CFL PLAYING RULES In July 2005, the Executive Committee voted to adopt the football playing rules of the National Federation of State High School Associations Rules with modifications. Rules modified by Team owner vote on 2/8/13 and 3/6/14. 1. Chain gang crew MUST be 16 years old and may not have cell phones. Opposing team may place a representative on the chain. Referees may replace a member of the chain. 2. Jersey numbers do not have to be assigned by position played. Many players play different positions at this level of football. Check in with referee. 3. Coin toss – Winning team may choose to kick, receive, defer. 4. Football size – each team may select their own ball as long as it is NFL regulation size. 5. Timing a. 15 minute quarters b. 2 minute warning 2nd and 4th quarters c. Change of possession – clock starts on snap d. 1st down – clock will continue to run while chains are moved e. Out of bounds – clock stops until ball is set then re-starts, except in LAST 2 minutes of 2nd quarter and LAST 2 minutes of 4th quarter when the clock starts on snap f. Incomplete pass – clock starts on snap g. 40 second play clock 6. Length of half-time: 15 minutes with mandatory 3 minute warm-up period . 7. Kick-off/punt may be advanced out of end zone. 8. Kick-off 35 yard line 9. HS hash marks acceptable as most fields are already marked. You may use NFL hashes. 10. Missed PAT is dead. 11. Extra point attempt from the 3 yard line. 12. Kicking block 1" or less may be used. 13. Missed field goal take over on the line of scrimmage. If ball is inside the 20 (such as the 15), take over at the 20; if attempt from the 35, take over at the 35. Missed field goals where the ball is caught in the field of play, including the end zone, can be returned. 14. Player is down by contact. 15. Pass completion must have both feet in bounds 16. Ball carrier (receiver/runner) – helmet comes off, play is dead a. If a defensive or offensive player helmet comes off during play, they must leave the field for one play. 17. Defensive off-sides – player enters neutral zone, play is dead 18. Blocking below the waist – tackle to tackle and 5 yards each side of line (approximate 10x8 yard box) 19. Pass interference a. Defensive pass interference - 15 yard from the line of scrimmage and automatic 1st down b. Offensive pass interference - 15 yard and loss of down from line of scrimmage 20. Unsportsmanlike like conduct – referees judgment: warning, flag, then ejection a. Taunting (acts or words that incite the other team, profanity, insulting language or gestures) 15 yards b. Profanity – 1st offense warning, 2nd offense 15 yard penalty, 3rd offense player or coach ejection. *Please note the game official can issue the warning to teams at coin toss and a following infraction by any team member will be counted as a 2nd offense resulting in a penalty. Profanity infractions are counted as a whole toward team committing infractions. c. Helmet off in taunting manner, ejection- must leave the field and stadium (go to locker room), miss the next game, is reviewable by the Commissioner 21. Ejections – The following infractions by Coaches, Players, or Staff, will result in immediate ejection from the contest and playing area by game officials. Reference CFL By-Laws for detailed information. a. Threats or challenging any person to fight (outside normal sports bantering) b. Flagrant intentional late hits c. Fist fighting on the field or in locker room d. Throwing or destroying field, team or personal equipment that endangers others (This includes throwing helmets on the field or sidelines.) e. Leaving the field of play to engage in altercations in the spectator stands f. 2 personal fouls in the same contest g. Carrying or displaying any weapon in any game venue. (Authorities are to be notified immediately upon suspicion that anyone including spectators, are carrying weapons.) 22. PROTECTING DEEP SNAPPER: cannot hit the deep snapper until he is in an upright position 23. GUNNERS AND CENTER FREE TO GO AFTER SNAP 24. 2 yard halo violation to protect the receiver, MUST GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CATCH THE BALL a. Running into – 5 yard b. Roughing – 15 yard c. If a punted ball touches a receiving team player during punt it is considered a muffed punt and cannot be advanced by either team. d. If receiving team signals fair catch and losses control of the ball it cannot be advanced by either team. Ball is placed at point of recovery if no penalties occur. e. If receiving team signals fair catch and is interfered with by kicking team, loses control of the football, and kicking team recovers the ball, it will be receiving teams possession from point of interference plus any penalty infractions. f. Blocked punt attempts may be advanced by either team. 25. Overtime – NCAA rules a. Coin toss – Winning team may choose to kick, receive, defer. b. Each team will be given an opportunity to score from the 25 yard line. c. After the third overtime, teams must go for 2 points. 26. Waive the consciousness rule, players may wear colored face visors, team and player will make own decision of returning to game. 27. Mercy rule – 35 point difference at any time in game, clock will run continuously. If 35 point margin is reduced, the clock will return to normal operation.