Men's Touch Football
Manual

Rules for Touch Football

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A. Rosters

Rosters may consist of up to 20 players plus a five-man taxi squad. Players may only be rostered on one team. Roster changes must be made at the field. Rosters will be due no later than at the completion of your first game. New players added after the first game may not play for seven full days after registering. No roster changes can be made after the sixth game. Rostered players must play in at least three regular season games before they can play in the playoffs.

No additional fee is charged for new resident players. Each new non-resident player must pay a non-resident fee at the time they are added to the roster. New non-resident players are not eligible until non-resident fees are paid. There will be no refunds for non-residents who drop out. One non-resident cannot replace another non-resident without paying the non-resident fee.

Non-resident fees will be due before the start of the second week of games. Non-resident players not paying the non-resident fees are not eligible to play and a team may forfeit if the fee is not paid.

B. Eligibility

Players must be at least 18 years old or graduated from high school to be eligible to participate in the adult football league. Players must have filled in his name, address, phone number and signature on the roster as well as pay a non-residents fee where applicable, before they can participate in any games.

A picture ID must be presented if another team or the Park District representative questions a player's eligibility. An eligibility check must be requested prior to the end of the game. Any team playing with an ineligible player or a player who has given an incorrect address or phone number will forfeit all games in which that player participated.

The Recreation Department does not assume responsibility for insuring players in the league. Individual players are responsible for their own liability.

C. Alcoholic Beverages

No alcoholic beverages are allowed in the parks at any time. If any member of a team or the team's fans are seen consuming alcohol before, during or after their game, their team risks forfeiting that week's game or their following game. Teams are responsible for their fans. It is up to the team to inform their fans of this policy. Alcohol is only allowed if approved by the Park District Board of Commissioners and sold by the Arlington Heights Park District.

D. Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Any team or individual exhibiting unsportsmanlike acts towards members of another team, any official, or any Park District representative before, during, or after the game, risks forfeiture of the game. The Park District reserves the right to forfeit any game following complaints by the official's association or Park District representatives even if the official does not do so. Any team or individual which the Arlington Heights Park District feels does not display the high degree of sportsmanship that the Arlington Heights Park District have built up in our leagues will be suspended or expelled and will possibly lose their rights to participate in the Arlington Heights Park District Men's Football League.

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Rules For Touch Football

Any rule not spelled out in this manual will conform to IHSA Rules.

Rule 1 - Equipment

1. Field

1. The playing field shall be a rectangular area 80 yards by 40 yards with end zones at both ends of the field 10 yards in depth. Whenever possible, abbreviated fields shall coincide with all measurements of the regulation football field.
2. Lines parallel to the goal line shall be drawn so as to form four equal zones of 20 yards each.
3. The goal shall correspond to the regulation football goal.
4. There shall be two inbound lines dividing the field into thirds and running parallel with each sideline.

2. Ball

The ball shall be a regulation-approved football. It shall be used at all times and the referee shall be the sole judge of the ball's acceptability for play.

3. Uniforms

Players are prohibited from wearing the following: any metal spikes, padding of leather, plastic or fiber (even thoroughly covered), shoulder pads, helmets or any hard protective materials. Jewelry (i.e., watches, rings or earrings) may not be worn. Non-metal knee braces may be worn, provided they are properly covered. All players of the same team must wear the same color jerseys. Opposing teams must wear contrasting colored jerseys. The visiting team shall make any changes required. Jerseys must have contrasting colored numbers on the back.

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Rule 2 - Purpose of the Game

The purpose of the game shall be to score on the opponents by getting the ball over the opponent's goal line. Goal lines for each team shall be established at opposite ends of the field. Each team shall be allowed opportunities to advance the ball across their opponent's goal line by running or passing.

1. Kickoff

There will be no kickoff; instead the ball will be put in play by the offensive team at the 20-yard line.

2. Line of Scrimmage

The line of scrimmage for each team is an imaginary line or vertical plane parallel to the goal lines and passing through that point of the ball nearest the team's own goal line. The area between the two lines of scrimmage (the length of the ball) is neutral territory.

3. Offside - Encroachment

A player, except for the offensive center, is offside when any part of his body is over the line of scrimmage for his team.

4. Blocking

Blocking shall be done with the arms and body without the use of the hands. The body may be in a crouched position. The arms and hands cannot be extended forward. The hands may be either at the player's sides, on his knees, or in contact with the chest. No part of the blocker's body except his feet shall be in contact with the ground throughout the block. The player cannot leave his feet when blocking. Defensive players are restricted in the use of their hands to the body and shoulders of offensive blockers. There shall be no swinging of the elbows when blocking. Under no condition shall a high-low block be permitted. PENALTY: loss of 15 yards from spot of foul.

