AN ALTERNATIVE TO FLAG AND TOUCH FOOTBALL

by Alicia Pasquariello and Stephen R. Swinny

Miami University, Ohio

It's exuberant! It's exhausting! It's easy! What is it? It's a game that is physically demanding and incor- porates the characteristics of rugby and football into one sport. Give up? It's Razzle Dazzle Football - a rigorous, non-contact sport.

Still confused? Well then, picture a football game that is played with no "downs" and no yardage penalties; or how about a football game with constant running, pass- ing, and punting; or even a football game where the goal posts are not needed because there are no field

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goals. You might think that this game seems unusual. You're right! This is because Razzle Dazzle Foot- ball is a unique sport.

Razzle Dazzle Football is the perfect alternative to flag and touch football. It has many advantages for both players and officials. First, it is easier to play and to officiate because there are fewer rules to remember. The rules are easier too! Both the players and the officials do not have to remember how many yards a team gains or losses for penalties, because there are none,

just turnovers. Second, players get more continuous playing time because the game is played with no downs, so there is no time wasted in setting up a line of scrimmage for each play. Third, all the players are more involved because the game is played without quarterbacks. Everyone is a passer and receiver, and any type of pass can be thrown, in any direction. Fourth, since Raz- zle Dazzle Football requires much running, it helps to contribute to overall fitness development.

Now that you have gotten a taste

In razzle-dazzle football, everyone is a passer and a receiver, and any type o f pass can be thrown-in any direction. (Photo by Patrick McKinney)

of what Razzle Dazzle Football is like, let's find out a little more about the game. It requires players to use skills of running, passing, and kicking and permits only non- contact, screen blocking, similar to those displayed in basketball. On the field, any player can run with or pass the ball to any teammate at any time and at any place.

The following rules govern the play of Razzle Dazzle Football: The Game - is played by two teams of six players per team. Co-Rec teams consist of 3 men and 3 women (preferably), but can be played with 4 women and 2 men. The field resembles that of a flag football field with dimensions 80 yards long and 50 yards wide and contains two

end zones, each 10 yards in length. A coin is tossed to determine which team will kick and which will receive. The kicking team puts the ball into play by a place kick or punt from their own quarter stripe (20 yard line). Once in possession of the ball the receiving team may advance the ball with any member of the team running with the ball or pass- ing it at any time, from anywhere on the field, to any of his teammates. If an offensive player is touched by a defender while the offensive player is in possession of the ball, or if an offensive player throws an in- complete pass, the player touched or throwing the incomplete pass must punt the ball to the other team. The kicker may not kick the ball until all

of his teammates are behind the line from which he will kick the ball. The team receiving the punt must catch the ball in flight in order to advance the ball. Should the receivers fail to catch the ball, the player who dropped the ball, or the first member of the receiving team to touch the ball, must punt the ball from the spot back to his op- ponents. Should the receivers suc- cessfully field the ball on the fly, they become the attacking team; and any player may run with the ball or pass at any time, from anywhere on the field, to any of his team- mates. Scoring - A goal is scored whenever a runner crosses the oppo- nent's goalline or completes a pass

into the opponent's end zone. A goal counts one (1) point and there are no P.A.T.'s or field goals. Co- Rec goals scored by women are worth 2 points and those scored by men are worth 1 point. Time - A game consists of two 20-minutelrunning halves. If a game is tied at the end of regulation play, an overtime period of 5 running minutes will take place. Passing - All players are eligible to throw and receive passes. Passes may be thrown from any spot on the field, in any direction, to any player. Any type of pass (overhand, underhand, etc.) may be used at any time from any position. A pass is not a pass until the ball leaves the passer's hand. If a pass by the of- fensive team is intercepted by the defensive team in the end zone, then the ball belongs to the defense and is put back in play at their 10 yard line. Touching - A legal touch is with one or both hands on any part of the runner ' s body between the shoulders and knees, including the arms. The defender may not leave his feet to make a touch. Blocking - No blocker may move forward into a block. Screen block- ing, such as is commonly used in basketball, is the only type of block allowed. Defense - Defensive use of the hands is illegal. The defender must avoid any contact with any blocker. The defender must not run through a receiver to deflect a pass. Personal Fouls - Unnecessary roughness, illegal use of the hands, or illegal blocking all count as per- sonal fouls against the offending player. Any player who commits more than three personal fouls shall be disqualified for the remainder of that game. The penalty for personal fouls will be: (a) If on the attacking team (offense), the penalty is an im- mediate turnover to the defending team at the 50 yard line or midfield.

line when they become the offense. Kick-offs - There are no restric- tions on the height or distance of the kick. If the kick enters the end zone, the kicking team members must wait

no closer to the goalline than 10 yards for an offensive player to put the ball into play by a kick or run. On kick-off, a player must either field the ball on a fly, or let it drop. If the player tries to catch it and then drops it, he must punt it back to the opposing team. Punts - WHen an offensive player is tagged or throws an incompleted pass, he must punt the ball to his op- ponents. His punt must be made from the spot at which he was tagged or from which he threw the incompleted pass. He must delay his kick until all of his teammates are behind him across the field. To be legal, the punt must be kicked at least 20' high and 45' in distance. If the punt is legal, the receiving team must catch the ball on the fly in order to advance it. If the ppnt is

not legal (not high enough or far enough, or kicked before teammates in position), the receiving team shall be awarded an unobstructed oppor- tunity to put the ball in play from the spot at which the punt first strikes the ground.

As you can see, Razzle Dazzle Football is a fast moving game and it's easy to play. There are not many rules, so there is little confusion, which makes it even more fun. Once you try it; you will love it. The name alone makes the game sound fun - Razzle Dazzle Football! ### o

Author's note: The game, Razzle Dazzle Football, was introduced to the Miami University Office of In- tramural Recreation by Mr. Lynn Reading.

Game for Everyone

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