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TEAM SIZE – THERE IS A MINIMUM OF 14 PLAYERS TO FIELD A TEAM
Co-ed ASL football teams shall play a maximum of eight (8) players consisting of five (5) menand three (3) women and a minimum of six (6) players to play the game. Three (3) men andthree (3) women. In the event a team is forced to play with seven (7) players,it may be four (4) women three (3) men, or four (4) men three (3) women,providing the opposing team has eight players. There must be at least 6 players present at game time (with a minimum of 3 females).
There is no maximum number of female players allowed.If teams to not have the maximum number of players, the opposing team still plays with eight. If a team does not have enough players to play the game, they may recruit from other ASL league teams, but only if the opposing team Captain approves. No one outside of the ASL league can fill in if teams are short players. Permission must be given before the start of the game. To prevent a FORFEIT, teams must have at least 6 players
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CAPTAIN RESPONSABILITES AND SPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT : Captains are the only player of the team allowed to interact with a referee before or during the game. If the team captain is not at the game, then the team will appoint a ‘captain” for that particular game to fill in. The same rules apply to appointed captains. Captains are responsible for their players’ actions on the field. Unsportsmanlike behavior will not be tolerated in the ASL and will be dealt with swiftly. The team player will be given a warning. After the first warning, any player on the team that the referees deem to be unsportsmanlike or conducting a flagrant foul will be ejected for that game and a 10 yard penalty will be enforced. Excessive Unsportsmanlike conduct will result in players being disqualified from the league for the remainder of the season. NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN. Fighting will not be tolerated.
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Unsportsmanlike conduct examples:
-Intentionally kicking the ball at any opposing player
-Intentionally swinging an arm, hand, or fist at any player
-Disrespectfully addressing an ASL official, or any ASL employee-Using profanity, taunting, insulting or vulgar language or gestures.
-Physically contacting a game official, before, during, or after the game.
-Fighting an opponent-Punch, strike, steal or attempt to steal the ball from player in possession.
-Trip an opponent
-Contact an opponent on the ground
-Throw the runner to the ground-Deliberately drive or run into a defensive player
-Clip an opponent
-Tackle the runner
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FORFEITS : There is a 50 dollar fine for forfeited games. You must give us a 24 hours advanced notice before game day or the fine will be enforced. You must pay this fine before your team will be scheduled for any more upcoming weekly games. This is to prevent scheduling problems for the league with refs and other teams. Make the slackers pay the fines!!! I would…….
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RULES OF THE GAME
CAPTAINS MEETING AND COIN TOSS : Captains meet with the refs before the start of the game for the coin toss. The winner of the pre-game toss shall have the first choice of options: offense/defense or which goal to defend. Teams starting the halves with the ball will start on the 10 yard line and vise versa at the beginning of the second half. Teams switch sides at the start of the second half. No kickoffs. The ball always starts on the ten after the halves and after scores by either team.
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START OF GAME : The clock starts at the predetermined ASL game time. If any team is not ready by game time the forfeit rules come into effect. Teams must have a minimum of 6 players to start the game or a forfeit is declared.
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GAME CLOCK : The game shall consist of two (2) twenty (20) minute halves with halftime consisting of 5 minutes. Two (2) one minute time-out per half is allowed (time-outs do not carry over to the second half). The clock will run continuously for the first eighteen minutes (18) unless it is stopped for a time-out or referee's time-out.

During the final two (2) minutes of the first half the clock will stop for:
-Running out of bounds
-Penalties
-Time outs
-Referee's Time-out/ Injured players-Change of Possession-extra points.

During the final two minutes of the second half the clock will stop for:

-Running out of bounds
-Time outs
-Referee's Time-out/ Injured players-Change of Possession-extra points.
-Conversions
-Change of posession
-Penalties
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SCORING : Scoring is the same as college or pro’s with a few exceptions. Each touchdown is 6 points. There are no field goals. Conversions must be completed from the 10 yard line and results in 2 points. It is possible for the defense to score on the conversions by an interception and run back of the ball to the opposite end zone. That score also results in 2 points. Safeties count for 2 points.S afeties occur when the offensive team begins in the end zone and cross out over the goal line, then are stopped for a loss behind the goal line in their own end zone. It can also happen if the ball starts outside of the goal line and ends up behind it to end a play.All touchbacks bring the ball out to the 10 yard line.
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GENDER RULES
Teams MUST use a female player as an Operative Player within 3 consecutive plays, or a penalty will be assessed.
The cycle using a female player within 3 consecutive plays DOES NOT stop after a TD.
If a team runs 2 male plays in a row and scores a TD on the 2nd male play, a female MUST be used as an Operative Player for the PAT.
On 4^th down the gender rules do not apply if the offense chooses to punt. The Gender count resets after each change of possession.

