SJC REC SPORTS 4 ON 4 FLAG FOOTBALL

Flag Football Rules Clinic WWW.CAMPUSREC.NEU.EDU Field Layout

• The field is split into four zones: to 20 YL, 20 YL to 40 YL,40 YL to 20 YL, 20 YL to End zone Game Length and Time

• The game consists 30 minutes or until 28 points are scored with running clock • The Mercy Rule is applied when a team leads by 17 points.

END OF THE GAME SIGNAL Scoring

A Touchdown is scored when the nose of the ball crosses the Goal Line in the possession of the offense or a receiver catches the ball in the End Zone.

Six points will be awarded followed by the try-for-points.

TOUCHDOWN SIGNAL

Touchdown = 6 pts Extra Points

Extra Point Attempts: – 1 point (5 yard line) – 2 points (10 yard line)

SAFETY SIGNAL Rules of the Game

• Each team may field 4 players at a time (8 max)

• There is NO CONTACT ALLOWED!

Incidental contact may occur because of the nature of the game, but our goal is to limit contact to an absolute minimum Rules of the Game

• Teams have 4 downs to advance the ball to the next zone line-to- gain or to score

FIRST SIGNAL Pre-Game Duties: Equipment

• Jewelry is not allowed to be worn by any participant during an Intramural event • Jewelry cannot be taped or covered with a band- aid – Medical Alert bracelets or necklaces must be taped down • There are NO EXCEPTIONS! • NO POCKETS, belts, belt loops, or exposed drawstrings Captains Meeting

• This is to be done every game at least 5 minutes prior to the start of the game – DO FOR ALL PLAYERS THE FIRST WEEK • Set The Tone For The Entire Game – This is the first opportunity to let the teams know what kind of game to expect Pre-Snap: Line is Set

• The offensive team must have 4 players on the line of scrimmage – Live Ball Penalty (Simult. w/ Snap) • All players must be within 15 yards of the ball before the snap (unless a defensive player is engaged against offensive player outside of hash marks) • Live ball penalty (Simultaneous w/ Snap) • Once the ball is set, no player may enter the neutral zone If all those necessary rules are met than the Line Judge will determine that the “line is good” and the ball may be snapped legally Pre-Snap: Motion

• One offensive player may be in motion at the time of the snap, but not in motion toward the opponent's goal line.

• If multiple players are in motion, all must set before the ball is snapped. A single player may then go back into motion for the snap. ILLEGAL SHIFT (BOTH HANDS) or ILLEGAL MOTION (ONE HAND) SIGNAL The Snap

• The ball must be snapped off of the ground behind the line of scrimmage • The ball may be side-snapped; it does not have to go through the snapper’s legs – Feet must be behind the ball when snapped • The player who receives the snap must be at least 2 yards behind the Line of Scrimmage

DELAY OF GAME SIGNAL Rushing the QB

• Rushing the QB • All players that rush the passer must be a minimum of 7 yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Any number of players can rush the QB. • Players not rushing the QB may defend on the line of scrimmage • A special marker, or the referee, will designate 7yards from the line of scrimmage • The QB cannot run the ball • If QB’s arm was in forward motion when his flag was pulled, the pass is allowed. Passing

• Only one legal is allowed per down. • Only 2 pass plays per down. – An Illegal Pass occurs when: – The passers foot is over the line of scrimmage – There is more than one forward pass per down • Every player is an More passing

• There can only be ONE forward pass per play. There can only be TWO exchanges of the football in the air (forward pass or lateral) which are initiated from the L.O.S. After the second exchange of the football in the air, if completed behind the L.O.S., the football must be run across the L.O.S. • If a player is beyond the L.O.S when the football is released, or if a 3rd exchange of the football in the air is initiated from behind the L.O.S. an illegal forward pass has occurred and will result in a 5 yard penalty and loss of down. Once the ball has crossed the L.O.S., in the air or in possession of a player, it cannot be passed forward, even if the ball is first returned back across the L.O.S. Interceptions

• All interceptions are 3 points. The ball is dead- it cannot run it back. Team gets possession at the 40 yard line. • If interception is made in the endzone during the extra point, team DOES NOT score 3 point but does get possession at the 40 yard line. Balls Away If the passer is de-flagged before releasing the ball, he has been sacked by the Defense, and the Referee marks the spot until the line judge can cover the spot.

