5on5 Touch Football Game Rules

Rules follow the Football Canada Touch Rule book with the following exceptions:

League Administration

Players

All players must be registered, with completed liability waiver, profile photo and paid membership
Photo should be a clear head-and-shoulders shot that accurately resembles the player, with no obstructions such as sunglasses or hats
Memberships are valid from September 1st and expire 13 months later on September 30th
Memberships are non-refundable

Rosters

All adult players must have a valid facility membership and be registered on the team roster to play. Failure to register a player will result in the game being recorded as 60-0 loss. Additional discipline may also be applied to un-rostered players.

Teams may have up to eighteen (18) registered players on the roster
Rosters close for the addition of players after week 8 games

Quarter Backs

QB’s can only throw for one team during the season
Any player who throws a forward pass during the season cannot throw a forward pass in a lower division
QB's can play on other teams as receivers or defenders
First time offender receives a warning and loss of down. Second time offenders will be ejected from that game. Post game discipline may include suspensions and games being recorded as a forfeit

Game Format

A full team is 5 players

Division Assignments

League may reallocate teams and divisions up to the 6th game of the regular season to balance divisions
League may promote top 1 or 2 teams, and relegate bottom 1 or 2 teams after each season to balance divisions

Payments

Players are responsible for payment of their membership
League may remove players from rosters for non-payment of membership fees
Team Manager is responsible for the team fee and any surplus will be returned to the Team Manager for distribution
League may remove teams from schedules and/or cancel games (without notice) for fee non-payment

Schedules & Schedule Changes

In order for a team to be scheduled, a full deposit and five (5) rostered players is required
Schedule requests must be sent to leagues@hamiltonindoor.com at least 14 days prior to the start of the season
Reschedule requests received at least one week in advance will initiate requests to all affected teams and if agreeable to all teams will be confirmed. No schedule changes will be made without all team managers agreement
Games will only be scheduled for days of the week outlined in the league details
Once playoff game schedules are posted, they are considered final and games will not be rescheduled for any reason. Playoff scheduling requests must be made prior to the playoff schedule being released but they are not guaranteed

Forfeits

Forfeit occurs when a team is missing more than one player. If a team is short players and would like to add a non-roster player in order to avoid forfeit, that player must be a current member, with paid membership and completed waiver, and be approved by the opposing team prior to the start of the game. If a non-roster player is used without prior opposing team consent, the game is a forfeit
Notice of forfeit by a team must be made at least 48 hours in advance and sent to leagues@hamiltonindoor.com. Failure to notify the league will result in a $100 fine that must be paid prior to the start of the next game
Forfeited games are recorded as 60-0 win for the opposing team

Protests

Teams may only protest an opposing player's eligibility before the start of the game
If an opposing player arrives late, their eligibility to play may be protested up until the end of the half
During playoff games, no late players may enter the field of play after the start of the second half
Protests are reviewed and adjudicated by the discipline committee. Protest decisions by the discipline committee are final

Scores

Default and no-show games are recorded as a 60-0 loss for the absent team
Games abandoned, for whatever reason (major injury, power outage, etc.), will have the score at the time the game was abandoned recorded as the result
A five (5) minute grace period will be provided to teams to meet minimum requirements (5 players); the game clock will start at the scheduled start time
Teams must have a minimum of 4 registered players to start a game. If that team does not have a 5th registered player before 10 minutes of the 1st half are completed, the game is over and that team will forfeit. When a team has a 5th player arrive late (within the first 10 minutes) the team will lose all rights to start with the ball both halfs. Officials will start game clock at scheduled time to run 10 minutes

Tie Breaks

Format for Tie Games in Regular or Play-Off Games:

Coin toss to determine which team has first choice. Highest ranking team to call
3 attempts per team either from the 5 yard line or 10 yard line alternating
5 yard line completion = 1 point, 10 yard line completion = 2 points
At the end of 3 plays per team, total score determines winner
If tie remains, then a coin toss will be done again and it becomes sudden death from this point. Highest ranking team to call

Defensive players during converts or overtime rules can return the ball to the line of scrimmage and will be awarded those points. Point(s) nullified if the defensive player is touched prior to reaching the line of scrimmage.

