1. 9 players, offense or defense (9 minimum to start the game, 7 or less - team forfeits). Uniform shirts (tucked in) required. Mouth guards are required. Only molded cleats (no screw-on). Game-time (on schedule) is forfeit time.

2. Teams provide their own football and flags. (Ball may be regulation or intermediate, not junior size.) No colored footballs. Flags (2) must be standard length and width = 16" x 2" and easily detachable by velcro. All players must have flags of an alternate color from pants/shorts.)

3. Pads are not allowed unless covering an injury (soft pad only, up to the discretion of official prior to game).

1. Game time = four 10 minute periods with running time, last 2 minutes of half and game are stop.

2. 25 seconds allowed between plays; delay of game = 5 yard penalty.

3. Stop clock for penalty, restart when ball is spotted after foul assessment.

4. Halftime is 8 minutes (or less by agreement of coaches).

5. Time outs (1 minute) - each team gets 2 timeouts per half, no carryover. Only 1 coach may go on field.

1. Field total = 80 yards. 60 yard field (divided into 4 - 15 yard increments) & 2 - 10 yard end zones.

2. First down every 15 yards. First down when offense passes mark on play or penalty within 4 downs.

1. Kickoff from 15 yard line. Kickoff into end zone, ball is dead, automatically placed at 15 yard line.

2. First kick OB - receiving team option - re-kick or spot. Second attempt OB - ball placed at midfield.

3. Dropped kick - On reception of the kick, when the ball is dropped the play is dead, team starts from spot where ball touches ground, if in end zone, 15 yard line.

4. Onside kick - Ball must travel 15 yards before it is live. First team to touch after 15 yards, gains possession.

1. Kicking team has to declare intention to punt and must have 5 men on the LOS. No rush or block allowed.

2. Receiving team - not less than 3 men on the LOS (cannot form a wedge, screen block OK.) Penalty = 5 yards.

3. Fair-Catch rule is in effect (also on kickoffs), bad snap on punt allowed, punter can pick up ball and kick. Teams cannot move until the ball is punted. Penalty = 5 yards. Punt in the end zone - ball/play is dead - ball placed at the 15 yard line.

4. Officials allow time for change of personnel, up to individual officials discretion (no quick kicks!)

1. Touchdown = 6 points. Offense must declare intention to go for 1 or 2 points. Captains first decision final.

2. 1 point from 3 yard line, 2 points from 5 yard line.

1. Offense must have 5 men on LOS; Penalty = 5 yards. 3 interior linemen (Gd, Center, Gd) are ineligible. No unbalanced lines (Center / Guard position is never eligible.)

2. Defense must have 3 men on LOS minimum; outside defensive lineman inside shoulder must align with the outside shoulder of the offensive lineman. (Use the interior box as a guide - if WR's are "up" and only three interior G-C-G, defense must line up on their outside shoulder.) No 3 or 4 point stance allowed (all players standing); penalty = 5 yards.

3. No direct dive within five yards on either side of center (draw or misdirection, OK). QB must show ball above shoulder as if to pass in order to run a draw inside the 10 yd. zone, RB/WR may reverse field from outside the 10 yd. zone, in order to cut up field within the zone. Penalty = 5 yards.

4. All players, except one man in motion, on offense must be set before ball is snapped. Defense cannot try and draw offense offside with words or actions. Penalty = 5 yards.

5. Offensive player goes in motion only after all players set for 1 count before ball is snapped. Penalty = 5 yards.

6. Encroachment / off-side (offense or defense) into the neutral zone - automatic 5 yard penalty.

1. No blocking below the waist or from behind; No contact by any player above the shoulders; Penalty = 10 yards.

2. No drive blocking - bending at waist and leading with head or shoulder; Penalty = 10 yards.

3. Downfield shield or screen block ONLY - "blocker can move but no initiating contact - no extension of hands or fists away from body; arms roughly parallel to ground; blocker may not lower his shoulder or "throw a block"; Penalty = 10 yards.

4. Pro pass block allowed behind the LOS - key points - palms face forward, arms can be extended / locked - no fists in punching motion.

