Rules for Flag Football

Each game will begin with a coin toss. The team listed first on the schedule is considered the home team and will call heads or tails. The winner of the coin toss will then choose which team will kickoff. After halftime the team that received the opening kickoff must kickoff to the other team to begin play.

The playing field will be 35 yards wide and 60 yards long. Each end zone will be 10 yards deep. The field will consist of four, 15 yard zones.

The game will consist of four, eight minute quarters, with a five minute halftime and two minutes between quarters. Each team is allowed two, 30 second timeouts per half. No overtime in the case of a tie.

The size of the football is: Junior (6 - 7 year olds) or an intermediate (8 – 13 year olds).
Scoring is as follows: Touchdown - 6 points, Extra Point - 1 point (from the 5 yd line), Safety - 2 points.

The game will be played five on five. Each team will therefore have a maximum of 10 players allowed on their roster. Every child must play at least half of every game.

All offensive penalties sustain a five yard penalty and must replay the down. All defensive penalties sustain a ten yard penalty and an automatic first down. Any unsportsmanlike conduct by any player, coach, or spectator will result in immediate ejection, a 15 yard penalty and loss of down. The game will resume once the violator has left the premises.

Interceptions are allowed and may be run back for a touchdown.

The removing of a player’s flag that does not have possession of the football will result in a 10 yard penalty.

Physical contact may not be used to stop the ball carrier or to remove their flag. Absolutely no physical contact with receivers with the intent of altering their route will be allowed. No pass interference.

Rushing is not allowed. The defense may not cross the line of scrimmage until the ball leaves the passer’s hand.

Every play must include a forward pass. A forward pass is a pass that is thrown from behind the line of scrimmage, by an offensive player, in any forward motion including an underhand, sideways, or shuffle pass. The forward pass MUST cross the line of scrimmage. Any forward pass that is thrown to a receiver behind the line of scrimmage will be ruled incomplete.

The offense has five seconds from the snap of the ball to throw the forward pass. If a pass is not thrown before the five second time allowed, the play is whistled dead and the offense will start the next play from the original line of scrimmage.

A first down will be earned every time a team advances the ball into a new zone. If your team has been penalized you must make up the lost yardage and still enter the next zone to earn the first down.

There is a 30 second time limit between plays. (Clock starts with the official’s whistle.)

Huddles are optional.

All offensive plays must begin with a center snap. Traditional or side snaps will be accepted.
All five players on offense are eligible receivers, including the center.

One player is allowed in motion at snap of the football. Players may line up in the backfield.

Catches must be made with a minimum of one foot in bounds.

Straight-arming or other types of flag guarding are not allowed. If a player’s flags fall off then the player is immediately down at that spot and play is over.

Offense may screen block (hand contact only). No arm extension allowed.

Punting is allowed on fourth down only. No rushing the punter. There are no fake punts. The offense must declare their intent to punt before their huddle is broken. No snap required and the offense must wait until the ball is kicked before they can cross the line of scrimmage. The receiving team may choose to have all their players downfield to catch the punt. If punt is not caught from the air it is dead where it hits the ground.

Placekicking takes place from the 15 yard line with the receiving team is at midfield.

On-side kicks are not allowed.
If a ball is kicked through the end zone, it is a touchback and the offense will take possession at their own 15 yard line.

If the kickoff goes out of bounds the kicking team must kickoff again. If the ball is kicked out of bounds for a second time, the offense will takes possession at midfield.

If the receiving team drops the kickoff then the ball may not be advanced. If the ball is dropped in the end zone a touchback is called. The ball can be advanced if it is caught on the bounce.

Other Information

.Shoes:
Closed-toed shoes are required for play on the field. For outdoors, football cleats with rubber bottoms are acceptable. NO Metal cleats.

Weather:
During certain times of the year, weather may play a role in determining game dates and times. If it is raining play will be suspended. However, remember that although it may be raining at your home it may not be raining at the field. The Field Coordinator will have discretion in canceling games and they will notify coaches through email and phone calls.

Substitutions:
Players can be substituted at any time. However the player on the field must be completely off the field before the replacement player may come onto the field.

Injured Players:
If a player becomes injured during the game, the referee will stop the game. The coaches and the referee will determine the extent of the injury if needed will call emergency services or remove the player from the field and continue with play.

Sideline and End Zones:
Parents are to remain 6 feet from the sidelines and the end zones. One coach at a time may be on the field directing and coaching players as needed. They are to remain out of the field of play.

Cleanliness:
Please remember that fields are provided to the league out of courtesy. Help us in returning this kindness by keeping all fields and facilities clean and depositing trash in the necessary receptacles.