Red Zone Sports – Summary of Rules & Regulations
Game Overview
• Non-contact: No tackling, blocking, or physical contact allowed.
• Coin toss decides first possession.
• In the playoffs top seeded team will determine possession (no Coin toss in playoffs)
• Play structure:
o Offense starts at its own 5-yard line.
o 3 downs to reach mid-field, then 3 more to score.
o If the offense fails, the opposing team starts at its own 5-yard line.
o Interceptions can be returned for touchdowns (6 points).
• Timing: Two 12-minute halves; change sides at halftime.
o Each team gets 2 times outs per half.
o A 1-minute pro clock is used in the second half if the score is within 8 points.
• Play clock: 25 seconds; one warning before a delay of game penalty (clock will stop in the second half during the delay of game warning)
• Overtime: (GAMES DO NOT END IN A TIE)
o Begins with a coin toss.
o Teams alternate extra-point attempts (from 5 or 12 yards).
o If tied after two rounds, one play each from the 5-yard line—most yardage wins.
• Mercy rule: Game ends if a team leads by 28+ points with 7 minutes remaining.
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Scoring
• Touchdown: 6 points
• Extra point: 1 (from 5 yards) or 2 (from 12 yards)
• Safety: 2 points
• Only the ball needs to cross the goal line
________________________________________
Attire & Equipment
• Cleats allowed (no metal spikes).
• No pockets on shorts; shirts must be tucked in.
• Mouthpiece: Optional.
• Teams not in uniform by Week 2 start games down 0–2.
• Uniforms must have either have team logo or every shirt must have a jersey number (no solid shirts or turning shirts inside out)
• Flags must be functional and pullable; illegal equipment results in a 10-yard penalty + loss of down.
________________________________________
Players & Rosters
• Teams: Max roster size is 10 players
• Minimum to play: 3 players.
• Substitutions: Only during dead balls, from one sideline.
• Players must play at least 4 games to be playoff eligible.
• Forfeits: 14–0 score.
• ID/Proof of age required.
• Late arrivals:
o 2+ minutes = loss of timeouts.
o 5+ minutes = forfeit.
________________________________________
Rushing the Quarterback
• Must start 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage.
• Must rush at an angle (no head-up rushes).
• Once the ball is handed off, all defenders can rush.
• Rusher has a clear path to the original quarterback even if a handoff occurs
• Offside or illegal rush = 5-yard penalty + automatic first down.
________________________________________
Running Rules
• The QB cannot run the ball.
• Only direct handoffs behind the line are legal; no laterals or pitches (except Top Gun Division).
• No Running Zones: 5 yards before mid-field and goal line.
• Spinning allowed
• NO JUMPING to avoid flag pull
• Jump throws are allowed but once the passer leaves his feet, he must release the ball before landing
• Spot determined by the ball location.
________________________________________
Laterals (Top Gun Division Only)
• Teams may handoff (unlimited), pitch, or throw back in the backfield.
• Only one lateral or throwback behind the line of scrimmage is allowed for the player to remain eligible to pass.
• If a second throwback occurs behind the line, that player is now considered a runner and may only advance the ball on the ground.
• If the player then throws forward after the second throwback, it will result in an illegal forward pass penalty.
• The player who receives the pitch or handoff may throw the ball as long as they have not crossed the line of scrimmage.
• All FORWARD PASSES must be beyond the line of scrimmage
________________________________________
Passing Rules
• All passes must be forward and beyond the line of scrimmage.
• Shovel passes are allowed beyond the line.
• QB has 5 seconds to throw (unless there’s a rush or any player crosses the line of scrimmage) the count will be 1,2,3,4 and whistle.
• Illegal forward pass: 5-yard penalty + loss of down.
• QB crossing the line before throwing (any part of the body) = loss of down.
• Interceptions are live and returnable.
________________________________________
Receiving
• All players are eligible receivers.
• Only one player in motion at a time when ball is snapped.
• Must have one foot in bounds for a catch.
• Receivers initiating contact with defenders = 10-yard penalty.
• Deflected passes by defense are live.
________________________________________
Dead Ball Situations
Play stops when:
• Flag is pulled.
