FLAG FOOTBALL RULES

CLOTHING/EQUIPMENT

1. Jerseys- Need to be long enough so they remain tucked in the pants/shorts during the entire down or short enough so there is a minimum of 4" from the bottom of the jersey to the player's waistline.
2. Shoes- No metal cleats are allowed.
3. Headgear- No headgear containing any hard, unyielding or still material including billed hats.
4. Miscellaneous- No towels attached at the player's waist. No pads or braces worn above the waist. ALL POCKETS MUST BE TAPED SHUT.
5. Football- Footballs will be provided by the Intramural Department.

SCRIMMAGE LINE:

1. Seven players per team, can start with as few as 5, however, once there is less than 5 players the game will be called a forfeit.
2. Offense must have 4 players on the line of scrimmage.
3. Defense must line up 1 yard from the ball.
4. Screen blocking only - NO CONTACT ALLOWED
5. Offensive players must be within 15 yards of the ball at the time ball is snapped.

CLOCK:
Halves are 20 minutes

FIRST HALF- continuous running clock EXCEPT for time outs, and after a touchdown (clock stops for extra point and until kickoff is touched).
HALF TIME- will be 5 minutes
SECOND HALF- continuous running clock EXCEPT for same situations as first half and the following.
CLOCK STOPS for the following in the last two (2) minutes of the game:

• time-outs
  
• penalties
  
• incomplete pass
  
• change of possession
  
• player goes out of bounds

If clock is stopped, it starts on the SNAP of ball EXCEPT for kickoffs. On kickoffs the clock starts when the ball is touched.

Three (3) time-outs per game. One (1) minute in length.
Cannot be taken during last four (4) minutes of game.

KICK OFF:

1. Ball must be place kicked, the use of a tee is legal.
2. Kick off is placed at the 20 yard line. Receiving team lines up on their free kick line (between 20-25 yards from the ball) and must have four (4) players in that zone. The kicking team, with the exception of the kicker and holder, must be behind their free kick line until the ball is kicked.
3. The ball can bounce off the ground, picked up and run with. If the offense fumbles the ball to the ground after initial touch, the ball is dead at that spot.
4. There are NO onside kicks. The kicking team cannot recover the ball, they can only down it.
5. When any free kick touches anything while the ball is on or behind the receiving teams goal line, it is dead immediately and is a touchback.

PUNTS:

1. Punts must be announced to the referee before the ball is put into play.
2. Both teams must have four (4) players on the line.
3. No movement is allowed on the line until the ball is punted.
4. The kicker must be at least five (5) yards behind the line of scrimmage to receive the snap. After receiving the snap, the kicker must kick the ball immediately and in a continuous motion.
5. Once the ball is touched ball is dead. If the ball hits the ground on the snap, the ball is dead and it's the other team's ball.

SCORING:

• Touchdown
6 points

• Extra point from 10 yards
2 points

• Extra point from 3 yards
1 point

• Safety
2 points

Safety- The team scored upon puts the ball in play with a punt from their 20.

DEAD BALLS:

1. Ball carrier falls to ground
2. Ball carrier loses flag
3. Incomplete pass
4. Ball carrier goes out of bounds
5. Fumble is a dead ball, opponent cannot recover a fumble
6. Snap hits the ground
7. Snap hitting ground in end zone is a safety

COIN TOSS:

1. Winner chooses either to kick, receive, defend a goal, or defer until second half.
2. 2nd half: loser gets same choice

OFFENSE:

1. Has 25 seconds to put ball in play.
2. Ball may be snapped either between legs or to the side of the center.
3. Offensive line must be motionless for 1 second.
4. At least 4 players on the line, no more than 5.
5. All players are eligible for a pass.
6. 1 forward pass BEYOND the line of scrimmage.
7. A player may hand the ball off forward of their position providing they are behind the line of scrimmage.
8. Ball carrier may NOT hurdle opponent or stiff arm.
9. Ball is down where flag is removed.
10. Use of hands is prohibited at all times by the offensive line.
11. One foot down inside the field of play constitutes a legal pass catch.
12. Quarterback does NOT have to be rushed in order to run.

BLOCKING:

1. Hands are kept in or behind back.
2. Any use of arms, elbows or legs to initiate contact is illegal.
3. Defense must go around offense and may not use hands or arms to go through opponents.

DIVING:

1. Diving is prohibited when attempting to advance the ball.
2. Players may dive to receive a pass only.
3. All other dives are marked "DOWN" at the take-off spot.
4. Players cannot dive to cross the goal line or the line of gain.

TACKLING:

1. Tackling is done by pulling the flags.
2. Physical tackling is illegal and rules as unnecessary roughness. Penalty is 10 yards.
3. Flagrant tackling, the offender will be disqualified.
4. Physical tackling is also ruled when defense puts arms around the runner in order to pull the offensive player's flag.

TIE GAME:

1. Begins with a coin toss.
2. The team advancing the ball the farthest or scoring in the least amount of downs wins.
3. If after both series of downs and both teams have the same yardage or score. Repeat same procedure for tie, beginning with the coin toss.

MERCY RULE:

If a team is seventeen (17) or more points ahead by the 2- minute warning of the second half, the game shall be over.
The same rule applies if a team scores inside 2 minutes the differential.

PENALTIES:

5 Yard Penalties: Delay of game False start Encroachment bounds and Illegal motion in play Illegal procedure Illegal snap Illegal shift Less than required # of players on the line of scrimmage Player receiving snap within 2 yards of scrimmage line Intentional grounding (also loss of down) Illegally handling ball forward (also loss of down) Aiding runner by teammates Illegal equipment Illegal substitution

10 Yard Penalties: Illegal contact Unnecessary roughness Eligibility - going out of bounds and participating in play Offensive pass interference from previous spot (loss of down) Defensive pass interference from previous spot (also automatic first down). If flagrant, additional 10 yards Straight arm Personal foul, unsportsmanlike conduct (defense: from previous spot, automatic first down) (offense: from previous spot, loss of down) Roughing the passer (also automatic first down) Fair catch interference Illegally secured flag belt Clipping, holding and bull rushing Too many players on the field