FLAG FOOTBALL RULES

Flag Football Rules

Play will be governed by the NIRSA 2005 & 2006 Rulebook with the following exceptions and/or highlights.

A. Team Formation

1. Games will be played 7 on 7.

2. Teams will have a 10 minute grace period to field at least 5 players. Players arriving late can join at the next stoppage of play once they have checked in.

a. If a team does not have 5 players ready to play within the grace period, the game will be forfeited. If neither team has 5 players present, the game will be a double-forfeit.

B. Game Length and Timing

1. Coin Toss

a. Visiting team will call toss in air

b. Team winning toss will have choice of offense, defense or side to defend.

c. Team losing toss will have the other decision.

2. Playing Periods

a. Game will consist of two twenty minute halves, with a 5 minute halftime.

b. Clock will stop only for time-outs, injuries and unusual delays during first 38 minutes of play.  The clock only stops for timeouts in first half or first 20 minutes of play.

c. In last 2 minutes, play will stop on the following occurrences:

1. Incomplete Pass – restart on snap

2. Out of Bounds – restart on snap

3. Safety- restart on snap

4. Time Out – restart on snap

5. Touchdown – restart on snap (after the PAT)

6. First Down – restart on the ready

7. Penalty – restart on the ready

8. Touchback – restart on snap

9. Change of possession – restart on snap

10. Team attempting to conserve time illegally – restart on ready

11. Team attempting to consume time illegally – restart on snap

12. Injury Time out – restart on snap

13. Inadvertent whistle – restart on the ready

3. Time-outs

a. Each team will have 2 time-outs per half.

4. Tie Game at end of regulation

a. During the regular season the game will go into forward progression overtime.

1. Coin toss will be administered with Home Team having the call.

2. Team winning toss will have choice of offense, defense or side of field.

3.  Each team will start at 40 yard line with no first downs.  If neither team scores, the team who progressed further will win the game.  Example Team A makes it to there own 3 yard line and does not score in 4 plays.  Team B makes it to there own 5 yard line and does not score in 4 plays.  Team A wins.  Second example if Team A starts the overtime with ball first and throws interception and Team B progresses the ball 1 yard and knees the ball Team B wins.

b. During the playoffs the following method will be used

1. Coin toss will be administered with Home Team having the call.

2. Team winning toss will have choice of offense, defense or side of field.

3. Each team will have 4 downs to score from the 20 yard line.

a. PAT will be attempted according to standard rules.

4. After each team has had one possession, team in the lead will be

declared the winner

a. If score is still tied, process will be repeated.

5.  If Team A has ball first and throws interception and Team B runs it back for a touchdown Team B wins.

5. Mercy Rule

a. If a team is ahead by 18 points or more in the final 2 minutes of the game, the mercy rule will be declared and the game will be over.  35 points with 10 minutes left in second half

6. Players Equipment

a. All players must wear closed-toed athletic shoes

1. Rubber or plastic molded cleats will be allowed. No metal cleats are allowed

b. Players must wear athletic pants or shorts without pockets, exposed

drawstrings or belt loops.

1. A player may not turn their clothes inside out or tape pockets closed.

c. All jewelry must be removed

d. All players must wear like jerseys with numbers on the back

e. All shirts must be tucked in or cut off with a minimum of 4 inches clearance above the flag belt

f. Flag belts will be provided by iRush Sports Flag Football.

g. Knit caps, stocking caps, or a headband no wider than 2” are the only

headwear allowed to be worn

h. Braces made of hard, unyielding material are not allowed to be worn unless covered with at least 2 inches of slow recovery rubber or other similar material.

7. Team area and Substitutions

a. Each team will be assigned a sideline, all players not in the game must remain on that sideline at all times between the two 20-yard lines. Failure to remain within the team box will result in a 5 yard penalty.

b. All substitutions must take place prior to the ball becoming live.