• Player steps out of bounds or knee/ball hits ground.
• Touchdown, interception, or flag falls off.
• QB or receiver starts play without a flag
• No fumbles — ball is spotted where it hits the ground.
________________________________________
Sportsmanship
• Zero tolerance for contact or misconduct.
o Tackling, blocking, or fighting = ejection + 2-game suspension.
• Trash talking or cursing: Warning → ejection.
• Flag throwing or delay of game: escalating yardage penalties.
• Excessive celebration: not allowed.
• Abuse or threats toward officials/staff = Season-long suspension or permanent ban (NO WARNINGs)
• Coaches are responsible for player and spectator’s conduct.
o Unruly fans = game stoppage or forfeit if they refuse to leave.
• If a player/coach/fan is ejected from a game, they are done for the remainder of the night and will be required to leave the park. The game will not resume until the player has exited the premises. Failure to comply will result in the team forfeiting the game and may lead to forfeiture of the remainder of the season.
• Red Zone Sports may extend suspensions or penalties at its discretion.
• No Refunds will be issued for suspended or ejected players
________________________________________
Penalties
Offense
Infraction Penalty
False start 5 yards, repeat down
Illegal motion 5 yards, loss of down
Illegal forward pass 5 yards, loss of down
Pass interference 10 yards, loss of down
Flag guarding 5 yards from spot, loss of down
Impeding rusher 5 yards, loss of down
Blocking/screening 5 yards from spot
Illegal contact/charging 10 yards from spot
Delay of game Warning → 5 yards
Illegal attire 5 yards, loss of down
Defense
Infraction Penalty
Encroachment 5 yards, 1st down
Pass interference 10 yards, 1st down
Holding/illegal flag pull 5 yards, 1st down
Illegal rush/contact 5–10 yards, 1st down
Defensive games can’t end on a penalty unless declined
Note: “Last man rule” always applies — illegal contact to stop a score results in automatic enforcement.
________________________________________
Divisional Tie-Breakers
1. Best winning percentage
2. Head-to-head record
3. Point differential
4. Most points scored
5. Coin toss
Game Overview
• Non-contact: No tackling, blocking, or physical contact allowed.
• Coin toss decides first possession.
• In the playoffs top seeded team will determine possession (no Coin toss in playoffs)
• Play structure:
o Offense starts at its own 5-yard line.
o 3 downs to reach mid-field, then 3 more to score.
o If the offense fails, the opposing team starts at its own 5-yard line.
o Interceptions can be returned for touchdowns (6 points).
• Timing: Two 12-minute halves; change sides at halftime.
o Each team gets 2 times outs per half.
o A 1-minute pro clock is used in the second half if the score is within 8 points.
• Play clock: 25 seconds; one warning before a delay of game penalty (clock will stop in the second half during the delay of game warning)
• Overtime: (GAMES DO NOT END IN A TIE)
o Begins with a coin toss.
o Teams alternate extra-point attempts (from 5 or 12 yards).
o If tied after two rounds, one play each from the 5-yard line—most yardage wins.
• Mercy rule: Game ends if a team leads by 28+ points with 7 minutes remaining.
________________________________________
Scoring
• Touchdown: 6 points
• Extra point: 1 (from 5 yards) or 2 (from 12 yards)
• Safety: 2 points
• Only the ball needs to cross the goal line
________________________________________
Attire & Equipment
• Cleats allowed (no metal spikes).
• No pockets on shorts; shirts must be tucked in.
• Mouthpiece: Optional.
• Teams not in uniform by Week 2 start games down 0–2.
• Uniforms must have either have team logo or every shirt must have a jersey number (no solid shirts or turning shirts inside out)
• Flags must be functional and pullable; illegal equipment results in a 10-yard penalty + loss of down.
________________________________________
Players & Rosters
• Teams: Max roster size is 10 players
• Minimum to play: 3 players.
• Substitutions: Only during dead balls, from one sideline.
• Players must play at least 4 games to be playoff eligible.
• Forfeits: 14–0 score.
• ID/Proof of age required.
• Late arrivals:
o 2+ minutes = loss of timeouts.
o 5+ minutes = forfeit.
