• Remember, this is a social league. Chill attitudes are always welcomed. So, meet some new people, and have a good time.

• There should be equal playing time for all players, regardless of gender.

• You always need your team T-Shirts. They are our only way of identifying you and not having them hurts your team’s ranking!

• Please treat our referees with respect.

• Any aggressive behavior will not be tolerated and may result in suspension or expulsion from our leagues; let’s avoid that.

• Please be on time. We recommend showing up at least 10 minutes early to avoid any confusion and the chance of Forfeiting.

 

Overly Competitive Players

All Texas Sports & Social Club leagues are intended to be recreational. Any player deemed to be excessively competitive and/or overly aggressive may be removed from competition at the discretion of Texas Sports official or game day coordinator.

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Sportsmanship Rating:

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Teams will be awarded a sportsmanship grade based on their conduct:

 

• A (4.0) - Above and Beyond Conduct and Sportsmanship

• B (3.0) - Good Conduct and Sportsmanship

• C (2.0) - Average Conduct and Sportsmanship

• D (1.0) - Below Average Conduct and Sportsmanship

• F (0.0) - Poor Conduct and Sportsmanship

 

Teams must maintain a 2.5 AVERAGE in order to be ELIGIBLE for the playoffs

Once in playoffs, the team must maintain a 2.5 average in order to remain in playoffs 

Number of Players

 

5v5

A team must have a minimum of 3 players to start. A maximum of 5 players may be on the field at any given time, 1 of whom must a woman. 

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7v7

If a team is short of the required number of players in a specific gender, they may play down.

A team must have a minimum of 5 players to start. 

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Any team with only 1 player from a gender participating must play down with a maximum of player at 5 from the other gender. Teams may not play with 0 (zero) players from a specific gender. The opposing team will play with up to maximum amount of players allowed on the field.

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8v8

If a team is short of the required number of players in a specific gender, they may play down.

A team must have a minimum of 5 players to start.  

 

Any team with only 1 player from a gender participating must play down with a maximum of player at 5 from the other gender. Teams may not play with 0 (zero) players from a specific gender. The opposing team will play with up to maximum amount of players allowed on the field.

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Substitutions

Life Happens! We understand that, despite your best efforts, registered members may not be able to attend every game.  To promote the social spirit of our league, we will allow teams to use Substitute players. Substitutions during the playoffs/championships are not permitted.

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• If a team is short the required number of players in a regular season game, they may invite players from other teams within the division. Subs from within the division are subject to the Referee’s discretion. Teams can only invite enough Subs from within the division to meet the maximum number of players allowed on field plus one additional player to rotate in.

• Substitute players from within the division should be the last one to cycle into the game (barring gender requirements). If players from a team’s roster arrive late, the Subs from within the division must rotate out.

• Substitutions from outside the division are allowed. Substitutions during the Playoffs are not permitted. Teams using pre-registered substitutes may not exceed the headcount of their original roster, and individuals may not serve as a pre-registered substitute player more than 2 times during a Season.

• Substitute players must check in with the Host onsite to receive a league issued pinnie to wear in the Game. Substitute players must leave a form of identification with the Host in exchange for the participation pinnie. The ID will be returned to the player when the pinnie is turned in after the Game.

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Non-Contact

• This is a non-contact league. All players must try to avoid contact at all times. However, we understand that there will be incidental contact. Just because contact occurred, doesn’t always mandate a penalty.

• Tackling, blocking, picking, intentional or unintentional contact of any kind can result in a penalty and or an immediate ejection from the game without warning.

• Defensive players attempting to grab a flag, covering receivers down-field, etc. must give offensive players the right-of-way.

• Offensive players must avoid contact with defensive players.

• The lowering of the shoulder or initiating contact for the purpose of gaining yardage or position is not permitted. This is treated as an offensive flag guard. (See offensive penalties for details)

 

 

Game Length and Structure

Games consist of (2) 16-minute halves (with a brief halftime, if time permits) with a continuous running game clock. Teams are permitted one timeout per half. Playoff/Championship games consist of (2) 18-minute halves (with a brief halftime, if times permits)

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If the score is within 8 points or less in the last 2 minutes of the game, the clock will stop for the following reasons:

• Two-Minute Warning

  • The two minute warning just resets the play clock and is not a free timeout for both teams.