Gender play Examples of Accepted Gender Plays:
Attempts a forward pass behind the line of scrimmage.
Receives a hand-off or lateral behind the line of scrimmage and is used as the primary runner.
Is the intended receiver in the eyes of the Referee.
A female plays quarterback and is tagged by the defense.
A female plays quarterback and attempts a forward pass
A female plays quarterback and runs for yardage.
A female runs the ball of as a running back.
A female receives a lateral or hand-off and attempts a forward pass to anyone.
A female is the intended receiver in the eyes of the Referee. A female catches a deflected pass.

Examples of NON-Gender Plays:
A female plays quarterback and laterals or hands of to a guy.
A female passes to a male behind the line of scrimmage
A female plays center and snaps to a male quarterback.
A female QB takes a knee.
A female QB intentionally grounds or spikes the ball.
Grounding of a pass by a guy at a girls feet purposely in the eyes of a referee
Any play deemed to be a gender play by the offense that fails to comply with the gender rules. That play is lost and the gender play must be complied with on the next play.
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PLAYING DEFENSE
Man to man and zone are both allowed.
On forced gender plays where the offense uses a female for a quarterback:
The play is run as normal and the defense can use man to man or zone defense

On forced gender plays where the offense uses a male as a quarterback:
The female receivers go out for the playThe men must play man to man defense.
There is no zone allowed
The defensive male players must stay within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage
The offensive male receivers may not leave the line of scrimmage.
Male defenders can leave their man from the line of scrimmage as soon as the female receiver touches the ball.
Men are not allowed to cover women on a gender play unless the offense has more female players than the defense.
Male defenders within their 5 yard zone may put their hands up to block a pass and play the ball. But they may not leave the 5 yard zone until the ball is touched by another offensive player

PLAYING DEFENSE : Teams may play man-to-man or zone defense, except during forced gender plays at which time man-to-man is required.There is no immediate rush. The defense cannot rush the quarterback until:
A five-one-thousand count followed by word “GO!” by the Line Judge.
The quarterback does a hand-off, lateral, or pass.

The ref's are responsible for the rush count after the ball is snapped. They will count by shouting: "one thousand 1, onethousand 2, one thousand 3, one thousand 4, one thousand 5...GO!" The defense may not cross the line of scrimmage untilthe Line Judge says "GO!"
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BLOCKING AND CONTACT : For safety purposes, blocking is not allowed at the line of scrimmage, in the backfield, downfield, or elsewhere. Aggressive contact is not allowed. Bump and run is not allowed. It is recognized that some contact cannot be avoided, but all playersmust attempt to avoid contact with other players. Moving picks are regarded as illegal blocking. A player standing still is notconsidered blocking/picking.
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FIRST DOWNS : 4 downs to get a new oneTwo completed passes beyond the line of scrimmage (Laterals don’t count as a pass)Ball crosses the mid-field line.
Only 3 total first downs.
You get one for crossing the mid line.
And one for each half of the field.

Example : 2 complete passes on the offenses end of the filed, then cross the mid line, then another on the other side of the midline.
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ELIGIBLE RECEIVERS : All players are eligible receivers…… unless they run out of bounds on their own accord.
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QUARTERBACK RUNS : The quarterback can run the ball:
At anytime if the offense is on their half of the field (i.e., more than half the field to go).
If the defense rushes in following the 5 second count (i.e., can run if rushed).
During a one or two-point conversion anytime.
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DEAD BALLS : Play continues until :
A defensive player tags the ball carrier with 2 hands.
The ball carrier goes out of bounds.
The ball carrier scores a touchdown or extra point.
The ball carrier's knee or elbow touches the ground.
The defense scores a safety, touchdown or intercepted extra point run back.
The ball touches the ground (incomplete pass, fumble, or dropped punt).
Referee sounds a whistle.
If the referee inadvertently blows a whistle after the receiver has caught the ball or is running, the ball is dead at that point.
If an inadvertent whistle is blown before the quarterback has thrown or passed the ball, or the ball is in mid-air, then the playwill be redone.
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LINE OF SCRIMMAGE : The line of scrimmage at the beginning of the game and after scores is at the 10-yard line. The line of scrimmage is then established at the location the ball carrier is tagged or runs out of bounds. The offense must have at least five players at the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped. Only one man in motion is allowed for each play. He/she may move in anyDirection before the snap. At the time of the snap, he/she must not be moving in the forward direction. Offensive players must line up within 15 yards from the ball. No sideline sneak play (or similar). All offensive players must be set for at least one second before the ball is hiked, except for a man in motion.
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CHANGE OF POSSESSION : Change of ball possession occurs for the following reasons:
Scores.
Interceptions.
Offense fails to score or earn another first down.
Offense punts the ball on fourth down.
After a fourth down incomplete pass, the opposing team gets the ball at the previous line of scrimmage.
After a score, theopposing team gets the ball on their own 10-yard line.
Fumbles cannot be turned over unless the fumble is caught in midair.If the fumbled ball touches the ground it is dead at that point and the line of scrimmage is moved there.
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PUNTING : On fourth down, the referee will ask the offensive team captain to select if they wish to (1) punt or (2) try to reach the zone-line-to-gain ("go for it"). Once a decision is reached, the referee will announce the decision to the defense. If the offense declares to punt, then wants to change their decision, they may do so after a charged timeout or an accepted penalty in which the down is to be replayed.
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-All punts must be announced to the referee. There are no quick kicks. PENALTY: Illegal kicking, 10 yards from the previous spot.

