Football Rules:

Please read through the rules for Coed 2 Hand Touch Football. I'm sure you will find something you didn't know

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Team Rules:

 

PLAYER PARTICIPATION:
Each OCSSC team participant must sign their team waiver/roster. Players may only play on the team for which they have signed and may not play/sign another team roster. Player(s) that break this rule will cause BOTH of their teams to forfeit all games in which they participated. (Forfeit fine will be assessed).

TEAM SIZE:
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. The 3rd woman may enter the game at any time if she is running late. If one team has only a team of 6 players, then the opposing team may chose to even up and play 6 on 6, or they may play with their full team of 8 against 6. If the defense is short a women, they may use a man to cover a woman on forced gender. (See G. Gender Related Play below)

ROSTER:
There are no maximum number of players allowed on your roster. Players will not be allowed to participate without signing the OCSSC waiver/roster. The only way to add a new player to your roster after the final tee shirt order date is by first dropping another player. Teams must DROP a player(s) before they add a player(s) up to the 3rd week of the season. The additional player must obtain the tee shirt from the dropped player in order to play. Rosters are frozen after last game of the 3rd week. Additional roster sheets will be available for adding players that were not at the first game.

PLAYER RESTRICTIONS:
All OCSSC participants must be at least 20 years old before the season starts. Players that have participated in Division 1 sports must be 4 years removed from Division 1 participation if they wish to play in a similar OCSSC sport. Teams will forfeit all games if either of these rules are broken.

SPORTSMANSHIP:
OSSSC is an organization that expects all participants to behave in a sportsmanlike manner. This means to act as, “One who shows that he or she has qualities of fairness, courtesy, and grace in winning and in losing.” While you are participating in any OCSSC sport or social event, sportsmanlike conduct is expected. Unsportsmanlike behavior may result in that player/team being suspended/removed from participating in all OCSSC sports.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE PENALTY:
OCSSC players who act in an unsportsmanlike manner that warrants ejection from the game will be listed in a OCSSC database for that season. TWO offenses recorded by a player will result in suspension from the league and removal from ALL OCSSC sports for one year. Teams that conduct themselves in this manner will cause the team captain and the OCSSC staff to have a meeting before their next scheduled game. They must agree that this unsportsmanlike conduct will not persist. If it does, the OCSSC has the right to remove them for the rest of the regular season and ban that team for one year.

GAME EQUIPMENT:
Every OCSSC football team must have their own footballs at each game. When the ball is placed on the line marker, the back judge will start the 20 second clock. Both teams’ sideline players will help retrieve errand footballs for each other. The OCSSC will provide all field equipment.

GAME UNIFORMS:
OCSSC tee shirts/shorts are your team’s uniforms. All players must wear their current OCSSC tee shirt to participate and any player not wearing his/her shirt will be sidelined for that game. If this sidelined players will cause the team to forfeit, he will be allowed to play in the game and must sign a roster sheet. If players are caught swapping shirts, both players will be sidelined that game. Missing or swapped shirt players' names will be taken and if they are not on your roster, a loss/forfeit fine will be assessed for that game.

UNIFORM ALTERATIONS:
OCSSC tee shirts/shorts must stay in the original color ordered. Illegal changes include: tie-dyeing, dying to make the shirts another color, bleaching, etc. No logo, patch, website address, company name, phone number, etc can be added to a OCSSC tee shirt. Additions that are allowed: American flag patch or print, player’s name/number must be minimal in size and may not be offensive in nature or cover the OCSSC or Sponsor logo. Teams that break this rule will be forced to purchase new OCSSC shirts @ $15 per shirt and teams will forfeit all games until the balance is paid on the purchase of new shirts.

FORFEITS:
Teams without the minimum number of players at the start of the game or after the completion of the first game 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 will be at the bar under the team name and we ask that teams tip the bartender from this tab. If a 24-hour forfeit notice is given to the OCSSC, your team will not be assessed a forfeit fine. Forfeiting teams (either 24 hour notice or game time forfeits) MUST still provide a referee for their scheduled game time.

FORFEIT FINES:
All fines must be paid before your next scheduled game by either cash or check. 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.

