession starts at offense's own 5-yard line
- Offense has 4 downs to reach midfield → fresh set of 4 downs to score
- Coin toss for possession
Plays
- QB must release ball within 7 seconds (some events 4 seconds for "no-rush" defense)
- Forward pass only behind line of scrimmage
- Defense rush only from 7+ yards back, or single designated rusher
- Backward laterals permitted
Down a Player
- Ball-carrier is down when defender removes either hip flag
- Knee-down, ball-out-of-bounds, or flag falls off naturally = play dead
- No contact: no blocking, no diving, no tackling — flag-pull only