Game Rules

The Eborian code has retained a lot of rules from its Father code, American and Canadian Football. To the untrained eye, it will look the same.

Objective
The objective of this game is to score more points than the other team during the allotted time. The team with the ball (the attack, or offence) has 4 attempts (downs) to advance at least 10 yards, and can score points once they reach the opposite end of the field, which is home to a scoring zone called the end zone, as well as the goal posts. If the attacking team succeeds in advancing at least 10 yards, they earn a “first down” with another 4 attempts to advance an additional 10 yards, starting from the spot to which they last advanced. If the attacking team does not advance at least 10 yards during their 4 downs, they must hand the ball over to the defence (called a handover). After three attempts, teams will often tactically kick the ball away in order to improve field position.

Players
Each team plays with eleven players on the field at any time. Players are allowed to substitute between downs, with no limits being placed. Before the next play is started, however, no more than eleven players mnay be in the ‘huddle’. Teams are split into specialist sections, between attack, defence and kicking teams. The PFL Squads rules allow for 45 players to be dressed for the game. The system is officially 44+1, the +1 being an emergency only,  third Quarterback. The PFL allows a 54 man active roster at any time.

Scoring
Points are scored by:
a) Touchdown (also Major). Advancing the ball into the opponent’s end zone (6 points),  this can be done by either side. Only the Attacking team may do this by means of forward pass.
b) Field Goal (also Minor). The team scores by kicking the ball from the playing field through the raised vertical posts (the goal posts) which are positioned on the end line of the end zone for a field goal (3 points).
c) Conversion/Double or Deuce. After scoring a touchdown, the Attack is given an additional opportunity from the 3-yard line. The offense may attempt a field goal kick (1 point) or attempt to re-advance the ball into the opponent’s end zone for a double -point conversion (2 points).
d) Penalty Field Goal. After a deliberate or major foul in their own half, the team that suffered by the infraction can place kick the ball between the posts for two points – and they have the option of receiving the ball from kick-off, as opposed to kicking off after scoring. (2 points)
e) Rogue. The defence may also score points by tackling the ball carrier in the offense’s own end zone, called a rogue (2 points). Known as a ‘safety’ in American/Canadian rules.
f) Single. On a blocked extra point attempt, a point is still awarded if the defence carries the ball from the field into their own end zone and the play ends. Also possible on a blocked extra point being returned by the defence all the way back  into their scoring end zone. (1 point)

Timing
Professional football games are 60 minutes long, divided into four quarters of 15 minutes each. The game clock is stopped frequently, however, so that a typical  game can exceed two and a half hours in duration. The referee controls the game clock and stops the clock after any incomplete pass or any play that ends out of bounds. In addition, each team is allowed 3 timeouts in each half that they may use at their own discretion.

The clock may also be stopped for an officials’ time-out, after which, if the clock was running, it is restarted. For example: if there is a question whether or not a team has moved the ball far enough for a first down, the officials may use a measuring device (the chains) to determine the distance. While this measurement is taking place, the officials will signal for a stoppage of the clock. Once the measurement is finished and the ball is placed at the proper location (spotted), the referee will then signal for the clock to restart. Additional situations where officials may take a time-out are to administer a penalty or for an injured player to be removed from the field.

In addition to the game clock, a separate play clock is also used. The Attack has to start the next play before it is assessed a penalty for delay of game  The play limit is 35 seconds from when the referee marks the ball ready for play. The purpose of the play clock is to ensure that the game progresses at a consistent pace and prevent unnecessary delays/bad sportsmanship.

Officials also call for media time-outs, which allow time for television and radio advertising. They also stop the clock after a change of possession of the ball from one team to the other. Successful conversions (single or deuce), Touchdown, a field goal try, or a kickoff may also warrant stopping the clock. If an replay challenge time out is called during the game, the clock stops.

Separating the first and second halves is halftime. Teams change ends of the field at the end of the first quarter and the end of the third quarter. In the PFL, an automatic timeout is called by the officials when there are two minutes left in both the second and the fourth quarters, and overtime. This is known as the two-minute warning, like in the NFL.

Field of Play
The pitch measure 120 yards long by 60 yards wide, including the two 10×60 yard end zones at each end. The pitch is 6 2/3 yards wider than in the US, 5 yards narrower than in Canada. Each half of the field is separated by yard lines every five yards and carries ‘hashmarks’, marks to show each individual yard point on the field. At the halfway point on each side the team designated areas are marked out by white painted zones. Teams are not allowed to leave these areas whilst the game is in progress.

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