Arizona Football League AzFL 2011 upadated 2017

www.azfl.com 623-939-4877

We play by High School Rules with the following exceptions. Please note, the AzFL reserves the right to change or amend game rules and exceptions to them as they see the need. The AzFL will notify the officials as soon as possible including at the start of games.

AzFL main contact person is Kevin Pakos. Cell: 602-570-1051 Email: info@azfl.com

Games can only be started AFTER both teams have met together on the field for a pre-game prayer. We ask the coaches to gather teams for this once we get to within 5 minutes to the game start. Both teams can gather at a 40 yard line while the coin toss is taking place, captains can join as soon as done.

Whistles to end a play, Be aware “when is a play over” The play kills itself. There will be plays with NO whistles because the ball has become dead. It is dead when a player is down by contact or when ball cames to a complete stop or forward progress is stopped. Coaches stop saying “Play to the whistle” teach them situational awareness.

Player is down as soon as he hits the ground. Cannot get up and run.

Horse Collar: Not allowed. Exception is inside the tackles. Side or back Collar never front and must be taken down by HC (PM/2010).

Ball is LIVE on kickoffs (Free kicks) even when it crosses the plane and goes into the end zone. It remains alive until someone from either team downs it or covers it for a touchdown or touchback or downs it in the field of play. A free kick touched by the kickers before it goes 10 yards is covered by the HS rules.  No re-kicks on kick offs that go out of bounds. All options except for re-kick are available. Re-kicks for other penalty infractions during the kick still apply.

We have no MUFF rule, if a kick returner touches it, it is a a live free ball that can be covered and advanced for a first down or score by either team.

Scrimmage kicks touched by R beyond Neutral Zone may be advanced by either team. Touching by the Defense in or behind the Neutral zone or  LOS it is ignored (PM/2010).

Field Goals and PAT: Kicking team can use a tee or block for trys.  Kicking team retrieves balls on EP and FG – Coaches-Owners tell your team in practice about this.

Clock/Game Timing: We use four 12-minute quarters, regular HS timing.  We are NOT using a running clock. There are 3 timeouts per half per team. Plus a 2 minute warning at the end of the second and fourth quarter when a one-minute timeout is given to each team. Halftimes are 15 minutes long.

Incomplete passes thrown inbounds will NOT stop the clock. Incomplete out of bounds passes still stop the clock.  During the last 2 minutes of each half timing rules return to HS Stop/Start rules.

End of Game Rules: At the end of the 4^th quarter, during the last two minutes of a game. Teams that are trailing, but could tie or win the game if there was a turnover(s) will be allowed to continue to play and attempt to win or tie the game as long as the clock can be stopped by rule or by the trailing team using their timeouts. An offense can use the High School “victory” formation protocol.

However, should the team with the ball be ahead and the defense NOT have ANY timeouts, then the game will be ended by rule at that point. No kneel down is required. Unless the clock is stopped by rule, then it is possible that one more play must be run.

This would only happen if the team on defense is trailing by 16 or fewer points and the chance exists that they could score, kick off and recover or force a turnover and score again.  The clock does start until the snap on a change of possession. If the team on defense is trailing by 17 or more points and has no timeouts, the game will end with no further play or kneel downs.

A team trailing can end the game even if they have timeouts, if they chose to do so, they can notify the officials that they will NOT be using their timeouts, then the officials can signal the end of the game. The whole purpose of the “end of game” rules is to reduce the chance that players will take unnecessary shots at the opponent simply because they are lined up.  The clock cannot be run out to end the game until the last one minute and fifteen seconds or fewer are on the clock. If both team are playing with sportsmanship, then game can continue as normal until the end.

There will be times when the stadium clock malfunctions that officials will keep time on the field. Officials need to let the teams know before each game who the time keeper will be. That official needs to be sure both teams are aware of the time between plays when the stadium clock is not operational. The monitors can and will come near on the field to get the time call and relay it to the teams bench.

The AzFL/officials can run the game clock if a game is lopsided and players health may be in danger. We will avoid this if possible.

Games will start on time. Ball in the Air at scheduled kickoff time. Captains must meet with officials early in order to get this done.

Officials also need to be aware when situations arise and communicate directly with the game day ops. Usually there will be game ops staff on the field and the sideline. Officials need to make themselves aware of who they are and how to get the clock and issues resolved quickly and peacefully.

