BAFA Rules Committee

1-3-2-e-3

Where competition regulations mandate the use of balls of a particular manufacture, and more than three legal balls are presented to the referee, the referee shall only select balls of another manufacture if there are fewer than three balls of the mandated manufacture.

No mandated ball.

If the balls provided by the Home team do not meet the requirements of the Game Rules, the away team will be shown the balls and given the opportunity to provide balls that do conform if they can. This infringement shall be reported by the Referee to the League.

If the balls provided by the Home team do not meet the requirements of the Game Rules, the away team will be shown the balls and given the opportunity to provide balls that do conform if they can. This infringement shall be reported by the Referee to the League.

If the balls provided by the Home team do not meet the requirements of the Game Rules, the away team will be shown the balls and given the opportunity to provide balls that do conform if they can. This infringement shall be reported by the Referee to the League.

No mandated ball.

1-4-5-b-1

The Competition Authority may determine that the away team shall have first choice of colour.

Home team has first choice of colour.

Home team has first choice of colour.

Home team has first choice of colour.

Home team has first choice of colour.

BUCS regulation 9.4 states that should there be a clash of colours, it is the responsibility of the first named (home) institution to change its kit. This should be resolved through the fixture confirmation process prior to gameday.

3-1-3

Competitions may adopt regulations to forego the tiebreaker system if the scores are tied at the end of a regular season game. In that event, the game shall be terminated and the result will stand as a tie.

Play extra periods.

Overtime is not to be played in a regular season game.

Overtime is not to be played in a regular season game.

Overtime is not to be played in a regular season game.

Overtime is not to be played in a regular season game.

BUCS regulation AMF6.

3-2-1

Competitions may adopt regulations to limit the playing time in a game to 48, 40 or 32 minutes, provided the four periods are of equal length.

Playing time will be 60 minutes.

Playing time normally shall be 60 minutes.

Playing time normally shall be 48 minutes.

Playing time normally shall be 48 minutes.

Playing time normally shall be 48 minutes.

BUCS regulation AMF5.

3-3-2

If the margin in the score is more than 34 points, a running clock will apply. The clock will stop only for reasons marked * below. For other events listed here, the clock will keep running. Competitions may adopt regulations to:

1. forgo the rule in the first half of a game; 

2. reduce the score margin below 34 points.

Running clock applies when margin in score is more than 34 points.

Running clock applies when margin in score is more than 34 points in the second half of the game.

Running clock applies when margin in score is more than 34 points in the second half of the game.

Running clock applies when margin in score is more than 34 points in the second half of the game.

Running clock applies when margin in score is more than 34 points in the second half of the game.

3-3-3-c

If a game is suspended under Rules 3-3-3-a and b before the end of the fourth period and cannot be resumed, there are four possible options:

1. Resume the game at a later date;

2. Terminate the game with a determined final score;

3. Forfeit of the game; or

4. Declare a no contest.

The option that takes effect shall be determined by competition policy.

Teams decide if game to be resumed

Result including score stands if game is abandoned at or after half-time. Decision on the appropriate future course of action for games abandoned earlier than half-time will be made by the League Office.

Result including score stands if game is abandoned at or after half-time. Decision on the appropriate future course of action for games abandoned earlier than half-time will be made by the League Office.

Result including score stands if game is abandoned at or after half-time. Decision on the appropriate future course of action for games abandoned earlier than half-time will be made by the League Office.

BUCS general regulations accept result if 75% played (REG 9.3.4.4/REG 9.3.4.7.1), otherwise states that match has to be replayed or is a walkover if a team was late and deemed their fault.

3-3-3-d

If a game is suspended under Rules 3-3-3-a and b after four periods of play and cannot be resumed, the game shall be ruled a tie. The final score shall be the score at the end of the last completed period. (Note: If a winner must be determined in a conference playoff game, conference policy shall determine when and where the game will be resumed.)

Game remains a tie

Report to league for action.

Report to league for action.

Report to league for action.

as per 3-3-3-c

3-3-8-b-3

Competitions may adopt regulations that even if a visual game clock is the official timepiece, a two-minute warning shall still be given.

A two-minute warning will be given.

A two-minute warning will be given.

A two-minute warning will be given.

A two-minute warning will be given.

A two-minute warning will be given.

13-4-1-a

Game management shall be responsible for providing 30 minutes prior to the kickoff a minimum of five persons to act as officials' assistants (ball persons and chain crew). The Competition Authority may require the away team to provide one of the official's assistants to act as a ball person.

Game management must provide at least 5 persons.

Game management must provide at least 5 persons.

Game management must provide at least 5 persons.

Game management must provide at least 5 persons.

Game management provision of officials' assistants is as follows:

• The home team must provide three people for the chain crew and at least one ball person. 

• The away team is responsible for providing a ball person for their own sideline.

If either team does not have enough people to man these tasks, they must remove players from their playing squad to cover this.

13-8-3

A Competition Authority may define the maximum and/or minimum age for players in its competition.

No age limit.

See regulations for the specific competition.

BUCS REG 4.1 applies.

13-8-6-c

Each team has, at the field, at least the minimum number of squad members defined by the competition authority.

No minimum.

Minimum of 22 players registered to that team at the field.

Minimum of 18 players registered to that team at the field.

Minimum of 18 players registered to that team at the field.

13-8-6-d

Each BAFA-affiliated team has, at the field, at least the minimum number of licensed coaches defined by the competition authority. All coaches must hold a BAFCA Level 1 or higher qualification.

No minimum.

Minimum of 3 coaches registered to that team at the field.

Minimum of 3 coaches registered to that team at the field.

Minimum of 3 coaches registered to that team at the field.

Each team must have at the field, a minimum of three licensed (as defined in BAFA rule 13-8-4) coaches who hold a current valid BAFCA Level 1 or higher qualification. One of the three coaches must hold a current valid BAFCA Level 2 or higher qualification.

BUCS regulation AMF11.1.

Other competition regulations

https://www.bucs.org.uk/rules-and-regulations/sport/american-football.html