ADULT 5V5 NON-CONTACT RULES

Read through the General Rules first. Then also make sure and check out the style-specific rules below that are unique to this format.

RULE 1. OVERVIEW

SECTION 1. THE FIELD

Article 1. Tournament dimensions of the field are 70 yards long by 25 yards wide with 10 yard endzones.

SECTION 2. THE GAME

Article 1. Game Time is FORFEIT TIME – upon approval by a tournament  director. Guaranteed schedule blocks in scenarios where fields may be behind are the only exception, where teams will be given reasonable time to get to their next games at the discretion of the tournament directors.

Article 2. Minimum 4 players to start a game. May only have up to 5 players on the field at any one time.

Article 3. The offensive team takes possession of the ball at their 5-yard line and has 4 plays to cross mid-field. Once a team crosses mid-field they have 4 plays to score. If the offensive team fails to cross mid-field, the ball changes possession. If the offense does not score, the ball changes possession. All drives start from the 5-yard line with the exception of an interception.

Article 4. No blocking is allowed. No intentional contact is allowed.

SECTION 3. GAME CLOCK FORMAT

Article 1. Tournament clock is 25 minutes long. Two 12 minute halves and 1-minute halftime.

Article 2. Each team has TWO 30 second timeouts PER GAME (1 per half). If a time out is called after a TD the clock will not run until the change of possession and the offense snaps their ball.

Article 3. The play clock is 25 seconds from the end of the previous play.

SECTION 4. FIRST HALF CLOCK

Article 1. The clock will run continuously during the 12 minutes of the first half unless a team timeout is used or play is stopped by an official (e.g. deal with an injury, referee conference, game management purposes, etc.)

Article 2. The head official will give a verbal two-minute warning (for rule specific changes inside 2 minutes)

Article 3. The clock will run during point-after-touchdown attempts (PATs) in the first half unless either team opts to use a team timeout.

SECTION 5. SECOND HALF CLOCK

Article 1. In the second half the clock will run continuously for 12 minutes unless a team timeout or an official’s time out is used.

Article 2. The head official will give a verbal two-minute (for rule specific changes) and one-minute warning as close as possible to the actual marks but will not interrupt a live play.

RULE 2. OFFENSE

SECTION 1. RUNNING

Article 1. The quarterback may not run unless the ball has been thrown back, handed or pitched to him or her in the backfield.

Article 2. Teams may handoff (unlimited), pitch, or throw back in the backfield. UNLIMITED laterals or throwbacks behind the LOS are allowed for the player to remain eligible to pass.

Article 3. A forward pass DOES NOT have to cross the LOS to be a legal play.

Article 4. If the ball is placed on the “Back” of ANY player, the player MUST run the ball (no give and go to the QB on the back)

Article 5. No run zones are located 5 yards before mid-field and 5-yards before the end zone.  You may not run the ball in the no run zone (5-yards before the first down and end zone), only forward passes are allowed to advance the ball past the line of scrimmage. Laterals and handoffs are still allowed.

Article 7. Ball is spotted where the ball is at the time of the flag pull. The ball must break the plane of the midfield or goal line to be considered a first down or touchdown.

Article 8. Players may NOT block down field in any form.

SECTION 2. PASSING

Article 1. The quarterback has 5 seconds to pass the ball if there is no rush. If the ball is not thrown, then the play is dead. After the ball is ruled dead it is returned to the line of scrimmage.

Article 2. Once the ball is handed off or pitched backwards the 5 second count stops. If the defensive team rushes, then there is no 5 second count.

SECTION 3. RECEIVING

Article 1. All players are eligible to receive a pass, including the quarterback, if the ball has been pitched or handed off in the backfield.

RULE 3. DEFENSE

SECTION 1. RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK

Article 1. Players that blitz/rush the quarterback must be a minimum of 7 yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped.

Article 2. The 7 yards will be measured off by a referee.

