Teams:
A team will consist of at least 8
players. A
minimum of 8 players is required to avoid a forfeit. Team will be allowed to have a maximum of 12 players for the tournament.
If for any reason a team drops below 7 players the game will be declared a forfeit during the tournament.
Once tournament has begun no changes may be made to the roster.
The Field:
80 yards long with a 10-yard end zone at each end. There will be first down lines every 20 yards.
Time:
The
game will consist of two 20-minute halves. Half time will be no longer
than 3 minutes. Each team will be allotted one 30-second time out per
half.
Scoring:
Touchdown = 6 points
Successful 3 yard extra point try = 1 point
Successful 10 yard extra point try = 2 points
Tie games:
There will be no tie games
during the tournament each team will be allowed 4 plays starting at the
opposing 20 yard line to either score or gain the most yardage. In the
event both teams are tied at the end of 4 plays 1 more play will be
allowed for both sides to determine the most yardage. Team with the
most yards wins.
Sacks and loss of yards are considered plays and will go towards total yardage.
Interceptions will result in turnover and the opposing team if downed will be brought back to the opposing 20 yard line.
Interceptions returned for touchdowns will be game over.
Equipment:
All players must wear appropriate athletic gear that fits the following criteria:
Shirts- Must be long enough to remain tucked in, or short enough so as to not interfere with the availability of the flag belt
Shoes- Must be worn at all times. Players may wear plastic or rubber molded cleats. No metal cleats are allowed.
Misc.-
At the discretion of the game official and/or field supervisor, players
may be asked to remove apparel or accessories that may be dangerous to
him or a fellow competitor. Players may not wear jewelry or any
type of headgear (elastic headbands are allowed).
Pre-Game:
Captain’s Meeting
Game official will review rules and answer any questions.
Coin toss:
A
coin toss will decide which team will have the option to choose either
the possession of the ball or the direction of play in the first half.
The opposing team will have the same options at the beginning of the
second half. The team that wins the coin toss may defer the option to
the second half.
2. The Game:
Clock
The
clock will run continuously with the following exceptions: official’s
or injury timeouts; team time outs; the final 2 minutes of the game
(see section below entitled "Final 2 minutes"). Teams may be penalized
for unsportsmanlike conduct for using stall tactics.
Final 2 Minutes
During the final 2 minutes of the second half, the clock will operate according to NCAA rules. (Contact the office for details)
Advancing the ball
Teams may advance the ball by any legal means with the following restrictions:
The ball carrier may not:
- Hurdle defensive players
- Attach the flag in such a manner that it cannot be easily removed
- "Guard the flag", this includes:
- Stiff arming
- Swinging the hand or arm over the flag belt
- Carrying the ball in a position such that it protects the flag
- Lowering the shoulders in such a manner which places the arm over the flag belt
- Batting a defensive player’s hand away from the flag belt
- Stiff arming
While carrying the ball in traffic, the ball carrier must carry the ball no lower than chest high.
Receiving
Receivers must get two feet in bounds and have full control of the ball to be considered a catch.
Blocking
Blockers may not leave their feet in for any reason.
They may not extend their arms but must keep their hands behind their back or by their side.
Absolutely no blocking below the waist. Any player guilty of this rule will be ejected.
Use of the shoulder to "shoulder block" will be not permitted and will result in an ejection
Defensive Responsibility
Defensive
players must go around the offensive screen block. The arms, hands, and
shoulders may not be used to contact the opponent in any way.
Flag Belts
Are to be worn around the waist and
attached with the plastic clip only. Any attempt to attach the flag by
any other means or conceal the flag will be considered unsportsmanlike
conduct and may result in player disqualification.
If the ball
carrier’s flag belt comes off inadvertently, or is off prior to his/her
receiving a pass or lateral, the player will be downed by a one-hand
touch from a defender.
Defensive players may remove only the flag
belt of the offensive player who is carrying the ball; intentionally
removing the belt of an offensive player who does not have the ball is
a violation of the rules. Any attempt to grab any part of the ball
carrier other than the flag is a violation of the rules.
Kicks
There will be no kick-offs, the 1st
possession will start at the team’s own 20-yard line. All subsequent
situations that would call for a kick-off will start at the 20-yard
line of the team that would receive the kick. There will be no field
goal or extra point kicks, EP attempts will be the scoring teams option
(see section below titled Extra Point Attempts)
If a team elects to punt the ball on 4th down, the following procedure must be followed:
- Team must declare its intention to punt.
- The offensive team must line up with everyone (except the punter) on the line of scrimmage.
- The defensive team may have two receivers
back to field the punt, all other defensive players must line up on the
line of scrimmage.
- No member of either team may leave the line of scrimmage until the ball has been punted.
Other rules specific to flag football
Fumbles
A ball that is fumbled becomes dead
when it hits the ground. The team that was in possession of the ball
prior to the fumble retains possession, unless it was fourth down and
the necessary yardage to gain a first down had not been attained.
Snapping
The snapper must pass the ball to
the QB in a continuous motion from the ground at least two yards behind
the line of scrimmage.
Bump-and-run
Checking or bumping a receiver at the line of scrimmage is illegal.
3. Penalties and Enforcement
The referee has the discretionary authority to check flag belts for tampering or to ensure that they are secured legally. Violations will result in disciplinary actions.|
Offsides, neutral zone infractions, false starts |
5 yards from previous spot |
|
Illegal block, illegal use of hands, arms, shoulders by defense |
10 yards from spot of foul |
|
Offensive/defensive holding |
10 yards from spot of foul Auto First down |
|
Offensive pass interference |
10 yards from previous spot and loss of down |
|
Defensive pass interference |
10 yards from previous spot and automatic 1st down |
|
Unnecessary Roughness |
15 yards from previous spot and/or player ejection |
|
Illegal forward pass |
5yds loss of down |
|
Illegally secured or altered flag belt |
5 yards from previous spot and loss of down/ Player DQ |
|
Flag guarding |
5 yards from previous spot and loss of down |
Teams will not be allowed to add
any new players to their rosters for the playoffs (including league
ties). In order to be eligible for the playoffs, a player must have
participated in at least one regular season game.
Tie games in playoffs
If a playoff game is tied after regulation time the following procedure will take effect:
- Each team will get 4 downs from the 10 yard line.
- All regular rules apply.
- If Team A scores, Team B will get 4 downs to attempt to score.
- This process will repeat itself until the tie is broken.
5. Sportsmanship
Players are expected to display
good sportsmanship towards fellow competitors, officials, and staff.
Any display of poor sportsmanship will be met with disciplinary
actions. The yellow/red card system will be in effect.
Protests
The
supervisor, on the field, will accept protests of rule interpretations
only. Protests must be filed immediately after the play in question,
once the ball is put back into play after the play in question, no
protests will be honored. To file a protest, the team captain should
ask the game official, at this point the supervisor will hear the
scenario, explain the rule that applies, and render a decision.
Decisions made by supervisors are final. There is no further appeals
process. Supervisors will not listen to protests of officials judgment
calls or competency.