-The kicking team must have 4 players on the line of scrimmage during a punt. PENALTY: Illegal procedure, 5 yards from the previous spot.

-The kicker must catch and kick the ball immediately in one continuous motion. PENALTY: Illegal procedure, 5 yards from the previous spot.

-Neither team may advance beyond their respective scrimmage line until the ball is kicked.

PENALTY: Illegal procedure, 5 yards from the previous spot.-Kickers may not punt barefoot.

PENALTY: Failure to wear proper equipment, 5 yards from the previous spot.

Punts that have not been touched by a player are NOT dead while bouncing on the ground. When a punt touches a player from either team and then hits the ground, it is dead at that spot and belongs to the receiving team. If a punt is muffed by the receiving team and caught in the air by the kicking team, it is dead at that spot and the kicking team retains possession, first and line-to-gain. If caught in the air by the receiving team, they may advance the ball.
Punts may be returned out of the endzone.

There are no fair catches. Fair catch signals shall be disregarded SPORTMANSHIPTeam are required to shake hands at the end of the game. Non compliance will result in ejection from the next scheduled game and possible a forfeit may be awarded by the ASL referee if it is flagrant. Can’t we all just get along!!!!
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Appendix A – Team Standings and Playoffs

TEAM STANDINGS : Each team is awarded two points for a win, one point for a tie and zero points for a loss. Overtime will not be played in the event of a tie during the regular season.The teams with the top point totals during the eight week regular season will advance to the play-offs. In the event of a tie, strength of schedule will govern. If there is still a tie, bar attendance will be the determining factor. The number of teams that will make the play-offs will be determined before the start of the season and depends on the number of teams in the league.

PLAYOFFS : Teams that make the play-offs will be seeded according to their regular season standings. The highest seed will face the lowest seed. In the event that teams have the same point total during the regular season, teams will be seeded according to a random selection. Play-offs will be single elimination. Winners during the playoffs will advance to the next round. Regular season rules will apply except for the following:In the event of a tie during a play-off game, each team gets one possession (four downs) to score an extra point (or two extra points). The higher seeded team chooses whether they want to play offense first or second. The offensive team will decide whether to attempt 1 or 2 extra points. For 1 extra point, the offensive has 4 downs to score from the 5-yard line.For 2 extra points, the offensive has 4 downs to score from the 10-yard line. The ball can be advanced toward the goal line. The quarterback cannot run unless rushed. Once that team either scores, turns the ball over, or fails to score after 4 downs, the other team will then have the same opportunity to score either 1 or 2 extra points. If the score is still tied after the first round, a second round is played. The team that was on offense at the end of the first round will remain on offense for the start of the second round. This format will continue until one of the teams is ahead after an entire round. Penalties will be applied per regular season rules. An intercepted lateral or pass may be returned to the opposite end zone by the defensiveteam for two points.
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Appendix B - Penalties

