Flag Football
Rules
Elite Division
updated 8/24/12
i9 Sports Official 7 vs 7 Flag Football Rules
i9 Sports Flag Football Elite Division is a popular seven-on-seven game filled with fun and action.
In this game, the offensive team plays for three first downs and a touchdown in the end zone.
Running and passing plays are allowed. The defensive team covers receivers, rushes the passer
and grabs flags to make “tackles.”
The Basics
• A coin toss determines first possession.
• The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 20-yard line and has four plays to
reach the first down marker (located on both 20 and 40 yard lines) and endzone.
• If the turnover on downs occurs before the 50-yard line, the ball will be placed on the 50.
If the turnover on downs occurs beyond the 50, the ball will be placed at the spot.
• Teams change sides after the first 25 minutes. Possession changes to loser of coin toss.
• Field dimensions are: 100 yards long X 30 yards wide with 7-10 yard end zones.
Playing Field
The typical playing field is 100 yards in length and approximately 30 yards wide with 7-10 yard
end zones at each end. These dimensions can be modified to suit the area or other concerns.
OFFICIAL BALL OF i9 SPORTS
“Champ-Pro 500 leather composite” JUNIOR SIZE
THE TEAM
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Play is 7x7 on the field, but teams must field a minimum of (6) players at all times.
Teams will consist of 8-14 players*
Rosters will be determined in the following order:
1. Coach Submitted Roster
2. Grade
3. Age eligibility
4. Siblings
5. School
6. Buddy Request
7. Skill Level (will be considered to balance league)
SKILLS DEFINED
Skills are determined within each division and are NOT determined by age relative to other
players in the division. If a player advances to the next division the following season, their level
will remain intact.
Advanced: Player has played i9 Sports for at least (2) seasons OR player has played in an
organized tackle football league prior. It will be assumed that the player will have a full
command of i9 Sports flag football rules when entering the field.
Beginner: Player has not played in an i9 flag football league OR has played (1) season, but
does not have a good understanding of i9 flag football rules. Note: If a player has played
organized tackle football, he/she will be considered an “Advanced” player.
EXAMPLE: A participant plays at the advanced level in the Rookie Division during Spring and
then moves to the Varsity Division in Fall. It will be assumed he/she is still at the advanced level.
PLAYER ATTIRE
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Soccer cleats or good traction sneakers. No metal spikes
All players must wear a mouthpiece during game play. No exceptions.
No pockets or hoops.
No hats with brims or bills (including baseball hats).
Official i9 jersey must be worn during game play.
All shirts must be TUCKED IN.
Flag belts must be positioned correctly and the appropriate size
THE COACHES
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All coaches must be certified to coach or help with practice on the field.
All coaches must have their RED shirts visible to the officials.
Only (2) certified coaches are allowed on the playing field during game time (note: all
certified coaches are welcome on the field during practice hours.
Only (1) coach allowed on field prior to ball being snapped
All coaches must return to sideline prior to ball being snapped
NOTE: Officials have the discretion to penalize teams 5 yards if attire or coach rules are violated
TIMING/OVERTIME
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(2) 25-minute halves with a running clock
Clock will stop in last (2) minutes of each half if the following happens:
 Out-of-bounds
 Incomplete Pass/Fumble
 First Down
 Time-Out
 Score
Each time the ball is spotted, a team has (30) seconds to snap the ball. (Teams will
receive one warning before a delay-of-game penalty is enforced)
Overtime only occurs in Division Tournament & i9 Bowl
SCORING
TOUCHDOWN:
EXTRA POINT:
SAFETY:
INTERCEPTION (returned):
FORFEIT
6 Points
1 Point (played from the 5-yard line)
2 Points (played from the 12-yard line and can pass or
run)
2 Points (a safety is called when the ball carrier’s flag is
pulled in their own endzone)
6 Points (Exception: A returned extra point attempt will be
scored equal to the value of the extra point attempt). If a
pass is intercepted in the intercepting teams own end
zone, and the player’s flags are pulled while still in his own
end zone, the intercepting team is awarded the ball at their
own 20 yard line and no safety is awarded (no points
scored).
Will occur with less than 6 players on a team. Score will be
reported as 7-0
MERCY RULE
If point differential exceeds (21) points, the following will take place:
1. Team in mercy rule will spot the ball at the opponents 40-yard line and have (6)
attempts to score.
2. If no score is made by the 6th attempt, the ball will be spotted on the 10-yard line
for (2) more attempts (Team can run or pass)
3. Interceptions will count as a dead ball and team in mercy will retain possession.
4. Team that is ahead cannot rush the QB.
5. After the 8th attempt, the team that is ahead will take possession on their own 20yard line. All subsequent touchdowns scored by this team will count as (1) point
(note: player stats on the web can be counted as 6 points)
6. Coaches should play the less skilled players more frequently if the 8th attempt by
the team in mercy fails.
RUNNING
 QB cannot run with the ball past the line of scrimmage.
 Halfback passes are allowed.
 Once ball is handed off, all defensive players are eligible to rush.
 Spinning is allowed, but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive
player (no diving). Player is down where they leave their feet.
 Ball is spotted where the ball carrier’s feet are when the flag is pulled, not where
the ball is or the flag lands.
 Laterals and pitches are allowed anywhere on the field as long as they are
not forward in motion.
 Center-sneaks are not allowed.
