4 on 4 Flag Football Rules
revised 3-16-14
Indiana / Vincennes
Purpose of this 4on4 flag football league is to promote good health, sportsmanship and competitive
athletics for adults. *Good ‘Sportsmanship’ and ‘Honesty’ on and off the field are our primary Goals.
(This game should almost officiate itself if players are honest and fair)
-RULES / NUT-SHELL VERSION -No kickoffs or punts – teams start with ball on own 5 yard line
-Field total dimensions 30’x74’ (7 yard end zones)
-First down at mid field only / (3 plays to get 1st down)
-All players eligible to receive pass
-Running is legal (not inside 5yard marks)
-Automatic rush from 7 yrs back (7 sec count if no rush)
-Td’s 6pts – Extra pts.-1pt.-5yrd / 2pts-10yrds -saftey-2pts and ball
-No Contact league! NO: blocking, laterals down field, fumbles, flag guarding, diving with ball, picks
-Penalties enforced by official
-2 markers – One for LOS and one for Rushers spot.
-2-20 min halves running clock. (1 time out per half) – Stop clock last minute of game only.
-Ball spotted at runner’s body position and feet (not ball)
-1 foot in bounds on catch
-Offense - Ball placed anywhere on the LOS. (sideline to sideline)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------EXPANDED VERSION Field Dimensions:
The field shall be 60 yards long from goal line to goal line and a 7 yard deep end zone (total field 74 yards long) and 30 yards wide.
There should be cones to mark all key lines…(goal lines / end lines / 5 yard line for no running zone and mid-field for first down mark) In
addition there should be a long hash mark at both 5 & 10 yard lines and 5 yard marks one both side of mid-field
The Ball:
-Each team will furnish their own ball and be responsible to have it ready for play when their series begins.
-Ball must be Adult size leather football (High School, College or Pro size) - No youth football.
Players/Teams
-Teams must field a minimum of 3 players on the field at all times. (If not – forfeit)
-Teams consist of 8 players on roster (4 on 4)
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-Players must be on the Roster by the 2 week of league play and must play in half the games to be eligible to play in tournament.
-This is an adult flag league – minimum age is 16 years old.
-Team players should all wear the same color shirts or jerseys with numbers.
-Shorts should not have pockets. And no stripes down the sides that resemble flags.
-All shirts must be kept tucked in or cut at the waist – the entire flag and belt must be visible.
-Must arrive to game 30 minutes early and be ready to play if the game prior ends early.
-Rubber cleats are allowed or sneakers NO metal spikes. Inspections must be made.
-All players should wear a protective mouthpiece (optional)
-Hats and sunglasses are allowed as long as they are secured.
-Loose hanging jewelry must be removed; no watches or bracelets are allowed.
THE GAME
-Games will begin on the scheduled time – a 5 minute grace period will be allowed.
-A coin toss with captains determines first possession (team that wins toss has one of the following options: 1-choose to start with the
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ball or not OR 2-choose direction (or they could defer their first choice to the 2 half) – the other team will have a choice of the next
option. If the team that won toss chooses to defer then opposing team can choose ball or direction. The deferring team will have first
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choice at beginning of 2 half and opposing team will choose 2 option.
-The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its own 5-yard line and has three (3) plays to cross midfield (only first down is at
mid-field) Once a team crosses midfield, it has three (3) more plays to score a touchdown. If the offense fails to score or get a first down
in 3 plays the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over on its own 5-yard line (no punting or kickoffs)
-All possession changes (except interceptions) start on the offense’s 5-yardline.
-Teams change directions after the first 20 minutes. And one team will start from own 5 yrd line.
-The offense of team may place the ball anywhere they choose, on the LOS between sidelines each play.
-2 markers should be used to mark the LOS and the 7 yard spot of the rusher. These markers should be moved by the players as the
game goes along. (usually the qb or rusher are closest to bringing these)
-The offense of team is responsible to get their ball after each play.
Timing/Overtime:
-Offense has 30 seconds to snap the ball once teams are reset after a play has ended.
-Teams will receive one warning before a delay-of-game penalty is enforced.
-Each team has one 60-second time out per half.
-Officials can stop the clock at their discretion.
-Games are 40 minutes in length - 2-20minute running halves (except for last min of game)
-If the score is tied at the end of 40 minutes, teams move directly into overtime.
-Coin flip to determine start of overtime and who starts with ball. Ball is placed on the 10yd line.
-Team has 2 plays to score – normal play for overtime from the 10 yard line. (Each team will get at least one possession to score –
once each team has had one chance to score – the first team to score – after each team has had one try - wins (the other team does
not get equal try’s after each has had one try)
Scoring:
-Touchdown: 6 points
-Extra point: 1 point (played from 5-yard line) or 2 points (played from 10-yard line)
-Team can intercept and return a try for the equal points that were being tried for.
-Safety: 2 points and the ball back on own 5 yard line.
Running:
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-The quarterback can run with the ball (but no running inside 5 yard marks (1 down & goal line spots)
-Handoffs & laterals behind the LOS are permitted. Offense may use multiple handoffs behind the LOS.
-Laterals, Pitches and handoffs ARE NOT ALLOWED PAST THE LOS.
