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OVERVIEW

6 players on the field

Two 20-minute halves

A first down will be achieved each time the ball reaches the 2 nd cone from where the ball was originally spotted on first down

6 point touchdowns

Choice of 1 or 2 extra points on PAT's ( 3 paces/yards for 1 Pt., 10 paces/yards for 2 pts.)

Quarterbacks cannot snap the ball to themselves

Running clock except for final two minutes of 2nd half

Ties during regular season stay as a tie

2-Point conversion attempts may be intercepted and returned for 2 points

Laterals may be intercepted and run back for a touchdown or yardage.

All fumbles will be ruled dead balls with the offense retaining possession at the spot of the fumble

Four-Downs-and-Out format applies for ties in the playoffs.

Receivers need only one foot in-bounds with possession of the ball to be considered a catch

Rule Clarification - The clock does not stop for a 2 minute warning unless there is a dead ball situation when the clock hits 2 minutes.

Rule Clarification- Offsides on the defense will be a free play for the offense.

COIN FLIP/BEGINNING OF GAME

The beginning of the game will start with the JS staff using an "odd/even", or coin flip. The winning team will then have one of three options: 1) offense; 2) defense; or 3) direction. Teams flip flop direction, at the start of the second half. The team that started the game on defense will start the second half on offense. There are no kick-offs. Play starts 10 paces/yards from the designated goal-line.

PAID REFEREES

Each week JS will provide referee(s) for each game .

TEAM SIZE

Each team shall field 6 players on the field at one time. JS rules allow a team to play a legal game shorthanded with 4 players. All rosters must be finalized by the second week of the regular season. Players added after the second week that are not on the team roster or waiver will not be eligible for playoffs.

FORFEITS

Teams will have until 10 minutes past the designated start time to field a legal team. Shorthanded teams may play a legal game with a minimum of 4 players. Teams fielding less than 4 players will receive a forfeit. Exception: Teams may play a "legal game" with less than 4 players with the opposing teams consent. Teams who agree to play under these conditions will loose the option of receiving a forfeit win. Teams may pick up players during the regular season in order to field a full team so long as the number of players picked up does not exceed their opponents number of players. The use of non-roster players will not be allowed during playoffs. The team waiver will be used as each team's final roster. Only players on the waiver may play in the playoffs.

SUBSTITUTIONS

If a team substitutes players during the game, they must do so from the same sideline the entire game. Eligible receivers must be on the playing field before the cadence is started.

TIME

Play will be divided into (2) 20-minute halves. Teams flip flop direction at the start of the second half. The team that started the game on defense will start the second half on offense. Teams will have 2 time-outs per game that may be used at any time. There will be a running clock until the final 2 minutes of the second half maintained by a referee. During the first 38 minutes, the clock runs continuously with the exception of time-outs and serious injury. If a team calls a timeout after a touchdown the clock will not start again until the defensive team takes possession and snaps the ball on offense. During the final 2 minutes of the game, the referee shall stop the game clock if:

Ø an incomplete pass is thrown

Ø a player ends a play by going out of bounds

Ø either team scores (clock will remain off until the opposing team snaps the ball after the PAT attempt; the clock does not run during extra points)

Ø change of possession

Ø a penalty which must be marked off occurs

Ø A team calls a time out.

Ø The clock will not stop for a "2 minute warning" unless there is a dead ball situation when the clock hits 2 minutes.

***THE CLOCK DOES NOT STOP ON FIRST DOWNS OR FUMBLES .

** If a team is up by 17 points or more, the clock runs continuously during the last two minutes of play.

For the entire game, the offensive team has 30 seconds to snap the ball once the ball has been spotted. If the referee feels that this is being taking advantage of the referee will then stop the clock, and penalize the offense 5 paces/yards.

