PEITFL RULES AND REGULATIONS

Rules for 10 man
The difference between 10 man and 12 man football is
1) 5 man requirement on the line
2) Blitz rule
Defensive players may blitz from any depth inside "The Box". Players outside "The Box" are not allowed to blitz.
There is no limitation on the number of players allowed to blitz.
A player is considered to be inside "The Box" if their inside foot is in line with or inside of the outside foot of the outermost interior down offensive lineman (C, G, T, TE).
There is no restriction on where defensive players can line up. This rule does NOT apply to special teams. This rule does NOT apply to plays inside the defensive 5 yard line.
If this rule is violated the defence will be penalized 5 yards for "illegal defence".

If the QB rolls outside the box the blitz rule restriction is OFF.

There is no Blitz restrictions in 12 man.

We are still playing 4 down football WITH a requirement to Pass in the first 3 downs.

Blocking below the waist is illegal anywhere EXCEPT "The Box" (Rule Defines it as Close Line of Play)

All else remains the same.

RULE 1 - TEAM REGISTRATION
RULE 2 - REGISTRATION / PLAYER / TEAM OFFICIALS
RULE 3 - TRANSFER / MOVEMENT OF PLAYERS
RULE 4 - TEAM COLORS
RULE 5 - GAMES
RULE 6 - PROTESTS
RULE 7 - DISCIPLINE (GENERAL)
RULE 8 - LEAGUE STANDINGS
RULE 9 - GAME OFFICIALS
RULE 10 - SUMMARY DISCIPLINE
RULE 11 - APPLICATION OF SPECIAL RULES
APPENDIX A - LEAGUE FEES AND PERFORMANCE BONDS

Form A
Team Registration Form
Form B
Player Registration Form
Form C
Player Transfer Form
Form B
Player Registration Form

RULE 1 - TEAM REGISTRATION

1.1
All teams shall register with the League not later than September 1of any calendar year. (See PEITFL Form “A”). Failure to do so may result in exclusion from the league.
1.2
A $200.00 Performance Bond shall accompany Football PEI Form “A”. Note: If the $200 performance bond has been depleted, the Bond must be topped up to the $200 amount for the team to be considered in good standing with the league.
1.3
Applications from new teams seeking admittance to the league shall be considered at the Annual Meeting or any other properly constituted League meeting. If accepted, league fees and the performance bond must be paid at that time.
1.4
League registration fees must be paid in accordance with the procedure as set out in Appendix A.
1.5
Membership in the League shall be granted only upon approval and acceptance of the application for team registration by the League Members and Executive. The League reserves the right to refuse to admit a team into the league and/ or division for cause

RULE 2 - REGISTRATION\PLAYER\TEAM OFFICIALS

2.1
All players and officials of teams participating in the league shall register each year with the Football P.E.I. prior to participating in league competition.
2.2
No player shall be deemed registered for participation nor shall he compete in any game of the League unless his registration form and approved membership fee has been acknowledged as received by the Football PEI office not later than 4:00 p.m. on the last business day immediately preceding the day of participation.
2.3
No player membership form (Football PEI Form “B”) shall be approved unless it is properly completed, appropriately signed, accompanied by acceptable proof of age and the membership fee.
2.4
For the purposes of this League acceptable proof of age shall only be birth certificate, drivers license, passport or an ID acceptable to the executive.
2.6
Players may register with a team participating in the League no later than 12:00 midnight on the last business day preceding October 15 of the current year.
2.7
Each team participating in the league must register not less than 15 players.

