NFL Flag Rulebook

Notable Changes:
1.  Pitches and laterals are now legal behind the line of scrimmage.  If they hit the ground, they are considered a fumble and the play is dead. 
2.  Fumbles from bad snaps, laterals, or pitches are now spotted where the ball hits the ground, not where the ball was fumbled.  If it happens in the end zone, it is a safety.  
3.  Legal handoff is now defined as a "Total loss of possession directly from 1 offensive player to another"

Deviations from the rulebook:

Page 6- Field

We will be playing on a 53 yard field with 5 yard end zones.  We will not be playing the "One Way Field" configuration this year, as both teams will have an end zone.  

Page 8- Timing and Overtime

Regular season games will consist of two 20 minute halves, with a continuous clock.  Playoff games will consist of two 15 minute halves, with a continuous clock.  

Regular season Overtime will consist of each team getting a possession from midfield, with 4 plays to score.  Order of possession will be determined by coin toss.  If a team scores a touchdown, they can elect to go for 1 or 2.  If the score is tied after both teams have the ball, the game ends in a tie.  

Playoff Overtime will consist of a regular season overtime period.  If the score is still tied after the first overtime, the game will be decided by alternating extra point tries, either 1 point or 2 point as chosen by the offense.  The team that LOST the coin toss for overtime gets to select whether they want to play offense or defense first in any even numbered overtime (2nd, 4th, etc...).  The choice offense or defense first reverts to the team that WON the coin toss in the odd numbered overtimes (3rd, 5th, etc...)

Page 12- Passing

Forward passes may be caught behind the line of scrimmage.  However, any ball that touches the ground behind the line of scrimmage will be marked where the ball hits the ground.  We will not ask teenage officials to distinguish between forward pass and lateral without the benefit of replay.  

Page 15- Formations

Coed teams may request that the center be allowed to use a "side saddle" snap, but it must be agreed upon between both teams' coaches and the officials before the start of the game.  

Page 15- Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Any player, fan, parent, or coach removed from a game for Unsportsmanlike Conduct will be suspended for the rest of the season and may be banned from the league. 

Page 16- Penalties

Pre-Snap Penalties, such as false start, delay of game, illegal substitution or offsides will no longer carry a loss of down or automatic first down.