Flag Football
Rules
All league fees must be paid in full prior to the start of
the third game. If a team’s balance is
not paid in full the team will not be permitted to play.
Each team prior to the start of the third to last game must
complete teams Rosters. Rosters are open
but players may play for one (1) and only one team per session. All players must play in a minimum of three
games in regular season play to be eligible for playoffs. Rosters are limited to 20 players in the “A”
Division and 25 players in the “B” Division.
If the opposing team captain challenges another player’s
eligibility it can be done any time during the game. Coach/manager must go to
the scorekeeper or football director and make a formal protest. After the game concludes, the director of the
league along with the referee will determine the player’s eligibility and make
a determination, not necessarily the same night and report the determination to
the teams involved. The game will not be
stopped and will continue to play. Any
team that has an illegal player will forfeit automatically. The on-site manager will hold roster forms.
Forfeits:
If a team is not on the field after an elapsed time of ten
(10) minutes, that team will forfeit. A
team that forfeits and still wants to play by picking up other players (only
players on other in-house teams) may do so, only if they pay the referee fee
before the start of the game and the other team agrees to play. The game is still a forfeit. The teams only get the time remaining on the
clock to play.
A forfeit will result if a team has fielded less than 6
players. The result is an 6-0 win for the opponent.
If both of the teams forfeit, the result will be a 0-0 tie.
The league reserves the right to suspend any player/team for
any misconduct. The Sports Centers
league officials will judge each case independently.
Rule 1 – The Game, uniforms, and officials:
The Game:
a)
The game of flag football shall be played between 2
teams of 7 players each on a rectangular field with an official football.
1. The set up of the offensive team is as
follows:
1 passer,
two blockers, & 4 eligible receivers
2. The set up of the defensive team is as
follows:
2 rushers and 5 defenders off the line of scrimmage.
3. Lineman may only move on the snap of the
football and defensive lineman must be lined up on the outside shoulder
b)
The duration of the game will be 45 minutes running
time. There will be a two minute
warning and stop time at the end of the game only. The ball shall be put in play within 25
seconds after it is declared ready for play (the referee will warn teams at ten
seconds remaining on the play clock).
Please see mercy rules for other information.
c)
If at any time the difference between teams is
greater than 16 points the clock will run the last 2 minutes of the game.
d)
Each team will be allotted three (3) time-outs per
game.
e)
Overtime. In
season, each team gets ball from midfield one (1) time with chance to
score. If still tied game ends.
f)
Playoffs. Same
as season but continue until one team has scored and other hasn’t.
Rule 2 - Uniforms:
Each team must be in uniform as follows:
1.
Shirts must be of the same color
2.
Shirts must have numbers or no stats will be taken
until the entire team is outfitted in numbered jerseys
3.
Following the conclusion of the second game, all
teams must have matching colored jerseys.
4.
Players will be ineligible for the playoffs with a
matching colored jersey and number. If
not, they must check in with the scorekeeper prior to the game.
5.
Shirt must be tucked inside the pants
6.
No jewelry
7.
Offensive / Defensive lineman are not permitted to wear
flags
8.
Supervision – The game shall be played under the
supervision of 2 officials, the duties of the officials are as follows:
a. General
oversight
b. Control of
the game
c. Sole
authorities for the score
d. Sole judge
of forfeiture of game
e. Sole
authorities for the playoff structure-tie breakers will be as follows: (1) head to head (2) least points scored
against (3) point differential (4) coin toss
Rule 3 – Ball in play, dead ball, out of bounds
A live ball becomes a dead ball as provided in the rules or when
an official blows his whistle (even though inadvertently). The ball is declared dead:
1.
When it goes out of bounds or when it and the ball carriers flags touch
or cross the goal line.
2.
When any part of the ball carriers body (other than a hand or foot)
touches the ground.
3.
When any points are scored
4.
A failed PAT
5.
When a backward pass or fumble hits the ground
6.
Any snap that hits the ground
7.
The ball shall be put in play within 25 seconds after it is declared
ready for play (the referee will warn teams at ten seconds remaining on the
play clock).
Rule 4 – First Downs
1.
A team, in possession of the ball, shall have four consecutive downs to
advance the ball to midfield.
2.
If a team reaches midfield in the given 4 downs they are given another 4
downs to reach the end zone.
3.
If a team does not reach midfield in the allotted 4 downs the defensive
team is awarded possession of the ball at the line of scrimmage.
4.
A personal foul on the defense will result in an automatic first down.
Rule 5 – Scrimmage, snapping, and passing the ball
1. The snapper,
after assuming the position for the snap may not move the ball until the ball
is subsequently snapped.
2.
Any movement will result in a 4-yard penalty.
3.
The offensive blockers must be within two yards of the line of
scrimmage.
4.
The defensive players must be one yard back of the line of scrimmage at
the beginning of each play and may not advance until the ball is snapped. They must cross the line of scrimmage and
rush after the ball is snapped.
5.
Only eligible players may receive a forward pass.
6.
