PRIME TIME FLAG FOOTBALL RULES SUMMARY
1. Flag football is a low contact sport. No grabbing clothes, tackling, big hits, collar ties, lowering the shoulder, cheap shots, etc. You simply pull the flag attached to the person with the ball to cause a stoppage of play; or if the player with the ball falls down or his knee touches the ground before his flag is grabbed he is down. Flag football is designed so that people can enjoy the game of football without the risks of injury associated with tackle football. (Note: all sports involve the risk of injury; our design is to minimize that risk).
2. Absolutely no flag guarding. Flag guarding is knocking your opponents hand away from grabbing your flag with your hand, arm, lowering your shoulder, using stiff-arms, diving, leaping, or jumping to avoid a flag pull. If a person flag guards, they are down at the spot of the foul. The ball is spotted where the runner’s feet are when their flag is pulled, not where the ball is. Runners may not leave their feet (dive) to advance the ball.
3. No kick-offs. Each team starts at the "5" yard line. A team gets a first down when they cross mid-field. They have three (3) chances to cross mid-field and three (3) chances to score once they cross mid-field. Change of possessions always start back at the “5” yard line.
4. A fumble results in a dead ball, the team that fumbles retains possession. A fumble is defined by the ball hitting the ground, if the ball is caught in the air (even behind the line of scrimmage) it is considered an interception. Interceptions are dead balls, but result in a change of possession.
5. Games are played on a 40 minute continuous clock with two 20 minute halves. The clock stops only for timeouts (1 per team, per half – timeouts are 1 minute), injury, or at the officials discretion. Coaches and officials should keep the game moving, no intentional delays or stall tactics; a team has no more than 30 seconds to snap the ball once the previous play is completed.
6. Scoring. Each touchdown results in a point. No extra points. Safety results in a change of possession (no points awarded).
7. The quarterback cannot directly run with the ball. The quarterback does have the ability to scramble in the backfield, but cannot advance the ball beyond the line of scrimmage. The quarterback is the offensive player who receives the snap. Once the ball has been handed off in front, behind or to the side of the quarterback, all defensive players are eligible to rush.
8. All players who rush the passer must be a minimum of seven yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Any number of players can rush the quarterback. Players not rushing the quarterback may defend on the line of scrimmage. Once the ball is handed off, the seven-yard rule no longer is in effect and all defenders may go behind the line of scrimmage. A special marker, or the referee, will designate a Rush Line seven yards from the line of scrimmage before each play.
9. No blocking is allowed at any time. The offense cannot physically impede the rusher. The rusher has the right to a clear path to the quarterback. If the “path or line” is occupied by a moving offensive player, then it is the offense’s responsibility to avoid the rusher. Any disruption to the rusher’s path and/or contact will result in an impeding the rusher penalty. If the offensive player does not move after the snap, then it is the rusher’s responsibility to go around the offensive player and to avoid contact.
10. Only one player is allowed in motion at a time. All motion must be parallel to the line of scrimmage and no motion is permitted towards the line of scrimmage.
11. All offensive players are eligible receivers. A player must have a least one foot inbounds when making a reception. In the case of simultaneous possession by both an offensive and defensive player, possession is awarded to the offense.
12. Snapping the ball to start a play is handing or passing it back from the position on the ground. In a legal snap, the movement must be a quick and continuous motion of the hand or hands during which the ball actually leaves the hand or hands.
Any intentional violation of the rules may result in ejection from the game and/or the league (No Refund Given).
Equipment: All players must wear their team shirt (tucked into pants if they hang below the belt line), pants or shorts without pockets or loops, and flags provided by the league. Players must remove all jewelry including watches, bracelets, rings, necklaces, earrings, or anything the official considers hazardous. Players should wear rubber cleats, and mouth guards to minimize the risk of injuries.
Parents Code of Conduct: By registering your child for this league, you accept and understand that you have the responsibility to set an example of good sportsmanship and behavior. Pets, profanity, alcoholic beverages and tobacco use at a field, practice or game is prohibited. Spectators are not allowed on the field unless directed to do so by a coach or official. Unsportsmanlike conduct including inappropriate language directed toward a coach, player, opponent, or referee is prohibited. If you do not follow any of these rules of conduct, you will be asked to leave the premises and will be removed from the league.
Note: League rules require a parent to stay for all practices and games (children cannot be dropped off), unless arrangements have been made with another parent (not coach) to be responsible for your child – this is for the safety and protection of your child.
Please remember this is a recreational league with the primary purpose of having fun through competition while teaching the kids the basics of the sport, including on and off the field conduct and respect for their teammates and opponents. If you are not satisfied with any aspect of our league, rather than complaining about it, we would be happy to have you join our team of volunteers to make it better.
Please email us for more information.