Flag Football

• All participants must wear a mouthpiece. Players without a mouthpiece may not play; no exceptions.
• Jewelry, including chains and earrings, is not permitted.
• Players who wear glasses are strongly encouraged to use safety glasses or goggles.

• Possession begins at the 10-yard line. First downs are at the 25-yard line and the defensive 10-yard line.
• The offense has four downs to earn a first down or declare a punt. The referee must be notified before a punt attempt.
• Punts: Freshman throws the ball; JV, Varsity, and High School kick the ball. Every kick requires a snap released within three counts, or a delay-of-game penalty applies.
• A ball that touches the ground on a snap or during a play is dead at that spot. In Freshman, a ball touching the ground behind the line of scrimmage returns to the line of scrimmage; this also applies to field-goal attempts.
• If a ball carrier’s flag falls off on its own, the defense must touch the runner with one hand.

Scoring:

• Touchdown: 6 points
• Safety: 2 points
• Extra point from the 10-yard line: 2 points (run or pass)
• Extra point from the 3-yard line: 1 point
• Field goal: 3 points; there is no defensive rush on kick attempts.
• A returned extra-point attempt (runs only) is worth 2 points.

Freshman and JV kick extra points and field goals. These kicks must occur within three counts of the holder receiving the ball. The one-player-run-per-possession rule also applies to extra points.

• A team must have three players in the box and at least five players on the line of scrimmage.
• The box is the center plus one tight end on each side; tight ends may be no more than three yards from the center.
• Running inside the box behind the line of scrimmage is not allowed. Receivers must be clearly spaced from the box.
• All players are eligible receivers.
• Players may not jump or dive to advance the ball or avoid being downed.
• Flag guarding is prohibited. Players may not use their hands to protect the belt.
• Every play begins with a snap from the center to another player. The snap may be a direct touch, direct toss, or between-the-legs snap.
• No blocking, tackling, body shielding, charging, or lowering a shoulder to prevent a flag pull.
• Intentional grounding is called when a passer does not attempt to throw to a receiver.

• All defenders may rush once the offense hands off, completes a forward pass, or takes the ball outside the box.
• After the referee’s three-count, any number of defenders may rush from any position. A rusher must begin at least three yards from the line of scrimmage, or at the distance to gain when it is less than three yards. The referee places a rush puck on every play.
• Blitzing before the three-count is offside.
• A tackle occurs when a flag is separated from the ball carrier. A player with no flags, or whose flag has fallen off, is down.
• The line of scrimmage is marked by the ball, not the flag.
• Pushing a player out of bounds is prohibited. Defenders must pull the flag, not push the ball carrier.

• Games consist of two 25-minute running-time halves, except for injury timeouts, scoring plays, and the final two minutes of the second half.
• In the final two minutes, the clock stops after incomplete passes, out-of-bounds plays, first downs until the ball is set, and defensive penalties.
• Each team receives four one-minute timeouts per game.
• A play starts when the snapped ball touches the second player.
• The offense has 35 seconds to snap after the referee sets the line of scrimmage; Freshman has 40 seconds.
• On an attempted kick, the offense must declare its intent and complete the kick within the play clock and the referee’s three-count. Fake kicks and punts are not allowed, and the defense may not rush the kicker.
• Only one foot in bounds is needed for a completed catch.
• Referees may stop the clock for injuries, equipment issues, weather, or excessive delays.
• There is no overtime until the playoffs.

• A player may run with the ball only once per set of downs. That player may still catch unlimited forward passes beyond the line of scrimmage; lateral passes count as runs.
• A team leading by more than 18 points in the second half cannot earn a first down. It must score within three downs or punt on fourth down.
• A team trailing by more than 24 points after a score retains possession at the fourth-down spot.
• Interceptions by a team leading by more than 24 points are dead balls; the trailing team takes possession at the line of scrimmage with a first down.
• Parents and fans may not yell at or behave inappropriately toward the opposing team or officials. Referees may issue warnings and/or a 15-yard penalty.

• Each team may have three active coaches: one head coach and two assistant coaches. Non-participants must remain on the opposite side of the field from players and coaches. The head coach is responsible for clearing the sideline.
• Freshman: three coaches, with one on the field all season.
• JV: three coaches, with one on the field all season; that coach must move to the sideline for the play.
• Varsity: three coaches, with one on the field during preseason only.
• Middle School: three coaches. Additional High School volunteers require league approval.
• Coin-toss choices are ball, direction, or defer. A team that defers in the first half chooses in the second half.

• Every player must play at least half of each game. Teams are encouraged to designate a coach to manage substitutions.
• All teams make the playoffs. Coaches should provide every player opportunities to run, catch, and fully participate.
• Coaches should bring written plays to keep huddles efficient; referees will call delay of game when necessary.

• Offside (offense/defense): 5 yards lost or gained, respectively.
• Delay of game: 5-yard offensive loss for a 35-second clock or three-count violation.
• Diving or jumping: 5 yards from the spot and loss of down.
• Pass interference: defense—ball at the spot of the foul; offense—5-yard loss and loss of down.
• Blocking, tackling, shielding, charging, or pushing out of bounds: 10 yards from the spot.
• Personal foul: 10 yards, usually a dead-ball penalty. Two personal fouls in the same series offset yardage, but both players sit out that series.
• Quarterback over the line: 5-yard loss and loss of down.
• Flag guarding: 5-yard loss from the spot and loss of down.
• Intentional grounding: 5-yard loss from the line of scrimmage and loss of down.
• Taunting: 10 yards. Fighting results in ejection and a suspension for the next game; the Commissioner must be informed.
• Flag-belt obstruction: 15 yards; the player sits out the full series and may be suspended for a repeat offense.
• Flag placement: flags must be connected in front, with flags at the sides and back. The first occurrence is a team warning; repeats are a 5-yard loss and replay of the down.
• Running through the box: 5-yard penalty and loss of down.
• Safety: punt from the team’s own 5-yard line.