BMFA - Burlington Minor Football (Flag)

Please post any BMFA inquiries here

Questions from a parent of kids in the program for last couple of years who will be likely starting to work games in this league this season:

- The rules state the rusher simply must be within two yards of the rush bag to have an unimpeded path, yet I've seen in multiple games that refs are asking rushers to line up at least one yard to either side of the rush bag. Is this just to stop kids from stepping on the bag, or is there something in the rules I'm missing?
- Is the "defense must be three yards off the centre" rule new? I've never seen it enforced.
- I've seen that some teams love running pick/rub or tight crossing routes to get receivers open off the line of scrimmage. Is there some sort of standard that should be applied as to when to allow it, and when to call obstruction (or potentially interference)?

Thanks for helping a rookie!

First rusher needs to be one yard off bag to ensure direct path to QB without running into centre
To get direct path rusher can not be more than w yards off bag
Player in front of rusher 3 yards to allow centre to run a pattern without interference
Lastly rubs cross patterns need to watched by deep official and if the receivers are interfered than it can be called depending on the contact or not
This is in the judgement of the official and why they should watch the receivers and not the QB

What do you have on an Inadvertent whistle on a convert since BMFA rules stipulate that the convert can be run back? If Defense intercepts the ball, while running and the inadvertent whistle occurs..

Posting this for conversation...

I would rule it, if you are certain that the defender was going to get back to the original LOS, then give the point(s), if you are certain he was not and he was going to be deflagged, do not award it (I do not know how you can prove that). We can give the option of a replay(redo) the down but the team in possession while the inadvertent whistle occurred will likely decline that as it would give the offense(other team) another opportunity to score.

Having said that, how do you determine that there was no question the intercepting team would get to the original LOS especially if the inadvertent whistle occurred as soon as the defense intercepted the ball?

What do you think Stripes2?
If this occurred during regular play and not on a convert, you would rule it, option to the team the inadvertent whistle went against, take possession at the point of inadvertent whistle or replay the down. They would likely take possession where the inadvertent whistle occurred.

Yes I agree rule the play as if the inadvertent whistle did not happen, therefore you would let the interception stand and give them the points.

BMFA’s rule interpretation is if the ball carrier drops or loses control of the football once the pass was “COMPLETED” it is considered a Dead Ball whether the ball hits the ground or not and the play is over where the ball carrier is – not where the ball lands.

Reminder it is also a penalty for the defender to try and knock the ball out of a ball carriers hands “strip the ball” intentionally.

In reference to hip or ball when flag was pulled for BMFA rules.

Answer according to our RIC and the BMFA league specific rulebook

Ball placement shall be where the ball is held at time of whistle
The FC Flag rule book makes reference to the hips

BMFA Playoffs Start this week; For all those Officiating this weekend, please take note of the Overtime Rules.

Coin toss to decide which team gets first possession.
Winner goes on Offense. Loser choses the side where the converts will take place.
1 point from 5 yards. 2 points from 12 yards. 3 tries each.
Total most points wins game after 3 tries. If still a tie after 3 tries we go to alternating converts with sudden death. 1 and 1 and if defense intercepts and returns it to LOS during the sudden death portion of Overtime, game over.

Interceptions are live