RULE 3 - TRANSFER\MOVEMENT OF PLAYERS

3.1
All transfers and movement of players shall be as prescribed in the Football PEI and Football Canada constitutions or Rules and Regulations.
3.2
No player may be transferred to another team after his team has played in three (3) League games in the current season
3.3
A player can move to a different team that he has played for during a previous season
3.4
A player who has been officially registered with Football PEI, shall be the property of the signing team until formally transferred. Any member of a team found guilty of tampering shall be suspended from all Club and League activities for a minimum period of three (3) months.
3.5
A player that is already registered with another provincial football league which includes University and College football, must obtain a release from that league before the player can register to play in the PEITF. If this rule is violated the game shall be forfeited and a fine applied.
3.6
Requests for a player transfer must be submitted on form Football PEI Form “C”

Rule 4 - TEAM COLORS AND EQUIPMENT

4.1
Each team shall register its Team Colors with the League by supplying the required information on Football PEI Form “A”
4.2
Where the colors of teams participating in the same division are identical, the visiting team shall be deemed to have the right to use those colors and the home team shall avoid any conflict with those designated colors.
4.3
All players on a team, must wear the same color jersey. Each jersey must have a number on the front and back of the jersey. The team jersey must be tucked inside the top of the pants and shall remain tucked in throughout the game
4.4
If the sweater is pulled out during the game, the player will be required to tuck it in during the next break in play.
4.5
Protection gear shall be worn underneath the team jersey, pants and stockings.
4.6
A player shall wear:
4.6.1
Soft knee pads at least ½ inch thick
4.6.2
Thigh guards
4.6.3
Hip and thigh pads
4.6.4
shoulder pads
4.6.5
helmet and mouth-guard
4.6.6
cleats or shoes which may provide less fixation to the ground such as ripple soles.

Rule 5 - GAMES

5.1
League and play-off games shall be played in accordance with the Canadian Amateur Rules for Football.
5.2
Each team shall complete a Game Sheet for each game in the prescribed form. (PEITFL Form “1”)
5.3
Only players whose names appear on the Game Sheet may take part in the game.
5.4
Prior to kickoff the team coach or manager shall hand the game sheet to the referee
5.5
The Game Sheet must be signed by the team coach or manager.
5.6
The Game sheet must contain the signature of one game official and a listing of all field officials who participate in the game.
5.7
Names may not be added to the Game Sheet after the game has started.
5.8
The home team shall provide the referee with two suitable game balls.
5.9
Each game shall consist of two (2) halves of two quarters (12) minutes each.
5.10
The field of play shall have clearly delineated technical areas and benches for both the home and visiting teams.
5.11
Each team may dress a minimum of 12 players per game.
5.12
The coaches, the manager and the trainer(s) may sit on the team bench or be in the team area during the game.
5.13
The field of play shall be clearly marked and comply with the rules of the game. Regulation goal posts shall be provided by the home team and be in place before kick-off time. The referee shall be the judge as to the fitness of the field of play. Protests regarding the fitness of the field of play will not be heard by the League.
5.14
Where a team has been found to have played an ineligible player, the game shall be awarded to their opponents with a score of 7-0 and awarded the two (2) points.
5.15
If both teams have been found to use ineligible players, the game will be thrown out, with neither team receiving any points and the appropriate fines levied.
5.16
Where a game has been delayed for any reason and it is the opinion of either coach or the referee that a portion of the game will be played in near or total darkness (in the absence of suitable lighting):
5.16.1
The coaches may agree, prior to the start of the game, to either reduce the time for each half or abandon the game; or
5.16.2
The referee, where the coaches cannot agree as to the length of the game, may declare the game abandoned. In such instances, the league shall reschedule abandoned games.
5.17
If it is impossible to play a match on the scheduled date, procedure is as follows:
5.17.1
Notify the President or Vice-President and obtain permission to reschedule the match.
5.17.2
Contact opposing team to reschedule the match.
5.17.3
If match is being rescheduled, contact the referee, President, or Vice-President with the new date, time, and location of said event.
5.17.4
Each member team may request and receive permission to reschedule a game for cause.
5.18
A team shall not be allowed to have more than one(1) rescheduled game at their request, at any time.
5.19
Teams which breach Rule 5.14., 5.15. shall pay the sum of $50.00 to the league for each infraction.
5.20
Game sheets are to be given/faxed to Football PEI by the referee within 48 hours of the game.

