GENERAL FLAG FOOTBALL RULES

Governed By NIRSA Flag Football

BASIC GAME PROCEDURES:

1. The game consists of two fifteen minute halves.
2. There will be 3 minutes between halves.
3. Each team is permitted two, 1-minute time-outs per half.
4. The clock will run continuously, except during the last two minutes of each half and on timeouts. The clock will stop for incomplete passes, penalties, out-of-bounds and first downs during final two minutes of each half.

 PLAYERS:

1. Seven players compose a team.  A team may not start or continue with less than six players.
2. You must have four players within a yard of the line of scrimmage.

 EQUIPMENT:

1. Footballs, flags, and pinneys will be provided
2. Teams may wear there own jerseys provided they are the same color
3. Teams may use their own ball as long as it is regulation size, but are responsible to bring it out on their own offensive series.
4. Flags must be worn OUTSIDE all clothing and placed on the side of the hip. Shirts must be tucked.
5. It is recommended that no one wear belt loops or pockets for safety reasons.  The supervisor reserves the right to suspend play if they feel that a players dress is in conflict of the rules.
6. Billed hats or any headwear containing knots are not allowed
7. Gym shoes or football shoes may be worn (turf shoes). No metal cleats.
8. No jewelry will be allowed (supervisors discretion).
9. Knee pads allowed, padding above the waist is prohibited

 TIE GAME:

1. Pre-game will consist of a captain’s meeting and a coin toss.
2. The ball will be started on the 10 yard line(or the top of the numbers) to start the game and after touchdowns, safeties, and at the start of each half
3. Overtime: each team will have four attempts from the 10 yard line. Teams may go for one, two, or three point conversions after a score. This will continue until one team gains an advantage. Teams will have one timeout in the overtime period; timeouts do not carry over.  OT in the regular season will last 5 minutes; there will be not time limit in the playoffs.

 STARTING THE GAME:

1. Possession at the start of the game will be decided by a coin toss.
2. Team choosing possession shall put the ball into play on the 10 yard line.
3. There are no kickoffs in flag football.
4. The ball must be snapped between the center’s legs or from the side of the snapper. The snap must go to a player lined up at least two yards in the backfield.  No direct snaps.  

 PUNTING:

1. A punt must be declared by the punting team - NO FAKE PUNTS!!! A team can only change its mind after a penalty or timeout.
2. The defense may not rush the punter.
3. The punt must be executed within five seconds.
4. The punting team cannot move until the ball is kicked
5. A punted ball that hits the ground may be advanced, but it must be fielded cleanly or it will be ruled dead.
6. If the ball is touched before it hits the ground it is a dead ball.

 DEAD BALL:

1. All fumbled balls are immediately declared dead when they touch the ground. Ball can not be fumbled forward for a gain.
2. The referee shall declare any dropped ball dead as soon as it comes in contact with the ground.  This includes the snap from the center.
3. The ball is declared dead when the flag is removed from the player carrying the ball, when the ball carrier goes out of bounds, when any part of a players body touches the ground except the hand, or if the flag falls from the ball carrier’s belt.
4. If a ball carriers flag accidentally falls off during play he will be ruled down by one hand touch.

 SAFETY:

1. If the offensive player is downed in the endzone or if the ball is fumbled into the endzone, it is declared a safety and the defense is awarded two points.
2. After a safety, the scoring team puts the ball into play on the 10 yard line.

 SUBSTITUTION:

1. Free substitution is in effect, but the player must report to the huddle (can’t sneak on from the sideline).

 FIRST DOWNS:

1. A team has 4 downs to advance the ball to the next zone.

 PASSING:

1. All players are eligible to receive the ball.
2. The ball may be thrown backwards, sideways or forward if the ball is behind the line of scrimmage.
3. Only one forward pass is permitted on each play.
4. Backward laterals are legal anywhere on the field.
5. Receivers must have one foot in bounds while in possession of the ball.
6. A player who steps out of bounds and returns to the playing field is ineligible to receive the ball.

 BLOCKING:

1. Offensive screen blocking shall take place without contact. The screen blocker shall have his/her hands and arms at his/her side or behind his/her back.
2. Any use of arms, elbows, or legs to initiate contact during an offensive player’s screen block is illegal.
3. A player must be on his feet, before, during, and after screen blocking.
4. No charging into offensive blockers, the defense must make every attempt to go around the offense

 BALL IN PLAY:

Once the official places the ball on the line of scrimmage and signals that it is ready for play, the offensive team has a maximum of 25 seconds to snap the ball. No direct hand off snaps allowed.

