the official playing rules for the cfl 2005

7/31/2019 The Official Playing Rules for the CFL 2005

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THE OFFICIAL PLAYING RULESFOR THE

CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

2005

CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUETHIRD FLOOR

50 WELLINGTON STREET EAST

TORONTO, ON

M 5E 1C8

TELEPHONE: 416-322-9650FACSIM ILE: 416-322-9651

www.cfl .ca

CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE 2005

2005 CFL Rule Book.qxd 4/20/2005 12:55 PM Page 1


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CFL OFFICIAL PLAYING RULES

2

Canad ian Footba ll Lea gue D irec to ry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

CFL Rules Com m itt ee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

CFL Offic iat ing Obs erve rs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

2 0 0 5 CFL On-Field Offic ial s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

CFL Tie-Brea king Proc edure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Legen d Of Abbr evia tio ns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2 0 0 5 CFL Rule Cha nges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Plan Of The Fie ld . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Sum m ary Of Pen alt ies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

RULE 1 CONDUCT OF THE GAME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-22

Section 1 The Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 0

Section 2 The Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Section 3 Possession . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 1

Section 4 Dead Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 1-12

Secti on 5 Team s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 2

Section 6 Team Captains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Sect ion 7 Star t ing & Timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 -16

Section 8 Tie Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 6

Section 9 Out Of Bounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 6-18Section 10 Playing Uniform s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 8 -2 0

Section 11 Team Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 0-21

Section 12 Other Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 1-22

RULE 2 OFFICIALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23-24

Section 1 Designation Of Off icials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 3

Sect ion 2 Jur isdiction & Dut ies Of Off icia ls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 -24

RULE 3 SCORING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 -27

Section 1 Table Of Scores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 5

Section 2 Definit ions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 5-27

Section 3 Terminating A Play In Goal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Section 4 Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

RULE 4 SCRIM M AGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28-33

Section 1 Definit ions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Sect ion 2 Method Of Scr imm age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 -30

Section 3 Interference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Sect ion 4 Placement Of The Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Section 5 Player Restrict ions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 -3 2

Section 6 Series Of Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 3

RULE 5 KICKING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34-39Section 1 Definit ions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 4-35

Section 2 Kickoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 5-36

Section 3 Blocked Kick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 6-37

Section 4 K ick From Scr imm age & Open-Field Kick . . . . . . . . . . .37 -39

TABLE OF CONTENTS



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RULE 6 PASSING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40-45

Section 1 Lateral Or Onside Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 0

Section 2 Handoff Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Section 3 Offside Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 0-41

Section 4 Forward Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 1-45

RULE 7 FOULS & PENALTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46-50

Section 1 Illegal Tactics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 6-47

Section 2 Major Fouls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 7-49

Section 3 Disqualif ication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Section 4 Objectionable Conduct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

RULE 8 APPLICATION OF PENALTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51-55

Section 1 Definit ions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Sect ion 2 Fouls Af ter Legal Gains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Section 3 Dual & Double Fouls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 1-53

Sect ion 4 Restrict ions Near A Goal Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

Section 5 Foul On Convert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 4

Section 6 Foul In Goal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 4-55

RULE 9 INTERFERENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56-57

Section 1 Definit ion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 6

Sect ion 2 Inter ference On Scr immage Plays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 -57

Section 3 In terference Af ter Gaining Possession

Witho ut Scrim m age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Section 4 Interference on Loose Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 7

REFEREES SIGNALS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 8 -61

STATISTICAL SCORING RULES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 -71

INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72=7 7

Canadian Football League 20 05

The CFL Official Playing Rules is pub lished annu ally by the

Canad ian Football League.

Any inquiries regarding the CFL Official Playing Rules may be directed to

the Canadian Football League at:

Third Floor, 50 Wellington Street East

Toron to, ON

M5E 1C8

Tel: 41 6-322 -96 50

Fax: 41 6-322 -96 51Email: [email protected]

Attn: Shawn Coates, Director of Football Operations

or George Black, Director of Officiating

Produced by the Canadian Footba ll League

Cover Design by the Canad ian Football League

Printed by Spalding Creative Comm unicat ions Inc., Toronto, ON

Cover Photograph courtesy of John Sokolowsk i, Mississauga, ON



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EXECUTIVE

Com m issioner Tom E.S. Wright

Secretary Edward S. Chalupka

Treasurer Jam es E. Grundy

FOOTBALL OPERATIONS

Sen ior Vice-Presid en t, Foot ball Operat ion s Ed ward S. Ch alu pk a

Director, Football Operations Shawn Coates

Director, Off iciat ing George Black

M an age r, Foo tb all Op era tion s/ Pla yer Person ne l K evin M cDo na ld

Coordinator, Off iciat ing Josh Oubadia

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Senior Vice-President, Business Operat ions Jam es E. Grundy

Director, Finance and Adm inistrat ion Doug Allison

Financial Accountant Nora Rigodon

MARKETING

Se ni or Vic e-Pre sid en t, M a rk et in g & Pa rt ne rs hi ps Br en t Sc rim s ha w

Senior Director, Broadcast ing Chris M cCracken

Director, Com m unicat ions Alexis Redm ond

Senior Project Lead & Web M aster Christopher Sonnem annOnline Ed itor/ Com m unicat ions Specialist Jessica Young

Senior Director, Partnerships Dana Gladstone

Senior Director, Partnerships Gavin Roth

M anager, Partnerships Natalie Agro

M anager, Partnerships Jordan Vader

Coordinator, Cham pionships & Events Devon Guest

ADM INISTRATION

Sen io r Execu t ive Assistant / HR Administ ra tor Lee-Anne Part chenko

Recept ionist Debbie Sousa

CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

CFL RULES COM M ITTEECHAIRPERSON/ SECRETARY:

VOTING M EMB ERS:

Don M atthews, Montreal Alouettes

Joe Paopao, Ottawa RenegadesAdam Rita, Toronto Argonauts

Ron Lancast er, Ham ilton Tiger-Cats

Jim Daley, Winnipeg Blue Bom bers

Danny Barrett, Sask. Roughriders

CFL SUPPORT STAFF:

Shawn Coat es, CFL

Kevin M cDonald, CFL

Edward S. Chalup ka

Tom Higgins, Calgary Stam peders

Danny Maciocia, Edm. Eskim osWally Buon o, B.C. Lions

George Black , CFL Offic ials

Bud Steen , CFL On-Field Offic ials

M oe Elewon ibi, CFLPA

Josh Oubad ia, CFL



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NAM E # POSITION RESIDENCECarey Anderson 4 2 Back Judge Langley, BCIan Bain 3 6 Um pire Calgary, ABDarryl Baron 4 9 Field Judge Sherwood Park , ABRon Barss 2 5 Um pire Regina, SKAl Bradbury 7 2 Head Linesm an Winnipeg, M BHeinz Bradem ann 4 0 Side Judge Sherwood Park , ABBrent Buchko 5 0 Head Linesm an Regina, SKLarry But ler 5 9 Back Judge Sherwood Park , ABDon Carm ichael 2 1 Back Judge Stouffville, ONBruce Carter 6 8 Back Judge Windsor, ONFrank Chapm an 4 3 Head Linesm an Ottawa, ONHenry Chiu 7 1 Line Judge M arkham , ONBrian Chrupalo 7 3 Line Judge Winnipeg, M B

M urray Clarke 2 2 Field Judge Victoria, BCGrant Collard 4 4 Back Judge Spruce Grove, ABDon Cousens 3 5 Head Linesm an Georgetown, ONSteve Dolyniuk 5 6 Line Judge St. Andrews, M BBarclay Easton 7 5 Line Judge Ottawa, ONDon Ellis 7 0 Back Judge Newm arket, ONDave Foxcroft 3 0 Head Linesm an Burlington, ONDale Goertzen 6 5 Line Judge Regina, SKBill Hagans 2 4 Um pire Toronto, ONJeff Harbin 2 7 Side Judge Toronto, ONRob Hill 6 3 Line Judge Edm onton, ABDave Hutton 4 1 Um pire Ham ilton, ONJohn Ireland 6 2 Referee Townsend, ON