Standings

Ranks & tie breakers are determined using the following sequence

points where win = 2, tie = 1 and loss = 0
number of wins
point differential
points scored
head to head

Game Ready Policy

Players safety and well-being of our participants are of utmost importance. To ensure an enjoyable and secure experience for all players, we have established the following guidelines for being "Game Ready"

Players must be mentally, physically, and emotionally fit to participate in our games. This includes being free from the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any other substances that may impair judgement or coordination.
Players should refrain from participating if they are experiencing physical discomfort, illness, or emotional distress that may impact their ability to play safely.
Players must not have any physical conditions or injuries that could pose a risk to themselves or others during game play. This includes, but is not limited to, wearing braces, casts, or any other items that could potentially cause harm.
Individuals who are beyond a certain stage of pregnancy (as determined by a Doctor's advice) are advised not to participate due to potential risks to themselves and their health.
All uniforms or accessories on your person must be in compliance with our Players Equipment rules (below).
Players are expected to exercise personal responsibility and consider the safety of themselves and others at all times during game play.

Failure to comply with the "game ready" policy may result in the player being asked to refrain from participating in the current or future games.

Spectators

Spectators are only permitted on the spectator side of the field (across from player benches).
All persons on the player benches must be on the game sheet and identified with a number.
All coaches must be identified as such and on the game sheet.
Ejected, suspended or banned players/coaches are not permitted on the player benches or permitted to interact with teams, or officials prior to, during, or after the game on the field of play.
All spectators are considered the responsibility of the team they are associated with. Each team and its team manager shall be held accountable for the conduct of their spectators before, during, and after the game. Unsporting behaviour, harassment of players, officials, or opposing teams, or any action that disrupts the game may result in disciplinary action against the team.

Players Equipment

Footwear

Metal cleats are not permitted.

Braces & Casts

Sport-specific (light weight, smooth, soft exterior, plastic) braces are acceptable.
Bubble wrapped metal braces and plaster casts are acceptable if they provide sufficient cushion (as decided by the referee) and safety to other players.
Aggressive, sloppy and/or dangerous play while wearing a brace or cast is not acceptable.
Players wearing a brace or cast assume all liability to the safety of themselves and all other participants as a result of their choice.

Jewellery

Necklaces, bracelets, chains, and hooped earrings must be removed.
Watches are allowed if they are covered with a wrist band that provides sufficient padding.
Studded earrings can be taped.
Wedding rings can be taped or covered.
Removal of all piercing and body jewellery is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED for all players.
Referees will not turn away players with taped piercings and body jewellery, however, if a player wishes to play with jewellery (however concealed) they assume all responsibility and liability to the safety of themselves and all other participants as a result of their choice.

Glasses

Active Sports Eye wear with a head strap is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED for players who require corrective eye wear.
Referees will not turn away players who do not have Active Sports Eye wear, however, if a player wishes to play with glasses they must have a head strap and they assume all responsibility and liability to the safety of themselves and all other participants as a result of their eye wear choice.

Clothing

Head coverings may be worn although it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED the fabric of such be elastic and tight fitting so as not to become a strangulation and/or tripping hazard. Players wearing head coverings during play assume all responsibility and liability to the safety of themselves and all other participants as a result of their clothing choice. Referees will not turn away players who wear head coverings.
Shorts, track pants and/or tights are the preferred clothing while playing, however, players may choose to wear alternate/additional clothing during play as long as the player is clearly identifiable as to which team they belong to and have their number clearly visible on their back.