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY:
In case of inclement weather a flash banner on the home page, an email to sport participants, and a rain-out phone # 410-790-8288 will be made available. If a cancellation message is not made through one of these means, then all games are on. Notice will also be posted on the facebook event associated with the season.
The OCSSC will have the option of shortening the regular season and/or the play-off schedule (and the # of teams that make the play-offs) if inclement weather dictates such action. Make-up games may be scheduled on days other than the regularly scheduled days of the week.

 

Game Rules:

A. START OF GAME:
All game times will be FORFEIT time, no exceptions. The OCSSC will add 5 extra minutes to the start time if a planned or traffic event has occurred. The referee will have one of the two captains choose odd/even number of fingers behind their back. The winning captain will have the first choice of posession or direction in the first half. The winning captain cannot defer to the second half. Teams flip-flop directions and possession after half time. Ball starts on the first hash mark from the chosen end zone (1-point conversion line).

  1. Time:
    Play will be divided into two 20-minute halves, with a 5 minutes half-time. There will be a running clock maintained by the referee except for the last 2 minutes of the 2nd half UNLESS ONE TEAM IS AHEAD BY 18 PTS OR MORE, THEN TIME WILL CONTINUE TO RUN. Time will be stopped during the first 38 minutes for called time outs and serious injuries.
  2. Timeouts:
    Each team is allowed 2 (one-minute) & 2 (30 sec) time outs per game. If at the end of any period, time expires while the ball is in play, then time is not called until the down ends. If a touchdown has occurred after time 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 (enforcement as usual).
  3. Final 2 minutes of the 2nd half:
    The clock is stopped for an incomplete pass; if player goes out of bounds before being touched by an opposing player; 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; if a team calls time out.
  4. Ready for Play:
    After the immediate completion of a play, the ball will be spotted on the line marker. The offensive team has 20 seconds to put the ball in play after it is declared ready. No player shall put the ball in play until declared ready-for-play.
  5. Overtime (Play-Offs ONLY):
    Each team will then have four downs to score from the " 25 yard line" (aka 1/4 field). If a team scores, they will have the opportunity to go for one or two on the PAT. 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 begin at the 1-point conversion line using the same format. If a third round is needed, then the ball will be place on the goal line using the same format. No 1st downs will be awarded except in the case of a penalty.

B. SCRIMMAGE:
Ball starts on the first hash mark from the chosen end zone (1-point conversion line). Centers may adjust the ball, including picking it up to reposition it before each play so as long as he does not do it in a manner to intentionally draw defense off sides. Five offensive players must be within 15 yards of the ball when it is snapped. All offensive players (except motion player) must be set for one full second before ball is snapped and after referee puts ball in play. The man in motion may move initially towards the line of scrimmage, but 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.

C. DOWNS:
The field will be divided into 2 halves by cones at mid-field. The offensive team has a limit of 1 first down and four plays to cross midfield. An automatic first down is given once the ball crosses mid-field. Then the offense has a limit of one first down and four plays to score a touchdown. First downs are earned by completing 2 passes caught beyond the line of scrimmage. The offensive team may elect to punt on fourth down. First downs cannot be carried over from one half to the other.

D. 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. If the ball hits the ground or is muffed, it becomes a dead ball.

E. BLOCKING:
No "blocking" is allowed in OCSSC touch football. This includes downfield "blocking" and during a 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.

