GTIFL Rules and Formations

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Players and Formations
 

-8 players from each team on the field , team roster can consist of 24 players
 

-Team must have 8 players to begin the game
 

-4 offensive players are eligible receivers
 

-5 players must be on the line of scrimmage in a set position on the snap of the ball
 

-The 3 linemen must be in a GUARD-CENTER-GUARD formation, all must be in the line of scrimmage and in a set position before the snap.
 

- 2 players, on the line of scrimmage, are ineligible.
 

-The eligible lineman must declare his eligibility by raising his arm from the huddle and keeping it raised until he gets in his set position or the ref approves his eligibility.
 

-1 player may be in motion before the snap , that includes motioning towards the line of scrimmage.
 

-The defense must line-up one yard from the line of scrimmage. No part of the body can be closer than one yard.
 

-Only players and up to two team-reps are allowed on the team sidelines. All personnel on the benches must sign the insurance waiver.

-Timing-

-Game clock runs continuously from the start of the game until the end. It doesn't  stops for timeouts (3 per team). THE GAME CLOCK IS A RUNNING CLOCK. The fields are purchased by the hour, there is no opportunity to play beyond our assigned field time.

-Games will start at 8:00 and 9:00 sharp. A team must have 8 team-eligible players for the game to start  

-The late team gives-up possession of the ball for the beginning of the game and the beginning of the second half. They are also penalized 7 points every five minutes, including the first five. If after 15 minutes of play, enough players have not arrived, or not enough players are eligible to make eight players, the game is forfeited at a score of 21-0. The two teams may choose to continue to play but the game score is recorded as 21-0 for the full team.

-Each team gets three timeouts per game to use at any time. When the timeout is called the clock WILL continue to run as we do not have an opportunity to play past our assigned field time.
 

-The game consists of two 25 minute halves, half-time will be provided if time allows. It is the referee’s discretion to have a half-time. The max half-time is 5 minutes.
 

-The offensive play clock is 30 seconds, the game clock does not stop.That includes incomplete passes, out of bounds plays and injuries.
 

-The referees will whistle-in a 5 minute warning and notify the captains of the score, with 5 minutes remaining on the clock. The game clock does not stop for incomplete passes, injuries, out of bounds plays, etc.
 

-The game ends on the referee’s whistle, not the game buzzer. They will do so by waving their flag above their head in a circle.

-If there is a tie at the end of regulation and a team can win by scoring the extra point that team will be awarded 1 play to attempt the extra point to win the game.

-The game cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless declined by the offence.

-Scoring-

-6 points for a touchdown
 

-3 points for a convert from the 15 yard line
 

-2 points for a convert from the 10 yard line
 

-1 point for a convert scored from the 5 yard line
 

-points are not rewarded for a safety. Instead, a change of possession occurs and is placed at mid-field, the new offence has 4 plays to score, no first down can be earned. 
 

-Mercy Rule-
 

-if a team is down by 35 points during the game, the losing team may forfeit the rest of the game, if they wish.

-Injury Rule-
 

-at the referee’s and game commissioner’s discretion, the game will be ended prematurely for a serious field injury. The game result in a tie unless a team is leading by 21+ points.
 

-faking injuries or delaying the game through injuries will result in delay of games penalties and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on the offending team, which include ejection and suspensions and score overturning. This ruling is at the discretion of league officials.
 

 -Offensive and Defensive Play-

-The referees will blow the whistle if a play is headed within 2-3 yards of the sideline boards to prevent injury , implementing what is called the "SIDELINE RULE" . THIS RULE WILL BE USED AT THE REFEREES DISCRETION.  

-All players not on the field are required to remain on their benches and off of the field of play.

-30 seconds between plays

-The ball will start on the 5 yard line at the beginning of each half 

-4 downs to half, 4 downs to score after the team has reached half of the field.

- In even of a safety the ball goes to midfield and team has 4 downs to score.  

-If the ball is turned over the recovering team will take over possession at the spot of the turn over.

-Spiking the ball, throwing the ball, kicking the ball is considered a delay of game. 

-Excessive celebrations will result in delay of game. Have fun, don't eat up the time.
 

-Face Masks-

ALL face mask penalties will result in a 10 yard penalty.

G.T.I.F.L reserves all rights to make any necessary rule changes or additions for the safety and development of our league.