Flag Football Rules

General

	A coin toss determines first possession.
	The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has three (3) plays to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has three (3) plays to score a touchdown. If the offence fails to score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over on its own 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 are played from point of interception
	Teams change sides at the beginning of the second half of play. The team on defense will have first possession to start the second half.

Attire

	Cleats are allowed, except for metal spikes.
	All players must wear a protective mouthpiece; there are no exceptions.
	Game jerseys will be provided. Players must wear their jersey during games.
	All players must wear the flag belt, with flags. The belt strap must be tucked into waistband to avoid accidental pulling of it instead of a flag. Flags must hang on both sides of body in line with the armpit or pant seams.

Players

	Teams must field seven (7) players at a time.
	All players on the team must play a minimum of 20 minutes per game. Substitutions should allow equal playing time for each player.
	If a player does not attend practice, his time may be cut by half for that week's game.

Scoring

	Touchdown: 6 points
	Extra point: 1 point (played from 5-yard line, pass only), 2 points (played from 12-yard line, pass or run)
	Safety: 2 points

Timing/Overtime

Games will consist of two 20 minute halves, with a running clock.

If the score is tied at the end of 40 minutes, teams move directly into overtime.

Each team shall be allowed only one possession. The first team to score wins. If neither team scores, the game is a tie.

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 time out and one 30-second time out per half.

A 2-minute warning will be given at the end of each half to coaches and players.

When the time at the end of each half has ended, coaches will be notified, and play will continue until the offensive team ends their drive. If an interception occurs after time is elapsed, the half is over, and the side changes or game ends.

Officials can stop the clock at their discretion.

Running

The quarterback cannot run with the ball.

Only direct handoffs behind the line of scrimmage are permitted. Offense may use multiple handoffs.

Absolutely NO laterals or pitches of any kind. Forward passing allowed.

"No Running Zones," located 5 yards from each end zone and 5 yards on either side of midfield, are designed to avoid a short- yardage, power-running situation.

The player who takes the handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage.

Once a ball has been handed off, all defensive players are eligible to rush.

Spinning is allowed, but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive player (no diving).

The ball is spotted where the ball carrier’s feet are when the flag is pulled, not where the ball is.

Receiving

All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage).

Only one player is allowed in motion behind the line of scrimmage at a time.

A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception.

Passing

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

Shovel (underhand) passes are allowed but must be received beyond the line of scrimmage (forward.)

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 is no longer is in effect.

Interceptions change the possession of the ball at the point of interception. Interceptions are the only changes of possession that do not start on the 5-yard line.

Dead Balls

The ball must be snapped between the legs, not off to the side, to start play.

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.

At the point of an interception (interception returns are not allowed).

Ball carrier’s knee hits the ground.

Ball carrier’s flag falls out.

Note: There are no fumbles. The ball is spotted where the ball hits the ground.

Rushing the Quarterback

All players who rush the passer must be a minimum of ten yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Only one player can rush the quarterback. Players not rushing the quarterback may defend on the line of scrimmage. Once the ball is handed off, the seven-yard rule no longer is in effect and all defenders may go behind the line. A special marker, or the referee, will designate ten yards from the line of scrimmage.

Remember, no body blocking or tackling is allowed.

Penalties All penalties will be called by the referee.

Defense:

Offsides – 5 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 10-yard marker) – 10 yards and automatic first down.

Offense:

Illegal motion (more than one person moving, false start, etc.) – 5 yards and loss of down.

Illegal forward pass (pass received behind line of scrimmage) – 5 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 – 10 yards and loss of down.

Other Information:

Referee determines incidental contact that may result from normal run of play. All penalties will be assessed from the line of scrimmage.

Only the team captain and coach may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations. Players or parents cannot argue judgment calls.

Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it.

Sportsmanship/Roughing

If the referee witnesses any acts if tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking, or any unsportsmanlike acts, the game will be stopped and the player will be ejected from the game. FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

Trash talking is illegal. Officials have the right to determine offensive language. (Trash talk is talk that may be intentionally offensive to officials, opposing players, teams, or spectators.) If trash talking occurs, the referee will give one warning. If it continues, the player or players will be ejected from the game.

Spectators may not interfere in any manner with the game. Attempts to intimidate or challenge a coach or referee can result in the offender being ejected from the game.

Coaching

As in all Lamar Parks & Recreation programs involving coaches, the following guidelines are in effect:

Judgment calls may not be argued.

Rule interpretations may be questioned by the team captain, under the direction of the coach.Teach them the proper way to do this.

The referee will not be confronted before, during, or after any game in a threatening or unsportsmanlike manner.

Any protests must be made in writing to Marsha Doyle, Director of Lamar Parks & Recreation. You cannot protest a game you have won.

Coaches are encouraged to teach not only the skills of the game, but also teach sportsmanship and teamwork.

Coaches will schedule their own practices. Fields 5,6,7,& 8 are on a first come, first served basis. Do not practice on infields.

	Games will consist of two 20 minute halves, with a running clock.
	If the score is tied at the end of 40 minutes, teams move directly into overtime.
	Each team shall be allowed only one possession. The first team to score wins. If neither team scores, the game is a tie.
	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 time out and one 30-second time out per half.
	A 2-minute warning will be given at the end of each half to coaches and players.
	When the time at the end of each half has ended, coaches will be notified, and play will continue until the offensive team ends their drive. If an interception occurs after time is elapsed, the half is over, and the side changes or game ends.
	Officials can stop the clock at their discretion.

	The quarterback cannot run with the ball.
	Only direct handoffs behind the line of scrimmage are permitted. Offense may use multiple handoffs.
	Absolutely NO laterals or pitches of any kind. Forward passing allowed.
	"No Running Zones," located 5 yards from each end zone and 5 yards on either side of midfield, are designed to avoid a short- yardage, power-running situation.
	The player who takes the handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage.
	Once a ball has been handed off, all defensive players are eligible to rush.
	Spinning is allowed, but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive player (no diving).
	The ball is spotted where the ball carrier’s feet are when the flag is pulled, not where the ball is.

	All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage).
	Only one player is allowed in motion behind the line of scrimmage at a time.
	A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception.

	All passes must be forward and received beyond the line of scrimmage.
	Shovel (underhand) passes are allowed but must be received beyond the line of scrimmage (forward.)
	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 is no longer is in effect.
	Interceptions change the possession of the ball at the point of interception. Interceptions are the only changes of possession that do not start on the 5-yard line.

	Offsides – 5 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 10-yard marker) – 10 yards and automatic first down.

	Illegal motion (more than one person moving, false start, etc.) – 5 yards and loss of down.
	Illegal forward pass (pass received behind line of scrimmage) – 5 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 – 10 yards and loss of down.

	Referee determines incidental contact that may result from normal run of play. All penalties will be assessed from the line of scrimmage.
	Only the team captain and coach may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations. Players or parents cannot argue judgment calls.
	Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it.

	Judgment calls may not be argued.
	Rule interpretations may be questioned by the team captain, under the direction of the coach.Teach them the proper way to do this.
	The referee will not be confronted before, during, or after any game in a threatening or unsportsmanlike manner.
	Any protests must be made in writing to Marsha Doyle, Director of Lamar Parks & Recreation. You cannot protest a game you have won.
	Coaches are encouraged to teach not only the skills of the game, but also teach sportsmanship and teamwork.
	Coaches will schedule their own practices. Fields 5,6,7,& 8 are on a first come, first served basis. Do not practice on infields.