🌟🌟 Beehive's Golden Rules 🌟🌟

Be nice to each other,

Be nice to your referees,

Show up on-time, 

Know the rules.

 

New (and often confused) Rules in 2025!

 

• The gender rule does not reset if a male player laterals to a female player after a pass downfield.
• Teams can elect to go for a 5 point attempt from the midfield line if there is less than 5 minutes left on the clock in either half of play.
• Pass interference penalties will be enforced as a first down at the spot of the foul. If the interference occurs in the end zone, the ball will be spotted at the 1-yard line. If the penalty occurs on a forced gender play, the gender count will be reset. An accepted pass interference penalty results in a catch whether or not the ball is caught and a replay of down.

 

 

Mercy Rules - Triggers when a team is down 25 or more points at halftime. 

• Extra Play Drive: When the mercy rule is triggered (e.g., the losing team is down by 25+ points), they are granted an extra down on each offensive series, allowing them five downs instead of four to reach a first down or score.
• No Rush Rule: (Only on first two drives of second half) The team that is leading cannot rush the quarterback of the trailing team on their first two drives of the second half. However a defender must stay on the line of scrimmage and "mirror" the quarterback.

 

Players

 

There is no maximum number of players allowed on a team roster. All players must be on the roster and sign the BSSC waiver to participate. Players must be at least 18 years old at the start of the season.

 

A team can field no more than 8 players at a time, and at least 3 of the players on the field must be women. A team must have at least 6 players, and at least 2 women, present at the start of the game to avoid a forfeit.  A team may play with a full team of 8 if its opponent is short on players.  A team can avoid the $20 forfeit fine by notifying BSSC 48 hours before the scheduled game time. If this occurs, Beehive will try to reschedule (but can't guarantee) the game at a time convenient for both teams.

 

Cleats

 

Players may not wear metal cleats; any players who wear metal cleats will be ejected.

 

THE GAME 

 

Each team must provide its own football.  Rock Paper Scissors will determine what team begins the game with possession. The loser of RPS chooses the direction their team will attack in the first half. The ball will be placed on the 5-yard line to begin the game.

 

Referee's Authority

 

The head referee has final say on all calls on the field, regardless of whether the situation is covered in the rules.  The referee has the right to eject any player from the game at any time.

 

The Clock

 

Each half will last 20 minutes, with a halftime of 5 minutes. Each team will have 2 1-minute time outs per half. The clock will continuously run throughout both halves, but will stop for time outs or if a serious injury occurs. (for 2nd half two minute warning clock rules, see below)

 

The referee will maintain the clock and will notify teams when there are 2 minutes remaining in each half.  In the first half, the clock will not stop in the last 2 minutes unless a timeout is taken.  In the second half, NFL clock rules will apply during the final 2 minutes.  The clock will stop on an incomplete pass, on a penalty while the ball is spotted, on a possession change, or when an offensive player goes out of bounds. PATs in the last 2 minutes are dead clock plays but still live ball and returnable for 2 points If a touchdown occurs after time has expired, the scoring team will be allowed to attempt a PAT.

 

Rushing

 

The defense may cross the line of scrimmage only after the 5 second count (counted by the referee) or if the quarterback hands off the ball to another player after the ball has been snapped. If the defense crosses the line of scrimmage before either of these two situations occur, an offsides penalty will be assessed.

 

GAME PLAY 

 

Onside Kicks

 

In the last two minutes of a game after a touchdown is scored, the scoring team can elect to go for an onside kick. If they choose an onside kick, they will run one single play from 10 yards inside midfield (20 yards away from the endzone). If the electing team scores a gains the endzone, the onside kick will be deemed successful and the team will retain the ball in their own territory starting from 10 yards inside midfield (40 yards from endzone). If the electing team does not score a touchdown, the opponent gets the ball from the spot of the onside kick play (10 yards inside midfield).

 

The offensive team cannot score points on an onside kick play. The defensive team can return an interception on an onside kick play to the opposing endzone for a touchdown.

 

First Downs

 

• At the beginning of a possession, a first down is earned by completing two forward passes during the first 4 play span. The recevier must be beyond or at the line of scrimmage for the play to be considered a forward pass.
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• After a first down is earned, a team must earn their next first down by crossing midfield.

