FLAG FOOTBALL RULES

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

ONLY CAPTAINS CAN TALK TO THE REFS IN A CONTROLLED MANNER.
Anyone else will be ejected from the game, including sideline banter towards the opponents or officials, mumbling under your breath, etc.  If the captain becomes out of control during conversation with the ref, the captain will be ejected.  We have a ZERO TOLERANCE for out of control players.   If our staff finds you rude, disrespectful, or out of control, we have the right to remove you from the game or league.

For less intense situations:
Coordinators & Referees may issue warnings to players for team and personal unsportsmanlike conduct or safety concerns. (Yelling to frighten someone making a catch is considered unsportsmanlike and will be penalized without warning). Staff may also ask players to leave the game for a specified amount of time if they feel it is for the betterment of the team and/or game. If a player fails to respect a staff member’s decisions or heed their warnings, they may be ejected from the game, season or an indefinite amount of time.

Judgment calls made by the referee shall NOT be contested. A formal protest can be made at any time by letting the referee and the league coordinator aware of the situation. After the protest is filed, the game will continue as scheduled.  If the protest is not filed until the conclusion of the game, the final score of that game will be official and will not change. SportsLink will review the protest and make a ruling before the next week’s game.

Any individual who by his/her misconduct (profanity, gestures, physical or verbal abuse toward officials, players, etc.) causes himself/herself to be removed from a contest is automatically ineligible to participate for the remainder of that contest, any other games that day and at least one full week. That person may also be assessed additional suspensions.

STARTING IN 2018: 2 unsportsmanlike penalties by a player in one game will result in an automatic ejection.  An ejection is an automatic 1-week or longer suspension. 
4 unsportsmanlike penalties in a 6-month period will result in an automatic 1-month suspension (on top of any other suspensions accumulated).  Once the time is served, the count will reset.  Players who are repeat offenders may be dismissed from league play.  

Additional rules and policies may be added or amended by SportsLink before or during the season.

Equipment

1. Molded cleats or tennis shoes are the only allowable footwear. NO METAL CLEATS ARE ALLOWED. Shoes must be worn at all times. Shirts must be worn and tucked in or kept short.
2. No denim or khaki pants/shorts or cargo shorts are allowed.  Sport clothes must be worn.  Shorts/Pants with belt loops are not allowed.
    POCKETED SHORTS ARE NOT RECOMMENDED, BUT IT IS OK TO PLAY IN THEM.
3. Flags must be evenly distributed, one on each side and one on the back. If flags are not properly distributed, players may be ruled down when touched.
   – Players must use the league’s flags, unless approved by officials and the opposing captain. Flag-A-Tag Sonic Boom flags are SportsLink’s official flag equipment.  Triple Threat and other tearaway sets are not permitted.
4. Jersey color assignments in the event of a “same color” conflict, home team will wear a “light” color and the visitors will wear a “dark” color. Teams should bring two jerseys to each game to avoid a conflict. All players on a team should be wearing the same color. We will require teams/players to wear pinnies if conflicts.
5. All balls must be official NCAA or NFL weight & size. No junior balls are allowed. Balls must be adequately pumped up. Any discrepancies on weight, size or inflation will be settled by officials & staff.
6. There will be paid refs for each game.

Game Duration

A game shall be divided into a 22-minute halves.

1. The clock will run continuously throughout the first half; only stopping for called timeouts and serious injuries.
2. ONLY DURING The LAST MINUTE OF THE 2ND HALF, the clock will stop for timeouts, incomplete passes, out of bounds, and change of possession.  See #5 for defense getting set.
3. One 1-minute timeout per game. Timeouts will carry over to Overtime.
4. Halftime shall be 60 SECONDS in duration.
5. During a change of possession, the offense must allow the defense to get set. The offense cannot begin play until the official has signaled that it is ok.  If the defense is taking their sweet time to get set, the ref will tell them to get set and then can allow the offense to hike the ball.
6. After a stopped clock, time will resume at the snap.
7. Coin Toss – The toss of coin will take place within three minutes of kickoff in center of field. The toss will be called by the visiting captain before the coin is flipped. The winner may choose one of three privileges and the loser gets the other:
   (a) Receive or kick
   (b) Goal his team will defend
   (c) Defer their choice to the second half
8. Immediately prior to the start of the second half, the captains of both teams must inform the officials of their respective choices. The loser of the original coin toss gets first choice.

