Football Fall Semester Schedule Date Time Sat. Sept. 27th 8am; 9am; 10am; 11am Preseason Sat. Oct. 11th 9am; 10am; 11am Sat. Oct. 18th 9am; 10am; 11am Sat. Oct. 25th 9am; 10am; 11am Sat. Nov 1st 9am; 10am; 11am Sat. Nov. 8th 8am; 9am; 10am; 11am 1st Round Playoffs Sat. Nov. 15th 9am; 10am Semi-­‐Finals Sat. Nov. 22nd 10am Championship Flag Football Rules
(updated 6/14)
Start of the Game
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Game time is starting time; You must have at least 6 players to start a game. The official
time will be kept on the scorer’s table.
The referee shall toss a coin after designating which captain shall call the toss. The
winner of the toss shall have first choice to choose whether to receive or kick off. The
loser of the toss will choose which side of the field they want to start on.
Teams automatically switch ends at the start of the 2nd half and the receiving team from
the first half will now kick off.
A Kickoff will start each half and follow a touchdown. Ball will be kicked from the
kicking teams 5yd line. Kicker must use a kicking tee.
Any kickoff that goes out of bounds beyond the receiving teams 10yd line, thru the end
zone, caught in the end zone and not advanced(fair catch) will be place at the receiving
teams 10yd line. Kickoff that goes out of bounds before the 10yd line will be marked at
the estimated spot where the ball perceived to cross the sideline.
A dropped or touched ball during a kickoff is dead at that spot. If ball is dropped in the
end zone it is a touchback, ball out to the 10yd line.
There are no on-side kicks in flag football. A ball on the ground does not have to be
advanced or picked up by the receiving team.
Game Time and Time Outs
•
•
•
•
•
Games will be two 20-minute halves of running time, except for the last two minutes of
the 2nd half as time will be stopped after each play. The clock will restart on the referee’s
whistle to begin play after he has set the ball on the ground.
**Mercy Rule: time will not stop if a team is ahead by 18pts.
Half time will be 5 minutes
The offensive team has 15 seconds from the time the ball is set by the officials to put the
ball back into play. If the team exceeds 15 seconds, officials will call a delay of game
penalty.
One time out per half(45secs), if you don’t use your time out in the first half you lose it; it
doesn’t carry over to the second half.
Tie and Overtime Games
•
•
•
In case of a tie at the end of regulation play during the regular season and during the
playoffs, each team will get four downs from the twenty yard line (closest to their goal)
to score.
Each team will get one 30-second timeout per overtime.
Tie in team records are settled by, head to head competition, then the collective amount
of points scored during pool play. If we are still tied, we will then subtract the amount of
points scored against, from the collective amount of points scored. If we are still tied, a
coin-toss will decide the winner.
Field Dimensions and First Downs (subject to change)
•
•
•
•
The field is approximately 70yds long by 40yds wide.
There is a mid-field line. Offense gets a fresh set of downs when they pass this mid-field
line. However, once they pass that line they cannot get a first down should subsequent
plays set them backwards causing them to pass the line for the second time during the
same possession
Offense has 4 downs to earn another first down
First downs are also earned by penalties. See penalty section.
Number of Players
•
•
There is a minimum of six players required to start a game and maximum of seven
players to continue a game.(7 vs 7)
Free substitution is allowed after a play has been blown dead and until the referee blows
his whistle to begin the 15sec count.
Equipment/Clothing
•
•
•
•
•
Only sneakers and artificial turf shoes are permitted. (No sharp metal spikes or bare feet
will be allowed; shoes must be closed toe shoes.)
No jewelry (rings, necklaces, or earrings) is to be worn when playing.
Colored pennies will be issued to players but teams are encouraged to have their players
wear the same colored shirts.
Shorts cannot have belt loops or pockets. (Do the best you can)
Drawstrings must be tucked away.
Scoring
1. Touchdown: 6 Points
2. Safety: 2 Points
3. Point after touchdown:
a. From 5-yard line: 1 Point
b. From 10-yard line: 2 Points
Neutral Zone/Line of Scrimmage
•
•
There will be a one-yard restraining area called the NEUTRAL ZONE, forward of the
ball and extending to both sidelines. Once the ball is set to play(15secs), no player,
offense or defense is allowed to step into that area. A pass rusher may not enter into the
Neutral Zone until after the ball has been touched by an offensive player.
Only one player may be in motion parallel to the line at any one time before the ball is
snapped.
Passing
•
•
•
•
•
•
All players are eligible to receive a pass.
Only one forward pass per down (either over handed or underhanded).
No forward hand-offs between the quarterback and the center.
At the time of a pass reception, the receiver must be in bounds for a complete pass (Ball
in complete control with at least one foot in bounds).
Any number of backward or lateral passes are permitted before being ruled down
A forward pass from behind the line of scrimmage which lands on the ground behind the
line of scrimmage is an incomplete pass and ball is marked on the original spot.
Defensive Pass Rush
•
•
•
Defense may rush only after the snapped ball has been touched by an offensive player.
Defensive players must start 1 yard behind the ball(neutral zone) from where it is placed
on the ground.
Defensive rusher may not make any contact with the quarterback when he is attempting a
pass. (ex…a rusher either jumps up and tries to block the pass by the quarterback and
during the follow-thru there is contact with the quarterback. The rusher will be penalized
with an illegal contact.)
Offensive Rushing
•
•
•
•
Anyone running the ball has the responsibility to avoid the defender. The ball carrier
cannot run through a defender.
Ball carrier cannot jump in the air.(no penalty, dead ball at that spot)
Receiver jumping for a passed ball is legal.
Ball carrier cannot guard the flag by using their hand/arm or using the arm carrying the
ball and swinging it alongside the flag in a running motion.(no penalty, dead ball at that
spot)
Blocking
•
•
•
•
•
There is no blocking of any kind.