Trained Stat and video people are provided by the host teams. The AzFL provides a master copy of the stat sheet that must be used. AzFL also provides the camera to be used by hosting teams provided camera person.

Time Outs: Due to the conditioning levels of the players, field layout constraints and a genuine concern for the health of the players it will be up to the coach of each team whether or not they go on the field to the players or the players come to them for discussions during a time out. A player on the field or a coach or recognized captain on the sidelines can call a timeout. **the players and  a coach are allowed on the field during timeouts.  One only on the field plus water. If inside the hash as many coaches as you want from sidelines.

OFFICIALS wingman will only talk to HC on sidelines. Not assistants, not captains.

Shared Sidelines: If teams share a sideline then the team boxes will be from the 25-40 yard lines. Each team must remain in their box including coaches. A substitution / coaching zone will be set up from the 15 to the 10 yard lines on the teams sidelines near the endzone. The team that is furthest away from the end zone can take it’s coaches and substitutes  to that zone once their team crosses the opponents 40 yard line. Applies to both offense and defense. Teams/staff/players must travel BEHIND opponents benches.

Blocking Below the Waist: Never, on offense or defense.

**Clarification – Includes blocks initiated high and sliding down. Must maintain high block or let opponent go. Crab blocks are not allowed. Defenders CANNOT block below the waist in an attempt to break up the runners lead blockers. A block that looks like a trip, stumble or fall is STILL going to be penalized.

Pass Interference: There is NO bump and run allowed. Proper pass coverage is defined as maintained position on the receiver by same defender that takes receiver from the LOS or backfield and maintains position during the offensive players entire pass route. It does not matter if the receiver is a back in the backfield or a slot off the line or a TE/WR on the line. If a defender is picking him up and wants to cover him man to man then he can “hip up” when the receiver gets to the defender. The defender has the same right to the ball as the receiver and if contact results from “proper” pass defense in an attempt to maintain that position, it will not be interference.  Defenders, including Safeties and Linebackers CANNOT hit, jamb, push or disrupt the route of receiver crossing his area or zone. Knocking receivers down or blocking them at or after the snap is NOT allowed. This is the give back or offset for the offense which loses protection due to the No Block Below the Waist rule. Defenders must let them run their routes.

Crack back blocks: or any block on a player that may be defenseless: Blocker must lead with his hands.

Helmet coming off: Player does not have to sit out a play If helmet comes off player cannot keep playing and cannot be hit or hit someone else. It will be a personal foul  . 

Intentionally grounding: If QB throws the ball forward and it reaches or crosses the line of scrimmage or throws it out bounds then it is not intentionally grounding.  Any ball traveling backwards is a loose ball anyone can recover and advance if done so before it goes out of bounds. A backwards pass out of bounds in legal, but the ball will be put in play where it goes out of bounds.

There is NO 9 yard belt for us. There is NO "imaginary box" behind the main sideline box for the officials. Coaches and players stay behind the ONE line that marks the officials working area.

There is no 2 step rule once the QB has released the ball. Every attempt will be made to prevent dangerous contact on unprotected players including QB’s. The AzFL reserves the right to intervene to enhance player safety.

Taunting & Unsportsmanlike Behaviors: Players on or off the field of play cannot use signal, symbols, signs or be verbal in any way that would be improper after, before or during a play. This applies to the players and the staff on the benches as well. Some examples, the “slash” or “choke”, or “bird” etc.. Officials and field monitors have control of this during the game. Plus the Discipline Committee can deal with any incidents that were missed or misapplied during the game.

If a player is prancing into the end zone but not pointing the ball at the opponent,

don’ t flag him. If a player breaks away and wants to prance, hop or run backwards from the 20-30 yards out and no one is there to tackle him. Don’t flag him. We allow players to celebrate in the end zone after a score. Celebration cannot be taken off the field of play. The team bench cannot join them, but it is ok for participating players to join in. No delay of game penalty will be called after a score since the clock is stopped. Unless the bench comes onto the field to celebrate.

We encourage teams and players that are on the field during a score to participate. Please allow them to celebrate, in a sportsmanlike manner. One player or several is fine, as long as they were on the field and participated in the play. Simulating bodily functions of humans or animals or other inappropriate acts are not allowed.

