Pig Bowl

Not sure we ever followed them… But yes they did exist…

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Pig Bowl

OFFICIAL RULES

  

The primary purpose of the PIG BOWL is to raise money for someone in the community. With that being the focus, the players who have the opportunity to participate should keep in mind that the game should be played for the fun and entertainment of the fans. The goal of every player should be to exhibit excellent sportsmanship by keeping their language and actions in check as well as doing everything possible to see that their fellow competitors are not unnecessarily injured due to rough or overly competitive physical play. We want every player to be able to go to work Monday!!

 

EQUIPMENT

 

SHOES

Shoes must be leather or man-made with a one-piece molded bottom, which may or may not have rubber cleats. Metal tipped cleats will not be worn.

Penalty: 15 yards, player must change to legal shoes before returning to the game.

 

FLAGS

Each player on the field must wear three flags which hang directly down each side of the body and below the small of the back.

 

THE GAME

The game will be played between two teams of eight players each. Team representatives, including players, team managers, coaches, and group members are subject to the rules of the game, and will be governed by the decisions of the Officials assigned to the game.

 

Length of Game

Playing time will be 60 minutes in duration divided into four 15 minute quarters. The clock will run continuously except for; 1. After a team has scored, 2. The last two minutes of each half which will revert to standard football dead ball rules, or 3. For team or official time outs. The clock will re-start when the ball is legally snapped.

 

There will be an approximately ten minute half-time intermission while “Survivor” is played by the fans. In the case of overtime, there will be a five minute intermission.

 

Start of the Game

The captain winning the toss will choose one of the following options: 

1. Possession of the ball, 2. Designate which goal his team will defend, 3.Defer choice to the second half. The loser of the toss will make a choice of the remaining options. Before the start of the second half, the choosing of options will be reversed.

 

There is no Kicking Off. The game will start with the ball being placed on the 30-yard line for the team that is designated from the coin toss. After an extra point attempt or successful field goal, the ball will also be placed on the 30-yard line. In the case of a safety, the team scoring the safety will start at its own 40-yard line. In all cases, the team on offense will have one minute to put the ball in play.

 

Time Outs

A charged time out will not exceed one minute. Each team is entitled to three charged time outs per half and one per overtime period. Timeouts cannot be carried over into another period.

 

The offensive team will have 25 seconds from when the referee places the ball to start the next play with a legal snap. Delay of game penalty is 5 yards. Deliberate and continued delaying of the game may result in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty.

 

Scrimmage                

All plays from scrimmage must be started by a legal snap being hiked between the legs of the center with his shoulders parallel to the line of scrimmage. Each team will be allowed the opportunity to advance the ball across the opponent’s goal line by running or passing.

 

The center must have a guard on each side of him that is a maximum of one yard apart. The defensive and offensive teams may not rush immediately between the guard-center gaps. Once the gaps have broken down due to offensive players releasing down field or defensive players rushing to the outside and widening the gaps to a couple of yards the offense may rush up the middle. Defensive players may not rush a player to the outside of a guard in order to break down the gap and then blitz a player up the middle.

 

All players are eligible to touch, throw, or catch a pass.

 

A player must have at least one foot in bounds with possession of the ball for a legal catch.

 

The offense may have more than one man in motion when the ball is snapped, but may not be moving towards the line of scrimmage. The center, guards and any additional players that are within a yard of each other in succession, are considered Interior Lineman and must be set when the ball is snapped. No offensive player including the quarterback may make any quick motion(s) in order to draw the defense off-sides.   

 

Substitutions

No substitute will enter during a down. Between downs any number of eligible substitutes may replace players provided the substitution is completed by having the replaced players off the field before the ball becomes live. An incoming substitute must enter the field directly from his team area. A player for either team may not sneak onto the field so as to trick the opposing team from seeing that he has entered the game. Once a substitute has entered the game he must remain in for one play unless either team calls a time out, during which the player may exit without penalty.

 

Deflagging

All players must have their flags in a legal position at the start of each play. Legal position is with one flag straight down both sides of their legs and one flag straight down the center of the buttocks. Flags and belts must be on top of all clothing and not tucked in. Referees, teammates and opposing players should help to spot flags that are out of position so that they may fixed before a play begins to help to avoid unnecessary controversies.

 

Offensive or defensive players must have possession of the ball before they may legally be deflagged. For example, if a player anticipates that a ball is going to be caught, intercepted, handed off or recovered by an opposing player and pulls the flag before the player has legal possession, the play is still live. Players should always remember to continue to play until an official blows the whistle.