1. All substitutes must enter the field from between the 20-yard lines.

8. All players substituted for must leave the field between the 20-yard lines.

a. A player cannot sub in and then out again without a play occurring, a penalty being called, a timeout being called or the period ending

b. PENALTY for the above infractions – Illegal Substitution – 5 yards

C. Flags

1. The flag belt should be worn around the waist so that a flag hangs off of each side and one from behind.

2. flag belt must be legally worn at the start of each play. PENALTY – Required

equipment worn illegally – 5 yards

3. A player may not tie or otherwise manipulate his/her flag belt so that it will be

difficult to remove. PENALTY – Unsportsmanlike Conduct – 10 yards

4. If a flag comes off inadvertently during a play, no penalty is assessed, to be downed, player can simply be tagged on the body between the shoulders and knees.

D. Basic Gameplay

1. The field will be 80 yards long-separated into 20 yard sections and 40 yards wide; end zones will be 10 yards deep.

2. Teams will start possession on their 20 yard line and have 4 downs to progress the ball 20 yards to the next zone line to gain on the field.

3. Upon crossing the next zone line to gain, a team will be awarded a new set of 4

downs.

4. A team successfully progressing to the end zone will receive 6 points and a point after touchdown attempt. After scoring a touchdown, the scoring team will be given the option of attempting a score from the 3 or 10 yard line. If successful, the team will receive 1 or 2 points respectively.

a. A team will have one attempt to convert their PAT attempt.

b. If the defensive team can intercept the PAT attempt and run the ball back to the opposite end zone, they will receive whatever PAT attempt

the offense was going for.

5. On fourth down a team will have the option of attempting to make a first down,

touchdown, or punting. There are no field goals in flag football.

a. If a team does not earn a first down or score a touchdown after 4 downs, the ball will be turned over to the defense from the spot where they were stopped.

E. Offense

1. Line of scrimmage/starting a play

a. The offense will have a 25 second play clock from the referee’s ready signal. PENALTY – Delay of Game – 5 yard penalty

b. Offensive team must have 4 players on line of scrimmage when ball is

snapped. PENALTY – Illegal Procedure – 5 yard penalty

c. Players on the line shall remain motionless until the ball is snapped.

d. After assuming the position for snap and adjusting the ball, the center may not move or change the position of the ball in any manner simulating the beginning of the play. The ball must be snapped from the ground, and can be done so between the legs or from a side position. PENALTY - Illegal Procedure – 5 yards

e. Only one offensive player may be in motion before the snap; this motion must be lateral or away from the line of scrimmage. If more than one player is in motion, it will be considered a shift, all players must then set for one second before the ball can be snapped. PENALTY – Illegal Shift – 5

            2. Moving the ball

a. Ball can be progressed by ground or air; ball can be handed off or pitched for rushing plays. A dropped handoff or pitch is dead as soon as it hits the ground. A fumbled or pitched ball can be recovered by the defense before it hits the ground.

1. Ball can be passed backwards at any time during a play.

2. A backwards pass or fumble into a team’s own end zone will result in a safety.

3. A fumble into the opponent’s end zone will result in a touchback for the opponent.

b. Passing

1. All offensive players are eligible receivers.

2. Pass must be made from behind the line of scrimmage.

3. Only one forward pass per play.

4. The passer cannot catch their own untouched pass.

5. Ball cannot be thrown out of bounds to save a loss of yardage

a. PENALTY for violating any of the above rules – 5 yards from

the spot of the foul plus loss of down.

6. One foot must land in bounds for a complete pass

7. A catch by a kneeling or prone player inbounds is a legal catch, ball is dead at the spot caught.

8. A ball caught by the offense and defense simultaneously remains in possession of the offense.

c. Running the ball

1. Runners shall not guard their flag belt by using their hands, arms or the ball to prevent an opponent from removing the flag belt. The

following actions are considered flag Guarding, a 5 yard penalty:

a. Placing or swing the hand or arm over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from deflagging.

b. Placing the ball in possession over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from deflagging

c. Lowering the shoulders in such a manner which places the arm over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from

deflagging.

2. An offensive player may not stiff arm to ward off an opponent.

PENALTY – Personal Foul – 10 yards.

3. A Runner shall not charge into or contact an opponent in his path or attempt to run between two opponents unless there is a reasonable chance to make it past without contact. PENALTY – Personal Foul –10 yards.

d. Punting

1. A punt must be announced prior to the ready signal.

2. The kicking team must have 4 players on the line

3. The punter must be lined up at least 5 yards behind the line of

scrimmage

4. Offensive players cannot move until the ball has been kicked.

PENALTY – Illegal procedure – 5 yards

5. Ball may be played off of the ground provided it has not been

touched first. If it is touched and falls to the ground, it is dead on the spot.