STANDINGS

Standings will be posted at the league and on-line at: jacksonvillescene.com

GENERAL RULES

· TIE GAMES/SCORING - Games ending in a tie score will be recorded as tie games during regular season play. Please refer to the OVERTIME section for ties during the playoffs. Touchdowns are awarded 6 pts. Extra points: 3 paces/yards off the goal line = 1 pt., 10 paces/yards = 2pts. New rule: 2-point conversion attempts may be intercepted and returned for 2 points with the defense retaining possession at their 10 pace/yard line. One-point conversion attempts CANNOT be returned.

· FIRST DOWNS - Each team shall have 4 downs to either score or earn another first down. First downs are earned each time the ball reaches the 2 nd cone from where the ball was originally spotted on the first down. If a team fails to score or earn a first down, possession will go to the other team. Offensive teams may elect to punt on fourth downs.

· PUNTS - A punt must be declared and cannot be faked. All punts are "free" punts. A team need not snap the ball during a punt, a dropped snap during a punt is not a fumble. Punts must be kicked . Punts cannot be thrown. There is no minimum number of players required on the line of scrimmage during a punt. NO DOWNFIELD BLOCKING or BLOCKING AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE. The kicking team may not cross the line of scrimmage until the ball is kicked. The receiving team may not raise hands or jump to block a punt. If a punt is "shanked" and caught it is a live ball and is returnable. If the ball comes into contact with the ground after it has been punted it is a dead ball, spotted at the point where it hit the ground, and may not be returned. A punt through the end zone comes back to 10 paces/yards off the goal line. If a player drops the ball in the endzone, the ball is again spotted 10 paces/yards out from the goal line and is not counted as a safety.

· CONTINUANCE OF PLAY:

Play shall continue until:

Ø Ball-carrier has at least one flag pulled by an opponent (see flag specifics for the few exceptions/additions concerning flag pulling)

Ø Ball-carrier leaves the field of play

Ø Ball-carrier scores

Ø Ball touches the ground as a result of a fumble, punt or incomplete pass (the ball is not an extension of the arm. If the ball is pinned between the ground and the ball-carrier's hand, the play is dead)

Ø Ball-Carrier's knee touches the ground

· SPOT OF THE BALL - The ball will be spotted where the ball is at the time the ball carrier's flag has been pulled. If the ball crosses the plane of the goal line before the ball carrier is touched, it will result in a touchdown (ball extension)

· TURNOVERS - A change of possession can only occur on an interception of a forward pass or a lateral. A fumble is not a turnover. The ball is dead at the point of the fumble and the offense retains possession. NEW RULE: A lateral is not a forward pass and can be picked off in mid-air. A picked off lateral will result in a change of possession, and can be returned for a touchdown. EXCEPTION. A lateral intercepted in an overtime period of a playoff game cannot be returned for points, this is simply a turnover.

· BLOCKING - Blocking is allowed at or behind the line of scrimmage. Blocking on or behind the line of scrimmage must be done with open hands between the shoulders and the waste of the defensive player and done in a "pass protection manner". CUT BLOCKS, DRIVE BLOCKS, BLOCKIN IN THE BACK, PILING ON A PLAYER ON THE GROUND and CRACK - BACK BLOCKS are illegal and will result in an UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS PENALTY.

NO downfield blocking! A player may shadow block for his teammate, but no contact is allowed. PICKING off a defensive player by initiating contact is considered downfield blocking, this is not allowed. Due to the danger of picking, a player may be ejected if such an action persists. See Penalties section of rules.

If a defensive player is on the ground all blocking rules above still apply. Offensive players may not "pile on" or "lay on" the defensive player to keep him on the ground. They may still block him as stated above. This will result in an UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS penalty.

Defenders rushing the quarterback may not grab an offensive player by the jersey to move them. This will result in an UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS penalty.

RUSH

There will be an immediate rush .

PENALTIES

Normal rules and penalties of the NCAA apply unless exceptions have been made herein.