 PULLING THE FLAG:

1. In an attempt to remove the flag, the defensive player may not hold, push, tackle, or knock the ball carrier down.  The defensive player must always be going for the flag.
2. When the flag is removed it should be immediately held up in the air to aid the official in marking the ball.
3. If  the ball carrier’s flag falls off on its own without being pulled, then the defense must tag the ball carrier with one hand for the carrier to be marked down.
4. A defender may leave his or her feet to deflag the ball carrier
5. The defense may not remove a flag from a player not in possession of the ball. (10 yrd penalty)
6. The ball will be spotted where the ball is when the flag is pulled.

 BALL CARRIERS:

1. The ball carrier must run with the flag unprotected. They can not use their arm, hand or ball to deny the defense the opportunity to deflag them.
2. No stiff arming.
3. The ball carrier may not leave his feet to hurdle a defensive player, but may jump or move his/her hips to avoid a flag pull as long as he/she doesn’t obstruct his/her flag.
4. The ball carrier may not dive or attempt to run through the defensive player.
5. The ball carrier may dive for a touchdown or first down.

 RECEPTIONS:

1. The pass is a free ball.
2. A defender may not bump, push, hold, trip or illegally face guard (only applies to a catchable ball) a receiver regardless if the pass is able to be caught.

 NEUTRAL ZONE:

• There will be a one yard separation between the offensive line of scrimmage (point of the ball) and the defensive line of scrimmage. No player may penetrate the neutral zone until the ball is snapped or encroachment will be called.

 MOTION:

• Only one player may be in motion, and the motion may not be towards the line of scrimmage.

 FALSE START:

• Offensive players (except the player in motion)must be stationary in their positions without movement of the feet, body, head, or arms for at least one full second before the snap.
• Only one man may be in motion at a time.
• Line players shifting backwards to gain more ground on rushing defenders before the ball is snapped will be flagged and whistled for a false start.

 CAPTAIN:

1. A team shall have a designated captain
2. All discussions, questions, and decisions shall be made by the designated captain only.
3. If another player has a question or comment, it should be discussed with the captains.

 CONDUCT:

1. Any player or coach involved in unsportsmanlike physical or verbal conduct with the officials or intramural personnel shall be ejected from further competition.
2. Failure of the captain to keep players under control shall result in a forfeit.
3. No swearing or taunting!

 STANDINGS:

• Playoff births may vary depending on the number of teams in the divisions and league.  Usually we take half of the teams- Record. Sportsmanship.

 SCORING:

1. A touchdown counts for six points.
2. 3-pont conversion-try from 20 yd line
3. 2-point conversion-try from 10yd line
4. 1-point conversion-try from 3yd line
5. A safety counts for two points.
6. Defensive return on a conversion is two points

• A team must declare after scoring whether or not they want to attempt a one, two, or three point conversion.

 INADVERTENT WHISTLE:

• If the official accidentally blows the whistle, the offensive team has the option of taking the play over again or taking the ball where it was when the whistle was blown.

 PENALTIES:

• Penalties not covered on the following page will be in accordance with NIRSA football rules.

 Loss of five yards:

• Illegal equipment (Jewelry, pockets, metal cleats)
• Delay of game
• Illegal procedure
• Encroachment
• Illegal Formation
• Illegal Motion
• Illegal flag placement
• Illegal forward pass (loss of down)
• Too many players on the field
• Unfair tactics(illegal substitution)
• False Start
• Illegal snap

 Loss of 10 yards:

• Illegal use of hands, holding, hooking, etc. (offensive or defensive)
• Illegal block
• Offensive pass interference (loss of down)
• Defensive pass interference (Automatic First Down)
• Tripping
• Intentional grounding [any ball thrown, in attempt to avoid a sack, that is not within 10 yards of a receiver](loss of down)
• Stiff-arming or flag guarding
• Roughing the passer [any hitting or stripping of the quarterbacks arm, either before or after the ball is released] (Automatic First down)
• Tackling (possible ejection)
• Illegal removal of flag
• Unnecessary roughness
• Unsportsmanlike Conduct
• Hurdling
• Offensive diving with contact
•  Loss of 10 yards and ejection:
• Fighting
• Securing flag illegally (Loss of Down)
• Unsportsmanlike conduct directed at the officials, supervisor or opponent
• Flagrant contact
• Tackling