  • Ball carrier runs out of bounds

  • Incomplete passes

  • Touchdown (the clock remains stopped for extra points)

  • The End of a Kickoff

  • Turnover on Downs or Change of Possession

  • QB Spike

    • A spike is when the quarterback throws the ball directly into the ground immediately after taking the snap.  This action must immediately follow the snap and doesn’t count as a female play (Even if the quarterback spiking it is female)

  • Official Timeout

    • Team Timeout- Each team is permitted one timeout per half.  Timeouts can’t be carried over from the 1st to the 2nd half.

  • Penalties

    • Offensive penalties in the last two minutes – clock starts once the penalty is walked off and the ball is deemed “ready for play” by the referee signaled with their whistle

    • Defensive penalties in the last two minutes – the clock starts on the following snap
       

The time remaining on the clock will be announced after every play inside the final two minutes of the contest.

 

The Field

Standard dimensions of the field are 50 yards long by 30 yards wide with 5 yard endzones.

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The offensive team takes possession of the ball at their 5-yard line and has three plays to cross mid-field. Once a team crosses mid-field they have three plays to score. If the offensive team fails to cross mid-field, the ball changes possession. If the offense does not score, the ball changes possession. All drives start from the 5-yard line with the exception of an interception.

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Coin Toss and Captains’ Meeting

Before the game, a best 2 out of 3 game of Rock, Paper, Scissor, with the two team captains determines which has 1st possession, or direction of goal.

 

The winner of RPS chooses one of the following:

• Take possession of the ball first, in the first half

• Take possession of the ball first, in the second half

• Direction or Side in the First Half

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After a selection has been made and the ref or game coordinator has confirmed it, the selection may not be changed for any reason.

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Initiating a Play and Required Procedure

• After the conclusion of a play the referee sets the ball and establishes the line of scrimmage. Once the ball is set and deemed “ready for play” by the referee, the play clock is started.

• Offense must have a center (who must be directly in front of the QB) and a QB at the start of each play.

• Center must snap the ball from the ground.

• No direct snaps

• All offensive players are eligible receivers.

• All players must line on or behind the line of scrimmage.

• 1 player may be in motion parallel to the line of scrimmage (but may not be moving forward); all others cannot move.

 

When the offense is ready, the center snaps the ball directly to the quarterback to start the play.

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The “Quarterback” is defined as the “player directly behind the center (either under center or in shotgun) and initiates the beginning of the play”.

If it is unclear to the referee who the quarterback is, the referee will stop the play after the snap in question and enforce a penalty for illegal procedure on the offense.  All players on the field should have no doubt by the team’s formation that the quarterback is on a given play.

 

Offense

 

We encourage you to pass, run, lateral, and reverse. The more creative the plays the better! But there are a couple things to keep in mind.

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Article 1. The quarterback may not run unless he is rushed, the ball has been thrown back, handed or pitched to them in the backfield.

 

Note: The “Quarterback” is defined as the “player directly behind the center (either under center or in shotgun) and initiates the beginning of the play”.

If it is unclear to the referee who the quarterback is, the referee will stop the play after the snap in question and enforce a penalty for illegal procedure on the offense.  All players on the field should have no doubt by the team’s formation that the quarterback is on a given play

 

Article 2. Teams may handoff (unlimited), pitch, or throw back in the backfield. UNLIMITED laterals or throwbacks behind the LOS are allowed for the player to remain eligible to pass. 

 

Article 3. Pitching (backwards/laterally) is allowed downfield (unlimited). Handoffs are allowed in front or behind. A handoff DOES NOT count as a lateral/throwback.

 

Article 4. A forward pass DOES NOT have to cross the LOS to be a legal play.

 

Article 5. No run plays are allowed within 10 yards of the goal line. This includes QB runs when rushed--they are not allowed within 10 yards of the goal line. The only exception is PATs

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SECTION 2. PASSING

Article 1. The quarterback has 5 seconds to pass the ball if there is no rush. If the ball is not thrown, then the play is dead. After the ball is ruled dead it is returned to the line of scrimmage.

 

Article 2. Once the ball is handed off or pitched backwards the 5 second count stops. If the defensive team rushes, then there is no 5 second count.

 

Article 3. There is no arm in motion, if the ball is in hand when the quarterback’s flag is pulled then it will be ruled a sack.

 

Article 4. Interceptions may be returned.

 

Article 5. The rusher may not have any contact with the QB (no hitting the QB arm or knocking the ball out of the QB hand).

 

Article 6. If ANY part of the players body is behind the LOS it is a legal pass

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• A legal catch is a ball thrown from behind the line of scrimmage to a player who establishes control of the ball while at least one foot in bounds.

