Flag Football Rules 2024 PDF

 ---------------------- ##### **The Basics** - The coach can choose a player to participate in "rock, paper, scissors" to determines first possession. - The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has **four** plays to cross midfield. O...

 ---------------------- ##### **The Basics** - The coach can choose a player to participate in "rock, paper, scissors" to determines first possession. - The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has **four** plays to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has **four** plays to score a touchdown. If the offense fails to score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over on its 5-yard line. - If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive from its 5-yard line. - All possession changes, except interceptions, start on the offense's 5-yard line. - Interceptions may be returned. - The first 20 minutes concluded the first half of the game. There is a pause in play, with 5-minute "Halftime", and the teams will change sides. Possession changes to loser of coin toss unless deferred. - There are no kickoffs - **No Blocking** or "Screening is not allowed at any time. - Teams change sides after the first half. Possession changes to the team that started the game on defense - All team photographers, spectators, fans, etc. are required and must remain a minimum of 10 yards off the field in the designated league viewing area. - Coaches, this is your responsibility to keep your fans and any other team associated members in the designated area. - if a player's flag inadvertently falls off during a play while that player has possession, the player is down immediately and the play ends. The ball is placed where the flag lands. - If a player who has one or no flags in their belt takes possession of the ball, the play is dead at the spot on the field. - A defensive player may not intentionally pull the flags off a player who is not in possession of the ball. - Flag guarding is an attempt by the ball-carrier to obstruct the defender's access to the flags by stiff arming, dropping the head, hand, ball, arm or shoulder or intentionally covering the flags with the football jersey. ###### Players / Game Schedules - Teams must field a minimum of five players at all times. (Coaches discretion, can allow up to 6 players) to be determined at Coach's orientation - Teams consist of 6 -- 10 players. All players **[must play]** at least two quarters/ 20 mins per game. - Roster check will be conducted by the referees before every game. ###### ###### Uniforms - Official NFL FLAG jerseys MUST be tucked in and worn with the belts and flags during play. - Cleats are allowed -- no metal spikes. - Equipment check- both teams must be checked prior to the start of every game at the discretion of the referee. ######  ###### ###### Timing and Overtime - Games are played in 2 / 20 minute halves. The clock stops for halftime, injuries, and the Officials' discretion. - In the event of an injury, the clock will stop then restart when the injured player is removed from the field of play. - Interceptions are returnable in OT, and worth 2 points - If the score is tied at the end of 40 minutes, teams move directly into (an untimed) overtime. The coach can choose a player to participate in "rock, paper, scissors" to determine first overtime possession. The 30-second snap clock still applies, and each team will have one 60-second and one 30-second timeout. The first team to score wins. - Each time the ball is spotted, a team has 30 seconds to snap the ball. Teams will receive one warning before a delay-of-game penalty is enforced. - Each team has one 60-second and one 30-second time-out per half. - Officials can stop the clock at their discretion. ###### ###### Scoring - Touchdown: 6 points - Extra point:\ 1 point (played from 5-yard line) or\ 2 points (played from 12-yard line) - Safety: 2 points - Interceptions returned for scores during regular game play are worth six points, conversions or overtime are worth two points. - The coaches and officials must verify and sign the score card at the end of the game. ###### Running - The quarterback cannot run past the line of scrimmage with the ball. - Pitches, shovel passes, laterals, and direct handoffs behind the line of scrimmage are permitted. If this takes place after the ball carrier crosses the line of scrimmage, the play is to be blown dead by the official. - Offense may use multiple handoffs, shovel, or lateral behind the line of scrimmage is permitted. - "No-running zones" located five yards from each end zone and five yards on either side of midfield are designed to avoid short-yardage, power-running situations. **(Only forward passes, no handoffs)** - The player who takes the handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage. - Once the ball has been handed off, the 7-second passing clock is eliminated and all defensive players are eligible to rush. - Spinning is allowed, but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive player - The ball is **spotted** where the **ball carrier's feet** are when the flag is pulled, not where the ball is. - Runners are not permitted to jump, leap, hurdle, in he officials judgment, while advancing the ball. The play is to be blown dead and ball spotted where it was when they left the ground. - Once the ball is advanced beyond the LOS, the current ball-carrier is the only player allowed to have possession of the ball until the play is dead. - Offensive players in close proximity