(Limited Contact 5 on 5) March 2, 2005

MCIRA, Inc. does not provide accident insurance coverage for injuries received by league participants. A notarized participant roster/wavier statement is required from all teams. It is the responsibility of the team to secure this type of insurance.

MCIRA, Inc. prohibits possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages at all of our activities. Violators will be subject to the Regulations that accompany these rules.

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I. TEAM COMPOSITION

1. A team may play with a minimum of four (4) players.
2. Players may be added to the roster anytime during the season. (see MCIRA Regulations)

2. TIME

1. Starting game times varies and will be posted on the schedule. There is a 10 minute late forfeit time.
2. Playing time shall be 38 minute running clock. Playing time can be shortened by mutual agreements as long as the captains and referee are in agreement. The last 1 minute each team shall be informed of the time remaining. MERCY RULE: When 1 minute is left in the game, and one team is ahead by 18 points, the game will be terminated.
3. The clock shall stop in the last minute for the following and then start on the snap.

a) Out of bounds b) incomplete pass

4. The clock will be stopped and then restarted for the following:

1. Change of possession b) referee time out for injury, the player must be removed for one play, equipment repair, and anything considered dangerous.

1. A coin toss will determine which team will gain possession of the ball first. The team that wins the

1. First possession of the ball.
2. Defend the goal of their choice. Note: If a team with the first option choose to defend a goal the other team automatically gets the ball.
3. Defer their option to the second half.

1. Delay of game: Each team must have their players on he field for the opening play at the scheduled

time for each half with flags in legal position.

2. Illegal Delay of game: The ball must be put into play no more than twenty-five (25) seconds after the official has marked it ready for play.
3. Unfair tactics: The referee may order the clock started
4. Each team is entitled to 1 time out without penalty.

2. THE GAME

1. There will be not kickoffs or punts. In all "kicking" situations the "receiving" team will get the ball on the five- (5) yard line. (This includes all touchbacks.)
2. Games can end in a tie, however this year we will have an overtime period. The overtime will be based on college rules. There will be 2 minutes allotted for this overtime.

1. Metal baseball style spikes are prohibited. Any player caught wearing metal spikes will be ejected from the game.
2. Each team must furnish its own official size NFL game ball, a first-aid kit, and a sonic two flag belt for each player.
3. It is MANDATORY for all participant to wear a MOUTHPIECE.
4. Teams are encouraged to furnish their own like-colored jerseys.

1. All shirts must be tucked in, and if the shirt (sweatshirt or jacket) has a hood, the hood must be tucked inside the shirt.
2. Players cannot wear towels that hang from the waist.
3. Players cannot wear pants or shorts that have belt loops, pockets, or an exposed drawstring. (Baseball pants are permitted.)

1. Each player must wear a sonic two flag belt, with one flag on each hip.

1. If a runner loses his/her flag during the action, play continues. The play ends when a defensive player touches the runner with one hand between the shoulders and knees.
2. Players must have possession of the ball before they can be legally deflaged.
3. Pulling or removing a flag belt from an offensive player without the ball is a personal foul. (Penalty - personal foul 10 yards)
4. Tampering with the flag belt in any way to gain advantage, including tying, using foreign material or other such acts is unsportsmanlike conduct. (10 yards, loss of down and player disqualification)

1. Jewelry, casts or any items deemed dangerous by the official cannot be worn during the game. A player is subject to ejection for failure to comply after the first warning.

National Federation of Football Rules will govern play with the exception and/or clarifications listed below.

1. The only blocking allowed is at the line of scrimmage in the "Neutral Zone" and contact can only be above the waist. The blocker may never leave his/her feet. (Neutral Zone is a 4-yard zone - 2 yards on each side of the ball.)
2. BLOCKING

1. Open Hand Shoulder to Waist
2. Only at the snap of the ball.
3. "Firing Out" is NOT permitted.
4. Players other than the interior lineman are permitted to block only at the line of scrimmage.

1. Diving to secure a flag is NOT permitted. (Penalty: 3 yards from end of run or replay down.)

1. Only a max. of 3 defensive players are allowed to rush the quarterback,

1. Only one person can be in motion before the ball is snapped.
2. All snaps must be handled cleanly. (Referees Discretion)
3. A team registers a first down when the ball crosses or touches the next "zone". The offense then has four plays to score.
4. Fourth down choices: go for it or turn the ball over to your opponent on their 5-yard line. No Punting.
5. If a player intercepts a ball in the endzone, the player may return it out of the endzone. If the player is deflagged while running around the endzone, it is a touchback.
6. A fumble is dead at the point the ball touches the ground, if fumbled backwards, or at the spot where the fumble occurred if fumbled forward. The ball goes to the team who last had possession.
7. The center cannot carry the ball from the line of scrimmage, and can not receive a pass.
8. On offense only 1 man is required to line up on the line of scrimmage, however you can have up to 4 lineman.
9. All players are pass eligible, even the center.
10. Quarterbacks are allowed to run at anytime.
11. A forward pass is illegal:

1. If the passer's foot is beyond the line of scrimmage when the ball leaves his hand.
2. If thrown after team possession is changed during the down.
3. If more than one forward pass is made (even though the completion of the first forward pass may have been behind the line of scrimmage).
4. If intentionally thrown to the ground or out of bounds to avoid a loss of yardage. (Penalty- 3 yards from the spot of the foul and loss of down.)