6. Quick kicks and fake punts are illegal. PENALTY –

Unsportsmanlike Conduct – 10 yards.

e. Screen Blocking

1. There is No Moving Screen Blocking in this League. A moving contact screen block shall never take place.

2.  The only type of Screen allowed – Once Offense is lined up and does not move at all.  Defense has to go around.  If Offense moves at all to impede Rusher Penalty will be on Offense.

F. Defense

1. Before the Snap

a. The referee will lay down 2 disks on the field, one to mark the line of

scrimmage and another 5 yard beyond the line of scrimmage. The area

between the disks is the neutral zone. No defensive player should be within the neutral zone prior to the ball being snapped. PENALTY –Offside–5 yards

2. Flag Removal

a. The play will end when the flag belt is pulled from the person in possession of the ball.

b. A defensive player should stop as soon as he/she has removed an opponent’s belt and hold it in the air to assist the official in locating the correct spot.

c. A defensive player may not hold, push or knock the ball carrier down in an attempt to remove the flag

1. incidental contact is permitted in the attempt to remove a flag

d. A ball carrier is considered down when the clip on the belt has become

detached.

e. If a flag belt inadvertently falls off of a player during a play, he/she should continue on. This player can be downed with a hand tag between the shoulders and knees.

f. A player can leave his/her feet to remove a flag as long as it does not impede the progress of another player and is not done in a dangerous manner to any participant.

g. A player may not remove the flag belt of an opponent when he/she is not in

possession of the ball. PENALTY – Illegal flag Removal – 10 yards.

G. Additional Clarification

1. Any contact with passer aside from the attempt to remove flags is roughing the

passer. PENALTY – 10 yards + automatic first down

2. Pushing a receiver/defender is not allowed. PENALTY – Illegal use of the hands or pass interference (dependant on time of foul) – 10 yards or spot of foul.

3. Any dead ball penalty on the defense during a PAT attempt will be assessed on the next play from scrimmage at the 20 yard line

4. On an inadvertent whistle by an official, the play will be dead at the point when the whistle was blown.  The offensive team will have the option of accepting the result of the play or replaying the down.

CO-ED GENDER RELATED PLAYS RULES

1. Open/Gender Play:
Teams must use a female as an operative player within three consecutive downs. An open play will be called by the referee if a gender play is not required on the current play. For an open play, the ball may be advanced by either a male or female player (ex. 2nd down / goal / open).  If a female was not used within two downs, then the forced gender rule is put into effect. This means that a female must be used in the next play. 

2. Forced Gender Play:
A female can be used on any play, however when the offense has not used a female/operative player within the last two plays, the next play must be a forced gender play.  The operative player here is a female who is seen as the intended receiver in the eyes of the official, or acts as the quarterback (even if positive yards are not gained). If the female is the quarterback, then the play may continue without regard to special defensive coverage. Once a female is used in any play then the gender count is reset.  A thrown ball cannot be intercepted by a man on a forced gender unless is has first contacted the female receiver or a female is the QB. The play will be ruled a dead ball if the ball is intercepted by a male without female contact.  If the QB is sacked or fumbles the snap on a forced gender play, the next play must be gender.  The gender count is reset once a TD is made. The gender rule is not in effect during extra points or punts.

Examples:

Gender Play: A pass thrown to a female...A pass intended for a female (in the eyes of the referee) that is deflected by a woman, and is caught by a male... A pass is deflected by a male and caught by a female... A woman lines up as quarterback and either runs or throws a pass to a male or female.

NOT a Gender Play: A female receives a hand off only to hand it back to a male behind the line of scrimmage...A female snaps the ball into play…A female receives a hand-off......A male QB intentionally throws the ball into the ground at the feet of a woman…A female QB grounds the ball to stop the clock... A female QB throws a pass that is caught behind the line of scrimmage.
 