Glen Johnson 3 2 Referee Toronto, ONShawn Kerr 6 1 Line Judge Calgary, ABJim Koshm an 4 5 Field Judge Okotoks, ABKen Lazaruk 5 3 Referee Winnipeg, M BJason M aggio 3 7 Side Judge Burlington, ONBenoit M ajor 3 1 Line Judge Notre-Dam e, QCAlan M cColm an 5 4 Field Judge Ham ilton, ONDean M cNeill 4 7 Side Judge Winnipeg, M BKim M urphy 4 8 Field Judge Beam sville, ONM ichel Pinsonneault 3 3 Line Judge Chateauguay, QCAndre Proulx 2 8 Referee St. Charles, PQFrank Pryal 3 4 Line Judge Kingston, ONBob Reddekopp 3 9 Um pire Calgary, ABRoss Saunders 6 7 Um pire Ottawa, ONRobert Skaggs 4 6 Side Judge Edm onton, ABBud Steen 6 6 Referee Edm onton, ABBryan Taylor 5 1 Field Judge Welland, ONTom Vallesi 6 0 Side Judge Ham ilton, ONBoris Velcic 5 2 Head Linesm an Calgary, ABDave Yule 6 4 Referee Nanaim o, BC

RETIRED NUMBERS

2 6 - Don Barke r, 16 - Ross Perrier, 38 - Lorne Woods

CFL OFFICIATING OBSERVERS

Jacques Dcarie M ontral, QC

Ken Green Toronto, ON

Turk Trtany Ham ilton, ON

Art M cAvoy Winnipeg, M B

Ken Picot Regina, SK

Vern Heath Calgary, AB

Bill Wright Edm onton, AB

Larry Rohan Vancouver, BC

2005 CFL ON-FIELD OFFICIALS

Director of Off iciat ing George Black Toronto, ON



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When two or more member Clubs are t ied in the f inal Division standings

at the conclusion of the regular season schedule, preferential ranking for

playoff purposes shall be determ ined on the basis of t he fol lowing priori-

t ies and shall be awarded to the club that:

a) has won the greater number of games played against al l member

Clubs of t he League or,

b) has won the greater num ber of games played against the other t ied

Club(s) o r,

c) has scored the higher net aggregate of points (i.e. points scored forless points scored against) in games played against the other tied Club(s)

or ,

d) has scored the higher net quotient of points (i.e. points scored for

divided by points scored against) in games played against the other tied

Club s(s) or,

e) has won the greater number of games (or percentage of games)

played against all mem ber Clubs of th e Division or,

f ) has scored the h igher net aggregate o f po in ts in games p layed

against all mem ber Clubs of the Division or,

g) has scored the higher net quotient of points in gam es played against

all mem ber Clubs of the Division or,h) has scored the h igher net aggregate o f po in ts in games p layed

against all mem ber Clubs of the League or,

i) has scored the higher net quotient of points in gam es played against

all mem ber Clubs of the League or,

j) has wo n a co in tos s aga in st the ot her t ie d club.

AFD Autom at ic First Down L2 5 Loss of 2 5 yards

AR Approved Ruling LB Loss of Ball1 D First Down LD Loss of Down

1 2 D First or Second Down LS Line of Scrim m age

3 D Third Down PBD Point Ball Dead

Team A Team putt ing ball into play PBH Point Ball Held

Team B Other Team PF Poin t of Foul

DR Down Repeated PLS Point of Last Scrim m age

L5 Loss of 5 yards PPG Point Possession Gained

L1 0 Loss of 1 0 yards YG Yards Gained

L1 5 Loss of 1 5 yards YNG Yards Not Gained

CFL TIE-BREAKING PROCEDURE

LEGEND OF ABBREVIATIONS



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PLAYER FOOTWEAR

Rule 1, Section 10, Art icle 7(f) amendment & addit ion,

remove Rule 1, Sect ion 10 , Arti cle 1, Paragraph 3

Shoes of a standard football design, with appropriate football cleating,

which have not been altered, deliberately or otherwise, in any mann er and

judge d su itab le by the Re feree for t he p laying su rface, m ay be used.

Sneaker type shoes with no cleating may also be u sed.

BLOOD HAZARDS FROM OPEN WOUNDSRule 1, Section 1 0, Art icle 5 addit ion

I f a player has an open wound that, in th e opinion of t he Referee, is bleed-

ing significantly, then that player will be required to leave the Field of Play

to have the wound proper ly dressed by club medical staf f . The player

would be permitted to re-enter the Field of Play after receiving clearance

from th e Referee.

LATE SUBSTITUTION Rule 1 , Sect ion 1 1, Art ic le 4 addi t ion

When, on a kicking play, Team A has only 11 players on the field and the

gates have gone up, a player may enter the f ield and part icipate in the

play without being penalized for Illegal Substitution, if he is able to enterthe close l ine play area and then assume a posit ion, inside or outside

this area, prior to the snap.

NUM BERING CHANGES

Rule 4, Section 5 , Art icle 3 & Rule 6, Section 4 , Art icle 4 am endment

Eligible receivers will wear numbers from 0-49 and 7 0-00 .

Ineligible receivers wil l wear numb ers from 50 -69 .

PASS INTERFERENCE ON UNCATCHABLE PASSES

Rule 6, Sect ion 4, Articl e 9 (c) addit ion

I f a player commits pass inter ference when a forward pass is deemeduncat chable, it sha ll be ruled a s Illegal Conta ct On A Receiver.

FOREIGN OBJECTS ON THE FIELD

Rule 7, Sect ion 4, Article (g) addit ion

I f a player is in possession of a foreign or extraneous object that is not

part of the un iform or equipm ent, during a game, either on the f ield or on

the Sideline, he will be subject to an Objectionable Conduct penalty. If the

object is deemed a safety hazard by the Referee, the player will also be

disqualif ied.

SPITTING Rule 7 , Sect ion 4 addit ion

Spitt ing at an opponent, off icial or occupant of the team bench area wil l

result in a 2 5-yard penalty and disqualif ication from the game.

2005 CFL RULE CHANGES



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5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

GOAL LINE

DEADLINE

GOAL AREA

24 YDS

65 YARDS

GOAL LINE

DEADLINE

40

10

186

PLAN OF THE FIELD



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5-YARD PENALTIESIllegal Handoff Pass Kickoff Out Of Bounds

Illegal Procedure Pyram iding

Offside Time Count

No Yard s

10-YARD PENALTIESContact ing the Kicker Object ionable ConductDelay Of Gam e Holding

Pass Interference Illegal Block

Ill ega l Co nt ac t On A Re ce ive r Se co nd Fo rw ard Pa ss On A Pla y

Illegal Part icipat ion Taunt ing

Sleeper Play Too M any Players

Illegal Substitut ion Tripping

Ineligib le Receiver Use Of An Illegal Substance

Late Start Unauthorized Person On Field

15-YARD PENALTIES*Chop Block Hazardous Equipm entClipping Piling On

Crackback Block Roughing The Passer

Cut Block Roughing The Kicker

Face M ask ing Unnecessary Roughness

No Yard s

25-YARD PENALTIES*Illegal Deploymen t Of Rough Play

Designated Quarterback Object ionable Conduct

Or Designated Im port Physical Abuse Of Off icialSpitting

DISQUALIFICATION*Hazardous Equipm ent Rough Play

Excessive Object ionable Object ionable Conduct

Conduct Physical Abuse Of Off icial

Spitting

AUTOM ATIC FIRST DOWNPass Interference Unnecessary Roughness

Rough Play Illegal Interference On Loose Ball

LOSS OF DOWNTim e Count Intent ional Grounding

(in last 3 Minut es of a Half,

except on 3 rd down)

* NOTE: The penalty shall be applied in addition to any yardage gained or

score made.

SUMMARY OF PENALTIES



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SECTION 1 THE FIELD

Article 1 Regulation Fields

The f ield shall be 110 yards long by 65 yards wide. It shall be dist inctly

marked as indicated herein:

The l ines marking the sides of the f ield shall be nam ed Sidelines.

The l ines marking the ends of the f ield shall be named Goal Lines.

The area bounded by these two sets of l ines shall be called the Field

of Play.

Twenty yards beh ind ea ch Goal Line, and para l le l to i t , sha l l bemarked a l ine nam ed the Dead Line.

The Sidelines extended from Goal Line to Dead Line shall be nam ed

the Sidelines in Goal.

The area bound ed by the Goal Line, the Dead Line and the Sidelines

in Goal shall be nam ed the Goal Area.

The bounds shall be defined as the inside of the Sidelines, Sidelines

in Goal and Dead Lines.

The Field of Play shall be m arked every 5 yards with l ines extending

from Sideline to Sideline and pa rallel to the Goal Lines.

