1.  Touch  Football, a modification of regular American Football, has developed by leaps and bounds in recent years. It is a game that has become exceedingly popular in intramurals and leagues across the country. NIRSA even has a National Touch Football championship each year.

It was developed to strengthen the physical, moral and competitive fiber of American men expanding opportunities for participation in leagues, so that all men might reap the benefits of physical fitness, wholesome recreation, brotherhood and leadership which the sport tends to foster and spread to other segments of society.

2.  The Game.  The game shall be played between two teams of nine players each on a rectangular field and with an official football.

3.  Competition.  Will be between companies in each battalion, involving 6 leagues. Women are allowed to play as there is no physical contact. Touch football will be during the winter set.

4.  Team.  Each team shall consist of  7 players and must have 7 players to start and finish the game.

5.  Squad. Each squad will consist of a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 15.  All squad members must be present at every Intramural contest that their company plays in or they will be considered UA from a military obligation, unless they are on an official chit or excusal. If they are on your roster, they are to be present. All members present must play at least one quarter.

6.  Mouth guards: are mandatory and referees will check for these at the beginning of each half.  No mouth guard and your company forfeits.

7.  Referees: The game shall be played under the supervision of three officials: a Referee, Umpire and Linesman.  Duties of each official will be explained at a later date in a one hour officials clinic before the season begins.  Officials are to wear the striped jersey and to have a whistle (midn supervisor will issue these each day at the field).   If none of the officials show up then the game is canceled and the officiating company will be penalize -15 points and the individuals will be considered UA by their company officers.    The game will try to then be rescheduled, but most likely will go in the book as a tie.  So, make sure your company knows when it officiates.

8.  Who is NOT Eligible to play? (This is protestable and will cause a forfeit if not followed)

A.  JV/Varsity/150 pound football players are not eligible to play touch football.

B.  Varsity and Club Sport athletes currently listed on their teams rosters are not eligible to play, regardless of whether they are in-season or out of season.

C.  For a Football player to gain eligibility, he must have sat out of his varsity/JV/150 for one whole year, before he can play.

9.  Goal lines.  Goal lines for each team shall be established at opposite ends of the field, and each team shall be allowed opportunities to advance the ball across their opponent’s goal line by running, passing or kicking it.

10.  Team Coaches.  Each team shall designate to the referee the field coach and field captain.  Only those people may talk to the referees.  The field coach is a non playing person. The field coach is responsible for his teams actions and discipline while on the field. 

11.  Inbounds-Out of bounds.  The lines bounding the sidelines and the end zones are out of bounds in their entirety, and the inbounds area is bound by those lines.  The entire width of each goal shall be a part of the end zone.

12.  The Ball.  The official ball shall be leather and shall meet the recommendations for size and shape for regulation football and is issued from the USNA intramural gear issue.

13.  Contrasting Colors.  Players of opposing teams must wear contrasting colors or distinguish themselves accordingly. Blue/gold mesh reversible issue or blue rim issue t-shirts.

14.  Equipment.  Shoes must be worn, and or a material which cover the foot with a sole of leather, rubber or composition with or without rubber cleats.  Shoes with removable cleats or metal cleats are prohibited.  Stocking caps, ski caps, watch caps (soft) are permitted.  (Exception; kickers may kick barefooted)

15.  Players and Substitutions.  A  team shall consist of 7 players, one of whom shall be captain.  At leaset 3 players must be on the line of scrimmage when the ball is put into play.  In no case shall a team be permitted to compete with less than 7 players.  A player may enter the game after being recognized by the officials. 

16. Blocking.  Blocking is legally obstructing an opponent by contacting the opponent with any part of the blocker’s body.  Blockers must be on their feet before, during, and after contact is made with an opponent.  Two on one blocking shall be limited to the area on and behind the neutral zone.  Under no condition shall a high low or rolling block be permitted.  Blocker is allowed to contact only that portion of the opponent’s body between the waist and shoulders.  Exception: a blocker who loses personal body control due to an opponent’s aggressiveness after contact shall not be penalized.  Contact with an opponent may occur only between the opponent’s waist and neck.  There shall be no cross body blocking.  Any player who strikes an opponent above the shoulders in a flagrant manner will be ejected and disqualified from the game. 

17.  Clipping.  Clipping is running or diving into the back, or throwing or dropping the body across the back of the leg or legs of an opponent or pushing an opponent in the back other then the runner.  This is illegal in flag football and automatic disqualification from the game.

18.  Legal and Illegal Kicks.  A legal kick is a punt, drop kick or place kick by a player of the team in possession when such kick is permitted by the rule.  Deliberately kicking the ball in any other manner is illegal.

19.  The Neutral Zone.  The neutral zone is the space between the two free kick lines during a free kick and between the two lines of scrimmage during a scrimmage down and is established when the ball is ready to play.

20.  Encroachment.  Denotes the position of a player, except the Snapper or the Kicker and holder of a place kick for a free kick, any part of whose person is beyond their scrimmage line or their restraining line anytime after the ready for play signal and before the ball is put in play.