3. Defensive Coverage for a Forced Gender Play:  Males cover males and females cover females.  The defensive males must play "man-to-man" and may not use a zone defense on a forced gender play with a male QB. Defensive players can only leave their "man-to-man" assignment after the ball is in the air.  The male defending the male QB cannot bat or deflect the pass (this would be considered illegal gender defense).

a. If the offense plays more than 3 women on a forced gender play.   A man may cover a woman, but must play man-to-woman. A man covering a female may deflect the pass but not intercept it. The remaining three female defensive team players may cover the women by either using a zone defense or man-to man defense. 
 

b.  If the defense plays more than 3 women on a forced gender play.   The additional women must still cover the men who are on the line of scrimmage.  They can not be used to double team or play in a defensive zone against the other women.
 

c. If a defensive team is down a female player (5 men & 2 women on the field).  A man may cover the opposing team's woman on a forced gender play, however he must give a five yard cushion on the play and may not converge on a woman until the ball is caught. 

d. If the offensive team is down a female player (5 men & 2 women on the field).  The three defensive women may double team using their third woman or play a zone.
 

e.  If the offensive team's men are behind the line of scrimmage, the defensive men must stay within five yards on the man they are marked up against.  If the offensive team's men run past the line of scrimmage, the defensive player marked up against them has the option to stay on the line or run with the offensive player.  They must choose one or the other.  

4. Penalty on Gender Play:
If the foul is on the defensive team, the offense will have 3 options: 1) Take the ten yard penalty and repeat the gender play.  2) Take the penalty and the next play will be open.  3)  Decline the penalty.  If the foul is on the offensive player, the penalty will be assessed and the next play will be gender. 
 

H. PASSING:

1. Complete/Incomplete Pass:
A forward pass is completed when caught by any player of the passing team who has at least one foot in-bounds. If opponents catch the pass in-bounds simultaneously, the ball belongs to the passing team at the spot of the catch. If the player was out-of-bounds and comes back in-bounds to catch the ball, it is an incomplete pass.
 

2. QB Run from Scrimmage: If the offensive line-of-scrimmage is after midfield, then the QB cannot run for positive yards unless rushed after the 5 second count. The QB may run the ball if the line of scrimmage is before midfield.

3. Turnovers:
A change of possession can only occur due to downs, a punt, or an interception on a forward pass. A fumble is not a turnover (the ball is dead at the spot of the fumble). A lateral is not a forward pass and can be advanced if intercepted.
 

I. SCORING:

1. Touchdowns are six points.

2. Extra points are two points for a 10-yard conversion and one point for a five yard conversion. An intercepted extra point cannot be run back.

3. Female to Female Scoring Play. If a female to female pass results in a touchdown, that team will receive seven points (instead of six). Teams will still then have the option for a one or two point conversion.

4. Safeties are two points. The scoring team will now go on offense with the ball placed at their own 10 yard line.

FOOTBALL PENALTIES

LOSS OF FIVE YARDS PENALTIES:

1. DEFENSE:
a. Defensive off-sides (from the line)--A player is off sides when any part of his body or his person is beyond the line of scrimmage before the snap of the ball or before the five second count is over. The offensive team has the option to accept or decline the five-yard penalty.
 

2. OFFENSE:
a. Delay of game (from the line/dead ball)--The offensive team must put the ball into play 25 seconds after referee has placed the puck.

b. Illegal participation (from the line)-- Each team may not have more than 8 players on the field at one time or more than 5 men on the field. Penalty will be assessed after discovery.

c. Illegal cadence (from the line/dead ball)-- If the player calling the cadence does not receive the snap, the play will not stand and the down will be repeated.  On a forced gender play, the offense must clearly designate which gender will be receiving the snap (QB must raise their hand).

d. Offensive off-sides (from the line/dead ball)-- When any part of the offensive player's body or his person is beyond the scrimmage line before the ball is snapped.

e. Offense not stationary for one full second (from the line/dead ball)--After a shift or huddle all offensive players must assume a set position and come to an absolute stop (except one man in motion). 
f. Offensive player illegally in motion at snap (from the line/dead ball)-- No player is permitted to be moving forward toward his opponent's goal line until the snap.

g. Not using an operative player in a forced gender situation (from the line/loss of down)

