JCC FLAG FOOTBALL GAMEPLAY AND RULES
League Rules
The Game
• Gameplay consist of 4v4, typically allowing the offense to have two wideouts, a center and
quarterback- and defense will typically chose one of the following: a man-to-man with a rusher, man
with a free safety, a 3 man zone with a rusher or some form of a 4 man zone (three across on deep,
three deep one shallow, etc)
• No contact allowed.
• NO BLOCKING/SCREENING anytime or anywhere on the field. Offensive players not involved with a
play down field must attempt to get out of the way.
• The offensive team takes possession of the ball at their 5-yard line and has three (3) plays to cross
mid-field. Once team crosses mid-field, they will have four (4) plays to score a touchdown.
• If the offensive team fails to cross mid-field or score, possession of the ball changes and the opposite
team starts their drive from their 5-yard line.
• All possession changes start on the offenses 5-yard line (Exception: Interceptions may be returned and
the ball will be marked where the play ends).
• Each time the ball is spotted a team has 30 seconds to snap the ball. Games consist of four 10 minute
quarters. Teams will flip sides at beginning of 2nd half. Half time will be 3 minutes. Team that started
the first half on offensive will begin 2nd half on defense.
• Coin Toss: There are NO DEFERMENTS. The winner of the coin toss has the following options: 1)
offense, 2) defense.
• Running clock: except injuries & time-outs. In the last minute of the game and final 30 seconds of the
first half, a pro clock is used (stoppage on out of bounds, incomplete passes, defensive penalties, and
scores) The clock does not stop for offensive penalties.
Attire
• NO POCKETS! For the safety of all players, if your shorts or pants have pockets you will not be allowed
to participate.
• Cleats are allowed, except for metal spikes. Inspections can and will be made.
• Shirts must be tucked in shorts, pants, etc.
• Flags will be provided by league. Teams may use their own flags, however, if the other team objects,
they will have to use official league Flags.
• No headgear with an extended bill may be worn (ex: caps, visors, etc). Exceptions will be made if the
bill is backwards.
Rosters
• Teams have four players each on the field. Substitutions are unlimited, and can be made between
plays.
• All players must be 18 years of age or older.
• If a team has only 3 players they may pick up 1 player to make 4. If a fourth player from the scheduled
team arrives the pick up player must leave the game.
Players/Game Schedules
• Teams must field a minimum of three (3) players at all times.
• If a team or teams are more than 10 minutes late for their scheduled games they will be forfeited.
• We reserve the right to reduce, shorten, or reschedule games due to inclement weather or unforeseen
circumstances.
• If a team is late or does not show up to play for 3 games, they will be ejected from the league.
Scoring
• TD=6 points
• Extra Point=1 (5 yards out); 2 (12 yards out)
• Safety=2 points
• Extra Point returned for touchdown by Defense = 2 points
Time Outs
• Each team has two: 60-second time outs per half, in which the clock stops.
• Officials can stop the clock at their own discretion.
Rushing the QB
• All players that rush the passer must be a minimum of 5 yards and 1 yard over from the center
position (either side) from the line of scrimmage 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 has been handed off, the 5 yard rule is no longer in effect and all defenders are eligible
to rush.
• Rusher has a direct line to the quarterback and may not be impeded any offensive player.
• If the offense is lined up in a tight formation rusher must choose a path on the outside of receivers to
maintain a direct unimpeded path to the QB.
Center Snap
• All center snaps must start with the point of the ball on the ground. A false movement of the football
by the center after he is set shall constitute a false start. At all times the ball shall be snapped from the
spot marked by the official ball marker.
Running
• Only one direct hand-off behind the line of scrimmage is legal.
• The player who takes the hand-off CANNOT throw the ball.
• "No Running Zones" are located 5 yards before the end zone and 5 yards before mid-field in each
offensive direction.
• "No Running Zones" are designed to avoid short yardage power running situations.
• Spinning is allowed but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive player.
• The ball will be spotted at the point where the players hips were when his flag was pulled. Ball & flags
must break the plane for a 1st down and touchdown.
• The quarterback is free to run if the defense decides to rush. If the defense does not rush the
quarterback may not run. The quarterback may not run, even if rushed, in the ‘ no running zones’.
Passing
• One forward pass per play
• Interceptions may be returned. Interceptions during Extra Point may be run back for 2 points. If an
interceptions occurs in the end zone, and the player's flag is pulled before he leaves the end zone, the
ball will be spotted on the 5-yard line.
