FLAG FOOTBALL RULES













Maximum of 10 players on a roster. Minimum of 7 player on the roster. Beginning of the game will consist of a coin flip. The ball will be placed on the offensive team’s 5 yard line to begin the game on a 40 yard field. The offensive team has 4 downs to gain 10 yards to earn a new set of downs. The format of play will be 7 vs 7. This can be changed depending on the number of kids that show up on a given game as long as both coaches agree to it. If there is a turnover on downs the defense will be awarded the ball on their five yard line and play will resume with a fresh set of downs. There are no scores or standing in Flag Football A 25 second clock will begin once the ball has been placed at the line of scrimmage by the referee. The offensive team will then have 25 seconds to huddle and get to the line for the play. (the refs may announce “to the line” to remind you it too much time has passed) There will be two time outs allotted per half. The head coach or designated coach will be the ONLY person who can call a time out; signaled by the usual signal of a time out or letting the ref know. The play will begin with the referee asking if both the defense and offense are ready. The QB is then responsible for getting set by calling the snap in a loud, clear voice. This part is important as it will constitute the beginning of the play and we want a uniform signal that the snap has been made. The ball must be snapped between the center and the QB. There will be no self‐snaps. The center may snap the football in the traditional way or can simply stand to the side of the line of scrimmage and shovel snap the football to the QB. The QB will NOT be able to take the snap and run directly forward. The QB must drop back and if he or she chooses to run then he or she must run OUTSIDE of the pocket. Once the QB is flushed out of the pocket, he or she may then cut back and run wherever he or she chooses but there will be no QB sneaks up the middle. Fumble will be counted as a DEAD ball at the point that the ball hits the ground. Interceptions are legal and if this happens, the defensive player has the chance to run it back as far as he or she can all the way to a TD. As soon as the knee of the ball carrier hits the ground then he or she is down. Defense has possession of the ball and play resumes as first down Two coaches can be on the field. They must be five yard behind the player who is the deepest in the back field. All players must play all position within the season. The goal is to have each player experience all the positions and have fun. Scoring:
• Touchdown = 6 points
• Extra Points: 3 yards out = 1 point; 5 yards out = 2 points
• Safety = 2 points (Ensuing free kick, from 20 yard line regardless of field size)
Flag Football Playing Rules
1. No “flag guarding. A ball carrier cannot block defense from pulling his flag. It is a 5 yard
penalty with a loss of down
2. Shirts and flag belts must be tucked in. Shirts and straps cannot impede or block a defensive
player from pulling the flag. A 5 yard penalty will be assessed at the spot of the foul.
FLAG FOOTBALL RULES
3. Shadow blocking is allowed.
4. No contact blocking allowed. Forward movement, the use of hands, and arms in a blocking
motion is considered blocking and a 5 yard penalty will be assessed.
5. No tacking allowed. There is a distinction between tripping up and tackling. Tripping will
happen and is part of the game. Blatant tripping or tackling is a 10 yard penalty
6. No stiff arming. It is flag guarding if it is below the waist.
Game Equipment
1. Football. An official football Jr or PeeWee size
2. Spot Disc: 2 Spotter disc. One to mark offensive scrimmage line, the other to mark
defensive scrimmage line.
3. Jerseys or shirts must be uniform and contrasting to the opponents. Jersey or shirt can not be
the same color as the flag
4. Three Belt Flag (red for home and yellow for away)
5. Pants/shorts: Each player must wear pants or shorts without loops, belts, or exposed strings.
The pants or shorts must not be the same color as the flag
6. Gloves: Players may wear gloves which must consist of a pliable, soft, nonabrassive
material
7. Shoes: Shoes with cleats must be made of a soft plastic or rubber
8. SOFT HEAD GEAR IS MANDATORY
Illegal Game and Player Equipment
1. Player with illegal equipment will not be permitted to play. This applies to any equipment,
which in the opinion of the Referee, is dangerous or confusing. Types of equipment or
substance which shall always be declared illegal include:
a. Headgear containing any hard, unyielding, or stiff material, including billed hats
b. Jewelry
c. Pads or braces above the waist
d. Shoes with metal, ceramic, screw-in, or detachable cleats
e. Legs or knee braces made of hard, unyielding material.
f. Towels attached to the players pants
2. An official timeout shall be to permit prompt repair of equipment which become illegal or
defective through use, except for illegal shoes.
3. Any player found wearing illegal equipment will be assessed a 15yard penalty.
a. The second warning shall result in a penalty for the coach and manager
b. The player wearing the illegal equipment will be removed from the game and may return
when the illegal equipment has been replaced.