FLAG FOOTBALL RULES

Revised Sept. 2007

 

 

CIF rules will apply except as specified below

 

 

PLAYING PROCEDURES

 

Sec 1       Team Size

A team consists of 8 boys playing on the field at one time. A team must have 7 players ready to play

at game time or a forfeit will be declared.

 

Sec 2       Equipment

All players are required to wear mouthpieces. No helmets or shoulder pads will be allowed.

Only soft padding (i.e. - elbow pads, kneepads) are legal. All players must wear shoes.

No metal spikes will be allowed, only rubber molded cleats. All shirts must completely above the flags,

about 2 inches and/or tucked into pants 4-6 inches. Only NCPL approved triple threat flag belts will be

used. Any tampering with the flags will be considered unsportsmanlike conduct and will

result in a 15-yard penalty and/or ejection from the game.

The game ball must be junior size for both JV and Varsity.

Each team will be allowed to use its own ball on offense.

 

Sec 3       Field Dimensions

The field will be 80 yards long by 40 yards wide. The two end zones will be 10 yards deep. The side and end lines are considered out of

bounds. Coaches and players not in the game must stand between the 20-yard lines.

 

Sec 4       Game Time

Varsity and J.V. games will consist of four 10-minute quarters. The clock will stop on all

scores, changes of possession, and time‑outs. In addition the last two minutes of each

half will be regulation if time is stopped. Two 20 minute halves may be agreed upon by the coaches

before the game, if desired.

 

Sec 5       Time Outs

Each team will be allowed 3 time-outs per half. Unused first half time-outs will not carry

over to the second half.

 

Sec 6       Scoring

A touchdown will be worth 6 points. A safety will be worth 2 points. An extra point play from three yards out will be

worth 1 point. There will be a 2 point conversion option from ten yards.

 

Sec 7       Coin Toss

The winner of the coin toss at the beginning of the game shall choose whether or not to

start on offense or defense, or which goal to defend. In the second half, the teams will

change sides and the team that started the first half on defense will be given the ball.

 

Sec 8       Substitutions

There will be unlimited substitutions during any dead ball situation. Substitutes must

remain in the game for at least one play. Entering offensive substitutes must pass

within ten yards of the ball.

 

Sec 9       Kickoffs

There will be kickoffs. The ball is dead if fumbled after possession. "Muffed" (contact without possession) balls are live and may be played by the offense. The defense may not play the kickoff.

 

Sec 10     Line of Scrimmage and Backfield Player Positioning

A minimum of five offensive players must be positioned on the line of scrimmage. All

offensive players, except for the back in motion, must be set for one second prior to the

snap of the ball. All offensive players must line up at least five yards from the sidelines.

The three-point stance is not allowed.

 

Sec 11     Man-In-Motion

Only one member of the offensive backfield may be in motion at any one time. A man

in motion must be aligned in the backfield position. In order to be eligible to go in

motion, a wide receiver must be lined up off the line of scrimmage.

 

Sec 12     Eligible Pass Receivers/Legal Forward Pass

All players are eligible receivers. Only one forward pass may be attempted per play.

Once the ball has crossed the line of scrimmage on a given play, no passes may be

attempted.

 

Sec 13     First Downs

Four downs are granted to make a first down. A first down will be awarded for

advancing the ball across any section line. If the section line had been previously

crossed during the same series, a first down will not be awarded. Exception: If a team

is awarded a first downbecause of penalty, they must only cross the next section line, whether

or not it had been previously crossed, in order to get another first down. Section lines are

every 20 yards on the field.

 

Sec 14     Downfield Blocking

Downfield blocking is permitted on all running plays and on pass plays only after the

pass has been completed. No downfield blocking is allowed while the ball is in the air or

before a pass is thrown. Violations of this rule will be penalized the same as offensive

pass interference. Defensive players are allowed to block on potential receivers within

five yards of the line of scrimmage. Violations of this rule will be penalized the same as

defensive holding.

 

Sec 15     Putting the Ball in Play

To put the ball in play (exception punts), the center must pass the ball to the

quarterback in a single continuous motion. Prior to putting the ball in play, the center

may adjust the ball one time only. After such an adjustment, further movement before

the snap will be considered illegal procedure.