1. One foot must land in bounds before any part of the body lands in the out-of-bounds area for a legal pass reception. One knee is equivalent.
2. When an official sounds his whistle inadvertently:

1. During a legal pass, or while a snap is in flight, the down will be replayed.
2. When a player is in possession or during a backward pass, the team in possession may choose either to accept the play where it is blown dead or replay the down.

2. SCORING

1. A touchdown shall count as six (6) points.
2. To conserve playing time there will be no PAT.
3. A safety shall count two (2) points. Afterwards, the ball will be put in play by the scoring team at their 5-yard line.
4. Mercy Rule: If a team is leading by 18 points, or attains a lead of 18 points or more, in the final one (1) minutes of the game, the game will end.

2. PENALTIES

1. The ball must be put in play properly and legally and any action or inaction by either team which tends to prevent this is illegal - delay of game. This includes:

1. Interrupting the 25 seconds count for any reason, except for a time-out allowed by the referee.
2. Consuming more than 25 seconds in putting the ball in play after it is marked ready for play.
3. Deliberately advancing the ball after it has been declared dead.

1. The ball carrier shall not protect his flags by blocking with his arms or hands in order to deny access to them. Note: Stiff arm is flag guarding. PENALTY: Flag Guarding, 3-yards from the spot of the foul and replay the down OR spot of the foul and loss of down.
2. The ball carrier must run to avoid defenders. Deliberate charging into an opponent is considered a foul. Officials will use the same judgment as in Basketball. Brushing contact and unavoidable contact is not willful charging. PENALTY: Charging, 8-yards from the spot of the foul. If the foul is considered unsportsmanlike, then 8 more yards will be added to the penalty and the player will be ejected.
3. Offensive Pass Interference: PENALTY – 3-yards from the previous spot, loss of down.
4. Defensive Pass Interference: PENALTY – 3-yards form the previous spot, automatic first down.
5. A defensive player may not hold, push, or knock the ball carrier down in an attempt to remove the flag. PENALTY: 8-yards from the end of the run.
6. Holding is grasping or encircling an opponent with the hand or arm in any way that impedes movement. PENALTY: 3-yards from the end of the run.
7. Tripping is using the lower leg or foot to obstruct an opponent (including the ball carrier) below the knees. PENALTY: 8-yards from the end of the run.

Penalties continued

8. If a defensive player tackles the ball carrier, who in the opinion of the referee, would have scored if not for the tackle, a touchdown shall be awarded. If a defensive player reaches across the body of the ball carrier to pull the flag and contact is made, the responsibility of contact lies with the defensive player. NOTE: Deliberate tackles require immediate ejection of the player.
9. Any prohibited act or any act of unnecessary roughness is a personal foul.

1. No player shall punch, strike, strip, steal, or attempt to dislodge the ball from the player who has possession.
2. There shall be no tripping or clipping.
3. There shall be no contact with an opponent who is on the ground.
4. The runner shall not be thrown to the ground.
5. There shall be no hurdling. Hurdling shall be interpreted as an attempt by the runner to jump with both feet or knees foremost over a player or between players. (You can jump and spin away to avoid having your flag removed but no hurdling.) PENALTY: 8-yards spot of foul.

VII Captains

1. It is the responsibility of each captain to share these rules with your teammates.
2. Winning team captain must sign the Referee’s payment voucher.
3. A record of whom scored should be either written on the voucher or emailed to the MCIRA Office the following morning.

1.1 All participating companies should be current MCIRA members.

1.2 MCIRA member companies can only combine teams if:

a. Neither MCIRA member company has a team already participating in the league.

b. A maximum of 2 MCIRA companies can only combine to make a team.

1. Separate rosters are required.

2. Each company’s personnel dept. or MCIRA Rep must sign each roster.

1.3 Rosters are required.

1. At any time during the course of the season, a team may add or delete from their roster, as long as that change is in writing (Participant Waiver Form) and into the MCIRA office prior to the next scheduled game. (ALSO

b. An authorized signature from your personnel dept. or MCIRA Rep. is required.