• All players are eligible receivers.

  • Players that step out of bounds and then re-enter the field can’t be the first person to touch the ball.  If this happens the play is ruled incomplete and a non-catch.

    • Ex: Receiver is running route in the end zone and steps out of bounds and continues route.  Receiver then catches a pass (while in bounds) for a touchdown. The play is ruled incomplete because the receiver was out of bounds prior to catching the ball and not eligible.  The receiver can be re-established as eligible on that play if another play or defender touches the ball prior to the receiver in question.

    • On offense, there is no minimum or maximum number of players required on the line of scrimmage.  The only player that must be on the line of scrimmage is the center.

 

Defense

 

Doing its best to avoid contact, the defense can cover the offensive team as it sees fit, however, no defensive player may cross the line of scrimmage until 1 of 2 things happens:

• Completion of the referee’s 2-second count (see below)

• A hand-off or lateral/toss in the backfield

 

The Referee Count

 

After the snap, the referee will begin the count using a 5-second “Mississippi” cadence at normal speed.  The count is deemed completed at the point where the referee finishes the “final syllable of the Mississippi” and not before.  The defense can’t cross the line before count has gone for 2-seconds even if trying to cover a receiver in the backfield.  When the 2-seconds have been counted any and all players can rush. If the defense rushes, the referree will stop his count when any defender crosses the line of scrimmage. 

If no defender crosses the line of scrimmage, the quarterback must throw the ball prior to the completion of the final syllable on the 5th "Mississippi"

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Conclusion of a Play

 

A play ends when 1 of 7 things happens:

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• A ball carrier is “tackled”, meaning (a) he/she’s flag is pulled, (b) any part of his/her body touches the ground (besides his/her feet), (c) he/she runs out of bounds, (d) or he/she, after losing a flag for reasons other than an action by the defense, is touched with one hand by a defender

• A team scores

• Incomplete Pass

• Fumbled football becomes a deadball.

 

NOTE: If a team purposely fumbles a ball out of bounds (subject to referees discretion), the team will be assessed a delay-of-game penalty and/or lose possession depending on the current down.

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• Penalties or Violations that by force play to stop

• Someone is in danger/severely injured

• Official Time Out, Team Timeout or Weather Stoppage

 

Spotting the Ball

 

After a player has been “tackled”, the ref spots the ball based on the ball carrier’s hips. For example, when a ball carrier’s flag is pulled or when he/she attempts to score, the referee will look to see where the ball carrier’s hips are at that moment.  Also, on scoring plays into the endzone, both the hips and the ball must have crossed the plane of the goal line in order to award the touchdown.

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Female Plays

 

At least every 3rd play must be a “female play” (aka “closed” play). To be a female play, 1 of 3 things needs to happen:

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• A woman serves as the QB for a downfield pass (Handoffs or passes behind the line of scrimmage to males don’t count).

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• A woman is the intended receiver for a downfield pass (over the line of scrimmage).  Passes behind the line of scrimmage do not count.  This doesn’t have to be a completed pass, but she must be viewed as the intended receiver.

  • In the referee’s judgment, the quarterback throws to an intended female target and male team members steps in front of his own teammate to attempt to catch or catches the ball, the female play is now nullified and the play counts as male.

  • If there is question on the intended receiver of a pass, the ruling relies solely on the referees’ judgment and can’t be influenced by a player trying to explain his intention.  If the intended receiver of a legal forward pass is not clear, that is the fault of the player and the referee will use their discretion to determine how the play is ruled.

  • The above provisions can be enforced only upon referee’s judgment and can’t be argued.  Any arguments over a judgment call on male / female play and “intended receiver” will be viewed as verbal harassment of the particular official and penalized accordingly.

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• If a legal forward pass is thrown (over the line of scrimmage) with the intended receiver as a female and the ball deflects off the female and then is caught by a male, the play counts as female.

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• A woman is the primary rusher (as QB or running back).  This means she tries to achieve positive yardage downfield (This does not mean she receives the ball & hands it back off to a guy).

 

• If in referee’s judgment, the offense is “hitting” female receivers with ball with the only intention to hit them and not for them to catch the ball; they will be warned and docked 0.5 on sportsmanship.  (i.e. hitting the receiver in the ankle or legs to have the next play be an “open play”)  If the action continues, the team will be docked 0.5 points, penalized 15 yards for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty with a loss of down and the female play will not count.  This must be clearly in poor sportsmanship and not an attempt to avoid a rush and “throwing it away”.  The referee has sole discretion to enforce this clause.