Article 3. Players that are not 7 yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped may not enter into the backfield until there is a change of possession.

Article 4. The blitzer/rusher is allowed a direct lane to the line of scrimmage as long as he or she rushes from either side of the center or outside the bunch formation. The offense must avoid interfering with the rusher if he or she has established a lane. Officials will announce LANE or NO LANE for rushers/blitzers prior to the snap. This is a judgment call/decision based on the spacing between the players in the offensive formation. A space of 6″ or greater in length between two players constitutes a lane at the official’s discretion.

Article 5. The rush of a blitzer must be immediately after the snap, quick and straight towards the point where the quarterback receives the snap in order to retain the right of way. If a blitzer is rushing late, slowly, aiming at another spot, changing direction during the rush or just does not rush the quarterback, the player loses the right of way but still can participate as any other defensive player.

RULE 4. SCORING

SECTION 1. POINTS

• Touchdown: 6 points
• Point After Touchdown:
  • (PAT) 1 point from the 5-yard line (no-run zone in effect)
  • 2 points from the 10-yard line, run, pass (outside of no-run zone)
  • Interceptions returned on PAT’s are worth 2 points
• Safety: 2 points

SECTION 2. MERCY RULE

Article 1. No Mercy Rule during pool play games.  If a team is up by 28 points or more during bracket play at any time or 19 Points at the final minute, the game will be over.

SECTION 3. PENALTIES INSIDE 2 MINUTES

Article 1. All penalties inside of 2 minutes of BOTH halves remain the same except:

• Defensive delay of game (+ 15 yards Unsportsmanlike & 1st Down)
• Leading Team – Offensive delay of game (LOD + clock stops) (only second half)
• Offensive Pre-snap penalties – yardage + LOD
• Defensive Pre-Snap – yardage + Automatic first down

ADULT 5V5 OLYMPIC-STYLE DIVISION RULES

These rules are an extension of our 5v5 Non-Contact rules so read through those, along with the General Rules first. Below are the changes to this style for Olympic:

RULE 1: OLYMPIC RULE CHANGES

SECTION 1. OFFENSE

Article 1. The offensive team has 4 plays to get a first down, and 4 plays to score once a first down is achieved.

Article 2. No Laterals or handoffs of any kind for the offense once the ball has crossed the line of scrimmage. Any intentional or inadvertent lateral or handoff will be deemed an illegal pitch at the spot where the ball is handed or lands in an attempted lateral. This is a live ball penalty. Illegal advancement will incur a 5 yard penalty from the spot of the foul and a loss of down.

Article 3. The snap from the center to the QB does NOT need to go through the legs of the center.

Article 5. Jumping to advance the ball is illegal and will be considered an illegal advancement penalty. 

SECTION 3. DEFENSE

Article 1. The rusher must DECLARE their intent to rush with 1 hand raised high above their head until the snap is initiated. This signal will notify the officials and the offensive team who is rushing and who to avoid in the rusher’s path to the line of scrimmage. Failure to signal will result in the rusher losing his/her right of way/direct path to the line of scrimmage.

Article 2. Only TWO (2) rushers can declare intent to rush and have a protected lane. While anyone can rush, only 2 people with their hand raised will receive right-of-way.

ATHLETE-CENTRED CONDUCT

With respect to its relations with athletes, The BCAFFL will:

• Show respect and regard for the interests and goals of athletes;
• Act on the belief that the athlete as a person is more important than the sport;
• Demonstrate a responsiveness to individual needs and situations;
• Engage in practices that maintain and enhance the ethic of care for self and others;
• Carry out its activities in a manner, which demonstrates concern for the health, well-being, protection and enhancement of all athletes.
• Encourage and respect individual responsibility in developing ethical ideals through moral reflection, moral dialogue and moral practices in sport.