How the Game is Played

Players & Formations

1. SportsLink will be offering 7v7 and 8v8 flag football leagues.

• 7v7 Leagues, teams will field 7 players (4 males maximum) at a time. There must be a minimum of 5 players and at least 1 female on the field at all times.
• 8v8 Leagues, teams will field 8 players (5 males maximum) at a time. There must be a minimum of 5 players and at least 1 female on the field at all times.
• For the 5v5 and 6v6 leagues – 4 players must be present to play.  1 must be a female if a coed league.

1. All plays must originate with a snap from center. The ball must be snapped to the quarterback from the ground.  If the center picks up the ball and replaces it on the ground without snapping, this will be considered a false start penalty.
   VERBAL “HIKE” CALL IS NOT MANDATORY.
2. Players may line up in any formation as long as they are behind the line of scrimmage.  Motion from the players prior to the snap is allowed as long as no one advances towards the line of scrimmage.
3. Players may not break the neutral zone until the ball is snapped. If a player steps into the neutral zone, but gets back before the ball is snapped, there will not be a penalty.
4. Offensive players are responsible for retrieving the ball after a down has ended.

Carrying the Ball

1. During the game, the ball will be spotted at the location where the flag was pulled, NOT where the ball is.
   – Example: If a player is straddling the line of the end zone and their foot is in, but the flag was pulled out, the ball will be marked outside the end zone.
2. The quarterback will NOT be able to run for positive yardage until after the 5-count. He/She CAN run if blitzed and when the 5-count expires (regardless if defense rushes). Anyone he/she pitches the ball to before the 5-count expires, can also run.
3. A ball carrier may not deliberately guard their flags. “Spinning” to avoid being de-flagged is legal. Actions such as slapping with the hand or stiff-arming are examples of flag guarding. Hands or arms down the side of the body while spinning are considered guarding.
4. If a player inadvertently loses their flags, or the opposition pulls a flag before gaining possession of the ball, the play will continue and the player must be downed by a one-hand touch.
5. A player will be ruled “down” when any part of the body other than the hand or foot touches the ground.
6. A fumbled or muffed ball is dead when it strikes the ground.
7. There is a “No Run Zone” within 10 feet of the end zone. When the spot of the ball is within this “No Run Zone” the ball must be passed across the line of scrimmage. If a player attempts a running play within his zone, a penalty of 10 paces and loss of down will occur. If the new line-of-scrimmage is outside the “No Run Zone,” the team is able to run. The line-of-scrimmage for the current down determines whether a running play is allowed.
8. It is illegal to attempt to steal a ball in a player’s possession. The object of the game is to de-flag a ball carrier, not steal the ball.
9. In pulling a flag or making a play on a ball, a player’s feet MAY leave the ground. Diving is legal by the defense, however; the diving player is still responsible for any contact they initiate. A defender cannot dive directly TOWARD an offensive player. It must be from the side or behind and solely an attempt to pull a flag and NOT to hinder the player’s progress. An offensive player must make an effort to avoid contact if a defensive player has obtained “the spot” first and vice-versa.
10. A player cannot jump to ADVANCE the ball.  A jump backwards or sideways is legal, as long as the player is not moving FORWARD.

Blocking & Defense (Rushing, Blitzes)

1. No blocking, tackling, or unnecessary roughness.  This includes defensive players avoiding contact with the quarterbacks arm (illegal contact).
2. During all plays, players will not be allowed to cross the line of scrimmage until the rush count (5 count in coed & 3 count in men’s) is completed, unless they blitz or the quarterback pitches the ball.
3. The defense has five blitzes per game. There are no restrictions on how many can be used in a half.  At the time of blitzing, you can blitz as many players as you would like. There is no limit to how many can rush after the 5-count also. NOTE: Men’s leagues will have a 3-count rush instead of a 5-count. If a down is replayed, blitzes are returned. All actions on that penalized play are returned/replayed (other than unsportsmanlike conduct).
4. Diving and jumping are NOT allowed for any offensive possession in an effort to advance the ball after securing possession. Diving/Jumping on defense as an effort to pull a flag from the side or behind, while not hindering a player’s progress or creating an unsafe situation will be allowed. It will be at the ref’s discretion what is and what is not a dive or jump.
5. There are no extra points awarded for a female scoring on an interception return.