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How official closed plays work:

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DEFENSE DURING GENDER PLAY:

 

If a male is in position to receive the snap on a gender play:

• The defense must declare only one player to guard the quarterback. This player may move laterally across the line of scrimmage with the quarterback until the 2-second count has elapsed, after which the player may cross the line of scrimmage only in an attempt to deflag the quarterback.

• All other male defensive players must individually line up against male offensive players and remain stationary with their arms down until the ball has been legally touched beyond the line of scrimmage.

• Except where allowed by rule, male defensive players may not touch a forward pass until it is first touched by a female offensive player.

• An interception by a male player is only possible if a forward pass is first contacted by a female offensive player and caught by a male defensive player who was originally restricted to the line of scrimmage during the play.

 

If a female is in position to receive the snap on a gender play:

• All defensive players are permitted to participate as if the status of the play was open.

 

The following shall be considered Illegal Gender Defense:

• A male defensive player makes contact with a legal forward pass unless first deflected by a female offensive player, except where allowed by rule.

• Any male defensive player leaves the line of scrimmage prior to a legal forward pass being touched beyond the line of scrimmage.

• A male defensive player does not allow a female offensive player reasonable opportunity to catch a forward pass except where allowed by rule.

 

UNEVEN RATIOS ON GENDER PLAYS:

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The following situations assume a male quarterback during a gender play.

 

One female offensive players; two female defensive players:

• The defense may use all female players to guard the female offensive player.

 

Two offensive female players; one defensive female players:

• A male defensive player may cover a female offensive player one-on-one with a three yard cushion and must allow a reasonable opportunity to catch a pass.

• If a female offensive player first contacts the ball and it is subsequently recovered by a defensive male in coverage, the result will be an incomplete pass.

 

Two offensive female players; three or more defensive female players:

• The additional female defensive players must individually line up against a male offensive player and remain stationary with her arms down until the ball has crossed the line of scrimmage.

 

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Once a team runs a female play (as defined above), the “closed play count” resets and the team may choose to run two consecutive male-only plays before it must run a female play again.

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Prior to each play, Refs tell the teams if the play is “open” or “closed” after stating the down (For example, the ref will say “It’s 2nd and open,” or “It’s 3rd and female…”)

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Teams that fail to run a female-play will be penalized with a loss of down and must run a closed play next play.  The ball will remain at the previous spot as no yardage will be penalized on top of the loss of down.

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First Downs

 

First downs are earned based on distance and are not mobile markers but instead fixed positions on the field.  After the ball is spotted, any part of the players hips (ball carrier) must be touching the “invisible plane” that is the first down line (similar to the endzone) to be awarded the first down.  When a team passes a first down marker, they receive a new set of downs.  If a team passes a first down marker and then loses yardage on a following play, it does not get another first down if it crosses a marker it has already passed.

 

Change of Possession

 

The ball is turned over to the other team when any of the below things happen:

• A play that results in a score

• A team fails to convert a fourth down into a first down by gaining the required yardage (turnover on downs)

• A team intercepts the ball

• A loss of down penalty committed on fourth down

 

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Scoring

 

A touchdown is scored when a ball carrier’s hips break the plane of the goal line, or a receiver catches a ball (with one foot in bounds) in the endzone. Touchdowns are worth 6 points.

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IMPORTANT NOTE: A touchdown is ruled based upon the position of the ball carrier’s hips and not the position of the ball or the ball breaking the “plane of the goal line”. Both the hips AND the ball must cross the plane.

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Extra Points

 

Teams may go for 1, 2, or 3 points after achieving a touchdown. No extra point attempts may be returned by the other team for points. Conversions are always ruled an “open play” and may not be mandated as a “female play”.

 

1-Point Conversion: A pass play that crosses the goal line from the 5 yard line.

 

2-Point Conversion: A run or pass play that crosses the goal line from the 10 yard line.

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3-Point Conversion: A run or pass play that crosses the goal line from the 20 yard line.

 

After the touchdown and the ball is returned to the referee and the referee will ask the captain of the scoring team their decision on whether to go for a 1, 2, or 3 point conversion. At this moment, the 25 second play clock starts.

 

Teams cannot change their decision to go for 1 or 2 point conversions after being called for a penalty.

 

If a team lines up and then changes their mind, the play clock will continue to run during the resetting of the ball by the referee. If in the process of resetting the ball for play, the clock expires, a delay of game penalty will be enforced.  The team will now be forced to go with their original decision with the additional penalty yards.

