Simple Flag Football Rules

  1. All passes must be forward and received beyond the line of scrimmage

  2. Direct hand-offs, laterals and pitches are permitted

  3. The quarterback has seven-second pass clock to get rid of the ball

  4. The quarterback can’t run with the ball unless rushed or it was handed off first

  5. Offensive players must steer clear of the rusher and may not get in his/her way

  6. Any defensive player lined up seven yards off the line of scrimmage is eligible to rush

  7. If the ball is handed off, any defender may rush

  8. Interceptions are returnable (even on extra point attempts)

  9. The ball is dead when it hits the ground, the offensive player’s flag is pulled from their belt, the ball-carrier steps out of bounds, or the ball-carrier’s body—outside of their hands or feet—touches the ground

  10. All offensive flag football penalties result in a loss of down and yardage

  11. All defensive flag football penalties result in an automatic first down and some are associated with yardage

 

Detailed Flag Football Rules

Start of Match

  1. Players must check in at registration table / Roster Submitted prior to start of match

    1. Teams face penalties for violations

  2. Teams line up shoulder to shoulder in middle of field facing each other

  3. 1 Captain from each team selected to ROCK PAPER SCISSORS for who receives the ball, the winner chooses:

    1. 1st Possession

    2. Ball at 1/2 time

  4. Fees / Tuition must be paid prior to competing

    1. Teams face penalties for violations

  5. Waivers must be fully completed and submitted by each player prior to competing

Sportsmanship Grades

Players or teams who receive a negative grade will have:

  1. A meeting with league commissioner

  2. Points deducted from their final score

  3. face possible suspension or expulsion from the league

3 = EXCEPTIONAL

2 = GOOD

1 = WARNING / NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

0 = UNSATISFACTORY (

Jerseys / Uniforms

  1. Teams must have jerseys with numbers and matching or similar colors (Private Teams)

  2. Teams must use the same flags when competing

  3. Shirts must be tucked in the entire game

  4. Flags must be on players hips

  5. No jewelry

  6. No pockets with Shorts

  7. Players must wear mouthpiece the entire game or purchase one from the League Commissioner

Clock / Time

  1. The clock runs continuously except for timeouts or injuries.

  2. Each team receives 2 timeouts per half.

    1. 1 minute per timeout

  3. 21 Minute Halves / -

    1. Two (2) Total Quarters / 1/2s (All Ages)

    2. Four (4) Minute 1/2 Time

  4. The offense has 25 seconds to start a play to avoid a delay of game penalty

Game Play

7v7 / 5v5

Offense —

  1. No flag guarding, or stiff arming

  2. The quarterback has 7 seconds to throw the ball before loss of down

  3. Team have 4 downs to reach the midway point of the field / 50 yard line for a 1st down

    1. After reaching a 1st down / midway point of the field teams have 4 more downs to score a touchdown

  4. No forward lateral passes, the quarterback may only throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage

  5. On non-turnover change of possessions teams will receive the ball on their own 5 yard line

Pass Only Zones

  • 5 yards before or after 1st down marker / midway point of field

  • 5 Yards before touchdown

Defense —

  1. Only 1 flag must be removed to stop player progress

  2. No holding, tackling, or pressing

  3. Must rush the quarterback only from behind the rush cone set by the official

  4. Interceptions are allowed to be returned for touchdowns, team receives possession where ball is marked down

  5. If a team scores a touchdown they have 2 point after conversion options:

    1. Two (2) Point Conversion - Run or Pass from the 15 Yard Line

    2. One (1) Point Conversion - Pass Only from the 5 Yard Line

Rushing the Quarterback

  1. Any players rushing the quarterback will start from 7 yards out behind the rush cone set by the official

  2. No forward lateral passes, the quarterback may only throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage

Kick / Throw Off Returns

  1. Teams receiving the ball after a score or touchdown have the option to:

    1. Start with the ball on their own 5 yard line

    2. Receive a kick / throw off from the other team.

End of match

Teams line up shoulder to shoulder in middle of field facing each other to say good game to each other, wave or handshake OK)

Scores / stats and Sportsmanship Grades submitted to League Commissioner

 
 

RAINOUT INFORMATION — (214) 334 - 4859