Passing

1. A forward pass may be thrown from any point behind the line of scrimmage. Once the line of scrimmage is crossed, a player can not go back and throw.
2. All incomplete backward passes shall be marked down at the point of ground contact.
3. Only one forward pass may be attempted from behind the line of scrimmage on a given play.
4. A forward pass is illegal if:
   • It is thrown from beyond the line of scrimmage. The quarterback’s entire body AND ball must cross the line of scrimmage for it to be an Illegal Forward Pass.
   • It is intentional grounding. (An intentional grounding foul is called when the passer throws a forward pass that has no realistic chance of being completed. To be considered a realistic pass, there must be an eligible offensive player in the area where the ball lands. The passer can avoid an intentional grounding penalty if he is able to scramble out of the “pocket” and throw the ball away. To be considered out of the pocket, the passer must be outside the boundaries set by the first player on the left and right of the snapper. The ball must be thrown at least as far as the line of scrimmage, but it may land out of bounds as long as it reaches the proper distance forward.
   • It is the second forward pass during a play.
   • It is thrown to his/herself.
   • It is thrown forward after a change of possession.
5. A player must have complete possession of the ball and land with at least one foot or knee inbounds, to be a legal reception.
6. If an offensive player goes out-of-bounds on his or her own accord and returns inbounds, it is an illegal touching penalty (dead ball, 10 paces, and loss of down) if they catch the first pass. Such a player cannot be the intended primary receiver and can only catch a tipped ball.

Kicking

1. There will be no kickoffs. Possessions beginning a new half will begin at the ten-foot “No Run Zone.”
2. Following any touchdown, the ball shall be placed on the 10-foot line, possession being given to the opponent of the scoring team.
3. Following a safety, the ball shall be punted from the 10-foot line with possession belonging to the team who just scored the safety.
4. If a kick is to be made, the kick must be made immediately upon receiving the snap. There will be a 5-second count once snapped. The ball shall be spotted at the place where it hit the ground.
5. Once a team captain declares to punt, he/she may change the decision only through the use of a charged time-out or delay of game penalty.
6. On 4th downs, the offensive team does have the option to punt the football.  The offensive team must declare if they intend to punt or go for the first down.  If they declare they are punting, the offensive team must allow the defensive team time to set up for the punt return. The snap is required and the football must be kicked immediately.  If the ball is kicked out of bounds, it will be spotted where it left the field. Players must wait until the ball is kicked to cross the line of scrimmage.
7. From the time the ball is snapped to the time the ball is kicked a player will have a maximum of 5 seconds to hold the ball.
8. PUNTS MUST BE DECLARED WITHIN THE 1ST 15 SECONDS OF THE HUDDLE CLOCK.

Penalties

1. Teams can accept or decline all penalties, even if it takes you in/puts you out of the No Run Zone. Referees will have actual flags to throw so teams can see there was a penalty on a play. For simplicity, all penalties are live until the ref blows the whistle dead.
2. The line-of-scrimmage for the current down determines scoring/running options. If a penalty takes a team outside the “No Run Zone,” they will be able to run and eligible for 8 point touchdowns by a girl.

Offensive Penalties (All 10 PACES from the line of scrimmage & loss of down):

• Offsides
• Blocking/Picking
• Illegal Contact
• Illegal Forward Pass
• Illegal Motion
• False Start
• Delay of Game
• Delay of Game for excessive arguing or complaining
• Fielding Too Many Players
• Flag Guarding – From the spot of foul
• Diving & Jumping – From the spot of foul
• Pass Interference – From the original spot
• Illegal Touching – From the original spot
• Unsportsmanlike Conduct – Can be in addition to another penalty. Player must sit one play.
• Intentional Grounding – If foul occurs inside 10 paces from own end zone, penalty is half the distance to the goal. If QB is in his/her own end zone, a safety is awarded.
• Girl Play Foul – If line of scrimmage was not crossed, remains a Girl Play.