Some Common Examples of Penalties:

· Illegal Contact - Down Field: If the illegal contact occurs during play when the offense is advancing the ball the penalty will be a mark off of 5 paces/yards from the point where the ball carrier is at the time of the infraction. If this occurs during a pass play when the pass is incomplete, the penalty will be a mark off of 5 paces/yards from the line of scrimmage.

· Offsides/Illegal or Early Rush (Defensive): Play will be a free play and will NOT BE BLOWN DEAD. If the penalty is accepted by the offense, there is a five pace/yard mark-off from the line of scrimmage against the defense and the down is repeated. If the penalty is accepted any yardage gained on the play will be nullified. If the penalty is declined, the play will stand and it will be the next down.

· Offsides/Illegal or Early Rush (Offensive): 5 paces/yards, play is ruled dead immediately, no option to decline, down is replayed.

· Illegal Motion: Players may not be in motion towards the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. This will result in a dead ball, 5-yd penalty on the offense and repeat of the down.

· Offensive Picking/Interference: The offensive team may not initiate a pick/block while in motion. The penalty for this is a 5 pace/yard penalty from the line of scrimmage. If a catch is made after a clear pick, it will be ruled no catch, 5 pace/yard penalty from line of scrimmage. Remember: Some acceptable incidental contact will occur while running routes and within the normal course of play, and will not be called .

· Offensive Holding: It is illegal to grab any part of a defensive player when blocking on offense. Holding will result in a 10-yard penalty from the spot of the foul, which the defense can accept or decline. Replay the down. Offensive holding in the end zone will result in a safety.

· Unnecessary Roughness (Offense): Unnecessary roughness on the offense will result in a 10 pace/yard mark off from the line of scrimmage and a loss of down if the penalty occurs during a play. If the penalty occurs after the play the penalty will result in a 10 pace/yard mark off at the end of the play. Extreme roughness will result in ejection from the game and or league if deemed necessary by the referee and league staff.

· Unnecessary Roughness (Defense): This includes any illegal tag such as grabbing jerseys or excessive pushing etc. If the play is "dead" at the time the penalty is committed and the offense has not advanced the ball the penalty will be 10 pace/yard marked off from the line of scrimmage and an automatic first down will be awarded. If the play is on going or the offense has advanced the ball at the time the penalty is committed the penalty will be 10 paces/yards added on to the end of the play and an automatic first down will be awarded. Extreme roughness will result in ejection from the game and or league if deemed necessary by the referee and league staff.

· Defensive Pass Interference: Ball is spotted at the point of the infraction and offense is awarded an automatic first down. If the pass interference is in the endzone, the ball comes out to the 1 pace/yard line and it will be 1st down.

· Defensive Holding: 10 pace/yard penalty from line of scrimmage, replay down. Offense can accept or decline the penalty.

· Defensive Checking: One open hand bump within 5 paces/yards of the line of scrimmage is allowable (at the discretion of the ref). Riding the offensive player for the first five yards will not be tolerated. Any obvious repeated contact within the first 5 yards will result in a 5 pace/yard penalty from line of scrimmage, replay down, offense can accept or decline the penalty.

· Safeties: A safety will be scored if a player is:

1. - tagged down in their own end zone (not on a punt return)

2. -runs out of bounds in their own end zone

3. -snaps the ball out of the end zone

4. -if the offense fumbles the ball in their own end zone

As a result, the team on defense, receives 2 points, and the team on offense must now punt a "free" kick from their own 10 paces/yard line. Also, a player having intercepted a pass or received a punt in the end zone, cannot be tagged in the end zone for a safety unless he has previously crossed the plane of the end zone with the ball.

· Intentional Grounding: This penalty 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. This will result a loss of down (i.e. if it was 1 st down during the penalty, it is now 2 nd down). And the ball being spotted at the point of infraction (QB's point of release).

· Fighting - Fighting is not allowed and will NOT be tolerated. All parties involved in fighting will be subject to ejection from the game at the referees discretion and subject to ejection from the league at JS staff discretion.