If the passer releases the ball before the defender de-flags them the Referee should yell, “Ball’s Away!” This denotes that the pass attempt has gone forward and may be legally caught. Running

• Once a player receives possession of the ball they become a runner: – Runners may not cover or guard their flags in any way – Runners cannot stiff arm – Runners cannot charge into or bowl over an opponent – Hurdling is not allowed – Spinning is legal Flag Belt Removal

• Players must have possession of the ball before they can legally be de-flagged by an opponent • When a runner loses their flag belt accidentally play will continue • The runner can be ‘downed’ by a one (1) hand touch between the shoulders and knees Marking the End of the Play • The end of the run is spotted where the BALL is when the runner is de-flagged – NOT where the players body is or where the flags are • Since there is no contact and no forced fumbles, a player may reach out with the ball to gain extra yardage Dead Ball The ball becomes dead when: – The runner is de-flagged or tagged – The ball goes out of bounds – Points are scored – The ball hits the ground as a result of an , ‘fumble’, muffed ball, bad snap, lateral, backward pass, etc. – Any part of the runner other than DEAD BALL SIGNAL their hands or feet touches the ground An officials whistle • The ball is considered a part of will always signal the hand that the ball is dead Fumbles

• There are no fumbles in Flag Football

• The ball will be spotted where it contacts the ground

• Failed backward passes that touch the ground are considered fumbles

• A player may not intentionally fumble to gain yards THE BALL WILL BE DECLARED DEAD WHEN IT HITS THE GROUND ON A FUMBLE 10 Yard Penalties

– or Encroachment (Dead Ball) – Illegal Snap (Dead Ball) – (Dead Ball) – Offensive Illegal Motion or Illegal Shift – Player Receiving the snap within 2 yards of the Scrimmage Line – Helping the Runner – (Loss of Down) – Illegal Forward Pass (Loss of Down) 10 Yard Penalties

• Illegal Contact • Flag Guarding • Illegal Player Equipment • Illegal Flag Belt Removal • Personal Fouls • ( Automatic 1st) • Offensive (Loss of Down) • Defensive Pass Interference (Automatic 1st) • • Stiff arm is illegal • Illegal rushing (start from inside 7 yard marker) • Holding – grabbing ball carrier’s clothing which impedes him from advancing the ball Flag Guarding

“Runners shall not flag guard by using their hands, arms, or the ball to deny the opportunity for an opponent to pull or remove the flag belt”

Examples include: – Placing or swinging the hand or arm over the belt – Placing the ball in possession over the flag belt FLAG GUARDING SIGNAL – Lowering the shoulders in such a manner which places the arm over the belt

Penalty: 10 yards from the spot of the foul Screen Block & Illegal Contact

• This is a NON-CONTACT sport, and while there may be incidental contact due to the nature of the sport itself, it is to be avoided as much as possible

• Time and Space are both factors that are considered in determining who is responsible for the contact

• No player may use their hands or arms to gain an advantage on another player Pass Interference

There are two types of Pass Interference:

• Offensive – 10 yards from previous spot + Loss of Down

• Defensive Interference – Anything other than a “bona fide attempt to reach, – 10 yards from previous catch, or bat a pass” spot + Automatic First Down This includes hindering an opponents vision or “face blocking” Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Examples include: • Dissent • Taunting • Spiking or Kicking the ball • Illegal Equipment • Swearing • Deception or Unfair Acts • Certain Personal Fouls UNSPORTSMANLIKE SIGNAL

Unsportsmanlike Conduct is penalized by a loss of 10 yards Player Ejection

• Flagrant Unsportsmanlike Penalties, such as unnecessary roughness and fighting, will result in instant player disqualification

EJECTION SIGNAL Special Penalty Enforcements – Automatic First downs Penalties: = DEFENSE Defensive Pass Interference, Roughing the Passer, Illegally Secured Flag Belt

– Loss of Down Penalties: = OFFENSE – Illegal Forward Pass, Illegally Secured Flag Belt, Offensive Pass Interference, Intentional Grounding

– Roughing the Passer = Succeeding Spot

– Half the Distance - A penalty can never move the ball more than half the distance to any Goal Line, this usually occurs when within either 20YL BALL RESPONSIBILITY

• The offensive team must retrieve the ball after each play from scrimmage. • The more time it takes the offense to get the ball back to the LOS, the more time you waste!