AzFL directors and their staff have ultimate authority of the games and all aspects of it. There may be times when AzFL video or still cameras are brought onto the field during the game, breaks, pre-game, halftime and coin tosses. This is at the discretion of the AzFL.

AzFL Monitors: The league has monitors, these are trusted players, coaches and owners that have agreed to work the sidelines or from the press box to assist in keeping the flow of the games stable. They are there to assist the officials and the teams. They have the authority to require officials to use/take an officials time out to get clarification of issues in extreme or highly unusual circumstances. During change of possessions due to fumbles, interceptions or during kicks and sometimes penalty assessment when communications between officials and teams is lost.

The monitors will if need be, call an officials time out to get a clear, understandable answer to the questions. They will only use this option if it is absolutely needed. The officials need to work with the AzFL monitors and directors on this. We ask the monitors NOT to stop the game to answer questions or to appease a coach that feels he is being ignored when the officials are doing their job to keep the game moving. NOT to stop the game so coaches/captains or owners can use the Monitors to aid in their coaching. We do ask the monitors to speak with the officials in between plays and take an answer back to the coaches when possible.

Our stat team/monitors CAN call down and get a down/distance or yardage corrected and stop play to do it. They can also overrule improper clock starts or stops by officials.

The officials are to be treated with respect. We ask the officials to inform monitors about coaches or players that are or could become problems BEFORE something is said that results in an aggravated situation. To the Officials: If you don’t or won’t throw a flag on someone for what they say to each other, please don’t flag them for saying it to you. If it is serious enough to warrant a penalty, regardless of whom it is directed at, then deal with it in the manner needed.

The monitors can remove players from game action if needed (but not instead of a flag being thrown and not by the officials, if an official needs a player removed with cause, they must eject him) and they can remove people from the sidelines that are causing problems and refuse to cooperate.

4 play sit-downs:  The AzFL has developed a policy of using a 4 play sit down for players that need time to consider their behavior.  This is used not only for conduct but also vocal problems. The AzFL may also  sit down players that may be committing unnoticed fouls or playing in a potentially dangerous manner. Even if no flag is thrown. Sometimes they are removed for equipment or uniform violations. We do these things to try to head off situations that in our 30 years of experience may appear to be leading to trouble.

The 4-play sit down can be used by the officials to use, it is also for the AzFL monitors. Officials please discuss this with game ops. Officials: Please do not use or recommend “sit downs” instead of throwing a flag. If there is a penalty, throw the flag. Monitors will try to tell the nearest coach for a team, what is going on, but will not wait until a teams “chain of command” is discovered before sitting a player down. It will happen instantly, coaches/owners need to be aware. Their permission is not required, nor will play be stopped to explain it.

Almost everything that happens in football happens in an emotional heated atmosphere. It is our desire to see that when the game is over, so is the stress and heat. Our arrangement is unlike high school or college. It is different because we are together in a close, tight environment for 3 months with no breaks.

Normally teams, coaches and officials do not spend an entire season, every week working like that. We have been successful in keeping our games safe and fun in spite of the fact that teams that just played a bone crunching, to the death game will be on same field sharing side lines and locker rooms the very next week.

We are a recreational Club, adult league. Not a quasi-minor league, not a wanna be college league, not a last chance to get your licks in bar league. We do not accept every team, player or coach that wants to participate. We only want people working with us that want to be there in this type of recreational environment.

To the officials: We are NOT the NFHS, AIA, NCAA or Pro’s. We are an adult rec league where the men pay to play and have to go to work. Every game they play could be their last game, forever. Games need to be run with that in mind. We want you to call it if you see it. No matter who’s area it is in. If a call is made and you had a good angle and it was not as called, we are asking you to say so and correct it. We want to avoid trouble BEFORE it starts. The best way to do that is call it when you see it. This will head off most trouble. No player or coach’s future is in jeopardy at this level. Please take this request the way it is intended, to Prevent trouble and Increase Safety for everyone. To the WHITE HATS.  PLEASE check with the others in your crew, huddle up with them, to see if they did see something different before you mark it off unless it a simple 5 yard at the snap call.