Only ends and backs are eligible to touch or catch a pass.
7.
An offensive player who voluntarily goes out-of-bounds during a passing down
loses eligibility until an opponent or teammate has touched the ball. A violation of this rule is a loss of down
and a 4-yard penalty.
8.
Illegal Forward pass is also a loss of down penalty.
a. Passer is beyond
the line of scrimmage.
b. If
intentionally thrown to the ground or out-of-bounds. There is no intentional grounding.
9.
A pass is complete when the receiver has control of ball and one foot is
in bounds or when he has control and one knee is in bounds. Knee=one foot.
10. A snap must be behind the line, a snap
forward will result in a 4 yd penalty and loss of down.
11. In order to use the “Wildcat Offensive Set”
with a quarterback and running back in the backfield for a direct snap to the
running back; the running back must line up no farther than the outside
shoulder of the offensive lineman. In
this case, only the 2 lineman may rush in.
If the back is lined up outside the offensive lineman’s shoulders than
an immediate rush by more than two is allowed.
Rule 6 – Scoring
1. Touchdown = 6 points
2. PAT (pass) = 2 points
3. PAT (run) = 1 point
4. Safety = 2 points
5. Return PAT = 2 points
In order for a touchdown / extra point to count the ball and
both flags must cross the goal line.
Rule 7 – Conduct of Players and Others Subject To The Rules
1.
Whenever, in the judgment of any game official, the following acts are
deliberate or flagrant, the player shall be ejected from the game:
a. Using fists,
kicking or kneeing.
b. Using locked
hands, elbows or any part of your forearm.
c. Tackling the ball
carrier as in regulation football.
d. Striking the
opponent above the shoulders.
e. Any other
deliberate or flagrant act.
f. Striking the ball in
order to knock it out of the ball carrier’s hand.
2.
There shall be no unsportsmanlike like conduct including:
a. Abusive language
or taunting-first offense is a warning for the team, second is a penalty and
third is an ejection of the player.
b. Any acts of
unfair play.
c. Any person on
the field of play at any time without the permission of the official.
d. Using a “hide
out play” by placing a player or players near the sideline attempting to
deceive the opposing team.
e. Attempting to
substitute a suspended player.
f. Pulling or
removing the flag from an offensive player that does not have the ball.
3.
Personal Fouls
a. No player
shall block in a manner that would cause his feet, knees or legs to strike an
opponent. All blocking shall be done
with the feet in contact with the ground.
b. There shall be
no high-low blocking
c. There shall be
no tripping; there shall be no clipping.
d. The ball
carrier shall not deliberately run into a defensive player or lower their
shoulder.
e. No defensive
player shall deliberately knock the ball carrier out of bounds.
4.
Use of hands
a. Helping the
runner.
b. The offensive
team will not be prohibited from obstructing an opponent with extended hand or
arm.
c. The ball
carrier cannot “stiff arm” a defensive player attempting to deflag
him.
d. The ball
carrier cannot protect the flags by blocking with arms or hands the opportunity
of an opponent to pull or remove a flag.
e. Defensive holding
of the ball carrier: Defenders may not
have one hand, arm or shoulder fixed on the ball carrier while attempting to deflag him.
f. The defensive
player shall not hold, grasp, or obstruct forward progress of a ball carrier
when in the act of removing a flag. If
he is the last man between the Runner and goal line a touchdown will be
awarded.
5.
Blocking: Blockers must be on
feet when blocking.
a. Blockers hands may
not be locked.
b. Blockers may not
swing, throw or flip elbow, forearm or fist.
c. No blocking
below the waist.
d. Cross body
blocking is illegal.
e. No downfield
blocking is permitted. All players must
remain stationary.
6.
Ineligible offensive player is one who:
a. Was
originally ineligible (Offensive lineman – not permitted to wear flags).
b. Loses his eligibility
by going out of bounds and being the first one to touch it.
Rule 8 - Summary of Penalties:
1. The following
penalties are spot fouls
a. Flag Guarding
b. Downfield Blocking
c. Stiff Arming
2.
The following penalties are a loss of 4 yards
a. Delay of game
b. Starting play before the ball is declared
ready for play.
c. False Start
d. Helping the runner
e. Defensive Holding
f. Flag guarding
3.
The following penalties are a loss of 8 yards.
a. Offensive pass interference.
b. Defensive pass interference.
c. Striking, kicking, kneeing, elbowing.
d. Unsportsmanlike conduct,
e. Tripping.
f. Running into the opposing player.
g. Illegal use of the hands.
h. Stiff-arm.
4. The following
penalties are a loss of 4 yards plus loss of down
a. Illegal forward
pass (past the line of scrimmage)
b. Illegal pass to a
lineman
Rule 9 - Mercy Rule (irregardless of who has possession of
the ball):
45 pts. @ 20
minutes
25 pts. @ 10
minutes
The game will continue until the allotted time for the game
is completed or the game is deemed dangerous by the referees – no stats will be
kept at this point.
Rule 10 – 2 Minute Warning
Updated