 

A ball carrier who is missing a flag(s) that has been removed before he has possession, after he had possession earlier in the play or inadvertently due to contact, does not cause play to stop. It should continue as if the flag has not been removed. In all situations where a play is in progress and a ball carrier loses his flag(s) either accidentally or inadvertently, or if a players belt is pulled out of legal position by a defender, deflagging reverts to a two-hand touch of the ball carrier between the armpits and knees or by pulling one of the remaining flags.

 

If a player’s arm is going forward to release a forward pass, and is deflagged before releasing the ball, he will not be considered down as long as he continues his motion and releases the ball. If a player is attempting a backwards pass or lateral, he must release the ball before being deflagged or will he be considered down.

 

If a player who handles the ball during a play does not have his flags in a legal position, the referee may throw a flag to mark the spot where an opposing player has even a remote chance of pulling his flag. The referee will allow the play to continue in case a turnover occurs that could actually help the opposing team or on the possibility that the player’s flag was pulled or inadvertently came off due to contact with an opponent. If the player’s flags were not in a legal position due to being pulled or contact with an opponent, there is no foul and the flag will be waved off.

 

It is unsportsmanlike conduct and penalized as such for a player to remove his own flags before or during a live ball period.

 

A player who removes a flag from the ball carrier should immediately hold the flag belt above his head to assist the Official in locating the spot where the capture occurred.

 

A player while in possession of the ball who touches the ground with any part of his body other than his hands or feet, is down at the spot of such touching.

 

Kicks

Teams must announce to the other team and referee if they are going to kick an extra point, field goal or punt. The defensive team may not rush. There are no quick kicks, however a team may choose to announce to punt on any down.

 

Extra Points & Field Goals

After receiving the snap, the holder must place the ball immediately and the kicker must kick the ball in one continuous motion. A missed Extra Point or Field Goal is automatically dead immediately and may not be returned or advanced.

 

Punts

The punter must kick the ball immediately upon receiving the snap from center and in a continuous motion. The defensive team must have four players on the line of scrimmage when a ball is snapped for a punt.

 

Scoring

 

Extra Points

An opportunity to score one or two points will be granted a team scoring a touchdown. They may either kick the ball or run a play. A team is given one choice, which cannot be changed, even if a penalty should occur.

 

If a team declares they are going for one point, the ball is placed at the 5-yard line and if successful, no matter from what distance, (in the case of a penalty), the value of the try is worth one point.

 

If a team declares they are going for two points, the ball is placed at the 10-yard line and if successful, no matter from what distance, (in the case of a penalty), the value of the try is worth two points.

 

If the defensive team gains possession of a live ball during an extra point attempt and is able to return it to the opposing teams end zone, they will receive two points even if the attempt was a one point try by the offense.

 

Penalties that would be enforced on the kickoff according to standard football rules, will be enforced from the 30-yard line before play begins for the next series.

 

Safeties                            

After a safety is scored, the ball will belong to the team that scored the safety on their own 40-yard line.

 

Penalties

 

Roughing the Passer

ALL play on a player attempting a forward pass should be at the flag level. If a defensive player makes any contact with the head, shoulders, arm or throwing hand of the quarterback, even if he successfully deflects the pass, it is considered roughing.

Penalty: 15 yards, from the succeeding spot and an automatic first down.

 

Roughing the Center

The center will not be touched until he has stood up to block or has stepped into his pass pattern.

Penalty: Roughing the center is 15 yards from the succeeding spot and an automatic first down.

 

Pass Interference

Only one chuck by the defensive player is allowed within the first five yards and ONLY on Interior Lineman, which are players that are within a yard of each other in succession out from the center and guards. The chuck must be made to the chest area only and may not be made with enough force that would cause the player to fall or run into another player.

 

An uncatchable ball will not be deemed as pass interference unless the infraction makes it difficult for the official to determine the player’s progress because of his being impeded.

 

Offensive players may not initiate any contact with a defender in order to screen a defender from guarding a possible receiver.

 

Offensive pass interference: 10 yards and loss of down

Defensive pass interference: Spot of the foul and automatic first down. If infraction occurs in the defensive team’s end zone, the ball will be placed at the 1-yard line and automatic first down. 