Field goals, extra point KICKS: If there is only one goal post. A team can request to try a kick at the opposite end of the field. It is an official timeout and as soon as the officials mark the ball ready for play at the other end, both teams need to be lined up for the play with the normal timing rules. It does not matter how much time is left in the game or if the kicking teams have any timeouts left. If they request to kick, they get to switch end zones. Kicking team can change their mind and run a play from the new end zone without a penalty.

Tie Games – Regular Season: Three minute intermission Choice of OFF DEF or End Zone to defend. ONLY use one end zone once established. NFHS OT rules will be use. From the 10 yard line, one series per team, then game ends in a tie. Any fumbles lost, interceptions will end that teams series. Fumbles and interceptions cannot be returned, same for field goal blocks or extra point try

Tie games post season: HS Playoff Rules will be used in post season.

Game, Field, Players, and Equipment:

Game Ball Rotation: before the game, please collect game balls from the two teams and give them to the person’s working opposite sideline to down markers to hold. A team can have a separate kicking ball, and if they run a no huddle they should have two game balls. They must be turned in before the game to the officials. Please inspect the ball, the one they kick has to be in as good condition as the one they throw to their own team or they cannot kick with it. A kicker cannot bring his own ball onto the field. A team can use any regular size football they choose. No youth or junior sizes. The footballs can be any color or markings as long as it is regular size. (sizes HS, college, pro) Must be properly inflated.

During No Huddle or Hurry Up, Offense can snap the ball as soon as it is blown ready for play. Offense does not have to wait for the defense to get lined up or finish subbing players.

Officials should monitor the field conditions and make every effort to place the ball on the nearest hash to avoid overuse in the middle of field.

-Uniforms: Players can tape sleeves or jersey as long as it does not cover numbers or logos.   Make sure all pads are covered (back pads, shoulder pads, etc…)

-Face Shield: Players CAN wear clear, colored or shaded shields.

Doo Rags: Players CAN wear them and they can show during the game, within reason (reason = no longer than a few inches below helmet). AzFL has final say.

**-Towels, AzFL will decide on case by case basis.

-Helmets Off: Players CAN take their helmets off any time the ball is in NOT in play. There will be no penalty.

-Mouthpieces, Hip, Tail, Thigh and Knee Pads: Are not required. They are recommended. It is a player’s choice.

-Radio Communications: Teams can at their own expense put ear pieces (receivers-one way only) in a player’s helmet so a coach can send in instructions. Each team is responsible to supply and use their own. No radio equipment can be attached in a way that might be dangerous to the other players. This equipment can be used even if your opponent does not have any of their own.

-There is NO numbering rule for linemen or any player (a linemen can wear any number) ANY numbers are legal. No player needs to check in with official because of number.

Player Participation: Players can NOT play in the AzFL and any other league’s during the AzFL regular or post seasons. It is the team’s job to monitor their players. Players found to have violated will result in games they played being in being subject to forfeit. Team and coaches agree to abide by such decisions.

Helmet Throwing: A player throwing his or anyone else’s helmet will have his helmet confiscated by the league and it can only be returned after the player pays $50.00 cash to the league. If a helmet is not, for whatever reason picked up by the league, that player cannot play again until he pays the fine. This is in force anywhere on the game day property, anytime. If it occurs during a game the player throwing the helmet may also be ejected from the game. This ejection can be for one game, or for more depending on the incident and the player and his team and staff’s reaction and cooperation. Includes helmets taken off and placed anywhere on the playing surface during a game in a manner that disrupts the game. Such helmet is considered thrown and therefore forfeit. AzFL has final decision in all cases. Team owners, coaches and staff agree to assist us in this and turn over any thrown helmets to a league rep immediately. Helmet becomes property of the league if not redeemed right away.

Game Field and Sidelines: The only people allowed on the playing/warm up areas are the game officials and registered players and staff. If a team has injured players that will be on the sideline, issue him the proper jersey, his jersey with his number on it. Team can notify league if they are not able to hand out a jersey to injured player. Player must be on roster and in team/league logo wear. All team staff and players need to be dressed in a team or league logoed polo, t-shirt or jersey and be on the official roster.

Teams Can Not have people on their sidelines taking still photos or video. Not players, playing or observing nor staff or coaches. That must be done from the bleachers. This applies to all games regardless of location.

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Contact: info@azfl.com, 623-939-4877 www.azfl.com
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