 

Restarting After A Conversion

 

Upon completion of a conversion, the scoring team becomes defense and the defensive team takes the ball from the first line to gain marker.

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So after a non-score a team has a total of 30 seconds to run a play. (5 seconds + 25 Second Play Clock)

 

Safety

A safety occurs when 1 of 2 things happens:

• A player is “tackled” in his/her own endzone.

• The team in possession of the ball commits a penalty inside its own endzone.

  • For example, flag guard or illegal contact in your own endzone while on offense would be a safety.

 

The defensive team is awarded 2 points and possession of the ball at the first line to gain marker. There is no free kick to restart play.

 

Note: If a player receives a punt or intercepts a pass and the momentum of the of the play carries them into the endzone, it is not a safety. Unless the player leaves the endzone under his/her own and then returns into the endzone, then it would be ruled a safety.

 

Conclusion of A Game

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After the completion of a game, the referee will call the captains from both teams together.  At this time the following will be completed:

• Confirming the Final Score of the Game

 

Penalties

• Unsportsmanlike Conduct – Any intentional act with the ability to injure, arguing, taunting, harassing or anything considered an act of aggression towards another person, referee or any other member of Texas Sport & Social Club Gamestaff.

 

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PENALTY: 15 yards from previous spot and automatic first down if penalty is on the defense.

 

• Any team receiving 2 unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in one game forfeits that game automatically no matter what the score and receive a forfeit loss in the official scoring.

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• Delay of game – Any attempt by a player to prevent play, including but not limited to, failure to snap the ball before the 25 second play-clock expires, moving a ball out of bounds, preventing the ref from setting the ball.

  • PENALTY: 5-yard penalty and replay current down.

  • Penalty Enforcement on Plays that Involve Change of Possession (punt or interception vs. other plays from line of scrimmage)

    • If there is a penalty after change of possession occurs that is a spot foul (i.e. flag guarding), the penalty will be enforced and the next closest cone after the enforcement will be the first down to gain.  Any positive yardage after the spot foul will be nullified and the referee will notify the team of the first down to achieve at the conclusion of the enforcement.

    • However, if a team has possession of the ball currently and has an established line of scrimmage the rules will be enforced as follows.  If a player gains a first down and then commits a penalty that results in a loss of yardage from the spot of the foul, the first down will be credited and the penalty will be enforced from the spot as per the violation and the written rule.

 

Offensive Penalties

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• Illegal Contact – Contact by an offensive player with a defender, prior to the ball being thrown, that prevents the defender from covering the receiver.

  • PENALTY: 10 Yard Penalty from Line of Scrimmage and replay down.

  • A “pick” is illegal contact and any catch resulting from a play will NOT COUNT.

    • Pick  plays are often a very “gray area” and with multiple players in a small area contact is bound to happen.  In the ref’s sole discretion that the offense gained an advantage though the use of an intentional pick play.  Referees will do their best to be on alert for teams using this very dangerous play to gain an advantage.  NOT all contact may be a pick or even a penalty, players complaining to the refs about this will not be tolerated.

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• Offensive Pass Interference – Contact by an offensive player while the ball is in the air that prevents a defensive player from possibly catching the pass and or maintaining their current position.

  • PENALTY: 10 Yard penalty from the line of scrimmage and replay of down.

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• Flag Guarding– A ball carrier’s hands or arms prevents a defensive player from grabbing his/her flag:

  • PENALTY: With contact, 10-yard penalty from the spot of the infraction.

  • PENALTY: Without contact, 5-yard penalty from the spot of the infraction.

  • The penalty will be assessed from the spot of the foul but no replay down will be awarded.

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• Blocking – Intentional or unintentional interference by an offensive player to prevent a defensive player from perusing or tackling a ball carrier.  A block on a defensive player pursuing the intended receiver while the ball is in the air or before the ball is thrown will be ruled a “pick”.  (See above)

  • PENALTY: With contact, 10-yard penalty, loss of down.

  • PENALTY: Without contact, 5-yard penalty, loss of down.

  • If the block occurs behind the line of scrimmage, the penalty is enforced from the previous spot.  If the contact occurs past the line of scrimmage it is marked from spot of the foul.  In both scenarios, it is a loss of down penalty.

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• Failure to Utilize a Mandatory Female-Play

  • PENALTY: The result of the play will not count.  The ball is returned to the previous spot and there is a loss of down penalty. The following play will be female.  The play is allowed to finish to conclusion before penalty is enforced. The defense may decline this penalty if there is a turnover that results on this play.