Twenty-four yards in from each Sideline each 5-yard stripe shall be

marked by a short cross str ipe parallel to the Sidelines (Hash Marks). Markers sha l l be p laced oppos i te each 5-yard l ine f rom the Goal

Line, indicating the distance of each such line from the Goal Line toward

the centre of th e f ield.

The four intersections of Goal Lines and Sidelines and the four inter-

sections of Dead Lines and Sidelines in Goal shall be indicated by flexible

markers that m ust be placed so that they are not touching the surface of

the playing field.

Vert ical posts (goal posts) shall be placed and centred on each Goal

Line. The distance between the posts shall be 18 feet 6 inches. The goal

posts shall extend 40 feet above ground level and shall be joined by a

crossbar parallel to the ground at a height of 10 feet. The diameter ofeach post above the crossbar shall be not less than 3 inches or greater

than 4 inches.

At the extreme top of each post, there shall be attached a colored

ribbon 4 inches wide and 42 inches long. A wishbone type or single-shaft

goal post assembly may be used, provided that i t complies with the above

standards and the base of the assembly is not fur ther than 75 inches

from t he Goal Line.

Artic le 2 Fields Less Than Regulati on Size

I f the regulation length of a f ield is not available because of a fence, a

running t rack or any other object , a c lear l ine of demarcat ion shal l be

established at least one foot toward the p laying surface from such f ence,

track or object.

A line shall be painted on the playing surface and shall be considered as

the bou ndary l ine. A player who t ouches this l ine, the surface outside the

line or any object outside the l ine shall be ruled as having gone Out of

Bounds.

RULE 1 CONDUCT OF THE GAM E



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SECTION 2 THE BALL

The game is played with a ball made of Horween red leather in four pan -

e ls tha t sha ll be in f l a ted to a p ressu re no t l ess than 12 1 / 2 ps i no r

greater than 1 3 1 / 2 p si. The circumference of the long axis shall be not

less than 27 3/ 4 inches nor greater than 28 1/ 4 inches. The circumfer-

ence of the girth or short axis shall be not less than 20 7/ 8 inches nor

greater than 2 1 1 / 8 inches. The length of the long axis shall be not less

than 1 1 inches nor greater than 11 1/ 4 inches. The total weight of the

ball shall not be less than 14 ounces nor greater than 15 ounces. The

exposed laces shall be not more than 4 3 / 8 inches in length and 1 1 / 8

inches in width.The ball shall be painted with 1-inch white stripes around the short axis,

commencing 3 inches away from the point of greatest circumference of

the short axis.

A minimum of seven balls shall be used in a game and changed at the

discretion of the Referee. The balls shall be kept clean and in playable

condit ion.

The off icial football for a Canadian Football League game shall be the

Wilson CFL Official Gam e Ball, which shall be in scribed with the signat ure

of the Comm issioner.

SECTION 3 POSSESSION

Possession means having the ball f irmly held in hand or hands, arm or

arm s, leg or legs, or under th e body.

When players of the opposite teams have possession of t he ball, i t shall

belong to the player who f irst gained possession and who has not lost

possession.

If players of both tea m s legally gain possession of the ba ll simult aneou sly,

it shall belong to the team that last previously had possession.

A ball not in possession of a player is still in play. A ball shall be consid-

ered to have been fu mb led if the player last in possession has lost controlof i t .

I f a kicked ball other t han a kickoff is legally touched by a player of either

team, such touching shall be deemed to be possession.

SECTION 4 DEAD BALL

The ba ll is dead:

Whenever a f ield off icial blows the whistle

When an off icial has signaled a score

When the ball goes Out of Bounds

When a forward pass is declared incomplete

When a k icked ba l l s t r ikes the opponent s goa l post assembly in

flight, without first tou ching the ground , a player or an official

When the ball carrier is tackled and the forward progress has been

halted (tack ling is defined as the act of graspin g or encircling a ball carrier

with hands and arms)

When the ball carrier behind the l ine of scrimm age is f irmly in the

grasp and control of a tackler to the extent that the ball cannot be thrown

When a ball carr ier is tackled and driven back towards the ball carri-



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ers own Goal Line, an off icial must assume that an attempt was being

made to advance the ball and that only the actual contact with an oppo-

nen t p reven ted such advance . There fo re , t he mos t f o rward po in t o f

advance shall be considered the point where the ball became dead

When the ball carrier is contacted by an opponent and loses balance

so that a por t ion o f the body, o ther than hands or feet touches the

ground, the ball shall be dead at the point where it was held when touch -

ing the ground, or the point where the bal l was held when contacted,

whichever is the furthest point of advance

When the quarterback, in possession of the ball, intentionally kneels

on the ground during the last three m inutes of a half

When the quarterback, in possession of the ball, dives in a feet f irst

sl iding motion, the ball shall be declared dead at the point i t was held

when another part of the quarterbacks body, other than hands or feet,

touch the ground

When a player, having possession of the ball in own Goal Area, inten-

tionally kneels on the ground

When a ball carr ier is on the ground and, in the judgment of the off i-

cial, is not attempting to advance the ball, the off icial shall immediately

declare the ball dead.

NOTE: A ball lying on the ground and not in possession of a player is notdead.

A ball striking an of ficial is not dead except on a forward pass.

SECTION 5 TEAMS

For reference hereinafter, the team that pu ts the ball in play shall be iden-

t if ied as Team A and the other team shall be nam ed Team B. The game is

played by teams of 1 2 players.

SECTION 6 TEAM CAPTAINS

At all t im es, each team mu st have on th e f ield a player designated as cap-

tain, and so identif ied to the referee.

The captain shall be the sole communicator between the team and the

off icials (through the referee) and m ay appeal to the referee only on qu es-

t ions of interpretation an d application of rules. Such consultations should

be held apart f rom other p layers on the f ield.

The captain m ay request the referee to call in the yardsticks to determine

whether a f irst down has been m ade or how m uch distance is required. If

in the judgm ent of t he referee, the posit ion of the ball is within one yard of

the f irst down marker, t ime out shall be signaled and a measure called

for. Otherwise, the request shall be denied and play resumed.

The referees decision cannot be disputed. A captain is ent i t led to anexplanation of an y decision but no prolonged argument is to be allowed.

When the yardsticks are called in from th e Sidelines to determine wh ether

a f irst down has been gained, the on-f ield captain for each team shall be

the only players permitted in t he vicinity of the m easurement.

In case of a foul, the captain of the non-offending team shall be given the

choice of the pen alty or the option provided.



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SECTION 7 STARTING & TIMING

Article 1 Start ing

T h e g a m e s h a l l s t a r t p r o m p t l y a t t h e t i m e p r e s c r i b e d b y t h e

Comm issioner. If the team is late appearing on the f ield at the start of the

first or third p eriods, they will be penalized.

PENALTY: L1 0

At the start of the game, the captains of b oth team s shall meet th e refer-

ee at centre f ield. The referee shall toss a coin with the visit ing team cap-

tain m aking the call. The captain of t he team winning the coin toss shall

declare whether to have f irst choice at the start of th e f irst or second half.

The captain of team having f irst choice at the start of the f irst half shall

choose between:

(a) kicking off or receiving the kicko ff or,

(b) which end of t he f ield to defend.

The captain of the other team shall have f irst choice at the start of the

second half, when both captains shall again meet the referee at centre

field to mak e their choices.

Article 2 Playing & Rest Periods

The length of game shall be 60 minutes of actual playing t ime, dividedinto four periods of 15 minutes each. The scoreboard clock shall be the

off icial t ime for the game and shall be operated under the direction and

control of the Timeke eper. (See Rule 2 , Section 2 , Article 1 0).

Goals shall be changed at the end of the f irst and third periods. At the

start of the second and fourth periods, the ball shall be put into play at apoint corresponding exactly to the point at t he other end of the f ield where

the ball became dead at the end of the previous period. It shall be put

into play in exactly the same m anner as if play had not been int errupted.

The kickoff to start the second half shall take place at exactly 14 minu tes

after the conclusion of the f irst half and a team shall be subject to penalty

if the players are not l ined up on the f ield ready to start the second half at

that t ime.

PENALTY: L1 0

Artic le 3 Time Out

Time shall start when the ball is touched fol lowing the k ickoff at th e start

of a half, or after a scoring play, and shall continue until the ball is ruled

dead and an off icial signals to the t im ekeeper that t im e shall stop for any

of the following reasons:

When a score has been made

When the ball goes Out of Bounds

When a forward pass is incomplete For the application of penalt ies

For player substitut ion

For delay caused by player injury

When t ime expires at the end of each per iod

When the ba l l becomes dead a f ter the three-minute warn ing has

been given in any half

When a player requests a team t imeout



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For a convert attempt during the last three minutes of a half

When the referee deems it necessary to suspend play.

