FLAG FOOTBALL RULES
Game Protocols
1. Games consist of two 20-minute running clock halves with a 5-minute halftime. The clock only stops for timeouts and injuries. The play clock is 25 seconds.
2. Each team has three timeouts per game.
3. All players must wear shorts with no pockets and can NOT be the same color as their flags.
4. Jerseys must be tucked in at all times.
5. All players must have mouthguards.
6. Flag belts must be worn properly with flags on the side and may NOT be tied to prevent an easy flag pull.
7. At the start of each game, captains from both teams meet at midfield for the coin toss to determine who starts with the ball. The visiting team calls the toss.
8. The winner of the coin toss has the choice of offense or defense. The loser of the coin toss has the choice of direction.
9. The team that started on offense in the first half will start the second half on defense.
10. The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has four (4) downs to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has three (3) downs to score a touchdown.
11. Teams may only earn a first down via crossing midfield once during each series.
12. If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, on 3 downs, and elect to “punt” on 4th down, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive from its own 5-yard line. If the offensive team goes for it on 4th (3rd if across midfield) and does NOT convert, the opposing team will start its possession from the dead
ball spot.
13. Game balls must be a real, inflated footballs with seams and must be leather, rubber, or similar material. No sponge footballs allowed.
14. There is no overtime in the regular season.
15. If a coach or player receives two unsportsmanlike penalties he or she will automatically be removed for the remainder of the game.
16. Fighting will not be tolerated anyone fighting will be suspended for the following week game up to the remainder of the season
Offensive Rules
1. Center must snap the ball between their legs in one rapid, continuous motion.
2. Quarterback can NOT run with the ball unless the ball has been handed off at least once with a clear change of possession.
3. Only direct handoffs behind the line of scrimmage are permitted. Multiple handoffs are allowed, but no laterals or pitches are allowed anywhere on the field.
4. No handoffs are allowed when the ball has been passed, or the ball is in the NO RUN ZONE.
5. Any player taking a handoff may pass from behind the LOS.
6. All players are eligible to receive passes, including the QB if the ball has been handed off.
7. Only one player may be in motion and may NOT be moving toward the LOS.
8. Receivers must have one foot clearly in bounds for a reception.
9. All passes must be received with the ball clearly beyond the LOS.
10. Quarterback has a seven second pass clock. If seven seconds expires, the play is blown dead and treated as an incomplete pass.
11. Ball is spotted where the ball is when the flag is pulled or falls out, including out of bounds and line to gain.
12. Any player who jumps or dives when running with the ball will be called for flag guarding.
13. Flag guarding is any attempt by the ball-carrier to obstruct the defender’s access to the flags.
14. NO RUN ZONES are located 5-yards before midfield and before the end zone). Teams can NOT run the ball in any fashion. All plays must be pass plays. Infraction will be 5 yards from the previous spot and loss of down.
15. Ball is dead if the player with the ball falls, has their flag pulled, or the ball hits the ground.
16. There are no fumbles. If fumbled, the ball placed at the spot where it hits the ground.
17. No offensive player may impede the rusher through blocking or moving in front of the rusher, and short passing routes that impede the rusher are NOT allowed.
18. There is no intentional grounding.
Defense
1. All players who rush must be a minimum of 7 yards from the LOS when the ball is snapped.
2. Once the ball is handed off, the 7-yard rule is no longer in effect and all defenders may rush.
3. Once the ball is handed off, the 7 second passing clock is no longer in effect.
4. Defensive players may dive to pull flags.
5. Defensive player may NOT hold, block, bump & run guard, or wrap a player to pull a flag.
6. Defenders may NOT run through the ball carrier when pulling flags.
7. It is illegal to attempt a strip, or to pull the ball from a player.
Scoring
1. Touchdown is 6 points.
2. PAT 1pt (pass only) from the 5-yard line, 2pts (run or pass) from the 10-yard line.
a. Extra points that are returned to opposite end zone equals 2pts.
3. Safety 2 pts when the ball is dead in the offensive team’s end zone.
4. Mercy rule after a team is leading by 28 or more points.
a. Losing team starts all offensive drives at midfield.
b. Winning team starts all drives at their own 5.
c. Winning team may NOT rush and may NOT return interceptions.
d. Winning team’s defense must be at minimum 7-yards from the LOS.
e. Once the score difference is less than 28 points, the Mercy rule is no longer in effect.
Penalties
1. All Defensive penalties will be 5-yards and an automatic first down. Defensive penalties include, but are not
limited to:
- Illegal Rushing, Illegal Contact, Illegal Flag pull
- Pass Interference
- Offsides and Encroachment
2. All Offensive penalties will be 5-yards and a loss of down. Offensive penalties include, but are not limited
to:
- Illegal Snap, Illegal Handoff, Illegal Forward Pass, Illegal Motion
- Flag Guarding (including jumping or diving).
- Impeding the Defensive Rusher
- NO RUN Zone violation
3. Dead ball penalties will be a 5-yard penalty with no loss of down. Delay of game penalties include, but are not limited to:
- Delay of Game
- False Start
4. Unsportsmanlike penalties will be determined by the referee and can be assessed as a warning, a 10-yard penalty and loss of down/automatic first down, ejection, or any combination of the aforementioned. Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated.
5. If the offense’s live ball foul occurs after the ball carrier crosses the midfield line to gain, the penalty is enforced from spot of the foul and the result of enforcement determines down to play.
6. If a loss of down penalty occurs on a 4th down (3rd if across midfield), it is a turnover on downs at the spot of the foul.