GAME RULES
Tabletop Football Rules
The winner of the coin toss starts by placing the ball at the 10 yard line (on the white dot). You have four downs (or four tries) to get the ball into one of the three scoring holes behind the other goal line: there are two field goal holes and one touchdown hole. The ball is moved by the offensive player holding the table at the two corners and tilting the table until the ball begins to roll on the playing field. At no time may the defensive opponent hold onto the table during the play. If the ball falls into any hole along the field, this is counted as a down. The ball is placed just behind this hole and play continues until the player either scores or runs out of downs. If the ball falls off the board, it is counted as an incomplete pass and loss of a down. The ball is placed back at the point where the ball was last downed. If the player does not score after the fourth down the other player takes over directly behind the hole of the opponent's last down. If the ball falls into a scoring hole at the player's (offensive) end, it is counted as a safety and recovery by the defense in the end zone and is scored appropriately for the defensive team. A quarter length is determined by the agreed amount of time or possessions desired at the beginning of the game. The game is won by the player with highest score at the end of four quarters.
The winner of the coin toss starts by placing the ball at the 10 yard line (on the white dot). You have four downs (or four tries) to get the ball into one of the three scoring holes behind the other goal line: there are two field goal holes and one touchdown hole. The ball is moved by the offensive player holding the table at the two corners and tilting the table until the ball begins to roll on the playing field. At no time may the defensive opponent hold onto the table during the play. If the ball falls into any hole along the field, this is counted as a down. The ball is placed just behind this hole and play continues until the player either scores or runs out of downs. If the ball falls off the board, it is counted as an incomplete pass and loss of a down. The ball is placed back at the point where the ball was last downed. If the player does not score after the fourth down the other player takes over directly behind the hole of the opponent's last down. If the ball falls into a scoring hole at the player's (offensive) end, it is counted as a safety and recovery by the defense in the end zone and is scored appropriately for the defensive team. A quarter length is determined by the agreed amount of time or possessions desired at the beginning of the game. The game is won by the player with highest score at the end of four quarters.
--Definitions--
Offensive Play—Consists of 4 tries (4 downs) to reach one of the 3 scoring holes in the opponent's end zone by tilting the table. Once the defense is set, offense has the option to play hole covers (see hole covers for definition). After the defense readjusts one of their players, the person on offense will tilt the table to begin the play.
Defensive Play—You may position all 5 defensive players anywhere on the field, but not closer than 10 yards of the spot of the ball or behind the line of scrimmage. Once the defense is set, the offense may play their hole covers (see hole covers for definition) and then the defense may readjust ONE of their players before the play begins. Defenders may cover holes. Not more than one defensive player may cover a hole at a time. End zone holes may be covered. The defense can reposition his players at the start of each down. The only time the defense can put all five men on the line of scrimmage is when the ball is within ten yards of the goal line. At that time, the defense can do a “goal line stance” with all players lining the goal line, or can be positioned on any of the scoring holes. The object of the offense is to go through or around the defensive players on each down. AT NO TIME SHALL THE DEFENSIVE OPPONENT TOUCH THE TABLE WHILE THE OFFENSE IS MANEUVERING THE BALL ON THE FIELD.
Incomplete Pass—Anytime the ball rolls off the table it is considered an incomplete pass and the ball is spotted back at the start of the down. The ball is not placed at the point of going off the table.
Defensive Play—You may position all 5 defensive players anywhere on the field, but not closer than 10 yards of the spot of the ball or behind the line of scrimmage. Once the defense is set, the offense may play their hole covers (see hole covers for definition) and then the defense may readjust ONE of their players before the play begins. Defenders may cover holes. Not more than one defensive player may cover a hole at a time. End zone holes may be covered. The defense can reposition his players at the start of each down. The only time the defense can put all five men on the line of scrimmage is when the ball is within ten yards of the goal line. At that time, the defense can do a “goal line stance” with all players lining the goal line, or can be positioned on any of the scoring holes. The object of the offense is to go through or around the defensive players on each down. AT NO TIME SHALL THE DEFENSIVE OPPONENT TOUCH THE TABLE WHILE THE OFFENSE IS MANEUVERING THE BALL ON THE FIELD.
Incomplete Pass—Anytime the ball rolls off the table it is considered an incomplete pass and the ball is spotted back at the start of the down. The ball is not placed at the point of going off the table.
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Hole Covers—Hole covers may be played during the offensive possession to aid in moving the ball down the field. After the defense has positioned all 5 of their players, the offense may play up to 4 hole covers anywhere on the field. Hole covers may be used in penalty circles.
RED ZONE—Only 2 hole covers may be played once the offense is within 20 yards of the end zone. Hole covers can be played in any of the end zone holes. Once the hole covers are played, the defense may then readjust one of their players anywhere on the field. |
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Penalty Circles—If the football lands in any of the yellow circled holes during play, this means a penalty card must be removed from the top of the deck and revealed. (See Penalty Cards)
Penalty Cards—Shuffle the penalty cards at the beginning of the game. Place the cards in one of the side rails. Anytime the football lands in a yellow circled hole, a penalty card is removed from the top of the deck and read to both teams. Penalties can apply to either Defense or Offense. However, most affect the offense, so it is in the defenses best interest to try and get their opponent to land in a penalty circle. After the penalty card has been played, place it on the bottom of the deck.
Penalty Cards—Shuffle the penalty cards at the beginning of the game. Place the cards in one of the side rails. Anytime the football lands in a yellow circled hole, a penalty card is removed from the top of the deck and read to both teams. Penalties can apply to either Defense or Offense. However, most affect the offense, so it is in the defenses best interest to try and get their opponent to land in a penalty circle. After the penalty card has been played, place it on the bottom of the deck.
Scoring—The offense scores by landing in one of the 3 circles of their opponent's end zone. 6 points for the middle hole, 3 points for the outside holes. Extra Point: If you score 6 points and would like to try the extra point, place the ball at the 30 yard line of the opponent's end of the field. With no defensive players on the field, try to land the ball in the Touchdown hole for the extra point.
Length of Game—You have to options for determining the length of a game.
Option #1—Use the digital timer to determine length of quarters. (5 min. quarters recommended)
Option #2—Determine number of possessions per quarter. For example, you can say each team gets 2 possessions per quarter. For a total of 8 possessions for each team for the game. For longer games additional possessions may be added per quarter. Number of possessions must be decided before game begins.
Length of Game—You have to options for determining the length of a game.
Option #1—Use the digital timer to determine length of quarters. (5 min. quarters recommended)
Option #2—Determine number of possessions per quarter. For example, you can say each team gets 2 possessions per quarter. For a total of 8 possessions for each team for the game. For longer games additional possessions may be added per quarter. Number of possessions must be decided before game begins.