• The penalty for running 3 consecutive plays without a female as an operative player will be loss of down (i.e. if it was first down during the penalty, it is now second down). A female must now be the operative player on the next play. The penalty will keep being enforced until a female is used. If the penalty occurs on fourth down, the ball will be turned over to the opposing team. On a bad snap (not considered a penalty), ball is dead and next play must be a gender play. If a male QB is rushed and he runs the ball, the penalty will be enforced.

h. Illegal forward pass (from the spot of the pass)-- The offensive team may make one forward pass from behind the line during each play from scrimmage provided the ball does not cross the line and return behind line before the pass. The defense can either accept or decline the penalty.

i. QB illegal forward pass (from the line/loss of down)-- If the QB crosses the line of scrimmage and then throws a forward pass, the defense can either decline the penalty or it will be assessed from the line of scrimmage and loss of down (i.e. if it was first down during the penalty, now it is second down).

j. Intentionally grounding the ball (from the line/loss of down)-- Will be called when a passer, facing an imminent loss of yardage because of pressure from the defense, throws a forward pass without a realistic chance of completion. EXCEPTION: A passer is permitted to stop the clock legally to save time if immediately upon receiving the snap he begins a continuous throwing motion and throws the ball directly forward into the ground. This does not apply if it is forced gender.

k. Illegal Diving / Jumping (spot of foul)-- No player may leave his or her feet in order to gain positive yards. The penalty is assessed here (spot of foul).

l. Sleeper/sideline play (from the line)-- All players must be at least 5 yards from the sideline on the snap.
 

LOSS OF TEN YARDS PENALTIES:

1. ANY PLAYER:
 

a. Flag guarding - intentionally or unintentionally obstructing the flag with your arm or the ball while the defender is in a position to pull it.

b. Stiff-arm, running into opponent (spot of foul)-- The ball carrier may not use a "stiff-arm" (extended arm) to ward off any opponent attempting to touch, may not charge into a defensive player.

c. Blocking (from the spot)-- No player may use his hands to block opponent.  Offensive players may not run down field in front of or parallel to the ball carrier, whether you intended to block or not.  They may run behind to receive a lateral.

d. Intentional foul/penalty (from the line/gender will be reset/automatic first down) -- If a player intentionally commits a penalty or foul of any kind in order to gain an advantage for his team, may be ejected.

2. DEFENSE:
a. Illegal contact/holding (from the line)-- Defender may not use their hands or arms to hang onto or encircle a receiver. The defender cannot extend their arms to cut off or hook a receiver causing contact that impedes and restricts the receiver as the play develops, nor may he maintain contact with the receiver.  This includes holding on to an opponent's uniform or apparel while attempting to pull the flag.
b. Illegal Gender Defense / not playing man-to-man in a forced gender situation: (from the line)-- The offensive can choose to accept the penalty for yardage and the plays remains forced gender, accept the penalty and the play becomes open with no added yardage, or decline the penalty and take the result of the play.

3. OFFENSE:
a. Offensive Picking (from the line/ if this occurs in a forced gender situation, then gender will be replayed)-- The offensive team may not initiate a pick/block while in motion. Action by a player who with/without contact delays or prevents an opponent from reaching a desired position.

b. Offensive Pass Interference

LOSS OF 15 YARD PENALTIES
 

a. Unsportsmanlike conduct (from the line/ If penalty is on the defense, automatic first down/ If penalty is on the offense, 15 yds. from the line/ If penalty is after a TD, yardage added to extra point conversion)-- Abusive/insulting language or gesture to another player or referee, as well as taunting opponents or similar theatrics before or after the touchdown.  The player may be disqualified for above actions if judged by the referee to be flagrant and will be suspended for next week's game. If that player(s) is caught playing next week, the team will forfeit that game.  In a severe case of unsportsmanlike conduct, the player will be suspended from playing any Austin SSC sport for a year or more. Disqualified players' names must be given to the Austin SSC staff or referee.  Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated in the Austin SSC!
b.  Pass interference - Defense- 15 yard penalty or spot of the foul if less then 15 yard attempted. Prohibited conduct shall be when a player physically restricts or impedes the opponent in a manner that is visually evident and materially affects the opponent's opportunity to gain position or retain his position to catch the ball. If a player has gained position, he shall not be considered to have impeded or restricted his opponent in a prohibited manner if all of his actions are a bona fide effort to go to and catch the ball