1. The ball is spotted where the runner’s feet are when the flag is pulled, not where the ball carrier has the ball. Forward progress will be measured by the player’s front foot.

2. The quarterback cannot directly run with the ball until the defense crosses the rush line. At that point, the quarterback may scramble, or may advance the ball beyond the line of scrimmage. The quarterback is the offensive player that receives the snap.

3. Only direct handoffs behind the line of scrimmage are permitted. Handoffs may be in front, behind, or to the side of the offensive player, but must be behind the line of scrimmage. The offense may use multiple handoffs.

a. “Center Sneak” play – The ball must completely leave the center’s hands on the snap and he/ she must step backwards off the line of scrimmage in order to receive a direct handoff from the QB before advancing the ball.

4. The No-Run Zone located 5 yards before each end zone and 5 yards on either side of midfield are designed to avoid short-yardage power-running situations. Teams are not allowed to advance the ball with a run in these zones. (Reminder: Each offensive squad approaches only TWO

No-Run Zone in each drive – one 5 yards from midfield to gain the first down, and one 5 yards from the goal line to score a TD). “No hand offs or pitches in the “No Run Zones”.

The player who takes the handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage. Once the ball has been handed off in front, behind or to the side of the quarterback, all defensive players are eligible to rush.

5. Runners may not leave their feet to advance the ball. Diving, leaping, or jumping to avoid a flag pull is considered flag guarding.

6. Spinning is allowed, but players may not leave their feet to avoid a flag pull. Jumping in the air in a forward motion to advance the ball, while attempting to avoid a flag pull, is not allowed.

7. Lateral moves to the left or right are permitted.

8. Runners may leave their feet if there is a clear indication that he/she has done so to avoid collision with another player without a flag guarding penalty enforced. No blocking or “screening” is allowed at any time. The main part of this rule is that the offense cannot prevent the defense in any way from approaching the ball carrier. No blocking or screening is allowed.

The offense does not have to make contact for it to be considered blocking or screening. The offensive players should continue their run away from the ball carrier or come to a complete stop to avoid a block or screen from happening. If the offensive players are running towards the ball carrier or are running toward defenders to try and create a disruption for the defenders, then this is considered blocking or screening. Offensive players must not interfere with the play once the ball has crossed the line of scrimmage. No running ahead of the ball carrier or preventing the defense from approaching the ball carrier. However, the receiver may continue a route AWAY FROM the ball carrier.

9. Flag Obstruction – All jerseys MUST be tucked in before each play begins. The flags must be on the player’s hips and free from obstruction. Deliberately obstructed flags will be considered flag guarding.