Screening is not allowed. Players on the offensive team standing in the way of the runner
and the defense may not attempt to block/screen. This rule is to avoid injury to all players
on both offensive and defensive teams.
Running screens are not allowed
No player may use his/her hand to go through, over, or around an opponent.
No body blocks, roll blocks, or shoulder blocks are allowed at anytime.
Fumbles
•
•
•
•
•
•
All fumbled balls touching the ground are dead at the spot the ball hits the ground.
The team fumbling the ball retains possession of the ball (except on 4th down).
All incomplete or dropped laterals and pitches are considered fumbles.
Any player catching a passed or fumbled ball that does not touch the ground can advance
that ball.
A fumbled ball by an offensive team in their end zone constitutes a safety.(except on a
punt and kickoff)
The offensive team may not fumble a ball forward in mid-air to advance the ball.
Flag Belts and Legal "Tackles”
•
•
•
•
•
•
Each player must wear a flag belt; each team will have a different color. Every player
must have their shirt tucked in their pants.
If a player loses his/her flag belt without being “tackled” and has possession of the ball,
the defense must touch them with one hand between the shoulders and knees to make the
legal "tackle."
A legal tackle is made when a defensive player detaches the flag belt from the ball
carrier. A defensive player cannot hold the ball carrier to execute a “tackle”.
A shielding infraction will be called if a ball carrier uses his/her hands, arms, the ball or
clothing to hide or prevent an opponent from pulling the flag belt.
Any ball carrier caught wearing the belt illegally will incur an “unsportsmanlike penalty”
and ejection from any future participation in flag football.
The ball is dead if either knee of the ball carrier touches the ground at any time.
Punting
•
•
•
The referee will ask the offensive team on all fourth downs if they intend to punt or "go
for it." Fake punts are not allowed.
Once the ball is put into play by the referee, all players must remain where they are until
the ball is PUNTED.
On a bad snap, the ball is dead where it first touches the ground.
Safety and Touchbacks
•
•
•
•
•
A fumbled ball by an offensive team in their end zone constitutes a safety, except on a
kickoff or punt.
A pass that is intercepted in the end zone and not advanced out of the end zone is a
touchback. The ball is put in play on the 10-yard line.
A punt received in the end zone and not advance out of the end zone, is a touchback. The
ball is put in play on the 10-yard line.
An Advance Ball occurs when the player takes a step out of the end zone into the playing
field. Once this happens, the player is considered live and must continue to advance the
ball. Stepping back into the end zone and “taking a knee” or getting “legally tackled” will
result in a safety
Following a safety, the offensive team who gave up the safety can either punt or kick the
ball to their opponent. The ball shall be placed on the 5-yard line.
Penalties
Section 1: Penalties with a loss of 5 yards
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Delay of game(offense/defense)
Free kick infractions(offense/defense)
Interference with opponent or ball before snap(defense)
False start or any illegal act by the snapper(offense)
Player illegally in motion(offense)
Illegal handling ball forward(offense)
Illegal forward pass
Illegal procedure or False Start
Offside(offense/defense; lined up in the neutral zone at that time of the snap)
Section 2: Penalties with loss of 10 yards
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Holding and blockin
Trippin
Illegal participation
Pushing or assisting the runner
Illegal use of hand or arm
Roughing the passer
Offensive pass interference
Holding the ball carrier in order to pull flag
Section 3:
•
•
•
Defensive Pass interference- ball placed at the spot of the penalty and the offense is given
an automatic first down.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct(taunting, arguing w/referee, unnecessary roughness, pushing a
ball carrier instead of grabbing for the flag, excessive contact of any kind, use of
profane/foul language, illegal wearing of the flag belt, and any other behavior deem
unsportsmanlike by the referees and game supervisor)15yd penalty and yellow card
enforcement.
Excessive Celebration…we will allow limited and creative celebration. However,
anything that suggests taunting, put-downs, degrading, and unsportsmanlike will result in
loss of the touchdown, and a yellow card enforcement.
Referees reserve the right to sit down any player who is beginning to lose control of ones
emotions, losing their cool, causing too much problems, running their mouth, etc., etc.. Player
cannot return until he checks with game supervisor and is given the ok.
*All rules subject to change by officials w/prior notifications to captains. Sportsmanship Rating Following each game/match the referees will give a team rating score base on a 1.0 – 5.0 scale with 5.0 being the highest score. Any team that receives an average score of less than 2.5 for any 2 games/matches will be dropped from competition. A team must have a 2.5> sportsmanship rating in order to continue into any playoff. Participants are accessed (yellow/red) penalty cards for violation of sportsmanship conduct and rule(s). A player who is accessed a (yellow) card will be suspended from play for a period of 3 minutes. At which time that player’s team will have to play one player down until the 3 minutes are over. If that same player returns and receives a second (yellow) card, another 3 minute penalty will be incurred and the player is dismissed for the rest of the game. If this same player receives a third (yellow) penalty card in any subsequent game, the 3 minute penalty will be applied and that player will be dismissed and not allowed to participate in that event. A (red) penalty card can be issued any time. Participants who violate the code of good sportsmanship thru a violent and/or excessive nature will be dismissed immediately and a written report sent to the Office of Honor. Participant will be banned from intramural participation for up to one year or until situation is resolved between the Office of Honor, Intramural Director, and participant. Things that adversely affect sportsmanship rating: Complaining to referees Verbal challenges to opponents Taunting Losing control of ones emotions Foul language, slangs, and gestures, unbecoming a BYUH student/staff. Disrespectful towards opponents and their fans. Disrespectful towards the intramural referees and staff Excessive display of frustrations Forfeiting a game Any violation of the code of conduct as it is written in the University Honor Code.