Rule 6 - PROTESTS

6.1
All protests shall be dealt with by the League's Executive Committee, other than situations concerning Football PEI jurisdiction.
6.2
All protests shall be submitted in writing to the League no later than twenty-four (24) hours after the end of the game being protested, Sunday and legal holidays excepted.
6.3
All protests must be accompanied by a protest fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00). In the event that the protest is upheld, the protest fee shall be refunded. If the protest is denied, the protest fee will be forfeited.
6.4
On receipt of a protest, the League shall within forty-eight (48) hours send a copy of the protest to the party protested against. Both parties shall have the right to attend a hearing, either may waive that right, in which case the protest will be dealt with in their absence.
6.5
Any team directly involved in a protest who is not satisfied with the decision rendered may appeal to Football P.E.I.
6.6
There shall be no protest of a game on a referee’s (official’s) decision or interpretation of the rules unless it can be proven that the integrity of the official involved is in question.

Rule 7 - DISCIPLINE

7.1
Players and club or team officials reported for misconduct shall be dealt with by the League.
7.2
In all cases of alleged verbal abuse, alleged physical contact, or attempted physical contact with a game official, by a player or by a club or team official, the accused shall be suspended by the League until the case has been dealt with by Football PEI..
7.3
Every team is required to take all precautions necessary to prevent its players, officials and spectators from threatening or assaulting anyone present at games.
7.4
It is an offence for any player\club\team\game official to bet on any game played under the jurisdiction of the league.
7.5
At all discipline hearings, the accused shall have the right to appear or be represented by counsel at his own expense.
7.6
In all discipline cases dealt with by the League, decisions shall be forwarded in writing to the parties involved within seven (7) days of the conclusion of the hearing.
7.7
Any failure by the League to observe any deadlines contained in this Rule shall be considered as a matter of interpretation of this Rule, regardless of whether the decision involved is made at first instance or on appeal.

Rule 8 - LEAGUE STANDINGS

8.1
A team's standing shall be determined by a points system based on two (2) points for a win, one (1) point for a draw and zero (0) points for a loss.
8.2
Where two or more teams are tied in the standings at the conclusion of the season, the higher standing will be awarded to:
8.2.1
the team with the best win/loss record between the two teams; failing which
8.2.2
the team with the best point (scored) difference in games involving the tied teams; failing which
8.2.3
the team with the most points scored for in games involving the tied teams; failing which
8.2.4
the team with the best points (scored) difference in all games; failing which
8.2.5
the team with the most points scored in all games.
8.2.6
If teams are still tied after going through 8.21 – 8.25, then a coin toss will decide.
8.3
A minimum of three (3) teams must be registered in any year in order for the League operate.

Rule 9 - GAME OFFICIALS

9.1
All League games shall have registered officials.
9.2
Referee shall telephone the President of the League if any misconducts or ejections occur in the game.

Rule 10 - GAMES

10.1
Where as:
10.1.1
A team or player violates any of the rules of football, rules and policies of the the League; or
10.1.2
Any team or player behaves in any manner that indicates or demonstrates a pattern of conduct which, in the opinion of the League Executive be prejudicial to the best interest of the league; then the League Executive shall on:
10.1.2.1
1st Offence - fine/ suspend one or more of the manager, coach or players of a team, or any combination thereof;
10.1.2.2
2nd Offence - order the forfeiture of a game, at the score of 7-0, by the offending team;
10.1.2.3
3rd Offence - suspend a team from further league play until such a time as they show cause to the League Executive as to why that team should be allowed to continue play in the League.
10.2
In the event that Rule 10.1.2.3 is invoked and a team is suspended, the affected team will have a minimum of seven (7) days from the date of written notification of its suspension to prepare their submission to the League Executive. The team affected may waive this preparation time in writing if it so chooses.
10.3
The Executive will meet no later than ten (10) days after the President has suspended the team to hear that team's reasons as to why they should be allowed to participate in the League. The onus will be on the team to demonstrate why the suspension should be lifted.

Rule 11 - SPECIAL RULES

(1)APPLICATION OF SPECIAL RULES
These special rules apply to all P.E.I. Tackle Football League and Playoff games.