F. GENDER RELATED PLAY:

  1. Open/Gender Play:
    Teams must use a female as an operative player within 3 consecutive downs. An open play will be called by the referee if a gender play is not required on the current play. For open play, the ball may be thrown to either a male or female player. Ex. 2nd down / goal / open. If a female was not used within 3 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:
    When the offense has not used a female/operative player within the last 3 plays, the next play MUST be a gender play. [Please note that the offense may use a female during any down/play at anytime] The operative player here is a female who is seen as the intended receiver in the eyes of the official, or runs the ball as the primary runner, 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. 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 for 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 woman lines up as quarterback and 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 only to give it back to a male before crossing the line of scrimmage ...A pass is deflected by a male and caught by a female ...A male QB throws the ball into the ground at the feet of a woman.
  3. Defensive Coverage for a Forced Gender Play:
    The defensive team must play “man-to-man” and may not use a zone defense on a forced gender play. Defensive players can only leave their “man-to-man” assignment after the ball is in the air. Men may not cover women on a forced gender play but may guard women on open plays.
    a. If the offense plays more than 3 women on the field for a forced gender play, then a man may cover a woman, but must play man-to-woman. A man covering a female may shadow throughout the play but may not converge on a woman until the ball is caught. The remaining FEMALE defensive team may cover the women by either using a zone defense or man-to man defense.
    b. If a 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. The defensive team must rotate each of their defensive male players to cover the offense’s extra girl. Once the rotation is complete, then the male that began the rotation may cover her again. The defense may not double team using their 3rd woman, but that 3rd woman may play a zone on a forced gender play.
    4. c. Teams may bring in 1 additional female defender by subbing for a male player. This female may play as a ‘safety’ and must remain 10 yards away from any offensive female UNTIL AFTER the ball is CAUGHT.
  4. Penalty on Gender Play:
    If the foul is on the defensive team, the offense will have 2 options: 1) Take the penalty and repeat the gender play; 2) Decline the penalty and the next play will be open. If the foul is on the offensive player, the penalty will be assessed and the next play will be gender.

G. 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 becomes dead and 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 in the opposing team’s 1⁄2 of the field, then the QB cannot run for positive yards unless rushed after the 5 second count.
  3. Turnovers:
    A change of possession can only occur due to downs or an interception on a forward pass. A fumble is not a turnover(...the ball is dead at the spot of the fumble). A catch is an act of establishing player possession of a live ball in flight. A catch of an opponent's pass or fumble before it hits the ground is an interception.

H. STOPPAGE OF PLAY occurs when:

  1. Two–hand touch/tag of ball carrier occurs. Play stops once two hands belonging to the opponent touches the ball carrier simultaneously. The football is considered part of the carrier’s body if the ball is touched in a tag situation.
  2. Ball carrier leaves the field of play/scores.
  3. Receiver crosses the end zone to score a touchdown or extra point. The player that has ball control and is pushed out of the end zone/sideline will be considered inbounds/td/extra point.
  4. Ball touches the ground because of a fumble, punt or incomplete pass.
  5. Ball carrier slips or falls while any part of this body (except feet or hands) is touching the ground (the ball becomes dead).
  6. Timeout is called. Each team is allowed 2 (one-minute) time outs per game.
  7. Inadvertent whistle is blown.

I. SCORING:
Touchdowns are six points. Extra points are two points from the 10 yard line and one point from the 5 yard line. Catches made on the Sideline or End-line require CLEAR possession with 1 foot Contacting the ground inside the endzone with No body part contacting the ground outside the field. Scores on the Goal-line require that 2 feet contact the ground inside the endzone AND the ball fully crosses the Goal-line. Intercepted extra points are not returnable. Woman to woman touchdown pass is 7 points.

J. FIELD GOALS:

The offensive team must declare field goals. No fakes are allowed. All field goals must be kicked. The kicking team may have a holder on the line of scrimmage with the ball. 2 players from the defense will run to get & place the poles on the endline. Once the poles are in place the clock begins running unless time is called. All players other than the kicker, holder & polemen move to the bench side of the field. (there is NO blocking of a kick). Field goals may be kicked for the 1pt conversion.

K. BLITZING:

Each team is permitted 2 Blitzes per game. Blitzing is NOT Allowed on 'Forced Gender Plays', 'Extra Pt Plays', Punts, or Field Goals. The blitzer must wait until the ball is in clear possession of the QB, then put 1 hand in the air and yell "BLITZING" BEFORE crossing the line of scrimmage.

Football Penalties:

