YMCA ADULT FLAG FOOTBALL 4 v 4 RULES
A. YMCA FACILITY POLICIES
- Please observe that all YMCA grounds & facilities are SMOKE FREE, TOBACCO FREE,
and ALCOHOL FREE zones.
- Please observe NO PARKING signs where marked or posted.
- DO NOT park in designated handicapped areas w/o proper permit.
- Please slow down vehicles upon entering and exiting parking areas.
- Please advise parents to supervise their children while on the fields to minimize
accidents from happening.
B. PLAYING RULES – ADULTS
THE GAME
1. Visitors Start with the ball
2. The offensive team takes possession of the ball at the west end of the field and has three
plays to cross the 20-yard mark. Once a team has crossed the 20-yard mark, they will have
three plays to score a touchdown. If the offense fails to score, the ball changes possession
and the new offensive team takes over at the west starting point.
3. If the offensive team fails to cross the 20-yard mark, possession of the ball changes and the
opposite team starts their drive from the starting point.
4. All possession changes, including interceptions, start at the west end.
5. Games will be played in two 20-minute halves. Clock will run continuously except for the last
minute of both halves.
6. Overtime = 5 min. Sudden Death
THE PLAYERS:
1. Teams can field up to 4 players but must have a minimum of 3 players to start the game. A
fourth player may join the game upon arrival during a dead ball.
THE ATTIRE:
1. Jerseys must be long enough that they remain tucked in the pants, shorts, etc. during the
entire down or short enough so there is a minimum of 4” from the bottom of the jersey to the
players’ waistline.
2. Pants or shorts cannot be worn which have belts; belt loops, pockets, or exposed drawstrings.
The pants or shorts must be a different color than the flags.
3. Cleats ARE NOT allowed. Only non-marking tennis or court shoes are acceptable.
4. No baseball caps or headwear containing any hard, unyielding, stiff material, or items
containing exposes knots.
5. No jewelry (earring, necklaces, watches, bracelets, etc.)
SCORING:
1. Touchdown = 6 points, Extra Point = 1 point passing only, Extra Points = 2 points passing or
running
2. Games tied at the end of 40 minutes will play 5-minute sudden-death overtime. First
possession of overtime will be decided by coin toss.
3. Each team is awarded 1 time-out during overtime.
TIMEOUTS:
1. Each time the ball is spotted, a team has 30 seconds to snap the ball. A Delay of Game
penalty results in a loss of down.
2. Each team has (1) 60 second timeout per half.
RUNNING PLAYS:
1. The quarterback cannot run the ball.
2. Only direct hand-offs behind the line of scrimmage are legal. Offenses my use multiple handoffs.
3. Absolutely no laterals or pitches of any kind.
4. No running zones are designed to avoid short yardage power running situations.
5. No running zones are located 5 yards from the end zone and 20 yard marker.
6. The player who takes the hand-off can throw the ball as long as he/she does not pass the line
of scrimmage.
7. Once the ball has been handed off, all defensive players are eligible to rush.
RECEIVING:
1. All players are eligible to receive passes (including the QB if the ball has been handed off
behind the line of scrimmage.)
2. As in regular football, only one player is allowed in motion at a time prior to snap.
3. Players must have at least one-foot in-bounds when making a catch.
4. If a player’s flag falls off before reception, the player is down where the catch is made.
5. No bump and run coverage.
PASSING:
1. All passes must be forward and received beyond the line of scrimmage.
2. Shovel passes are allowed but must be beyond the line of scrimmage.
3. QB has 5 seconds to pass before being rushed. Once the ball is handed off, the 5-second rule
is no longer in effect.
4. Interceptions = change possession of the ball at the starting point.
DEAD BALLS:
1. Ball must be snapped between the legs, not off to one side, to start play.
2. Play is ruled “DEAD” when”:
· Offensive players flag is pulled
· Ball carrier steps out-of-bound
· Touchdown is scored
· At the point of interception (interception returns are not allowed)
· Ball carrier’s knee hits the floor
· Ball carrier’s flag fall off
3. There are no fumbles. Ball is spotted where the ball hits the ground.
RUSHING THE QB:
1. All players that rush the QB must wait 5 seconds after the ball is snapped. Any number of
players can rush the QB.
2. Once the ball is handed off, the 5-second rule is no longer in effect and all defenders may go
behind the line of scrimmage.
3. The referee will designate when the 5 seconds are up.
4. Defenders covering receivers cannot cross the line of scrimmage until after the hand off
SPORTSMANSHIP/ROUGH PLAY:
1. If the supervisor or official(s) witness any acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking, or
any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player(s) will be ejected from the
game. Depending upon the severity of the incident, further disciplinary action may be taken.
Foul play will not be tolerated.
2. Trash talking is illegal. The supervisor and official(s) have the right to determine language
which is offensive. (Trash talk is that which may be offensive to officials, opposing team
members, or spectators.)
3. If trash talking occurs, the official(s) will give one warning. If it continues, the players(s) will be
ejected from the game.
PENALTIES:
1. All penalties will be called by the official(s)
Defensive:
· Offsides = 5 yards and automatic 1st down
· Pass Interference = spot of the foul and automatic 1st down
· Illegal Contact (holding, blocking, etc.) = spot of the foul and automatic first down
· Illegal Rushing (start rush prior to 5 second count) = 5 yards and automatic first down
Offensive:
· Illegal Motion (more than 1 person moving, false start, etc.) 5 yards and loss of down
· Illegal Forward Pass (pass received behind the line of scrimmage) = 5 yards and loss of
down
· Pass Interference (illegal pick play, pushing off/away from defender) = 5 yards and loss
of down
· Flag Guarding = 5 yards from spot of the foul
· Delay of Game = 5 yards and loss of down
2. Official(s) determine incidental contact, which may result from normal run of play.
3. All penalties will be assessed from the line of scrimmage
4. Only the team captain may ask official(s) questions about rules clarifications and
interpretations. Players can’t question judgment calls.
5. Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it.
6. Only Team Captains can discuss a call with the officials.