1.            REGISTRATION

             A.            Minimum number of players to register is FIVE.

             B.            Maximum number is TWENTY.

             2.            ROSTER / ELIGIBILITY OF PLAYERS

Every team must submit a team roster prior to their first scheduled game.  A player may be added or deleted by the date listed on the game schedule.  At this time rosters will be frozen.  To add or delete players from a roster, a team representative must do so in person at the recreation office.

 A.         Any player information, which is not correct on a team’s roster, could result in the dismissal of that team from the league.  Coaches should, at all times, keep up-to-date records of their team's roster.  This practice can eliminate any questions as to whether a team member is eligible to play or not.

 B.        Remember:  A player must be on a team's roster to play in any game.

 C.                Players must have competed in at least two regular season league games to participate in the season-ending tournament.  Forfeits do not constitute a played match.

 D.               Players must be at least 15 years of age by the first game of the season. A parent/guardian signature is required for  players under the age of 18.

 3.            CONDUCT

 All persons directly or indirectly involved in our program are expected to act in an adult-like manner.  Games may be forfeited due to poor behavior. 

4.         GAME TIME - FORFEIT TIME

 Game time IS forfeit time.

 5.            LEAGUE STANDINGS

League standings will be updated and available to you after 1:00 pm each day following your game at the recreation office.  You may call 532-4140 or stop by the Recreation Offices located at the Aquatics Center.  Standings will also be available from your field supervisor or online at www.ci.show-low.az.us.

Awards will be made to teams based on the total number of wins accumulated.  If teams are tied, standings will be based on head-to-head competition (how they fared against each other), if they are still tied or in case of a three way tie that cannot be broken by head-to-head competition, ties will be broken according to point differential (how many points you scored against the teams you tied against vs. the amount of points you allowed by those teams).

 6.            LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

 A.         League:  Overall season record (games won) will determine the champion and the runner-up teams in league.

 B.         Tournament:  All teams will generally participate in the post- season tournament.

 7.            INSURANCE

 Medical insurance is the responsibility of the team or individual.  The City of Show Low DOES NOT carry medical insurance for these teams.

 8.            PROTESTS

 League game protests are discouraged and will not be accepted on judgment decisions. Protests will be handled by the field supervisor. If protests cannot be settled at that time, complete the following process:

A.         Protest must be written and submitted to the Show Low Recreation Offices during the next business day.

        B.         A $10.00 hearing fee will be required and must accompany protest...refundable if honored.

         C.      All protests including illegal player protests must be made before game is completed.  NO PROTEST WILL BE ACCEPTED ONCE GAME IS COMPLETED.

9.         PRE-GAME PROCEDURES
In order to remain on schedule each night on the field, it is necessary that each team be responsible for the following:

A.      Arrive for your scheduled game at least 10 minutes prior to game time.

B.      Locate field supervisor and fill out game line-up immediately.  No games will be played without line-up’s filled out.

C.      Coaches are responsible for player eligibility.  A player must be on your team’s roster to participate in a game.

      10.            SCOREKEEPER

The field supervisor will do the scorekeeping.

11. PLAYING RULES: 

Note:  There are no kick offs, and no blocking is allowed.

A.     RULES:  A coin toss determines first half and second half possessions.  Which will be alternating.

B.     The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has three (3) plays to cross midfield.  Once a team crosses midfield, it has three (3) plays to score a touchdown.  If the offense fails to score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over from it’s 5-yard line.

C.     If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive from its 5-yard line.

D.     All possession changes, except interceptions, start on the offense’s 5-yard line.

E.      Teams change sides after the first 20 minutes.

F.      TIMING:  Each game is played in two 20-minute halves.  A running clock format is used.

G.     Each team receives two 30-second time-outs per game.  The offense must snap the ball immediately following the conclusion of the timeout.

H.     There will be a two- minute break at halftime.

I.        Offense has 30 seconds from the time the ball is set by the official to snap the ball.

J.      Officials can stop the clock at their discretion.

K.     Teams must field a minimum of five (5) players at all times.

L.      TWO-MINUTE RULES:  Two minute rules are only in effect when the score is within 8 points.

*The only time the clock will run during the final two minutes is during a play or in between plays if a player gained positive yards and his flag was pulled in bounds.

*The clock stops for:  incompletions, penalties, out of bounds, plays that result in a loss of yards, and time-outs.

 M.    TIMING/OVERTIME:  Games played to 40 minutes running time, with a 2-minute halftime.  If the score is tied at the end of 40 minutes, teams move immediately into a five-minute overtime.  The team that scores the most points wins.

N.     SCORING:  Touch down:  6 points

Extra point:    1 point (played from 5 yard line)

   2 points (played from 12 yard line)

Safety:    2 points

O.     RUNNING:  The quarterback cannot run with the ball.  No quarterback sneaks.  No center sneaks.

                                                               i.      Only direct handoffs behind the line of scrimmage are permitted.  Offense may use multiple handoffs.

                                                             ii.      “No-Running Zones”, located 5 yards from each end zone and 5 yards on either side of midfield, are designed to avoid short yardage, power-running situations.

                                                            iii.      The player who takes the handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage.

                                                            iv.      Once the ball has been handed off, all defensive players are eligible to rush.