3. In situations where a company has more than one team in the MCIRA league, the players

1.4 A participant waiver must be on file in the MCIRA office for and individual to be eligible to play.

1. Employees must be continuously employed by the MCIRA member company for the complete football

season including any playoffs) for a minimum of 20 hours per week.

2.2 The minimum age requirement to participate in MCIRA football is 18 yrs. of age.

2.3 There will be no playoff games in the indoor season.

2.4 INELIGIBLE PLAYERS

a. Once a name is deleted from a roster, he/she is ineligible to return.

b. No "Contractors" or "Suppliers" in any company are eligible to compete in any league games.

This includes any MCIRA league suspended players.

That team would also lose all rights for any playoffs and/or divisional trophies.

e. A player who fails to comply with the MCIRA participant waiver requirements.

3.1 Drinking of ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES either prior to, during, or after any league game is illegal.

MCIRA referees shall forfeit game. Coaches, managers, players and spectators are included.

3.2 It will be the discretion of the MCIRA office if a forfeit will be awarded concerning:

a. Failure of team to attend scheduled games.

b. See MCIRA Regulations concerning eligible/ineligible player.

4.1 In order to file a legal protest, the notification of intent to protest must be made immediately before the next play to the head referee. The referees shall in turn notify the opposing manager. NOTE: All interested parties shall take notice of the conditions surrounding the making of the protest that will aid in the correct determination of the issue. The next step would be to SUBMIT IN WRITING within 48 hours of the dispute, please send to: MCIRA Football Protest Committee, 58 Flanders Bartley Rd., Flanders, NJ 07836

A protest will only be accepted in writing. All protests must be accompanied with a $40.00 protest fee. The protest fee is non-refundable. NOTE: A condition, which must be met prior to any protest regarding the violation of the ALCOHOL DIRECTIVE, is that both team managers and the referees present attempt to resolve the situation in a logical manner. If this condition is not met, the protest will not be accepted. No Calls will be taken by the MCIRA office regarding a protest

The formal written protest should contain the following information:

a. The date, time, and place of the game.

b. The names of the referees.

c. The rule and section of the Official Rules or MCIRA Rules & Regulations under which the protest is made.

d. The decision and conditions surrounding the making of the protest.

e. All essential facts involved in the matter protested.

5.1 All games shall be played as scheduled with the ONLY exception being a game postponed due to snow/ice.

2. If a game is postponed due to snow/ice or for any other unforeseen reason , the make-up date for this postponement

will AUTOMATICALLY be rescheduled by the League Director. The League Director's decision on this

matter will be final & binding for all parties.

5.4 All teams will be required to play during a company strike.

1. Necessary equipment to be supplied by the team

1. Teams must supply their own football
2. Teams must supply their own sonic flags and cones for the field
3. Teams are urged to have all players wear a mouth piece.

6.2 The winning team manager is required to sign the umpire's invoice for proof of score.

6.3 It is the responsibility of each team captain to notify his/her team of the rules and regulations that govern league play.

6.5 Standings are computed on the best win/loss record. Go to MCIRA’s web site for updated league standings! www.MCIRA.com

6.6 Awards: to be determined

7.1 The best win/ loss record determines the championship in all divisions during the season.

In the event of a two way tie for 1st place, (to be determined – No tie-breaker games will be played)

7.2 The League Director shall rule on any additional tie breaking possibilities.

8.1 Prior to the start of a game each team must exchange line-ups. The lineups must have each player’s first and last name. All substitutes must first report to the referee prior to entering the game.

1. Alcoholic Beverages will not be permitted on or near the playing field by players, Coaches,

Managers, or any MCIRA member.

2. Rowdyism or unsportsmanlike conduct will not be permitted.
3. Please note that the League does not provide any Accident/Health Insurance.
4. Any player(s) ejected for fighting will be suspended for the remainder of the football season. Any player ejected for unsportsmanlike behavior will serve a suspension. The League Director will determine the number of games of this suspension.
5. Players are strongly urged to wear mouthpieces.
6. Metal cleats are not allowed.
7. Only two designated players will be allowed to approach the referees during the game to question a call. Violators will be flagged.

From South, East or West: Take either Route 46 or Rt. 80 to Route 23 North. Once on Rt.23 north go 1.8 miles and on your right take the Newark-Pompton Tpk. Overpass. This overpass will cross over Rt.23 and you must take second right onto Old Newark-Pompton Tpk. And then two real quick lefts will take you into Turf City's parking lot. They share the property with the Burger King on the Route 23 south side in Wayne.

If traveling on Rt. 80 East, you will need to exit at Minnisink Rd. and then make a left to U-Turn for 80 West. Then follow 80 West to Rt. 23 North: Then same as above.

Alternate Directions from Parsippany: Take 287 Nouth to Route 23 South. Take 23 South about 5 miles, make right hand turn into Burger King parking lot and facility will be on your right side.