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Austin SSC Football Rules

**UPDATED 3/09

ROSTER:
There are no maximum number of players allowed on your roster. Players will not be allowed to participate without signing the Austin SSC roster/waiver form. New shirts cannot be ordered. The only way to add a new player to your roster after the registration deadline is by first dropping another player. Teams have up until the third week of the season to do so. After that, rosters are frozen. The additional player must obtain the uniform from the dropped player in order to play. If a team wishes to add a player only after the registration deadline, this can only be done if the league has the uniforms in stock.

WAIVERS:
In order to participate in the league, each participant must sign the team waiver. Waivers will be e-mailed to all team captains, which need to be printed out, and turned in no later then 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. An Austin SSC staff member will keep your team waiver at the field, or a new one can be printed out. Players who sign up as individuals, sign the waiver online when they register.

PLAYER RESTRICTIONS:
A. All Austin SSC participants must be at least 21 years old before the season starts.
B. Players that have participated in Division 1 or professional sports must be 2 years removed from participation if they wish to play in a similar Austin SSC sport.
C. Austin SSC will have the right to request ID from any player. Any player in the super social league who is determined a social player by the Austin SSC will have their league fee credited towards a future season. If more than one player fits in the category, the Austin SSC has the option to move the team to the social division.
D. Players may only play for one team and be on one roster, regardless of if multiple divisions are offered. One can play, for example, softball on Tuesdays & softball on Thursdays, but not for two teams in the same day or night. Any player that break this rule will cause both of their teams to forfeit games played on that day.

SPORTSMANSHIP:
We are all adults, and the Austin SSC expects all participants to act like it. Unsportsmanlike behavior may result in that player or team being suspended from participating in all Austin SSC sports. Being ejected from a game may carry a suspension.

GAME UNIFORMS:
Austin SSC t-shirts are your team’s uniforms. All players must wear their current Austin SSC uniform (past season’s uniforms are not permitted) to participate and any player not wearing his/her uniform will be will be sidelined for that game. Missing or swapped uniform players’ names will be taken and if they are not on your roster, a loss will be assessed for that game.

UNIFORM ALTERATIONS:
Names on uniforms, numbers, cut-off sleeves, corporate logos, etc, are permitted, as long as they do not cover any logos originally printed on the shirts.

GAME EQUIPMENT:
Every team must bring their own collegiate or NFL sized football. The Austin SSC will provide all field equipment and flags.

LINE JUDGING:
The HOME team will be responsible for having a knowledgeable line judge for each game. You will be the line judge for the game following yours on the same field. In addition, the VISITING team for the second game on each field is the only time when they must provide a line judge for the first game. Please come see an Austin SSC staff member right after (or before) your game to receive instructions. Line judging duties include the rush count, assisting the referee on out-of-bounds plays, and notifying the referee of offsides. Line judges are not able to call penalties. Teams will be fined $25 for not providing a line judge when scheduled.

FORFEITS:
Teams without the minimum number of players at the start of the game will have to forfeit the game. If there are enough players of the forfeiting team that are able to play, and an officiated game is played, no forfeit fine will be assessed. Otherwise, if not enough show up, the team will be charged a $50 fine. This fine will go towards your opponent’s bar tab for the next week. Teams that receive a forfeit fine must use it the following week or lose it. A $50 voucher can be obtained from the league director the following week. If notice is given to the Austin SSC by 4pm on the preceding day, your team will not be assessed a forfeit fine.

FORFEIT & “NO LINE JUDGE” FINES:
All fines must be paid before your next scheduled game by either cash or check (made payable to the Austin SSC). If payment is not received by the end of this next scheduled game, your team will be assessed a loss for this game. Teams will not be allowed to play any proceeding games until the fine is paid in full. Teams that have any fines from the last regular season game will not be allowed back into the Austin SSC for any sport until these fines are paid in full.

BEVERAGES AT FIELDS:
No visible alcohol is allowed in the park. This means all beer must be in a plastic cup. Carrying 12 packs is also not allowed. Please keep all beverages and cases in a cooler or paper bag.

DIVISION PREFERENCE:
Super social teams may move up to social, and social teams with a 0-6 or 1-5 record may move down to the super social league. Last season’s Super Social champion will automatically move up to the social league along with the teams that finish in the top 10% of the division. This format will help balance out the caliber of teams in both leagues.

POINTS AWARDED:
Win – 2 points…Tie – 1 point….Loss – 0 points.

FOOTBALL GAME RULES

A. GAME CLOCK:
All game times will be FORFEIT time, no exceptions. The Austin SSC will add 5 extra minutes to the start time if a planned or traffic event has occurred. The referee will have the two coaches play rock, paper, scissors; best 2 out of 3 wins. The winning coach will have the first choice of which half they want the ball OR direction. The losing coach can then choose from whatever option is left over. Teams flip-flop directions and possession after half time.