LOSS OF FIVE YARDS PENALTIES

  1. Defense
    1. Defensive off sides (from the line)-- when any part of his body is beyond his line of scrimmage before the snap of the ball or before the five second count is over.
    2. Defensive encroachment (from the line/dead ball)-- When any part of a player’s body contacts opposing player before the snap.
    3. Double-teaming a female on a forced gender play (from the line)-- The offense will have the option to reset gender count or have the next play gender.
    4. Not rotating a defensive male player on a forced gender play, when the defense is short a women (from the line) -- The offense will have the option to reset gender count or have the next play gender.
    5. Illegal Blitzing (from the line/auto first down/loss of blitz)-- blitzing more than 2 times, on forced gender, on extra pt, on punt, on field goal, crossing scrimmage before QB has possession, not raising hand & declaring blitz.
  2. Offense
    1. Delay of game (from the line/dead ball)--The offensive team must put the ball into play 20 seconds after referee has signaled "ready for play".
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. Offense not stationary for one full second (from the line/dead ball)
    6. Offensive player illegally in motion at snap (from the line/dead ball)
    7. Not using an operative player in a forced gender situation (from the line/loss of down)
    8. Illegal forward pass (from the spot of the pass/loss of down)
    9. Intentionally grounding the ball (from the line/loss of down)-- EXCEPTION: A passer is permitted to stop the clock legally
    10. Illegal Diving (spot of foul OR from the line)-- No player may leave his or her feet in order to gain positive yards. The penalty is assessed here (spot of foul). If the dive is an attempt to score a td/extra point conversion, the penalty will be assessed from the original line of scrimmage.
    11. Sleeper/sideline play (from the line)-- All players must be within 15 yards of the ball when it is declared ready-for-play. A substitution must report to the huddle or in “no huddle” situations must report to the ref.

LOSS OF TEN YARDS PENALTIES

  1. Any Player
    1. Stiff-arm, running into opponent (spot of foul)
    2. Reckless Play (from the line)-- Players must avoid contact at all cost. This would include leaping into a crowd to make a catch or running through a crowd to make a tag, etc. Players will sit for one series or if the ref feels the act was unsportsmanlike, that player will be ejected from the game.
    3. Blocking (from the line)-- No player may use his hands to block opponent, only using his body to shield another player by having arms by their side. Players may not run down field with the intention of becoming a “blocker”.
    4. Intentional foul/penalty (10 yds. from the line/ Player is ejected from game, gender will be reset.)-- If a player intentionally commits a penalty or foul of any kind in order to gain an advantage for his team will be ejected.
    5. Unsportsmanlike conduct (from the line/ If penalty is on the defense, automatic 1st down reset gender/ If penalty is on the offense, 15 yds. from the line/ If penalty is after a TD, 10yds added to extra point conversion)-- Illegal tag such as grabbing, excessive rough touch, tackling or pushing; Abusive/insulting language or gesture to another player or referee; spiking the ball; taunting opponents or similar theatrics before or after the touchdown; Any contact with the QB before or after they have released the ball...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 OCSSC sport for life. Disqualified players’ names must be given to the OCSSC staff referee. Any team/player(s) that does not shake the other team’s hand after the end of the game will be suspended for the next game. Teams will forfeit next week’s game and the forfeit fine will apply. Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated in the OCSSC! (SEE UNSPORTSMANLIKE PENALTY above in game rules)
  2. Defense
    1. Illegal contact/holding (from the line/first down. If the penalty was on a gender play, then the gender count is reset)-- Defender may not make original contact with a receiver, nor may he use his hands or arms to hang onto or encircle a receiver. The defender cannot extend his 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.
    2. Defensive face guarding- (from the line/ If the penalty was on a gender play, then the gender count is reset.)-- When a legal forward pass is in the air, the defender may not use his/her hands or arms to screen the offensive player from catching the ball while their back is to the ball. This includes waving hands in the face of the receiver who is attempting to receive the ball. The defender did not make a bona fide attempt to catch or bat the ball.
    3. Defensive pass interference (1st down at the spot of foul/ If in the end zone ball is spotted at the one yd. line/If the penalty was on a gender play, then the gender count is reset)-- It is pass interference by either team when any player movement beyond the offensive line significantly hinders the progress of an eligible player or such player's opportunity to catch the ball during a forward pass. When players are competing for position to make a play on the ball, any contact by hands, arms or body shall be considered incidental unless prohibited. 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.
    4. Illegal interception in a forced gender situation (from the line/ The offense will have the option to reset the gender count or have the next play gender.)
    5. Zone Defense/not playing man-to-man in a forced gender situation: (from the line/first down/The offense will have the option to reset gender count or have the next play gender)-- The penalty will result in the yardage marked off, automatic first down and then next play will be “open”.
  3. Offense
    1. 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. If a catch is made after a clear pick, it will be ruled no catch.
    2. Offensive pass interference (from the line)-- See Defensive pass interference for penalty explanation. Offended team's ball at spot of foul.