Viperball

Viperball (also known as Viper Football Rules (VFR) or Five-Down Football) is a variation of American football with 7 players on each team, all of whom are eligible receivers on each player. The sport was adapted to create a version of American football that could be played without significant equipment and reflected more of the heritage of rugby football as opposed to more physical and slower paced game that the American variety of the sport had evolved into.
The rules variations are effectively a merger of Canadian football rules, American rules and other adaptations aimed at attracting athletic players to the game, while retaining the core elements of the sport.
Gameplay
Viperball is a game that emphasizes speed and ball movement akin to rugby. It is played on a an 80-yard (73 m) long by 53 1/3-yd (48.8 m) field, only 20 yards smaller than that of regular gridiron football. When playing on a regulation gridiron football field, some players will extend the end zone for 20 yards, rather than stopping at the goal line, but this isn't codified in the rules.
Teams have five opportunities to score a touchdown or field goal or they turn the ball over on downs to the opposing team. Punting is not allowed, open field kicking is allowed at all times, meaning a player could receive a pass, then kick it a player on his or her own team on the same play, attempt a drop kick field goal (the ball does not have to bounce on a drop kick, it can be punted) and this distinguishes Viperball from other gridiron football variations that are largely games of field position, whereas Viperball emphasizes quick strikes and scoring.
All players are eligible receivers, but may not leave their positions at or behind the line of scrimmage prior to the snap of the ball.
Differences
The differences between Viperball and 11-man American football are as follows:
* All players on offense are eligible receivers
* Five downs to attempt score a touchdown or field goal
* 15-second play clock
* Unlimited motion for offensive backfield players prior to the snap
* Open-field kicks are legal
* Field goals (3 points) can only be open field drop kicked and punting is not allowed
* No try after touchdowns, all touchdowns are seven points
* Players need one foot in-bounds on a reception to count
* Defensive players cannot attempt to force the ball out of the hands of the offensive player
* Running clock split into two halves of 30 minutes, rather than four quarters of 15 each. No makeup time for injuries, but referees have the power to stop the clock for any reason
Rationale
As a result of the rules variations, the sport is developed to resemble a game to that of rugby than traditional American football, in that, open field kicks are legal, resulting in players with better kicking ability having the opportunity to advance the ball to teammates via open field kicking or passing, a distinct diversion from the American game. Open field kicks can also be used to score field goals from anywhere on the field, but must be drop kicked, rather than held by a holder, as in American and Canadian football.
The fact that all 11 players are eligible receivers, gives coaches more options for plays, but also gives defenses more options in which to stop them. The result is a game that's faster pace, more wide open and requires athleticism similar to that of association football.
History
In 2005, the creator of Tennis Polo took the sport of the Western United States, where the sport was adapted for indoor play. This original game was called Viperball, to distinguish it from its outdoor counterpart, due to the distinct challenges of playing a racquet sport within close quarters.
Seeking to adapt the sport further, the game was brought back outdoors in 2006 and was shifted to a game that no longer used racquets and shared similarities to association football, team handball and gridiron football. The game was refined further and began to take its current form.
After exhibitions were conducted with college and high school players around the United States, the most recent version of the rules were codified in 2009, as an addendum to existing rules.

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