1. Time: Play will be divided into two 22-minute halves, with a three to five minute half-time. There will be a running clock maintained by the referee except for the last two minutes of the second half unless one team is ahead by 18 points or more, in which time will continue to run. No time-outs can be called when a team is ahead by 18 or more. Time will be stopped during the first 42 minutes for called time outs and serious injuries. If an injury occurs, that player must leave the game for one scrimmage down.

2. Timeouts: Each team is allowed two (one-minute) time outs per game. Approximately two minutes before each half ends the referee will inform each team of playing time remaining in that half. If a touchdown has occurred after time has expired, the extra point conversion will be allowed. If an accepted foul by the defense has occurred, the offended team may choose to extend the period by one down.

3. Final Two Minutes of the Second Half: The clock is stopped for an incomplete pass, if a player goes out of bounds before having their flag pulled, if either team scores (clock starts when the opposing team snaps the ball, after the PAT attempt), for a change of possession, if a penalty must be marked off, or if a team calls time out. The clock does not stop on first downs or for a completed pass in bounds.

4. Ready for Play: After the immediate completion of a play, the referee will place the hockey puck at the line of scrimmage. The offense has 25 seconds to put the ball in play after it is declared ready by the back judge. No player shall put the ball in play until declared ready-for-play.

5. Overtime (Playoffs Only): In the Playoffs, rock/paper/scissors is played by the captains with the winning team deciding on first or second possession. Teams will attempt to score in the same end zone. Each team will then have four downs to score from 20. 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. Interceptions will result in a turnover and may not be returned for any points. If a tie occurs after the first round, then teams will repeat using the same format. However, the team that defended first is now on offense first. If a third round is needed, then the teams must go for two on the PAT. The game will be decided when one team scores more points in the round. No first downs will be awarded except in the case of a penalty.

B. PLAYERS ON THE FIELD:
The maximum numbers of players on the field is 8 (standard: 5 men, 3 women); minimum number of players is 6 (minimum: 4 men, 2 women). If there are only 2 females, then 5 men may play. However, there cannot be more than 5 men on the field under any circumstance. There are no limits to the number of females allowed on the field at one time. If the defense is short a woman, they may use a man to cover a woman on forced gender, with certain restrictions. (See G. Gender Related Play below)

C. LINE OF SCRIMMAGE:
Ball starts on the 10 yard line. No offensive players may be within 5 yards of the sidelines when the ball is snapped. All offensive players (except motion player) must be set for one full second before ball is snapped. The man in motion must be continuing in a parallel motion or backward motion to the line of scrimmage at the time of the snap. All remaining players must be on the line or behind their backfield line. After a play, the line of scrimmage is determined by the location of the ball when the flags are pulled. For example, if a player is holding the ball out in front of them and it crosses the end zone, but their flags and waist do not when pulled, it is a touchdown.

D. DOWNS:
First downs are obtained by crossing your own 20 yard line, midfield, and your opponent’s 20 yard line. If a team fails to earn a first down in four plays by crossing the next 20 yard increment, possession will go to the opposing team. The offensive team may elect to punt on fourth down.

E. PUNTS:
The offensive team must declare punts on fourth down. No fake punts are allowed. All punts must be kicked. The kicking team must stay on the line of scrimmage until the ball is punted. Five players from the receiving team must be on the line of scrimmage and stay there even during the return. The receiving team may fair catch the ball or advance it. If the ball hits the ground after touching any part of the receivers body, it becomes a dead ball. The ball can be played off a bounce. If the ball travels into the end zone without being touched or is downed in the end zone, it comes out to the 2-point conversion line. No blocking is allowed on punts.

F. BLOCKING:
No “blocking” is allowed in Austin SSC football. This includes downfield “blocking” during an offensive play and returned punt. No contact is allowed at the line or downfield by any defensive player guarding a receiver (bump and run). All players must try to avoid contact with any player on the football field. Offensive players may run behind the player with the ball to receive a lateral, but may not run in front or parralel to (illegal block/screen).

G. GENDER RELATED PLAY:
1. Open/Gender Play:
Teams must use a female as an operative player within three consecutive downs. An open play will be called by the referee if a gender play is not required on the current play. For an open play, the ball may be advanced by either a male or female player (ex. 2nd down / goal / open). If a female was not used within two downs, then the forced gender rule is put into effect. This means that a female must be used in the next play.

