RMFL Rule Adaptations (continued)
Updated for 2017 season
11) All kicks (Kickoffs, Punts, and Field Goals) are to be treated as live balls even if in
the end zone. When the kick enters the end zone in flight, the ball stays live and if caught
by the receiving team, can be returned from the end zone. If the ball is touched in the
field of play by the receiving team and continues into the end zone, the ball is live and
must be downed by the receiving team to retain possession. If the ball is not covered by
the receiving team after being legally touched on the field of play and downed, it can be
recovered by the kicking team. If the kicking team recovers the ball in the end zone, it is
ruled a touchdown. If the ball bounces toward the end zone untouched by the receiving
team and is grounded in the end zone, it becomes a dead ball, ruled a touchback and
placed at the 20 yard line of the receiving team. An untouched kick in flight, grounded in
the end zone, is down, and results in a touchback. On free kicks the game Clock starts
when kick is legally touched in the field of play by the receiving team, or when the
receiver crosses the goal line while carrying the ball out of the end zone.
12) To resolve tied games, officials will follow procedures 3-1, 3-2-1 and 3-5-1 of the
NFHS Football Rules Book. In addition, the following rules apply.
A. Extra periods: An extra period shall consist of two series with each team putting the
ball in play first and 10 on the defensive team’s 25-yard line or succeeding spot if
carry-over penalty has been administered, anywhere between the inbounds lines.
B. Team series: Each team retains the ball during a series until it scores or fails to make
a first down. The ball remains alive after a change of team possession until it is
declared dead. However, Team A may not have a first and 10 if it again possesses the
ball after a change of team possession. Team A and B designations are the same as
defined in Rule 2-43-2 of the NFHS Rules Book.
Examples:
1. After each team has put the ball in play by snap at the beginning of its series, the
score is tied or there has been no score. RULING: Begin the second overtime
period with the loser of the toss at the beginning of the first overtime period
having the choice of the two options.
2. Other than on the try, Team B intercepts a pass or recovers a fumble or a
backward pass and scores a touchdown. RULING: The overtime period and
game are ended, and Team B is the winner.
3. During the first series of an overtime period, Team B intercepts a pass or recovers
a fumble or a backward pass and does not score a touchdown. RULING: Team A
series is ended and Team B, which becomes Team A, starts its series of that
overtime period.
4. During the first series of an overtime period, Team A attempts a field goal and the
kick is blocked. Team A recovers the kick, which never was beyond the neutral
zone, and runs for a touchdown. RULING: Six points for Team A, and Team B
begins its series of the overtime period after the try.
5. Team A attempts a field goal and the kick is blocked. Team A recovers the kick,
which never was beyond the neutral zone, and runs for a first down. RULING:
Team A’s ball, first and 10.
6. Team A attempts a field goal on first, second or third down, and the kick is
blocked. Team A recovers the kick, which never crossed the neutral zone, and
does not gain a first down. RULING: Team A’s ball, next down.
7. Team A attempts a field goal and the kick is blocked. Team B recovers the kick
and runs into Team A’s end zone. RULING: Touchdown, game is ended.
8. During the first series of an overtime period, Team B-after gaining possessionloses
-possession to Team A, which scores a touchdown. RULING: The score
counts, and Team B begins it series of the period after the try.
9. During the first series of an overtime period, Team B-after gaining possession loses
possession to Team A, which fails to score a touchdown. RULING: Team
A series is ended, and Team B begins its series of that period.
10. During the first series of an overtime period, Team A fumbles into Team B’s end
zone on second down of a series. Team B recovers and downs the ball in its end
Overtime Procedure Revised August 1, 2009
zone. RULING: Team A series of that overtime period is ended. Team B series
of the overtime period begins.
11. During the first series of an overtime period, B10 intercepts a forward pass on his
three-yard line and downs the ball in his end zone (no momentum involved).
RULING: Score two points for Team A. Team A’s series is over. Team B will
put the ball in play, first and 10 on the 25-yard line at the same end of the field.
12. Team A’s field-goal attempt is untouched beyond the neutral zone until it is
muffed by B17 at the five-yard line. A75 recovers at the three-yard line.
RULING: First down for Team A at the three-yard line.
C. Scoring: The team scoring the greater number of points during the regulation and
overtime periods shall be declared the winner. There shall be an equal number of
series, as defined in (b) above, in each overtime period, except if Team B scores
during a period. Team B may not score on a try. Beginning with the third overtime
period, teams scoring a touchdown must attempt a two-point try. A one-point try by
Team A or B (although not illegal) will not score a point.
EXAMPLES:
1. On the first possession of an overtime period, Team A scores a touchdown. On
the try, Team B intercepts a pass and attempts to return it for a two-point
touchdown. RULING: Team B is awarded the ball on the 25-yard line to start its
series of the overtime period with the overtime score 6-0. The ball is dead after
Team B possesses the ball on the try.
2. If a touchdown is scored that determines the winning team in an overtime period,
the try is canceled.
D. Fouls after Team B possession:
1. Distance penalties by either team are declined by rule in overtime periods
(Exceptions: Dead-ball fouls, live-ball fouls penalized as dead-ball fouls and
flagrant personal fouls are enforced on the succeeding play).
2. Scores by fouling teams are canceled.
3. If there are offsetting fouls, whether one or both occur after Team B possession,
the down is not replayed.
EXAMPLES:
1. After the end of the first series of an overtime period by Team A, Team B
commits a dead-ball foul. RULING: Team B starts its series on the 40-yard line,
first and 10.
2. During the first series of an overtime period, Team A passes and a Team A back
is illegally in motion during the down. The pass is intercepted, and Team B
commits a foul before scoring a touchdown. RULING: Score not allowed. The
series is ended, and Team B begins its series on the 25-yard line.
3. During the second series of an overtime period, Team B intercepts a pass and runs
for a touchdown. During the run, Team B clips at midfield. RULING: Nullify
the score, and if the score is tied, the next period will start with first and 10 at the
25-yard line.
E. Timeouts: Each team shall be allowed one timeout for each overtime period. The
overtime period(s) begins when the ball is first snapped; however, timeouts between
periods shall be charged to the succeeding overtime period. Timeouts not used during
the regulation periods CANNOT be carried over into the overtime period(s). Unused
extra-period timeouts CANNOT be carried over to other overtime periods. Radio and
television timeouts are not permitted during any overtime periods and charged team
timeouts may not be extended for radio and television purposes.