The most important rule of all... HAVE FUN!!!

 

Attire
Running Shoes or Cleats.
It is recommended that all players wear a protective mouthpiece.

Field Dimensions and Markings

• Length: 60 yards including End Zones

• Width: 30 yards

• End Zones: Maximum 10 yards deep, minimum 7 yards deep

• No-running zones: Must be marked 5 yards from each end zone.

Possession
A coin toss determines first possession. Loser of the coin toss has choice of end zone to defend. The team that loses the coin toss gets possession at the beginning of the second half starting at its own 5-yard line.

There are no kickoffs

The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has three plays to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has three 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. An automatic first down by penalty will overrule the other requirements regarding three plays to make either a first down or score. 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.

Number of Players

• Teams consist of 7-10 players

• 5 on the field at a time, unless teams agree to play 4 on 4 because of numbers

• Teams may play with a minimum of 4 players

• If less than 4 players are available, the game is forfeited

Timing/Overtime
Game length is 40 minutes running time (two halves, 20 minutes each).

Each time the ball is spotted the offense has 30 seconds to snap the ball.  This rule will be at the referees discretion.

Referees will usually warn teams that are taking too long in their huddle before calling any penalties.

Each team has 2 x 60-second time outs per half. The clock stops during a time out. These cannot be carried over to the second half or overtime.

Officials can stop the clock at their discretion.

The teams will be warned when there are two minutes left to play in the second half. After the 2 minute warning a maximum of five(5) plays will be run, excluding convert attempts. The game cannot end on a defensive penalty.

There will be a halftime period of 2 minutes between the first and second half.

 

There is NO overtime, expect in the playoffs.  If the score is tied at the end of regulation time then the game will end in a tie.

Scoring

• Touchdown: 6 points

• Extra point: 1 point (played from 5-yard line)

• 2 points (played from 10-yard line)

• Safety: 2 points

Note: An interception return to opponent's end zone on any extra-point play by the defense will result in the defense scoring 2 points plus gaining possession for the next series at its own five yard line.

Running
To start the play, the ball must be snapped between the legs of the snapper.

The center is the player who gives the ball to the quarterback via a snap. The center cannot take a direct hand-off back from the quarterback (no center sneak play).

The quarterback is the player who receives the ball directly from the snap.

The quarterback cannot run with the ball past the line of scrimmage.

An offence may use multiple hand-offs behind the line of scrimmage.

Tosses or sweeps behind the line of scrimmage are allowed and are running plays. Downfield tosses are not permitted. Once a player has possession of the ball beyond the line of scrimmage, any loss of possession will be blown dead by the official.

"No-running zones" are located 5 yards from each end zone. When the ball is on or inside the 5-yard line going towards the opponent's end zone, the offense cannot use a running play to cross the line of scrimmage.

The player who takes the hand-off can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage.

All defensive players are eligible to rush once the ball has been handed off, tossed, or there is a play-action fake or fake hand-off.

Spinning is allowed, but offensive players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive player (no diving) and offensive players cannot guard their flag (use their hands to slap away a defenders hand who is going for their flag).

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

It is up to the ball carrier to avoid contact with the defender. Good defensive position should be rewarded by the officials.

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

There is no limit to the number of offensive players that can be in motion before the ball is snapped.

A player must have at least one foot in bounds when making a reception. (A receiver cannot return on to the playing field from an out of bounds position)

Passing
Only players starting 10 yards behind the line of scrimmage can rush the passer.

Interceptions change the possession of the ball.

 

The defence can return interceptions.

On interceptions that occur and remain in the end zone, the ball will become dead and will result in the ball belonging to the intercepting team at its 5-yard line. Should an interception occur in the end zone and the ball carrier leave the end zone, the ball will belong to the intercepting team at the spot the ball becomes dead. However, should the ball carrier return to the end zone and be de-flagged, or the ball be ruled dead the result would be a safety for the other team.