2. Forced Gender Play:
A female can be used on any play, however when the offense has not used a female/operative player within the last two plays, the next play must be a forced gender play. The operative player here is a female who is seen as the intended receiver in the eyes of the official, or acts as the quarterback (even if positive yards are not gained). If the female is the quarterback, then the play may continue without regard to special defensive coverage. Once a female is used in any play then the gender count is reset. A thrown ball cannot be intercepted by a man on a forced gender unless is has first contacted the female receiver or a female is the QB. The play will be ruled a dead ball if the ball is intercepted by a male without female contact. If the QB is sacked or fumbles the snap on a forced gender play, the next play must be gender. The gender count is reset once a TD is made. The gender rule is not in effect during extra points or punts.

Examples:
Gender Play: A pass thrown to a female…A pass intended for a female (in the eyes of the referee) that is deflected by a woman, and is caught by a male… A pass is deflected by a male and caught by a female… A woman lines up as quarterback and either runs or throws a pass to a male or female.

NOT a Gender Play: A female receives a hand off only to hand it back to a male behind the line of scrimmage…A female snaps the ball into play…A female receives a hand-off…A male QB intentionally throws the ball into the ground at the feet of a woman…A female QB grounds the ball to stop the clock…A female QB throws a pass that is caught behind the line of scrimmage.

3. Defensive Coverage for a Forced Gender Play: Males cover males and females cover females. The defensive males must play “man-to-man” and may not use a zone defense on a forced gender play with a male QB. Defensive players can only leave their “man-to-man” assignment after the ball is in the air. The male defending the male QB cannot bat or deflect the pass (this would be considered illegal gender defense).
a. If the offense plays more than 3 women on a forced gender play. A man may cover a woman, but must play man-to-woman. A man covering a female may deflect the pass but not intercept it. The remaining three female defensive team players may cover the women by either using a zone defense or man-to man defense.
b. If the defense plays more than 3 women on a forced gender play. The additional women must still cover the men who are on the line of scrimmage. They can not be used to double team or play in a defensive zone against the other women.
c. If a defensive team is down a female player (5 men & 2 women on the field). A man may cover the opposing team’s woman on a forced gender play, however he must give a five yard cushion on the play and may not converge on a woman until the ball is caught.
d. If the offensive team is down a female player (5 men & 2 women on the field). The three defensive women may double team using their third woman or play a zone.
e. If the offensive team’s men are behind the line of scrimmage, the defensive men must stay within five yards on the man they are marked up against. If the offensive team’s men run past the line of scrimmage, the defensive player marked up against them has the option to stay on the line or run with the offensive player. They must choose one or the other.

4. Penalty on Gender Play: If the foul is on the defensive team, the offense will have 3 options: 1) Take the ten yard penalty and repeat the gender play. 2) Take the penalty and the next play will be open. 3) Decline the penalty.  If the foul is on the offensive player, the penalty will be assessed and the next play will be gender.

H. PASSING:
1. Complete/Incomplete Pass:
A forward pass is completed when caught by any player of the passing team who has at least one foot in-bounds. If opponents catch the pass in-bounds simultaneously, the ball belongs to the passing team at the spot of the catch. If the player was out-of-bounds and comes back in-bounds to catch the ball, it is an incomplete pass.

2. QB Run from Scrimmage: If the offensive line-of-scrimmage is after midfield, then the QB cannot run for positive yards unless rushed after the 5 second count. The QB may run the ball if the line of scrimmage is before midfield.

3. Turnovers: A change of possession can only occur due to downs, a punt, or an interception on a forward pass. A fumble is not a turnover (the ball is dead at the spot of the fumble). A lateral is not a forward pass and can be advanced if intercepted.

I. SCORING:
1. Touchdowns are six points.
2. Extra points are two points for a 10-yard conversion and one point for a five yard conversion. An intercepted extra point cannot be run back.
3. Female to Female Scoring Play. If a female to female pass results in a touchdown, that team will receive seven points (instead of six). Teams will still then have the option for a one or two point conversion.
4. Safeties are two points. The scoring team will now go on offense with the ball placed at their own 10 yard line.

FOOTBALL PENALTIES

LOSS OF FIVE YARDS PENALTIES:

1. DEFENSE:
a. Defensive off-sides (from the line)–A player is off sides when any part of his body or his person is beyond the line of scrimmage before the snap of the ball or before the five second count is over. The offensive team has the option to accept or decline the five-yard penalty.

