5v5 FLAG FOOTBALL INDOOR RULES ALL ELIGIBLE Overview: 5 Players per side, less than 4 will result in forfeit. You may start with 4 players First downs by crossing the center line. Team areas- all coaches and players must be inside the players respective benches o Coaches are allowed on the field when in a huddle. Coaches should then retreat to the side boards as not to impede the upcoming play. All rosters are final after the 3rd game: max roster is 12 players All players must have played in 3 regular season games to be eligible for playoff games All teams must be in matching uniforms with numbers All jerseys must be tucked into pants. Any player whose jersey is covering their flag or flags that are worn backwards will be penalized for flag guarding. Players may wear cleats or turf shoes. The game clock will start at the designated time. Any team without four (4) players at their designated game time will be given a 5 minute grace period. If the minimum number of players arrive, the game will begin with the late team penalized 10 points. Otherwise, the game will be forfeited and the score will be recorded at 10-0. Punting: All punts are declared. Punts will result in ball being placed at opposite side of field. o Ball spotted above circle, 1 yd Extra Points: Extra Point options: 2 points 5 yds from top of circle and 1 point from top of the circle. Defense may intercept the ball and run it back for 2 points. Rules About the Clock: Game consists of two 25 minute halves with stopped clock in the last minute of SECOND half. NFL time keeping will be utilized in that minute. Clock will stop on incomplete passes, out of bounds, scoring, change of possessions, and time outs. No clock stoppage if score is 21 points or more difference (Mercy Rule). Clock will stop to assess a penalty in the last minute of the game if mercy rule is not in effect, however the clock will start once the penalty has been assessed and the ball is set and ready to play. 30 seconds play clock is in effect throughout the entire game. Each team will have 3 timeouts to utilize per game. Timeouts are used just to stop clock, play clock resumes for next play right away. Half time is 1 minute long. Tie Games (PLAY-OFFS ONLY): NFL Style overtime rules apply. Each team gets an opportunity to posses the ball from midfield with 4 downs to score. o If, after both teams posses the ball and no one scores on first possession game becomes sudden death. o Interceptions can be returned for touchdowns o No game clock (Play Clock still enforced) Special Rules: Offense must have 3 players on the line of scrimmage. QB has 5 seconds to throw ball or run past line of scrimmage. o One official should be counting aloud so players can hear. The ball is dead where it hits the ground. No Fumbles. Offensive players must allow clear path to QB for rushing defender o Results in illegal contact penalty o If defensive player deviates from straight path to initiate contact, penalty is on defender o Defender cannot initiate contact When a receiver makes a diving catch, he can get up and advance the ball unless he is touched by a defensive player. If a player inadvertently loses a flag or belt, he is downed when he is touched. All players must have flags on and worn correctly on each hip. No diving to advance the ball forward when in possession. Players cannot become airborne at any time while in possession of the ball (no hurdle). Ball carrier is down when the ball touches the ground. Inadvertent whistles: play is blown dead. Ball is spotted at most forward foot or replay of the down. Ball is spotted where the flag is pulled, not the ball. For a touchdown, ball and both flags must break the plane. ALL PLAYERS MUST KEEP THEIR SHIRTS TUCKED IN THEIR PANTS, OR THE REF CAN RULE YOU DOWN! Team Captain is only player who can approach the referee with any issues that may arise. If confronting an official, do so in a calm and collected manner. If a player besides team captain confronts an official they will be penalized unsportsmanlike conduct. Equipment & Uniforms: Cleats or turf shoes may be worn All teams must have matching uniforms with numbers. No caps with extended bills. Offensive Rules: 5 v 5 - Quarterback, Center, and three wide receivers Must have 3 players on the line of scrimmage including center All offensive players are considered eligible receivers Quarterback can run the ball at anytime, exceptions below. o Quarterback cannot run when within 5 yds of first down or end zone . QB may rush in these zones if rushed by defender A quarterback may toss it backwards as a lateral to a teammate. That player may then make a forward pass. o This also eliminates the 5 second count to throw or