5. Blocking Kicks

Any intentional contact with the kicker by an opponent shall be considered a foul. PENALTY: 15 yards from spot where ball was last put in play.

6. Tripping

Tripping is obstructing a player below the knee with the leg or with any part of the obstructing player's body. PENALTY: 15 yards from spot where ball was last put in play. (Automatic first down is optional).

7. Down

A down is a period of action which starts with putting the ball in play and ends when the ball is next dead.

8. Touchback

A touchback is made when a free ball or a ball legally in possession of a player guarding his own goal becomes dead; any part of it being on, above or behind the goal line, provided the impetus which sent it to or across the line was given by opponent.

9. Safety

A safety is made when a free ball or a ball legally in possession and control of a player guarding his own goal becomes dead; any part of it being on, above or behind the goal line, provided the impetus which sent it to or across the goal line was given by a player of his own team. After a safety, the team making it shall put the ball in play by a free kick (punt, place or drop kick) from anywhere on a line 20 yards distant from its goal line and parallel to it.

10. Dead Ball

The referee shall declare the ball dead and the down ended:

1. When the runner is touch-tackled by an opponent with an open hand simultaneously below the shoulders. A defensive player may leave his feet for a tag but a player may not leave his feet for a block. (Touch-tackler may not hold with one hand to touch with the other.) PENALTY: 15 yards for "flying tackle" or "holding". (Automatic first down optional).
2. When the ball goes out of bounds or the player carrying it goes out of bounds.
3. When the ball strikes the goal posts.
4. When a forward pass becomes incomplete.
5. When a touchdown, safety or touchback is made.
6. When a player passes to himself.
7. When a ball strikes the ground after a fumble or muff of a lateral pass, free kick or kick (including during a run, or pass from center).
8. When any part of a runner's body other than his hands or feet touch the ground.

11. Fumbles and Muffed Balls

Any time the ball is fumbled or muffed, or touches the ground after a lateral pass, free kick or kick (not including kick-off), during a run, or a pass from center, the ball is dead and belongs to the team that fumbled the ball at the spot when it touched the ground. If the ball is centered in front, to the side or over a player's head, it is dead at the point of contact with the ground. A fumbled ball striking the ground always belongs to the team in possession of the ball unless it is fourth down and the team fails to make its necessary yardage. A ball becoming dead behind ones goal line under this rule, is an automatic safety.

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Rule 3 - Players and Substitutions

1. Players

A team shall consist of seven players, one of whom shall be captain. On the offense, four players must be on the line of scrimmage (4-3), the other three players deployed at will. The defense has no formation restrictions except on a "Free Kick." A team cannot start or finish with less than seven players. A team may blitz a player from more than 3 yards off the ball.

2. Substitution

1. A player who has left the game (except after disqualification) may return after any succeeding play.
2. A substitute is not required to report to the referee or umpire of the game before assuming his position with the team. A substitution may communicate immediately with other members of his team.

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Rule 4 - Duration of the Game

1. Duration of the Game

The game shall be played in two, 20-minute halves, with the clock stopped ONLY on scores, time outs, or penalties. The clock shall be stopped during the last two minutes of the first and second halves, whenever the ball is dead (i.e., incomplete passes, time outs, scores, penalties, try for point). The teams shall be given a two-minute warning in the first and second halves and advised when the clock should start again.

The official may stop the clock at any time for an injured player. If the injured player remains in the game, his team shall either be charged with a time out or penalized for delay of game.

When the ball is placed and marked ready for play, the clock shall immediately start again.

Ball is put into play on the 20-yard line after score, halves, or a safety.

2. Time Out

A total of four time outs will be allowed during the game except if the referee deems it necessary to call an official's time out. Each team may call a maximum of three time outs during the last two minutes of each half.

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Rule 5 - Playing Regulations

1. Starting the game

1. Deciding choice of goals and possession - the referee shall toss a coin before the game in the presence of the captains of the opposing teams, first designating which captain shall call the flip. The winner of the toss shall have the choice of kicking or receiving.
2. At the start of the second half, the order of receiving the ball shall be reversed (no choice involved), and the teams shall be reversed to defend opposite goal lines.

2. Lining up for Scrimmage

The offensive team must have at least four men on its line of scrimmage. The defensive team lines up behind its line of scrimmage.

3. On Side

All players of both teams except the offensive center must be behind their respective lines of scrimmage at the instant the center passes the ball.