If in any period the ball becomes dead with only a short period of t ime

remaining, the team in possession shall be entit led to one com plete play

even though that play may extend beyond the normal termination of that

period.

If a touchdown is scored on the last play of a period, the period shall be

extended to include the convert attempt.

If in any period time expires during a play in which a foul occurs, the non-offending team ma y:

(a) accept the penalty, in which case the team entit led to possession

shall be required to put t he ball into play or,

(b) decline the penalty and accept the play as it terminated to end the

period or,

(c) elect to have the penalty applied on the first play of the following

period, if the foul was a Ma jor Foul.

NOTE: For the purpose of this rule, an Offside Pass shall not be consid-

ered to be a foul.

Should the play be terminated by an of f ic ia l s whist le pr ior to the bal lbeing put into play, the penalty shall be applied and the period extended

for another play.

Article 4 Time In

After a t im e out for any reason, t ime shall start again on the signal of the

referee for any of th e fol lowing reasons:

When the ball is touched following a kickoff

When it is ready to be scr imm aged

When i t is snapped immediately af ter a t ime count foul

When it is snapped on the play imm ediately fol lowing a t ime out due

to crowd noise When it is snapped fol lowing a team t ime out

When it is snapped after Team A creates two consecutive fouls prior

to the ball being put legally into play prior to the last t hree minu tes of any

half

When it is snapped on the play imm ediately fol lowing a kickoff or a

kick from scrimm age or an open-field kick during the last three minut es in

any half

When it is snapped imm ediately fol lowing a play during which pos-

session changed in the last three m inutes in any half

When i t is snapped immediately fol lowing an incomplete legal for-

ward pass in the last three minu tes in any half

When it is snapped imm ediately fol lowing a t ime out caused by the

ball being carried Out of Bounds during the last th ree minut es in any half

When i t is snapped im mediately fo l lowing a score dur ing the last

three minutes in any half

When it is snapped imm ediately fol lowing the application of a penalty

for a foul that occurs after the three-minute warning signal has been given

in any half however, the non-offending team may decline the penalty

and perm it t ime to resum e as though a foul had not occurred



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When i t is snapped imm edia te ly fo llow ing the app l icat ion o f dua l

penalt ies during the last three m inutes of a half.

I f , dur ing the las t th ree m inutes o f a h a l f , an in f ract ion is comm it ted

before the ball can be snapped t he non-offending team may:

(a) accept th e penalty, in which case tim e shall resume on t he snap or,

(b) decl ine the penalty and elect whether t ime shal l resume on the

snap or when the Referee declares the ball in play.

After a touchdown, t ime shall stop and shall resume when the Referee

declares the ball in play for a convert attempt, except during the last threeminutes of a h alf, when t im e shall resum e when the ball is touched on the

ensuing kickoff.

Artic le 5 Team Time Out

During a half, a team shall be permitted to call one t ime out, subject to

the following:

(a) the t ime out may be requested by any player on the f ield and may

be directed to any off icial on t he f ield,

(b) the t im e out shall be 30 seconds in duration,

(c) the game time wil l resume on t he snap.

Article 6 Ball In Play

The ball shall be considered in play unti l an off icial stops the game by

sounding the whistle.

The game shall not be stopped because of player injury until the ball is

dead.

The referee shall not stop the game to impose a penalty unti l the ball is

dead.

Artic le 7 Delay Of Game

The game shall not be delayed except by permission of the Referee. Anyunauthorized delay shall be subject to pen alty.

(a) If the Referee finds it necessary to suspend play while a player in

the game has equipment repairs, that player shall be required to leave

the game for a minim um of three plays.

(b) If the Referee finds it necessary to suspend play while an injured

p laye r rece ives med ica l a t ten t ion on the f i e ld , t ha t p laye r sha l l be

required to leave the game for a m inimum of three plays, except when th e

injury had occurred as a direct result of an infraction for which the oppo-

nent was penalized, in which event the Referee may waive the require-

ment for the player to leave the game.

(c) On a k ickoff, Team A shall be required to k ick the b all within 20 sec-

onds of notif ication by the Referee that play is to comm ence.

(d) If a Team B player interferes with the placement of the ball after it

has been declared in p lay by the Referee, that team shall be penalized.

PENALTY: L1 0



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Article 8 Crowd Noise

The Team A captain m ay request the referee to st op the gam e if excessive

crowd noise prevents Team A from putting the ball into play. The referee

may permit Team A to return to its huddle. The referee shall allow reason-

able t ime but under no circumstances shal l the play be delayed more

than three t imes.

In the event that the home team permits in its stadium the use of either

electronic equipm ent or h igh volum e loudspeakers when t he visit ing team

is a t tempt ing to put the ba l l in p lay, w i th the resu l t that the game is

delayed, the hom e team shall be subject to penalty for delay of game.

PENALTY: L1 0

Article 9 B all In Goal

The ba ll is in goal if it is on or behind t he Goal Line, even in the air.

SECTION 8 TIE GAME

In the event that the score is t ied at the end of the second half of a game,

each team wil l be given the opportunity to score using the fol lowing proce-

dure:

The f irst team, as determined by coin toss, shall scrimm age the ball

at the opponents 3 5-yard l ine and m ay advance by consecutive series of

downs unti l i t mak es a score or loses possession. The second team wil l then scrimm age at the same 35 -yard l ine and

proceed as above.

If the score is st i ll t ied, the procedure shall be repeated at the oppo-

site end of the stadium .

A winner is determined only if both teams have had equal opportuni-

ties to score.

I f a winner is not determined af ter two at tempts the game wi ll be

declared a t ie.

I f the game is a playoff or championship game and a winner must be

determined, the same procedure shall continue unti l a winner is f inally

declared.

SECTION 9 OUT OF BOUNDS

Article 1 Definit ions

The ball is Out of Bounds when it touches a Sideline, Sideline in Goal,

Dead Line or the ground or any other object on or beyond these lines. The

ball is Out of Bounds when a player in possession of the ball touches a

Sideline, Sideline in Goal, Dead Line or the ground or any other object on

or beyond these l ines.

NOTE: The ball shall remain in play when it is knocked or batted back into

the F ie ld o f P lay by a p layer who is o f f the ground and who has not

touched the ground or any object Out of Bounds, see Rule 1, Section 9,Article 3.

NOTE: I f a player gains possession of the bal l whi le of f the ground in

bounds and is contacted by an opponent and lands Out of Bounds in pos-

session of the ba ll, such player shall retain p ossession.

NOTE: A player who gains possession of the ball near the Sideline and

touches the ground in bounds with the f irst step shall retain possession

even if the n ext step is Out of Bounds.



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Article 2

When the ball is kicked Out of Bounds in the Field of Play, it shall belong

to the opposite team , subject to the penalty applicable on a kickoff.

Article 3

When, on any play, the ball is fumbled Out of Bounds, or touches a player

in the Field of Play and then goes Out of Bounds, i t shall belong to the

team that last tou ched the ball in the Field of Play.

A team shall be entit led to possession when a player of the team, while

off the ground, knocks or bats the ball directly Out of Bounds, provided he

lands in bounds.

The ball shall next be scrimm aged:

(a) at the p oint where the ball went Out of Bound s or,

(b) at the point where the ball was last touched in the Field of Play,

whichever point is closer to the Goal Line of the t eam entit led to p osses-

sion.

Article 4

When a player directs the ba ll, other than b y kickin g, from the Field of Play

over the opponents Goal Line and hence Out of Bounds in the Goal Area

without the b all touching an opponent, i t shall be ruled as a fum ble Out of

Bounds in the Field of Play, with the ball declared dead at the point whereit was last tou ched in t he Field of Play.

Article 5

When a player fumbles or directs the ball from the Field of Play into his

own Goal Area, where the ball goes Out of Bounds without possession

being gained by either team, a safety touch score shall be awarded.

Article 6

When a player directs the ball other than by kicking, from the Field of Play

over the opponents Goal Line where it is recovered by an opponent, or is

touched by an opponent before going Out of Bounds in the Goal Area,there shall be no score and the ball shall be awarded to the opponents

team at i ts 25-yard l ine. If in attempting to run the ball out of the Goal

Area, the opponent s team commits an infract ion the penalty shal l be

applied from th e 2 5-yard l ine.