 

Personal Fouls & Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Any flagrant, deliberate or violent acts including fighting or tackling the ball carrier. The Referee may award a touchdown when a player tackles or intentionally trips an opposing player with a long breakaway run or inside of the 20 yard line.

 

There will be no contact with an opponent who is on the ground.

 

Penalty: 15 yards, if flagrant or repeated by the same player, the offender may be ejected

 

Blocking

In the spirit of fun that the Pig Bowl is being played, blocking will be more of a “screening” of an opposing player. There will be absolutely no hard contact made with an opposing player. The offensive block will take place with the blocker’s arms extended and their palms facing their opponent, but cannot push or grab. The block must be initiated on opponent’s chest or on either side. A blocker may not make contact with enough force that would cause the player to fall or run into another player. A player cannot blindside block a player, in other words, one that is not aware of an approaching block. Blocking of an opponent may only occur for a player carrying the ball and must be made to the chest area only. No player will block in a manner that would cause his feet, knees, or legs to strike an opponent (all blocking will be with the feet in contact with the ground).

 

Penalties: For illegal blocks or holding will be 10 yards from the spot of the foul. Rough blocking will be considered a Personal Foul and a 15-yard penalty form the spot of the foul.

 

Flag Guarding & Stiff Arming

Ball carriers will not protect their flags by blocking with arms, hands, or the ball. A blocker may not flag guard for a teammate. A ball carrier may not stiff arm an opposing player. Penalty: Play is blown dead immediately and a 5 yard penalty is enforced from the spot of the foul.

 

A stiff arm to the face or throat of an opposing player or is deemed to be excessive in force will be penalized as a Personal Foul of 15 yards from the spot of the foul.

 

A ball carrier may put a hand with a bent elbow out towards the defender and make contact without being ruled down or penalized, to help avoid a collision or for balance as long as it does not give him an unfair advantage to protect his flags or to push the player away.

 

Miscellaneous Rules

There will be no hurdling or diving to advance the ball, including at the goal line. A player may hurdle or dive to avoid contact with another player on the ground or the foot or leg of an opposing player but cannot do so with the intent of causing the player to miss their flag. A player may spin as they are running to avoid being deflagged.

 

The ball carrier will not deliberately drive or run into a defensive player.

 

The defensive player will not deliberately drive or run into a ball carrier and may not push a player out of bounds with or without the ball.

 

Penalties: For the above infractions there will be a penalty of five yards form the spot of the foul. If in the opinion of the official the penalty is deemed as excessive in force, dangerous or repeated after a number of warnings or previous penalties to either team, an Unsportsmanlike or Personal Foul of 15 yards may be imposed.

 

More Miscellaneous Rules

Using a “sleeper” play, by placing a player(s) near the sideline who were not within the huddle at the time of the ready-for-play signal.

 

The punter or place kicker may not delay in kicking the ball.

 

The center may not be deflagged as he is in the process of hiking the ball.

 

Illegal formation by the offense, such as not having three Interior Lineman or with gaps of more than a yard.

 

Illegal formation by the defense, such as not having four men on the line of scrimmage during a punt.

 

Penalties: For the above infractions there will be a penalty of five yards form the spot of the line of scrimmage. If in the opinion of the official the penalty is deemed as excessive in force, dangerous or repeated after a number of warnings or previous penalties to either team, an Unsportsmanlike or Personal Foul of 15 yards may be imposed.

 

Overtime

Review

When the score is tied at the end of the second half, there will be a five minute intermission during which both teams may confer.

 

Coin Toss

The team who did not get to call the coin toss before the game will call for the overtime. The winner of the toss will be given his choice of defense, offense, or of designating the end of the field at which the ball will be put in play. The loser will have his choice of the remaining options.

 

Each team will have four downs from the 20-yard line to score a touchdown, except for obvious exceptions due to penalties. A team scoring a touchdown has the same options on extra points as during regulation play other than all attempts must be made from the 10-yard line after a second overtime.

 

If the score is tied after the first overtime, the team who was on defense for the first overtime, will automatically have the ball first in the second overtime period. Teams will continue to alternate, for each additional overtime, until a winner has been determined without additional coin tosses. The referee will allow one minute between change of possession during an overtime period two minutes between additional overtime periods.

 

Because players cannot rush on a kicked extra point or field goal, neither team may attempt a kick for an extra point or a field goal if they have the ball last and a made attempt would automatically win the game. They can kick an extra point or field goal to tie the game.

 

Each team will be permitted one time out during each extra period, none of which may be carried forward to additional overtime periods.