4. Putting the Ball in Play by Center

1. When the ball is put in play by the center, he passes it between his legs to one of his backfield men, who endeavors to advance the ball by running, kicking, passing forward, passing sideward, or passing backward to another player or any combination of these.
2. The backfield cannot be moving toward the line of scrimmage prior to the ball being snapped. However, one flanker only may take one step forward prior to his lateral motion before the snap from center.

5. Passing

1. When passing the ball, the passer may throw the ball backward, sideward, or forward.
2. All players of the offensive team are eligible pass receivers. Any player of the defensive team may intercept a pass.
3. Only one forward pass may be thrown per down. You can throw a backward pass then a forward pass.
4. When a ball strikes the ground, it is incomplete.
5. In the case of interference by the offensive team: loss of 15 yards from spot of preceding down, the play to count as a down - spot of snap (line of scrimmage). (It should be emphasized here that since all men on both teams are eligible pass receivers, no blocking is permitted on the defensive side of scrimmage line until the ball is touched or caught by a player on either side.) The definition of "interference" shall be the same as in regulation football.
6. If a player passes to himself, the ball is dead at the place where it is passed.
7. A forward pass must be thrown from behind the line of scrimmage.
8. An offensive player who leaves the field of play loses his eligibility to catch a pass, but may regain it again after he returns to the field of play only after the ball has been touched by a member of the defensive team.
9. Another offensive player may legally catch a forward pass first touched by an offensive player, then touched by a defensive player. Two offensive players can touch the ball according to I.H.S.A.

6. Incomplete Pass

1. When a forward pass is incomplete, the ball is dead and returned to the line of scrimmage of the last down, one down being counted on the offensive team.
2. When any forward pass over the line of scrimmage is incomplete even though a lateral pass has preceded it, the ball is returned to the line of scrimmage, one down being counted.
3. An incomplete forward pass into the end zone on fourth down will be brought back to the line of scrimmage, not the 20-yard line.
4. Receiver must have one-foot in-bounds for a pass to be legally caught.

7. Downed Ball

The player with the ball is declared down and the ball dead at the point where an opposing player touches him in the manner described in Rule 3, Sec. 10-a.

8. Ball Out of Bounds

When a ball is kicked over the sidelines, play ends and the ball is awarded to the opponents. The ball is brought on the field at the spot where the man went out of bounds and fifteen yards from the sidelines.

9. Necessary Gain on Downs

A team in possession of the ball shall have four consecutive downs to advance to the next zone by scrimmage. League will use 20-yard stripes as first down markers. (Example: 20-yard line, 40-yard line)

10. Defensive play

1. The defensive team endeavors to tag the runner in possession of the ball or to intercept or block passes.
2. A defensive team player must not interfere with an opponent endeavoring to receive a pass except in an honest endeavor to get the ball (See Rule 6, Section 5-e).

11. Punts from Scrimmage

A. All punts from scrimmage shall be a "Free Kick" - meaning:

1. There shall be no contact prior to punt.
2. Defense must have four men on scrimmage line.
3. Defense may make an attempt to block punt but must not cross scrimmage line in the attempt to do so.
4. Offense must remain on scrimmage line until ball is kicked.
5. Punter must receive ball from shot gun position and may not step backwards once ball is received. PENALTY: 5 yards delay of game.
    

B. All punts must be declared.

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Rule 6 - Scoring

1. Points shall be awarded to a team as follows:

1. Touchdown - 6 points
2. Safety - 2 points
3. Conversion after a touchdown - 1 point by pass; 2 points by run

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Rule 7 - Fouls and Penalties

1. Flying - Tackling - Stiff-Arm - Pushing, etc.

It shall be a foul to execute a flying tackle, tackle, rush, trip, hold, or rough another player. It shall also be a foul for a player carrying the ball to straight-arm opposing players. PENALTY: loss of ten (10) yards from the spot of the foul.

2. Offside

It shall be a foul for a defensive man to be offside. When this foul is committed, the play is not called back until the ball is dead. PENALTY: the offensive team may choose between penalizing the defensive team five yards from the spot where the ball was put in play, the down remaining the same, or accepting the yardage gained and the down being counted. It shall be a foul for an offensive man to line up in the neutral zone or for the offense to move in such a way to draw the defense offside. PENALTY: dead ball foul. If accepted, 5 yards from line of scrimmage.

3. Location of Foul

1. If a foul is committed, the distance penalty, if enforced, would carry the ball across the goal line. The ball shall be put down half the distance to the goal line from the point of infraction.
2. If a foul is committed inside the one-yard line, the distance penalty, if enforced, would carry the ball across the goal line. The ball shall be put down halfway to the goal line.