• If a pass is deflected by the rusher and caught by the quarterback, the quarterback may run the ball
but not pass the ball.
Receiving
• All players are eligible to receive passes.
• Only one player is allowed in motion at the time of the snap.
• Player must have at least one foot in bounds when making a catch.
• Once reception has been established ball may not be stripped by defender.
•On a play in which there is a ‘bobbled ball’ situation, the player will be marked down wherever his flag
is pulled. That is to say, if an offensive player touches it at the 20 yard line without complete possession,
has his flag pulled immediately, but continues to bobble the ball to the 10 yard line before he gains full
possession, the play will be called dead, the reception awarded and the ball spotted at the 20.
Dead Balls
• Play is ruled "DEAD" when:
- Offensive player’s flag is pulled.
- Ball carrier steps out of bounds.
- Touchdown is scored.
- Ball carrier's knee or the ball hits the ground.
• If an Offensive or Defensive Player's flag falls out:
- after reception, hand-off or interception, a defensive player must touch him for the ball to become
dead.
- prior to reception, hand-off or interception, offensive player is down at the spot where ball is received.
• Equipment Violation: The play will be called dead at the snap if any player begins the play without
flags attached to the belt.
- Defensive Penalty: 5 yards and automatic first down
- Offensive Penalty: 5 yards and loss of down
• There are no fumbles. Ball is spotted where it hits the ground. Anytime the ball touches the ground it
is dead. Exceptions: a. Any ball dropped in a forward motion will be brought back to last point of
contact.
• A Safety (offensive player downed in own end zone, or penalized in own end zone) will result in two
points for the defense, and a change of possession.
Overtime
• If the score is tied at the end of 40 minutes, teams move directly into overtime.
• Overtime winners will be determined by an extra-point shoot-out in which points are awarded to
teams for successful conversions.
• Coin toss determines possession for the first round.
• Each team will have the option to go for a one-point conversion (5 yards) or a two-point conversion
(12-yards). The team who has the most points at the end of the overtime round will be declared the
winner.
• Interceptions may be returned for two-points.
• If each team has attempted a conversion and the score is still tied, the team which went on offense 1st
in the previous round will start out on defense in the next round, and vice-versa. This will continue until
a winner is declared.
Sportsmanship/Roughing
• 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 can be ejected from the game. Field
monitor may decide to eject players from the game. FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
• Trash talking is illegal. Official has the right to determine language that 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.
• Fighting: Immediate ejection from the league and a 15 yard penalty.
• Taunting: Ten yard penalty and expulsion for multiple repeat offenders.
• Unsportsmanlike conduct / referee abuse: Ten yard penalty. One warning followed by expulsion from
the game.
• THESE RULES WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED TO MAINTAIN ORDER OF FACILITIES.
• ANY PHYSICAL CONTACT OR THREATS TOWARDS AN OFFICIAL OR ANY LEAGUE PERSONNEL WILL
RESULT IN PERMANENT EJECTION FROM THE LEAGUE.
• NO EXCEPTION
Penalties
Offensive Penalties
- Illegal Snap: 5 yards, replay down
- Illegal Motion: 5 yards, replay down
- False Start: 5 yards, replay down
- Impeding Rusher: 5 yards, loss of down
- Blocking/Screening Downfield: 5 yards (L.O.S.), loss of down
- Illegal Pick: 5 yards (L.O.S.), loss of down
- Flag Guarding: 5 yards from the spot of infraction, loss of down; A flag guarding infraction in the team's
own end-zone will be ruled a safety.
- Lowering Head/Shoulder: 5 yards from the spot of infraction, loss of down
- Pass Interference: 10 yards (L.O.S.), replay down
- Illegal Forward Pass: 10 yards (L.O.S.), loss of down
- Delay of Game: 5 yards (L.O.S), replay down
Defensive Penalties
- Off-sides: 5 Yards
- Illegal Rush: 5 Yards, automatic first down
- Illegal Contact: 5 Yards
- Holding: 10 Yards from end of play, automatic first down
- Pass Interference: Spot Foul, automatic first down
- Roughing the QB,: 10 yards, automatic first down
- Delay of Game: 10 yards (L.O.S.), automatic first down
- Illegal Push: 10 yards (L.O.S.), automatic first down
Offensive Direction
-Because of the limited space on the JCC backfield, the offense will always being going towards Leontine
St. ( De la Salle). In the event of an interception, the defense may return the ball for a touchdown, but if
the flag is pulled before the ball will be marked off.