 

Sec 16     Runs from Scrimmage

Direct runs by the quarter back will be allowed.

 

Sec 17     Downed Ball Carrier

A ball carrier is considered down any time he has possession of the ball and his flag belt

is removed by a defender or it falls off accidentally. If a pass receiver loses his flag, the

ball will be considered dead at the point of reception. A ball carrier will also be

considered down if he contacts the ground with any part of his body other than his feet

or hands.

 

Sec 18     Legal Catch

A pass receiver must have at least one foot (first foot) in bounds after gaining

possession of the ball for the catch to be legal. This is providing that his other foot is

not already out of bounds at the time of the catch. If a receiver catches the ball while

suspended in the air in bounds, and is forced out of bounds by a defensive player

before hitting the ground, the pass will be ruled completed.

 

Sec 19     Dead Ball

A live ball becomes dead when:

a) a score is made

b) the ball goes out of bounds

c) an errant snap from center or a lateral touches the ground

d) a pass falls incomplete

e) a punt hits the ground

 

f) an official blows his whistle, even though inadvertently. In this case, the team in possession

will be given the option of taking the ball at the spot of the whistle or taking the entire play over.

Exception: if there is a penalty against the team in possession, the penalty will be enforced.

 

Sec 20     Loose Ball

All loose balls are dead upon touching the ground except on a kickoff. In the case of a

fumbled lateral, the ball will be spotted at either the point of contact with the ground or at

the point the ball was last controlled, whichever creates the greatest disadvantage for

the team in possession.

 

Sec 21     Punt Returns

A punt may not be returned if the ball is not fielded cleanly by the receiving team. Any

punt that is fielded and then dropped is considered a dead ball and may not be

advanced. The ball shall be spotted according to Sec 20. Punts are dead that hit the

ground. There is no rushing allowed by defense.

 

 

 

PENALTIES

 

Sec 1       Illegal Procedure

The following violations shall constitute illegal procedure and a penalty of 5 yards will be

assessed the violating team. All illegal procedure penalties will be enforced from the

line of scrimmage.

 

A)           Illegal Snap from Center

1)             Further movement of the ball by the center after initial adjustment.

2)             Advancement of the ball by the center.

 

B)            Illegal Motion

1)             Failure of all offensive players except the man in motion to come

set one second prior to the snap of the ball.

2)             Movement towards the line by the man in motion.

3)             Movement within 5 yards of the sideline by the man in motion.

4)             Having two or more players in motion simultaneously.

 

C)            Illegal Delay of the Game

1)             Failure by the offensive team to snap the ball within 30 Seconds of

the time that the referee has placed the ball ready for play. Delay

of game violations committed by a team that is leading or tied in the

last three minutes of the game shall automatically stop the clock.

 

D)            Illegal Substitutions

1)             Failure of all entering offensive substitutes to pass within 10 yards

                of the ball.

2)             Having more than 8 players on the field while the ball is in play.

 

E)            Offside

1)             Once the offensive team comes set, neither team can cross the

                line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped. .

2)             The play will be blown dead and the penalty will automatically be

                assessed.

 

Sec 2       Personal Fouls

 

A)           Illegal Block

1)             A blocker may not leave his feet to make contact with an opponent.

2)             When blocking with open hands, arms may not be fully extended and must be kept

 

within the frame of the body.

3)             Contact cannot be made with the fists, elbows, or forearms.

4)             Contact cannot be initiated below the waist.

5)             Any contact above the shoulder even if unintentional is strictly

                prohibited.

 

PENALTY ENFORCEMENT: 15 YARDS FROM THE SPOT OF THE FOUL.

               

B)            Clipping

1)             Contact on a block must be made within the blocked player's field

of vision. The position of the blocker's head at the time the block is

delivered will be used to determine the block's legality.

2)             If a player is about to be blocked turns his back to the blocker

within 5 yards of contact, no penalty will be called.

               

PENALTY ENFORCEMENT: 15 YARDS FROM THE SPOT OF THE FOUL.