 

On the defensive side of the field, the situation repeats itself. A first down can once again be earned by completing two forward passes during the first 4 play span. After a first down is earned, a team must score a touchdown in their next 4 plays.

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Forced Gender Play

 

Three Down Rule: An offense must use a female as the primary player within 3 consecutive downs. A primary player is one of the following:

 

• The intended receiver according to the official
• The primary runner (the runner does not have to cross the line of scrimmage)
• A quarterback who attempts a pass.
• The gender rule does not reset if a male player laterals to a female player downfield.

 

Acceptable Gender Plays Include:

 

• A female player sets up as the quarterback and is sacked.
• A female player sets up as the quarterback and attempts a pass.
• A female player sets up as the quarterback and runs the ball across the line of scrimmage.
• A female player receives a lateral or hand-off in the backfield and runs the ball.
• A female player receives a lateral or hand-off and attempts a pass.
• A male quarterback who fumbles the snap or is sacked.
• A pass caught behind the line of scrimmage by a female player who does not successfully gain positive yards counts as a gender play but not a completion.

 

 

Unacceptable Gender Plays Include

 

• A male quarterback intentionally throws the ball at a female player's feet.
• A female quarterback spikes the ball to stop the clock or to continue to the next play.
• A female player sets up as the quarterback and hands the ball off to a male player for him to throw or run.
• If you spike to stop the clock on a gender play, you lose the down and stop the clock, but it remains a gender play

 

Defense Coverage for a Forced Gender Play.

 

On a forced gender play, the male defensive team must stand on the opposite side of the field from the female players, and the men cannot line up any further than 10 yards from the line of scrimmage, with the exception being the pass rusher. The pass rusher may shadow the quarterback and can blitz after the 3 second count.  Male defensive players can only leave the 10 yard area after the ball has left the quarterback's hand or the quarterback has been blitzed and crossed over the line of scrimmage. Interceptions by a man cannot occur unless the woman has touched the ball first. Men may not cover women on a forced gender play (see exception below).  Non-rushing defenders may not deflect a pass, only the rusher of the quarterback may knock the ball down at any time. 

 

Exceptions When Team is Down A Female Player. 

 

If the offense plays more than 3 women on the field for a forced gender play and the defensive team cannot match the number of women, a man may cover the additional woman. He must signal to the referee which woman he is guarding before the play starts. He must stay in single coverage against that woman. If there are more defensive female players than offensive female players the defense may only outnumber the offense by one person. If there are more offensive female players than defensive female players the offense may only outnumber the defense by one person.

 

Scoring

 

• Safety. A safety is worth 2 points and the defensive team will receive the ball at their own 5 yard line.
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  • PATs. PATS from the 10 yard line are worth 2 points. PATs from the 5 yard line are worth 1 point. Regardless of the outcome, the next play will be the first offensive play of the "defense" at the 5 yard line. PATs intercepted by the defense and returned the length of the field are worth 2 points.

 

Mega PATs  Teams can elect to go for a 5 point attempt from the midfield line if there is less than 5 minutes left on the clock in either half of play. If a team scores, 5 points will be added to their score. If they fail however, 1 point will be subtracted from their score.

 

• • Touchdown. A touchdown is worth 6 points. To score, the ball carrier must have both feet cross the goal line (the ball does not have to be in the end zone). If the ball is caught inside the endzone, the receiver must have one foot inbounds and control of the ball for the score to count (NCAA rules).

 

Additonal Possible Points 

• If a female scores or throws for a score directly, 1 additional point will be added to the score. For example, if a male laterals to a female and she scores, the resulting touchdown will be worth 7 points instead of 6. 
• If a ball is thrown in the air a distance of more than half the field (30 air yards) and a touchdown is directly scored, 1 additional point will be awarded. For example, if a pass is thrown from the 5 yard line and caught 6 yards past midfield and run for a touchdown, the score will be worth 7 points instead of 6.

 

Play Continuation

 

• Ineligible Receiver. A receiver becomes ineligible if he/she steps out of bounds (before or during a pass).
  • Dead ball. Play stops when the ball touches the ground because of a fumble, punt, or incomplete pass.  Also play stops when the ball carrier falls and any part of their body (except feet or hands) is touching the ground.
  • Down. To stop the play, the opponent must pull the ball carrier's flag belt.