GENERAL PENALTIES
Delay of Game (dead ball foul, 5 yards from the previous spot)
The ball must be put in play properly and legally and any action or inaction by either team which tends to prevent this is illegal delay of game. This includes:
Interrupting the 20 second count for any reason, except for a time-out allowed by the referee.
Consuming more than 20 seconds in putting the ball in play after it is marked ready for play.
Deliberately advancing the ball after it has been declared dead.
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Encroachment [Offisides] (dead ball foul, 5 yards from the previous spot)
Following the ready-to-play whistle and prior to the snap, no player on defense may encroach, touch the ball, or contact an opponent in any way. It is encroachment for any player to break his/her scrimmage line plane (yellow disk [defense], orange disk [offense]). Players do NOT have the opportunity to jump across the line and "get back" onside. It is a foul as soon as the player initially enters the neutral zone.
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False Start (dead ball foul, 5 yards from the previous spot)
No offensive player shall simulate a charge or start of a play.Illegal Formation (5 yards from the previous spot)
When there are less than four (5) offensive players on the line of scrimmage at the snap, it is a live ball illegal procedure penalty. The player who receives the snap must be at least 2 yards behind the offensive scrimmage line. Illegal Motion and Shift (5 yards from the previous spot)
Only one offense player may be in motion, but not in motion towards the opponent's goal line (or line of scrimmage), at the time of the snap. After a huddle, all offensive players must come to a stop and remain stationary for 1 second before an offensive player may go in motion. If two or more players shift/go in motion simultaneously prior to the snap, both must come to a stop and reset prior to the snap.
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Illegal Contact by the Ball Carrier (Personal foul, 10 yards from the spot of the foul)
The ball carrier must run to avoid tacklers. Deliberate charging of an opponent is against the rules. Officials will use the same judgment on charging by offensive and defensive players as in basketball. "Brushing contact" and unavoidable contact is not willful "charging." The ball carrier may spin or jump around defenders to avoid being tagged; however, the ball carrier must remain in control of his/her body during such moves. If the foul is intentional or unsportsmanlike, then 10 more yards will be added to the penalty and the player will be disqualified.Holding or blocking is not allowed in the ASL(10 yards from the end of the run [defense], 10 yards from the spot of the foul [offense])
Holding is grasping or encircling an opponent with the hand or arm in any way that impedes his/her movement. A defensive player may not hold, push, or knock the ball carrier down. Similarly, an offensive player may not hold an opponent to prevent movement.
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Tripping (10 yards from the end of the run)
Tripping is using the lower leg or foot to obstruct an opponent (including the ball carrier) below the knees.
PENALTY: 10 yards from the end of the run.

Illegal Contact by the Defense & Tackling (10 yards from the end of the run)
If a defensive player reaches across the body of the ball carrier to tag and contact is made, the responsibility of the contact lies with the defensive player. A runner shall not be thrown to the ground. There shall be no contact with an opponent who is on the ground. If a defensive player tackles the ball carrier, who in the opinion of the referee, would have scored except for being tackled, a touchdown shall be awarded. Deliberate tackles will result in disqualification.
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Roughing the Passer (10 yards from previous spot, if incomplete pass thrown; 10 yards from end of run following completed pass)
Defensive players must make a definite effort to avoid charging into a passer. Contact with the passer shall be avoided except in cases where the defensive player is attempting to tag the passer. Excessive contact is not permitted at all times.
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Contact with a thrown ball (hitting the ball then the passer in the same motion) does NOT affect this rule and roughing the passer may still be called. Roughing the passer does not apply on illegal forward passes; however, illegal contact may be called.
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Offensive Pass Interference (10 yards from the previous spot & loss of down)
Pass interference occurs when a player contacts another eligible receiver who is beyond the line of scrimmage. Restrictions exist for the offense from the time that the ball is snapped until it has been touched by a receiver.
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Defensive Pass Interference (10 yards from the previous spot & automatic first down)
Restrictions exist for the defense from the time the pass is thrown until it has been touched by a receiver. Face guarding with no intent to catch, intercept, or bat the ball is also considered pass interference. Note: Contact or interference by the defense prior to when the pass is thrown is still considered illegal and will be penalized as a personal foul.
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Other Personal Fouls (10 yards from the end of the run [defense], 10 yards from the spot of the foul [offense])

Any act prohibited hereunder or any other act of unnecessary roughness is a personal foul.
A. No player shall punch, strike, strip, steal, or attempt to steal the ball from the player who has possession.
B. There shall be no tripping or clipping.
C. There shall be no hurdling. Hurdling shall be interpreted as an attempt by the runner to jump with both feet or knees foremost over a player or between player. (You can jump or spin away from players to avoid having your flag pulled.)Unsportsmanlike Conduct (all enforced from dead ball spot, 10 yards)
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No player shall commit unsportsmanlike acts during play or intermission including:
Using words similar to offensive audibles or quarterback cadence prior to the snap in an effort to interfere with the offense's signals or movements.
Intentionally kicking the ball (other than a punt)
Intentionally kicking an opponent or swinging an arm, hand or fist at any opposing player or official.
Disrespectfully addressing an official or indicating objections to an official's decision.
Using profanity, taunting, insulting or vulgar language or gestures.
Fighting or leaving the sidelines and entering an alternation.
Two unsportsmanlike fouls by the same player or non-player results in disqualification. A player or non-player can be disqualified following the first unsportsmanlike foul
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