Jerseys

Players must each have a unique number on the back of their jersey.
Team colours should not conflict with each other or with the officials.
If there is a colour conflict, it is the responsibility of the home team to wear an alternate colour or acquire pinnies from the front desk.
In playoffs, if there is a colour conflict, it is the responsibility of the lower ranked team to wear an alternate colour or acquire pinnies from the front desk.
Players who forget their jersey and do not have a number must provide photo identification at the front desk to verify eligibility before playing. Players without a number will be given a wristband to wear, indicating their eligibility to participate.

Game Rules

Game Duration

Games are 48 minutes in total (continuous running time) with exception of time outs or referee time outs to deal with injuries, discipline, or at their discretion (two x 24 minute halves, with halftime approx. 2 minutes long).
One 60-second timeout per team per half; which will stop the running game clock. In the event that a team calls a time out with 60 seconds or less in each half, the referee will utilize the main clock, a personal watch or count down the time to zero (0). All other times the referee will stop and start the field clock manually upon the snap of the ball.

Game Play

Play is 5 downs with no kicking or punting plays
On the 5th down the offensive team must declare whether they are playing the down or giving it up. If the offensive team chooses to play the 5th down and they do not score a TD, the opposing team will take possession at the spot where the play is blown dead. If the team chooses to give up the play then the opposing team starts their 5 downs 5 yards from their goal line
Ball possession starts on 5 yard line in place of kickoffs
Any player who receives the ball in the backfield through a snap, a hand-off or lateral pass is considered to be a quarterback and can run. Optional QB can run.
One foot must be in bounds for a catch to be completed
Any tipped or deflected balls by an offensive player to another offensive player, or a defensive player to another defensive player that causes the ball to travel towards the scoring end zone is whistled dead at the point of the original tip
Fumbled balls are dead balls
Fumbled balls after reception are dead at the point of fumble
Fumbled snap to QB is a LIVE ball and only available to the offence. If defence touches the ball it is dead at that point
Diving with the ball to avoid a touch is a 5 yard penalty from the point of the dive and loss of down
Any lowering of the head or upper portion of the torso to avoid a touch will result in a dead ball at the spot of the lowering
Offensive player pushed out of bounds remains eligible. If player otherwise travels out of bounds they are ineligible for a catch or play
All sidelines and dead ball lines are considered out of bounds.
If ball hits ceiling, light fixture, netting the ball is dead and loss of down.
Each team is responsible to pick up their own ball, if delay in retrieving ball 20-second count will commence

Rushing

Rusher lines up 5 yards back from the line of scrimmage, within 5 lateral yards of the bean bag and more than 1 yard away from the feet of the Center (C) to have all rights to the QB. If the QB receives the ball in motion, the Center (C) must provide a direct line to the QB or be penalized for obstruction
Rusher advances when centre snaps the ball. Rusher loses right to the QB if they change sides once the Center (C) sets
Rusher is offside when any part of their body is within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped. All other players are eligible to rush but cannot cross the line of scrimmage before the rusher unless they are 5 yards back prior to snap

Scoring

6 points for a touchdown
converts from 5 yards out score 1 point and from 10 yards out score 2 points
safety is 2 points for tag or ball in or through the end zone
game ends when a team is winning by 40 points or more with 2 minutes left
results recorded as 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss. If a team forfeits, the opposing team will receive 2 points and show the game result as 60-0 win

Pass Interference

Pass interference (PI) occurs when a player prevents another from catching the ball. Pass interference includes a pass, and tipped and deflected balls and can include aggressive hand or body contact either before or after a reception

Catchable Balls (Target)

Defensive pass interference at the spot of the foul (if in the end zone, the ball is placed on 1 yard line) and repeat down
Offence pass interference on 1st-2nd-3rd-4th downs is change of possession at the point of the foul, and on 5th down defence may accept change of possession at the spot of the foul OR replay down after 5 yard penalty

Non-Catchable Balls: (Remote/Non-Target)

Defensive pass interference is a 5 yard penalty and repeat down
Offence pass interference on 1st-2nd-3rd-4th downs is a 5 yard penalty and loss of down regardless in field of play or end zone, and on 5th down the defence gets ball on downs

Illegal Re-Entry

Offensive or defensive players may not leave the field of play under their own power during a play, return to the field of play, and then participate in the play.