Article 7

When a team in its own Goal Area fum bles or directs the ball, other than

by kicking, across the Goal Line and Out of Bounds in the Field of Play

without touching an opponen t, the non-offending team m ay:

(a) accept a two-point score if the offending team had previously direct-

ed th e ball into it s own Goal Area or,

(b) accept a one-point score if the non-offending team had k icked theball into t he Goal Area or,

(c) decl ine the score and require the team ent i t led to possession to

scrimm age the ball 24 yards in from the point where the ball went Out of

Bounds or,

(d) i f pr ior to the fumble or offside pass Out of Bounds, the players

team had gained possession in its Goal Area by intercepting a forward

pass or recovering an opponents fumble from the Field of Play, it shall be

awarded the ball at i ts 25 -yard l ine without opt ion.



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Article 8

A player of either team who goes Out of Boun ds, except as a result o f bod-

i ly contact, must remain out of that play.

PENALTY: L1 0

If such player should en ter the field an d touch or recover a loose ball:

PENALTY: LB PF

Article 9

When a team in its own Goal Area kicks the ball Out of Bounds in its own

Goal Area, the ball shall be deemed to have become dead in the Goal

Area and th e opponent sha ll be awarded:(a) a single point if the ball had been kicked into the Goal Area by the

opponent or,

(b) a safety touch score if the ball had been kicked, passed or carried

into th e Goal Area by the team scored against.

If the team in its own Goal Area had gained possession through intercep-

t ion of a forward pass or recovery of an opponen ts fum ble, there shall be

no score and the t eam shall take possession at i ts 25 -yard l ine.

If, under similar circumstances, a team should kick th e ball Out of Bounds

in the opponents Goal Area without gaining possession, the play shall be

ruled as though the opponent had kicked the ball out of i ts own Goal Area.

SECTION 10 : PLAYING UNIFORMS

Article 1 Equipment

Equipm ent or apparel that, in the judgm ent of the Referee, may endanger

or confuse opponents is illegal.

The use of metal or other hard objects including casts, guards and

braces to protect bod y parts, is permitted provided that such are app ro-

pr iately covered on al l edges and sur faces by foam rubber or s imi lar

material.

PENALTY: L10 PBD. The offending player shall be required to leave thegame for a minimum of three plays and shall not be permitted to return

unti l the i l legal equipment has been rem oved. Substitut ion for t he player

shall be allowed.

Article 2 Helmets

A player shall be required to wear a helmet when on the Field of Play and

shall not volun tarily remove it while the pla y is in progress.

The use of helmets or oth er objects to deceive opponents as to the where-

abouts of the ball is prohibited.

PENALTY: L5

NOTE: See Rule 7 , Section 2 , Article 3 & Rule 7 , Section 4.

Artic le 3 Numbering Of Players

Each player shall be conspicuously numbered on t he front an d back of the

je rse y, and on the upper arm s or sh ou lders . Su ch num ber m ust corr e-

spond with that l isted with the scorer. A player shall retain the sam e num -

ber throughout the game except when permission to change is given by

the referee. Such change shall be reported to the scorer.



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In the event that a Team A player is required to wear a different jersey

number i n o rde r to p lay a t a d i f f e ren t pos i t i on , t he je r sey mus t be

changed in the team bench area. Under no circumstan ces shall the jersey

be changed while the player is on th e playing f ield.

PENALTY: The offending player shall be removed from t he game un ti l the

proper playing num ber is determ ined. Substitut ion shall be allowed.

Artic le 4 Illegal Substance

A player shall not be permitted to apply or have applied on the uniform,

equipmen t or body:

(a) an adhesive substance that, in the sole judgment of the referee,

has m ade the gam e ball unsuitable for play as a result of direct or indirect

contact with that player, and/ or,

(b) a greasy substance that, in the sole judgment of the referee, has

the potential to give that player an un fair advantage.

PENALTY: L10 PBD. The offending player shall be required to leave the

game for a minimum of three plays and shall not be permitted to return

unti l the i l legal substance has been removed. Substitut ion for t he player

shall be allowed.

Artic le 5 B lood Hazards From Open WoundsI f a player has an open wound that, in th e opinion of t he Referee, is bleed-

ing significantly, then that player will be required to leave the Field of Play

to have the wound proper ly dressed by club medical staf f . The player

would be permitted to re-enter the Field of Play after receiving clearance

from th e Referee.

Arti cle 6 Hazardous Equipment

A player shall not b e permitted to wear un authorized equipm ent (ex. base-

ball cleats, track spikes or golf shoes) or equipment t hat h as been deliber-

ately altered so that, in the sole judgment of th e Referee, i t has the poten-

t ial to cause injury to an opponen t.

PENALTY: L15 The offending player shall be disqualif ied from t he game.

NOTE: If the infraction is detected during or following a play in which that

player participated, the Referee may apply the penalty at the point of ori-

gin of t hat play, or PBD.

Arti cle 7 Dress Code

A team is required to dress in a professional manner and shall be subject

to penalty if a player fai ls to comply with the fol lowing requirements:

(a) The team jersey shal l be tucked inside the top of the pants and

shall remain tucked in throughout the gam e. If the jersey is pulled out du r-

ing the game, the player shall be required to tuck it in during a break inthe p lay.

(b) Uniform stockings shall be worn in such manner th at no part of t he

players knee or leg is exposed.

(c) Protective gear shall be worn underneath the team jersey, pants

and st ockings. When a short -sleeved jersey is worn, the color of p rotective

gear on the elbow or lower arm shall be the sam e as one of the basic col-

ors of the team.



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(d) The team uniform shall not be cut away or altered in any manner

whatsoever.

(e) White tape may be used on wr ists and hands, but tape used on

stockings or any part of the uniform shall be the same color as the uni-

form or equipm ent it covers.

(f) Shoes of a standard football design, with appropriate football cleat-

ing, that have not b een altered, deliberately or otherwise, in an y manner

and judged suitable by the Referee for the playing surface, may be used.

Sneaker type shoes with no cleating may also be u sed.

PENALTY: L10 PBD The offending player shall be required to leave the

game for a minimum of three plays and shall not be permitted to returnunt i l the dress code violat ion has been remedied. Subst i tut ion for the

player shall be allowed.

SECTION 11 TEAM PERSONNEL

Article 1 Bench Area

The team bench area shall be a rectangular area situated not closer to

the Sideline than 6 feet and extending for a distance of 3 0 yards parallel

to the Sideline. During a game, the area may be occupied only by substi-

tute players in uniform and other accredited persons including coaches,

doctors, trainers, equipment assistants and water carriers. All such per-

sonnel are required to remain within the rectangular area with the excep-tion of the coaches, who may take posit ions between the bench a rea and

the Sideline. The coaches shall not be permitted on the playing f ield at

any t ime during the gam e, except with the permission of the referee.

PENALTY: L1 0

Artic le 2 Offic ial Time Out

When the referee has called an off icial t ime out, not more th an one player

of each team may proceed to the Sideline to talk with th e coach.

PENALTY: L1 0

Arti cle 3 Trainers & Injured Players

During a stoppage in play for injury or other reason, not more than two

representat ives of each team, other than medical personnel, shal l be

allowed to en ter the f ield.

The referee need not permit the attendants of both teams to enter the

field in case of injury to a player of one team only and shall indicate such

permission to the attendants of one or both teams.

When t ime out has been called for player injury or equipm ent repair, that

player shall be required to leave the game for a minimum of three plays,

except when the injury had occurred as a result of an infraction for whichthe opponent was penalized.

PENALTY: L10 PLS DR or L10 PBD or option .

Article 4 Substit ution Procedure

A substitute m ay enter the Field of Play at any t ime the ba ll is dead and

only at that t im e.



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A substitute who enters the game and com mu nicates with a teamm ate on

the f ield mu st remain in t he game for at least one play.

A player leaving the game shall proceed directly to the Sideline on which

the team bench is located and, thence, outside the Field of Play to the

team bench.

A team shall not be permitted to use player substitut ion as a means of

deceiving the opponents.

A team that permits more than 12 players to part icipate in its huddle or

formation before the ball is snapped shall be subject to a pen alty for il le-

gal substitut ion.

The side off icials (head l inesman and l ine judge) shall monitor the team

bench on their sides of the f ield and, when the ball becomes dead , shall

observe that Sideline for possible substitut ions. When Team A breaks the

huddle, or if no huddle, and the Referee declares the ball in play, the side

off icials shall turn away from the Sidelines and raise their arms to shoul-

der level. (Raising the gates.) Further substitut ion shall not be permit-

ted.

