TownBeef Rules

Player & Team Conduct Rules

A punch will land you a season suspension, even if you miss.
3 strikes your out. This applies to anyone cutting up, cursing a ref, threatening to fight, a dirty hit, cursing around children or women you will get a warning. After you get a warning you will get a 2 game suspension to be served immediately following the game you just played.

Football is an aggressive mans sport but trash talking or fighting will result in the suspension of your team or you. We will not tolerate any pushing or shoving after the play is over or any trash talk. Play the game and we'll all have fun. Act like an idiot and you'll ruin everyone's day.

Team and Sideline conduct. You can yell but do not curse, there are kids, wives, moms and other people around our games that do not need to hear it. Refs will call 15 yard penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct every time.

How Time is kept.

4 quarters each 15 minutes. There is a 2 minute warning at the end of the 2nd and first quarter.
Incomplete pass (under 2 minutes at the end of the 2nd and 4th quarter) stops the clock
Timeout (3 per half) 2 challenges per half
During regulation the clock will stop during penalties or change of possession. Once the ball is spotted by the official the game and play clock will start.

A fumble on 4th down, only at the end of the 2nd or 4th quarter can only be advanced by the original ball carrier or a defensive player.

Mercy Rule
If a team is leading by 7 or more points at the start of the 4th quarter the game will be ended.

QB Cadence and Position
The QB can start from the Shotgun or behind the lineman. He must be in between the 2 down linemen or if there are 3 down linemen he can be on the center. If the QB moves early (rolls before cadence) it's a 5 yard penalty. The QB must be set just like the O Line and receivers. The cadence needs to be a steady one. There is no false starts or offsides so there is no point in going on 2nd go. Just keep it consistent so there are less stoppages. The QB can not be deeper then 7 yards.

Safety
Safeties are only called on regulation size fields where teams can start on the 20 yard line.
If you are tackled for a safety you will give the other team the ball on your own 40 yard line.

Tackling Rules

No head hunting or close lining. Do not wrap around a players neck or head, you will be suspended for 1 quarter and a 15 yard penalty will be enforced.
No pile-ons. If the player is down and you jump on the pile you will be ejected.
If a players forward progress is stopped the play will be whistled dead by the ref.
Tackling below the knees is only permitted if you are the first available tackler, if you are the second tackler you must hit above the waste.
No leg whipping or tripping.
To make a safe tackle keep your eyes to the sky get your butt low, hit and wrap up. Guys tackling with their heads down or throwing their body at ball carriers legs with no attempt to wrap up will be flagged 15 yards.
Play the whistle and play smart we're all for good hits but PLAY SMART!

Pass Rushing Rules

No late hits on the QB
If you have a blind side shot on the QB you must hit him high, Do not lower your shoulder into the QBs back if he can't see you.
You may rush as many guys as you like and blitz whenever you want.
Anyone lining up on the defensive line must be 1 foot back from any body part of the offensive linemen hand or head (buffer zone)

Line of scrimmage
The ball is not snapped so it is not on the ground to determine a "line of scrimmage". You do have to obey the line of scrimmage or a play can be stopped or blown dead. The Line of scrimmage is 1ft (12 inches) beyond an offensive linemen's hand or head (whichever body part is sticking out the furthest)

Blocking Rules

No holding at all, not even inside the jersey. Penalty will be 10 yards from the original line of scrimmage repeat the down, or the defense can decline the penalty.
No clipping (blocking behind the back) 15 yard penalty from the line of scrimmage. Blocking in the back is only permitted inside the tackle box behind the line of scrimmage while a defender is being pass blocked.
No chop blocking (blocking below the waste) 15 yard penalty
No hands to the face
Do not blind side a defender that has no chance in making the play. If you blind side someone that is 10 yards away from the play you will receive a 15 yard penalty.

Line of scrimmage
The ball is not snapped so it is not on the ground to determine a "line of scrimmage". You do have to obey the line of scrimmage or a play can be stopped or blown dead. The Line of scrimmage is 1ft (12 inches) beyond an offensive linemen's hand or head (whichever body part is sticking out the furthest)

Receivers and Defensive Backs

Defensive holding (DB holding receiver) 5 yards automatic first down (not a spot foul)
No contact after 5 yards - (when player doesn't have the ball) 5 yards automatic first down
Contact on a receiver during a pass that is ruled catch able, is a spot found and called pass interference.
DBs do not lead with your head on open field tackles.
Do not launch yourself into a defenseless receiver without attempting to wrap up and make a good form tackle.
You can not lead with an elbow to make a tackle. You must attempt to wrap up on the secondary.
DBs may blitz but must obey the Pass Rushing Rules listed above.
1 foot in for inbounds and TDs. If a player would have landed inbounds but is pushed out he is still in.

Referees

A ref must carry himself as a professional and he is owed respect in return. Refs are paid by each team $30 per ref at the coin toss. A ref must have the following.

A penalty flag
Whistle
Stop Watch
And knowlege of our rules. If he lacks any of the following you have a choice to not hire him for your game.