FLAG SPECIFICS PENALTIES

1) No flag guarding *** Flag Guarding will result in a 5 paces/yard penalty from the spot of infraction. Defensive player returning an interception, who flag guards, will be penalized 5 paces/yards from the spot of infraction .

2) Shirt must be tucked in and flags must be securely attached. Loose hanging articles (i.e. sweatshirts, long T-shirts, etc.) that are held/ripped will not result in a holding penalty, unless in ref's eyes player was not attempting to go for flag.

3) Any ball-carrier whose flags are (in ref's opinion) not accessible to be pulled will be down at 1st point of contact with the defense.

4) Any ball-carrier who has a flag or both flags missing for whatever reason (falls out, accidentally pulled before reception, not noticed before snap, etc.) will be down at the first point of contact.

5) Players may leave their feet to pull flag.

6) Spin moves will be allowed.

7) Belt grabbing will result in a 5 paces/yard penalty from end of play.

· *Any belt grabbing at the end of a half or game will result in a 5 paces/yard penalty from point of infraction and replay of down. If this penalty occurs within 5 paces/yard of the endzone, the ball will be spotted at the one yard line and the offense will receive one play.

MISCELLANEOUS

Ø If the player calling the cadence does not receive the snap, the play will not stand and will result in a 5 pace/yard penalty and repeat of the down

Ø One person must call the cadence and receive the snap - violation of this will result in a 5 pace/yard penalty and repeat of down.

Ø Silent snaps will not be allowed - violation of this will result in a 5 pace/yard penalty and repeat of down.

Ø The QB may not be in motion and then receive the snap - this will result in a 5 pace/yard penalty and repeat of down.

Ø 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 a 5 pace/yard penalty from the line of scrimmage and loss of down (i.e. if it was 1 st down during the penalty, it is now 2 nd down).

Ø If the ball hits the ground on the snap for either a pass or running play, the play is "dead", the ball is spotted where it hit the ground, and it is a loss of down (i.e. if it was 1 st down during the bad snap, it is now 2 nd down).

Ø The QB may NOT snap the ball to himself. If the QB does snap to himself, play will stop immediately and it will result in a 5-yd penalty and repeat the down.

Ø Loss of down penalties which occur on 4 th down will result in change of possession.

Ø Receivers need only one foot in bounds for a reception. If in the referees eyes a receiver would be able to legally catch a pass but, was pushed out of bounds by a defender while in the air a catch will be awarded.

Ø Players will not be allowed to intentionally push players out of bounds. Some incidental contact will be allowed at the ref's discretion but any intentional push in the referee's eyes will result in a 5 pace/yard penalty from the spot of the infraction.

Ø Receivers intentionally leaving the field of play are ineligible to receive a pass if they are the first person to touch the ball. This includes the back of the endzone.

Ø Diving is allowed . Offensive players may dive to further advance the ball as long as they do not initiate contact. When this occurs the ball will be spotted where it is whenever the ball carrier is touched with two hands his/her knee touches the ground, or when the ball touches the ground. Diving into or over a defensive player, will result in the player being down at the point of takeoff and there will be a 5 pace/yard mark-off against the Offense and loss of down.

Ø A player who catches the ball and lands with 1 or 2 feet across the goal-line, but has his flag pulled after possession and before he puts the ball across the plane of the goal will not be awarded a touchdown. The ball will be spotted at the point of where the ball was at the time he was called "down".

Ø Only the ball needs to cross the plane of the goal-line in order for a touchdown to be awarded.

Ø Ball-carrier who initiates excessive contact (i.e. dipping shoulders, using elbows, kicking) will result in 5 pace/ yard penalty from point of infraction

Ø Any player who attempts to knock the ball out of the quarterbacks arm or hits the arm of the quarterback while in delivery will receive an Unnecessary Roughness penalty. If contact is made on the quarterback's follow through it will be up to the referee's discretion to determine if a penalty was committed. TOUCHING THE QUARTERBACK'S ARM, SHOULDER, or UPPER BODY DURING OR IMMEDIATELY AFTER AN ATTEMPTED PASS WILL MOST LIKELY RESULT IN A PENALTY.