 

Turnovers

 

• Interception. If a player catches an opponent's pass or fumble before it hits the ground then it is an interception. The player must have control of the ball inbounds (College Rules) if he/she catches the football in the air. The ball is live and can be advanced.  No stripping of the ball is allowed.
  • Fumble: A fumble that touches the ground is not a turnover (dead ball at the spot where the ball contacts the ground). If the ball is fumbled forward, the ball will be placed at the spot of the fumble.

 

Scrimmage

 

• Quarterback Run from Scrimmage. In a team's own half of the field, the quarterback may run at any time. After a team crosses into the opposing team's half of the field, the quarterback cannot run for positive yards unless he/she is rushed after the 5 second count.

 

Punts

 

• Blocking. No blocking is allowed on punts.
  • Receiving Team. The receiving team may fair catch the ball or advance it. If the ball hits the ground, it becomes a dead ball.
  • Kicking. The offense must declare punts on fourth down, fake punts are not allowed.  The kicking team must stay on the line of scrimmage until the ball is punted. Five players from the receiving team must be on the line of scrimmage as well.

 

Mercy Rules - Triggered when a team is down 30 or more points at halftime

 

• Extra Play Drive: When the mercy rule is triggered (e.g., the losing team is down by 21+ points), they are granted an extra down on each offensive series, allowing them five downs instead of four to reach a first down or score.
• No Rush Rule: (Only on first two drives of second half) The opposing team cannot rush the quarterback for the losing team on their next two drives after the mercy rule is activated, giving them more time to make plays and improve their offense.

 

 

PENALTIES

 

Five Yard Penalties

 

• Illegal Block of Ball during Forced Gender. Five yard penalty from the line of scrimmage. Penalty results in a replay of the gender down. The quarterback cannot throw the ball purposely at a male player to receive the penalty.
• Intentional Grounding. The quarterback, while inside the pocket, may not attempt a forward pass without a realistic chance of completion. There is an exception if the quarterback immediately spikes the ball to stop the clock. The penalty will be assessed from the line of scrimmage and results in a loss of down.
• Illegal Forward Pass. If the quarterback crosses the line of scrimmage and throws a forward pass, the pass is incomplete and the penalty will be assessed from the line of scrimmage and includes a loss of down.  Only one forward pass is allowed per play.
• Delay of Game. A penalty will be assessed if a team takes longer than 30 seconds to snap the ball or if the defense intentionally knocks the ball away.
• Illegal Diving. No player may leave his/her feet to gain positive yards. The penalty will be assessed at the spot of the foul.
• Too Many People on the Field. A team cannot have more than 8 players on the field or have more than 5 male players on the field.
• Offensive/Defensive Offsides. The official will kill the play immediately on offensive offsides. A dead ball will occur, and the penalty will be assessed from the line of scrimmage. On defense offsides the play will be continued until its conclusion at which point the offense will decide whether to accept or decline the penalty.
• Executing an illegal gender play. Five yard penalty from the line of scrimmage. The penalty includes a loss of down.

 

Ten Yard Penalties

 

• Defensive Face Guarding. When a forward pass is in the air, the defender may not use his/her hands or arms to screen the offensive player's face from catching the ball while his/her back is to the ball. If the penalty was on a gender play, then the gender count is reset. The penalty will be assessed from the line of scrimmage.
  • Offensive Pass Interference. If an offensive player commits pass interference, a 10 yeard penalty will be enforced from the line of scrimmage.
  • Illegal Contact/Defensive Holding. A defensive player may not initiate contact with a receiver, use his/her hands or arms to hang onto a receiver, or extend his/her arms to cut off a receiver causing contact that restricts the receiver as the play develops. The penalty will be assessed from the line of scrimmage and results in a replay of the down.
  • Offensive Picking. The offense may not initiate a pick/block while in motion. A pick is defined as any action, regardless of whether contact occurs, that delays or prevents an opponent from reaching their intended position. If a catch is made after a clear pick, it will not be ruled a catch. The penalty will be assessed from the line of scrimmage.
  • Stiff Arming. The ball carrier may not extend an arm to prevent a defensive player from touching them, and may not charge into a defensive player. The penalty will be assessed at the spot of the foul.
  • Flag Guarding. Flag guarding shall be defined as the ball carrier blocking the defender in any way from their flags. i.e. arms/hands going below the ball carrier's waist. Enforced as 10 yards from the spot of the foul.