	In order to make this league last we have to play clean games. We're all for good tackles and hard hitting but only in good taste. Here are the rules that must be followed in order to play in our league. Each team must appoint 1 team captain that will be responsible for his teams actions and the discipline of his players. This team captain is responsible for making sure his team is wearing the appropriate colors, is on time, and has a home field that we are allowed to play on. If we don't have a rule for it, we revert to NFL rules.

	Player & Team Conduct Time & Possession Tackling Pass Rush Blocking Rules Receivers and Defensive Backs Referees Player & Team Conduct Rules A punch will land you a season suspension, even if you miss. 3 strikes your out. This applies to anyone cutting up, cursing a ref, threatening to fight, a dirty hit, cursing around children or women you will get a warning. After you get a warning you will get a 2 game suspension to be served immediately following the game you just played. Football is an aggressive mans sport but trash talking or fighting will result in the suspension of your team or you. We will not tolerate any pushing or shoving after the play is over or any trash talk. Play the game and we'll all have fun. Act like an idiot and you'll ruin everyone's day. Team and Sideline conduct. You can yell but do not curse, there are kids, wives, moms and other people around our games that do not need to hear it. Refs will call 15 yard penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct every time. How Time is kept. 4 quarters each 15 minutes. There is a 2 minute warning at the end of the 2nd and first quarter. Incomplete pass (under 2 minutes at the end of the 2nd and 4th quarter) stops the clock Timeout (3 per half) 2 challenges per half During regulation the clock will stop during penalties or change of possession. Once the ball is spotted by the official the game and play clock will start. A fumble on 4th down, only at the end of the 2nd or 4th quarter can only be advanced by the original ball carrier or a defensive player. Mercy Rule If a team is leading by 7 or more points at the start of the 4th quarter the game will be ended. QB Cadence and Position The QB can start from the Shotgun or behind the lineman. He must be in between the 2 down linemen or if there are 3 down linemen he can be on the center. If the QB moves early (rolls before cadence) it's a 5 yard penalty. The QB must be set just like the O Line and receivers. The cadence needs to be a steady one. There is no false starts or offsides so there is no point in going on 2nd go. Just keep it consistent so there are less stoppages. The QB can not be deeper then 7 yards. Safety Safeties are only called on regulation size fields where teams can start on the 20 yard line. If you are tackled for a safety you will give the other team the ball on your own 40 yard line. Tackling Rules No head hunting or close lining. Do not wrap around a players neck or head, you will be suspended for 1 quarter and a 15 yard penalty will be enforced. No pile-ons. If the player is down and you jump on the pile you will be ejected. If a players forward progress is stopped the play will be whistled dead by the ref. Tackling below the knees is only permitted if you are the first available tackler, if you are the second tackler you must hit above the waste. No leg whipping or tripping. To make a safe tackle keep your eyes to the sky get your butt low, hit and wrap up. Guys tackling with their heads down or throwing their body at ball carriers legs with no attempt to wrap up will be flagged 15 yards. Play the whistle and play smart we're all for good hits but PLAY SMART! Pass Rushing Rules No late hits on the QB If you have a blind side shot on the QB you must hit him high, Do not lower your shoulder into the QBs back if he can't see you. You may rush as many guys as you like and blitz whenever you want. Anyone lining up on the defensive line must be 1 foot back from any body part of the offensive linemen hand or head (buffer zone) Line of scrimmage The ball is not snapped so it is not on the ground to determine a "line of scrimmage". You do have to obey the line of scrimmage or a play can be stopped or blown dead. The Line of scrimmage is 1ft (12 inches) beyond an offensive linemen's hand or head (whichever body part is sticking out the furthest) Blocking Rules No holding at all, not even inside the jersey. Penalty will be 10 yards from the original line of scrimmage repeat the down, or the defense can decline the penalty. No clipping (blocking behind the back) 15 yard penalty from the line of scrimmage. Blocking in the back is only permitted inside the tackle box behind the line of scrimmage while a defender is being pass blocked. No chop blocking (blocking below the waste) 15 yard penalty No hands to the face Do not blind side a defender that has no chance in making the play. If you blind side someone that is 10 yards away from the play you will receive a 15 yard penalty. Line of scrimmage The ball is not snapped so it is not on the ground to determine a "line of scrimmage". You do have to obey the line of scrimmage or a play can be stopped or blown dead. The Line of scrimmage is 1ft (12 inches) beyond an offensive linemen's hand or head (whichever body part is sticking out the furthest) Receivers and Defensive Backs Defensive holding (DB holding receiver) 5 yards automatic first down (not a spot foul) No contact after 5 yards - (when player doesn't have the ball) 5 yards automatic first down Contact on a receiver during a pass that is ruled catch able, is a spot found and called pass interference. DBs do not lead with your head on open field tackles. Do not launch yourself into a defenseless receiver without attempting to wrap up and make a good form tackle. You can not lead with an elbow to make a tackle. You must attempt to wrap up on the secondary. DBs may blitz but must obey the Pass Rushing Rules listed above. 1 foot in for inbounds and TDs. If a player would have landed inbounds but is pushed out he is still in. Referees A ref must carry himself as a professional and he is owed respect in return. Refs are paid by each team $30 per ref at the coin toss. A ref must have the following. A penalty flag Whistle Stop Watch And knowlege of our rules. If he lacks any of the following you have a choice to not hire him for your game.