Once a player catches the ball past the line of scrimmage he/she is no longer allowed to lateral the ball. This applies to receivers as well. (i.e. hook and laterals are not permitted)

 

The most important rule of all... HAVE FUN!!!

Dead Balls
Substitutions may be made on any dead ball.

Play is ruled "dead" when:

• Official blows the whistle.

• Ball carrier's flag is pulled or becomes illegal.

• Ball carrier steps out of bounds.

• Touchdown or safety is scored.

• When any part of the ball carrier's body, other than a hand or foot, touches the ground.

If the ball carriers flag falls off when no defender is within flag pulling distance the play will continue until a defender is within flag pulling distance, at which point the referee will blow the play dead.

Note: There are no fumbles. The ball will be spotted where the ball carrier's feet were when the fumble was made. Ie. a bad snap will be blown dead and the ball will be spotted at the centre's feet. There is no stripping of the ball.

Rushing the Quarterback
All players who rush the passer must be a minimum of ten(10) yards from the line of scrimmage and be lined up within 2 yards (side to side) of the ball when the ball is snapped. Any number of players can rush the quarterback but only players lined up within two yards (side to side) of the ball are entitled to a clear path to the quarterback. Players not rushing the quarterback may defend on the line of scrimmage. Once the ball is handed off, tossed, or there is a play-action fake or fake hand-off, the ten-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 ten(10) yards from the line of scrimmage.

 

REMEMBER, BLOCKING OR TACKLING ARE NOT ALLOWED.

Sportsmanship/Roughing
If the referee witnesses any acts of flagrant contact, 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.

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

Once a flag is pulled, the defensive player should hold the flag above his/her head so that the referee can spot the location of the flag pull. The pulled flag should be handed to the player who lost the flag or to a teammate. Intentionally throwing the flag onto the ground is considered poor flag etiquette.

Penalties
All penalties are 5 yards (except for Pass Interference - 15 yards). The down will be repeated, and will be assessed from the line of scrimmage, unless otherwise noted.

Penalties will not exceed half the distance to the opposing team's goal line from the line of scrimmage.

Referees determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play.

All penalties will be assessed from the line of scrimmage except for flag guarding.

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.

Defensive Penalties

• Offside -- 5 yards and automatic first down

• Pass Interference -- 15 yards and automatic first down

• Illegal contact (holding, blocking, etc.) -- 5 yards and automatic first down

• Illegal flag pull (before receiver has ball) -- 5 yards and automatic first down

• Illegal rushing (starting rush from inside 7-yard marker) -- 5 yards and automatic first down.

• Substitution fouls (player enters field after ball is blown ready for play, i.e. To deceive opponents, or 6 players on the field)

• Disconcerting signals (signals to distract opponent or simulate offensive signals prior to snap) Interference with opponent or ball at the snap.

Offensive Penalties

• Delay of game

• Substitution fouls

• False Start

• Illegal Snap

• Offensive holding

• Player out of bounds (if player goes out of bounds, player cannot return to the field and catch ball)

• Offensive pass interference (illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender) -- 5 yards and loss of down

• Flag guarding -- Player marked down where flag guarding occered

• Rusher Interference - It is illegal for a receiver to run a pattern that interferes with a rusher on his/her direct path to the quarterback.

 

The most important rule of all... HAVE FUN!!!

Code of Conduct
Failure to adhere to the following may result in suspension from the Flag Football League

• All players are expected to follow all rules of the game (see above)

• All players are expected to show respect for fellow player, coaches, and officials at all times.

• All players are expected to demonstrate a positive attitude and encourage your teammates.

• All players are expected to control their temper.

• All players are expected to inform their coach if they cannot attend a practice or game.

The most important rule of all... HAVE FUN!!!

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Bad Weather

Games are played rain or shine but will be canceled if there is lightning.

In the event a game has already started when lightning occurs, that game will be immediately stopped. If the game has reached halftime then the game will be considered complete and the score at the time will be considered final.  If the game has not yet reached halftime when then the game will be considered not having been played.