When, on a kicking play, Team A has only 11 players on the field and the

gates have gone up, a player may enter the f ield and part icipate in the

play without being penalized for Illegal Substitution, if he is able to enterthe close l ine play area and then assume a posit ion, inside or outside

this area, prior to the snap.

PENALTY: L1 0

Artic le 5 Sleeper Play

A sleeper play is one in which Team A uses subst itution procedures t o dis-

guise a players presence on the field and eligibility as a potential pass

receiver, and t hrows a pass to th at player.

Team A shall not use player substitut ion as a mean s of disguising a sleep-

er play. If following a substit ution , a Team A player does not p articipat e inthe team huddle and tak es a posit ion within 11 yards of the Sideline adja-

cent to the Team A bench area when the ball is put int o play, that player

shall be deem ed to be ineligible as a pass receiver.

PENALTY: L1 0

Artic le 6 Error In Number Of Players

I f through error in substitut ion or otherwise, a team has more than 12

players on the f ield the offen ding team shall be penalized.

PENALTY: L1 0

SECTION 12 OTHER PERSONNELArticle 1

I f a person entit led to be in a team bench area ( i.e. a substitute player in

uniform or one of t he other accredited persons) interferes with the play in

progress, that team shall be subject to penalty as follows:

(a) If the opponent had possession of the ball, the referee shall award

an automat ic touchdown to the opponent.

(b) If the offending persons team had p ossession, i t shall be penalized



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for illegal interference (L10 PBH or PBD) while the downs shall continue

without interruption.

(c) If neither team had possession, the ball shall be awarded to the

opponent at the point of recovery with a penalty of half the d istance to the

Goal Line and the opponent shall be permitted a series of three downs

regardless of the t im e remaining in the half.

Furthermore, the offending person shall be disqualif ied from the game

imm ediately and subject to discipl inary action by the Comm issioner. There

shall not be any additional yardage penalty by reason of the disqualifica-

t ion.

Article 2

I f a person other than one described in Art icle 1 should interfere with th e

play in progress the penalt y shall be:

(a) If such person interfered to the advantage of the team in posses-

sion, that team shal l be penal ized for i l legal inter ference at the point

where the ball was held when the interference occurred.

(b) If such person interfered to the advantage of the team not in pos-

session, the team in possession shall be awarded:

( i) a touchdown score if , in the judgmen t of t he referee, a touch-

down would have been scored on the play or,

( ii) a penalty of half the d istance to the Goal Line from:1. the po in t where the ba l l was he ld when the in ter ference

occurred or,

2. the point where the ball became dead or,

3. the point where the b all was put into play or the team gained

possession, whichever is the greater advantage to the team in posses-

sion, plus a series of th ree downs regardless of the t ime remaining in the

half.

(c) If such person inte rferes with the p lay when the ball is not in posses -

sion of either team, the referee shall whistle the play dead immediately.

The entire play shall be repeated at the point the ball was previously put

into play, with the d own, yardage, score and t im e remaining the sam e.(d) If such person interferes with a forward pass play in the Goal Area,

the ball shall be awarded to:

( i) Team A at the one-yard l ine i f the in t er ference was to the

advant age of Team B or,

( i i ) Team B at the 10-yard l ine i f the in ter ference was to the

advant age of Team A.

NOTE: If the non-offending team is awarded a series of three downs with

insuf f ic ient t ime remaining, i t shal l be permit ted a maximum of three

plays from scrimmage. If that team should score or lose possession, the

game wil l be terminated at t he conclusion of that play.



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SECTION 1 DESIGNATION OF OFFICIALS

Art icle 1 Field Off ic ials Art icle 2 Sideline Officials

1 . Referee Downsm an

2 . Um pire Yardsm en

3 . Back Judge Tim ekeeper

4 . Side Judge Com m unicat ion Coordinator

5 . Field Judge Countdown Operator

6 . Head Linesm an Scorer

7 . Line Judge Statist icianSECTION 2 JURISDICTION & DUTIES OF OFFICIALS

Article 1 General

All f ield off icials are equally responsible for the conduct of the gam e and

no agreement shall be undertaken that would prevent the call ing of any

foul, against either team , by an off icial.

Each f ield off icial shall be equipped with a wh istle and a colored ma rker

to be used to indicate a foul.

The sounding of the whistle shall stop the game.

The throwing of a marker indicates that a foul has been committed, butplay shall continue u nti l i ts terminat ion.

The signal of t ime in shall be a clockwise sweep of the referees arm

from th e overhead posit ion and t he sounding of the referees whistle.

Artic le 2 The Referee

The referee shall take primary charge of the game and shall:

Guide and direct the efforts of the other off icials

Enforce the rules and apply penalt ies

Adjudicate upon disputes or matters not provided for in the rules

Take posit ion behind Team A in order to observe that the ball is put

into play legally and th ereafter jud ge its possession and progress Cover the actions of passers and kickers and the defensive actions

of opponents

Cover lateral passes and onside kicks behind the l ine of scrimm age

Be primari ly responsible for marking balls Out of Bounds in f l ight

In co-operation with the head l inesman keep count of the downs and,

Notify each team captain when three minutes remain to be played in

each half and furthermore m ay:

o Overrule an y other official

o Cause th e remo val of any Sideline off icial and, if necessary,

o Require the replacement of such Sideline off icial

Artic le 3 The UmpireThe um pire shall have jurisdict ion over the condu ct and actions of players

on the scrimmage l ines of both teams and shall take a posit ion behind

the defen sive l inem en (Team B).

Artic le 4 The Back Judge

The back judge shall have jurisdict ion over the conduct and actions of

players of both team s on Team Bs side of the l ine of scrimmage and shall

be responsible for Sideline violations down field.

RULE 2 OFFICIALS



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Art icl e 5 The Side Judge

The duties of t he side judge shall be identical to those of the back judge.

Art icl e 6 The Field Judge

The f ie ld judge shal l have jur isdict ion over the conduct and act ions of

players of both team s on Team Bs side of the l ine of scrimma ge and shall

take a posit ion downfield between the hash m arks.

Artic le 7 The Head Linesman

The head l inesman shall supervise and control the yardsmen and their

act ions in the p lacement and movement o f the yardst icks, under the

direction of the referee. He shall record the number of each down and

ass is t the re feree in th is respect and sha l l systemat ica l ly check the

Sideline for player substitut ions and ensure that only approved substitu-

t ion procedures are used.

Art icl e 8 The Line Judge

With the exception of:

(a) the supervision and control of th e yardsmen, and,

(b) the recordin g of downs,

the jurisdict ion and duties of the l ine judge are identical to those of the

head l inesman .

Articl e 9 Downsman & Yardsmen

Under the d irect ion of the head l inesman, the downsm an shal l p lace a

marker at the forward point of gain or loss after each play and shall indi-

cate the num ber of each down on the marker provided.

Two yardsmen shall function on one Sideline under the direction of the

head linesman. They shall remain outside the Field of Play unless called

to assist in measuring for a possible first down. They shall be equipped

with two pickets, connected near t he lower ends by a chain. The distance

between these pickets shall measure 1 0 yards.

A third yardsman shall be used to hold a single picket on the opposite

Sideline to mark the 10-yard objective line. However, such picket shall not

be used to determ ine whether a f irst down has been gained.

Article 10 Timekeeper & Scorer

Prior to the gam e, the scorer shall be provided with a com plete l ist of the

e l igib le compet ing p layers and the s tar t ing l ineups, and sha l l k eep a

record of all scoring plays in the gam e.

The t imek eeper shall keep the t ime according to Rule 1, Sections 7 and 8,

and sha l l not i fy the head l inesman or l ine judge when three minutes

remain in each half.

I f the scoreboard clock should fai l t o operate, the t im ekeeper shall, pr ior

to the last minute of play in each quarter, take a posit ion in order to be

clearly visible to the referee and at t he comm encement of the last m inute

of play, shall raise a flag and continue to hold it in a raised position until

t ime has expired in that quarter.



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SECTION 1 TABLE OF SCORES

Touchdown 6 Points

Field Goals 3 Points

Safety Touch 2 Points

Single Point or Rouge 1 Point

Convert 1 Point or 2 Points

The team scoring the m ajority of points shall be t he winner.

SECTION 2 DEFINITIONS

Article 1 Touchdown

A touchdown is scored when the ball is in possession of a player in the

opponent s Goal Area, or when the bal l in the possession of a player

crosses or touches the plane of th e opponents Goal Line. Should the ball

subsequently be fum bled, or the player in possession forced back into the

Field of Play, the t ouch down sh all score.