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• Illegal Forward Pass – Quarterback’s entire body crosses the line of scrimmage before releasing a forward pass.

  • PENALTY: 5 yards from the previous line of scrimmage and loss of down. Penalty is a “live ball foul” enforced at the conclusion of the play and may be declined by the defense.

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• Illegal Forward Handoff- the quarterback can not hand the ball forward to a player who is over the line of scrimmage.  A player may handoff to another player who is also behind the line of scrimmage.

  • PENALTY: 5 yards from the previous line of scrimmage and loss of down. Penalty is a “live ball foul” enforced at the conclusion of the play and may be declined by the defense.

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• Offside – Offensive player lined up across the line of scrimmage prior to the snap.

  • PENALTY: 5 yards from line of scrimmage and replay down. The play is blown dead at time of the snap.

    • NOTE: It is common for refs to issue “warnings” for players that are clearly lined up offside prior to the snap and this is consistent with the spirit of the league.  However, this is not mandatory to give warnings and all players are responsible for their position in relation to the line of scrimmage prior to the snap.

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• False Start – All players that are not the one permitted legal receiver in motion must be stationary prior to the snap of the ball for at least one second.  Any “quick or jerky” movement (as defined by NCAA and enforced by referee judgment) that simulates the start of the play is considered a false start.

  • PENALTY: Play is blown dead at time of infraction and results in 5 yard penalty from line of scrimmage and a replay of the down.

  • A center that snaps the ball and then stops or the offense doesn’t execute the play will be considered an act of “simulating the start of a play”.

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• Diving – A player dives while attempting to advance the ball: 5-yard penalty assessed at the spot of the dive, loss of down.

  • PENALTY: lose of possession, 5-yard penalty assessed at the end of the play.

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• Jumping / Hurdling – A player leaving his or her feet in an effort to jump or hurdle a defender is a dangerous play and is not legal.  Jumping to avoid a flag pull is also not legal.  Both of these actions give the runner an advantage and put the defender at a disadvantage similar to guarding your flag as an offensive player.

  • Jumping to avoid a flag pull – PENALTY: 5 Yard Non-Contact Flag Guard

  • Jumping or Hurdling that results in contact with the defender – PENALTY: 10 Yard Contact Flag Guard

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• Illegal QB Rush – Occurs when the quarterback crosses the line of scrimmage prior to the completion of the 2 second Mississippi count, in an effort to advance the ball for positive yardage.

  • PENALTY: 5 Yards and Replay Down (Can be accepted or declined by defense)

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• Excessive Celebration –Any action, after the conclusion of the play, that is not in keeping with the spirit of league and the code of conduct (i.e. Sportsmanship)

  • PENALTY: This is Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty. If it occurs after a scoring play, the defense then has the option to have the penalty assessed on either the upcoming conversion or the ensuing kickoff.

    • If the penalty is assessed on the kickoff, it is 15 yards from the end of the kickoff run. Texas Sports & Social assesses all yardage penalties from the end of the kickoff run.

 

Defensive Penalties

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• Illegal Contact – Contact by a defensive player against an offensive player:

  • PENALTY: 10-yard penalty and automatic first down -can be declined by the offense.

    • The contact is assessed as stated above whether it was “intentional or not”.  The referee doesn’t have to infer the motive of the player and above the mentioned contact will be enforced either way.  The defensive player must be able to control his or her movements as any unnecessary or excessive contact in the attempt to pull a flag, will be called and enforced as stated above.

  • Some Common Forms of Illegal Contact:

    • Pushing a player out of bounds instead of pulling flag

    • Making contact with a receiver either at the line of scrimmage, downfield or after the ball has passed them.  It will be called for contact on pass that was ruled “uncatchable” where pass interference would normally be called.

    • Stripping or attempting to strip the ball

  • Defensive Pass Interference – Contact by a defensive player while the ball is in the air that prevents an offensive player from possibly catching a pass.

    • PENALTY – 15 Yards from the Previous Line of Scrimmage and Automatic First Down

    • It is no longer a spot foul.

    • If the previous spot is inside 15 yards, the resulting enforcement spot will be half the distance to the goal.

 

Defensive Pass Interference vs. Defensive Illegal Contact in Relation to Male/Female Count

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• If an illegal contact penalty is called against the defense, the play remains either “open” (male of female) or “closed” (female). The penalty will be assessed from the line of scrimmage and a first down will be awarded.

