Rhodes College Athletics

• Substitutes may not appear on another team's roster, a player substituting 3 times for a team will be considered on that team's roster.
• Rosters for the playoffs will consist of all members on the original roster submitted to the intramural department and any player added 1 week prior to playoffs.  Once the playoff roster is submitted NO new additions to the team can take place.

• Game time is starting time and the game clock will begin immediately.  If one team does not have enough players to begin the game at game time they will have a 5 minute grace period before a forfeit is recorded (the game clock will be running during the grace period). The official clock will be the timepiece used to decide game time.
• The referee will supervise a game of paper, rock, scissors between the opposing captains. The winner shall have the choice of playing offense (receive) or defense on their team's first possession. 
• Teams automatically switch ends at the half and the first possession of the second half will automatically be whichever team did not begin with the ball in the first half.

• Games will be two 15-minute halves of running time. Only the last two minutes of the second half will be stopped for all dead ball situations such as: time-outs, penalties, change of possessions, out of bound plays, incomplete passes, and all scores.
• Each team is given 1 30-second time out per half; unused timeouts from the first half do not carry over to the second half.
• Half time will be 2-minutes
• The offensive team has 25 seconds from the time the ball and restraining line are set by the officials to put the ball back into play. If the team exceeds 25 seconds, officials will call a delay of game penalty.
• A game or half cannot end on a defensive penalty unless the penalty is refused.

• All players are eligible to receive a pass.
• Only one forward pass per down (either over handed or underhanded).
• No forward hand-offs between the quarterback and the centers are allowed.
• At the time of a pass reception, the receiver must have one foot down in bounds for a complete pass (Ball in complete control).
• Any numbers of backward or lateral passes are permitted.

• All fumbled balls touching the ground are dead immediately.  (The ball can not be fumbled forward - a team can not gain yards on a fumble!)
• The team fumbling the ball retains possession of the ball (except on the 4th down).
• A punt, which strikes the ground, is dead at that point.
• All incomplete laterals or passes behind the line of scrimmage will be spotted where the ball lands.
• Any player catching a pass, or fumbled ball that does not touch the ground, can advance that ball.
• A fumbled ball by an offensive team in their end zone constitutes a safety.

• A legal tackle is made when a defensive player detaches the flag belt from the ball carrier.
• Each player must wear a flag belt; each team will have a different color. Every player must have their shirt tucked in their pants.
• Players are not permitted to wear short colors matching their team’s flag colors.
• If a player loses his/her flag belt and has possession of the ball, the individual is down at the point the flags detached.
• A "flag guarding" infraction will be called if a ball carrier uses his/her hands, arms, the ball or clothing to hide or prevent an opponent from pulling the flag belt.
• Any ball carrier caught wearing the belt illegally will be ejected.
• The ball is dead if either knee of the ball carrier touches the ground at any time.
• The ball is dead is the ball carrier attempts to jump or dive for extra yardage; the ball will be returned to the point at which the ball carrier left their feet.

• In case of tie at the end of regulation play during the regular season, the game will end and be recorded as a tie.
• During the playoffs, overtime will be played as follows: each team will begin with the ball at their opponents 20 yard line and have four down to score.  If after 2 overtimes, the score remains tied, each team must go for a 2 point conversion after each touchdown.
• Each team will get one 30-second timeout per overtime.

• Only sneakers.  (No metal spikes or bare feet will be allowed.)
• No jewelry. (rings, necklaces outside of the shirt, or over-sized earrings) is to be worn when playing.

• The size of the field will be 100-yards by 40-yards, with 10-yard end zones.
• The field will be divided into five 20-yard zones. A team has four downs to cross each consecutive line (First down every 20-yard line marker). If a team has a penalty which pushes the line of scrimmage behind a new 20-yard line the offense must still pass the original first down marker.

• There is a minimum of 6 players required to start a game and maximum of 7 players to continue a game.
• The offense must have 3 players on the line of scrimmage at the time of the snap.
• Substitutions on offense are allowed ONLY between downs.  Once a huddle is broken, no substitutions can take place.  If a team in no huddling, an offensive substitution can take place but the offense must allow defense the same opportunity to sub players.
• Substitutions on defense can be made anytime prior to the offensive snap
• There will be a one-yard restraining line for all defensive players before the ball is snap.
• All players must be set at the time of the ball being snapped.

• The referee will ask the offensive team on all fourth downs if they intend to punt or "go for it." There are no fakes allowed.
• All players must remain at the line of scrimmage until the ball is kicked. Defensive players may not rush or attempt to block the kick but instead are permitted to set up for a return.
• On a bad snap, the ball is dead where it first touches the ground.

• The only type of blocking allowed is “screen” blocking. All blocking must be made with the blocker in an upright position with both hands clasped in front of or behind their backs or directly at their sides. DO NOT EXTEND YOUR ELBOWS!
• No player may use his/her hands to grab or push opposing players.
• No body blocks or chip blocks are allowed at any time (Penalty will be a personal foul and could result in removal from the game).

• The ball will be ruled dead at the spot where it was when the whistle was blown.

Safety and Touchbacks

• A fumbled ball by an offensive team in their end zone constitutes a safety.
• If a team intercepts a pass in the end zone and does not advance the ball out of the end zone it is a touchback. The ball is put in play on the 20-yard line.
• If a team receives a punt in their end zone and does not advance it out of the end zone, it is a touchback. The ball is put in play on the 20-yard line.
• Following a safety, the ball shall be placed on the 20-yard line of the team credited with the safety.

• Touchdown: 6 Points
• Safety: 2 Points
• Point after touchdown:
  • From 3-yard line: 1 Point
  • From 10-yard line: 2 Points

• Delay of game or illegal substitution (Whistle blown to end play).
• Free kick infractions, offense leaving early
• Failure to keep a 1-yard barrier on defense
• False start/movement on offense before the snap, or any illegal act by the snapper (Whistle is blown to end play)
• Encroachment
• Less than 3 players on the offensive line at the time of the snap (Whistle is blown to end play)
• Illegal handing the ball forward (Whistle is blown to end play and penalty is assessed from spot of infraction)

• Illegal forward pass (with loss of down)
• Defensive or offensive pass interference (defensive pass inference results in automatic first down)
• Holding
• Illegal use of hand or arms
• Holding ball carrier to remove flag
• Flag guarding or stiff arming (Whistle blown and penalty is assessed from spot of infraction)

• Unsportsmanlike conduct by player, coach, or attendant
• Clipping, hurdling, tripping
• Roughing the passer
• Delaying the start of either half

• Any team forfeiting a competition without advanced notice will be fined $20.00. 
• Any team forfeiting 2+ competitions will be removed from the league and placed on probation for future intramural activities.
• There will NO rescheduling of games forfeited or cancelled