-The ball is dead if it hits the ground – even if it possessed by a runner.
-No-running zones, located 5 yards from each end zone and mid field - is designed to avoid short yardage,
power-running situations.
-The player who takes the handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage.
-Once the ball has been 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 with the ball).
-The ball is spotted where the ball carrier’s feet are when the flag is pulled, not where the ball is (the player must cross the goal line for
it to be a TD not just extend the ball there.
-Runner with the ball must keep elbows and arms in toward his body – no stiff/straight arms allowed. No flag guarding – cannot use any
body part (head or upper body) to prevent defender from getting to flags.
Receiving / Passing:
-All players are eligible to receive passes
-Only one player is allowed in motion at a time.
-A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception.
-Receivers cannot set a pick for teammate or push off defender.
-Receivers can dive to make a catch.
-Only one forward pass is allowed per down.
-The quarterback has a 7-second pass clock & a defensive rusher is optional from 7 yards. If a pass is not thrown within the seven
seconds, play is dead, loss of down. Once the ball is handed off, the seven-second rule no longer is in effect.
-Interceptions are allowed and remain live.
-Picks are not allowed. You must allow room for a defender to go by you and a teammate when going out for a pass.
-Anyone who does not have the ball cannot pick, block or get in the way for the teammate with the ball.
-Runners shall not use their players as picks… this is illegal.
Defense:
-There is no contact allowed
-Defensive backs cannot bump or block receivers at any time.
-The rusher who is 7 yards off the line of scrimmage must determine his path to the qb from one side of the snapper or the other – the
rusher then has the right of way to the qb.. (rusher cannot go thru the center & blocking is not allowed)
-Any number of players can rush the quarterback - but must be 7 yards off the LOS at the time of the snap.
-Players not rushing the quarterback may defend anywhere on their side of the LOS.
-Once the ball is handed off, the seven-yard rule no longer is in effect, and all defenders may go behind the line of scrimmage.
-No stripping ball while in player’s possession – must go for the flags once possessed.
**Remember, no blocking or tackling is allowed.
Dead Balls:
-The ball must be snapped between the legs, not off to one side, to start play.
-Substitutions may be made on any dead ball.
-Play is ruled dead when:
-Ball carrier’s flag is pulled.
-Ball carrier steps out of bounds.
-Touchdown or safety is scored.
-Ball carrier’s knee or arm touches the ground (hand on the ground is still live)
-Ball carrier s flag falls out and is touched with one hand by defense.
Note: There are no fumbles. The ball is dead and spotted where the ball hits the ground unless it went forward (then spot ball at the feet
of the runner that fumbled)
**An inadvertent whistle automatically ends the play… If the referee can easily determine the outcome of the play without a whistle – he
may rule on his judgment. If it is not clear then the offense of team has 2 options (1. Take the play and spot the ball where it was when
the whistle blew. 2.Replay the down)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Penalties- All penalties will be called by the referee and enforced by his judgment.
All penalties are either 5 or 10 yard penalties – some include LOD (loss of down) or automatic first down.
Defense:
-Offsides - stop the play - 5 yards.
-Interference 10 yards from LOS and automatic first down
-Illegal contact (holding, blocking, etc.) 10 yards from LOS and automatic first down
-Illegal flag pull (before receiver has ball) 10 yards from LOS and automatic first down
-Illegal rushing (starting rush from inside 7-yard marker) 10 yards and automatic first down
**team offended has option to take penalty or result of play
Offense:
-Illegal motion stop the play - 5 yards and loss of down
-Illegal forward pass – (let play continue) 5 yards from OLOS and loss of down
-Offensive pass interference (illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender) let play continue- 10 yards and loss of down
-Flag guarding – stop play -10 yards from spot of the flag guarding and loss of down.
-Delay of game Clock stops, 10 yards and loss of down (referee may judge to put time on clock if at end of game for a additional play)
Referees determine incidental contact that may result from normal run or play.
-All penalties will be assessed from the line of scrimmage (except flag guarding)
-Only the team captain may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations. Players cannot question judgment
calls.
-Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it.
-Referee has the final say on all calls.
-Referees will keep track of score, clock, time outs and all details of game (including the names of any ejections)
-Referee will send all info to league manager after the final game of the day.
Sportsmanship:
-If the field monitor or referee witnesses any acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking,
or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player will be ejected from the
game and possibly the league.
-FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
-Trash talking is illegal. Officials have the right to determine offensive language. (Trash talk is
talk that may be offensive to officials, opposing players, teams, or spectators.) If trash talking
occurs, the referee will give one warning. If it continues, the player or players will be ejected
from the game.
-ALL EJECTED PLAYERS MUST LEAVE THE FIELD IMMEDIATELY OR GAME WILL BE FORFIETED BY THE OFFENDING TEAM.
-Absolutely no drinking at the field… Any player that appears to have been drinking will be ejected from the game and the area.
-2- Ejections from any league play by the same player will mean the removal of that player from the team.
-Teams that continue to show unsportsmanlike behavior will be eliminated from the league.
**All unsportsmanlike penalties will come with a 10 yard penalty and either LOD (if on Offense) or Automatic first down if on the
defense.
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