Powder Puff Football Rules (Homecoming)

Pepperell Powder Puff Football Rules

Players/Game Schedules

Teams are allowed a maximum of 7 players on the field at a time, minimum 5

First Game – Sophomores vs. Juniors

Second Game – Freshmen vs. Seniors

Third Game – Championship – Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner

A coin toss determines first possession
The team that wins the toss may choose to 1) to receive or 2) to defend
There are no kickoffs – play will begin at the 40 yd line to begin each possession

The field will be between the 30 yard lines of Dragon Stadium with 10 yard end zones

Games will consist of two 15 minute halves. Halftime will be 5 minutes long
The clock will remain running with no stopping for whistles or penalties
Each team will have one timeout per game
The clock will stop after a score (If one team is up by 3 scores at halftime, the clock will not stop after scores in the 2nd half)
Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it
If the score is tied at the end of regulation, teams move directly into overtime (A coin toss determines first possession)
The first team to score in overtime wins

The offense must have a minimum of 4players on the line of scrimmage
The offense has four downs to advance the ball up the field10 yards for a first down
A player without the ball that steps out of bounds on his own is ineligible to re-enter during that play
The ball carrier must try to elude the tackler rather than creating contact but cannot “flag guard” which is defined as any use of the hands to keep the defense from pulling a players flag
The offense may run one running play per every 4 downs – the ball must be ran outside the tackle box – which will be designated by cones on the field
The quarterback can run with the ball after the count of five “Mississippi’s” by the defenseand after the defense crosses the line of scrimmage
Blocking must be done with the blockers hands behind their back
On 4th down the offense may choose to “punt,” at which time the ball will be spotted 25 yards downfield and the other team takes possession

Defense

No tackling allowed (Ball carriers are “tackled” when a defensive player pulls their flag)
A defensive player may not intentionally hold, block, trip or push a ball carrier out of bounds to stop the play
Tacklers may not physically stop a runner before the flag is pulled
Once the ball has been handed off, all defensive players are eligible to rush
The defense may rush the quarterback only after a count of five “Mississippi’s”

Kickoff

There are no kickoffs – play will begin at the 40 yd line to begin each possession
If the offense fails to convert a first down, the other team takes possession at the spot of the ball
The ball will be spotted at the 40-yard line to begin play after opposing team has scored
Safeties are allowed (If the defense pulls a flag in the offenses own end zone then two points will be rewarded to the defensive team and they will receive possession of the ball at the 40 yard line)

Passing

Defensive players must count five “Mississippi’s” at a normal rate before rushing the quarterback while the quarterback is in the tackle box(If the quarterback rolls outside of the tackle box, the defensive players may rush at any time)
Interceptions change the possession of the ball at the point of the interception (interceptionsCANNOT be advanced or run back)
If a player intercepts the ball in the end zone, the ball is placed on the 40 yard line
If the player is de-flagged while running in the end zone, it is a touchback or a safety
Incomplete passes return to the line of scrimmage

Receiving

All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage)
A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception
For a legal catch, the player must maintain control of the ball before hitting the ground inbounds

Dead Balls - play is ruled “dead” when:

Ball carrier’s flag is pulledor any body parts other than the feet touch the ground
Ball carrier steps out of bounds
Ball is fumbled – there are no fumble recoveries, if the ball is fumbled it is dead at the spot of the fumble(A muffed snap from center to the quarterback does not count as a fumble)
Touchdown is scored

Sportsmanship

Foul play will not be tolerated (An unsportsmanlike act can include any acts of intentionally tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, fighting, flagrant actions, or any act intending to cause harm or an unfair advantage)
Ten-yard penalties will be given to a team engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct
If trash talking occurs, the referees will give one warning (If it continues, the coach/player or coaches/players will be ejected from the game)

Fighting

Any player involved in a fight during the game will be immediately ejected from the game and will be subject to disciplinary action by the school

Penalties

Defense:

Offside – 5 yards, repeat the down
Personal Fouls – 10 yards from the spot of the foul – possible ejection if flagrant
Using fist, foot, knee or leg to contact an opponent
Tackling
Illegal contact
Stripping the ball
Tripping
Unnecessary roughness
Roughing the passer

Offense:

Flag Guarding – 10 yards from the spot of the foul
Illegal block (making contact) – 10 yards
Offside, false start, illegal formation – 5 yards
Pass interference – 10 yards
Illegal forward pass – 5 yards and loss of down
Personal Fouls – 10 yards from the spot of the foul – possible ejection if flagrant
Using fist, foot, knee or leg to contact an opponent
Tackling
Illegal contact
Stripping the ball
Tripping
Unnecessary roughness