After a touchdown, the team scored against may kickoff from its own 35 -

yard l ine or require the scoring team to kickoff from its (scoring teams)

35-yard line.

Arti cle 2 Field Goal

A field goal is scored by a drop kick or place kick (except on a kickoff)

when the ball, after being kicked and without again touching the ground,

goes over the cross bar and between the goal posts (or goal posts pro-

duced) of the opponen ts goal.

The ball shall be dead im mediately when it crosses the cross bar.

After a f ield goal, the team scored against m ay kickoff or scrimmage th e

ball as f irst down at i ts own 35-yard l ine or require the scoring team to

kickoff from its 35 -yard l ine.

AR: Team A attem pts a field goal. After the ba ll is kicked a nd befo re cross-

ing the line of scrimmage, it touches or is touched by a player of either

team and then proceeds through the uprights and over the crossbar in

flight. RULING Field Goal.

AR: Team A attempts a field goal. After the ball has crossed the line of

scrimm age, it touches or is touched by a Team B player before it proceeds

through the upr ights and above the crossbar in f l ight . RULING Field

Goal.

Artic le 3 Safety Touch

A safety touch is scored when the b all becomes dead in the possession ofa team in its own Goal Area, or touches or crosses the Dead Line or a

Sideline in Goal as a result of the ball having been carried, kicked, fum-

bled or oth erwise directed f rom the Field of Play into th e Goal Area by the

team scored against, or as a direct result of a kick from scrimm age having

been b locked in the Field of Play or Goal Area.

RULE 3 SCORING



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After a safety touch, the scoring team may elect to have th e ball next put

into play as follows:

(a) By scrimm aging the ball at its own 3 5 -yard line or,

(b) By kicking off from its own 3 5 -yard line or,

(c) By requiring the team scored against to kickof f from its 3 5 -yard line.

If while in the act of conceding a safety touch, a team deliberately, in the

ju dgm ent of t he of f icia l, com m its a Ho ld ing in f ract io n , t he score sha ll

count and the penalty applied at the point where the ball is next put into

play.

When a Rough Play or Unnecessary Roughness foul is committed on aplay during which a safety touch is scored by the non-offending team, the

score shall be allowed and the penalty assessed from the point where the

ball is next put in play.

Artic le 4 Single Point Or Rouge

If the ball is kicked in to the Goal Area by an opponen t, a rouge is scored:

(1) when the bal l becomes dead in possession of a team in i ts own

Goal Area or,

(2) when the ball touches or crosses the Dead Line or a Sideline in

Goal, and tou ches the ground , a player or some ob ject beyond these lines.

AR: Team A kicks to Team B. B1 att empting to catch the ball on Team Bs

3-yard l ine, fumbles it and is tackled with the ball in possession in the

Team B Goal Area. RULING Rouge (ball deemed to have been kicked

int o Goal Area by Team A).

AR: Team A kicks t o Team B. B1 catches t he ball in t he Field of Play while

moving towards own Goal Line and, in the judgment of the off icial, the

momentum carries B1 into own Goal Area. RULING No Score (posses-

sion deemed to have been gained in the Goal Area).

After a rouge, the team scored against sha ll next put the b all into play by a

scrimmage as f irst down at any point between the hash marks on its 35-yard line.

If the single point was scored as the result of an unsuccessful field goal

attem pt, the team scored against may elect to scrimm age the ball at any

point between the h ash m arks on its own 3 5-yard l ine or at the previous

line of scrimm age.

NOTE: For the pu rposes of th is Article, a drop kick or place k ick shall, with-

out exception, be deemed to be a f ield goal attempt .

NOTE: I f during a kickoff, the kicked ball p roceeds through the Goal Area

and across the Dead Line or Sideline in Goal without b eing touched, there

shall be no score and th e ball shall be awarded to the receiving team atany point between the hash m arks on its own 25 -yard l ine.



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Artic le 5 Convert

A team scoring a touchdown m ay attempt to add to its score by means of

a scrimmage play from any point between the hash marks on or outside

the opp onen ts five-yard line, as follows:

1 point By kicking a f ield goal or,

2 points By scoring a touchdown by means of a ball carrying or pass-

ing play.

The ball shall remain in play unti l a score is made or the play has been

terminated.

I f Team B lega l l y ga ins possess ion du r ing an unsuccess fu l conver tattempt (i.e. interception of forward pass, recovery of fumble or blocked

kick), it may score two points by advancing the ball across Team As Goal

Line. If the p lay termina tes with Team B in possession in its ow n Goal Area

or in the Field of Play, there sh all be no score.

If the play terminates with Team A legally in possession in Team Bs Goal

Area, Team A shall be awarded two points if the ball had been carried or

passed across the l ine of scrimmage, but no points if the ball had been

kicked across the l ine of scrimm age.

NOTE: There sha l l be no conver t a t tempt on the w inn ing touchdown

scored in overt ime.

NOTE: For infraction on convert attempt , see Rule 8, Section 5.

SECTION 3 TERM INATING A PLAY IN GOAL

A player of the tea m in possession of t he ball in its own Goal Area m ay ter-

minate the play by dropping to the ground on one knee. The off icial shall

imm ediately declare the play dead.

SECTION 4 M ISCELLANEOUS

No score can be m ade from a kickoff unless the ball, after i t is kicked off,

is touched by a player of either team within bounds.



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NOTE: Where a violation un der this Rule occurs before the ball h as been

snapped, the o f f ic ia ls are em powered to s top the p lay and app ly the

penalty. Such penalty shall apply without option; however, the yardage

may be declined. For a violation during the last three minutes of a half,

see Rule 1, Section 7, Article 4.

SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS

Artic le 1 Line Of Scrimma ge

The l ine of scrimmage is an imaginary l ine, extending from Sideline toSideline, parallel to the Goal Line, and passing through the point of the

ball farth est from Team As Goal Line.

Article 2 Line & Back field

Players of Team A who are within o ne yard of and on t heir own side of th e

line of scrimm age and are formed in a single l ine when th e ball is put in

play, shall be considered scrimmage line, or line players. A player, whose

head and shoulders are within one yard of th e l ine of scrimm age, shall be

deemed to be a l ine player.

A player of Team A is considered to be in the backfield if such player is

clearly back of the line when the ball is put in play. This will also includethe player occupying the p osit ion of quarterback.

No player of Team A shall be in a posit ion that wil l create doubt as to

being on the l ine or in th e backfield, when the b all is put in play.

PENALTY: L5

Artic le 3 Scrimmage Zone

The scrimm age zone is the area extending one yard on each side of the

line of scrimmage and from Sideline to Sideline.

Artic le 4 Defensive Line

On a play from scrimmage, players of Team B must line up at least one

yard back of, and on their own side of the l ine of scrimmage unt i l the ballis put in play. This includ es the player giving defen sive signals.

PENALTY: L5

SECTION 2 M ETHOD OF SCRIM M AGE

Articl e 1 The Centre

At the comm encement of a scrimm age play, one Team A player (the cen-

tre) shall take posit ion facing the opponents Goal Line with the ball on

the playing surface immediately in front and shall put the ball in play by

snapping it back between the legs in one continuous motion to another

Team A player behind the l ine of scr immage. The bal l must leave the

hands of th e centre, who shall not touch the ball again unti l i t has been inthe possession of an other player.

Team A shall be subject to p enalty for attempting to d raw an opponent off-

side if:

(a) the centre fakes a snap, without snapping the ball or,

(b) the centre, having assumed a stance holding the bal l , bobs the

head, moves the shoulders or f lexes the knees without snapping the ball.

PENALTY: L5

RULE 4 SCRIM M AGE



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NOTE: On a Team A kicking formation, the centre shall be permitted to

move the head for the purpose of checking the posit ion of an opponent

prior to snapping the ball.

Article 2 I l legal M ovement

Team A shall be subject to p enalty for attempting to d raw an opponent off-

side if:

(a) the quarterback m akes a quick m ovement towards the centre posi-

t ion without the ball being snapped imm ediately or,

(b) the quarterback, having assumed a stance with hands under the

centre, bobs the head, moves the shoulders or f lexes the kn ees in a jerk-ing motion without the ball being snapped or,

(c) the quarterback, having assumed a stance with hands under the

centre, moves away without the ball being snapped.

