Rule Book
We have recently adopted the National Football Federation Touch Football Rule Book as our official rule book.
Download the Rules (PDF format)
Additional Notes
These rules are generally the same as our local rules. The most notable exception is game timing.
GAME TIMING
Our local league rule indicates the final 3 minutes of the 2nd and 4th quarters will be replaced with 5 plays. At the moment the play is whistled, if there are 3 minutes or less remaining then the referee will advise 5 plays remaining. Any of the remaining 5 plays will be replayed when a live ball penalty is accepted. After a timeout, the clock does not start until the snap of the ball, not when the referee blows play in.
The following rules are directly from the rule book or are the committee's interpretation of the rules in the book.
BLOWING THE PLAY IN
The referee will whistle play in in a consistent manner throughout the game, approximately just after players return to the huddle, or sooner if players are walking back. Teams have 20 seconds from this point to start a play. The referee will indicate when 10 seconds remains.
BOBBLES FORWARD ON KICKOFF/PUNT
- Kick Off - when a ball is bobbled forward, only players behind the ball at the point of bobble are eligible to pick it up. If a player comes back to pick up the ball it is dead at the point of initial touch.
- Punt - balls bobbled forward on a punt are blown dead immediately.
SINGLE POINT/SAFETY/INTERCEPTION IN END ZONE
After a single point the ball is spotted at the 35 yard line. After an interceptionj in the end zone the ball is spotted at the 10 yard line. After a safety there are 3 options - the most common is kicking off from the 35.
SLEEPER PLAYS
Sleeper plays are illegal. Referees will use their judgement.
However, for the purposes of our league, players can stay within the field of play on the lake side of the field after a previous play. Players can't stand next to the sideline on the bench side of the field in an attempt to deceive the other team. This will be a 5 yard illegal procedure penalty based on the referees judgement.
OBSTRUCTION OF THE RUSHER
For a penalty to be called, the rusher must have their path to the QB altered or otherwise interfered with.
THE SNAP OF THE BALL
Once the center is set the ball cannot be moved except to begin the play.
ROUGHING THE QB
If a quarterback is in the motion of throwing, the throwing arm, head or neck cannot be touched in any fashion. This is a 15 yard penalty. Referees will use judgement.
BLOCKING THE DEFENDER
Blocking - No one can intentionally get in the way of a defender. In addition, unintentional blocking is a penalty if it affects the defensive players attempts to tag the ball carrier. Again, referees must make a judgment call regarding the situation.
TAGS
- When a player is bent over or on the ground then the defended must make a legal tag on the ball
carrier. A jump over the person is considered a tag.
- Swipe Tag - If a player ducks to avoid a tag and the defender passes their hand over the ball carrier then it is considered a touch.
SUBSTITUTIONS
On a regular play for scrimmage, when play is whistled in, then neither offence or defense can
make substitutions unless they huddle. This may be a partial huddle with not all players.
On a kick off, there can be no substitutions once the kicker begins the run up to the ball.
The Rule Committee
Todd Pardy, Stefan Jensen, Jeff O'Keefe, Mark Peters