2. OFFENSE:
a. Delay of game (from the line/dead ball)–The offensive team must put the ball into play 25 seconds after referee has placed the puck.
b. Illegal participation (from the line)– Each team may not have more than 8 players on the field at one time or more than 5 men on the field. Penalty will be assessed after discovery.
c. Illegal cadence (from the line/dead ball)– If the player calling the cadence does not receive the snap, the play will not stand and the down will be repeated. On a forced gender play, the offense must clearly designate which gender will be receiving the snap (QB must raise their hand).
d. Offensive off-sides (from the line/dead ball)– When any part of the offensive player’s body or his person is beyond the scrimmage line before the ball is snapped.
e. Offense not stationary for one full second (from the line/dead ball)–After a shift or huddle all offensive players must assume a set position and come to an absolute stop (except one man in motion).
f. Offensive player illegally in motion at snap (from the line/dead ball)– No player is permitted to be moving forward toward his opponent’s goal line until the snap.
g. Not using an operative player in a forced gender situation (from the line/loss of down)
– The penalty for running 3 consecutive plays without a female as an operative player will be loss of down (i.e. if it was first down during the penalty, it is now second down). A female must now be the operative player on the next play. The penalty will keep being enforced until a female is used. If the penalty occurs on fourth down, the ball will be turned over to the opposing team. On a bad snap (not considered a penalty), ball is dead and next play must be a gender play. If a male QB is rushed and he runs the ball, the penalty will be enforced.
h. Illegal forward pass (from the spot of the pass)– The offensive team may make one forward pass from behind the line during each play from scrimmage provided the ball does not cross the line and return behind line before the pass. The defense can either accept or decline the penalty.
i. QB illegal forward pass (from the line/loss 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 assessed from the line of scrimmage and loss of down (i.e. if it was first down during the penalty, now it is second down).
j. Intentionally grounding the ball (from the line/loss of down)– 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. EXCEPTION: A passer is permitted to stop the clock legally to save time if immediately upon receiving the snap he begins a continuous throwing motion and throws the ball directly forward into the ground. This does not apply if it is forced gender.
k. Illegal Diving / Jumping (spot of foul)– No player may leave his or her feet in order to gain positive yards. The penalty is assessed here (spot of foul).
l. Sleeper/sideline play (from the line)– All players must be at least 5 yards from the sideline on the snap.

LOSS OF TEN YARDS PENALTIES:

1. ANY PLAYER:
a. Flag guarding – intentionally or unintentionally obstructing the flag with your arm or the ball while the defender is in a position to pull it.
b. Stiff-arm, running into opponent (spot of foul)– The ball carrier may not use a “stiff-arm” (extended arm) to ward off any opponent attempting to touch, may not charge into a defensive player.
c. Blocking (from the spot)– No player may use his hands to block opponent. Offensive players may not run down field in front of or parallel to the ball carrier, whether you intended to block or not. They may run behind to receive a lateral.
d. Intentional foul/penalty (from the line/gender will be reset/automatic first down) — If a player intentionally commits a penalty or foul of any kind in order to gain an advantage for his team, may be ejected.

2. DEFENSE:
a. Illegal contact/holding (from the line)– Defender may not use their hands or arms to hang onto or encircle a receiver. The defender cannot extend their arms to cut off or hook a receiver causing contact that impedes and restricts the receiver as the play develops, nor may he maintain contact with the receiver. This includes holding on to an opponent’s uniform or apparel while attempting to pull the flag.
b. Illegal Gender Defense / not playing man-to-man in a forced gender situation: (from the line)– The offensive can choose to accept the penalty for yardage and the plays remains forced gender, accept the penalty and the play becomes open with no added yardage, or decline the penalty and take the result of the play.

3. OFFENSE:
a. Offensive Picking (from the line/ if this occurs in a forced gender situation, then gender will be replayed)– The offensive team may not initiate a pick/block while in motion. Action by a player who with/without contact delays or prevents an opponent from reaching a desired position.
b. Offensive Pass Interference

LOSS OF 15 YARD PENALTIES

a. Unsportsmanlike conduct (from the line/ If penalty is on the defense, automatic first down/ If penalty is on the offense, 15 yds. from the line/ If penalty is after a TD, yardage added to extra point conversion)– Abusive/insulting language or gesture to another player or referee, as well as taunting opponents or similar theatrics before or after the touchdown. The player may be disqualified for above actions if judged by the referee to be flagrant and will be suspended for next week’s game. If that player(s) is caught playing next week, the team will forfeit that game. In a severe case of unsportsmanlike conduct, the player will be suspended from playing any Austin SSC sport for a year or more. Disqualified players’ names must be given to the Austin SSC staff or referee. Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated in the Austin SSC!
b. Pass interference – Defense- 15 yard penalty or spot of the foul if less then 15 yard attempted. Prohibited conduct shall be when a player physically restricts or impedes the opponent in a manner that is visually evident and materially affects the opponent’s opportunity to gain position or retain his position to catch the ball. If a player has gained position, he shall not be considered to have impeded or restricted his opponent in a prohibited manner if all of his actions are a bona fide effort to go to and catch the ball.

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Any rules not mentioned follow those of NIRSA (www.nirsa.org)

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Questions about the league?
Email austinssc@gmail.com