Basic Rules 

  • Games are 6 players vs 6 players & 7 players vs 7 players
  • Two 20 minute running clock halves (2 minute break at half)  
  • Each possession starts at the 5 yard line after scores, turnover on downs and/or halftime. 
  • For the Hot Water Heroes Divisions and the Drain Busters Division, the offensive team has four downs to get a first down at mid-field then 4 downs to score once they have crossed mid-field. 
  • There are no first downs for Pipeline Pros Division.
  • After a time out, the next play will start on the officials whistle
  • Ball must be placed in the center of the field for all snaps and then snapped by the center 
  • Safeties will occur when the ball is fumbled in the end zone, or if a flag is pulled in the defensive teams end zone  
  • The defensive player has the right to their position 
  • If an offensive player runs into a stationary defensive player it will be considered a personal foul or an unsportsmanlike penalty at the discretion of the referee 
  • Coin flip determines choice of possession or direction (winning team can elect to defer to the 2nd half) 
  • The clock will only stop for time-outs and injuries unless it is the last minute of the game (it does not stop for incomplete passes, out of bounds, change of possession).
  • One 30-second timeout per half. 
  • Center cannot take a handoff from the QB. 
  • Ball is placed where the flag is pulled, NOT where the ball is when the flag is pulled. 
  • In the Hot Water Heroes division and Drain Busters division, if a player is on his knee or knees and still has both flags on he is automatically down in that spot.
  • However, in the Pipeline Pros Division when a player is on his knee or knees and has both of his flags on the play is live. The player only is down when he is touched by the defending team while one knee or both knees are on the ground.
  • If a player catches the ball and does not have a flag on he is down where he caught the ball. 
  • A receiver must have one foot in bounds when making a reception. 
  • Laterals are allowed but if the ball hits the ground, the ball is considered live and can be picked up by the defense
  • Absolutely no tackling (stationary pick is allowed but player cannot move) 
  • Games cannot end on a defensive penalty. 
  • Safeties will occur when the ball is fumbled in the end zone, or if a flag is pulled in the defensive teams end zone 
  • Defensive players can cross the line of scrimmage when a handoff, fake handoff or backward pass has occurred. 
  • Interceptions can be returned for a TD, if intercepting teams flag is pulled before the end zone then possession will begin where the defender is flagged. 
  • If the interception occurs in the end zone (and the flag is pulled in the end zone) the ball will be spotted on the 5 yard line  
  • Touchdowns = 7 pts 
  • Each team must have a minimum of 5 players at the beginning of the game. 
  • If the opposing team has 6 players they shall substitute one player and play 5v5. 
  • If a team has only 4 players they forfeit the game. 
  • If a team has 4 players but they know that the 5th player is coming late, the opposing team can play 5 v 4 until the 5th player arrives.


 Division Rules 


  • For the Hot Water Heroes Division there will be no sack count, rather the defensive teams coach will count to 7 dead. Example 1 dead...2 dead...3 dead....etc
  • For the Drain Busters Division there will be no sack count, rather the defensive teams coach will count to 6 dead. Example 1 dead...2 dead...3 dead....etc
  • For the Pipeline Pros Division there will be a 3 second sack count Example 1...2...3 SACK
  • One blitz per drive.
  • No Blitz for Hot Water Heroes Division
  • In the Pipeline Pros Division QB can run ONCE per set
  • No running 5 yds from the End Zone even on a blitz


Mercy Rules

  •  If a team is up by 30 or more they only have 2 downs to get a first down and 2 downs to score until that point difference is trimmed below 30 pts. then regular game rules apply. 
  • The team that is behind by 30 or more points CAN start their offensive possession at the +10 yard line and get 4 downs to score. If the point difference is trimmed below 30 pts regular game rules apply


Last Minute of Game 

  • The clock will stop in the final 1 minute of the game on these actions: 
  • Incompletions 
  • Out of Bounds 
  • Spiking of the football 
  • Change of Possession 


Offensive Penalties

  •  The defensive player has the right to their position
  •  If an offensive player runs into a stationary defensive player it will be considered a personal foul or an unsportsmanlike penalty at the discretion of the referee 
  •  Offensive Pass Interference – 10 yard penalty and replay the down 
  •  Illegal Run – 5 yard penalty and loss of down  
  •  Illegal Forward Pass – 5 yard penalty and loss of down (QB steps over the LOS or QB throws a forward pass behind the line of scrimmage) The defense can elect to decline the penalty THE DEFENSE CAN ELECT TO DECLINE THE PENALTY if it results in an interception or turnover. 
  •  Flag Guarding (including stiff arms) – 5 yard penalty from the spot of the foul and loss of down 
  •  Unsportsmanlike conduct – 15 yard penalty (possible ejection) 
  • No Intentionally Grounding Penalty 



Defensive Penalties

  • Defensive Pass Interference - ball is placed at the spot of the foul and replay down unless it’s an offensive catch; Offense decides. 1st down can occur depending on the yardage. 
  •  Illegal Contact (holding, jams, etc.) – 5 yard penalty and replay down unless it’s an offensive catch; Offense decides. 1st can occur depending on the yardage. 
  •  Defensive Holding while pulling flag – 5 yard penalty added to the end of the play and replay down. 1st down can occur depending on the yardage. 
  •  Illegal Flag Pull (before player has ball) – 5 yard penalty and replay down. 1st down can occur depending on the yardage. 
  •  Off-sides – 5 yard penalty and replay down. 1st down can occur depending on the yardage. 
  •  Illegal Rushing (before a hand-off has occurred) – 5 yard penalty and replay the down; offense decides depending on the result of the play. 1st down can occur depending on the yardage.  
  • Inadvertent tackle – 5 yard penalty added to the end of the play and replay down. 1st down can occur as a result of the penalty yardage
  • Inadvertent tackle From Behind w/clear path to end zone – Automatic Touchdown 
  • Unsportsmanlike conduct – 15 yard penalty and automatic 1st down (possible ejection) 
  • Defensive Penalties inside the 10 yard line will result in half the distance to the goal line if applicable. 

 

Overtime Format

  • Overtime period will take place with each team receiving a possession. 
  • Coin flip determines possession
  • NEW RULE* Offensive team will get 3 downs to score from the +10 yard line
  • If both teams score, next score wins the game. If neither team scores next score wins the game.
  •  If the Defense intercepts the ball it’s a change of possession starting at the 10 yard line unless the Defense returns it for a TD.
  •  Game could be over if the intercepting team was ahead in points in OT prior to playing Defense or intercepting team returns it for a TD on it’s 1st Defensive possession per OT. 
  • PLAYOFF OVERTIME RULES If the game is still tied after regular overtime rules, OT will be repeated until there is a winner. Offensive team will get 3 downs to score from the +10 yard line. Once again If both teams score, next score wins the game. If neither team score next score wins the game.