5x5 Football Coed Rulebook
The 5x5 Football Coed format uses the standard 5x5 Football gameplay system with one defining principle: every play is open.
There are no mandatory gender plays, no forced female touches, and no alternating gender requirements. Teams control their own offense, lineups, and strategy while female participation is rewarded through bonus scoring.
All Plays Are Open
- There are no mandatory gender plays in 5x5 Football Coed.
- Any eligible player may throw, run, or receive the ball on any play.
- Teams are not required to target a female player on any specific down.
- There is no alternating male/female play sequence.
- Offensive strategy remains completely open.
Recommended Team Roster
- Teams should register with a minimum of 7 players.
- A larger roster is strongly recommended for tournament play.
- Teams should plan for injuries, absences, substitutions, and scheduling conflicts.
- Captains are responsible for having enough eligible players available on game day.
Standard Game Format
- Games are played 5v5.
- There is no required male-to-female ratio when five players are on the field.
- Teams may freely change their gender combination throughout the game.
- There is no requirement to maintain the same lineup ratio from one play to the next.
Four-Player Forfeit Exception
- A team may play with a minimum of 4 eligible players to avoid a forfeit.
- This exception is intended for emergency game-day situations.
- A team with fewer than 4 eligible players cannot begin or continue a game.
- Four-player lineups must meet the approved Coed combinations listed below.
Approved 4-Player Lineups
- 3 men / 1 woman.
- 2 men / 2 women.
- 1 man / 3 women.
- 4 women / 0 men.
- 4 men / 0 women is not permitted in the Coed division.
Female Touchdown Bonus
- A qualifying touchdown receives a +1 point bonus.
- A female QB throwing the touchdown pass earns the bonus.
- A female player rushing or carrying the ball across the goal line earns the bonus.
- A female player catching the touchdown pass earns the bonus.
- A female player scoring a defensive touchdown earns the bonus.
No Bonus Stacking
- The female touchdown bonus is limited to +1 point per touchdown.
- A female QB throwing to a female receiver does not create a double bonus.
- A qualifying touchdown is worth 7 points before the PAT.
- No touchdown may receive more than one female scoring bonus.
Standard Conversions
- The automatic PAT remains worth 1 point.
- The 2-point conversion remains worth 2 points.
- Female participation does not add bonus points to PAT attempts.
- Female participation does not add bonus points to 2-point conversion attempts.
Quarterback Rules
- Either a male or female player may play quarterback.
- There is no requirement to alternate quarterbacks.
- A female QB receives the +1 bonus when she throws a legal touchdown pass.
- A legal female QB rushing touchdown also receives the +1 bonus.
- All standard 5x5 quarterback-run rules remain in effect.
Receiving & Running
- All players are eligible receivers.
- All players may carry the ball under standard 5x5 run rules.
- One designed run per offensive zone remains in effect.
- Protected No Run Zones remain in effect.
- There is no requirement that a female player touch the ball during a possession.
Open Rush
- The standard 5x5 Football Open Rush rule applies.
- Any defender may rush.
- Male and female defenders may rush any quarterback.
- Rushers must begin 5 yards from the line of scrimmage.
- Once the ball is handed off or lateraled, all defenders may rush.
Defensive Scoring
- A female player returning an interception for a touchdown receives the +1 bonus.
- A female player scoring any other legal defensive touchdown receives the +1 bonus.
- Safeties remain worth 2 points regardless of gender.
- Defensive PAT returns remain worth 2 points regardless of gender.
Coed Contact & Screening
- 5x5 Football Coed is a non-contact format.
- The only legal blocking action is a stationary, no-contact screen.
- A player may establish a stationary position in the path of a defender, but may not initiate contact with the defender.
- A screener may not extend their arms, push, hold, lean into a defender, or move into a defender after establishing position.
- A screener may not move alongside or escort the ball carrier in an attempt to prevent a defender from making a flag pull.
- Once legally established, the screener must remain stationary and allow the defender an opportunity to avoid contact.
- Tackling, pushing, holding, body checking, charging, contact blocking, roughing the passer, and excessive contact are prohibited.
- Incidental contact may occur during normal play and will be judged by the official based on advantage, severity, and player safety.
- Officials may penalize or eject players for dangerous, intentional, or repeated contact.
Standard Rules Apply
- All standard 5x5 Football rules remain in effect unless specifically modified by the Coed Rulebook.
- The 5-second pass clock remains in effect.
- Protected No Run Zones remain in effect.
- Conversion Possession Attempt rules remain in effect.
- Playoff overtime rules remain in effect.
- The Coed Contact & Screening rule supersedes the standard contact and blocking rules during Coed competition.
Female Bonus Scoring Scenarios
These examples are included so players, captains, and officials can apply the bonus rule consistently during competition.
Female QB → Male Receiver
A female quarterback throws a legal forward touchdown pass to a male receiver.
Result: 7-point touchdown.Male QB → Female Receiver
A male quarterback throws a legal forward touchdown pass to a female receiver.
Result: 7-point touchdown.Female QB → Female Receiver
Both the passer and receiver qualify for the female scoring bonus, but bonuses do not stack.
Result: 7-point touchdown.Female Rushing TD
A female player legally runs or carries the ball across the goal line.
Result: 7-point touchdown.Female Pick-Six
A female defender intercepts a pass and legally returns the interception for a touchdown.
Result: 7-point touchdown.Female Catch → Male Lateral TD
A female receiver catches a pass short of the goal line, laterals the ball to a male teammate, and the male player scores.
Result: 6-point touchdown.Female Lateral → Male Scorer
A female player laterals the ball backward to a male player, and the male player carries the ball across the goal line.
Result: 6-point touchdown.Female Bonus TD + Automatic PAT
A qualifying female-involved touchdown is worth 7 points. The standard automatic PAT remains worth 1 additional point.
Result: 8 total points.No Forced Gender Plays. All Plays Are Open.
5x5 Football Coed encourages meaningful female participation through scoring incentives rather than mandatory play calls. Every down remains open, competitive, and strategically controlled by the offense.
Game-Day Roster Examples
Penalty Reference
Standard 5x5 Football penalties apply during Coed competition except where specifically modified by the Coed Contact & Screening rule.