• For example, it is second down and “open” and after the ball is snapped a defensive player bumps a receiver in order to slow his or her downfield progress. Play continues and the result of the play is a short gain by a female player. The Referee will call illegal contact on the defense thus presenting the offensive team with two options. The team can accept the illegal contact penalty, receive 10 yards from the line of scrimmage and an automatic first down or the team can decline the penalty and accept the play’s yardage advancing the down to “3rd and open.”

• If a pass interference penalty is called against the defense, the play will be counted as male or female based on the intended receiver.

• Offside / Encroachment– Any defensive player:

  • Lining up in the neutral zone prior to the snap

    • NOTE: It is common for refs to issue “warnings” for players that are clearly lined up offside prior to the snap and this is consistent with the spirit of the league.  However, this is not mandatory to give warnings and all players are responsible for their position in relation to the line of scrimmage prior to the snap.

    • Crossing the line of scrimmage before the ref completes the 2-second count (unless there is transfer of the ball in the backfield).  Play-action is not a transfer and a defender can be called offside on such play.

    • A defensive player crossing into the neutral zone in an attempt to or causes a false start by the offense.  A defensive player coming over the line and making contact with any member of the offense before the snap would be considered encroachment.

      • NOTE: Immediately blown dead at time of this specific infraction

    • PENALTY: 5-yard penalty and replay down. Play is allowed to continue (on offside play only) and offense may elect to accept or decline.  The play is blown dead if encroachment

  • Offside on Kickoff – Crossing midfield before the ball is kicked/thrown

    • PENALTY: 5 yard penalty, assessed at the end of the play.

      • Teams will not have the option of a re-kick and all offside or illegal motion penalties will be enforced at the end of the run.

  • Illegal Formation – Defensive failure to establish and maintain a Rusher at the snap and until the end of the 5-second count.

    • PENALTY: 5-yard penalty assessed at the end of the play and repeat down. Play is allowed to continue and offense may elect to accept or decline

      • NOTE: A “rusher” must remain within 3 yards of the line of scrimmage during the count to establish their position as rusher.  They may move side to side but not drop back deeper than the 3 yards from the line of scrimmage.

      • The legality of the position of the rusher is solely at the referee’s discretion. Referees will be advised to at their discretion and in the spirit of the league.

  • Diving – A player dives while attempting to recover a fumble. Denial of possession, 5-yard penalty assessed from the spot of the dive. The recently completed down counts.

    • Diving for a flag on is legal and the player does so at their own risk.

    • If the dive occurs when a player is trying to score a touchdown, the touchdown does not count.  The penalty is assessed from the spot of the dive and there is a loss of down penalty.  If this occurs on a fourth down play, there is a turnover on downs.

 

Equipment

Team captains are responsible for bringing a regulation-sized NCAA Football. 

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Belts and flags are provided for you. Shirts are provided by the league and must be tucked in. Belts must be snug and secured around players waist. Flags located on the femur.

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Current season Texas Sports & Social Club league issue shirt must be wore to each game. Clothing with loops is not permitted. Towels, chains and necklaces are not allowed. Shorts without pockets and cleats are highly recommended

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Metal/removable spikes are not allowed.

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A quarterback may not have a towel tucked into his or her belt.  They may also not have any pen or pencil in their pocket to help draw plays up in the huddle.

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Rough Play

Any rough or physical play will result in immediate expulsion from further league play and may result in a lifetime league expulsion. Please see TXSports General Policy for our official guidelines on this subject. It is recognized that incidental contact between players is inevitable; however, all players should go out of their way to avoid creating an unsafe play.  This rule supersedes all others. 

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Please note that on-site staff members have full autonomy when supervising games. Games may be stopped entirely, players may be asked to leave the playing area or be removed from the game entirely under their discretion.

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Playoffs and Awards

Regular season team standings are determined by: 1) winning percentage points 2) Head to Head 3) point differential and 4)Sportsmanship.

Teams not advancing to the Playoffs will be awarded a Friendly Game.

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Top teams will advance to the Playoffs – typically a Single Elimination Tournament – where they will compete for Championship Prize.

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To be eligible for Playoffs, teams cannot have forfeited more than one Game during the regular season. No Substitute players are allowed in the Playoffs. 

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Inclement Weather

 

In the event of heavy rain or inclement  that results in the conditions of a game being unsafe or travel being unsafe, Texas Sports & Social Club will send an update via email and text message (participant must opt in to receive text message notifications) with any postponements 90 minutes before game time.