21.  Touching the Ball Carrier.  When the  ball carrier is clearly touched, the down shall end and the ball is declared dead. A Player who touched   the ball carrier should immediately hold his hand above his head to assist the official in locating the spot where the capture occurred.  Touching is th eplacing of both hands anywhere between the shoulders and knees of an opponent with the ball.  The feet of the toucher must be in contact with the ground throughout the touch; and no part of the toucher’s body except his feet shall be in contact with the ground during the touch.  Pushing or striking or slapping the ball carrier will be penalized as unnecessary roughness. If an official should be unable to see whether or not a runner has been tagged, the word of the tagger must be taken as to whether or not a touch occurred when asked by the official.

22.  Scrimmage Line.  Is the yard-line and its vertical plane which passes through the point of the ball nearest its own goal line.  An offensive player is on the line of scrimmage when facing the opponent’s goal with the line of the shoulders approximately parallel to the scrimmage line and with the head breaking the plane of an imaginary line drawn through the waistline of the snapper and parallel to the line of scrimmage.

23.  Stance.  All players of both the offense and defense may take any stance.  Player’s hands on their knees is permissible.

24.  Backfield Line.  The backfield line is a vertical plane one yard behind and parallel to the scrimmage line of the offensive team.

25.  Snapping the Ball. The ball may not be raised to more than a 45 degree angle at the snap and the long axis of the ball must be at right angles to the scrimmage line.  Must pass through snappers legs, snapper facing down field

24. Lineman and Backfieldman.  A lineman is any player on his scrimmage line when the ball is snapped; a back is any player who is at least one yard behind that line when the ball is snapped.

25. Game Time.  Seven  man playing time shall be of 40 minutes duration, running time, divided into four quarters of 10 minutes(USNA Rule). One minute between quarters and 5 minutes at halftime for rest. In case of a tie, there shall be a one minute intermission before the start of each overtime.  No period shall end until the ball is dead. The clock will not stop except for: time outs and PAT(Point After) attempt during game. 

26. Tie Game.  We will use the Kansas Tie Breaker.  Each team gets four tries from the ten yard line, if one team scores, then the other team gets four tries to score.  If neither team scores, it will remain a tie.

27.  Time outs.  Each team is allowed two time outs.  One each half. The time outs are 1 minute in duration.  Referees may call an injury timeout if a player is injured or bleeding on the field. If a bleeding player, that player must be removed and not return until the bleeding is under control.

28.  Time to put ball in play.  25 seconds.

29.  This game is now played, like regular football with 4 downs each possession.

PENALTIES

1.  No player shall put the ball in play until it is declared ready for play by the referee.  (5 yard penalty.)

2.  The ball shall be put in play within 25 seconds after it is declared ready for play, unless, during that interval, play is suspended by the referee. (5 yard penalty)

3.  Suspension from the game: Using fists, kicking, kneeing, locked hands, elbows or any part of the forearm or hand, except according to rule.  Tackling the ball carrier.  Roughing the kicker or holder of a kick.  Striking opponent above the shoulders or any other flagrant act.

4.  15 Yard Penalties: Abusive or insulting language,act of unfair play, interference by non

players, using the hide out play, by placing a player or players near the sideline who were not within 15 yards of the ball at the ready for play signal, the punter delaying to kick, attempting to substitute a suspended player, pulling or removing a flag from a player without the ball, spiking the ball, taunting opponent or other similar theatrics before or after a touchdown and knocking a player out of bound intentionally.  No Interlocking interference in blocking. No Player is allowed to leave both feet in an attempt to gain possession of a ball which is rolling on the ground. The defensive player shall not hold, grasp or obstruct forward progress of a ball carrier when in the act of removing a flag. Elbow can not extend entirely outside the shoulder for blocking.  Blocking below the waist is illegal. (No cross body blocking)

5.  Player Restrictions:(Personal Fouls)

A.  NO player shall block in a manner that would cause his feet, knees or legs to strike an opponent.  All blocking shall be done with the feet in contact with the ground.

B.  NO high low blocking.  No two on one blocking.  No contact with an opponent who is on the ground.

6.  Players may use their hands to grasp, push or pull an opponent in an attempt to get at the ball carrier, and may also use their hands for protection in warding off an opponent.

7.  Defensive holding shall be a 5 yard penalty and a first down, (Except on the ball carrier)

     A.  A runner shall not be thrown to the ground.

     B.  There shall be no hurdling any players.

     C.   No player will contact an opponent out of the play either before of after the ball is declared dead. 

6.  Use of hand and Arms When Ball is in Possession:

     A.  The ball carrier shall not grasp a teammate or be grasped, pulled or pushed by a teammate. (Penalty is 5 Yards)

     B.   The offensive team shall not be prohibited from obstructing an opponent with extended hand or arm.  May not use a Stiff arm and may not charge into defensive player.  (5 yard penalty)

SCORING

1.  Touchdown is 6 Points

2.  Safety is 2 Points

3.  Successful try for point:

     A.  By running or passing is 2 points

4.  Forfeited Game is 1-0

Play after a Safety is scored shall belong to the defending team at its own 20 yard line and that team shall put the ball in play by a free kick which may be a punt, drop kick or place kick.

Play after a touchback is declared, the ball shall belong to the defending team at its own 20 yard line and that team shall put the ball in play by a snap.