                                                              v.      Spinning is allowed, but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive player (no diving).

                                                            vi.      The ball is spotted where the ball carrier’s feet are when the flag is pulled, not where the ball is.

P.     RECIEVING:  All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage).

Only one player is allowed in motion at a time.

A player must have a least one foot inbounds when making a reception.

Q.     PASSING:  Shovel passes are allowed.

No lateral passes beyond the line of scrimmage.  The quarterback has a seven-second “pass clock.”  If a pass is not thrown within the seven seconds, play is dead, loss of down.  Once the ball is handed off, the seven second rule is no longer in effect.

DEAD BALLS:  Substitutions may be made on any dead ball>

Play is ruled “dead” when:

Ball carrier’s flag is pulled.

Ball carrier steps out of bounds.

Touchdown or safety is scored.

                       Ball carrier’s knees hit the ground.

Ball carrier’s flag falls off.

Note:  There are no fumbles.  The ball is spotted where the ball hits the ground.  Interceptions are considered a live ball.

 RUSHING THE QB:  All players who rush the passer must be a minimum of seven yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped.  Any number of players can rush the quarterback.  Players not rushing the quarterback may defend on the line of scrimmage.  Once the ball is handed off, the seven yard rule no longer is in effect and all defenders may go behind the line of scrimmage.  A special marker, or the referee, will designate seven yards from the line of scrimmage.  Remember, no blocking or tackling is allowed.

SPORTSMANSHIP/ROUGHING:  If the field supervisor or referees witness any acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking, or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player will be ejected from the game.  The ejected player must pay a $5 fine to the field supervisor, before he may play in another game.  FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

Trash talking is illegal.  Officials have the right to determine offensive language.  (Trash talk is talk that may be offensive to officials, opposing players, teams or spectators.)  If trash talking occurs, the referee will give one warning.  If it continues, the player or players will be ejected from the game and the $5 fine will apply.

R.     PENALTIES:  All penalties will be called by the referee.

Defense:

Offsides – 5 yards and automatic first down

Interference – 10 yards and automatic down

Illegal contact (holding, blocking, etc.) – 10 yards and automatic first down.

Delay of game – 10 yards and loss of down.

Referees determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play.  All penalties will be assessed from the line of scrimmage.

Only team captain may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations.  Players cannot question judgment calls.

Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it.

Illegal flag pull down – (before receiver has ball) – 10 yards and automatic first down.

Illegal rushing (starting rush from inside 7-yard maker) – 10 yards and automatic first down.

Offense:

Illegal motion (more than one person moving, false start, etc.) – 5 yards and loss of down.

Illegal forward pass (pass received behind line of scrimmage) – 5 yards and loss of down.

Offensive pass interference (illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender) – 10 yards and loss of down.

Flag guarding – 10 yards (from line of scrimmage) and loss of down.

Delay of game – 10 yards and loss of down.

Referees determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play.  All penalties will be assessed from the line of scrimmage.

Only team captain may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations.  Players cannot question judgment calls.

Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it.

12.            SCHEDULE:

a.       Your league schedule will be available from the recreation offices or from your Field Supervisor.

b.       Make sure our office has a correct mailing address and coach’s phone number for your team at all times.

c.       Once schedules are made the games will proceed as scheduled.  No game/games will be rescheduled for the convience of a team or teams.

d.       If a game is cancelled due to field/gym concerns or any other situation out of our control (i.e. weather, school scheduling conflicts, evacuations, etc.) the game will be rescheduled during the next available time for our gym/fields and staff.

e.      Tournament games may be played any night of the week.  There will be no rearrangement of the schedule for the convenience of a team or teams.

13.            COMMUNICATION

All communication from teams to field supervisor and official must come through the team captain.  Captains shall be identified before each regulation game to your game official.

14.            UNIFORMS

      Uniforms are not required, pennies are provided by the   Recreation Department.
      Cleats are allowed, except for metal spikes.

15.            FORFIETS

A team that forfeits a game without 24-hour notice must pay a $20 forfeit fee to the Show Low Recreation Department before their next scheduled game in order to play in that game.  No further notification to pay this forfeit fee will be given.  A team with three forfeits may be dropped from the league without a refund.

A.      Not having the required umber of players ready at game time.

B.      Illegal players participating.  Teams using illegal players will have games affected declared forfeits.

C.      Misconduct on the part of the players, coaches, team managers or members of other teams in the program, before, during or after a contest.

D.      Failure to submit a legal roster prior to team’s first game.

16.  AWARDS

Varies from season to season.

17.  SUPERVISION

a.      Recreation Director:  Dirk Gardner, 532-4133

b.      League Coordinator:  Cathy Solomon, 532-4142

c.      A field supervisor will be responsible for your game operation.

d.      Show Low Parks & Recreation, 1100 W. Deuce of Clubs, Show Low, AZ 85901-4140

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONSUMPTION:

Show Low Ballfields: City ordinance #79 states that drinking alcoholic beverages at the Show Low City Park ballfields is prohibited during athletic events. This ordinance will be strictly enforced by the Show Low Police Department and persons violating said Ordinance will be subject to a fine of $1,500 to $2,000.  The Church field has a policy of no drinking or smoking on Church property.