Ø Any player attempting to strip the ball from an offensive player will receive a 5 yard/pace penalty from the spot of the ball at the end of the play.

PLAYOFFS

· Playoffs will follow the last week of regular season and will be single elimination.

· SEEDING - Teams will be seeded based upon their winning percentage throughout the season. In most cases all teams will advance to the playoffs as long as they are not in violation of the forfeit policy. *Note: In some situations the last ranked team in the league may not be eligible for playoffs. This will be decided on a league by league basis.

· PLAYOFF GAMES - Playoff games will follow the same format during regulation as the regular season. If teams are tied at the end of regulation in playoffs an overtime will be used. Non-roster players will not be allowed for playoffs. All players must have signed the waiver, and/or have been placed at the roster at the beginning of the season.

· OVERTIME - In the playoffs the Four-Downs and Out format will apply. The beginning of the game will start with the JS staff using an "odd/even", or coin flip with the winning team deciding on offense or defense, (there is no option to decline). The losing team will decide which endzone to use. Teams will attempt to score in the same end zone. Each team will then have 4 downs to score from 10 paces/yards out from the goal-line. If a team scores, they will have the opportunity to go for one or two on the PAT. The game will be decided when one team scores more points in the rotation. No 1 st downs will be awarded except in the case of a penalty. Interceptions will result in a turnover and may not be returned for any points. If the score is still tied after two complete overtime periods, each team must attempt a two point conversion after they score a touchdown. From this point on all subsequent overtime periods will continue with each team attempting a two point conversion after they score a touchdown.

LEAGUE POLICIES

GAMES :

During the regular season one game will be played within time allotted. Games will be divided into two 20-minute halves with a brief half-time break. During the regular season, no overtime will be used. The clock runs continuously during the game with the exception of the last 2 minutes depending on the score. Each team is awarded 2 time-outs per game to be used at any time.

REFS: Each week Jacksonville Scene will provide referee(s) for each game .

FORFEITS:

If your team forfeits a game during the season, the following rules apply:

First Offense: Loss of game and warning issued.

Second Offense : Loss of game and staff reserves the right to remove team from playoffs.

Third Offense : Removal from the league

If you know in advance that your team is going to forfeit a game, we encourage you to call our office in order to help us schedule your opponent a game. However, this does not mean that your team will not receive the loss as a forfeit.

Teams have until ten minutes past the designated start time to field a full squad (or the league minimum of players required according to rules). If at that time a team is unable to field a legal team, it will be up to the staff and the opposing captain to determine whether a team will receive a forfeit win or if a team will allow the opposing team to play a legal game with less than the league minimum of players required according to the rules.

STANDINGS:

The updated standings will be posted weekly starting after the third week of play and posted at the league and on line at: jacksonvillescene.com The standings will display each teams rank within its skill level. Rank is based on each team's winning percentage throughout the season.

PLAYOFFS:

Playoffs will begin immediately following the end of the regular season and will typically last between 2 and 3 weeks. After teams have been seeded according to their records all captains will receive an email or call with the 1 st week of playoff game times roughly 3 days before their league. Teams will not receive a call for any other weeks of playoffs! It is ALL TEAM'S responsibility to check the playoff brackets at the league to find out what time they will be playing the following week if they win. In playoffs it is not uncommon, (and in some cases will be necessary), for teams to have more than one game in a given night. No non-roster players will be allowed during playoffs. All players must have signed the waiver or be on the roster by the second week of the season in order to be eligible for playoffs. All eligible teams will make the playoffs. Playoff eligible teams will be determined on a league by league basis. Teams that have violated the forfeit policy during the course of regular season will not be eligible for playoffs. In certain situations teams at or near the bottom of the standings may not advance to the playoffs. Check with JS league coordinator to see if this applies to your league. Playoffs are single elimination.

