[Coach Rip]

PLAY CALLING

Plays From Scrimmage - The coach on offense will call "Run" or "Pass" after setup and audibles (if any), and before the play begins. The offensive coach has 10 seconds to make this decision. Failure to do so is a 5 yard penalty for delay of game.

After the initial stop of the board on a run or pass play where the on-field QB has the ball, the on-field QB may retain the option to keep the ball but may not be adjusted or pivoted as long as that on-field QB did not invoke the "Push Rule" (see below), is not set to spin on a MOBILE base (see below), did not get tackled, run out of bounds, or travel past the maximum drop back limit. Once the push rule is invoked or it is announced that the QB will keep the ball, no pitches, passes, or handoffs can be attempted on that play unless otherwise noted below. (See QB On Mobile Base).

RUNNING PLAYS
There are 2 types of running plays that can be performed: (1) Straight Handoff, (2) Pitch/Keep Option. A Reverse falls under the "Pitch" category. No players may be pivoted during a running play.

Straight Handoff: If a running back is to carry the ball from a straight handoff, that running back's position and jersey number is to be clearly stated and the switch is to be controlled by the referee, if available. Otherwise the defensive coach controls the switch. The referee or defensive coach will turn on the board until the play is resolved. A RB must be even with or at least somewhat behind the most downfield portion of the QB's base in order to be able to carry the ball on a straight handoff.

Pitch/Keep Option: If the quarterback is to begin a running play carrying the ball, the offensive coach will control the switch and must state that the "quarterback has the ball" along with the QB's jersey number before turning the board on.

Once the board is turned on the offensive coach is allowed up to one 1 stoppage of the board.

Once the board is stopped the offensive coach has the options of letting the quarterback keep the ball or pitch the ball to a running back or other eligible offensive player (Reverse). The offensive coach must again clearly state if the quarterback is keeping the ball or clearly state the player's position and jersey number who is to receive the pitch.

Once the offensive player states "keep" or "pitch" and states the player(s) involved the switch is turned over to the referee or defensive coach. The board then runs until the play is resolved.

To pitch the ball there must be *base separation* and a clear path between the player who is pitching and the player who is to receive the pitch. No opponent's players or team mates can be within the confines of the involved player's bases, including appendages.

The QB or other player pitching the ball (1) must not have invoked the Push Rule, (2) must not have touched the LOS or run OB, (3) neither the Pitcher nor Receiver can be engaged by an opponent's player(s), and the Receiver must be even with or somewhat behind the Pitcher's base (most downfield portions). *NOTE* If the QB and player to receive pitch have base to base contact then there is NO PITCH. This is a "Wrap Around" HANDOFF even if that non QB player is in front of (downfield) the onfield QB.

A pitch is automatic if the base of the quarterback and the base of the intended target (closest portions) are within 2 base lengths or less (use pitch sticks).

PASSING PLAYS
The offensive coach controls the switch to begin a pass play and is allowed only 1 stoppage of the board.
The quarterback may sit, drop back, roll out, or step up during the progression of a pass play and may throw the ball at any time before:
(1) touching the line of scrimmage (any portion of its base),
(2) being sacked,
(3) running out of bounds, or
(4) going beyond the 25 yard drop-back limit (any portion of its base).
If the quarterback touches the line of scrimmage the quarterback must keep the ball.
If the quarterback goes beyond the 25 yard drop-back barrier it is a sack and the ball is to be marked at the most forward (downfield) portion of its base.
Additionally, if the quarterback is on a "mobile" base and invokes the "push rule", the board must be stopped immediately and the QB must now keep the ball
Not stopping the board immediately (within reason) will result in a 5 yard loss on that play (treat as a sack).

Downed Ball - The offensive coach may elect at any time during play progression to "down the ball" so long as other descriptive rules or circumstances do not prevent it. A downed ball ends the play at the spot of the ball carrier.

QB Run - The QB is the ONLY player allowed to run when the offensive coach has called for a pass play. The QB may run at any time so long as it 1) is making substantial forward progress after the switch is turned back on, 2) is not set to spin on an immobile or mobile base, 3) did not exceed the maximum dropback distance, 4) did not touch or exceed the LOS, 5) did not run OB, or 5) did not invoke the Push Rule.

Sacks - Coverage Sacks are no longer awarded for all eligible receivers being engaged when the board is stopped. EARN YOUR SACKS! The offense now has the (elevated and more realistic) burden of calling "run" or "pass" before plays from scrimmage begin. The modified "push" rule helps to negate the stack advantage for the on-field QB. These rules help to restore balance so the defense no longer needs to be ADDITIONALLY rewarded for excellent coverage.

Automatic Incompletion - If a pass is called and there are NO eligible receivers and/or unengaged players available, the offensive coach may call for an automatic incomplete pass as long as the Push Rule was not invoked. Likewise, the offensive coach may elect to call for an automatic incompletion even if there is at least one eligible receiver and/or unengaged player available.