(2) ELIGIBILTY
Players must be at least 15 years old prior to December 31 of the playing year. In order to participate in a playoff game a player must have played in a minimum of two regular season games. A player will not be made ineligible if their failure to play the two required games was because of injury.
•Players for the 2006 season that turned 19 years of age and who has been registered in the PEI Tackle Football League one of the past two years would be permitted to play.
•Players for the 2007 season that are 19 years of age must have been registered and played in the PEI Tackle Football League for the previous two years.
•For the 2008 season and onwards, the maximum eligible age will be 18. The player can not turn 19 years of age during the calendar year.

(3) GENERAL RULES
Unless otherwise specified below, the conduct of games in the PEI Tackle Football League will be in accordance with the Canadian Rulebook for Tackle Football

(4) FIELD SIZE
Games will be played on a regulation sized 65 yard wide Canadian Football Field

(5) NUMBER OF PLAYERS ON THE FIELD
Teams will play with maximum of 12 players on the field with a minimum of 11. The offence must have at least 6 players on the line of scrimmage

(6) GAME LENGTH
Games will consist of 4 quarters of 12 minutes each timed in accordance with the Canadian Rulebook for Tackle Football. This would result in games being 2-2.5 hours long.

(7) NUMBER OF DOWNS
For all games teams will play 4 down football with the one yard neutral zone. The offence must throw a legal forward pass on at least one of the first three downs in each series of downs.

Failure to do so will result in an "Illegal Procedure" penalty. Officials will not stop play until the ball is dead. Attempting to pass and getting sacked or being forced to run will not satisfy this rule. The ball must be thrown as a legal forward pass. A five yard penalty will be applied and loss of down. The defensive team has the option to decline the penalty or let the play stand. The offensive team can run the ball on fourth down. In order to avoid this penalty teams are strongly advised to pass on either first or second down.

A “legal forward pass” is defined by the Canadian Rule Book for Tackle Football (Rule#6, Sec#4, Article 1) … is a ball thrown by any team A player from behind the line of scrimmage toward team b dead line, to any eligible receiver….

(8) BLOCKING RESTRICTIONS
Initiating blocks below the waist is not permitted. Illegal blocks below the waist are a 15 yard penalty. Any player penalized twice for this infraction in the same game will not be permitted to play the remainder of the game.

(9) PRESSURE DEFENCE RESTRICTIONS
Defensive players may blitz from any depth inside "The Box". Players outside "The Box" are not allowed to blitz. The total number of players blitzing can exceed the number of interior down offensive linemen (C, G, TE) by no more than one.

A player is considered to be inside "The Box" if their inside foot is in line with or inside of the outside foot of the outermost interior down offensive lineman (C, G, TE).

There is no restriction on where defensive players can line up. If this rule is violated the defense will be penalized 5 yards for "illegal defense". In order to minimize penalties, it is strongly recommended that the defensive captain keep the Line Umpire informed of planned blitzes.

Note: The purpose of this rule is to protect a quarterback attempting to pass from within the pocket.

(10) HASH MARKS
The nearest goalpost will be used as the "hash mark". This will reduce the maximum width of the wide side of the field from 41 yards to just over 35 yards. With teams playing only 10 players aside on a regulation 65 yard wide Canadian football field this modification will help compensate for defenses having two less players than normal to cover a regulation sized Canadian football field.

(11) MERCY RULE
When a team has taken and maintained a lead of at least 30 points, the remainder of the game will be timed "straight time" if agreed to by the coach of the trailing team. He has the option of having the game continue to be timed in accordance with the Canadian Rulebook for Tackle Football until the end of the third quarter. The fourth quarter of the game will be timed "straight time".

(12) OVERTIME – APPLIES ONLY TO PLAYOFF’S
Where two teams are tied at the end of a game they will play overtime using the "shootout" format from the Canadian Rulebook for Tackle Football until a winner is declared.

(13) HALFTIME
During the regular season, halftime will be 10 minutes. During the playoffs, halftime will be 15 minutes.