Seeding: Teams are seeded according to winning percentage and strength of schedule . Teams may be dropped from their regular season level based on the above criteria. Teams may play more than one game per day/night, and/or play games on days/nights other than your regularly scheduled league day/night if necessary. JS reserves the right to schedule playoff games on days other than teams regularly scheduled league night.

WAIVERS:

In order to participate in the league, each participant must sign the team waiver. Waivers are provided and must be completed and handed in no later than 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. Players must sign the waiver in order to be eligible for playoffs.

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY:

Any questions regarding rules, policies, or eligibility of players must be addressed before the start of the game. Any team that would like to challenge the eligibility of an opposing player must do so before the start of the game. Players who have been placed on the roster and signed the waiver are eligible for playoffs. A formal protest may be filed before a game if an opposing player's eligibility is in question. The player in question will be required to provide his player information (name, address, phone #, signature) in writing to a JS staff member prior to the start of the game. This qualifies as an official protest. Any protest made during a game or after a game will NOT be considered a formal protest. The game will then be played in its entirety as scheduled. Teams will be notified of all rulings on the identified eligibility discrepancy by the following business day - decisions will not be made on site. If the protest is proven to be legitimate, it will result in the forfeiture of the game in question. Games subsequent to the protested game may be rescheduled. The above procedure will also apply for any other "logged" protests. All rulings by JS staff are considered final.

SPORTSMANSHIP:

The idea of JS is to have fun. We hope that all participants keep that in mind when becoming involved. Although the games may become intense, you still can be competitive while maintaining good sportsmanship. With this said, any behavior deemed unacceptable by staff may result in suspension and/or ejection from a game or the league. Abuse of officials, referees, and other staff will not be tolerated. JS reserves the right to remove a player from a game or a league if they are considered to be bringing down the quality of the league. JS will not tolerate fighting! Fighting will be an automatic ejection from any game and in most cases ejection from the league for the remainder of the season.

STAFF:

To coordinate and run the league, our refs and/or staff will be available at all times to help the league run as smoothly as possible. If you have questions regarding schedules, policies, rule interpretations, directions to the bar, etc. please ask.

LEAGUE CANCELLATION/RAINOUT:

Leagues may be cancelled due to existing weather conditions, dangerous or unplayable field conditions, facility constraints, etc. JS staff makes every effort to play all scheduled games, thus we will not cancel games until absolutely necessary. Therefore, if you are calling concerning a decision on a cancellation, remember we will not have an answer until close to the start of the league.

If the league is cancelled, JS staff will change the voicemail immediately. JS will then call all of the captains to let them know. It is then the captain's responsibility to inform all teammates of the cancellation. If a league is cancelled on site, JS staff will attempt to contact those teams still scheduled to play the remainder of the league day/night. Depending on the time of cancellation, some teams will have to be notified on site. If we do cancel, follow next week's schedule unless otherwise notified, (i.e. If April 13 is cancelled teams should follow the April 20 schedule for their next game). The games that are cancelled will be made up towards the end of the season if time allows. In extreme circumstances, JS reserves the right to run a shortened season without a refund. JS also reserves the right to schedule games on days other than your regularly scheduled league day/night if necessary.

PRIZES/T-SHIRTS:

Each team will be given a t-shirt for each person signed on the waiver with a maximum of 12 t-shirts per team. The shirts will be handed out at the sponsor bar during the season. Please look for the Announcement at the league designating which nights the shirts will dispensed. Unfortunately, T-shirts cannot be brought out to the leagues. The JS cannot guarantee the availability of T-shirts after "T-shirt night" so please pick them up on "T-shirt night". The top teams in each division will receive a prize of great emotional, spiritual, and most importantly, social value.

These policies are designed to make the league run as smoothly and safely as possible, and provide continuity for its participants. Each player in the league is responsible for this information: please advise your team of these rules and thanks for playing.