of the ball-carrier must stop their motion once the ball has crossed the line of scrimmage. No running with the ball-carrier  ###### Receiving - All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage). - As in the NFL, only one player is allowed in motion at a time. - A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception. - Interceptions are returnable ###### Passing - All forms of passes are allowed. - The quarterback has a seven-second "pass clock." If a pass is not thrown within the seven seconds, play is dead, loss of down. Once the ball is handed off, the seven-second rule no longer is in effect. ###### ###### Dead Balls - The ball must be snapped between the legs, not off to one side. - Substitutions may be made on any dead ball. - Play is ruled "dead" when:\ --- Ball carrier's flag is pulled\ --- Ball carrier steps out of bounds\ --- Touchdown or safety is scored\ --- Ball carrier's knee hits the ground\ --- Ball carrier's flag falls out ###### Rushing the Passer/ Quarterback - All players who 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 quarterback. Players not rushing the quarterback may defend on the line of scrimmage. - When rushing the quarterback, the defender is allowed to raise his hand to try and deflect the ball; however, the defender is not allowed to leave his feet **(No Jumping or Leaping)** while trying to deflect the ball. - Once the ball is handed off, the seven-yard rule no longer is in effect, and all defenders may go behind the line of scrimmage. A special marker, or the referee, will designate seven yards from the line of scrimmage. Remember, no blocking or tackling is allowed. - A sack occurs if the quarterback's glags are pulled behind the line of scrimmage. The ball will be spotted where possession of the ball is once the flag is pulled. - A Safety is awarded if the sack takes place in the offensive team's end zone. ######  ###### ###### UnSportsmanlike Conduct - If the field monitor or referee witnesses any acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player will be ejected from the game. FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. - Defensive players are allowed to dive in attempt to pull a flag as long as it does not impede with the offensive players ability to run and as long as there is no physical contact with the offensive player's body. - The officials will determine if a warning or immediate ejection is warranted. - Unsportsmanlike conduct penalties: - Defense + 10 yards from line of scrimmage and automatic first down - Offense -10 yards from line of scrimmage and loss of down - Two (2) unsportsmanlike penalties on any player or coach in a game is automatic disqualification from that game and may lead to additional discipline. - Trash talking is illegal. Officials have the right to determine offensive language. (Trash talk is talk that may be offensive to officials, opposing players, teams, or spectators.) If trash talking occurs, the referee will give one warning. If it continues, the player(s) or parents/fans will be ejected from the game. If a coach is consistently unruly and has already been warned, the officials has the authority to forfeit the game and a loss will be applied to the (unruly coach's) team's record. - Taunting examples are "throwing up the peace sign while running or laughing at the defensive team. (Nothing directed to defense.) - Touch down celebration with team is OK  **Penalties** - All penalties will be called by the referee. **Defense:**\ Offsides\ Five yards and automatic first down\ \ Interference\ 10 yards and automatic first down\ \ Illegal contact (holding, blocking, etc.)\ 10 yards and automatic first down\ \ Illegal FLAG pull (before receiver has ball)\ 10 yards and automatic first down\ \ Illegal rushing (starting rush from inside 6-yard marker)\ 10 yards and automatic first down **Offense:**\ Illegal motion (more than one person moving, false start, etc.)\ Five yards and loss of down\ \ Illegal forward pass (pass thrown beyond line of scrimmage)\ Five yards and loss of down\ \ Offensive pass interference (illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender)\ 10 yards and loss of down\ \ FLAG guarding\ 10 yards (from line of scrimmage) and loss of down\ \ Delay of game\ Clock stops, 10 yards and loss of down\ \ Referees determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play. All penalties will be assessed from the line of scrimmage.\ \ Only the team captain may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations. Players cannot question judgment calls.\ \ Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it. ###### ###### ######  ###### [TINY TOTS LEAGUE ONLY] - Each team will field a maximum of 6 players. (Must have a minimum of 5 players on the field to avoid forfeit.) - Games are 40 minutes, with two 20-minute halves played in 10-minute quarters. - No timeouts, except for injury. The clock runs until halftime and then to end of the game. - Each team will play one quarter on offense and one quarter on defense ***per half***. - After half-time, players who were primarily on one side of the ball (i.e. offense) will start on the opposite side of the ball (i.e. defense). - Substitutions are permitted when the ball is called dead (see "Dead Balls" above). HOWEVER, each player should play on both offense and defense during the game. - No fumbled snaps will be called. - Staff will keep the time clock. (NO SCORE WILL BE KEEP) - All other Flag Football rules above remain in effect. ###### ######  ###### [Field of Play Diagram]