Laurier Recreation - Waterloo Campus

Team Composition 

• Rosters may not be larger than 15 total players  
• A maximum of 7 players are permitted to be on the field at one time  
• In Co-Rec leagues, there must be a minimum of 2 players of any gender on the field at a time 
• A game may not proceed with less than 5 players. An exception can be made if an injury occurs during a game, and the team can proceed with 4 players 

Game Procedures 

Game Format

• Each game will consist of two 20-minute run-time halves that can be shortened at the discretion of the referee / convenor if necessary  
• At 18-minutes into the half (two-minutes left), the referee will state there are five plays left in the half. Any offensive play counts towards the five. Conversion attempts do not count as one of the five plays. After the five plays the half or game is over  
• Captains will be called for a coin toss before the game begins to determine who starts with possession  
  • The winner of the coin toss will choose whether to receive (start possession on offence) or defer possession to the second half 
• Teams can substitute anytime between whistles  
• The game cannot end on defensive penalty unless the offence declines the penalty  
• During the regular season, games can end in a tie and there will be no overtime  
• During playoffs, if the score is tied at the end of the second half, the teams will go back and forth attempting 2-point conversions in sudden-death format 
  • Overtime will begin with a coin toss, the winning team chooses whether they are offence or defence first 
  • Each team will get one attempt at a 2-point conversion 
  • If both teams succeed or fail their convert, they continue until a team is victorious 
• If an opponent defaults/forfeits, a score of 30-0 will be given to the non-forfeiting team 
• Players must play in at least two regular season games to be eligible for playoffs

Scoring

• Touchdown (possessing the ball in the opponents endzone) is 6 points 
• PAT/conversion from the 5 yd line is 1 point  
• PAT/conversion from the 10 yd line is 2 points  
  • A PAT/conversion is when the offence team gets the ball on the stated yard line, and has one play to attempt to score in the endzone for the specified point(s).  
• A Defensive safety is 2 points  
  • A safety is when the defensive pulls an offensive players flag while the offensive player is in their own endzone 

Rules of Play

Possessions and Fumbles

• Possession refers to: the player who has control of the ball  
• A fumble is not a free ball. The loose ball becomes dead at the point where it initially touches the ground. If a player bobbles the ball and it doesn’t touch the ground, the play continues. Exceptions to this are:  
  • If the QB fumbles the snap before they gain full possession of the ball, they may pick up the ball and continue the play. The ball is also live for a defensive player to recover it and gain possession 
• At least one foot must be in bounds for a catch in the field of play or end zone to be legal. If the foot is on the line it is considered out 
• No pushing out of bounds. If the defender physically interferes with the receiver’s ability to catch the ball in the air and land in bounds, the result of the play is a completed catch  
• Play until you hear the whistle  

General Offensive Rules

• 4 offensive downs to gain 25 yards and gain a 1st down  
  • Co-ed down rule: after a first down, within the next three downs, there must be a play involving a female player. This consists of a female playing quarterback who must attempt a pass or a quarterback run, a handoff/pitch to a female player, or an pass targeting a female receiver. A female player snapping the ball is not considered a female play. 
• QB or any player who touches the ball first after the snap must be 5 yards off the line of scrimmage. A centre will throw the ball to the QB, (can be between legs or simple toss). 
• The offence must have 3 players on the line of scrimmage in order to snap the ball (centre is included). The other 4 players can be in motion. There are no restrictions to how many players must be on either side of centre. 
• Any arm movement by the ball carrier to prevent the defender from getting the flag (intentional and unintentional). This includes slapping hands away and stiff arms.  
• Flags must be present and fully visible at the sides of players at all times. Players will be asked to tuck their sweaters or shirts in to avoid concealing the flags. No rolling of the flags. 
• The play is complete when the ball carrier steps out of bounds, or has his/her flag removed. If the flag falls off without a defender pulling it, the play continues until the player is touched with one hand. A player on the ground is able to get up and continue play, unless they are touched when they are still on the ground (flag does not need to be removed). 
• Once the ball the carrier has passed the line of scrimmage or a pass is completed, offensive players who do not have the ball are not allowed set blocks or picks. They may run behind the player for a potential lateral, but impede the path of a defensive player. To avoid be called for a block, offensive players are encouraged to stand still and put their hands in the air.  
• There is no diving or extending the ball to gain extra yardage. The ball will be marked from the point that the ball carrier left the ground for a dive or had their flag pulled. The spot of the ball is where the player’s torso is, not where the ball was.  
• If the referee blows the whistle by accident (inadvertent whistle).  The play is now dead, the offensive team has the option to take the spot where the play was inadvertently blown dead or redo the down 

