Intramural football season kicks off Published Sept. 17, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Anthony J. Hyatt 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Tyndall's 2007 intramural softball season made its conclusion early August, making way for intramural football. The Tyndall intramural football season kicked off Aug. 27 with 17 teams, and will continue into late November. Three weeks have been played so far in this long season. "We (Security Forces Squadron) have won the last two base championships, 28 consecutive games won," said Staff Sgt. Eric Schell, 325th Security Forces Squadron personnel security and the Security Forces team football coach. "We are going for the three-peat this season." "The Operations Support Squadron has prepared with two grueling practices two times a week, which began two weeks before the football season started," said Staff Sgt. Michael Fiedler, 325th OSS football coach. "We placed second last year and expect nothing but first place this year." "Let the best team win," said Airman 1st Class Timothy Cooner, 325th Air Control Squadron football coach. The base championship tournament will come after the last scheduled regular season game. Six top teams having the best win-loss record in the league will be eligible to participate in a double-elimination tournament. Tyndall's intramural flag football program will be administered in accordance with the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association and certain by-laws. Each game will be played in two 20 minute halves, where the clock will run continuously for the first 18 minutes of each half unless it is stopped for a: touchdown, field goal, safety, team time-out, referee's time-out or extra point. During the final two minutes of each half, the clock will stop for an incomplete pass, out-of-bounds run, touchdown, field goal or team change of position. Due to safety precautions, metal cleats are not allowed. Instead, cleats must be made of molded rubber and may not extend more than one-half inch. Also, no jewelry may be worn while playing. As for eligibility, active duty, dependents 18 years of age or older and DOD employees assigned to an organization may participate on their organization's team. Individuals attached to or on temporary duty for 30 days or more may participate with their host unit, also. Each team will consist of seven players. To begin the game, five players are required to avoid a forfeit. There is no limit to the number of players on a squadron team. Players on teams forfeiting out of the league are ineligible to participate for the remainder of the season. "Any team that forfeits two consecutive games or three games total during the regular will be dropped from further competition," said Lou South, 325th Services Squadron fitness director. Some more general rules: · All defensive players must be three yards from the line of scrimmage before snap; unless a team is within five yards of a first down or touchdown then they may be within one yard of the scrimmage line. · Blocking will be by screen only. · Moving blocks are illegal. · Receivers must have one foot in bounds when catching the ball. · No unannounced quick kicks. · Ball will be placed on the 20 yard line to start each half and following touch downs. · When an opponent removes a flag from the ball carrier, the play ends. A player who removes a flag should immediately hold it above his head. · If a flag of the ball carrier inadvertently falls to the ground, a one-hand touch between the shoulders and knees constitutes a removal. · There will be no direct snap. Player who receives the snap must be at least 2 yards behind the offensive line of scrimmage. · If a team is 22 or more points ahead at the two minute warning for the second half, the game shall be over. "It's still early and unclear to see which teams will be successful," said Airman 1st Class Matthew Mize, who plays for a team composed of 325th Mission Support Squadron, Fighter Wing, and Comptroller personnel. "Only time will tell."