ATCC Flag Football Rules-Revised 2/16/12
General Rules of Play
1) NO Contact allowed. Incidental contact will occur (Referee’s judgment)
2) A coin toss determines the Options: Start with the ball, Defer option till the second half or direction.
3) The ball must be snapped backwards and off the ground. The ball need not be snapped between the
center’s legs, but the center cannot have his/her feet over the scrimmage line. In a legal snap, the
movement must be a quick and continuous motion of the hand or hands backwards. Once the ball leaves
the ground, the defense may rush.
4) Any loose ball that hits the ground will become dead where it hits
5) The Offensive team takes possession of the ball at their 5 yard line and has three (3) plays to cross
mid-field. Once a team crosses mid-field, they will have (3) additional plays to score a touchdown.
6) If the offensive team fails to cross mid-field or score, possession of the ball changes and the opposite
team starts their drive from the (5) yard line.
7) All possession changes EXCEPT interceptions start on the Offenses (5) Yard Line.
8) The GAME consists of two (12) Minute halves.
The last minute of each half the clock will stop on:
• Incomplete passes
• Running out of bounds
• First Downs
• Scores (Extra Point Tries will be untimed downs)
• Time-outs. (There will be a 3 minute halftime.)
9) Each time the ball is spotted, a team has (25) seconds to snap the ball. (Teams will receive one
warning before a Delay of Game penalty is enforced.)
10) The ruling of the referee is final.
Field
1. Field size is approximately 70 yds x 25 yds with two 10 yd end zones.
Exceptions
RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK
1) All players that rush the passer must be a minimum of (7) yards from the line of scrimmage and one
yard over from the center when the ball is snapped. Any number of players can rush the Quarterback.
Defenders have a straight line to the QB, and any offensive player must NOT interfere in the path
of any defensive rusher.
2) Players NOT rushing the Quarterback may defend the line of scrimmage.
3) Once the ball has left the quarterback hands, the (7) yard rule is NO longer in effect. (All defenders are
eligible to cross the line of scrimmage.)
4) A special marker, or the referee, will designate the (7) yard point from the line of scrimmage.
Running
1) The Quarterback CANNOT run the ball.
2) Laterals & Pitches are legal anywhere on the field as long as they are always backwards.
3) The player who takes the hand-off can throw the ball as long as he/she does not pass the line of
scrimmage.
4) “No Running Zones” are located 5 yards before midfield and 5 yards before the end zone in each
offensive direction.
5) “No Running Zones” are designed to avoid short yardage power running situations.
6) Spinning is allowed but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive player.
7) The ball is spotted where the ball is, not where the flag belt was pulled.
Passing
1) All plays must be from the shotgun formation (QB has to be at least 2 yards behind the center)
2) All passes must be forward and received beyond the line of scrimmage.
3) Shovel passes are allowed but must be received beyond the line of scrimmage.
4) QB has a 7-second “pass clock”. If a pass is not thrown within the 7 seconds, then the ball will be
declared dead, and treated as if the pass was incomplete.
5) Interceptions change the possession of the ball at the point of interception. The ball comes out to the 5yard line if the interception occurs in the end zone.
Receiving
1) All players are eligible to receive passes
2) Only one player is allowed in motion at a time.
3) Player must have at least one foot in bounds when making a catch; player cannot step out of bounds
and back in bounds to make a catch.
4) Pass may not be intentionally tipped in any direction to another teammate.
Dead Balls
1) Play is ruled “DEAD” when:
A) Offensive player’s flag is pulled.
B) Ball carrier steps out of bounds.
C) Touchdown is scored.
D) At the point of an interception (interception returns are not allowed).
E) Ball carrier’s knee hits the ground.
*(If the flag falls off on its own, it becomes one-hand touch between the shoulders & knees)
2) There are no fumbles. Ball is spotted where it hits the ground. Anytime the ball touches the ground it is
dead.
Attire
1) Any flat soled or completely molded cleat shoes are acceptable. Removable cleats, baseball or track
spikes or shoes that have steel or metal tips are prohibited.