Scrimmage Plays

Offensive player foul before offence lost possession, repeat the down
Defensive player foul before offence lost possession, repeat the down and offence can spot ball where the ball was put into play OR where the foul occurred.
If offending player makes the catch, the opposing team has option of declaring the pass incomplete

Convert Attempts

Offensive player foul will not result in any points or replay
Defensive player foul in the end zone, offence is awarded the points
Defensive player foul in field of play, 5 yard penalty and repeat down

Both Teams

If both teams have a player with illegal re-entry then repeat down

If a QB steps out of bounds after the ball is snapped in the end zone, this becomes a safety and 2 points are awarded to the opposing team and ball changes hands to the opposing team on their 5 yard line

Extension

Ball carrier is not allowed to extend the ball with the arms in an effort to gain extra yards. This is applied as a dead ball foul from the point of the torso of the ball carrier when the extension took place
5 yard penalty from the line of scrimmage

Game Penalties

Holding of opposing player(s) is a 5 yard penalty
Taunting of opposing player(s) is a 5 yard penalty
Spiking the ball is a 5 yard penalty. After a touchdown the penalty is added to the convert
Delay of Game (20 seconds after whistle) penalty is a 5 yard penalty and loss of down, second offence is 10 yard penalty and loss of down, third offence is game forfeit where score stands if non-forfeiting team is winning otherwise 60 - 0 is the recorded score
Defensive holding is 5 yard penalty and repeat of down
Offensive holding is 5 yard penalty and loss of down
Hand blocking or impeding forward motion is penalized as a dead ball at the place of infraction with no loss of down
Personal foul is 10 yard penalty if the defender/rusher makes contact with the QB's throwing arm, hand or head while the QB is attempting to make a pass or during the natural follow-through motion
Unnecessary roughness (UR) is 15 yard penalty and loss of down
Foul and abusive language directed at another player or an official is an objectionable conduct (OC), second offence in same game is an immediate ejection
Fighting is an ejection
Striking another player directly or indirectly (including making a tackle), is an ejection
Threatening an official is an ejection

Penalties & Discipline

Ejections

The offending player must leave the facility.
Players ejected are assessed penalties according to the HamOnt Sports Discipline Table.
Players ejected will automatically miss, at least, the next one (1) game.
Players ejected, who receive a suspension will be subject to a non-appealable $50 fine that must be paid 72 hours prior to the start of the players Return to Play date.
Verbal or physical abuse directed towards an official is an automatic ejection and will result in additional discipline which may include a facility ban.
Any player or team banned for disciplinary purposes will forfeit all fees paid.

Bench Clearing Incidents

Leaving the bench to engage in an altercation not only endangers the safety of our players and officials but also tarnishes the reputation of the league.

If a team or team(s) leave the bench, officials will automatically abandon the game.
Result of the abandoned game will be determined by the Discipline Committee.
Any individual (player/coach/manager) entering the field of play without the permission of the officials will receive an automatic dismissal (ejection) and must leave the field of play.
Any further discipline resulting from a bench clearing incident will be reviewed by the Discipline Committee.

Discipline and Suspensions

The league is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable space for all to play.

All discipline incidents are reviewed by a committee.
All cases are adjudicated using the Discipline by Review (DBR) system.
The Discipline Committee meets weekly and posts decisions on the Discipline Page.
Decisions of three (3) or less games are final.
Suspensions of four (4) or more games may be appealed in writing from the team manager or suspended player to zach@hamiltonindoor.com. Player must pay the non-appealable $50 fine prior to the appeal being heard.
Players receiving a suspension will be subject to a non-appealable $50 fine that must be paid 72 hours prior to the start of the players Return to Play date.
Any player or team who is suspended or ejected will forfeit all payments, and payments of related groups towards future activities. There will be no refunds or credits for players or teams that are suspended or ejected from our leagues.