Flag Football Rules

A. Officials a. The officials have authority over player, coach and fan conduct. This authority includes pre-game, actual game and post-game. B. Equipment a. Metal cleats are not allowed b. Teams must have matching shirts/jerseys with a 6” non-repeating, permanent number on the back. Shirts/jerseys must remain tucked in throughout the game. c. Football gloves are allowed C. Players a. Each team will field five (5) players D. Game Play a. Coin Toss – A coin toss will determine first possession. Choice of Offense, Defense, Defend a Goal, or Defer to Second Half. b. Timing i. Twenty (20) minute halves, clock runs except during time-outs and delay of game penalties. Half time is a five-minute period. Time-outs will last one (1) minute. Two time-outs per half, no carry over from first half to second half. Second half time-outs can carry over to overtime. ii. Overtime - Five (5) minute overtime period. Possession will be determined by a coin toss. 1. If there is still at tie at the end of five (5) minutes the game will be called a tie. c. Teams will change directions at halftime. d. The offensive team must have at least three (3) players on the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball. e. Any defensive player that rushes must be at least seven (7) yards from the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball. E. Downs a. Non-turnover possessions will start from the 5 yard line; the offensive team will have four (4) downs to cross midfield and earn a fresh set of downs. Once the offense passes midfield they will have another four (4) downs to score. b. If on fourth down the offense has not reached midfield or the endzone they can choose to “punt” and the opposing team will get the ball at their own 5 yard line. (there will be no actual kicks.) c. If the offense fails to convert on a 4 th down the opposing team will take over from where the ball was downed. d. If the Defense intercepts a pass but does not run it back for a touchdown that team will take possession at the spot where the ball was downed. F. Scoring a. Each touchdown will be worth six (6) points. b. Extra points attempted from the 5 yard line will be worth one (1) point c. Extra points attempted from the 12 Yard line will be worth two (2) points. d. A safety is worth two (2) points. G. Running a. Running the ball is not allowed in the no run zones 5 yards on either side of midfield and 5 yards in front of the endzone. b. Direct handoffs are permitted. Multiple direct handoffs are allowed. c. Laterals or pitches are only allowed behind the line of scrimmage. d. Players may not block for a running teammate. e. Players may not leave their feet to avoid a defender or advance the ball. NO DIVING f. A player who has taken a handoff can then pass the ball as long as they remain behind the line of scrimmage. g. Once the ball is handed off all defensive players can rush. h. The ball will be spotted where the runner’s feet are when their flag is pulled; not where the ball is. H. Passing a. All players are eligible receivers, including the quarterback once he has handed the ball off. b. Players must have control of the ball and at least one foot in bounds to count as a reception. c. Screen passes are allowed but players cannot block they can only screen off defenders. d. If the quarterback drops back to pass he may not run until he is rushed by the defense. e. Interceptions are allowed and result in a change of possession. Interceptions can be returned. I. Dead Ball a. There are NO FUMBLES , when the ball hits the ground the play is over. J. Fouls a. Non-contact – Flag football is a NON-CONTACT sport! i. Blocking is not allowed ii. Bumping the receivers before, during, or after the catch is not allowed iii. Lowering the shoulder, or using a “stiff arm” during a run is not allowed iv. Any other physical contact deemed excessive by the referee will result in a penalty or ejection from the game. b. Offensive i. Illegal Motion – More than one person moving, false start: 5 yard penalty and loss of down. ii. Illegal Forward Pass – Pass thrown beyond the line of scrimmage: 5 yard penalty and loss of down. iii. Offensive Pass Interference – Illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender: 10 yard penalty and loss of down. iv. Flag Guarding – Holding flags or deflecting a flag pull attempt: 10 yard penalty from line of scrimmage and loss of down. v. Delay of Game – Not snapping the ball before the thirty (30) second play clock expires: Clock stops, 10 yards and loss of down. c. Defensive i. Offsides – Crossing the line of scrimmage before the snap: 5 yard penalty and automatic 1 st down. ii. Interference – Hampering the receivers’ ability to catch the ball: 10 yard penalty and automatic 1 st down. iii. Illegal Contact – Holding or pushing through a screen: 10 yards penalty and automatic 1 st down iv. Illegal Flag Pull – Pulling a flag before a player has the ball: 10 yard penalty and automatic 1 st down. v. Illegal Rushing – rushing from within seven (7) yards of the line of scrimmage: 10 yard penalty and automatic 1 st down. d. Sportsmanship/Roughing i. Any acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking or other unsportsmanlike acts will result in a foul or ejection as determined by the referee. ii. Trash talking is not allowed: the referee will give one warning per team and then make ejections. K. Field