*** Not following these rules will result in an automatic incomplete pass attempt, per instance ***
Once the O coach picks up the PS measuring stick for a pass play, the PS method must be used on that play to pass.
Once the O coach places a PS stick on the field to pass the PS method must be used on that play. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Once the O coach picks up their TTQB for a pass play the SnP passing method must be used on that play.
Once the O coach places a TTQB on the field to pass the SnP method must be used on that play.

Passing Methods - (1) TTQB, (2) Pass Simulation.
To attempt a pass, the intended target's base (any portion), must be at least somewhat in front of (downfield) the quarterbacks most downfield portion of its base.
Passes must be thrown forward, not laterally or backwards, or it is a pitch (running play). NOTE: If a pass attempt under either method is not an obvious completion it is a definite incompletion.
Completions Methods - (1) Automatic Completion, (2) Manual Completion
Automatic Completion: If an eligible receiver is within a TTQB length of the quarterback (closest portions of their bases), there is a clear path between those two players (no other player or players appendages are within the confines of either players bases), then the pass is considered to be an automatic completion if the offensive coach elects to accept it.
Manual Completion: Explained under TTQB and Pass Simulation sections for each method.
TTQB PASSING METHOD
The Triple Threat Quarterback (TTQB) only is to be used to pass the ball for this method.

During the pass attempt and until after the ball is released, the offensive coach nor the TTQB can dislodge any player on the field from its current position from any action used to attempt the pass. Doing so will result in an incompletion.

The offensive coach states "pass" and retains control of the switch. The board is turned on.

Once the offensive coach wishes to attempt a pass the board is then turned off. The offensive coach then points to and states the player's number to which the pass will be attempted.
The offensive coach has 10 seconds to state the intended receiver.

A BuzzBall Spot Passing Target is then placed on the field in place of the intended receiver. The downfield most portion of the BuzzBall Spot Passing Target’s ball must be placed at the same spot as the most downfield portion of the intended receiver's base.

The referee then places an on-field referee to mark the confines of the pass attempt area for the TTQB.

The normal quarterback player is to be replaced during the pass attempt with a legal TTQB, legal passing ball in place, and the TTQB's base must be within the confines of the on-field referee. The TTQB can be leaned and/or pivoted at its base within those confines.

If the referee determines that there is a lack of sufficient space to mark the area with an on-field referee the TTQB will be spotted manually with the guidance of an official.

The offensive coach has 10 seconds to get the pass off beginning from the moment the TTQB is placed or the referee says "go." The offensive coach then attempts the pass.

If the pass is completed the TTQB is to be replaced on the same spot with the on-field quarterback player that began that play so it has assumed its original facing and position..

First touch method is used to determine who caught the ball. This means the first player that makes contact with the pass in the air and before hitting anything else is the only player that counts in determining the outcome of that pass play.

Eligible Receiver: TTQB - Any player other than an offensive lineman and the quarterback that is at least somewhat downfield from the on-field QB, is inbounds, did not run out of bounds during that play, and is unengaged by any of the opponent's player(s) when the board is stopped for a pass attempt is an eligible receiver.

Pass Attempt: TTQB - The TTQB must release the ball from pressure applied by the offensive coach who is pulling back on the TTQB in order to constitute a pass attempt. If the ball falls off before an attempt it does not count as a pass attempt nor is it a fumble. In such a case the ball will be placed back on the TTQB and a pass will be attempted as normal.

Completion: TTQB - A pass is complete if the ball hits any portion of the BuzzBall Spot Passing Target in the air, including the base, before hitting the field, and if it did not hit any other player before doing so. Completed passes on or beyond the LOS may not be advanced and the play is over.
Once a pass is completed no offensive players can be pivoted unless the receiver who caught the ball remains behind the LOS after the catch. In such a case only the receiver who caught the ball can be pivoted on offense.
After this type of completion the defense is allowed to pivot any unengaged defensive players to attempt a tackle. Once a pass is completed and all pivots are made the switch is given to the referee or defensive coach to control, the board is turned on and the play is resolved. Completing a pass to an unengaged offensive lineman is a penalty - 10 yds from the LOS, if accepted.
Incompletion: TTQB - A pass is incomplete if it first hits the ground, hits an engaged player, strikes some other object beside a player, or if the pass flies off the playing field without hitting any player.

Interception: TTQB - A pass is intercepted if it first hits an unengaged defender in the air.
After an interception the intercepting coach may now pivot the ball carrier only, followed by the opposing coach pivoting any unengaged players to attempt a tackle. The switch control is given to the referee or coach who threw the interception and the board is turned on to resolve the play.
PASS SIMULATION METHOD
Once the offensive coach wishes to attempt a pass, the board is then turned off.
The offensive coach then points to and states the player's number to which the pass will be attempted.
The referee will then measure the distance (center of helmet to center of helmet) from the quarterback to the intended receiver.