 

Fifteen Yard Penalties

 

• Unsportsmanlike Conduct. The unsportsmanlike player could be ejected from the game and suspended from the next game if the referee finds his/her actions unsportsmanlike. If a suspended player plays the following week, his/her team will forfeit that game. The Commissioner has final say on all punishment decisions, and a player could be permanently ejected from all Beehive Sport & Social Club events. Unsportsmanlike conduct includes, but is not limited to, illegal tags (grabbing shirt, unnecessary roughness, tackling, pushing), contact with quarterback after the ball is thrown, foul language to a player or referee, and taunting the opposing team.
  • Personal Foul/Fighting. The penalty will be assessed from the line of scrimmage, and the player will be ejected from the game.

 

Defensive Pass Interference

 

The penalty will be enforced as a first down at the spot of the foul. If the interference occurs in the end zone, the ball will be spotted at the 1-yard line. If the penalty occurs on a forced gender play, the gender count will be reset. An accepted pass interference penalty results in a catch whether or not the ball is caught and a replay of down.

 

STANDINGS

 

• Ties. During the regular season, there will be no overtime. If a tie occurs in a playoff game, the following format will apply:
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  • Overtime (Playoffs Only). The captains will Rock Paper Scissors, and the winning team will select whether to possess the ball first or second. Teams will attempt to score in the same end zone. Each team will have 4 downs to score from 10 yards away (2-point conversion line) from the goal line. If a team scores, they will have the opportunity to go for a one, two or five point conversion. If the game is tied after 2 overtimes, teams must go for 2-point or 5-point PATs. If the game is tied after 4 overtimes, teams must go for 5-point PATs.
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  • Normal gender rules apply. An interception will result in a team losing its possession and cannot be returned for points. The game will be decided when one team scores more points in the same rotation of possessions. No first downs will be awarded.

 

We are required to tell you that Utah Law prohibits alcohol in parks, so if you do choose to bring alcoholic beverages, you do so at your own risk. (So be careful!)

 

 

Substitute Players

 

Subs are welcome to join Beehive during the regular season for up to 3 weeks. They can fill in for any reason without needing to notify us. Just show up with a good attitude and a basic knowledge of the rules. 

 

If they wish to continue playing they need to join the roster by registering on the website. No, we don't have an enforcement mechanism for this except our trust in your human integrity.

 

During the playoffs the following stipulations will be strictly observed:

 

• You must have all playoff subs approved before the start of playoffs. (This means your team should have a chat before the playoffs to ascertain if/when roster players aren't going to make games so the captain can find subs/contact the league with appropriate requests).

 

• There is a limit on the number of subs that you may request (Kickball/Softball/Flag Football - 3 subs; Soccer/Dodgeball/Sand Volleyball/Indoor Volleyball/Futsal/Basketball - 2 subs; Cornhole/Darts/Pickleball - No subs are allowed).

 

• You cannot request subs if you have enough rostered players to field a team. For example: Kickball is a 10v10 sport. If you have 14 players on your kickball roster and 4 are injured, you cannot request subs as you still have 10 (enough to field a full team). If you have 11 on your kickball roster and 3 are injured, you may request 2 subs so that you have 10 players.

 

• Teams found to be in violation of any substitute player rules here can be retroactively forfeited from advancing (ie we find out after your first round game but before your second round game that you violated the rules, the team you beat will advance in your place).

 

• In the past, subs would only be approved for injury and illness. Now, subs will be approved for whatever reason you deem them necessary (work trips, concerts, weddings, etc all fine).

 

• The season being extended due to inclement weather doesn't change any of the other substitute player stipulations listed here.

 

• Approved subs (or your rostered players) must be used the entirety of the playoffs (you can't have Jane and Sally sub the first week of playoffs and Joan and Sarah the second week of playoffs).