 

C)            Unnecessary Roughness

1)             Anytime a defensive player who does not deflect a

quarterback's pass makes contact with the quarterback,

roughing the passer will be called.

2)             Ball carriers must make an effort to avoid potential flag

pullers and may not run over, straight arm, on in anyway

ward off these defenders.

3)             Defensive players must go for the ball carrier's flags. They

                may not tackle, hold, block, or shove a ball carrier out of

                bounds.

 

PENALTY ENFORCEMENT 15 YARDS FROM EITHER THE END OF THE PLAY

(DEAD BALL) OR THE SPOT OF THE FOUL (LIVE BALL).

 

D)            Roughing the Passer

1)             Anytime a defensive player who does not deflect a quarterback's

pass makes contact with the quarterback, roughing the passer will

be called.

2)             A defensive player who does make contact with the pass must still

                make an effort to avoid contact.

3)             Any defensive player who is blocked into the quarterback will not be

guilty of roughing.

 

PENALTY ENFORCEMENT: 15 YARDS FROM THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE.

 

E)            Holding

1)             Offensive players may use their hands to block, but may not hold or

hook an opponent.             

2)             Offensive players may not put their hands wider apart than the

width of their shoulders.

3)             Defensive players can use their hands to push or move blockers

                out of the way but may not tackle or hold any potential ball carrier or receiver.

               

PENALTY ENFORCEMENT: OFFENSIVE HOLDING - 10 YARDS FROM THE LINE

OF SCRIMMAGE. DEFENSIVE HOLDING - 5 YARDS FROM THE LINE OF

SCRIMMAGE, AND AN AUTOMATIC FIRST DOWN.

 

Sec 3       Major Pass/Run Procedure Penalties

                A)           Flag Guarding

                                A ball carrier may not use his hands to prevent a defender from pulling his

                                flags. All ball carriers must keep arms and hands above the waist while in

                                the immediate vicinity of defensive players. No spinning allowed.

 

 

PENALTY ENFORCEMENT: 10 YARDS FROM THE SPOT OF THE VIOLATION AND LOSS OF DOWN.

 

 

Hurdling

A ball carrier may not attempt to jump over a potential flag puller. He may step over a fallen player or dive

to the corner for a touchdown or first down.

 

PENALTY ENFORCEMENT: 10 YARDS FROM THE SPOT OF THE VIOLATION AND

LOSS OF DOWN.

 

C)            Illegal forward Pass/Lateral

1)             More than one forward pass in one down.

2)             Throwing a forward pass while past the line of scrimmage.

3)             Passer catching his own pass, unless deflected first by a

defender.

 

PENALTY ENFORCEMENT: 5 YARDS FROM THE SPOT OF THE VIOLATION AND LOSS OF DOWN.

 

D)            Pass Interference

1)             Making contact with an opposing player which hinders him

from catching the ball.

2)             Waving hands in the receiver's face.

3)             Incidental contact occurring when neither player has an

                obvious advantage will not be considered a violation.

 

PENALTY ENFORCEMENT: OFFENSIVE INTERFERENCE - 15 YARDS FROM THE

LINE OF SCRIMMAGE AND A LOSS OF DOWN. DEFENSIVE INTERFERENCE -

AUTOMATIC FIRST DOWN AT THE SPOT OF THE INFRACTION. IF DEFENSIVE

INTERFERENCE HAPPENS BEHIND THEIR OWN GOAL LINE, THE OFFENSE IS

GIVEN A FIRST DOWN AND GOAL AT THE ONE-YARD LINE.

 

 

OVERTIME

 

Overtime will be used only in the playoffs. During the regular season, any game ending

in a tie will remain a tie.

 

Overtime will be decided by sudden death. The first team to score will be declared the

winner. Overtime will start with a coin toss. The team that wins the toss will be given the option

whether to start on offense or defense, or which goal to defend.

 

Overtime will be played in twenty minute halves with the last two minutes being regulation

IF stop time. If a second half of overtime is needed. The teams will change sides and the team

that started on defense will be given the ball.

 

Each team will be allotted three timeouts per half in overtime

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