If the distance is 20 yards or less a RED passing stick be used to spot the ball on the field.
If the distance is 21 to 40 yards a WHITE passing stick will be used.
If the distance is over 40 yards an BLUE passing stick will be used.

Once the distance has been determined the offensive coach may pivot the intended receiver only.
The offensive coach now places the appropriate passing stick on the field with one end making base contact with the intended receiver's front portion of the base and between the front corners. The passing stick may be angled in any desired direction from that point so long as the passing stick remains in contact with intended receiver's base as previously described and does not cause the eventual placed ball to make contact with any player. If for some reason the sticks can not be placed flat on the field a tourney official will handle the entire stick and ball placement procedures.

The referee or offensive coach will next place the PS ball on the field so it contacts the opposite end of the passing stick, the closest point of the ball is centered on the end of the stick, and closest point of the ball is facing the quarterback to simulate a spiral pass from his direction.
The defensive coach may now pivot any unengaged players to either make an interception attempt or to make a tackle on the receiver after the catch.

From this point on no players may be pivoted to resolve the play unless the pass is intercepted (see Interception). The referee or offensive coach takes control of the switch and turns the board on until the pass is determined to be caught or incomplete. *NOTE: See Pass Interference Section Below.

Eligible Receiver: Pass Simulation - Initially and at the first stop of the board on a PS attempt, an eligible receiver is any offensive player other than interior lineman and the quarterback that is at least somewhat downfield from the on-field QB, is inbounds, did not run out of bounds during that play, and is unengaged by any of the opponent's player(s).

Catch: After the ball has been placed and the board tuned back on, any player who makes (any) base contact with the ball before the play is over has caught the ball. This means engaged players, unengaged players, legal receivers, and illegal receivers all count except the quarterback.

Completion: Pass Simulation - ANY BASE CONTACT with the ball constitutes a catch for all players. Situations where it is not a clear completion will be treated the same as an unclear passes with the TTQB (incomplete) and treated the same as an unclear tackle with respect to base contact (not a tackle). Additionally, and just as a TTQB pass, the first player to make base contact with the ball has made the catch.

Once a pass is completed to an intended receiver the referee will make the call and remove the placed ball. The ball can be advanced after the catch if that receiver is still unengaged. In such a case the referee will turn the board back on to resolve the play.

A pass is complete if an unintended receiver makes contact with the ball as described above before any other player but the ball can not be advanced and is down at that spot. If this player previously stepped out of bounds or is an offensive lineman it is a penalty for an illegal receiver.

Simultaneous touching of the ball between offensive and defensive players is awarded to the offense as a completion but the ball can not be advanced even if no base contact between those 2 players is made (ball sometimes keeps bases from making contact on simultaneous contact).

Simultaneous touching of the ball between offensive players will result in having the catch awarded to one of the involved offensive players chosen by the offensive coach, with priority in favor of the intended receiver over all others.

Simultaneous touching of the ball between defensive players will be awarded to one of the involved defensive players chosen by the defensive coach.

Simultaneous contact between players from the same team can be advanced so long as the player awarded the catch is an eligible ball carrier (not an OL player or QB).

Incompletion: Pass Simulation - A pass is incomplete once and if any offensive or defensive player's base (any portion) passes the entire placed ball within a radius of a base length around the placed ball. At that point the play is over and it is the next down. The play is still alive until that occurs, no other player has caught the ball, OR 3 seconds has passed since the board was turned back on to resolve the play. After 3 seconds the ball is considered to have hit the ground and is an incomplete pass. If for some reason the quarterback catches the ball it is an incomplete pass.

Interception: Pass Simulation - A pass is intercepted if any player on defense makes contact with the ball as described above before any other player on offense. After an interception the intercepting coach may now pivot the ball carrier only if still unengaged after the catch, followed by the opposing coach pivoting any unengaged players to attempt a tackle. The switch control is given to the referee or coach who threw the interception and the board is turned on to resolve the play.

Pass Interference: Pass Simulation - No unengaged player from either team may be pivoted to obstruct an unengaged opponent player's path to the ball without risking a penalty. Obstructing an unengaged opponent player's path to the ball constitutes pass interference if contact is made during play resolution unless it happens within the base length radius (incidental/free contact area) around the placed ball.
Running into the back of an opponent player's base does not constitute interference under any circumstances.
On offense, only the intended receiver can cause offensive pass interference.
On defense, any unengaged defensive player (not including eventual engagement with intended receiver) can cause pass interference, even if that player was engaged when the ball was placed. Any base contact within a base length or less is considered to be incidental contact and is not a penalty.