Flag Football League Rules
Capital Sportsplex uses NC High School rules with the following modifications intended to make the rules work for flag football and our enjoyment.
Personal conduct:
Arguing: Arguing with officials or league directors may result in one of three things:
Personal foul penalty Requirement to sit out for a series of play Ejection from the game or league
Arguing will be defined as anything beyond a “reaction”. No official is perfect , but beyond the initial reaction, if any arguing continues the player will be penalized.
Profanity: Use of any profanity may result in a penalty, even if not directed at official or the other team.
Fighting: Any punches thrown will result in ejection and potential ban from the league. Shoving and pushing or other rough physical conduct determined by an official or league director to be malicious will be cause for ejection and potential suspension. If this occurs at or near the end of the game, the player may be suspended for the following game.
“Tackling” & Running:
Ball carrier is down at the point where the flag is removed or falls off Players may not jump over another player in any instance whether with the ball or not No flag guarding (10 yard penalty from the spot of the foul) No swatting of the defensive players hands, stiff arming by the ball carrier, or using elbows or ball to physically prevent the defender from grabbing the flag This will be penalized even if the defender gets the flag
No Holding: Players may not grab hold of a ball carrier to impede progress; they must only pull the flag. Note: Grabbing of the shirt or body may occur when going when going for the flag and may not be a penalty. This is an officials judgment and the judgment will stand.
No Charging: Ball carriers must avoid contact with a defender who holds a position.
Break-away Penalty: If an offensive player has a clear path to the end zone and they are tackled by a defensive player (intentionally or unintentionally), a touchdown will be awarded. Note: This has to be clear to the official and is a judgment call.
Blocking & Pass Rush
How to Block: Blocking must be achieved by using outstretched hands, not body. Blockers must not initiate contact, push or move a rusher. Blockers should get position and cushion their block with their hands both at the line and down field. Note: No Blocking below the waist.
No Bull-Rushing: This means the defense must work around offensive blockers, not plow or push over or through them.
No Arm Slapping: Rushers cannot slap the blockers arm away. A blocker can push the arm of the defender away but not slap or hit defender.
No Hitting Arm or Ball: Defenders cannot hit the ball (or arm) while it is in the hand of an offensive player at any time. If the ball has left the hand you can block it.
Offsides: We do not blow the play dead on defensive offsides, we do with false start on the offense.
Passing Game
Offense may throw TWO forward passes behind the line of scrimmage. See next rule. Once the ball crosses the line of scrimmage, even if it is brought back behind the line of scrimmage, a forward pass is illegal. Defensive backs may bump a receiver (not a center) only ONCE within the first 5 yards before the ball is in the air. Defenders cannot bump the center. If the center has already engaged them as a blocker, you still can't 'bump' them like a receiver, but contact would not be considered a penalty. Defenders cannot line up right in front of the center and must allow a c enter clear path to go out on a route. Pass interference will result in an automatic first down and a spot foul
Teams
Six players on the field at one time. Minimum of 5 players to start a game, 4 to continue a game. Players must play in at lea st 2 regular season games (in a 7 week regular season), or 1 regular season game in a (5 week regular season) in order to play with your team in the playoffs. Players must play on only one team in the league unless they receive an exception from a league director to play on two teams. Subs: If a team does not have 6 roster players they may pick up a sub to get up to 6 players before the game begins. Any further subs above 6, or a dded during the game must be OK'd by the other team prior to participation. Interceptions on extra points that are returned to the opposite end zone are worth 2 points. It does not matter if the offense was going for 1 or 2.
Equipment
Only league balls may be used during the game All teams must have matching jerseys or shirts. Each player must wear a league provided belt with 3 flags evenly distributed on the sides and one on back. Flags or flag connections must not be covered by jerseys
Field
First down is located every 10 yards. The walls around the field are considered 'in bounds '. All other ceilings, netting or other structures are 'out of bounds'.
Time
Two 24-minute Halves. The first half is completely running time. The second half is running time until the last 2 minutes of the game, which is stoppage time. Official may stop time at anytime for injuries or obstructions at their discretion . Teams get 2 timeouts each half
Overtime
Each team will have a chance on offense Teams flip coin, winner of flip decides if they will go first or second
Each team has 4 plays from Mid -field to score or make as much forward progress as possible. Punting is not allowed. Penalties are applied as usual during the 4 plays. o If only 1 team scores, the scoring team wins. o If neither team scores, the team who advanced the furthest wins. o If both teams score, the process repeats until one team wins . Interceptions in Overtime o If an interception is returned for a score, the defense wins o If an interception is returned back behind the line of scrimmage of that play, the forward progress of the offense is marked at the point where the flag of the defender is pulled. Meaning the offense lost yards and the other team simply needs to make sure they don't lose as many yards. o If the interception is not returned back to the original line of scrimmage of the play, the forward progress is marked at that play's line of scrimmage. Meaning the offense does not get to gain yards on an interception.