________________________________________
Rushing the Quarterback
• Must start 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage.
• Must rush at an angle (no head-up rushes).
• Once the ball is handed off, all defenders can rush.
• Rusher has a clear path to the original quarterback even if a handoff occurs
• Offside or illegal rush = 5-yard penalty + automatic first down.
________________________________________
Running Rules
• The QB cannot run the ball.
• Only direct handoffs behind the line are legal; no laterals or pitches (except Top Gun Division).
• No Running Zones: 5 yards before mid-field and goal line.
• Spinning allowed
• NO JUMPING to avoid flag pull
• Jump throws are allowed but once the passer leaves his feet, he must release the ball before landing
• Spot determined by the ball location.
________________________________________
Laterals (Top Gun Division Only)
• Teams may handoff (unlimited), pitch, or throw back in the backfield.
• Only one lateral or throwback behind the line of scrimmage is allowed for the player to remain eligible to pass.
• If a second throwback occurs behind the line, that player is now considered a runner and may only advance the ball on the ground.
• If the player then throws forward after the second throwback, it will result in an illegal forward pass penalty.
• The player who receives the pitch or handoff may throw the ball as long as they have not crossed the line of scrimmage.
• All FORWARD PASSES must be beyond the line of scrimmage
________________________________________
Passing Rules
• All passes must be forward and beyond the line of scrimmage.
• Shovel passes are allowed beyond the line.
• QB has 5 seconds to throw (unless there’s a rush or any player crosses the line of scrimmage) the count will be 1,2,3,4 and whistle.
• Illegal forward pass: 5-yard penalty + loss of down.
• QB crossing the line before throwing (any part of the body) = loss of down.
• Interceptions are live and returnable.
________________________________________
Receiving
• All players are eligible receivers.
• Only one player in motion at a time when ball is snapped.
• Must have one foot in bounds for a catch.
• Receivers initiating contact with defenders = 10-yard penalty.
• Deflected passes by defense are live.
________________________________________
Dead Ball Situations
Play stops when:
• Flag is pulled.
• Player steps out of bounds or knee/ball hits ground.
• Touchdown, interception, or flag falls off.
• QB or receiver starts play without a flag
• No fumbles — ball is spotted where it hits the ground.
________________________________________
Sportsmanship
• Zero tolerance for contact or misconduct.
o Tackling, blocking, or fighting = ejection + 2-game suspension.
• Trash talking or cursing: Warning → ejection.
• Flag throwing or delay of game: escalating yardage penalties.
• Excessive celebration: not allowed.
• Abuse or threats toward officials/staff = Season-long suspension or permanent ban (NO WARNINGs)
• Coaches are responsible for player and spectator’s conduct.
o Unruly fans = game stoppage or forfeit if they refuse to leave.
• If a player/coach/fan is ejected from a game, they are done for the remainder of the night and will be required to leave the park. The game will not resume until the player has exited the premises. Failure to comply will result in the team forfeiting the game and may lead to forfeiture of the remainder of the season.
• Red Zone Sports may extend suspensions or penalties at its discretion.
• No Refunds will be issued for suspended or ejected players
________________________________________
Penalties
Offense
Infraction Penalty
False start 5 yards, repeat down
Illegal motion 5 yards, loss of down
Illegal forward pass 5 yards, loss of down
Pass interference 10 yards, loss of down
Flag guarding 5 yards from spot, loss of down
Impeding rusher 5 yards, loss of down
Blocking/screening 5 yards from spot
Illegal contact/charging 10 yards from spot
Delay of game Warning → 5 yards
Illegal attire 5 yards, loss of down
Defense
Infraction Penalty
Encroachment 5 yards, 1st down
Pass interference 10 yards, 1st down
Holding/illegal flag pull 5 yards, 1st down
Illegal rush/contact 5–10 yards, 1st down
Defensive games can’t end on a penalty unless declined
Note: “Last man rule” always applies — illegal contact to stop a score results in automatic enforcement.
________________________________________
Divisional Tie-Breakers
1. Best winning percentage
2. Head-to-head record
3. Point differential
4. Most points scored
5. Coin toss