1. No tackling allowed - player must make an attempt for the flag, no encircling of arms, holding up the ball carrier. Ball carrier must tuck shirt and have alternating flag color from shorts or pants. Remind players that flags need to be on their side. Flags behind the player, down at that point. If belt (not the flag) is pulled, official has judgment if intentional. Initial contact must be with hands, not head or shoulder. Penalty = 10 yards or play and automatic first down.

2. Intentionally pulling flag - 1 flag, player is live, can advance ball - option of penalty or play. (Penalty = 10 yards)

                                       - 2 flags ball is dead at point of reception, option of penalty or play. (10 yards)

3. Accidental drop of flag(s) - receiver or DB is eligible, ball is dead at point of reception. Officials judgment.

4. QB/RB with one flag - ball is dead at point flag drops while player has ball, or at reception if prior to contact.

5. Ball is dead anytime the flag is dropped to the ground (except by punter). Ball is placed where it was dropped.

6. Stripping of the ball is not allowed. Penalty is 10 yards from spot of foul.

7. Ball carrier (offensive player) must avoid contact with a defensive player who is in position directly in front of him. Penalty = 10 yards.

8. Coach and team captain will take responsibility for reminding players to keep flags on their side

1. Receiver must have one foot in bounds when making a legal catch. If receiver has control of ball and would land in bounds but is forced out by defense while in air, a catch can be allowed; discretion of official.

2. DB can bump receiver within 5 yds of LOS - must not hinder receiver from catching ball before ball reaches receiver while in air. Officials judgment - Penalty = 10 yards and automatic first down.

3. All backs are eligible pass receivers - outside ends (not guards or center), uncovered, on LOS are eligible. Penalty = 10 yards & LOD.

4. Linemen must remain behind the LOS until the ball is thrown, if the pass is beyond the LOS. Penalty = 10 yards.

1. No pushing of ball carrier out of bounds without going for flags. Penalty = 10 yards from spot of foul.

2. No flag guarding of any sort, including straight arms, jumping, spinning in the air. Pivoting on the ground is allowed. Lateral jumping by the defense to pull a flag is allowed, no jumping at the ball carrier. Discretion of the official. Penalty = 5 yards from spot of foul.

3. No leaving your feet by ball carrier or blocker. Penalty = 5 yards from spot of foul.

4. Swearing, bull rush, punching, etc. or rude behavior is not allowed. Officials discretion! (Unsportsmanlike behavior - 10 yd. penalty)

4. Pass rushers may raise hands during rush but may not use them to strike an opponent, merely to distract the QB.

5. Officials must make a declaration of penalties to both captains (not coaches) upon assessment of a penalty.

6. All other penalties are applied according to high school rules; 15 yard penalties become 10, etc.

7. Players must wear a regulation uniform, including flags, consistent with other members of the team. No player may wear any jewelry, headbands, wraps, face paint, hair paint, etc. Officials ruling is final. Penalty = 10 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct.

In order to alleviate the congestion and confusion surrounding the team / coach(es) there will be an established team box which will extend from the 15 yard line to the opposite 15 yard line when teams are on opposite sides and from 15 yard line to mid-field at sites with only same side space. No spectators are allowed inside this area during the game. Coaches are required to instruct their spectators prior to the season and at each game about restriction of spectators in the team box. Violations will cause the team the following penalties; First Offense - Warning; Second Offense - 5 yard penalty; Third Offense - 10 yard penalty and loss of down.

As the PAL is a league established to foster positive Christian attitudes and encourage healthy sportsmanlike conduct, each coach is expected to foster these ideals in dealing with officials, players, opposing teams and parents. To this end, prior to each game, both teams will meet at mid-field to conduct a group prayer. The home team (first team listed on the schedule) will be responsible for the prayer.

Coaches are also responsible for their team’s conduct, especially with regard to officials. Officials will be doing all that they can to keep control of the game. Each coach must take responsibility for their actions; no yelling at officials, make positive comments to your players, and enjoy the game. Any player or coach who is ejected will serve a one game suspension beginning with the next league contest and may not return to the contest in progress. If no other certified coach is in attendance, the game will be declared a forfeit.