General Defensive Rules

• The defence may elect a singular pass rusher. A rusher is able to pursue the quarterback and attempt to pull their flag before they cross the line of scrimmage.  
  • The rusher must be at least 5 yards from the line of scrimmage until the snap and identify themselves by raising 1 hand in the air, all other players may be as close as 1 yard. 
  • The rusher has the right to an unobstructed direct path to the quarterback. It is the responsibility of the centre to get out of the rushers way even if it alters their route.  
• Any player who has not identified themselves as a rusher may not cross the line of scrimmage to pursue the quarterback until the ball has crossed the line of scrimmage. A player may cross the line of scrimmage to pursue a running back or receiver who has possession of the ball without identifying themselves as a rusher. 
• One flag needs to be removed for an offensive player to be considered down 
• Absolutely no tackling, wrapping or holding of players (includes unintentional holding of clothing). 

Penalties

1. Objectionable Conduct: Spiking the ball, profane and obscene gestures and language and remarks, threats, demeaning remarks, arguments or other acts directed towards other players or the referees. At the coin toss, teams will be warned about profanity directed at the opposing team or the referees. A player with receive a warning after their first instance, their second instance is an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty (15 yards) and their third instance will result in an ejection. After a first warning is issued to any player on a team, a second instance by any player will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Ejections will be given to individual players on their third instance. 1st time team offence (multiple players) will result in a 25 yard penalty and automatic first down. 2nd team offence (multiple players) will result automatic forfeiture no matter the score. 

2. Offensive Offside: 5 yards, repeat down and play continues. A player lines up past the line of scrimmage or jumps offside prior to the snap of the ball.  

3. Defensive Offside: 5 yards, repeat down and play continues. The rusher comes within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Any player that that does not identify themselves as a rusher and crosses the line of scrimmage prior to the ball crossing the line of scrimmage.  

4. Delay of Game: 5 yards, repeat down and play is blown dead immediately. The offensive team must snap the ball a maximum of 20 seconds after the referee blows the whistle and says time is in.  

5. Blocking: 5 yards back from when the ball was when the block occurred. Any block or pick of a defensive player pursuing the ball carrier.  

6. Obstruction of the Rusher: 5 yards, repeat down and play continues. Impeding the rushers direct path to the quarterback.  

7. Holding: Additional 5 yards from where the flag is pulled, and repeat down unless the play results in a first down. Any holding of the players clothes or wrapping up the player.  

8. Pass Interference: 15 yards, automatic first down. Pass interference constitutes as the following: 

• Contact by a defender who is not playing the ball and such contact restricts the receiver’s opportunity to make the catch. 
• Playing through the back of a receiver in an attempt to make a play on the ball. 
• Grabbing a receiver’s arm(s) in such a manner that restricts his opportunity to catch a pass. 
• Extending an arm across the body of a receiver thus restricting his ability to catch a pass, regardless of whether the defender is playing the ball. 
• Cutting off the path of a receiver by making contact with him/her without playing the ball. 
• Hooking a receiver in an attempt to get to the ball in such a manner that it causes the receivers body to turn prior to the ball arriving. 
• Screening the receiver, if a defender raises his arms and screens the offensive receiver without attempting to look or play the ball will be called for defensive pass interference. 
• Actions that do not constitute pass interference include but are not limited to: 
• Incidental contact by a defender’s hands, arms, or body when both players are competing for the ball, or neither player is looking for the ball. If there is any question whether contact is incidental, the ruling shall be no interference. 
• Inadvertent tangling of feet when both players are playing the ball or neither player is playing the ball. 
• Contact that would normally be considered pass interference, but the pass is clearly uncatchable by the involved players. 
• Laying a hand on a receiver that does not restrict the receiver in an attempt to make a play on the ball. 
• Contact by a defender who has gained position on a receiver in an attempt to catch the ball. 
• If the offensive team is within 15 yards of the end zone and defensive pass interference occurs, the ball will be marked at the 1 yard line. 

9. Offensive Pass Interference: 15 yards and repeat down. Push offs, holding, tripping all constitute as offensive pass interference. The ball will be brought back 15 yards from the previous spot. 

10. Unnecessary Roughness: Offensive: 15 yards and do not repeat down. Defensive: 15 additional yards from where the ball was down and automatic first down. The second instance of unnecessary roughness by the same player will result in an ejection. Piling on, tripping, contact with the quarterback after the ball is released, rough touch and intimidation, tackling all constitutes as unnecessary roughness. Any incidence of unnecessary roughness involving the multiple players will be handled at the RIC’s discretion 

11. Only captains may discuss rulings with officials, other players can be penalized for objectionable conduct.  

12. Once a call on the field has been made it cannot be reversed or challenged.