2) No jewelry of any kind may be worn during the game.
3) No headgear with an extended bill may be worn (ex. Caps, visors, etc.)
4) Shirts must be tucked in shorts, pants, etc.
5) All players should wear a protective mouthpiece.
6) Players must wear same colored jerseys.
7) ATCC reserves the right to approve/disapprove any team name, logo and language on uniforms
deemed lewd, vulgar, obscene or suggestive in order to maintain a wholesome environment conducive to
providing quality leisure opportunities.
Players/Game Schedule
1) Teams must field a minimum of four (4) players at all times during the game.
2) Game time is forfeit time. It is up to the referee’s discretion to allow a short “grace period” for a team
to avoid a forfeit.
3) We reserve the right to reduce, shorten, or reschedule games due to unforeseen circumstances.
4) All players must carry I.D. (ie. Drivers License or company badge)
5) If a team forfeits two (2) league games due to lack of players at the start of a regularly
scheduled game, the team WILL be dropped from the league with NO REFUND of entry fee and all
teams scheduled to play the offending team for the remainder of the season will receive a win by
forfeit.
6) Mercy Rule: Game is over once a team is ahead by 21 points or more with 5 minutes or less
remaining in the game.
Scoring
1) 24 minutes are the length of the games.
2) TD=6 points, Extra Point=1 (3 yards out); 2 (10 yards out), Safety=2 points
Sportsmanship
1) If the field monitor or referee witnesses any acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking, or an
unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player can be ejected from the game. Tournament
director may decide to eject players from the tournament. FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
2) Trash talking is illegal. Official has the right to determine language, which is offensive. (Trash talk is
that which may be offensive to official, opposing team, or spectators). Referee can eject players from the
game for trash talking.
Time-outs
1) Officials can stop the clock at their own discretion.
2) Only players on the field during the previous play may call time out.
3) Each team is permitted one (1) timeout per half and one (1) timeout per overtime period. Timeouts do
not carry over from the first or second half or from overtime periods. A timeout shall not exceed one (1)
minute.
Overtime
If the score remains tied at the end of regulation play, an overtime period will be played. An overtime
period consists of a series of downs by each team from the 10-yard line, the object of which is to score a
touchdown. If the score remains tied after one overtime period, play will proceed to a second period or as
many as needed to determine a winner. All overtime periods are played toward the same goal line.
Possession at the beginning of the overtime period shall be determined by a coin toss.
Penalties
1) All penalties will be called by the Referee and may be declined.
2) All penalties are assessed from the original line of scrimmage.
3) The game CANNOT end on a defensive penalty, unless the penalty is declined.
Defensive Penalties:
Offsides
Interference
Illegal Contact (holding, bump and run, illegal blocking, stripping the ball, etc.)
Illegal Flag Pull (before receiver has ball)
Illegal Rushing (start rush from inside 7 yard marker)
All defensive penalties are 5 yards from line of scrimmage and automatic 1 st down if accepted by
the offense.
Offensive Penalties:
Illegal Motion (more than 1 person moving, false start, motion, etc.)
Illegal Forward Pass (pass received behind line of scrimmage)
Offensive Pass Interference (illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender)
Flag Guarding
Delay of Game – Clock will stop.
All offensive penalties are 5 yards from line of scrimmage and repeat down if accepted by the
Defense. Within 10 yards of goal, ball is placed ½ distance to the goal. Referees determine incidental
contact, which may result from normal run of play! Only the team captain may ask the referee questions
about rule clarification and interpretations. Players cannot question judgment calls.
Equipment
1) Flags will be provided by ATCC
2) Each team is responsible for providing their own game ball.
Additional Comments
1) Each team must wear similar colored jerseys. Be on time. Remember, 2 forfeits and your team is done
for the season.
2) Tie breakers for a playoff spot are
a. Head to head game.
b. Most points scored
c. Least points scored against
d. As last resort a coin toss
3) Alcohol, drugs, tobacco and firearms is STRICTLY prohibited on school property, including parking lot