4. Delaying the Game

It shall be a foul to stall or intentionally delay the game. The penalty for this foul shall be a loss of five yards. For the third offense, it shall be the loss of the ball. The ball must be put into play within 25 seconds.

5. Unsportsmanlike Conduct

The referee may bar a player for unsportsmanlike conduct, talking back at any time, or for unnecessary roughness in touching or blocking an opponent. His decision shall be final. PENALTY: loss of fifteen (15) yards and flagrant offenders shall be disqualified immediately.

6. Player Out of Bounds at Scrimmage

It shall be a foul for a player to be out of bounds just before or at the time the ball is put into play. PENALTY: loss of five (5) yards from spot where ball was put into play, the down not counting by team whose member committed the foul.

7. Kicking Free Ball

It shall be a foul to kick a free ball when done intentionally. PENALTY: loss of fifteen (15) yards from spot of foul, 5 yards if unintentional.

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Rule 8 - Officials

1. The Referee shall:

1. have general oversight and control of the game.
2. be the SOLE authority for the score.
3. make final decisions in all matters concerning the game.
4. put the ball in play and judge its progress and position.
    

If a play gets unreasonably rough, the referee shall stop the game and talk with the managers of each team. The official in charge may call the game or eject players as he sees fit for major infractions and after the warning to the managers for minor infractions.

2. The Umpire shall:

1. have jurisdiction over the equipment worn by the players.
2. assist the referee in determining the progress and position of the ball.

3. The Head Linesman shall:

1. be in charge of the Line Markers.
2. be the timer.
3. determine offside from line of scrimmage.
4. assist the referee in determining the progress and position of the ball.

4. The Linesman shall:

1. consist of a member from each team.
2. Handle the line-markers on the sidelines. (Failure to maintain the line-markers shall be considered as a delay in game. PENALTY: loss of 5 yards)

5. The Field Judge shall:

1. act for the referee on downfield play.
2. assist the referee in determining the progress and position of the ball downfield.

6. Penalty Enforcement

All officials, except the linesman, may eject players as they see fit for major infractions and after warning the managers for minor infractions.

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Rule 9 - Penalties

1. Loss of Down:

1. Illegal forward pass by Team A
2. Incomplete forward pass
3. Intentionally grounding pass (plus loss of 5 yards)
4. Forward pass interference by Team A (plus loss of 15 yards)

2. Loss of 5 Yards:

1. Illegal delay of game by either team
2. Illegal position of players
3. Encroachment of neutral zone
4. Player out of bounds when a scrimmage begins
5. Attempts to draw opponents offside
6. Violation of formation on a free kick
7. Illegal motion at the snap
8. Illegal procedure
9. Illegal forward pass
10. Offside

3. Loss of 15 yards:

Intentional grounding of forward pass (plus loss of down)

1. Fair catch interference
2. Using flying block
3. Team B player striking opponent above shoulders with hands
4. Roughing the center, holder, kicker, or passer
5. Defensive disconcerting signals
6. Piling on ball carrier
7. Tripping
8. Forward pass interference by Team A (plus loss of down)
9. Face guarding
10. Clipping
11. Tackling runner
12. Illegal use of hands, arms, or legs, such as: striking, kicking, kneeing, etc. (Disqualification if flagrant)
13. Unsportsmanlike conduct (also disqualification)
14. Clotheslining (blind side high block); (Disqualification if flagrant)
15. Forward pass interference by Team B (automatic first down)

4. Loss of Ball:

No player may recover ball if he has gone out of bounds.

1. Failure to advance ball specified distance in four downs.
2. Kicking interference by Team B (from spot of foul).

5. Forfeiture of Game:

1. Refusal by either team to play when ordered.
2. Fouls to delay game.
3. Person in charge calling game because of unnecessary roughness.

*NOTE:  If, in the opinion of an official, an infraction is committed to prevent a gain of more yardage than would have been received by the penalty, the team captain may have the right of choosing either the penalty or the gain.

6. Play-offs

Records are based on the eight game season. Any ties that may occur will be broken by head-to-head competition. If a tie still occurs after this comparison, places will be determined by inter division records. If a tie should still remain, it will be broken by comparing points scored vs. points given up within the division. The play-offs will be held on the two Sundays following the regular season. The number of teams who advance to the play-offs will depend on the size of the league.

7. Overtime Procedure

Overtime procedure: Winner of a coin toss will choose offense, defense or defending a particular end of the field. The other team is granted the remaining choice. Offense has four downs to advance to a TD and extra point from the 10 yard line. An interception gives the defense their four downs to advance from the 10 yard line and the extra point.

If neither team scores or the score remains tied, the next period becomes sudden death.