run past the line of scrimmage . If in a no run zone, the QB or player receiving the “lateral” cannot run unless rushed; ball must be passed otherwise Once the ball is caught or run past the line of scrimmage all offensive players must stop; no form of blocking allowed. Downfield players should have hands at their sides If an offensive player in possession of the ball comes in contact with the field walls, play is dead. (ruled as if player runs out of bounds) o Boards are IN BOUNDS ONLY in the ENDZONE Offensive player(s) must not impede the progress of defensive rusher at any point. Defensive Rules: Defender must line up minimum of 5 yards (7 yds for youth) off the line of scrimmage to be eligible to rush the quarterback. o Defenders within 5 yd (7yd for youth) rush zone may rush in once ball is handed off, thrown forward at any point, or pitched behind the line of scrimmage No slapping at the ball when it is in the ball carrier’s hands. PENALTY: Unsportsmanlike Conduct- 7 yards & automatic 1st down The defender cannot use contact to break up a pass. PENALTY: Illegal Contact- 3 yards & automatic 1st down There is no jamming/contact/tackling at any point. Don’t make contact with the passer above his waist under any circumstances. GO FOR HIS FLAG. PENALTY: 7 yards & automatic 1st down. No defensive holding. PENALTY: 3 yards from the end of the run OR 3 yards from the line of scrimmage and repeat down. No tackling. PENALTY: 7 yards and the play. No pushing ball carrier “out of bounds” PENALTY: roughing – 7 yards & automatic 1st down. Pushing or forcibly engaging a player into the boards will result in automatic game ejection and unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Rusher(s) must have a clear path to the QB when rushing. o Players running routes cannot come into contact with eligible rushers at any point Guarding the Flag Belt: Runner shall not flag guard using their hands, arms, or the ball to deny the opportunity for an opponent to pull the flag. PENALTY: 3 Yards and loss of down. Flag Guarding includes: a. Swinging the hand or arm over the flag to prevent an opponent from de-flagging. b. Placing the ball in possession over the flag to prevent an opponent from de-flagging c. Lowering the shoulders in such a manner that the defender is shielded from the flag d. Holding the flag or belt with the off hand e. Stiff arming or running directly into the defender (bulling) carries a 7 yard penalty and loss of down. f. Inverted flags are an unsportsmanlike foul, 7 yards from previous spot & loss of down Penalties: 3 yard penalties include: (motion, off sides, encroachment, defensive holding, flag guarding) 5 yard penalties include: (illegal block, illegal contact) 7 yard penalties include: (roughing the passer, unsportsmanlike conduct) Head referee can overturn calls by the other officials. Verbal abuse of the officials will not be tolerated. WE WILL HAVE A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY ON THAT MATTER. LEAGUE FINES AND/OR SUSPENSIONS WILL BE GIVEN. Fighting will not be tolerated. If 1 player from your team is involved in a skirmish, he will immediately be ejected from the game. If 2 or more players are involved in a skirmish/wrestling or shoving match, then the entire team will be ejected from the game. In both cases it would be up to the league administrators to decide what the proper punishment would be. Punishment will automatically result in minimum 3 week suspension. If any player/coach bumps/assaults/or contacts a referee or league administrator, his team will forfeit all remaining games and all money will be forfeited as a result of the action. Racial and religious remarks will not be tolerated. Players guilty will be ejected immediately. We reserve the right to suspend any player or team for unsportsmanlike conduct. Penalties: Offensive holding 3 yards Offensive off sides 3 yards Illegal Motion 3 yards Defensive offside’s 3 yards Illegal QB Run (Within 5yd Zones) 3 yards – loss of down Offensive pass interference 5 yards – Repeat down Defensive pass interference Automatic 1st down @ spot in the end zone- Placed @ 1 yard Spiking the ball 3 yards Defensive holding 3 yards or 3 yards from line of scrimmage and repeat down Illegal chuck 3 yards Hurdling 7 yards Bulling 7 yards Diving 7 yards No Attempt for flag (push out of bounds into boards) 7 yards – 1st down- offender ejected Roughing the Quarterback 7 yards – 1st down Flag guarding 3 yards spot foul – loss of down Straight arm 7 yards Intentional grounding 3 yards from spot- loss of down – safety in the end zone Too many men on the field 3 yards Unsportsmanlike conduct 7 yards Flagrant foul 7 yards (ejection at referee discretion) .