Flag Football Rules & Regulations
Men’s Flag Football
It is the responsibility of the team captain to inform all teammates about the information below
as well.(The following rules are taken from the official NIRSA Flag Football rules.)
A. Players and Positions1. A team consists of 7 players. Teams may begin and end with a
minimum of 5 players. 2. At least four offensive players must be on the line of scrimmage at all
times. 3. Players may use two, three, or four point stances – shoulders must be parallel to the
goal line. 4. Free substitution is allowed during any dead ball interval.
B. Time Periods, Scoring, and Tie Games
1. Games shall consist of two (2) 20-minute halves with a 5 minute halftime.
2. Teams will have five minutes past the scheduled starting game time to field a team before
forfeit results.
3. The clock will run continuously except for the last two minutes of the second half. After the
two-minute warning of the second half, the clock will stop for incomplete passes, out-ofbounds, first downs, scores and PATs, timeouts, and changes of possession.
4. Each team is allowed two (2) one minute time outs per half. These time outs do not
accumulate.
5. Scoring: a. Touchdown = 6 points b. Safety = 2 points
6. Try: a. By running or passing from 3 yards. = 1 point. b. By running or passing from 10
yards. = 2 points *Note: A team’s choice cannot be changed even if a penalty occurs. A team’s
decision can only be changed by taking a charged timeout.
*7. Tie games (Playoffs Only) will be decided by a series of four downs from the Team B 10
yard line – the object being to score a touchdown. The procedure shall be repeated until a
winner is determined. Each team is awarded one timeout for each overtime period.
8. **Mercy Rule** If a team is ahead by 17 or more points at the two-minute warning of the
2nd half, the game shall be over. If a team scores during the last 2 minutes and creates this
difference, the game shall be over.
C. Field, Equipment, and Uniforms
1. Team areas are located 2 yards from the sidelines between the 20 yard lines.
2. A neutral zone is established when the ball is ready for play. It is one yards from the
forward point of the ball to the Team B scrimmage line and extends to each sideline.
3. Individual teams are responsible for furnishing their own game balls.
4. Flags will be provided by SSL.
5. Teams may wear their own numbered jerseys. If opposing teams have the same color
jersey, the visiting team must wear a contrasting color. Jerseys must be either tucked in of 4”
above waistline.
6. Each player must wear shoes that completely cover the foot. NO METAL OR SCREW-IN
CLEATS ALLOWED.
7. No protective padding may be worn – i.e. helmets, shoulder/hip pads. All protective
materials (tape, pads, etc.) must be approved by game officials or supervisor. Casts are not
allowed.
8. Belt loops, knots, pockets and exposed drawstrings are prohibited.
D. Playing the Game
1. The captain winning the coin toss shall have choice of options for the first half or defer to
the second half. a. Kick or receive or b. goal team will defend
2. A kickoff will begin play of each half. After a touchdown and try the ball will be placed on
the scored upon teams 15 yard line. Situation A: Untouched kick goes out of bounds between
the goal lines: receiving team may take the ball at the spot or penalize the kicking team 5 yards
and allow a re-kick. Situation B: Untouched kick goes out-of-bounds behind a goal line: ruled a
touchback and the ball belongs to the team defending that goal line at the 20 yard line
3. After ball is marked ready-for-play, all offensive players must be within 15 yards of the ball
before the snap. Players may shift out to a new position but must be set for 1 second before
snap.
4. Teams have 25 seconds to put the ball into play.
5. Direct snaps are not allowed. The player who receives the snap must be at least 2 yards
behind the offensive line.
6. Only one player in motion is allowed. Motion towards opponent’s goal line is illegal.
7. Blocking: a. Teammates of the runner/passer may screen block only – no interlocked
interference, grasping, or encircling each other. b. Offensive blocking cannot initiate contact.
The blocker must have hands and arms at sides of behind back. c. Defensive players must go
around the offensive player’s screen block. Players initiating contact will be penalized.
8. Ball Carrier: a. Cannot stiff are a defensive player or in any way cause contact b. Protect or
guard the flag other than by spinning or dodging c. Cannot be grasped, pushed, or lifted by a
teammate to gain forward progress. d. Cannot hurdle or dive into a defensive player
9. Passing: a. All players are eligible to catch a forward pass. b. An offensive team may lateral
as many times as they want but only one forward pass completion is allowed per down. d. A
receiver must have at least one foot in bounds for a pass to be ruled a legal completion. e.
Passes shall not be intentionally grounded or thrown out of bounds to save yardage or to
conserve time. f. Ball is dead if a passed is de-flagged prior to releasing the ball. g. A backwards
pass or fumble may be caught and advanced. h. Players may return interceptions out of the end
zone.
10. A player is considered down when de-flagged, when the ball is grounded, or when one knee
touches the ground. (The ball is considered an extension of the player’s hand.)
11. Flag Belts: a. Defensive players may not tackle, block or hold the ball carrier while
attempting to de-flag. b. Defensive players may dive in an attempt to secure a flag. c. If a player
loses the flag belt inadvertently, play continues until he/she is touched with 1 hand between
the shoulders and knees. d. Offensive players must have possession of the ball to be legally deflagged.
12. Inadvertent whistle: a. Ball in player possession – team in possession will have the choice of
taking the ball where it was blown dead or replaying the down. b. Interception from pass –
team may have ball where possession was lost or replay the down c. Ball in air during pass –
down replay. d. If penalty occurs and is accepted – disregard inadvertent whistle.
13. Protected Scrimmage Kicks: (no quick kicks) a. Entire kicking team must be behind own free
kick line. b. Receiving team may try to block the kick. c. No player may cross line of scrimmage
until the ball is kicked.
14. Players scoring touchdowns must raise their arms to be de-flagged by the nearest official. If
a player cannot be de-flagged with one pull, and the official determines the flag belt has been
secured illegally, the TD is disallowed. The player is disqualified and a foul is declared