BCAFFL should consistently demonstrate an ethic of care, where we are watchful for and sensitive to the needs of athletes as people and not just as performers of sport. Our conduct should therefore ensure that athletes have the best possible experience when dealing with the “Association”, as measured by their satisfaction and expressed confidence in the integrity of the BCAFFL and its members.

(Addapted from: FOOTBALL CANADA CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT)

BCAFFL's Code of Professional Conduct is more than simply a set of behaviours for people within the organization; it reflects the ideals and values of the organization, as well as its commitment to uphold those values as part of what makes the organization what it is. It is therefore part of the BCAFFL's Code of Conduct, that can be applied to any particular situation, by asking the questions: “what is the right thing to do, and how do we avoid doing the wrong thing?”

As part of our “Association’s” philosophy, the BCAFFL believes its work is first and foremost in the interest of the participant and the athlete. Our ethical rationale for promoting ethical conduct in sport is founded on the belief that sport is for the benefit of everyone, and that the pursuit of sporting excellence is a function of our collective pursuit of the human potential. The BCAFFL is a promoter of sport values and ethics (through football), and as such should lead by example as an “Association” committed to the highest order of professionalism and public scrutiny. The membership whether paid staff or volunteers and regardless of their duties and responsibilities is called upon to conduct themselves with integrity, be fair and honest in our dealings with others, and treat others with respect and dignity. The following is the BCAFFL Code of Professional Conduct:

• BCAFFL members and employees are responsible for their actions and accountable for the consequences of their actions or inactions.
• At all times, BCAFFL members and employees will act in a manner that encourages and maintains confidence among athletes, sport organizations and the public, in the integrity of the organization and its people.
• The BCAFFL will conduct its relations with, and discharge its duties to, other organizations, clients, the public and media with ethics and fairness. All business dealings must be conducted in a fair and honest manner, both within the spirit and the letter of agreements, policies and legal requirements. All persons should be treated with respect, tact and courtesy in all dealings with the “Association”.
• All communications with clients, whether oral or written, must be conducted in a professional manner, and should be delivered in a timely, accurate and clear manner.
• BCAFFL members and employees must not be in a conflict of interest or permit any influence that could conflict with the best interest of the “Association” or prejudice the “Association’s” reputation. Disclosure in writing is required for any BCAFFL member or employee associated with, employed by, performing services for or with a financial interest in any other corporation, body or enterprise doing business with or seeking to do business with the BCAFFL.
• Confidentiality of personal and sensitive information must be respected. BCAFFL will develop, implement, maintain and enforce reasonable policies and procedures to ensure confidentiality and safeguard confidential information.
• All methods of seeking and obtaining financial support for BCAFFL activities must be carried out in a manner consistent with maintaining membership and public confidence in, and respect for, the “Association”, its authority on matters of ethics in sport and its independence from vested interests.
• BCAFFL must use its resources (including human and material resources, funds, equipment and information) responsibly and in the best interests of all its members, the public and the “Association”.
• Any complaint received concerning the BCAFFL must be handled professionally, promptly and courteously, with a written reply if requested, and a written record maintained.

BCAFFL must conduct its affairs in an open manner that welcomes public scrutiny as a necessary and beneficial aspect of an effective ethics in sport organization and credible ethics in sport programs and policies. BCAFFL supports public disclosure of information and will not withhold any information about itself and/or its activities unless there is justifiable reason to do so, such reason(s) being itself open to public scrutiny.

FINES AND PENALTIES 

• Any team that fails to participate in a scheduled BCAFFL game without notice, will incur a monetary penalty of $100. 
• The BCAFFL must still pay for the fields and officials scheduled for the use of the forfeited game without prior notice. This fee is applied to the team and the team will not be permitted to participate again until the penalty has been settled. 
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• Any team or player found to be in violation of the leagues policy regarding the removal of garbage  will face a $50 penalty. 
• ​​​​​​​Any team or player that causes damage to league or parks property will be assessed a penalty in the amount of the damage caused. The team or player in question will be held responsible and be suspended until the penalty is resolved.