• Note: Centers are eligible receivers or running backs after snap
RECEIVING
 All players are eligible to receive passes (including the QB if the ball has been
handed off behind the line of scrimmage)
 Only (1) player is allowed in motion at a time
 Prior to snapping the ball you must have (4) players on the line of scrimmage
 A player must have at least (1) foot down in bound and possession of the ball
when making a reception before going out of bounds.
PASSING
Definition of a Pass: The ball must go over the line of scrimmage in the air
 All passes must be initiated behind the line of scrimmage.
 Shovel passes, pitches & laterals are all allowed behind the line of scrimmage
 The QB has a 7-second “pass-clock”. If a pass is not thrown within the 7seconds, the play is “dead”, ball is placed at previous spot and loss of down.
Once the ball is handed off, the 7-second rule is no longer in effect.
 Double-Pass: As long as the ball does not cross the line of scrimmage, it is legal
(and is considered a “run” play) until the final pass.
 Interceptions change the possession of the ball at the end of the run back.
RUSHING
 Rushing is legal after ball is snapped (or leaves the ground)
 All players that rush the QB must be a minimum of 7-yards back from the
scrimmage line when the ball is snapped.
 Any number of players can rush the QB.
 Players not rushing the QB may defend on the line of scrimmage
 Once the ball is handed off or thrown, the 7-yard rule no longer is in effect and
all defenders may go behind the line of scrimmage.
 A special marker, or the referee, will designate 7-yards from the line of
scrimmage.
DEAD BALL
Play is ruled “dead” when the following takes place:
 Ball carrier’s flags are pulled.
 Ball carrier steps out of bounds.
 Ball carrier’s knee hits the ground.
 The ball is fumbled and hits the ground.
 Ball carrier’s flags fall off.
Also,…
 There are no “fumbles”
 Ball is spotted where ball hits the ground, except when ball-carrier’s flags are
pulled, then ball is spotted where carrier’s feet land.
DEFENSIVE PENALTIES (Opposing team coaches have the option to decline a penalty)
Pre-Snap & Post-Snap Penalties—5 yards and repeat the down
• Offsides
• Illegal Contact (holding, blocking, contact)
• Illegal Rushing (starting rush from inside 7-yard marker)
• Substitution Fouls (more than 7 players on field when ball snapped)
• Interference with opponent or ball during snap
Post-Snap Penalties—5 yards from point of foul and repeat the down
• Defensive Holding or Illegal Flag Pull
Post-Snap Penalties—15 yards and automatic 1st down
• Pass Interference
OFFENSIVE PENALTIES (Opposing team coaches have the option to decline a penalty)
Pre-Snap Penalties—5 yards and repeat the down
• Delay of Game
• Substitution Fouls
• Illegal Motion (more than 1 person moving, etc)
• Illegal Formation (fewer than 4 people set on the line of scrimmage at the time of
snap)
• False Start
• Illegal Snap
Post-Snap Penalties—5 yards and loss of down
• Offensive Holding
• Player Out of Bounds (if player goes out of bounds, player cannot return to the
field and catch the ball)
• Offensive Pass Interference (illegal pick play, pushing off/away from defender)
Post-Snap Penalties—5 yards and loss of down
• QB:7-second clock violation
Post-Snap Penalties—5 yards from point of foul and loss of down
• Flag Guarding
Safety Situation
• A 2- point safety will be rewarded if the defense pulls the flag of the ball-carrier in
their own end-zone. The defensive team will be rewarded 2-points and the ball at
their own 20-yard line.
SPORTSMANSHIP/ROUGHING
Foul Play will not be tolerated!!
 If the site manager or official witnesses any acts of intentional tackling, elbowing,
cheap shots, blocking or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and
the player will be ejected from the game.
 Trash talking is illegal. Officials have the right to determine offensive language. If
trash talking occurs, the official will give (1) warning. If it continues, the player(s)
will be ejected from the game.
Parent/Coach Conduct
Any parent that acts in a manner outlined as inappropriate in the i9 Sports Parental Pledge will
be given 1) a verbal warning and assessed a 15 yard penalty for their child’s team. If the
behavior is repeated during any part of the season, i9 Sports will ask the parent to leave the
premises and not return. No refunds will be given for any remaining portion of the season. In
addition to the removal, their child’s team will be forced to forfeit the game during that day.
Coaches: Any coach that acts in a manner outlined as inappropriate in the Coaches Conduct
agreement will be given 1) a verbal warning and assessed a 15 yard penalty for their team. If
the behavior is repeated during any part of the season, i9 Sports will ask the coach to leave the
premises and not return. No refunds will be given for any remaining portion of the season. In
addition to the removal, their child’s team will be forced to forfeit the game during that day and i9
Sports will seek a replacement coach for the remainder of the season.
COACH TIP: If you disagree with a call, ask the official for an un-penalized time-out to clarify the rule.
Please talk with the official away from the kids and other parents.
NOTE: i9 Sports reserves the right to add/remove/adjust a players’ equipment at any point in a game or
season.
LYSTEDT LAW
“A youth athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or
game shall be removed from competition at that time” and “…may not return to play until the
athlete is evaluated by a licensed heath care provider trained in the evaluation and
management of concussion and received written clearance to return to play from that health
care provider”.
WHEN IN DOUBT, SIT THEM OUT!!
“and the most important rule of all...
HAVE FUN!!!”