PENALTY: L5

Either team shall be subject to penalty for attempting to draw an oppo-

nent offside if a p layer mak es a m otion or voices a signal that, in the judg-

ment of the off icial, is intended to draw an opponent offside.

PENALTY: L5

Articl e 3 Offside At The SnapTeam A players mu st be completely behind th e l ine of scrimm age, except

that the head, arms and hands of the centre may be in advance of the

line of scrimm age.

PENALTY: L5

If a Team B player is offside on his own one-yard line.

PENALTY: Team A shall be awarded a f irst down or score mad e.

If a Team B player goes offside and contacts an opponen t or breaks th e

plane of the l ine of scrimmage before the ball is snapped, the off icials

shall stop the play imm ediately and award the penalty, subject to t he r ightof Team A to decline the yardage penalty and order the same d own to be

repeated as th ough a foul had n ot occurred. If the Team B player is within

one yard of the l ine of scrimm age when the b all is snapped, the play shall

continue, subject to th e penalty against Team B.

If a Team B player enters the neutral zone within one yard of the l ine of

scr immage caus ing a Team A l ine p layer to move before the ba l l i s

snappe d, Team B shall be sub ject to a penalty for offside.

I f p layers of both teams are of fs ide on the same play, the same down

shall be repeated without penalty from the point of last scrimm age.

A player of either team who is offside and contacts an opponent, eventhough resuming an onside posit ion prior to the snap, shall be penalized

for being offside.

Team A ma y put the ball into p lay withou t waiting for Team B players to be

onside, but an offside penalty cannot be claimed against Team B. Such an

offside player shall not interfere with the play in any m anner.

PENALTY: L5



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Arti cle 4 Time Count

The Referee shall al low Team A 20 seconds in which to p ut th e ball into

play. If the stadium countdown clock is not in operation, the Referee shall

be the sole judge as to when the t im e count shall comm ence, after al low-

ing both teams reasonable t ime in which to l ine up after the preceding

play.

PENALTY: L5 DR Yardage pen alty may be declined.

NOTE: After the th ree-minut e warning has been given in a half t he penalty

shall be 12 D LD, 3D L10 DR.

NOTE: The penalty for a t ime coun t violation on a convert attempt shall beL5 DR at any t ime du ring the game.

NOTE: I f in the opinion of the referee, Team A is taking a d eliberate third

down tim e count penalty, the referee m ay order Team A to put the ball in

play legally within 2 0 seconds or forfeit possession to Team B.

SECTION 3 INTERFERENCE

Article 1 General Definit ion

In ter ference takes p lace when a p layer obst ructs , b locks, screens or

charges towards an opponent, with or without direct contact, in such a

mann er that prevents the opponent s approach to the ba ll carrier, poten-

tial ball carrier or the ball.

Articl e 2 B y Team A

(a) On a play from scrimmage, a Team A player may interfere with an

opponent from Dead Line to Dead Line commencing from the instant the

ball is snapped, except in the case of:

(i) a play during which a forward pass is thrown across the line of

scrimm age or,

( i i) a play during which the ball is kicked across the l ine of scrim-

mage.

(b) For interference on a forward pass play, see Rule 6, Sect ion 4,

Article 8.(c) On a kicking play, a Team A player may interfere with an opponent

up to one yard in advance of the l ine of scrimm age.

(d) A Team A player may use hands, open or closed, and may thrust

them forward to contact an opponent, provided that the hands are kept

inside the elbows and contact is made from the front or side of the oppo-

nent wi th in the f rame of the opponent s body that is presented to the

blocker.

(e) Hands may not be thrust forward above the frame to contact the

opponent on th e neck, face or head.

PENALTY: L1 0

Articl e 3 By Team B

(a) On any play from scrimmage, a Team B player may use hands and

arms to reach the ball carr ier, but shall not hold or encircle any Team A

player, other th an the ba ll carrier.

PENALTY: L1 0

(b) For interference on a forward pass play, see Rule 6, Sect ion 4,

Article 8 (b).

(c) For interference on a kick ing play, see Rule 5, Section 4 , Article 4.



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SECTION 4 PLACEMENT OF THE BALL

Article 1 After A Score

When the ball is placed in play by the referee after a scoring play, after

the ball has been d eclared dead in the end zone, or fol lowing the applica-

tion of a p enalty for a foul in goal or a fou l on a convert, Team A m ay elect

to scrimm age the ball at any point between the hash m arks.

Article 2 Within 24 Yards Of A Sideline

If the ball becomes dead within 24 yards of either Sideline, or goes Out of

Bounds, i t shall next be scrimm aged 24 yards in from such Sideline at the

yardage point where it becom es dead.

Artic le 3 Wit hin 1 Yard Of Goal Line

If Team A has possession of t he ball with in one yard of eith er Goal Line, it

shall be scrimmaged one yard out from such Goal Line.

Arti cle 4 Wit hin 1 5 Yards Of Own Goal

When, on third down, Team A scrimmages on or within its own 15-yard

line, Team A may position the ball away from the goal posts towards the

closest Sideline, but n ot closer than 2 4 yards to such Sideline.

Arti cle 5 Wit hin 1 0 Yards Of Own Goal

If Team A is scrimmaging within 10 yards of its own Goal Line, it shall bepermitted to have the ball moved out to the nearest hash mark.

SECTION 5 PLAYER RESTRICTIONS

Art icl e 1 Seven Players On Line

At the in stant the ba ll is put in play, at least seven p layers of Team A m ust

be within one yard, and on their own side of the l ine of scrimmage. This

does not include t he player in the posit ion usually occupied by the quar-

terback. Conversely, Team A can never have more than f ive players,

including the quarterback, in backfield posit ions.

PENALTY: L5

Article 2 Stance

No line player of Team A, except th e centre, having assum ed a thre e-point

or four-point stance, m ay legally move the hea d, body, arms, hand, legs or

feet unti l the ball is snapped.

PENALTY: L5

Article 3 Identif icati on & Posit ions

On all scrimmage plays at least f ive l ine players, including the centre,

shall be identif ied as ineligible pass receivers and mu st be posit ioned in a

continuous, unbroken l ine. In addit ion, one player at each end of t he l ineshall be ident ified as an eligible pass receiver.

Any other Team A player is an eligible pass receiver, i f so identif ied by

playing numb er and, at th e snap of the ball, is occupying a backfield posi-

t ion at least one yard back of th e l ine of scrimm age.

NOTE: Team A Players shall be ident ified by num bering as follows:

Eligible receivers wil l wear numb ers from 0 -49 and 7 0-00 .

Ineligible receivers wil l wear num bers from 5 0-69 .



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NOTE: Notwithstanding this article, a Team A player wearing an eligible

receiver number may enter the game at an inel ig ib le receiver posi t ion

under the fol lowing circumstances:

(a) on a th ird down p lay or,

(b) on a convert attem pt or,

(c) on a f irst or second down kicking formation in the last minute of a

quarter , provided that , pr ior to the game, Team A had declared to the

Referee which eligibly numbered players may be so deployed, in which

event, any such declared player shall not be eligible as a pass receiver,

regardless of the posit ion occupied on th at play.

PENALTY: L5

Article 4 Linemen In M otion

No player of Team A, who is within one yard of th e line of scrimm age, shall

be m oving towards the opp onents Goal Line when th e ball is put in play.

All Team A players positioned in th e scrimm age zone from off ensive tackle

to offensive tack le inclusive, or having assum ed a three-point or four-point

stance with in one yard of the l ine of scr immage, shal l be required to

remain motionless for at least one second immediately prior to the snap

of the ball.

EXCEPTION: Rule 6, Section 4 , Article 4 , Note 4

Artic le 5 Designated Quarterbac k

Prior to the game, a t eam is required to designate three players who shall

be permitted to alternate for each other during the game at the quarter-

back position exclusively. Not more than one such player may be in the

game at any t ime and none of the three can enter the game as a m ember

of Team B. A player shall be deemed to be playing at the Team A quarter-

back posit ion if , at th e snap of the ball, that player is in posit ion to receive

the ball directly from the centre.

If a designated quarterback part icipates in the game at another posit ion:PENALTY: L25 PLS DR or L25 PBD or option .

NOTE: For the purposes of this Art icle 5, the duties of the quarterback

posit ion may include punting, place kicking and kicking off. If a team des-

ignates three quarterbacks for a game, the player designated as the th ird

quarterback shall not be eligible for kicking duties.

Artic le 6 Designated Import

I f a team is using its ful l complement of import players, i t shall, pr ior to

the game, designate two import players, who

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