Defensive Penalties (10 PACES from line of scrimmage & replay the down):

• Offsides
• Illegal Contact
• Holding
• Fielding Too Many Players
• Delay of Game – excessive arguing/complaining
• Diving with contact – Spot of the foul, automatic first down
• Pass Interference – Spot of the foul, automatic first down
• Unsportsmanlike Conduct – automatic 1st down. Can be in addition to another penalty. Player must sit one play.

Scoring

1. Point values will be as follows:
   A. Touchdown: 6 points for men and 8 points for females.
   ~Girl points are only awarded on offense, not on an interception return.
2. B. Safety: 2 points (and reception of a punt from the offensive team).
   C. PAT: 1 point will be from 10-foot line.
   ~ Defensive player returning an intercepted pass on this attempt: 1 point.
   D. PAT: 2 points will be from the 20-foot line.
   ~ Defensive player returning an intercepted pass on this attempt: 2 points.
3. Once a team captain declares the his/her choice of going for a 1or 2 point conversion after scoring a touchdown, he/she may change the decision only if a charged time out is granted to either team, or be issued a delay of game penalty.
4. If a ball is intercepted on a 1 point or 2 point conversion and the now-defensive team commits a penalty, the intercepting team will automatically be awarded the 1 or 2 points.

Tie Breaker/Overtime

Regular season games will not have overtime.  A tie at the end of regulation games will stand.  NEW RULE: Playoff games that end in a tie will be decided in 2-pt conversion attempts.  Each team will alternate possession, attempting 1-play 2-point conversions.  If still tied at the end of the 1st OT, the team that went last will now go first and will continue to go back and forth like the NCAA does. This is meant to speed up play and not further delay games.

First Downs, Field Setup & Substitutions

1. All fields will have ONE first down (mid-field).
2. Our standard field size will be 200 feet with 25-foot end zones. Teams will have 75 feet spacing to achieve a first down or score.
3. There will be a 10-foot “No Run Zone” prior to each end zone.
4. A team shall have four downs to complete the task of a first down.
5. Play will start from the ten-foot line at the start of the game and after each score.
6. There are no kick-offs.
7. All substitutions must be made on one side of the field only.

Girl Plays

1. Any touchdown pass caught by a girl or thrown by a girl will be worth 8 points (vs. 6), when originating outside the 10-foot “No Run Zone.” Extra points will be a standard one (from 10 feet) or two (from 20 feet) points. If a penalty takes a team’s line-of-scrimmage outside the “No Run Zone,” the team is able to get 8 points on a girl score. The line-of-scrimmage for the current down determines whether there is a possibility for “girl scoring.”
2. One out of every three plays must involve a girl AS AN OPERATIVE PLAYER.  The play, incomplete or complete, must have been initiated by a girl or been obviously intended for a girl.  Any forward pass thrown TO a girl or BY a girl, must cross the line of scrimmage. Failure to involve a girl will be loss of a down, 10 pace penalty, and a female must now be the operative player on the next play. See below for unique examples:
   • When a female calls for the snap and is sacked, this counts as a female play.
   • When a female calls for the snap and pitches the ball backwards to a male, he must throw to a female across the line of scrimmage to count as a female play.
   • When a male calls for the snap and pitches the ball backwards to a girl, she must either run for the positive yards or throw an attempted pass across the line of scrimmage to count as a female play.
     CLARIFICATION on TIPPED BALLS: If a ball is tipped, whoever ends up catching the ball determines the gender of the play, regardless of the quarterback’s intent. If the pass is incomplete, the gender of the first person to touch/tip the ball determines the gender of the play. If the ball is untouched, it’s the official’s decision.
3. If a girl play was established, but a penalty results in a loss of down, the next play would be open. If the line of scrimmage was not crossed, the play will remain a girl play. If the down is replayed, the girl play will be also.
4. Calls made by an official on the fact of whether or not a play was a “girl play” in some cases are judgmental and not to be argued over once the call has been made.
5. Girl points are only awarded on Offense, not on interception returns.

Women’s League Additional Rules

1. Women’s leagues are played either 5v5 or 6v6.
2. Must have 4 females present to start a game.

All players must have a valid SportsLink Player’s Card to play in our leagues unless otherwise noted.