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In the event the games have been started and then have to be called off due to inclement weather while underway, the games will be restarted from the beginning if less than half of the game has been played and will be called or resumed from the stoppage of play if gameplay crossed the half-game mark . Any games postponed for weather will be rescheduled, if possible, and information on the rescheduled game will be sent to all players and Gamestaff by email.

 

Balls

Team captains are responsible for bringing a regulation-sized NCAA Football. 

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Forfeits

Teams should report to the field at least 10 minutes before their scheduled starting time of the match. A game will be ruled a forfeit if any of the following occur:

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• No one from one of the teams is present at game time

• The minimum number of players are not present (5)

• Not enough female players are present (1)

• Improper conduct by one or more players on any team

 

See Forfeit Policy

 

Forfeit time for all games is officially the scheduled game time. the first game of the match if they have not shown up by their scheduled time.  Exceptions can be made if a team is waiting on a couple of players (e.g. transit issues) with the understanding that the delay will cut time from the end of their game, and that the final decision is subject to the Referee’s discretion.

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Repeat Rule:

Competition is great, but a single team dominating the league consecutive seasons is not cool and not fun.

 

 

A team retaining more than three players that has won two championships seasons for which they have been registered, that team to will have to form two or more separate teams to promote balance in the league or withdraw their registration (no refund will be issued, league credit will be issued). The team will then have the opportunity to divide their roster (with no more than three retaining players) to form two separate teams with each subsequent roster approved by the Texas Sports & Social Club-Waco.

 

Teams that dominate leagues will be moved to a appropriate league or asked to separate if Texas Sports & Social Club staff believe that the team intentionally lost the Playoff or Championship game to circumvent the rules.

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Season Abandonment

Registered teams that miss two weeks of play will be considered to have abandoned their place in the league. Teams in this category will be contacted by a Texas Social Sports Club staff member to confirm their status. Teams failing to respond within two business days will be removed from the Season schedule and will forfeit their registration fees. Teams that do respond will be required to supply reasoning for lack of attendance and petition the league for reinstatement. Season abandonment and reactivation decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis at the sole discretion of the league management and must be resolved before returning to play in the current Season or in subsequent Seasons.

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Alcohol, Controlled Substance, and Safety Policy

Individuals (players, fans, or friends of players) will, at the discretion of Texas Social Sports Club, be ejected immediately if any of the following are true:

• found bringing alcohol, weapons, or controlled substances to any venue or sponsor bar in use by Texas Social Sports Club

• suspected of excessive pre-game alcohol consumption

• suspected of abusing a controlled substance

• deemed unruly or a danger to themselves or others at any time

Anyone who is ejected from one of our venues or sponsor bars will be required to petition the Club for reinstatement before participating in or attending any subsequent Texas Social Sports Club event.

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These policies are in place for the safety, enjoyment, and continued camaraderie of all players, the sponsoring venues, sponsor bars, and the entire Club.

 

Note: Players must wear appropriate colored, league-issued Team T-Shirts during games.

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Sportsmanship

 

Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Any participant that does not conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner will be removed from the game.

 

Types of Illegal Conduct:

 

Unsportsmanlike conduct includes the following:

 

-Arguing with an official or with other players.

-Abusive or insulting language to a player or official.

-Throwing the ball at another player in an unsportsmanlike manner.

-Abuse of the “honor system.”

-Harassing others

-Acting inappropriately when challenging a refs call

-Not maintaining an attitude that is consistent with Texas Sports SC’s core values

 

In the event of unsportsmanlike conduct the following penalties will be sequentially enforced:

 

1st SMH-Team captain has a talk with the individual, notifies the League Coordinator

 

2nd SMH- The League Coordinator has a talk with the individual and suspended for one game

 

3rd SMH-Individual switches to a different team of The League Coordinator’s choosing

 

4th SMH-Removal from league and/or club

 

Fighting: Fighting will result in a player’s permanent suspension from participation in Texas Sport & Social Club

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Ejected Participants

 

Any ejected individual must get approval by Texas Social Sports Club prior to attending or participating in future Club games, leagues, or hosted events, including Post-Game Parties. Attempted participation without approval is subject to further penalties. Rulings may include, but are not limited to, probation, game/league suspension, or permanent expulsion.

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MOST IMPORTANTLY!

THIS IS A SOCIAL LEAGUE: Have fun and make new friends. The game may or may not go your way!

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